Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Native American Place Names in Indiana

Native Michael McCafferty, graduate of Crawfordsville High School, has made a donation to the Crawfordsville District Public Library collection. His new book, "Native American Place Names in Indiana" focuses on "labels" created and used by local Native Americans in our own state, named for "the land of the Indians". Creatively organized to follow our major river systems so important to native people, it is praised both as a history book and a reference work. Some archival data is published here for the first time. The son of Margy and David McCafferty thinks the two Miami-Illinois Indian names for Sugar Creek could have been in use in the 1700s before its French labels. He recognizes that the Indians' use of their terms for Sugar (Maple Tree River) Creek honored the abundance of that plant (tree) in the area. McCafferty is an Algonquian and Uto-Aztecan linguist and faculty member at Indiana University. The mystery "The Lace Reader" by Brunonia Barry says that staring at a piece of lace blurs the vision into seeing (secrets?) between what's real and what's imagined. Faye Kellerman's Decker and Lazarus novel "The Mercedes Coffin", a cold case, turns hot as a years-later murder reflects an old one because "there it plenty of greed, lust, and evil to connect the dots." "Exit Music" by Jan Rankin finds an about-to-retire detective in Edinburgh reluctantly involved in the murder of a dissident Russian poet. Harlan Coben's "Fade Away" is a Myron Bolitar novel that unveils the strange, violent life of a sports hero gone wrong. In the novel "Silks" by Dick and Felix Francis a defense lawyer/amateur jockey finds a fellow racer murdered and a champion jockey is accused. "Sister's Choice" is Emilie Richards' Shenandoah Album novel full of emotions that finds one sister offering to design a house and be surrogate mother for the other's baby to atone for a past mistake. "Fractured" by Karin Slaughter begins when a teenager in the finest neighborhood of Atlanta is murdered in her bedroom and her mother kills the daughter's attacker with her bare hands. "It Only Takes a Moment" by Mary Clark grabs the reader when a news show's daughter is snatched from summer camp and the news team bands together to outwit the criminal who threatens to snuff out the little girl's life. "Stand the Storm" by Breena Clarks writes about a former slave family's work in Washington's Georgetown neighborhood producing uniforms for Union soldiers, and their daughters' risk of becoming the property of their former master. "The Manning Brides" by Debbie Macomber consists of two stories about two couples told as a sequel to her "The Manning Sisters". In the woods of Montana a sinister mass murderer is attacking victims in "Left to Die" by Lisa Jackson. Two new books about food are Lorna Sass' "Whole Grains Every Day Every Way" with 150 recipes for soups, salads, main courses, side dishes, and desserts and "Serving Up the Harvest" that celebrates the goodness of fresh vegetables in 175 recipes like baked egg rolls, soups, slaws, red-cooked, and "comfort food" haluska, all made using cabbage. Two authors are writing about the same nation in "The Man Who Loved China" (Joseph Needham) by Simon Winchester and "Lost on Planet China" frolicking through the huge cities and the hinterlands) by Maarten Troost. Here's some history. Joseph Ellis writes of the triumphs and tragedies at the founding of the United States in "American Creation". Sally McMillen offers "Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women's Rights Movement".

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Scrapbook workshop

December 6, 2008
Presented by Susan B. Griffith
at the Crawfordsville District Public Library

Crop Workshop, 9:30-4:30
$10.00 ($5.00 for half day)
Some supplies available for purchase

Beginners Class, 10:00-12:00, $8.00, materials charge

Register and pay at Circulation Desk 362-2242

Questions can be directed to Sue at 307-7738 or e-mail: suegriffith@accelplus.net

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

December gallery

If the weather outside is frightful, or not, drop in, warm up and enjoy the colorful visions of Brookston, Indiana artist, Kathryn Clark's INTUITIVE INTERPRETATIONS OF NATURE in watercolor and oil, elegantly gracing the Library Art Gallery all during delicious December. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kathryn Clark received a BFA from Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio and an MFA from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. In 1971, she and her husband founded Twinrocker Handmade Paper Company in order to revive the craft of handmade paper in America on a professional level. Twinrocker has become the leader in its field and is respected for making the highest quality handmade paper world wide. In the seventies and eighties, Kathryn developed many innovative artistic imagery techniques to use with the colored paper pulps. She exhibited that art work in galleries and invitational exhibitions throughout the United States, Great Britain and Japan, the Smithsonian, Exhibits USA, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Leopold-Hoesch Museum in West Germany, the American Craft Museum, an invitational traveling exhibition of the State Department, U.S. Government, etc. In addition, her art work has been discussed and represented in sixty-four different books, magazines, and periodicals. In 1985, when Twinrocker began making watercolor paper, Kathryn began to paint in order to test the papers and unexpectedly fell in love with the medium, but continued exhibiting her handmade paper art. After this awakening, Kathryn changed her artistic focus to include watercolor painting on Twinrocker handmade paper and now exhibits primarily in this medium. Kathryn has received research grants to develop archival handmade papers from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Lilly Endowment. In 2006, she was nominated to the Indianapolis Public School System Hall of Fame. In 1980, she was given an Outstanding Alumni Award from her graduate school, and in 1990, a documentary movie of her and her husband’s life, titled The Mark of the Maker, was nominated for an Academy Award. She has given hundreds of lectures and workshops throughout the world and has served on several Indiana Arts Commission Advisory Boards; and also serves as Workshop Chairman of the Wabash Valley Watercolor Society and is on the Board of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. She also was a winner at Crawfordsville's Downtown Art Exhibit in September/October 2008.

Have I enticed you to come into the Gallery to see what's going on? Great! You wouldn't want to miss anything that twinkles during this season of celebration.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Thanksgiving Break

The Crawfordsville District Public Library staff will be celebrating their Thanksgivings from noon next Wednesday until the building reopens Friday at 9 a.m. Here are books that enhance the season. The National Geographical Society's "Atlas of Exploration" includes extensive coverage of North America, beginning with Norse discoveries, and on to early explorations, colonies, missions, Indian life, and ways west. Routes are mapped out and key figures are illustrated. "American Indian Places" by Frances Kennedy includes Mounds State Park east of Anderson, Tippecanoe Battlefield in Battle Ground and Prophetstown State Park in West Lafayette, Forks of the Wabash Historic Park west of Huntington, and Angel Mounds at Evansville. Ken Haedrich's "Maple Syrup Cookbook" offers atmospheric dishes for the holiday, like sweet potato and bacon bisque, and maple-bacon (egg) strata. EatingWell's "Comfort Foods Made Healthy" ingredients and pictures can also make one's mouth water. In "Napkin Origami" a shape like a simple leaf can make a dining table special when made from directions in "Napkin Origami" by Brian Sawyer. "Living on an Acre" updated by Christine Woodside is a practical guide to a self-reliant life. "National Geographic Birding Essentials" by Jonathan Alderfer and Jon Dunn gives all the tools, techniques, and tips you need to begin and to become a better birder with the attractive format that particular organization always offers to readers. "What All Good Dogs Should Know" explains Jock Volhard and Melissa Bartlett's sensible training methods."Evidence Explained" is Elizabeth Mills' guide through sources not covered by other citation manuals, with all kinds of original records, accessed through different media; it's a go-to guide for everyone who explores the past. Another guide is Ed Begley, Jr.'s "Living Like Ed" guiding an eco-friendly life like installing an urban windmill, buying furniture made from recycled materials, and choosing battery-free products. The Cottage Bible" by Gerry Mackie & Laura Taylor is a large compendium of vacation-home knowledge.History is represented by Michael Hicks' "Anne Neville" the first full-length biography of the Queen to Richard III, most popular of late medieval English kings. "Race" is Marc Aronson's historic study showing how the idea of race did not exist in the West before the 1600s, how mostly slavery had nothing to do with race, how the Greeks divided the world into civilized and barbarian. "Love in Black and White" is William Cohen's memoir of "race, religion, and romance" married to Janet Langhart with interesting resolutions about their differences and participations in some progressive legislation. British author Philip Pullman's children's story "The Golden Compass" and others are analyzed by Pete Vere and Sandra Miesel and compared to The Chronicles of Narnia and the Harry Potter books in "Pied Piper of Atheism". "Happiness is an Inside Job" is Sylvia Boorstein's set of exercises to practice a joyful life. "The Braindead Megaphone Essays" by George Saunders describes the opulence of Dubai and the self-denial of an endlessly meditating Buddha Boy of Nepal; it invokes the wisdom of Mark Twain and Kurt Vonnegut, making us see things we've trained ourselves to ignore.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Do You Have Some Yearbooks?

The Crawfordsville District Public Library's Marian Morrison Local History Collection is seeking several local high school yearbooks to complete an impressive collection of county publications. Those still missing are 1990 at Crawfordsville High School, 1981, 1990 and 2001 at North Montgomery, and 1956, 1958, and 1960 through 1966 at Darlington High School called "The Chief". If you can help find these treasures, please contact the local history department at 362-2242, extension 4. Thank you.

"Bill Mauldin: A Life Up Front" is Todd DePastino's biography with illustrations by the two-time Pulitzer prize winner, the "greatest cartoonist of the (World War II) greatest generation". Diane Ackerman's "The Zookeeper's Wife" revisits the Polish Christian couple who smuggled resistance activists and refugee Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto; it explores the role of nature in both kindness and savagery, and Nazi worship of nature and its violation. "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" by Michael Pollan has a cover showing lettuce labeled "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." The cover of "Gluten-Free Girl" by Shauna Ahern adds "How I found the food that loves me back…& how you can too" and the inside shows her own recipes that she calls "guidance on navigating everyday life without being 'glutenized', from reading between the lines of labels to traveling and eating out safely and successfully." "Earth Under Fire" by Gary Braasch shows how global warming is changing the world. "The Story of Measurement" by Andrew Robinson explains how it regulates almost every aspect of our lives, and transports the reader from Hubble space images to intelligence tests of the innermost recesses of the mind. Both of these volumes have special photographs. Glenn Beck's "An Inconvenient Book" presents real answers to the world's biggest problems, commonsense solutions this country was built on, presented in the clever and humorous way of his syndicated radio show, the Glenn Beck Program. "Armageddon in Retrospect" by Kurt Vonnegut is a collection of 12 writings on war and peace, written over the course of a lifetime, from his memory of the destruction of Dresden during WW II to a funny story about three privates and their fantasies of the perfect first meal after returning home from war. Barbara Raymond's "The Baby Thief" is the untold story of Georgia Tann, the baby seller who corrupted adoption. "The Gashouse Gang" by John Heidenry tells how Dizzy Dean, Leo Durocher, Branch Rickey and others won the World Series and America's heart during the Depression. "Courtroom 302" by Steve Bogira tells of a year behind the scenes in a courtroom in Chicago's busiest felony courthouse in the country. "Wicked as Sin" by Lillian Hunter introduces a cavalry officer from the Battle of Waterloo who woos the fiancee of one who died in the battle. "With Endless Sight" by Allison Pittman is book three of Crossroads of Grace about Belleville, Illinois and the Wyoming Territories in 1861. Peter Kreeft's "Between Heaven and Hell" is called "a dialogue beyond death with John F. Kennedy, C. S. Lewis & Aldous Huxley". "The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed" by Michael Meyer is a portrait through the lens of its oldest neighborhood, Dazhalan.

