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@ Your Library: Books, art and opera

Donated books are everywhere in the library. Back halls are lined with them, empty rooms are full of them and any available desk or tabletop is piled high with them...

Donated books are everywhere in the library. Back halls are lined with them, empty rooms are full of them and any available desk or tabletop is piled high with them. Any of the books not going into our collection are destined for the spring garden party at Morris Garden Centre on May 1. There will be hundreds of books this year, along with a huge assortment of home and garden magazines. The sale begins at noon and ends at 3 p.m. this year. This is a slight change from years past when it began at 1 and ended at 4. Those of us who contribute baked goods have been contacted and are now pondering how to outdo last year’s delicious donation. We are also looking forward to having the Creston Community Band provide music for the event. No big speakers or electric instruments, no ebooks and not a computer in sight. The entire event relies 100 per cent on people, paper and cash only. One wonders what the library book sale and Garden Party will look like in 10 years, or even five.

Carol Huscroft, the co-ordinator of Art in the Library, has once again shown her prowess in allowing us to see work we might not otherwise have an opportunity to witness. Jean Taylor is the artist of the show that went up Saturday. She is only visiting Creston and makes her home in Teslin, Yukon.  Jean’s heritage is with the Tlingit nation in Teslin, with a connection to the Tlingit Haida of Alaska.  Most of the work shown at the library reflects the celebration of life and dancing of her culture. Taylor’s biography is one long list of prizes, shows and awards. The shows have been from Inuvik to France to the UN. Two of her works were given to the governor general. This is another in a series of art displays you don’t want to miss. There is no doubt Jean Taylor deserves every award she has received.

On April 29, our Pseudo Night at the Opera will present The Magic Flute with Kathleen Battle, Francisco Araiza and Manfred Hemm. Jacqueline Marie, our opera host, will begin the introduction at 7 p.m.

Apparently we were a little premature in ending our Saturday afternoon films as enjoying outdoor activities on the weekend have not yet been an option with the arctic-like weather we have been having. One still risks hypothermia reclaiming the garden from the winter and weeds that seem to thrive in any weather. Both the Films That Make you Think and films for kids will return next fall.

I didn’t watch This Hour has 60 Minutes over the weekend, but I did read an article on Huffington Post this morning that referred to a certain segment of last night’s CBS program. It would appear the author of the very popular book Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson, is somewhat short on integrity and truth within the pages of the book. Mr. Mortenson also does not seem to be available for comment and the publisher will be reviewing the book with the author if they can find him. Sounds to me like the book has a good chance of being relegated to the fiction section of the library along with James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces and every election promise being made in this current race to live in the big house on Sussex drive.

Ann Day is the chief librarian at the Creston and District Public Library.