Show Your Grit! Attend August Events at Library

By KATHY McGILBERRY

It’s hot. It’s been hot for quite a while. It will probably stay hot for some time to come. What does it take to survive in this kind of heat?

Grit. True grit.

If you’re a veteran of many summers in this Oklahoma heat, then you already possess plenty of true grit. But you can borrow more from the endless reserves of U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn, as we study much that relates to Charles Portis’s classic Western novel “True Grit” this month.

And we begin very close to home with Tom Crowl’s historical presentation “J.J. McAlester and a Tale of Two Cities” tonight (Thursday, July 28) at 6:30 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room. As you know, in that famous novel, Rooster Cogburn and Mattie Ross travel from Fort Smith, Arkansas, straight into the Indian Territory of Southeastern Oklahoma, making a stop at J.J. McAlester’s store. There’s a lot of local history that developed around that store, and Crowl, past president of the Pittsburg County Genealogical and Historical Society, has researched much of it.

Eddie Gray of the Old Town Association will have some J.J. McAlester memorabilia to display, and we’ll have a special “general store” door prize as well. You won’t want to miss this presentation, part of our Novel Destinations summer reading program for adults.

Then next week, we’ll gather to watch both versions of the movie. The John Wayne version will begin at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, August. 2 and the Jeff Bridges version will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 4. There will be free popcorn at both screenings, all in the impressively-air-conditioned Whiteacre Room.

Once we’ve learned about our town’s founder and watched both movies, we’ll turn our attention to the book. There’s still time to pick up your free copy–we still have a few left to distribute. Ask at the front desk for details. Then join us Thursday, August 11 when we’ll gather to hear Dr. Jennifer Kidney’s scholarly presentation, “More Than True Grit.” Dr. Kidney, for many years the administrator of the Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma program, has a Ph.D. from Yale University, and has led countless book discussions for that program. She reports that she has loved reading the works of Charles Portis, and has much to share with us.

And if that isn’t enough to make you saddle up and ride on down to the library in August, how about this? If you attend Dr. Kidney’s program, you’ll have the chance to fill your hands with a special poster donated by True West magazine just for this occasion. It’s valued at $75 and features both John Wayne and Jeff Bridges, both in character as Rooster Cogburn. The poster, by Western artist Paul A. Lanquist, is now on display in the library and will be our door prize August 11.

With the big summer reading program for kids now ended, there won’t be any children’s programs in August, but we still have lots of reasons to visit the library.

Here’s the rundown:

*Monday, Aug. 1—Teen Manga Club, 4-6 p.m., Mezzanine meeting room.

*Tuesday, Aug. 2—Teen Movie, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Mezzanine meeting room; plus the aforementioned John Wayne movie, 5:45 p.m., Whiteacre Room.

*Thursday, Aug. 4—The Bookies book club, 1-3 p.m., Conference Room, discussing Thomas H. Cook’s “Last Talk with Lola Faye;” and the aforementioned Jeff Bridges movie, 6 p.m., Whiteacre Room. Plus, Teen Game Time, 3:30-5:30 p.m., on this and every other Thursday afternoon this month.

*Monday, Aug. 8—Arthouse Theater, 6 p.m., Whiteacre Room. See Edward Norton star in double roles in this surprising feature, set right here in Little Dixie. It’s rated R and we’ll have free popcorn as always.

*Tuesday, Aug. 9—Teen Yu-Gi-Oh Club, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Mezzanine meeting room.

*Wednesday, Aug. 10—Free Crafts Workshop, 1-3 p.m., Whiteacre Room, making travel-themed refrigerator magnets; Night Readers movie special, 6 p.m., Whiteacre Room, a PG-rated film based on the Anne Tyler novel “The Accidental Tourist.”

*Thursday, Aug. 11—More Than True Grit with Dr. Jennifer Kidney, 6:30 p.m., Whiteacre Room. Free refreshments and that terrific door prize.

*Saturday, Aug. 13—Bring the whole family to see a G-rated movie based on another Southeastern Oklahoma-set classic novel, Wilson Rawls’s “Where the Red Fern Grows.” Second Saturday Cinema begins at 2 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room.

*Monday, Aug. 15—Light Readers, 6-7 p.m., Conference Room, discussing Lloyd C. Douglas’s “The Robe.” There will be lots of good refreshments too.

*Tuesday, Aug. 16—Teen Movie, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Mezzanine Meeting Room; and Night Readers, 6:30 p.m., Conference Room, discussing Anne Tyler’s “The Amateur Marriage.” Free refreshments here, too.

*Wednesday, Aug. 17—Teen Cooking Class, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Mezzanine Meeting Room, making chocolate chip cookies. Yum!