Friday, October 31, 2008

In the gallery -- November 2008

Though October exhibits were removed the day before Halloween, you have nothing to fear from November's exhibitors! They are neither ghosts nor goblins just artists whose earth warming exhibits await your visit to the Library's Mary Bishop Art Gallery. Escape the bare tree boredom of outside November for just a moment and experience artistry that will warm your heart and feed your soul. The gallery walls are filled to the brim with acrylic, spiritual and hand-made paper images created by artist Rhonda Laurent for the exhibit she has titled BRUSHED WITH COLOR.

November 2008 gallery at CDPL
Beginning her artistic journey early in life, Rhonda Laurent was inspired by the beauty in nature, the color spectrum, historical artwork and most importantly by the Spirit. This Michigan born middle child of five, moved several times with her family during the 1960s, finally settling in Indiana in 1973. She graduated from Scecina Memorial High School and began her college education at IUPUI pursuing a degree in nursing. But fate was to have a hand in changing all that. In 1984, a life-altering experience unexpectedly changed her direction. She bravely re-focused her life resurrecting her artistic talents. She began drawing colored wildlife sketches, mostly birds. After completing enough pieces for a small portfolio, she applied for admittance to the Herron School of Art in Indianapolis and was delighted to be accepted into their program. November 2008 gallery at CDPL This educational experience was instrumental in encouraging her to investigate other mediums for expressing her emotions artistically. Sculpture and drawing reached the top of her list. Her biggest thrill came when she began sculpting with hand made paper. Expressions created in this fiber medium were so successful she was offered an opportunity to display her work in two separate one-person exhibits at the Artistic Designs Gallery of Brownsburg, Indiana. As time passed, Rhonda itched to experiment with mediums that allowed her to make greater use of scintillating color. With acrylic paints she could express her emotion and sensitivity in just an instant. November 2008 gallery at CDPL No time was wasted waiting for paper to dry. With the acrylic medium she could freely work in her basement studio or sitting on the beach in Florida. Sometimes this acrylic freedom would translate into a serene and finished piece and other times the process would require more time and thought back in her studio. Either way she enjoyed the spontaneity. Rhonda is pleased to display a variety of work encompassing several years of conceptual, landscape and "just plain fun" abstract pieces that she hopes others will enjoy seeing as much as she enjoyed creating them. Rhonda Laurent's BRUSHED WITH COLOR exhibit speaks for itself.

Our three Display Cases are overflowing with the hand-made WOOD CARVINGS EXTRAORDINAIRE by artist, Dave Harvey. Crawfordsville's own, artist David Harvey, started carving wood as a hobby in 1990. November 2008 gallery at CDPL He now uses every free moment he has to indulge his wood carving passion. Never having had any formal classes, David is basically self taught. He learned about and perfected his craft by reading books, listening to videos, watching others carve, and most importantly through trial and error. The woods he most enjoys using are cottonwood bark, driftwood, basswood and any other wood his wife will let him drag home. Today he mainly focuses on carving Santa faces, wood sprites, mountain men and Indians in relief. He carves caricature (cartoon) characters of Santa, hillbillies, old and military men, Vikings, Indians, cowboys, and farmers in the round. He also carves spoons and hand hewn bowls. His smallest caricature was one inch tall, his largest three feet tall. Dave belongs to the Montgomery County Woodcarvers. They gather twice a month to help one another learn and to promote the art of wood carving. In 2003, Dave began participating and competing in carving shows. He has shown and demonstrated at Crawfordsville's Strawberry Festival, and has had the opportunity to teach at the Montgomery County Woodcarvers Club and person to person in his studio. In November's loveliness the Library's Gallery beckons you to visit and enjoy what Dave has accomplished and perhaps spark an interest in taking a few lessons from Crawfordsville's own WOOD CARVINGS EXTRAORDINAIRE expert! Wouldn't it be fun to learn a new hobby and practice it in the hibernation of a Crawfordsville winter?

Preview Shelf -- Librarian finishes her degree

Congratulations to Crawfordsville District Public Library staff member Katie Myers for completing an eight-year project. She has received her B.A. degree cum laude from St. Mary's-of-the-Woods College, in Terre Haute. Her major was humanities, the perfect background for the many subjects that arise in our downtown's cultural center. Katie works in the circulation department. She's an avid reader, currently enjoying Dean Koontz' "Forever Odd" in the "Odd" series, and "Orpheus Lost" by Janette Turner Hospital. Katie says, "This has been a life-long goal and my family's glad I'm finished." Here are novels requested by patrons. "Being Elizabeth" by Barbara Bradford finds a young woman executive having to make choices as a scandal threatens to usurp her reputation. Sandra Brown's "Smoke Screen" covers the search for information about a fire that destroyed the Charleston police headquarters. Anne Siddons' "Off Season" takes the reader to coastal Maine where a widow reviews her marriage to find elements of that life she'd never acknowledged before. There's one more request. "The Monster of Florence" by Douglas Preston is a true story about searching for the identity of an evildoer who murdered 14 young lovers, but was never caught. Other new novels begin with "America America" by Ethan Canin set in a small town during the Nixon era, when a young boy begins yard work on the grand estate of a powerful family, through whom he becomes a private boarding school student and then an aide to a candidate for President of the United States. This involves him in politics, and moral dilemmas. Jeff Shaara's "The Steel Wave" is a novel of World War II told through the viewpoint of some colorful and dynamic characters describing D-Day, the Allies' invasion of France. "People Who Walk in Darkness" by Stuart Kaminsky shows "one of the last honest civil servants in a very dishonest post-Soviet Russia", a caring policeman commanded to go from Moscow to Siberia to investigate a diamond mine murder. "Findings" by Mary Anna Evans follows an archaeologist on a treasure hunt connected to Marie Antoinette and the history of the Confederacy while his goal is restoring a family plantation. "A Thousand Bones" by P.J. Parrish shows a rookie rural Michigan girl cop in the dead of winter facing a predator who has chosen her to be a worthy opponent or else his next victim."The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein is narrated by a canine called Enzo, to teach readers about being human. Elizabeth Peters' "The Laughter of Dead Kings" brings her investigator-character Vicky Bliss back to solve heinous offenses in Egypt. Elmore Leonard's "Ten Rules of Writing" is a simple guide for every reader and writer. "Street Magic" contains Paul Zenon's group tricks, sleight of hand, and illusion using coins, paper, and cards. "Puzzles in Wood" offers E. M. Wyatt's simple patterns for creating 45 classics. Three attractive art books are "Willard Metcalf (1858-1925): Yankee Impressionist", "Charles Warren Eaton" 1857-1937): An American Tonalist Rediscovered", and "The Spirit of America: American Art from 1829 to 1970". China is explained in "The Empire of Lies: The Truth about China in the Twenty-First Century" by Guy Sorman. "The Last Days of old Beijing" by Michael Meyer is a disclosure of the city's latest changes through the lens of its oldest neighborhood.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Halloween Means Scary Books

A new Deborah Knott mystery at the Crawfordsville District Public Library is "Death's Half Acre" by Margaret Maron in which developers' shoddy mansions change a pretty North Carolina countryside and controversy arises over a suspicious murder. "Breathing the Out Ghost" by Kirk Curnutt is a "noir" thriller about problem solvers obsessed with their quests. "The Assassin" by Stephen Coonts begins with a dangerous Al Qaeda leader's escape and his group's desire to kill the complaining political leaders he had targeted. Requested fiction "Death Angel" by Linda Howard is a cat and mouse thriller. Two new large paperbacks for Civil War buffs are "Arms and Equipment of The Union" and "Arms and Equipment of The Confederacy", both from the Time-Life Books series called Echoes of Glory. Along with authenticated stories of war experiences, the small arms, personal effects, music, flags, and artillery are pictured bringing to life the realities of the period for both sides. "American Patriot" by Robert Coram is the story of the life and wars of Colonel Bud Day, through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the POW who was the roommate of John McCain , and later passionate advocate for veterans' rights. John McCain's own book is "Why Courage Matters". Bernard Goldberg offers political commentary in "Crazies to the Left of me, Wimps to the Right, How One Side Lost Its Mind and the Other Lost Its Nerve". Maria Shriver's "Just Who Will You Be?" is her personal story. The Journal Review's book "Essentials of Montgomery County: Things to See and Do 2008-2009" is full of useful updated information. Books about other places include "Havana: Autobiography of a City" by Alfredo Estrada, "The Unofficial Guide to Cruises" by Kay Showker, "Rome" from Dictionaries of Civilization emphasizing its artifacts and history as well as landmarks, "The Winter Camping Handbook" by Stephen Gorman, "The Hudson" by Frances Dunwell describing its history and all the places along its shores, and Fodor's "Colorado" with detailed coverage of the National Parks and a pullout map. Books about the kitchen are varied. One that is fun to read because it looks homemade (it isn't ) is "The Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without" by Mollie Katzen. "Pressure Cooker Recipes" by Vickie Smith is a big paperback explaining the method with hundreds of quick instructions. "Robin to the Rescue" is Robin Miller's collection of simple but delicious recipes. "The 4-Ingredient Diabetes Cookbook" of recipes using few ingredients is designed by Nancy Hughes. There's "The Kodak Guide to Digital Photography" by Rob Sheppard. "KISS - Keep it Short and Simple" is a short guide to better writing by Jacquie Ream. "The Braided Rug Book" shows how to make this American folk floor covering by Norma and Elizabeth Sturges. There's "The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches", a practical guide to spending less by Jeff Yeager. "The Stark Reality of Stretching" by Steven Stark is "an informed approach for all activities and every sport". "Hi, Dad!" is a story about Frank Land who founded the fraternal organization for young men aged 13 to 21 called the Order of DeMolay. "The Andy Griffith Show Book" by Ken Beck and Jim Clark includes scripts, lists of characters, special remembrances, and instructions how to join the Rerun Watchers Club headquartered in Nashville. "Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50" by Joan Heilman features bargains on tours, classes, and products.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Fall Party in Youth Services

