In the gallery

IT'S NEVER TOO HOT TO ENJOY GOOD ART!

July is HOT and so are the two exhibits being displayed in the Mary Bishop Memorial Art Gallery at the Crawfordsville Public Library from Thursday, June 30 until Friday, July 29.

Robert Clark, a photographer who began studying Photography in the late 1970's and never plans to stop, is the presenter of our HOT wall art this month. His work has been published in magazines, calendars, and books. He is also a stock photography contributor and has had several gallery shows. Robert enjoys presenting his work at Art Festivals like Penrod on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art and at many other exhibits east of the Mississippi River. Robert never tires of shooting locally and is continually learning of new opportunities to shoot interesting subjects. In fact, he has a long list of subjects he intends to shoot, all within a few hours of home. He does travel further, but if he gets into his "explore mode," it's amazing what he finds right around home.

Robert is currently working on a Photography Course geared to those seeking more information on how to improve the quality of their images. He invites you to visit his website at http://www.bclarkphotos.com/

Our second HOT display case exhibit is Laura McClain's needlework, which she began as a young girl during week long visits to her McClain grandparent's farm. Her grandmother Mary Jane had Laura embroidering pillow cases purchased at the Ben Franklyn store in Veedersburg, and working on various other sewing projects.

Laura was born and raised in Montgomery County. She is the daughter of Jay McClain and Martha Townsend Bell. She attended Waynetown Schools and graduated from North Montgomery High School. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Science in Landscape Architecture from Purdue University.

Through middle school, high school and college, Laura's interest in needlework waned because of her myriad other interests. It wasn't until after she was married that her interest returned. Her sister, Dr. Amy Becker, introduced her to cross stitch and she started working on a small project called The Four Seasons depicting a football, basketball, baseball and golf ball for her husband's office.

Laura's next project was a collection of international Santas. Her intention was to cross stitch a Santa or other Christmas themed piece for her daughter Chelsea each year. This did not happen, however, because each successive piece became more detailed and took longer to complete. Santa and his reindeer (free standing) took a year to complete and the Nativity took 3 years. Whew!

Many of Laura's cross stitch pieces are actually wearable art. She went in this direction because custom framing was hard on a stay-at-home mom's budget and more people were able to see her work as others wore it.

Currently Laura is working on a winter scene in the Thomas Kincaid style.

Brain Day at the Carnegie Museum

Brain Day at the Carnegie Museum from 1 to 4 pm on Saturday, July 9th!

Visit the museum to learn about the human brain with Wabash professors Dr. Neil Schmitzer-Torbert, Ph. D. Neuroscience and Dr. Karen Gunther, Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Cognitive Science. Admission is free.  See real brains up close and test your perceptions. See how a lie detector works, temporarily lose your sweet tooth, and much much more.

Call 765-362-4618 for details.

Happy Birthday, Pearl S. Buck!

Pearl Sydenstricker Buck lived an incredible life. Born in Hillsboro, WV on June 26, 1892 to Southern Prebysterian missionaries she did not remain long in the U.S. When she was only 3 months old her family returned to China.

Conditions were rough in the poor community at the junction of the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal where her parents were stationed. She was the 4th out of 7 children, yet only 3 lived to adulthood. Her mother and her Chinese tutor, Mr. Kung were her teachers. She learned to speak both English and Chinese.

Life was not easy for the missionary family. Young Pearl saw war, poverty, death, abandonment, and sexual slavery. The family even faced personal dangers during the Boxer Rebellion and were evacuated to Shanghai.

Young Pearl was accepted as a hardship case student at Randolph Macon Women's College in 1911. She was different from the other girls because of her upbringing and out-dated clothes. She nevertheless did well and was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa.

She returned to China after college. There she met and married Lossing Buck an agricultural economist. From 1920-1933 they lived in Nanking on the campus of Nanking University where they both were teachers. In 1927 she was again forced to leave China because of violence in the "Nanking Incident."

Pearl had begun to publish stories and essays in the 1920s. Her second novel, The Good Earth became a best seller and won the Pulitzer prize. She continued to write and in1938 she won the Noble Prize for Literature. She is one of the few who has won both recognitions.

CDPL has many of her books, short stories, and several biographies. Pearl Buck, author and humanitarian died in 1973.


Sources:

Conn, Peter J., Pearl S. Buck: a Cultural Biography., N.Y: Cambridge, Press, 1998.

"Pearl S. Buck: Brief Biography of Pearl S. Buck," 18 May 2011. .

Stirling, Nora B., Pearl Buck, a woman in conflict. Piscataway, N.J.: New Century Publishers, 1983.

