The Library still has Count Down to Christmas calendars available for children to either construct at the library or as a take home kit to complete at home. Come to the library to receive one or call 487-7524 to reserve one.

The Library will be offering a Painting Party on Tuesday, Dec. 21st from 5:00-6:00 pm at the Lake Andes Community Center. The class size will be limited to the 1st 25 people. A $5.00 fee will be charged to reserve your spot. Children under the age of 6 years old will need an adult to attend with them. If you have further questions please contact the Library at 487-7524 during our regular hours.

The SDSU Extension Community Vitality team hosted a virtual book club in November and December of 2021. I joined the book club and read the selection “The Growing Season: How I Built a New Life-and Saved an American Farm” by Sarah Frey. The book will be available for check out just before Christmas. Frey grew up on a struggling farm in southern Illinois. At 15, she started her own fresh produce delivery business out of an old pickup truck. Two years later she took over the family farm and started doing business with the largest grocery retailers in the country. Frey’s story is one of never giving up, negotiating with some of the biggest businesses in the nation and building a company that serves consumers with fresh, healthy products. Today Frey Farms is the nation’s leading producer of pumpkins, earning Frey the nickname “America’s Pumpkin Queen.” “This book represents issues that impact every South Dakotan: issues of food and the livelihoods of farmers in the community.

Another selection from the Library I completed reading as my way to commemorate the Hanukkah holiday was to read a juvenile selection titled “White Bird” by R. J. Palacio. This graphic novel looks at the life of Julian, the classroom bully from Palacio’s award-winning book titled “Wonder”. “White Bird”, reveals a new side to Julian’s story as he discovers the moving and powerful tale of his grandmother, who was hidden from the Nazis as a young Jewish girl in occupied France during the Second World War. As Grandmere tells Julian, “It always takes courage to be kind, but in those days, such kindness could cost you everything.” “White Bird” is available for check-out from the Library now.