By popular demand, the Crawfordsville District Public Library's youth services department is sponsoring its second annual "Fall Party" October 28th at 6:45 p.m. for all ages. There will be stories, and games, and snacks. Costumes are welcome but not required. No registration is needed. The invitation shows a row of jack-o-lanterns smiling broadly, so it's sure to be fun. If you have a question, just call extension 115 at 362-2242. Newest political books are "Promises to Keep", the acclaimed memoir of the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate by Joe Biden, and "Sarah" by Kaylene Johnson telling how Sarah Palin turned the political establishment upside down. Other new books are Thomas Friedman's "Hot, Flat, and Crowded" telling why we need a green revolution - and how it can renew America. A secret White House history 2006-2008 is Bob Woodward's "The War Within". Dr. Phil (McGraw) offers "Real Life" preparing for the seven most challenging days of life."Unembedded" is the work of four independent photojournalists on the war in Iraq, issued by Chelsea Green Publishing. "Chosen Soldier" is information about unique warriors by Dick Couch, explaining that now that we are fighting guerrilla wars against insurgents hidden in remote places, we need men like the Army Special Forces - the legendary Green Berets. "Dreams and Shadows" is experienced war reporter Robin Wright's document about the future of the Middle East. "Opium Season" by Joel Hafvenstein depicts a year on the Afghan frontier in Helmand Province, the heart of this trade area where he ran an American-funded aid program to help poppy farmers make a legal living and to win people away from the former Taliban government. "The Suicide of Reason" by Lee Harris talks about radical Islam's threat to the West; he says we must change our understanding of the conflict and he offers strategies by which liberal internationalism can defend itself without becoming a mirror of the tribal forces it is trying to defeat. A savvy, streetwise primer on dozens of individual countries that adds up to a coherent theory of global politics is "The Second World" by Parag Khanna who has traveled in a hundred countries. The dark side of the new global economy and modern American slave labor is the subject of "Nobodies" by John Bowe who "exposes the outsourcing, corporate chicanery, immigration fraud, and sleights of hand that allow forced labor to continue in the United States". "2000 Years of Amazing Grace" is Paul Zahl's "Christianity Primer, the story and meaning of the Christian faith." "Fallen Founder" is the life of Aaron Burr by Nancy Isenberg. "Summers with Lincoln" is James Percoco's study of the "Abe" in the 200 monuments erected in his memory across our country; he was the most widely commemorated President. The author selects seven emblematic sculptures, including Fort Wayne's "Lincoln the Hoosier Youth" by Paul Manship, Henry Hering's sculpture in University Park, Indianapolis, and the "Lincoln" in Wabash, Indiana.The lost trail of the underground railroad called "I've Got a Home in Glory Land" by Karolyn Frost highlights Thornton Blackburn, whom Canada defended to set the tone for all future diplomatic relations with the U.S. over the thorny issue of the fugitive slave. He settled in Toronto where his home was finally excavated to show Thornton and his wife Lucie's heroism offering a haven to runaways. Andy Rathbone's "Windows Vista for Dummies" shows "how to make Vista behave and work for you".

Friday, October 03, 2008

SISTER ACT TIMES TWO: Quilts & Paintings


Though twelve years apart in age and often separated by distance, sisters Nancy Payne Lyon and Linda Payne Atwater were both drawn to experiment in different artistic modalities from the time they were quite small on into their adult lives. While Nancy spent her life in Crawfordsville, marrying Bob Lyon and having two children; one of whom has two photographs in the exhibit which acted as catalysts for the sister's interpretations; Linda's life took her in many different directions, some of which were not exactly planned. Through everything, sisters are always sisters, so during October, they will again join hands for a second foray onto the walls of the Library's Mary Bishop Memorial Art Gallery. Nancy will exhibit quilted objects, Linda watercolors and mixed media. To add interest and excitement to the exhibit, the sisters challenged each other to interpret a single theme in their unique mediums. You won't want to miss the results of this collaboration/challenge.

Come see! Nancy's great grandmother, the family quilter, made her living by quilting after her husband died. She passed away before Nancy could take full advantage of her knowledge, but left her quilter's legacy to a most grateful Nancy. Nancy has gone through many different and creative phases during her adult life, but a few years ago began to settle on one in particular. She became interested in traditional quilting and joined Crawfordsville's Sugar Creek Quilt Guild as a charter member. She started quilting in the traditional modality, but soon began to blossom into new territory. Combining her traditional roots with new applique and art quilting ideas, Nancy began incorporating beads, baubles and sequins from family collections and is having way more fun! Come see what "fun" looks like!

In high school, Linda majored in Art, English and Math. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Indiana's Ball State University. After working several years in the insurance industry, she returned to Ball State to major in Graphic Design, Art and Photography. A few years later, school beckon again and returned to school at Indianapolis' Indiana/Purdue University majoring in Computer Technology. At last, she felt really EDUCATED and ready to take on any challenge. After all that education and work experience, she became bored with Indiana and was ready to see the world. She moved to Heidelberg, Germany and began a new job working for the Federal Government. After being filled to the brim with new experiences, the United States began to nudge her back and she was ready to return. She is currently working for the Social Security Administration in Baltimore, Maryland and is married to Bill Atwater. Linda has three reasons for painting; first, she was born with ability she feels a responsibility to explore. Secondly, because she wants to appreciate the intimacy of the natural more by painting it and thirdly, she hopes to bring a sense of wonder to others through her paintings... She says, "I'm really a big kid at heart who wants to see how everything works. I want to know how it fits together, how it smells, tastes and feels"! So there you have it! Two branches, one family tree, each different, yet alike, sharing the sun and the limelight, hoping visitors too, will enjoy what they have to share. Do come and see!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Preview Shelf -- New Reference Books

The Crawfordsville District Public Library gathers helpful references that also offer enjoyment. "VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever" is the complete guide to movies on videocassettes and DVDs. As the introduction says it's "a great way to waste time" maybe using the alternate titles index (for variant and foreign titles for movies with more than one name), a category list with all sorts of classifications, a series list, awards' lists, and a cast index. There's more, and you can see how much fun you could have.(REF 791.4375.) New non fiction is of a wide scope. First comes some powerful history. Thomas Cahill, author of "The Gifts of the Jews" and "How the Irish Saved Civilization" now offers "Desire of the Everlasting Hills" about the world just before and after Jesus, introducing us to the people Jesus knew, describing the Roman presence, Greek influence, and giving a new interpretation of the New Testament, based on material translated by the author himself. "Mysteries of the Middle Ages" is also Thomas Cahill's work; this tells about the rise of feminism, science, and art from the cults of Catholic Europe."Revolution in Mind" is George Makari's tome about the creation of psychoanalysis, going beyond myth to tell about one of the most controversial intellectual endeavors of the 20th century."Charlatan" is American social history about John Brinkley, a brazen young man who began a medical practice in 1917, and was later involved in lots of projects like running for governor of Kansas, "the most creative criminal this country has ever produced"."Trespass" is Amy Irvine's adventure as an activist and "Jack" Mormon concerned with the damage being done to the dessert landscape, as a 6th-generation "Utahn" working for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.." Chris Hunter's "Eight Lives Down" is the story of the world's most dangerous job in the world's most dangerous place (Iraq). "Down the Nile" is Rosemary Mahoney's recent report "alone on a fisherman's skiff" to fulfill her curiosity 200 years after Napoleon invaded Egypt. "The Bitter Sea" is Charles Li's story of about coming of age in a China before Mao, and seeing his family's fortunes dashed when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists came to power in 1945. Here are some more "philosophies". "The Wisdom of Donkeys" by Andy Merrifield shows how to find tranquility in a chaotic world. Jim Cramer's "Stay Mad for Life" says "Get rich, stay rich (make your kids even richer)." In "Eat This Not That!" David Zinczenko lists simple food swaps that save calories at restaurants. Muhammad Yunus' "Creating a World Without Poverty" tackles social business and the future of capitalism. "The Age of Abundance" is Brink Lindsey's essay about how prosperity transformed America's politics and culture and why the culture wars made us more libertarian. In "The Small-Mart Revolution" Michael Shuman tells how local businesses are beating the global competition.Requested books include "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook" with 175 recipes, "Indivisible By Two" Nancy Segal's study of extraordinary twins, saying, "Maybe it's the unplanned joining of humanity and science that makes twins alluring". "I Was Told There'd Be Cake" is the title of essays by Sloane Crosley, who's described as a mercurial wit, telling truths in funny ways. "Gusher of Lies" is Robert Bryce's essays claiming that energy independence is neither desirable nor doable. He also says that renewable technologies like wind and solar cannot supply enough energy to meet America's demand.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Book Discussion

Orpheus Lost
by Janette Turner Hospital
In this powerful and passionate new novel, Janette Turner Hospital tackles head-on questions of national security, art, terrorism, and love.

Janette Turner Hospital received Australia's Patrick White Award for lifetime literary achievement. She holds an endowed chair as Carolina Distinguished Professor of English at the University of South Carolina.

The book discussion will be led by Wabash English Professor Agata Szczeszak-Brewer. The organizational meeting is on October 17, 6-8pm, at the Crawfordsville District Public Library. The discussion is on October 9, 6-8pm, also at the library.

The first 15 people who sign up will receive a free copy of the novel.

Sign up is at the Reference Desk at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

The author will be visiting Wabash College on October 23rd to read and discuss her works. She will be in the KORB classroom at 8pm.