Summer Travel

Eager to get out of town? If you are looking for a “one-tank trip,” mountain biking experience or a cruise CDPL has resources for you.

Indiana: an atlas of Indiana's greatest off-road bicycle rides claims that it has “everything you need to know about off-road bicycling in Indiana.” Information about 31 rides in the state are complete with maps, photos, trail descriptions and directions, lodging, entertainment and more. One such ride is the Central Indiana Towpath which follows the old Indianapolis Water Company Canal and passes by the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Butler University and brings the rider into Broad Ripple.

My Indiana: 101 Places to See will guide you to unique and interesting sites close to home. One site recommended is Columbus, Indiana. Columbus is noted for its interesting and unique architecture. Local industrialist and philanthropist J. Irwin Miller agreed to pay the architectural fees for schools and other public buildings if the architect would be selected from a list of the nation's very best. Over 35 buildings have been constructed with this stipulation. Additionally, historic buildings have been carefully restored. At the visitors center you can pick up information for the different architectural tours.

Lastly, for that relaxing vacation where you are treated like royalty consider a cruise. CDPL's The Unofficial Guide To Cruises states its goal is to help readers select the right cruise. The book contains information about planning a trip, different types of cruises, and unique cruise adventures.

No matter where you are interested in vacationing CDPL has resources to help you plan your trip!

Summer Readers Can Win a Bike!

America: Reading Coast to Coast

Hey, kids! 

After you complete the map of the United States (elementary) or the board with the patriotic pictures (preschool) for the summer reading program, "America: Reading Coast to Coast," you may enter the drawing to win a bike!

Bikes donated by the Crawfordsville Masonic Lodge.

Introductory Computer Classes

Crawfordsville District Public Library Introductory Computer Classes

The Crawfordsville District Public Library is offering an assortment of free, introductory computer classes for people who have little or no experience using a computer.

 The classes will be divided into two groups of students; ages 55 and up and 54 and under.

 Students will be introduced to computer basics using laptop computers with Windows 7 Microsoft operating systems. The laptops will be equipped with mice and keyboards.

 Registration for classes begins Monday, June 20, 2011

 To register for a class, visit the Reference desk on the second floor of the library, or call (765)362-2242, ext. 117 or ext. 100. No voice mails accepted. Class sizes are limited to five participants per class to allow for personalized instruction. Registration is on a first come first served basis. Wait lists will be formed if classes fill.

Classes will be held in the Classroom in the lower level of the library.

Introduction to Computers
Ages 55 and up - Wed., July 6, 13, or 20 (3:30-4:15)
Ages 54 and under - Wed. July 6, 13, or 20 (4:30-5:15)

In this class, participants will be introduced to:

• The inside of a computer
• Basic computer terminology
• Microsoft operating systems
• Using a mouse and keyboard
• Creating and saving a simple document

Introduction to the Internet
Ages 55 and up - Wed. July 27 (3:30-4:15)
Ages 54 and under - Wed. July 27 (4:30-5:15)

In this class, participants will be introduced to:
The definition/history of the Internet

• Internet browsers
• Internet search engines
• Searching on the Internent
• Navigating a website
• Bookmarking

Prerequisites: “Introduction to Computers” course or some familiarity with using a computer, basic terminology, using a mouse and keyboard.

Introduction to E-Mail
Ages 55 and up—Wed., August 3 (3:30-4:15)
Ages 54 and under—Wed., August 3 (4:30-5:15)

In this class participants will be introduced to:

• Web-based e-mail
• Creating an e-mail account
• Sending and receiving e-mails
• Attaching a document
• Managing e-mail with folders

Prerequisites: “Introduction to Computers” course or some familiarity with using a computer, basic terminology, using a mouse and keyboard.

Bob Ross Painting Technique by Dick Murray

Dick Murray will teach the Bob Ross oil painting technique at CDPL on Saturday June 25th from 9 am until 4 pm. Participants will paint "Enchanted Falls."

Participants will need to register for the program at the Circulation Desk. The cost for this program is $50. Items needed for the painting can be found on the price sheet at the Circulation Desk.

This event is sponsored by CDPL.

Bob Ross Painting

Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011

5-8pm

Oil painting technique taught by Jan Brown 

Cost is $40.00 

Please bring a 16 x 20-in canvas 

 

Sign up at the Circulation desk 

Sponsored by CDPL

Reverse Mortgage and Tax Planning

Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011

6 p.m. 

