Incognito
HE’S NO BOOKWORM–Gutenberg the
McAlester Public Library bookworm is
in disguise for Halloween. With those
large floppy ears and that cute little nose,
his costume is so good, nobunny could
possibly recognize him.
Enhanced Insulation Techniques
DOODLE ART drink cups were the project when the adult
crafts group met Wednesday, Oct. 12 at McAlester Public
Library. The group meets on the second Wednesday of every
month from 1-3 p.m. November’s project will be jewel craft
ornaments, made using coffee creamer container lids, styrofoam
and plastic balls and faux jewels. Spaces are limited, so
registration is required. Call 918-426-0930 to sign up.
Relatively Creative, Constructive
LEGO CREATIONS from this area brother and
sister are currently on display in the lobby of
McAlester Public Library. Other displays include
the history of Krebs, thriller/chiller movies,
Halloween and the Question of the Week.
Take on a New Perspective with October Library Events
By KATHY McGILBERRY
You say potato, I say po-tah-to. You say tomato, I say to-mah-to. There are just so many differences in perspective, inflection and emphasis.
For starters, there is the first book in the Fall Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma series at McAlester Public Library. Everyone agrees the main title is “Into the Heart.” What’s not so clear-cut, however, is the name of the tribe studied by its author. Some say Yanomama. Some say Yanomami. It’s a little like that famous song the Gershwin brothers wrote for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers: potato-potahto, Yanomami-Yanomama, etc.
No matter the version, let’s NOT call the whole thing off. Let’s instead make plans to attend the Thursday, Oct. 6 session of “Let’s Talk.” Perhaps we can settle the pronunciation differences when we meet. The theme this season has much to do with different perspectives. It’s “Writing Worlds: The Art of Seeing in Anthropology, Fiction and Autobiography.” I’m hearing good things from those who are reading the books. You should attend, whether you’ve read them or not. It’s always good to hear about others’ perspectives.
There’ll be a big difference in the teen section this month. Sarah Standish-Burke has taken another position across the state, and the new Teen Librarian began her duties Monday, Oct. 3. Stop by to say hello! And be on the lookout for all the new teen activities in November.
In the meantime, activities in the children’s section are back to a nice consistent rhythm. Anita Ross has a Lapsit for caregivers and groups every Tuesday at 10 a.m., and another at 11 a.m. for families. There’s a children’s movie every Tuesday at 4 p.m., and a Story Time every Wednesday at 10 a.m. On Thursdays, Family Play Time is always at 11 a.m., and Game Time is always at 4 p.m.
Here’s a look at more of what’s in store for October.
*Thursday, Oct. 6—The Bookies will meet at 1 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss Anne McCaffrey’s “Dragonflight.” And then at 6 p.m., as mentioned, “Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma” begins with Dr. Lewis Parkhill presenting Kenneth Good’s book “Into the Heart: One Man Pursuit of Love and Knowledge Among the Yanomami/Yanomama.” There will be a fine array of refreshments provided (perhaps even a couple of to-mah-toes) and a door prize. Please attend!
*Friday, Oct. 7.—Computer Whiz Anthony Smart continues his Fall computer classes with a basic class in the Whiteacre Room beginning at 4 p.m.
*Saturday, Oct. 8—Second Saturday Cinema starts at 2 p.m. in the Whiteacre East. What’s playing? It’s a Disney movie. It’s about a fancy school dance. It’s rated PG. It’s family-friendly. It rhymes with “glom.” It features free popcorn. And best of all, you don’t have to rent a tux or buy a formal gown to attend.
*Monday, Oct. 10—Arthouse Theater at 6 p.m., also in the Whiteacre East. What’s playing? It’s from 20th Century Fox. It features a dance called the Time Warp. It’s rated R. It’s for adults. It features free popcorn. You can dress up if you choose. And it rhymes, sort of, with “Stocky Mirror Stricture Crow.”