Genealogy Club October events

Annual Dinner and Meeting

7:00pm, October 14, 2008

Dinner will be at 6:00 pm followed by meeting at 7:00 pm in the Donnelley Room of the Crawfordsville District Public Library, 205 South Washington Street, Crawfordsville, IN 47933. "Road to Indiana Statehood" will be presented by Sean Hutson, Wabash student.

Reservations REQUIRED for the dinner in order to know how many meals to prepare. RSVP Before Friday, Oct 10, 2008. Payment of $10 for the meal must be made by Monday. October 13, 2008 at the Library's Local History Dept. Visitors always welcome.

For more information Contact: Dian Moore or Dellie Craig at Phone: (765) 362-2242 Ext 14 or 118 . Weekdays 9 am to 5 pm. Or email : gen@cdpl.lib.in.us
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After Hours Genealogy Research

5:00 -- 9:00 pm, Friday, October 24, 2008

Pizza Supper and Research -- no charge. Donations accepted towards pizza.

5:00 pm -- Pizza, Donnelley room, lower level
5:45 pm -- Research in local history and reference area, 2nd floor (no time limit on
computers).
9:00 pm -- final closing

Advanced arrival (Before 5:00 pm) is required. Library is locked at 5:00 pm. Visitors are Welcome. Please confirm your expected attendance by Wednesday, October 22. 765-362-2242 Ex. 14 or gen@cdpl.lib.in.us

Friday, September 05, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Hooked on Phonics!

The Crawfordsville District Public Library circulation department has materials that teach children to read phonetically. Called "Hooked on Phonics" they offer creative ways to make reading easier and more fun, a step at a time; there is also a parent's guide.A new book about Indiana has excellent value. Explaining the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi, "The Wabash River Guide Book" by Jerry Hay divides its 490 miles into 35 sections, each with a picture and clear explanation of features and uses. Identifications of old bridges, new bridges, oxbows, beaches, handy food sources, spillway dams, shoals, islands, public campsites, wildlife, locks, "s" bends, and a section on "Reading the River" make this a really useful piece of good information."The fortune Cookie Chronicles" by Jennifer Lee is her own story studying the world's Chinese restaurants and their culture; it is subtitled "One woman. One great mystery. One consuming obsession. Forty thousand restaurants." "Mrs. Wilkes' Boardinghouse Cookbook" begins as a young woman took over a non-descript turn-of-the-century boarding house in Savannah to make a living offering lodging and home-style Southern cooking; great story, great recipes. In "Between Rock and a Home Place" Chuck Leavell shares his life as keyboard player for the Rolling Stones who accompanied Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and the Allman Brothers. He's also an environmentalist and forestry expert. In "Follow Your Heart" Joe Evans tells of 50 years immersed in African American music history as an alto saxophonist with Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Charlie Parker, et al, in the Apollo Theatre, the Savoy, the Rhythm Club, and Minton's Playhouse; he segregates jazz, swing, and rhythm and blues. An oral history of key events that shaped modern baseball, "Change Up" was gathered by Larry Burke, giving the stories of star players like Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, legend Cal Ripken Jr., and reporters telling about the important happenings in the history of the sport."Secrets of Longevity" is Maoshing Ni's report of hundreds of ways to live to be 100. It stresses no diets, no drugs, no fuss, but offers logical tips to a happier life in five chapters: What you eat, How you heal, Where you are, What you do, and Who you are. A good companion book to read with it is "Green Clean"about products for a safer, healthier home with nontoxic cleaners, stain removers, recycling procedures, and storage advice."Walking on Water" by Derrick Jensen discusses how to realize what each of us needs for our own freedom, and creativity, not how we should please others."Against Happiness, in Praise of Melancholy" by Eric Wilson tells how melancholia stimulates culture as the muse of great literature, painting, music, innovation, and the force underlying original insights. He says, "It's time to throw off the shackles of positivity and relish the blues that make us human." "Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands" is Brad Lancaster's workbook about welcoming rain into our lives and landscapes. Elizabeth Banks' "Creating Period Gardens' holds stunning photographs and directions for "gardens of embroidery" before1730, "gardens of paradise" 1730-1830 and "gardens of romance" 1830-1930.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Color Enchantment & Imaginative Leatherwork at CDPL Gallery

The autumnal oil and watercolor adventures of Cheryl Kaldahl and the imaginative leather work designs of John Mayotte may be viewed at the Library's Art Gallery during the month of September.



Born and raised in Indiana, Cheryl Kaldahl finds great joy in her surroundings and often uses them and what she observes in nature in her paintings. She is currently a working artist involving herself in community art programs, teaching piano and performing locally. She has a studio in downtown Lafayette at Ferry Street Studios, 635 Ferry Street and may be visited there by appointment. In her Artist's Statement, Cheryl says, "ENCHANTMENT IN COLOR is a body of work that shows the process of my learning, developing, and discovering the joy of painting with different media and how it can be used to capture a glimpse of people, places, and things that have inspired my creative spirit. I began taking private lessons in watercolor from Rena Brouwer and in oil from Chris Kuchta. With their guidance, as you will see in my paintings, I have learned many things about color theory, composition, design and so much more. As you travel through the exhibit you will experience my ARTISTIC ADVENTURE and my progression up to and including my most current work". Professional Memberships include: The Hoosier Salon, Indiana Plein Aire Painters Association, Tippecanoe Arts Federation, Wabash Valley Watercolor Society and the Watercolor Society of Indiana. For more information about the artist, you may visit her website at: www.cherylkaldahl.com.

John Mayotte was born in a rural farmhouse in Jasper County, Indiana. Primarily self-taught, John found himself imbued with ample amounts of creativity and naturally gravitated to the world of art. Beginning with crude drawings of pigs at the tender age of three, John's love of art evolved and expanded during his childhood. He experimented with photorealism at the age of twelve and by his teens was creating award-winning pieces like an Eiffel Tower constructed entirely of toothpicks that won 1st prize at the Jasper County Fair. He helped neighborhood kids build soapbox racers, assembled an endless string of model airplanes in his spare time and even assisted his middle school art teacher during class demonstrations. While working for R. R. Donnelley & Sons John became interested in leather crafting. In 1965, at home while recovering from back surgery, John began to design and craft leather objects. This interest would become the focus of his life for the next 43 years. And what a focus it has been! He has created leather billfolds, belts, business folders, chaps, vests, gloves, purses, moccasins, holsters, gun belts, hats, clocks, animal heads and pictures sold all over the United States, South America and Russia. He even made custom leather seats for his Chrysler 300. John has also been prolific in nearly every medium he tried. He enjoyed investigating sculpture, ceramics, watercolor, ink, oil painting and illustration. He produced literally thousands of pieces covering numerous subjects. His works include a seven and a half foot tall polar bear using 2 x 2s, hardware cloth and shag carpeting, a 100ft x 48 ft beach scene mural commissioned by Donnelley's for their North Plant location, and a 6 foot tall cactus created from galvanized roofing material. He also dabbled in taxidermy and has mounted deer heads, buffalo and deer feet.

Now that you have met these two renaissance artists, do come to the Library Gallery and enjoy this special September experience.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Preview Shelf -- How Time Flies!

The adult summer reading program "Color Your World" concludes on Saturday. For all the patrons who have read 12 books and written at least one review, the drawing for the Grand Prize will be held next Wednesday. This has been a very popular activity involving 100 readers; you can read 153 book reviews posted on two library walls. The library will be closed Sunday and Monday for the Labor Day weekend. The 2007 volume of The Lakeside Classics published by R.. R. Donnelley and Sons is "Narratives of Barbary Captivity: Recollections of James Leander Cathcart, Jonathan Cowdery, and William Ray". The preface says, "Although the narratives…were written two hundred years ago, the subject - the relationship of America to the Arab states of the Middle East and North Africa - is just as relevant today." A 49-page introduction helps to make this book contemporary and valuable.Anthony Pagden's "Worlds at War" analyses the 2,500-year struggle between East and West. John Darwin's "After Tamerlane" gives the global history of Empire since 1405. Another history is Judith Herrin's "Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire". A beautifully colored art book is "Treasures of Islam: Artistic Glories of the Muslim World" by Bernard O'Kane. "Days of Infamy" the fiction by Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen starts minutes after the close of their book "Pearl Harbor" as both sides react to the events triggered by Admiral Yamamoto. Marilyn Culpepper has issued "Never Will We Forget: Oral Histories of World War II". Oliver North's "American Heroes" gives a first-hand account of American volunteers defending us against Islamic terror. Martin Amis has gathered 14 pieces of insightful information in "The Second Plane-September 11: Terror and Boredom". "House of Stone" is Christina Lamb's true story of a family divided in war-torn Zimbabwe. Mark Krikorian's "The New Case Against Immigration" deals with both legal and illegal arrivals."Lopsided" is a memoir by Meredith Norton showing how she dealt with cancer with grace and unflinching self-awareness; anecdotes and her wit enhance this debut book by a masterful social observer. Another memoir is "A Wolf at the Table" by Augusten Burroughs about his father whom he knew only as a shadowy figure until his childhood was over. A political autobiography is "The Making of a Radical " by Scott Nearing, born in 1883, who with his wife moved from NYC in 1932 to a dilapidated farmhouse in Vermont where they practiced organic gardening in the "back to the land" movement. Later, until his death in 1983, he lived on the Maine coast as a lecturer, writer, social critic and humanitarian. "The Complete Book of Boondock RVing: Camping Off the Beaten Path" by Bill and Jan Moeller shows how to enjoy this hobby successfully.Volume One of the Dictionary of Midwestern Literature is titled "The Authors" covering 400 writers and identifying the most important criticism of their works. A. J. Jacobs' "The Know-It-All" is a spoof dictionary that resulted from reading all 32 volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Quiet wisdom is expressed in "After", poems by Jane Hirschfield. "French by Heart" is Rebecca Ramsey's account of an American family's adventures in La Belle France 1999-2003. "The Storks' Nest or Life and Love in the Russian Countryside" comes from Laura Williams who moved from
Colorado to Moscow in 1993.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Story time for Grandparents and Grandchildren

A Story Time Especially for Grandparents and Grandchildren
(ages 3 and up)


pictures -- crafts -- stories -- snacks

Saturday, September 13 at 9:30 a.m.

If you are interested in attending this special event you must call 362-2242 ext 115 for reservations with the child/children's name and the number of grandparents attending (we ask that you please limit the number of grandparents to 2 per family)

Call soon because space is limited.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Guess What's Coming Soon!