 

Hoosier Heartland Financial Services Reverse Mortgage and Tax Planning 

Specializing in retirement income planning and asset protection 

 

Join us for an informational workshop hosted by Hoosier Heartland Financial Services with guest speakers, Hoosier Heartland State Bank's Trent Smaltz and Curran’s Tax's Rod Curran. Trent Smaltz can help to answer your questions regarding reverse mortgages, what they are, how they will benefit you or someone close to you, and how to apply. Rod Curran will help to answer your tax questions regarding reverse mortgages as well as tax planning in retirement years, IRS audits, and many others. 

 

Come and receive this beneficial information. 

Light refreshments will be provided. 

Please RSVP by calling Lana Buck at 765-361-3343

American Red Cross Service special collection

The American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces and the Crawfordsville District Public Library proudly announce the arrival of a special Military Collection! The library invites you to check out books, CDs, and DVDs on various military-related subjects for all ages.

Brought to you by the American Red Cross and the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

The items are on display in the new non-fiction area on the 2nd floor.

View catalog records of these 87 items!

Japanese Words in English

Modern languages such as English are continually changing and adding new words and phrases.  Many of these new words originated in one language, were adopted and adapted in a second, and then return to the original language.  Anime is such a word.  Its derives from the English word "animation."  Then it was adopted by the Japanese and adapted to mean a "style of animation characterized by colorful art, futuristic settings, violence, and sex." Now anime has traveled back to English.

The list below is a sample of Japanese words that are now freely used in English.

Bento : a Japanese lunch box of a Japanese-style packed lunches often with small compartments.

Futon: type of mattress used as a bed which can often be folded into a couch.

Haiku: a three line poetry format consisting of five, seven, and five syllables.

Hibatchi:  small portable charcoal grill.

Judo: a system of unarmed combat using the principles of movement and balance and practiced as a sport or exercise.

Karaoke:  literally "empty orchestra." an entertainment form where people sing popular songs with a recorded back-up music.

Origami:  art  of Japanese paper folding into decorative shapes or objects.

Sayonara:  Good-bye.

Sensei: in English often applied to the martial arts instructor, but actually professor/doctor of someone who has achieved mastery of an art.

Zen: a branch of Buddhism emphasizing meditation and personal awareness.

Who knows what the next word to travel from Japanese to English will be? CDPL has some books and recordings to help you learn and speak Japanese and be ready:
Japanese Demystified by Eriko Sato
Conversational Japanese in 7 Days by Etsuko Tsujita
What Does the Rooster Say, Yoshio? by Edith Battles

Sources:
Byard, Linda. "Japanese Words adopted by the English Language." 25 May 2011.    

2011 Adult Summer Reading Program

Take Your Chances at the Library You could BE the Winner! You never know! You might win the GRAND PRIZE! You could win a prize or prizes!

Are you willing to take the chance?

The Grand Prize for the Adult Summer Reading Program "Take Your Chances at the Library" is a two-night stay at one of French Licks Historic Hotels (from CDPL) and a $100 gift card (From the French Licks Hotels)!

Rules of the Game:

1. Sign up at the Circulation Desk.
2. Read 10 books in 8 weeks based on what the dice tell you to read. You will roll one die for the genre and the other die for the type of material.
3. Last day to sign up is July 15.

List of Genres…

• Fantasy
• Suspense
• Comedy
• Western
• Romance
• Your Choice

Type of Materials…

• Fiction
• Non-Fiction
• Book on CD or Tape

How to get in the Weekly Drawing...
Read your book
Fill out your Drawing Slip
Turn your slip in every week by every Wednesday before 9:00PM.
There will be a drawing every week on Thursday at 1:00PM.
We will call the winners every week and post you name at the Circulation Desk.
You may have more than one Drawing Slip in a weekly drawing.

Choosing Your Prize…
There will be 3 weekly draws.
The first person drawn will have a choice of a gift bag with a donation from local businesses, a book, or a set of hanging dice. The second person will have the second choice of the two remaining prizes. Then the third person will take the remaining prize.

Earning Points:
Every time you turn in a Drawing Slip, you will need to roll the two dice with dots.
Record your points next to your name on the board (Located by the Circulation Desk). If there is a tie, we will do a drawing. The winner of the drawing will be the winner of the points.

Players that Complete the Game…
Complete the game by July 29th. All players that complete the game will be in a drawing for our Grand Prize and Runner-Up Prize.

Questions and Concerns?
Please feel free to contact the Circulation Department at 765-362-2242 EXT 2 Or you may do so in person

Program Coordinator:
Katy Myers
Andrew Swank

Thank you for playing!

The Way of the Brush & Scroll Saw Designs

During the month of graduations and weddings the Library's Mary Bishop Memorial Art Gallery will play host to THE WAY OF THE BRUSH, paintings by Nell Ruth Brown & Peggy Underwood and SCROLL SAW DESIGNS by Curt L. Wilkins. Their exhibit will run from Tuesday, May 31 until Thursday, June 30, 2011.

