Due to COVID and the restrictions that brings, the library has become the drop off location for several organizations in our area. In lieu of the Fire Department’s annual Food Bank Drive, non-perishable donations for the Food Bank can be brought to the library. Toys for Christmas gifts can be left in the Salvation Army box by the front desk until the end of the first week in December. The bin for gently used jackets, coats and boots for the United church’s Jacket Racket is located in the entryway. Please consider giving to any or all of these community efforts and thank you to those of you who have already done so.
As with last year, many of our seasonal activities such as the volunteer Christmas banquet and Stories with Santa are on hold once again. Last year these cancellations led to the production of a video featuring local celebrities reading ‘Twas the Night before Christmas. We will feature this video again in December on our Facebook page to get you into the holiday spirit or you can find it on YouTube with this link: youtu.be/QoQXsLs081E
The following is a poem we wrote about making the video last year:
‘Twas right before Christmas and all through the stacks
Not a patron was browsing, or sitting to relax
The doors had been closed by provincial decree
The library was quiet, as quiet can be.
The staff were much saddened as all they had planned
To celebrate the season was legally banned.
No programs could run or groups come and meet
Or patrons dropping off sweet Christmas treats.
No Stories with Santa this year would be read
To children with sugarplums a-dance in their heads
Their bright cheery faces we would not get to see
As he told them of Rudolph and the reindeer with glee.
Our annual banquet for our volunteer force
This great celebration was cancelled of course.
So, no lovely dinner, with tons of dessert
No way to thank them -boy did that hurt.
How could we still keep the spirit of the season
To celebrate with all, but not commit treason.
Then in the middle of the night, an inspired thought
Into our manager’s brain was brought.
“If they can’t come to us, we’ll go to them
And create a wonderful community gem.
We’ll send it out both far and wide
We can still celebrate this COVID yuletide!”
We made a list and of course checked it twice
Every person we asked was particularly nice
About reading a verse from that poem of yore
A classic composed by Clement Clarke Moore. We had workers in restaurants, and local store owners. Some of whom like to be great library donors. Poets of the region, the mayors of both towns. Were keen to recite in this time of shutdown. Staff Sergeant Akitt from the RCMP. Was joined by our Deputy Firehall Chief. One of our Ramblers, stood out in the trees. Guitar-man Jim spoke his lines with such ease.
It was all filmed by Doris and edited by Al. We put it on Facebook and You Tube as well. It was our gift to the people we missed, who are the reason the library exists! The patrons all loved it and were happy to know that COVID hadn’t stolen all of the show. That right before Christmas the library was there bringing much joy, togetherness and cheer.
The library will be closed December 24 – 27, Open Noon to 4 pm December 28-30 and Closed December 31- January 2. The library will resume regular hours on Monday, January 3, 2022.
For more information on either of these opportunities, please call Jan at 403-933-3278.