With our schools back in session, the Crawfordville District Public Library youth services department has finished its extensive summer programs and its back-to-school activities. Its walls are bare right now, as staff and patrons await an exciting new look. Next time you come, look straight north from the entrance to see the mural being created by Michael Bowman. Here's some summer reading you might like to investigate. The novel "Serpent Box" by Vincent Carrella begins by showing unorthodox Appalachian faithful spreading the word of the Gospels by handling deadly serpents and drinking lye. "Then We Came to the End" by Joshua Ferris notes, "Every office is a family of sorts", and his plot copes with a business downturn through gossip, elaborate pranks, and frequent coffee breaks. "Dangerous Past" by A. F. Ebbers is an aviation thriller that "rocks" the highest levels of Washington. Kate Christensen's "The Great Man" depicts a New York City artist of the heroic generation of the 40s and 50s, painting one subject, the female nude; he also has a separate secret life, and two rival biographers circle around him as they see him from different points of view. "On Tall Pine Lake" by Dorothy Garlock is her 50th novel about ordinary Americans and their dreams, this time a young woman facing a dangerous future and an unexpected chance at love while managing a fishing camp in the Arkansas woods. "Thigh High" by Christina Dodd involves a string of bank robberies in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Sharon Sala, Emilie Richards and Susan Wiggs offer stories of female courage called "More Than Words". "The Angel of Death" is a forensic mystery by Alane Ferguson; a seventeen-year-old finds herself solving the murder of her English teacher. "Traitor" by Gudrun Pausewang presents a Russian prisoner of war on the run from the Nazis hiding out in a German family's barn. William Sleator's "Hell Phone" tells how a schoolboy finds himself being pulled into a web of crime. Alisa Libby's gothic novel "The Blood Confession" recalls a real-life countess in16th century Hungary which was full of horror, romance, and history. Carol Neggers' "The Angel" deals with the rugged coast of Ireland where a folklorist pursues the mysterious legend of an ancient Celtic stone carving. "Killer View" by Ridley Pearson reports a Sun Valley skier gone missing, and one of the searchers is suddenly dead. "Secrets" by Jude Deveraux involves a fiancee who has broken her engagement because of a man with whom she fell in love at the age of 12. Catherine Coulter's "Tail Spin" is an FBI thriller because a Special Agent tries to protect a renowned psychiatrist's life, which involves fast helicopter rides, sad diagnoses, and hidden facts not revealed until the end. In "Tribute" by Nora Roberts a former child star leaves Hollywood for Virginia's Shenandoah Valley for a quiet life restoring her grandmother's farmhouse, but then she finds disturbing old letters in the attic. "What Never Happens" by Anne Holt reveals horrible murders of celebrities in the cold of an Oslo winter. In "Last Kiss" by Luanne Rice a singer-songwriter must uncover the reason for her 18-year-old son's murder a year after not a single clue has surfaced. Iris and Roy Johansen's "Silent Thunder" is a decommissioned Soviet submarine acquired by a U.S. maritime museum for public exhibition; inspecting the ship they find a mysterious message which triggers a deadly assault.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Lower-Level Treasures

The lower level of the Crawfordsville District Public Library offers a new potpourri of good art to enjoy as you stroll along headed to the Second Saturday Book Sale or to your meeting of the day. Diane Hammill has mounted a variety of colorful posters, original prints, library purchases, donations from Patty Sommer, donations to the Friends of the Library, and her own original work. Inspect it; it finishes off the attractive hallway. Cokie Roberts' book "Ladies of Liberty" pays homage to the heroic women whose patriotism and sacrifice helped create a new nation, among them Abigail Adams, Martha Jefferson, Dolley Madison, and Elizabeth Monroe. '"A Letter to America" by David Boren alerts us that we are in trouble because our people are losing faith in the country's future. We need, Boren asserts, major reforms so our political system can act responsibly; bipartisan cooperation, a post-Cold War policy that fits today's realities, and campaign finance reform will help. Kevin Leman's "Have a New Kid by Friday" tell how to change your child's attitude, behavior, and character in just five days. "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch should be called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" about the "importance of overcoming obstacles, enabling the dreams of others, seizing every moment", a powerful message because of the author's own immediate challenges. A Rare Breed of Love" by Jana Kohl is about a certain canine and the mission she inspired to help dogs everywhere. Jenna Bush reflects on her work with UNICEF in "Ana's Story" about an abused 17-year-old mother dealing with HIV. Three references about health are "Louder Than Words" in which Jenny McCarthy works to save her child from autism and creates a road map for parents who are concerned about their own child, "Unstrange Minds" where Roy Grinkere remaps the world of autism, and Anne Ford's "On Their Own" a family guide offering an independent future for adult children with learning disabilities and ADHAD. "Prude" analyzes how depraved influences in our culture are damaging teen age girls; Carol Liebau argues for the restoration of commonsense values. Here are some unique how-to books newly available. "How to Photograph Absolutely Everything…with Your Digital Camera" by Tom Ang is colorful and clever. "Art of Sketching" translated from the Spanish and issued by Sterling Publishing is full of beautiful work to stimulate the reader. Dragonart's "Fantasy Characters" shows how to draw fantastic beings and incredible creatures. "Knitting without Tears" holds Elizabeth Zimmermann's unique generic concepts that can be adopted endlessly. She was the master of proportional instructions. "No Sheep for You" is Amy Singer's approach to knitting with cotton, silk, linen, hemp, and bamboo. Sue Astroth's "Super-Simple Creative Costumes" has the theme of mixing and matching your way to make believe. Next, for the favorite room in the house, comes "1001 Ideas for Kitchen Organization" by Joseph Provey. "Instead of Chicken, Instead of Turkey" by Karen Davis holds 100 recipes like eggless omelets, muffins, mayonnaise, eggless salads, cakes and cookies, and poultry-free "chicken" stew, pot pie, stuffed "turkey", cacciatore, and stuffing. "Florida Bounty" is Eric and Sandra Jacobs' celebration of Florida cuisine and culture.

Monday, August 04, 2008

Genealogy Club Meeting

Genealogy Club of Montgomery County, IN Corp
7:00pm, August 12, 2008
"Local History Servies and You" by Stacy Klingler
Assistant Director of Local History Services, Indiana Historical Society

This meeting will be held at the Crawfordsville District Public Library in the Donnelley Room. [Public Invited!] Call; (765)-362-2242, Ext 4 for more information.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

In the Gallery: August

Like a cool breeze on a blistering hot day in August, it refreshes! Like a cool exhibit of photographic images by California film artist Loren McKechnie, it promises to refresh! Loren comes to us through a veil of family genes and unique historical perspective on the art of photography. Loren's father, a passionate landscape/nature photographer, gently introduced his son to the art of photography as a ten years old by giving him one of his own Olympus SLR cameras and a 50mm lens. Tagging along on nature jaunts with his father, the wealth of beauty observed became fertile fodder for Loren's imagination and future interest in photography. Working at the Lawrence Berkeley Radiation Laboratory machining precision parts and refining the functional works of the cyclotron particle accelerator used to smash open atomic nuclei; Loren's maternal grandfather used photography to document work-day successes and failures. With Loren's budding interest in photography, it wasn't long before the basement enlarger and darkroom was up and running for Loren, under the tutelage of his grandfather. Loren's maternal great grandmother was a photographer for the victory ships built in the California naval shipyards during WWII. Loren inherited his first enlarger from her. Through these hereditary genes and passionate family interest Loren was inspired Loren to pursue his lifelong quest to capture photographically, the nature of truth. Loren's photographic passion continued through high school where he became more focused on darkroom manipulations and the pursuit of quality and precision. At the University of California he began to master the concept of different cameras and lenses presenting different results. Loren chose manual focus and exposure cameras so he could compute each element in the creative photographic process. "Thinking through the assets and liabilities of each camera and its affect on the vision of the photographer is what makes an image come to life", Loren says. From his father's camera Loren upgraded to a medium format camera capable of taking pictures on larger film. After experiencing the benefits of that for a while, Loren lusted for a better way. In 2001, he bought a lighter M6 Leica and fell in love with it. He also became intrigued by a 5" x 7" large format one-hundred year old camera found in his grandparents' basement. Purchasing a range of high quality German-made lenses for the antique camera, he found it performed like today's state of the art cameras. He used this camera on backpacking trips with nature photographer Tony Rowell, but soon realized it was too unwieldy in the mountains and switched to a Noblex medium format rotating lens camera for his panoramic work. A few months ago Loren haltingly submitted to the draw of digital photography and purchased a manual Leica M8 digital camera with a variety of lenses. "Until the advent of digital images", Loren says, "photography has had the power to produce refreshingly truthful images, but with digital capabilities and Photoshop looming on the horizon, there is a chance of losing this belief." Like summer rain on hot August sidewalks, Loren McKechnie's personal photographic journey in the Mary Bishop Memorial Art Gallery at the Library, it promises to refresh!