Nell Rose Brown has been a member of our community for the past three years. She paints every first and third Tuesday morning at the Rotary Jail Museum with a mixed group of artists who enjoy sharing their knowledge in different mediums with one another. All are welcome in this group from beginners to more experienced artists. On the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, Nell Rose paints with Mike Bowman at the Library from 6:00 pm to 8 pm. This class is also an informal group who share information on art and welcome all ages and talents. The first art medium Nell Rose became acquainted with several years ago was oil which she continues to paint in today. She has no formal art training, but has taken classes from various artists, read books and done a lot of practicing. "Practice," says Nell Ruth "is the key to anything you love to do". Art remains a hobby for her, but she loves looking at a blank canvas and bringing it to life with brushes and paint. Nell Ruth is currently a member of the Covered Bridge Art Gallery in Rockville, Indiana and shows her paintings there and is a Jailhouse Artist.

This past winter was unusually snowy and seemed to last much longer than usual, causing sometimes noisy complaints from the multitudes. But Peggy Underwood was not one of them. This artist/photographer enjoyed great beauty each day of the winter just by looking out her window at the graceful maple tree fitted with a large bird feeder hanging from one of its limbs. There she found so many birds awaiting their turn at the feeder that the tree appeared to be filled with color. She saw bright red male Cardinals, the rose chest and heads of the House Finch, the bright yellow of the American Goldfinch and the soft down hues of the Dove. Occasional Blue Jays made their appearance at the call of angry, hungry squirrels. Several dead branches on the tree provided food for the downy, red-headed and pileated woodpeckers. These colors, combined with the morning sunlight spilling onto freshly fallen snow, made the winter season spectacular for Peggy Underwood who, with her camera, made it memorable. The more photos she took, the more bird varieties appeared in her camera's eye. These included Hawks, and Bald Eagles. Peggy asks us to browse through the gallery, enjoying the extraordinary color and beauty of Indiana birds and wildlife that perhaps you may have missed during the enduring cold, icy season Hoosiers call WINTER!

This exhibit has expanded from her previous exhibit of oil paintings to include her newer hobby of photography. She started photography as a serious hobby over 30 years ago. With guidance from a then local wedding photographer, she became adept at seeing beauty through the lens of the camera. She has done wedding photography, baby and senior portraits in the past, but much refers to focus on florals and animals as a hobby. Her photography background also enhances her reference material for painting.
With her exhibit at the Library's Mary Bishop Memorial Art Gallery, Peggy has her paintings hanging at the Rotary Jail Museum, Country Hearts and Flowers, Turkey Run Inn and in the Covered Bridge Art Gallery in Rockville. She is a Jailhouse Artist, part of Mike Bowman's Library Art group and plans to join the Paint-In artists in Montgomery County later this year.

Throughout his life Curt L. Wilkins has always enjoyed building and refurbishing furniture as a hobby. After retirement, his wife suggested he find something to occupy his time and keep him out of the house! While walking through a mall one day they came upon a man who demonstrated carving names out of wood. While the gentleman was carving his wife's name, she asked Curt if he could do that. With his male ego intact he said "well of course I can!" Soon after, to Curt's surprise a scroll saw arrived at his home where he was informed it was a Birthday, Father's Day and Christmas present all rolled into one. This was in 1998 and he has enjoyed working with it ever since. Curt found local mills where he could gather his supply of oak, cherry, walnut and pine woods. This lumber had to be planed, stacked, and dried. Wood selection is very important to a piece. After deciding what he wants to create, he has to choose the color and even which way the grain is flowing. Knot holes and even blemishes can be worked into the project. While waiting for the wood to become ready, Curt started looking for and buying patterns and practicing them on pieces of scrap lumber he had around. Family members received lots of wood pieces as gifts that year. His first pieces were sold to friends of friends and through word of mouth his reputation spread like wild fire. Soon he began receiving requests. Now his projects may be seen at art fairs and galleries throughout Indiana and Florida.
His greatest pleasure comes from doing animals, most especially wolves which are his favorites. By using the grain of the wood he can bring out the animal's features. Sometimes he even leaves bark on the edges to help a picture look more rustic.

Genealogy Club Meeting

The Genealogy Club of Montgomery County's monthly meeting is scheduled for

Tuesday June 14th

7:00pm

Larry Truitt, Paster at Sugar Plains Friends Church, will present 

"Computers and Genealogy".

The meeting will be held in the Donnelley Room at CDPL.

As always, the public is invited!  

If you'd like more information, please call (765)362-2242, Ext. 118 or 624.