Berne Library Notes for Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Can you believe it? Month twelve of 2021. Peeking at the first full week, here’s what’s filling the library calendar page:

— Dec. 5 at 7 p.m., Berne Sunday Book Club members flock to the library to discuss “The Book of Lost Friends,” by Lisa Wingate. Flipping between 1787 Louisiana and 1987, this novel draws on historical events.

Follow a young teacher discovering advertisements written by freed enslaved humans in search of “Lost Friends” torn apart after Civil War reconstruction. Benedetta Silva follows the journey of three women embarking into danger on the road to Texas. Secrets, unexpected connections, a hidden book and hope unfold as Lavinia, Juneau Jane, and Hannie carry their pilgrimage westward;

— Also on the 5th, the library participates in the Peter Becker Christmas Parade. A parade of floats, colorfully lighted vehicles, and lots of “’Tis the Season” atmosphere near and far. Gather on the parade route from Helderberg Bluestone to the Berne firehouse. Join your neighbors for this community event starting at 4:30 p.m.;

— Jumping to the 9th, the Berne Library Board of Trustees are in the community room, attending to library business. These meetings are open to the public; and

— Writing dabblers from Journeys On the Page meet online and in house for their Dec. 10 mingle starting at 7 p.m. A place to nurture, share, and grow your ideas in a supportive, low-pressure space. Interesting writers are always welcome.

Friends’ projects

Trumpeting the efforts of the Friends, feel free to add new socks to the Sock Tree through Dec.15. 

After socking it up, fire up your perfect picture radar to enter the 7th Juried Photo Exhibit. Four categories to shoot for include: Vroom!, Garden Delights, Play Ball! and All Creatures Great and Small. Enter photos by Jan. 31. Entry forms available soon.

Then, there are the foam cutouts you can decorate or add your fave book or authors for trimming a tree sponsored by the library and Friends. 

Winter sowing

Chatting with Broccoli Spear of Seed Library fame, a few tips sprouted involving winter sowing ideas. If you have a weed-free spot that drains well, try adding milkweed and butterfly weed to launch a monarch butterfly draw. Broccoli’s research uncovered flowering perennials being helped to germinate by adding the winter cold ingredient. Pretty cool, right?

Such plants as campfire rudbeckia, echinacea, yarrow, and blazing star. Other possibilities include poppies, chamomile, calendula, and marigolds. Add to that some moon flower, heavenly morning glory and a balloon vine and you’ve got yourself a feast of awesome come springtime. Ramp up the sowing by about 20 percent. 

Want to test a small version of this winter sowing? Sow seeds into a few containers left outside and partially covered. Look out marigolds; it’s time to try this experiment on for size. Thanks, Broccoli Spear, for the tips.