*Thursday, Aug. 18—Lessons from an Oklahoma Girlhood, Poetry Reading with Dorothy Alexander of Cheyenne, 6:30 p.m., Whiteacre Room. Free refreshments and another special door prize at this event. You’ll want to come out and meet author/poet/publisher Dorothy. She’s a real live wire!

*Saturday, Aug. 20—We’ll be drawing for prizes at the close of our Novel Destinations summer reading program. You still have plenty of time to enter if you haven’t already. All you have to do is pick up a “Library Bingo” sheet at the display near the New Books section, fill it out and drop it in the entry box. You could win one, two or more of the prizes. Every week we’ve been adding prizes, and there’s a complete list on the display—everything from books and movies to computer games, home décor items, music, you name it. If you like to win stuff, here’s your chance.

*Monday, Aug. 22—Teen Book Club/Teen Advisory Group, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Mezzanine meeting room, discussing “The Forest of Hands and Teeth” by Carrie Ryan.

*Tuesday, Aug. 23—Yu-Gi-Oh Club, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Mezzanine meeting room.

*Wednesday, Aug. 25—Night Readers Special Discussion, 6:30 p.m., Conference Room. Several months ago a few members of the group decided to tackle Thomas Pynchon’s “Gravity’s Rainbow.” This will be that group’s first crack at the novel. Feel free to join in.

*Saturday, Aug. 27—Documentary Matinee, 2 p.m., Whiteacre Room. See a film about the 2008 financial crisis and the Wall Street/banking bailouts that followed. It’s from director Charles Ferguson. Rated PG-13.

*Tuesday, Aug. 30—Socrates Café, 10 a.m., Conference Room. We haven’t settled on a definitive answer to the question “What is truth?,” but we have picked a slogan for our T-shirts, if ever we get any: “We meet, therefore we are.” If you’d like to “be” along with us, and discuss the deeper issues of day using the Socratic Method, join us for coffee, tea, juice and donuts, and a bit of respectful discussion.

Then we have a special day for the Film Movement First-Run Indie Movie. “If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle,” an unrated drama from Romania, begins at 6 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room. It’s the story of Silviu, who has only two weeks left before his release from a hostile juvenile detention center. But when his mother, who abandoned him long ago, returns to take his younger brother away – a brother Silviu raised like a son – those two weeks become an eternity. While his outcries for help fall on deaf ears, he finds himself mercilessly taunted and harassed by the other inmates. And just as Silviu’s frustration evolves into full-throttled aggression, he is introduced to a beautiful social worker that he can only dream of being close to. Faced with a slew of conflicting emotions and wild with desperation, Silviu is drivento a surprising act of defiance as he makes a last grasp for freedom.

Hope to see you at the library!

Uncle Sam Wants You…to Read More!

 

MAGICIAN Steve Crawford goes through a lot of costume

changes during a performance, and for part of the day

Wednesday, July 20 at McAlester Public Library, he was

the very picture of patriotism, as Uncle Sam. Crawford did

magic tricks, told stories and entertained a roomful of

children and parents for two shows during the annual

Summer Reading Program, which keeps kids reading

through summer vacation.

Protecting Kids from Predators Focus of Author’s Talk

Tulsa author Sharon Doty will speak at McAlester Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Thursday about her work in child sexual abuse prevention. Her talk, the third presentation in the Novel Destinations summer reading program for adults, will feature material from both Ms. Doty’s books.

“A book for adults who want to learn about the warning signs of potential predators is called ‘Evil in Our Midst,’” Ms. Doty noted.” The book brings the grooming techniques used by offenders out in the open, and provides adults with tools they need to recognize these risky behaviors and interrupt the process. Another book, designed for parents who want to learn how to talk to their children about these issues, is called ‘Keeping Them Safe.’”

The author has spoken internationally on this issue, and has created manuals for child sexual abuse prevention programs. Her website, www.mmdkconsulting.net, features more about her company, which also uses interactive theater to teach important safety lessons.

AUTHOR SHARON DOTY

An advocate for abused children for more than 40 years, Ms. Doty recently chaired a team which created a child abuse prevention program that has been implemented in more than 100 U.S. Catholic dioceses.

Ms. Doty graduated with distinction with a Juris Doctorate from the OU College of Law. She has a Master’s Degree in Human Relations as well as a diploma from the OU College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, in Interdisciplinary Training in Child Abuse and Neglect. Her family has roots in McAlester history as well.

“The last time I was in McAlester…was for the dedication of the monument to the fallen coal miners. My family members were guests of honor on the dais with Speaker Albert that day and were proud to be part of the history of this great city,” she said.