Preview Shelf -- July 31

The Crawfordsville District Public Library's board of trustees has just completed a service year, with three members retiring after the very long period of invaluable work that brought us our new building. Bob Burgess, John Culley, and Susie Hildebrand never paused in their quest for our beautiful and useful new library that continues to offer more services and meeting spaces to an ever wider variety of groups. The board that began its work this month is led by fourth term member and President Isobel Arvin appointed by the City Council. The remaining members filling out their first terms on the board are Vice-President Pat Stull and Secretary and Assistant Treasurer Linda Petrie, both appointed by the Crawfordsville Schools. Treasurer Dwayne Rater was appointed by the County Commissioners, and new members Cindy Smith were appointed by North Montgomery Schools. Ron Astin received his appointment from the Union Township Board, and Brian Keim was appointed by the County Council. James Ayers continues as Counsel. Larry Hathaway is Library Director. Here are new ideas for summer reading, beginning with mysteries. "Buffalo Nickel" by Pat Johnston uses that coin as a vital clue in his novel set in Outcrop, Arizona where a LA homicide detective delves into the past for the puzzle's solution. Anne Perry's "Buckingham Palace Gardens" is another of her Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mysteries so popular as they lure the reader into the multi-layered richness of London. On to novels. A special annotated "Secret Garden" by Frances Burnett is one of the series from W. W. Norton & Company that includes notes and an introduction by Gretchen Gerzina, widening the pleasure of the classic novel of 1911. Syrie James' "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen" imitates her writing style and consider secrets of her life which might have just been found in some attic. "The Secret Life of Josephine" by Carolly Erickson fastens on Emperor Napoleon's ambitious first wife. "Windy City" by Scott Simon is both laugh-out-loud funny and heart-piercing clever, capturing politics in the multi-ethnic tumult of today's big city. Marcus Sakey's "At The City's Edge" also takes place in Chicago, as the first woman to make the prestigious Gang Intelligence Unit must unravel a conspiracy encompassing the city's power brokers as well as the "alley cats" of the ghetto. Mariah Stewart's "Last Breath" delivers suspense as priceless artifacts vanish after being collected in the Middle East, revealing a century-old mystery. In New York City "The Finder" by Colin Harrison begins when a young Chinese woman agrees to take a car ride with two illegal Mexican women. Here are informational aids. Tony Rodd and Geoff Bryant's "The Plant Finder" identifies and pictures over 5,000 plants appropriate in different kinds of gardens. "The Writer Within You" by Charles Jacobs is a step-by-step guide to writing and publishing in your retirement years. "Sailing the Inland Sea" by Susan Neville, English professor at Butler University, invites us to explore "the possibilities the Midwestern landscape offers to writers - its sacred spaces, its rivers, even its weather". "Your First Triathlon" by Joe Friel ("America's top tri coach"), offers information to train, prepare, and psyche yourself up for your first race, from that sport's most respected expert on the art and science of the unique combination of swimming, bicycling, and distance running.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Preview Shelf -- another Wabash author

"American Providence: A Nation with a Mission" by Stephen Webb tells the connection between America and Christianity that was contested on September 11, 2001. American Christians have been forced to think about the relationship of their faith to present day politics. Webb defends the idea that American foreign policy should be seen as a vehicle of God's design for history. This Professor or Religion and Philosophy at Wabash College is the author of seven books, and several of them, like this new one, are available at the Crawfordsville District Public Library. Here is more new nonfiction. "After Elizabeth" gives Leanda de Lisle's story about the rise of James of Scotland and the struggle for the throne of England. In "At All Costs" Sam Moses tells how a crippled ship in the hands of two heroic American Merchant Mariners turned the tide of World War II. "Gandhi on Non-Violence" contains selected texts from his "Non-Violence in Peace and War" edited by Thomas Merton. "The End of America" is a letter of warning to a young patriot by Naomi Wolf and it "will shock, enrage, and motivate - spurring us to act, as the Founders would have counted on us to do in a time such as this, as rebels and patriots - to save our liberty and defend our nation". "Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life" by Father Robert Spitzer is a practical guide to prayer for active people. "Bizarre Books" is a compendium of classic oddity book titles by Russell Ash and Brian Lake, with comments about some of the titles. Here are some new Young Adult fantasy novels that are popular for summer reading. In her series Chronicles of Ancient Darkness Michelle Paver offers "Wolf Brother" about a 12-year-old and his wolf-cub companion, researched in forests of Finland and Lapland. Her second episode that follows the team is "Spirit Walker" where an illness afflicts the clan. In Australia, a fifteen-year-old must deal with magic travel while supposedly living with her grandmother in the first volume " Magic or Madness" by Justine Larbalestier. The sequel, "Magic Lessons", shows her and her friends learning about the danger of using their magical gifts. "Infernal Devices", a part of Hungry City Chronicles by Philip Reeve, finds a trio of lost boys in the distant future battling ancient enemies after Anchorage is settled on the shores of the Dead Continent of America. T. A. Barron's third book in The Eternal Flame series, "The Great Tree of Avalon" shows three unlikely heroes, a wilderness guide, a brave priestess, and an eagleman, needed against a warlord bent on conquest of the wondrous world of Avalon. Book Seven of D. H. MacHale's Pendragon is called "The Quillan Games"; to triumph in the games is to live the life of a king, but to lose is to die. Two of Chris D'Lacey's books, "The Fire Within" and "Icefire" explore the connection between dragons, the Arctic, and ancient secrets. "Murkmere" is Patricia Elliott's fantasy manor, a world between history and myth. Jane Curry's "The Black Canary" is also fantasy, for while visiting London a twelve-year-old discovers a portal back to the year 1600, where he can use his musical gifts.Life today is also a popular subject for Young Adult fiction. "Tyrell" by Coe Booth is a boy caught living in a shelter who devises a plan to save himself toward something better. Paintball warfare goes underground in "Sewer Rats" by Sigmund Brouwer. "The Possibility of Fireflies" by Dominique Paul finds a 14-year-old experiencing her summer to "grow up".

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Preview Shelf -- July 17

One hundred six readers and parents attended the gala finale of the Crawfordsville District Public Library children's and teen's summer reading program on Saturday. The whole story is that the Friends of the Library workers fund the programs, prizes, and speakers. Their weekly work sorting books donated by the public create their large bookstore collection on the library's lower level. Then, their monthly "Second Saturday" sales (donations) provide those extra touches that make the reading programs special, encourage better reading habits, and help promote the other "school year" efforts by the library's Youth Services department. This is really beneficial recycling!

This column offers new fiction for summer reading. Alton Gansky's "Angel" is science fiction about an earthquake in Southern California that brings a stranger from a world far away to "complete our knowledge, to explain our beginnings, and to correct our spiritual errors." L. A. Banks' "The Wicked" is a vampire huntress legend in a complex world of good vs. evil. Brenda Joyce's "Dark Seduction" begins a new series called The Masters of Time, wherein a new warrior sweeps a beautiful bookseller back into his medieval time of hunters and hunted. Jodi Picoult's novel "Change of Heart" asks if you would give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love? And would you want your dreams to come true if it meant granting your enemy's dying wish? "Finding Marie" by Susan Davis is a scary chase to locate a covert military wife who found a computer flash drive in her luggage just after her seatmate from Tokyo to San Francisco was murdered, and she must run for her life. "Damsels in Distress" by Joan Hess is a Claire Malloy story showing a volunteer whom no one knows helping with a Renaissance Fair and falling victim to arson, her body found burned in the wreckage of her rented home. Mary Burton's "I'm Watching You" tells about a serial killer taking lives because he's stalking a woman whose estranged husband is a detective. Richard Russo's "Bridge of Sighs" finds a long-married couple preparing for their once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy to reunite with a childhood friend; the goal is to untangle a history the husband is writing of his hometown and family. In "Breakfast with Buddha" by Roland Merullo two men of contrasting cultures drive across the country together through places the reader will recognize, with specific discussions stimulating each other's thinking. "Sister Teresa" by Barbara Mujica is a biographical novel about the woman who became Saint Teresa of Avila, highlighting the social aspects as well as the madness of the Spanish Inquisition. "The Last Chinese Chef" by Nicole Mones brings into focus a changing China, this time the hidden world of high culinary culture.. Charles Holdefer's "The Contractor" is the first novel to address the issue of American secret prisons in the war on terrorism, and it weaves a government interrogator's experiences into his personal life challenge. "Heroes: Saving Charlie" by Aury Wallington is a story by Joseph Loeb based on the TV series Heroes about ordinary individuals, united by an extraordinary bond, as each possesses a superhuman ability; together they must prevent the course of history from taking a terrifying turn. Catherine Anderson's "Morning Light" offers the first of her Harrigan family novels in which a woman is trying to ignore visions that predict the future, and is involved in a goal-reaching challenge. This book is written in large print.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Dot Jones' Book Now Available

"Emilie Todd Helm, Lincoln's Little Sister" by Dorothy Darnall Jones is now part of the local authors collection at the Crawfordsville Library, with a copy for borrowing. Native Montgomery County daughter and retired Crawfordsville High School teacher, Dot completed the biography of Mary Todd Lincoln's half-sister after recently moving to Madison, Indiana, where Emilie lived "just down the street" for several years. It includes Emilie's "background, her family, her education, the Civil War divisiveness and devastation, and her life as a single mother and widow" for 67 years, with a lot of authentic pictures. Earlene Fowler's "Tumbling Blocks" is a Benni Harper mystery taking place in 1996, one month after her last "Delectable Mountains"; this "breezy and humorous" plot involves investigating a death of a member, significantly affecting the "49 Club" of socialites. "Nightshade" by Susan Albert includes 16 years of secrets along with the inquiry into several cold case murders. Joy Fielding's "Charley's Web" tells of an ambitious Florida journalist putting her family in jeopardy by studying the mind of a killer. "No Country for Old Men" by Cormac McCarthy's is the source for the recent movie production. Danielle Steel's latest "Honor Thyself" shows a public figure disabled by terror in Paris with a plot that reviews her life. Mary Higgins Clark's "Where Are You Now?" follows a young woman trying to understand the ten-year-old family tragedy when her college-senior brother disappeared; she must find where and why he is hiding. "Mermaids in the Basement" by Michael West explores the complex bond between a daughter and her father, set in the South, unveiled as the daughter faces ghosts from her past. Tod Wodicka's title,"All Shall Be Well;' and All Shall Be Well; and All Manner of Things Shall Be Well", makes more sense when the reader learns about a modern-day Arthurian tunic-wearing re-enactor being lured to Prague to find his estranged son in a plot moving between past and present. Lethal intrigue with a shocking campaign of terror against key officials rocks the government in "Capitol Conspiracy" by William Bernhardt. "Coal Black Horse" by Robert Olmstead concerns a mother instructing her only child to find his father on a Civil War battlefield and bring him home, causing the son to experience the worst aspects of the conflict. Susan Wiggs' "Snowfall at Willow Lake (in the Catskills)" shows what comes after a woman survives an unspeakable horror in war-torn countries, and finds her way home for a new chance at happiness. Beverly Lewis offers "Summer Hill Secrets 1" containing four stories about a modern fifteen-year-old living in Pennsylvania's Amish country. Requested nonfiction begins with Alan Crawford's "Twilight at Monticello" telling the final years of Thomas Jefferson. Dan Ariely's "Predictably Irrational" discusses the hidden forces that shape our often misguided decisions, even when we think we're in control. Christ Prentiss' "The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure" is a holistic approach to total recovery including healing underlying causes to end relapses and suffering. Suze Orman's "Women & Money" is about owning the power to control our destiny, and includes a five-month "Save Yourself Plan". Last is singer Sandi Patty's "Life in the Blender" about combining families, lives, and relationships with grace.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

