Friday, April 27, 2012

Out of the Stacks, Into the Oven


 Despite the rain on April 26, 2012, the Cheraw “taste of” event was a great success for Chesterfield County Library.  Our table focused on mouth-watering breads, freshly baked by students of our honored guest, internationally recognized, Chef Peter Reinhart, instructor at Johnson and Wales in Charlotte.  His breads were accompanied by a variety of cheeses, infused oils, vinegars, bruschetta and special French and Italian wines hosted by The Wine Factory.  This delectable pairing of breads and cheeses were a perfect complement to the other fabulous foods and culinary offerings by local chefs, while fostering a sense of community and supporting our local library. 

The highlight of the evening was the opportunity to meet and greet the community; old friends, new friends, former students, politicians and many, many library supporters while offering them bread and wine - a bit of literary communion.   Chef Peter shared his baking experiences, tips of the trade, and just plain “bread talk” with guests as they sampled the savory breads.  A favorite of a small table of Provence-like on-lookers, was Chef Peter’s fruit bread which seemed to disappear very quickly…hmmmm.  A former student, also a bread maker and owner of a much used copy of Chef Peter’s bread Bible, made a special trip to the Taste, just to meet the bread man!  We’re hoping he will continue the trade here in Cheraw – how wonderful would it be to have locally baked fresh breads?  We’re waiting and hoping to hear from you George!   If you sampled a favorite bread, we’d love to hear about it.  Chef Peter’s books are still available in the Matheson Library, along with a sampling of some of the remaining breads.  Please stop by and check them out.  Many thanks to Marilyn Burns, Joyce Hickey, the Cheraw Chamber, Gail Ingram-Library Board Chairperson and staff members Beverly Allen and Joyce Quick for their support in making this happen.

Looking ahead, you’ll want to check out the new Fifties Club in Chesterfield, bring ID – you could be carded if you’re aging well!  There will be a variety of events from BINGO, live music, guest presenters, craft classes, and we’re accepting suggestions from you – just see Jennifer.  Programs will be held at 2:00 pm on the third Wednesday of the month. The May 16th program features The Red Toppers which has proven to be a favorite group all over Chesterfield County.  Put on your dancing shoes and join us at the library!  Call for more details.

The Summer Reading Event is just around the corner and this year the library will offer an adult component.  Be sure to get involved because there will be lots of fun activities and opportunities for you to meet and share your literary and technological experiences with friends.  Each branch will feature different events so you may want to travel around a bit this summer and check out the different branch programs.  The Children’s Program will kick off the week of June 11th so watch for detailed plans, arriving soon at each branch.

I leave you this month with a brief mentioning of a wonderful new read – Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlin, a memoir, exploring the life and lives of today’s woman.  She shares childhood memories, “maniac motherhood” experiences, and those wonderful mid-life “finding yourself” days.  You’ll see reflections of yourself among the pages as Quindlen points out the valuable wisdom we’ve acquired along the difficult and long road to becoming who we are today.   You’ll laugh, cry, reminisce and dream as you devour Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake.

Events for May
All Branches will be closed May 26  & 28 for Memorial Day

Chesterfield

               May 3, Game Day @3.30
               May 7, Book Club @ 2pm
               May 9, Bridge @ 2 pm – open to all
               May 10, Kid's Craft-Make a gift for Mom @3:30
               May 16, Fifty Plus Group The Red Toppers @ 2 pm
               May 17, Kids Movie How To Train A dragon @3:30
               May 23, Movie Vs. Book - Snow Flower and the Secret Fan @ 2 pm
               May 24, Kids Clean Up Day Bring Your Own Tools and Gloves @ 3:30

Matheson Library
May 1, Job Corps@10:30
May 7, Book Club@ 4pm
May 11, Motheread@ 12-2
May 7-12, Children's Book Week
May 22, Movie Vs. Book - Snow Flower and the Secret Fan@ 2pm
May 23, Novel Book club@ 2pm
May 25th, Motheread@12-2

McBee
May 1, Head Start @ 10:30
May 1, Senior Computer Class @ 5:00
May 8, Head Start Craft-Make a gift for Mom @ 10:30
May 8, Kid's Craft-Make a gift for Mom @ 4:00
May 8, Senior Computer Class @ 5:00
May 15, Head Start @ 10:30
May 15, McBee Elementary 3rd Grade Class Tour @ 1:00
May 15, Senior Computer Class @ 5:00
May 17, Ladies Night Out-Homemade Body Scrub Class @ 4:00
May 22, Head Start Class @ 10:30
May 22, Senior Computer Class @ 5:00
May 24, Carolina On My Mind Book Club-Meet @ Jefferson Community Center@ 5:30
May 29, Head Start Class @ 10:30
May 29, Senior Computer Class @ 5:00

Pageland
May 1 Game Day @3:30
May 2 Computer class@ 10:30-12:00
May 8 Craft Day @ 3:30
May 15 Movie Day @ 3:30
May 17 Jewelry Class – Kumihimo Weaving @ 10:30
May 22 Clean-Up Day @ 3:30

Jefferson
May 2, Kid's Day @ 3:30 Kid's Day
May 9, Kid's Day-Make a gift for Mom @ 3:30 Kid's Day-Make a gift for Mom
May 14, Ladies Night Out-Homemade Body Scrub Class @ 3:30 Ladies Night Out-Homemade Body Scrub Class
May 16, Kid's Day @ 3:30 Kid's Day
May 23, Kid's Day@ 3:30
May 24, Carolina On My Mind Book Club-Meet @ Jefferson Community Center
@ 5:30
May 30, Kid's Day @ 3:30

Sunday, April 1, 2012

National Library Week

Chesterfield County Library is celebrating National Library Week by offering a Technology Petting Zoo and E-reader training. Come by your branch next week to check out a variety of e-reader options or bring your own and a staff member will be on-site to help you learn how to use all the bells and whistles.

Whether you are a job seeker looking for resources to land a new job, a parent looking for free activities for children or a student searching for your next favorite book, you belong at your library.

Today’s libraries help level the playing field by making both print and digital information affordable, available and accessible to all people. Libraries provide cultural heritage and genealogical collections, materials in print and electronic formats, job seeking resources, English as second language and citizenship classes and many other creative and resourceful programs.

Libraries have historically served as our nation’s great equalizers of knowledge. The strength of libraries has always been the diversity of their collections and commitment to serving all people. This National Library Week, join our nation’s libraries and librarians by celebrating the place where we all belong.

The Library’s Technology Petting Zoo Schedule is:

Tuesday, April 10 at Chesterfield from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday, April 11 at Pageland from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday, April 11 at Jefferson from 2 to 5 p.m.

Thursday, April 12 at Cheraw from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursday, April 12 at McBee from 2 to 5 p.m.

“Our libraries provide a wide range of opportunities for people with different needs and interests,” said Brenda Branson, Director. “As well, we strive to provide our community with custom collections and services for the diverse backgrounds and interests represented throughout our county. We love to hear from you — let us know what you need or want.”

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.

Other new and special events being featured this month includes a Fifty Plus group which will begin meeting on the third Wednesday of each month. The first meeting will be on April 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. We will get to know each other over a game of Bingo. Light refreshments will be served.

The “Let’s Talk About It” Series will be hosted in McBee on April 26 at 5:30 p.m. The book being discussed this month is “Partisans and Redcoats” by Walter Edgar and the discussion will be facilitated by Frank White. All county residents are welcome. Call to register and pick up a copy of the book.

For more information, visit the Chesterfield County Library in your community, or call 843-623-6720 or see the library’s Web site at http://www.chesterfield.lib.sc.us/.