By KATHY McGILBERRY
We’re well into the sunny summer, with temperatures over 100°. How can you beat the heat? You might think it’s a good idea to conduct all your business at night, when things are cooler. But that’s not really a viable solution, is it?
We have the next-best solution, though, with continuing night-themed activities for children, teens and adults at McAlester Public Library. It’s not dark at the library, but it’s certainly nighttime cool.
Don’t forget that teens can enter to win a free Kindle by participating in teen activities, and adults can enter to win another Kindle by attending one or more adult and family events.
Here’s what’s happening in July:
Monday, July 2—Two sessions of Teen Crafts are set for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the project will be “glowing jewelry,” followed by Lunch Bunch at noon, a free sack lunch for anyone age 18 or younger. Teen Cooking Class follows at 4 p.m., when the dish o’ the day will be pancakes.
Tuesday, July 3— Two sessions of Lapsit story time begin at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. for children age three and younger. Don’t forget Lunch Bunch at noon, then Game Time for children at 2 p.m. Teens will battle it out in the Teen Challenge at 2 p.m., when the “Vampires vs. Werewolves” contest kicks off.
Also, the Tuesdays with Memories course for adults continues with a workshop session from 2-4 p.m. Writing exercises from David Beall’s recent ‘Introduction to Family Histories’ class will be examined, as well as other writing suggestions from Dr. Jennifer Kidney. We’ll even attempt a few “Six Word Memoirs” and submit them to that famous online project. It’s all free, and it’s still not too late to participate. Call 918-426-0930 to register.
Wednesday, July 4—The library will be closed for the Independence Day holiday.
Thursday, July 5—Vanessa Miller brings her “Twinkles the Star” Children’s Theater to the library for two shows at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with Lunch Bunch sandwiched in between. Game Time for teens is set for 2 p.m.
The Bookies book club will meet, as they do on the first Thursday of every month, in the Conference Room, from 1-3 p.m. This month they’ll be discussing Gayle Tzemach Lemmon’s “The Dressmakers of Khair Khana.” If you liked the book “Three Cups of Tea,” you might enjoy this book and discussion. Free refreshments, too.
Then at 6 p.m., a Nighttime Movie Special features a PG-13 rated musical comedy about Minsky’s burlesque house, and the night it was raided. You’ll always find plenty of free popcorn at library movie presentations, courtesy of the Friends of the Library popcorn machine.
Friday, July 6—The teen “Magic: the Gathering” group meets at 2 p.m. and the adult “Z-Z-Z’s” with Zumba exercise group meets at 4:30 p.m. All you have to do to participate in this free exercise program is sign in at the door.
Monday, July 9—You may have heard about the new Steve Carrell movie “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.” Well, we have something similar, starring Sandra Oh and Don McKellar, for Arthouse Theater at 6 p.m. It’s Rated R, and we have lots of free popcorn.
Also on Monday, the annual four-day Babysitting Workshop, put on by Children’s Librarian Anita Ross in cooperation with the OSU Extension Office, begins. It will meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1-3 p.m., and participants must sign up and participate all four days to receive a certificate.
Lunch Bunch continues at noon, as well.
Tuesday, July 10—Activities include Lapsits at 10 and 11 a.m., Lunch Bunch at Noon, teen Yu-Gi-Oh Club at 2 p.m. and the Babysitting Workshop.
Also on this day, we have a very special program as part of the Tuesdays with Memories course. Bill Welge of the Oklahoma Historical Society, known as “Mr. Archives,” will present “Creating Oral Histories.” If you’ve ever wanted to capture the reminiscences of the older generation, this class will teach you how. It’s free and open to the public, and it all happens from 2-4 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room.
Wednesday, July 11—Storyteller Michael Corley presents “Tales from the Dark” for both 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. children’s programs, with Lunch Bunch in between at noon. Teens will have fun crafts at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., when fantastic creations will be made from the lowly toilet paper roll. Then at 4 p.m., Teen Cooking Class will feature Fudge Pie.
Crafts are on the adult schedule too. At 1 p.m. in the Conference Room, we’ll be making Cover Art Collage gift/storage boxes.