“I am the great granddaughter of Peter Hanraty, former Mayor of McAlester. ‘Grandpa Pete’ was a labor organizer and advocate for the coal miners. He was ousted on a recall vote spearheaded by the mine owners,” Ms. Doty said.

“He was also the vice-chair of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention and president of the United Mine Workers. I am very proud of his advocacy for working people and take those principles and that tenaciousness into my efforts as an advocate for abused and neglected children and those at risk of being molested.”

Refreshments will be provided at the program, set for the library’s Whiteacre Room. At the close of the program, there will be a drawing for a door prize, and copies of Ms. Doty’s books will be available for purchase.

The final segment of the library’s adult summer reading program is called “Close to Home Destinations” and kicks off July 28 with Tom Crowl’s historical presentation about J.J. McAlester, called “J.J. McAlester and a Tale of Two Cities.” Summer reading events will conclude August 20. McAlester Public Library is located at 401 N. 2^nd.

Storyteller Weaves Tales

 

STORYTELLER Michael Corley tells the tale of the coyote

and the rock at his performance Wednesday, July 13 at

McAlester Public Library. Corley also did magic tricks and

even swallowed a sword during a presentation called Stories

of the Stone, the Skull and the Sword.

Babysitting Workshop Begins Monday

A free babysitting workshop for ages 9 and up will begin Monday morning at McAlester Public Library. Hosted by Children’s Librarian Anita Ross and taught by Greg Owens of the Pittsburg County OSU Extension Office and Pittsburg County 4-H Club, the workshop will be on Monday and Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. and on Thursday and Friday from 1-3 p.m. There will be no workshop taught on Wednesday, when the main children’s programs will be presented at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Those who attend the workshop all four days and are age 12 and up may receive certification cards. There will be snacks, informational handouts, classes on how to make babysittting fun and profitable and other activities. To register, visit the front desk at McAlester Public Library, 401 N. 2nd. There are still a few spaces available.

Out of This World, Earthly Destinations

 

TWO PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS recently at McAlester Public Library–part of the summer reading program Novel Destinations– have featured information about out of this world destinations and earthly destinations. The first program, UFOs and the Paranormal of Oklahoma, featured Bigfoot hunter Glenn Hyder and Marilyn Carlson, president of the EPIC Voyagers group (photo left). They told the audience about various paranormal investigations, showed photos of a UFO sighting scene near Stigler, screened night vision videos taken at Area 51 in Nevada and other locations, and displayed a map showing reported UFO sightings in Oklahoma. In the second presentation (photo right), Keli Clark of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department showed a film, handed out travel guides and other materials, answered questions and talked about the varied and unusual day trips available in Oklahoma. Programs for adults and families continue every Thursday night through August 20, with other activities listed on the calendars available at the front desk. Programs focus on close to home destinations beginning July 28, when Tom Crowl will present the local history program “J.J. McAlester and A Tale of Two Cities.”

Program Tonight to Highlight One-Day Travel Possibilities

A special program at McAlester Public Library tonight at 6:30 p.m. will highlight “one-day fun day” vacations within the state of Oklahoma. Keli Clark of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, a former TV news personality from Oklahoma City, will speak as part of the library’s ongoing summer reading program for adults called “Novel Destinations.”

There will be refreshments and a special door prize. Audience members will have the opportunity to win a copy of the coffee table
book “Weird Oklahoma” by Wesley Treat, and there will be a table of free informational materials about vacation and travel opportunities within the state.

Clark has been with the marketing and promotions division of the state agency since May, 2000. Her work involves promotion of state parks and golf courses. She writes a monthly column in the “Destinations” section of the Sunday Oklahoman, creates a quarterly Oklahoma golf newsletter and creates newsletters and flyers for the tourism department.

Her background is in broadcast television, with 20 years experience at various Oklahoma City channels, mostly as a newsroom assignment editor.

The library’s summer programming continues weekly through August 20, with the next scheduled talk on July 21, when author Sharon Doty will give a presentation on how to spot and stop child predators. For more information on these or any other library programs, call 918-426-0930. The library is located at 401 N. 2^nd.

Library Events Are Booming in July

By KATHY McGILBERRY

With our ears still ringing after all the crash-bang-boom of Fourth of July fireworks—and with our eyes on the horizon as we scan the skies for rain clouds—we turn our attention to Summer Reading Program activities for children, teens, families and adults at McAlester Public Library.

First, a couple of announcements. There will be NO lunch bunch for children age 18 and younger during the week of July 11-15. That’s because of the four-day babysitting workshop July 11-12 and July 14-15.

Teen activities will take a break the week of July 18-22, so Sarah Standish-Burke and company can host a week-long Scholastic Book Fair here at the library.