*Wednesday, Oct. 12—The monthly Free Crafts Workshop participants will meet in the Conference Room from 1-3 p.m. to make doodle art insulated coffee mugs. We supply everything; you just bring your own creativity. Call 918-426-0930 to register. Spaces are limited.
*Thursday, Oct. 13—The Let’s Talk About It Movie Special is a PG-13 film starring Keanu Reeves, Barbara Hershey and Peter Falk. It’s based on the Mario Vargas Llosa novel “Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter.” It also features actor Paul Austin, husband of local author Rilla Askew. It all begins at 6 p.m. in the Whiteacre East.
*Monday, Oct. 17—The Light Readers inspirational book club will meet at 6 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss the new novel “Land Run” by Mark Graham. As you might expect, it’s set in Oklahoma, and there’s a possibility the group will
hear from the author himself during the discussion.
*Tuesday, Oct. 18—The Night Readers will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss Katherine Howe’s “The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane.”
*Thursday, Oct. 20—The library will be CLOSED for staff training. However, we will open the doors for the “Let’s Talk” program ONLY from 6-8 p.m. Dr. Rex Morrell will present “The Storyteller” by Mario Vargas Llosa. As always, refreshments and a door prize will be provided.
*Friday, Oct. 21—Computer class with Anthony Smart will feature “Keyboard Shortcuts.”
*Saturday, Oct. 22—Documentary Matinee at 2 p.m. in the Whiteacre East. Title to be announced.
*Monday, Oct. 23—First Run Independent Movie from Film Movement, 6 p.m., Whiteacre East. “The Colors of the Mountain,” a Spanish-language film with English subtitles, will be the feature. Here’s the synopsis: Young Manuel lives with his hard-working farmer parents in the remote, mountainous region of the Colombian countryside. While the adults in their lives try to avoid both the armed military and the guerrilla rebels fighting each other in the area, Manuel and his friend Julián are obsessed with playing soccer any chance they get. Shortly after his birthday, the new ball Manuel received as a gift gets kicked off to a minefield, and he, Julián and their albino friend Poca Luz do everything in their power to recover their prized belonging—an essential part of their everyday lives and dreams.
*Tuesday, Oct. 24—Broaden your own perspective, inflection and emphasis at Socrates Café, when we meet from 10 a.m. to noon in the Conference Room to discuss the deeper issues of the day. It’s philosophy for the common man, in a respectful atmosphere. With brunch-appropriate refreshments. Why not attend? If nothing else, we can discuss the various ways to pronounce Ayn Rand’s name.
*Thursday, Oct. 25—The Let’s Talk About It Movie Special is a G-Rated Southern Gothic tale starring Sondra Locke and Alan Arkin. It’s based on a Carson McCullars book, and we’re watching it in anticipation of the next book in the series, Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge.” Converge on the Whiteacre Room East at 6 p.m. to view the movie.
*Friday, Oct. 26—The final Fall computer class will be on Online Travel Booking. It starts at 4 p.m. in the Whiteacre East. Call ahead to register.
*Monday, Oct. 31—Happy Halloween! The library will be open until 8 p.m., so make plans to stop by and see the staff in their spooky duds.
Will that be the scariest thing in all of October? I guess it all depends on your perspective. Some might find a book or movie to be the scariest thing. Me, I note that a new Supreme Court term begins this month, and that scares me silly. But then again, it’s all a matter of perspective. Tomato, to-mah-to. Hope to see you at the library.
Stop by the Library
STOP BY THE LIBRARY–Of course we’re all happy when
people stop by the library to check out a book, film, magazine,
game, audio book or e-book. But we’re happy about a different
sort of stop this week. The City of McAlester recently installed a
four-way stop at the intersection of Second and Adams Streets,
home to McAlester Public Library, the Masonic Center, S. Arch
Thompson Auditorium and McAlester Public Schools administrative
center, making the busy intersection much safer for auto and
pedestrian traffic.