Thursday, July 12—Kermit Peters of the Beautiful Rooms furniture store in McAlester will be presenting a program called “Bedroom Makeovers” at 6:30 p.m. It’s all free, and you can win a door prize and register to win the Kindle by attending. Free refreshments, too!
Earlier on Thursday, Story Time for ages six and up starts at 10 a.m., then Lunch Bunch at noon. The Babysitting Workshop continues at 1 p.m. Game Time for teens is from 2-4 p.m.
Friday, July 13—Lunch Bunch at noon, then the Babysitting Workshop concludes with a 1-3 p.m. session. (Note: There will be no Zumba session on this day.)
Monday, July 16—Beginning today and continuing all week, teens will help host a Scholastic Books Book Fair at the library. Funds raised will help with teen programs all year long. There will be no Lunch Bunch this week.
Also Monday, the Light Readers meet at 6 p.m. to discuss an inspirational fiction title. Group leader Ellen Barlow always has great refreshments, and you can register to win the Kindle here too.
Tuesday, July 17—Tuesdays with Memories continues at 2 p.m., with two presenters. David Beall will present “Unusual Research Resources,” and Robert Pulse will present “Researching Military Records.” Invaluable information, and all for free. Beall and Pulse are just two of our volunteer presenters, who give their own time and talents to provide programs for the public. What great guys!
Then at 6:30 p.m., the Night Readers meet to discuss Elle Newmark’s “The Sandalwood Tree.” Free refreshments as always. Our book clubs have so much fun each month meeting for conversation and community. Why not join us?
Also on Tuesday, Lapsits and Game Time for kids continue.
Wednesday, July 18—Storyteller Marilyn Hudson will present the children’s program “Epic Dreams” at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Thursday, July 19—Story/Activity Time for ages six and up begins at 10 a.m. and Movie Time follows at 2 p.m. Call ahead to get the title of the movie, or “like” McAlester Public Library on Facebook to get the daily postings about movies and activities.
Then at 6:30 p.m., author Marilyn Hudson transforms herself into “The Ghost Teller” for a presentation about Oklahoma hauntings. Spooky stuff! There will be refreshments and a door prize at this adult and family program.
Friday, July 20—Our “Z-Z-Z’s” with Zumba session begins at 4:30 p.m. Get a move on and join us.
Saturday, July 21—Documentary Matinee at 2 p.m. features a wholesome look at Old Hollywood and the dancers who made it spectacular. Free popcorn as always.
Monday, July 23—Lunch Bunch at noon, then Teen Book Club at 4 p.m. They’re reading and discussing “Divergent” by Veronica Roth.
Tuesday, July 24—Lapsits at 10 and 11 a.m., followed by Lunch Bunch at noon. Then we have children’s Game Time at 2 p.m., and teen Yu-Gi-Oh Club at 2 p.m. as well.
Tuesdays with Memories continues at 2 p.m. with a presentation from David Beall called “Preserving Heirlooms and Artifacts.”
Wednesday, July 25—Our final big children’s program will feature Native American storyteller Will Hill for a 10 a.m. show, followed by food, fun and awards. Teens will work on Bleached T-Shirt crafts at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then meet for a cooking class at 4 p.m. when “Slushburgers” will be on the menu.
Thursday, July 26—Story Time at 10 a.m., Lunch Bunch at noon and then kids Movie Time at 2 p.m. For teens, its Game Time at 2 p.m. Then at night, a movie for grownups features Michael Keaton, Henry Winkler and Shelley Long. This R-rated comedy is set in a morgue. Free popcorn too.
Friday, July 27—Zumba exercises start at 4:30 p.m.
Monday, July 30—Our monthly Film Movement independent movie is “Prairie Love,” an unrated dark comedy set in North Dakota. This reminiscent-of-Fargo film begins at 6 p.m. and as always, we’ll have plenty of free popcorn.
Tuesday, July 31—Socrates Café at 10 a.m. is a time to meet for brunch and philosophical discussion. We wrap up July with a Tuesdays with Memories session at 2 p.m. that will feature interviewing techniques and more workshop exercises.
More adult and family summer activities are on tap for August, plus we draw for the free Kindle August 9. Hope to see you at the library!
McBook 