Now, on to all the regularly-scheduled activities.

*Tuesday, July 5—Today and most Tuesdays, there is a 10 a.m. Lapsit story time, a 2 p.m. children’s movie time and a 2 p.m. teen movie time. (There are regular Thursday activities for children and teens too. Pick up a
calendar at the front desk for all the details.

*Wednesday, July 6—Susan Campbell brings live critters for two science and nature presentations for children at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Teen programs will include Indian crafts at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and cooking at 3:30
p.m., with egg curry on the menu.

*Thursday, July 7—The Bookies will meet at 1 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five.” And so it goes. Then at 6:30 p.m., Keli Clark of the Oklahoma Tourism Department will present “One-Day Fun Days,” with plenty of free materials about Oklahoma travel. Stop by the library’s Whiteacre Room to hear her and you just might win a copy of “Weird Oklahoma” by Wesley Treat. (If you plan to attend the free concerts on Thursday nights at Rotary Park, attend the library programs first and you’ll create your own One-Day Fun Day. Isn’t that fortuitous?)

*Saturday, July 9—Bring the kids to Second Saturday Cinema at 2 p.m. for free popcorn and a free G-rated movie from Disney starring Martin Lawrence and Raven Symone.

*Monday, July 11—See Terry Gilliam’s surrealist masterpiece at Arthouse Theater at 6 p.m. This R-rated movie, just re-released on Blu-Ray, is featured in this week’s Entertainment Weekly magazine. See what all the hubbub is about, and enjoy some free popcorn too. The movie stars Jonathan Pryce and Robert De Niro. Also on Monday, the teen Manga Club meets at 5 p.m.

*Tuesday, July 12—The teen Yu-Gi-Oh Club meets at 2 p.m.

*Wednesday, July 13—Master storyteller Michael Corley entertains children with 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. shows. Adult crafters will meet at 1 p.m. in the Conference Room to create something special. And teens will fashion
Japanese crafts at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. with “Okonomiyaki” on the menu for the 3:30 p.m. cooking class.

*Thursday, July 14—Julia Roberts stars in a PG-13 rated movie about a woman’s search for happiness as she dines, prays and loves her way around the globe. The movie also stars Javier Bardem and James Franco.

*Monday, July 18—Light Readers meet from 6-7 p.m. in the
Conference Room to discuss Todd Burpo’s “Heaven Is for Real.”

*Tuesday, July 19—Night Readers meet at 6:30 p.m. in the
Conference Room to discuss Jonathan Franzen’s “The Corrections.”

*Wednesday, July 21—Steve Crawford will have both magic tricks and live animals at his two shows for children at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

*Thursday, July 22—Author Sharon Doty of Tulsa will be here at 6:30 p.m. for a presentation about keeping children safe from predators.
Important information. A book signing will follow the program. There will be refreshments and a door prize.

*Saturday, July 23—At the Documentary Matinee at 2 p.m., families can enjoy a Disney documentary about America.

*Monday, July 25—“Helena from the Wedding,” a new independent film with a young cast you’ll recognize from a variety of TV shows, begins at 6 p.m. Plenty of free popcorn, as usual.

*Tuesday, July 26—Join us for our second meeting of Socrates Café, when we gather in the Conference Room to discuss issues of the day and their deeper meanings, using the Socratic Method. Donuts, coffee and juice will be
available, too.

*Wednesday, July 27—It’s the final children’s performance of the summer, when Will Hill, Native American storyteller, arrives for his annual show at 10 a.m. There will be food, fun prizes and certificates awarded after his program. The teens will fashion a Thai craft at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with Gang Dang on the menu for the cooking program at 3:30 p.m.

*Thursday, July 28—The “Close to Home” Destinations portion of the Adult Summer Reading Program begins with Tom Crowl’s presentation on J.J. McAlester at 6:30 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room. Hear all about how the City of
McAlester came to be, when Crowl presents “J.J. McAlester and a Tale of Two Cities.” There will be refreshments and a door prize, too.

If you haven’t yet signed up for adult summer reading programs, do so soon! We still have several free copies of the novel “True Grit” by Charles Portis to give away. Several of our August activities revolve around the novel, so sign up today! I’ll tell you more about a really terrific door prize for one of our “True Grit” programs, donated especially to us by True West magazine, when August rolls around.  Trust me, it’s a good one.

World Travelers Share Stories

 

DERIK BROCK and family performed Wednesday at

McAlester Public Library, telling audiences of children

and parents all about worldwide travel and life in Africa,

where two of the Brock children were born. Brock and his family also told

stories and presented theatrical pieces.