In the Gallery: July 2008

December gallery at CDPL At a designated time in July, the whine of fireworks is frequently heard. The sound evaporates and is replaced by a colorful explosion of scintillating rainbows trickling down to re-awaken the spirit in work-weary souls. Each pyrotechnic event is unique, yet together they create an awesome celebration, and "eye candy feast". In the designated month of July, the Mary Bishop Memorial Art Gallery introduces a cool "fireworks display" of THE ARTISTS GOEBEL, Kim, Rachel and Rebecca. Each artistic piece is unique, yet together they create an "eye candy feast" and celebration of family talent meant to joyfully re-awaken heat-weary souls. The most predominant force behind this family profusion of colorful beauty and talent is definitely, Kim. Blest with an innate love of nature and art, Kim reveled in sharing her joy with her two daughters, hoping it would stimulate their own innate talents. When Kim's girls were small, she enjoyed working on art projects to give as gifts to loved ones on special occasions. The gift would be especially appreciated, because of the budding artistic hands that created the project. On Kim's busiest day, the girls simply couldn't understand why they couldn't "help" mom with her art projects. Kim has been teaching art to kindergarten through fifth grade students at Sugar Creek Elementary School for the past 22 years. In her free time she loves to experiment with pastels, paint with watercolors, dyeing fabric and painting scenes on fabric that she will later quilt. She paints as realistically as possible and pays close attention to detail. For commission, Kim paints pastel pet portraits from owner's photographs. Riding horseback thrills her. Teaching riding lessons to interested children and adults is the frosting on the cake. Aren't we blessed to have this Renaissance woman living right here in our midst! hen first daughter Rachel was born, infused with a lovely bouquet of creative genes, it didn't take long for this talent to bloom. At only two, Rachel drew an outstandingly realistic spider unassisted, really impressing her mother. That drawing is now carefully preserved in Rachel's baby book. While at CHS, under the tutelage of art teacher Sheila McCormick, Rachel's artistic skills matured even further. She learned to express herself more fully in drawing, painting and sculpture, but her real artistic love turned out to be photography. She learned to develop her own negatives and make photographic prints in the darkroom. Her favorite photographic subjects include her friend, Amanda, Sister Rebecca and a menagerie of animals. A recent CHS graduate, Rachel is more than ready to try her wings at college. Whether or not art will play a part in her future is unimportant. What is important is her early exposure to nature and art at her mother's knee. According to Kim, second daughter Rebecca, a sophomore at CHS, is also a talented artist, though she doesn't feel as talented as her big sisterl. As a child, Rebecca loved to draw and paint, most especially when making unique and unusual gifts for her dad, Tennessee Grandma and other relatives at Christmas or holidays. With her mom and sister "Becca" she created "special" keepsakes, lovingly cherished by recipients. "Uncensored artistic spontaneity flowing from small loving hands is always the most precious gift", Kim says. You will see some of these mementos in the exhibit. "Becca" enjoys volleyball and basketball even more than art. Though Rebecca has made other choices for now, Kim is pleased that she has been exposed to the fundamentals of art if she ever does want it in her future, even as a hobby.

As a compliment to the work of the Artists Goebel, the Gallery Display Cases are filled to the brim with "old", interesting and unusual items from the collections of members of Crawfordsville's own ANTIQUE STUDY CLUB. This still-active club has been a staple in Crawfordsville society for as long as club history and current members can remember. Happily missing are the historic days when prospective members were required to pass a "white glove" test before being approved for membership. Whew, glad that's disappeared! Though much more relaxed today, these women are no less passionate about anything and everything having to do with "antiques", and take great joy in sharing what they have, and what they know about what they have, with others. A few of the exquisite pieces in this "fireworks exhibit" include Japanese Dragonware (Lithoplanes), an everyday white silk kimono, nineteenth century pottery, Flo Blue stoneware, a plethora of Madam Alexander Dolls, Parian white biscuit porcelain, Jewel Tea Company's Hall China, the old East Main Street Baxter Drugstore's soda fountain memorabilia and many things oriental and more. The club's purpose is to further the interest in and appreciation of all things "old". You name it, if it is old; this group has studied it at one time or another. Except for January, the Antique Study Club meets on the second Thursday of each month at 1:00 pm in a member's home. Each meeting begins with a short business meeting, features a lesson prepared by a club member on a subject of her choosing and refreshments. Once a year, the group takes an "antique journey" to a special interest destination where everyone can enjoy and share in an "antiquated" experience. Membership is open to anyone with a love of or interest in learning about and antiques. Dues are $5.00 per year. The group boasts 19 members and 2 honoraries.

Do come to the Library to enjoy this exquisite double fireworks festival, direct from the creative hands of the ARTISTS GOEBEL and the collective hands of the ANTIQUE STUDY CLUB. You definitely won't be sorry!

Written by Diane Hammill

Friday, June 27, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Lots Going On Downtown

As the Crawfordsville Library tends its summer reading programs, it's time to finish the list of local businesses donating prizes to the adult program, "Color My World". China Inn, Elaine's Tea Shop & Catering, John Stevens, Johnny Provolone's Pizza, Kwik-Kopy Printing, La Rose on Main, Little Mexico, Subway Sandwiches & Salads, Vanity Theater-Sugar Creek Players, and Wendy's have made generous contributions. This weekend, as Indiana Plein Air Painters visit to work among us, their new book "Painting Indiana II" is ready to borrow presenting scenes from simple farming to a global industry. With texts by Gary & Kathleen Truitt, the paintings illustrate the state's rural history, and the book is worth a long look. Other new nonfiction covers other kinds of art. David Michaelis' "Schulz and Peanuts" is the biography of a barber's son growing up from modest beginnings to create perhaps the world's favorite contemporary child characters; Charles Schulz chose themes never before attempted – like loneliness, isolation, melancholy, and the unending search for love, mingling old fashioned sweetness with adult awareness. Next, Country Living magazine offers "500 Quick & Easy Decorating Projects & Ideas" with colorful photographs and minimal descriptions. Kitchen art is represented by five new issues. "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian" by Mark Bittman contains 900 pages of simple meatless recipes. Robin Robertson's "One-Dish Vegetarian Meals" offers dairy-free options. "A Baker's Odyssey" by Greg Patent celebrates time-honored recipes from America's rich immigrant heritage and includes a DVD. Southern combinations of all kinds are found in "Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics". She is the proprietor of The Lady & Sons restaurant in Savannah, and is seen on the Food Network. Basketball is the next art. The legendary coach and student of Dr. James Naismith John McLendon is featured in "Breaking Through" about the history of integrated basketball. Steve Friedman's "The Agony of Victory" tells about champions in various sports and the prices they pay for glory; all were driven by a burning need to prove themselves, along with their realizations that no victories can bring lasting happiness. A group of stories makes up "Sunstroke" by Ivan Bunin, the first Russian to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, capturing momentary impressions of the fleetingness of life. "Bryson City Tales" by Walt Larimore tells experiences during a doctor's first year of practice in the Smoky Mountains. "Writing Motherhood" by Lisa Garrigues shows ways to save experiences as they come along, showing that mothering provides endless material for writing, just as writing brings clarity and wisdom to mothering. "Chasing the Flame" by Samantha Power, Pulitzer winner, tells about Sergio Vieira de Mello, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and representative in Baghdad, who died in the 2003 attack in Iraq, and also gives background of this perilous and thorniest episode of recent history. "Unchristian" by David Kinnaman shows the major criticisms leveled against Christians and how to best represent Jesus. Charles Grodin's "If I Only Knew Then…Learning from our Mistakes" tells stories from celebrities with their insights that could keep readers from suffering in the future.

New Local History Database

We have a new database for genealogists and local historians -- the Waynetown Masonic Cemetery. Look for the link on our Local History page: http://www.cdpl.lib.in.us/lh

This database contains records of 6,125 burials in this cemetery. It also includes links to more than 4,000 obituaries and more than 1,000 burial/transit permits.

Waynetown, Indiana's Masonic Cemetery is located just on the west side of Waynetown on 136. At a stated meeting of the local Waynetown Masonic Lodge on 23 Jan 1872, a committee consisting of Joseph S. Henry, George Small, Nathaniel Blackford, John R. Thomas, and George D. Brown reported that they could purchase four acres of ground from Matthias Brant at $200.00 per acre; four acres from Simon Armantrout for $100.00 per acre and four acres from George Small for $125.00 per acre. The proposal was accepted. William Ridger, who passed away in 1921, bequeathed $5,000.00 to the cemetery on condition that an equal amount be raised. This imposed condition was met by popular subscription, and the entire amount of $10,000.00 become an endowment fund for the permanent upkeep of the cemetery. The cemetery was incorporated in1921. Trustees in 1930 were John W Shuler, C. C. Westfall and William E Rider. As of 2007, the cemetery now has grown to approximately 80 acres with 11 acres plotted for burials. The other 69 acres is on farm ground that later on can be plotted for more burial ground. In 2007 Donald Proctor donated the burial permits from 1948 to 2006 to the Crawfordsville Public Library. These papers were arranged, copied, and indexed by library page Adam Rice. These papers have been bound and are shelved under RL 929.5 Proctor in the Cemetery book section.

Volume 1 contains burial permits 1959-1986
Volume 2 contains burial permits 1986-1996 and burial transit permits 1948-1959
Volume 3 contains burial permits 1995-2000
Volume 4 contains burial permits 2001-2006
Volume 5 contains miscellaneous records arranged by state of issue 1949-2006 and a cumulative index

Donald and Peggy Proctor have been working for several years to gather as many obituaries as possible for persons buried in Waynetown Masonic Cemetery. They provided the obituaries and the burial permits.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Adults Invited to Summer Reading Challenge

Adult patrons are signing up for "Color Your World", this year's adult summer reading program at the Crawfordsville District Public Library. Carol Bennett, Brooke Myers and the circulation staff are already busy registering readers' books. Here are more of the local businesses generously offering prizes: Ace Hardware, Bal-Hinch Scrapbooking, Chad Budreau-State Farm Insurance, Chase Bank, Creek Jewelers, Flowers 'n Things, heathcliff, Moon Dance Cafe, Papa John's Pizza, Rancho Bravo, Steak 'n Shake, and Wright Implement."The Year of Living Biblically" is A. J. Jacobs' humble quest to follow the Bible as literally as possible, to "be fruitful and multiply", to love his neighbor, and to avoid wearing clothes made of mixed fibers as he travels the country. "From Eden to Exile" is Eric Cline's work unraveling mysteries of the Bible including Noah's Ark and the Ten Lost Tribes. Christopher Hitchens offers "God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything". "God did not make us," he writes; "We made God." "Plain Secrets" is Joe Mackall's story as an outsider among the Amish in Ohio for 16 years, the most traditional and insular of the Amish sects, and his story of his unusual friendship and his nephew. Fascinating ideas continue. "Be the Change" by Zach Hunter is "your guide to freeing slaves and changing the world"; Zach is proving that one person can make a difference, revealed in this book. Gustavo Arellano's "Ask a Mexican!" was an assignment given by his newspaper boss and it became this interesting book so that he now speaks at universities and answers lots of mail. "Letters from the Front Lines: Iraq and Afghanistan" by Rear Admiral Stuart Platt offers 13 chapters by 13 members of our Armed Forces. TV personality Studs Terkel's memoir at age ninety-five is "Touch and Go" a review that is "youthful, vivacious, and enormous fun". Then opposite this is "The Jamestown Project" by Karen Kupperman, detailing how the settlement become the model for all successful English colonies including Plymouth. From the kitchens of Martha Stewart Living comes "Great Food Fast" from the "Everyday Food" magazine featuring 250 recipes with illustrations that make any reader hungry at any time of day. "Street Food" is Tom Kime's equally tempting trip through recipes of the "Eastern" continents. To travel by armchair, "The Rough Guide to Egypt" by Dan Richardson is a thoroughly indexed companion, and "Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day" by Philip Matyszak is a wonderful review as well as helpful pre-trip preparation.Three new books have waiting lists. "The Nine" Jeffrey Toobin's testament inside the secret world of the U. S. Supreme Court, is told through interviews of all the parties involved. "Beyond the White House" by Jimmy Carter is subtitled "Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, Building Hope" and is the story of his post-presidency work for The Carter Center. Alan Greenspan's "The Age of Turbulence" is part detective story as he attempts to understand the nature of the post 9/11 world, conjecturing the world economy in 2030 from his vantage point at the Federal Reserve. Let's conclude with a few novels. In the Montana Territory of 1880 a seamstress must change her safe life in the Lori Wick novel "Cassidy". "The Courtship" by Gilbert Morris is a chase shortly after the Great Depression that requires Christian patience and trust. A father is trapped in a submarine accident, while a son is desperate to save him and a digital readout is ticking toward explosion in the Caribbean Sea during a church-couples' cruise in John Bevere's "Rescued".

Monday, June 09, 2008

Adult Summer Reading 2008


June 16-August 31

Read the books!
Play the colors!
Win the Prizes!



How it works: This program is open to adult library card holders 18 or older.

Register at the Circulation Desk starting June 16th.

Patrons will fill out an entry form for each book read between Monday and Sunday for the Weekly Prize drawing.

Weekly Prize drawings will be held on Wednesdays and the winners will be notified by phone.

Patrons will get an additional chance at the Weekly Prize drawing by writing a review about the book.

Read 12 books before August 31 to be eligible for the Grand Prize drawing.

Grand Prize drawing will be held on Sept. 3, 2008.
The winner will be notified by phone.

For more information, contact Circulation Desk at the Crawfordsville District Public Library, 205 S. Washington Street, Crawfordsville, IN 47933, 765-362-2242 ext. 2, circ@cdpl.lib.in.us

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Preview Shelf -- Adult Summer Reading Program

The Crawfordsville District Public Library announces its summer reading program June 16 to August 31 for patrons 18 years and older. "Color Your World" is the theme. The challenge will be reading 12 books to complete the game board; the four categories are mystery, romance & historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction, and non-fiction. Just sign up at the circulation desk. There will be weekly drawings and a grand prize, incentives to find new reading pleasure. Local businesses are generously joining the Friends of the Library to sponsor prizes. Here are a third of them: Random House, El Rinconcito Veracruzanao, Serenity Hair Studio & Spa, Kasey Hoffman–Crawfordsville Chiropractic, Country Hearts & Flowers, Good to Go Xpresso, Corbin Insurance, Dari-licious, Fountain Trust Company, Homestead Greetings, Jennifer McGaughey-Visible Changes, and Pizza Hut. Walter Mosley's "Blonde Faith" is his tenth Easy Rawlins thriller putting him on the streets of L. A. to solve a case that threatens the lives of his closest friends. Martha Grimes' "Dakota" is the sequel to "Biting the Moon" and the amnesiac and drifter is still running through the Western plains hunted by a stalker she doesn't remember. The Stone Barrington novel "Shoot Him If He Runs" by Stuart Woods concerns the CIA driven crazy by a certain fugitive hiding on the island of St. Marks. Margaret Truman's "Murder on K Street" takes us on a fast trip through the U.S. capital she knows so well, solving the murder of an Illinois senator's wife. "Dead Time" by Stephen White explores a long-ago camping trip when a young woman disappeared from the Grand Canyon floor, causing trips to NYC and LA to unearth secrets and deceptions. "Blood Dreams" a Bishop/Special Crimes Unit novel by Kay Hooper is a hunt for a serial killer no cops can stop, whose last victim was a powerful U.S. senator's daughter. "Bloodline" is a Repairman Jack novel by Paul Wilson in which the criminal has connections to a facility researching DNA. In "Fast Track" The Sisterhood, sisters who go to great efforts to exact justice, are launched by author Fern Michaels to occupy a new home on Big Pine Mountain in North Carolina, where they are pressed into a dauntng assignment with a small chance to succeed. Michaels' "Hokus Pokus" then calls them to help the Supreme Court Chief Justice who's being blackmailed. The beginning of the tea shop mystery, "The English Breakfast Murder" by Laura Childs, involves the proprietor helping Charleston's Sea Turtle Protection League shepherd hundreds of tiny green loggerheads safely into the sea, during which she spots a dead body bobbing in the waves. "Everlasting" by Kathleen Woodiwiss creates an historical romance after the Crusades when a lovely lady must marry one of scandalous repute to save her stepfather from debtor's prison. "The Elevator" by Angela Hunt holds three women trapped while they conceal shattering secrets, little knowing they center on the same man, and they're forced to unite to fight for their lives. In the Oregon Territory of the 1800s a woman is raised in a strict religious colony, and after an epidemic she takes surviving orphans back East encountering a suitor she's unprepared to face. In the Montana Territory of 1880 a seamstress also must change her safe life in the Lori Wick novel "Cassidy". A father is trapped in a submarine accident, while a son is desperate to save him and a digital readout is ticking toward explosion in the Caribbean Sea during a church-couples' cruise in John Bevere's "Rescued".

Monday, June 02, 2008

In the Gallery this month!

The air blows warm. Fresh green sprouts have turned into flowers, trees and bushes with the most delightful colors. Scintillating scents float lazily on the breath of a breeze while jacket-less kids fly kites and jump curbs on skateboards. Now we know it's finally time to welcome June with open arms. The air inside is cooled. The painting's colors are breath-taking. Beyond beautiful fine art interpretations float on wispy white Gallery walls. Now we know it's time to welcome with open arms fine artist Brad Bernard's exhibit, IMAGES FROM LIFE: Contrasts & Parallels, to the Library's Gallery for the entire month of June. A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Brad Bernard began his formal training at The Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting. After completing his undergraduate studies, he worked as a muralist designing murals for schools, churches and community centers and at the same time also worked as an art instructor throughout the Milwaukee community teaching "at risk" youth, the developmentally challenged and elderly populations. Later he received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the University of Mississippi at Oxford. After receiving his MFA, he taught Advanced Placement Studio Art courses at Oxford High School, also in Oxford, Mississippi. Brad Bernard has an extensive fine arts and art education background. Most notably, one of Brad's many painted murals is featured in: Walls of Heritage/Walls of Pride: African American Murals, by James Prigoff and Robin J. Donitz (2000). This seminal, scholarly work chronicles thirty years of mural art work by such artists as John Biggers, Romeare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and Brad himself. In speaking of his exhibited works Brad tells us that this body of work represents but a small overview of the art he has created during the past six years, with the exception of two limited edition prints, Mother and Child and Last Supper on Holy Hill, which were created in 1994 and 1996. Each of the series presented is inspired by his personal metaphysical insight, religious images and ritual, and blues/gospel musicians Brad has met and/or seen perform. The larger abstract pieces based on fire are examples of a larger series titled Burning Processions. Different sources of burning within man-made fires (wood, charcoal, and coal) serve as metaphors for the human characteristics and experiences of spirituality, sexuality, and creativity. Images based on lava and/or the surface of the sun represents characteristics of God-made fire to emphasize the idea that all human experience is a microcosm with the God-consciousness of the heavenly creator. The series Praise and Soul is inspired by scenes typically found within the Missionary Baptist denomination of black churches across America. Each piece reflects on a particular aspect of a praise and worship ritual depicting prayer, singing, service, and ritual. The series as a whole serves as a commentary of the black church and the gospel culture as it compares, contrasts and sometimes overlaps into the blues culture. Blues Routes depicts portraits of blues/gospel musicians. Brad uses a patchwork of road maps/signs, symbols and photocopies as a compositional backdrop and to incorporate historical and biographical imagery. Each subject is immersed in a map of their home town or state with intersecting roads, rivers, interstates and highways, with a patchwork quilt design further implying the "comfort of home" idea. Many of the depicted musicians, who toured nationally and internationally, often have their full-time residence in the place of their birth. Brad is the husband of Ravyn Wilson-Bernard, currently an Owen Duston visiting English professor at Wabash College. Since his arrival in Crawfordsville last summer, Brad has exhibited his work in the Art League sponsored Crawfordsville Downtown Art Exhibition last fall and is scheduled to exhibit his work at the Eric Dean Gallery on the Wabash campus from January 19 through February 21, 2009. This fall will begin his tenure as an art professor at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Now doesn't that entice you to visit the Library Gallery sometime during the month of June, just to ogle and enjoy? See you there.

Diane Hammill, Coordinator
Mary Bishop Memorial Art Gallery
Crawfordsville Public Library