10/26-29: BOOKFEST
Run by the Friends of the Library, BookFEST! is our biggest sale of the year. Just like last year, crowds filled the room each day of the event. The program room was arranged with tables full of books, puzzles, toys, video games, dvds, art, and other miscellaneous items. BookFEST! may be centered around books, but there was definitely something for everyone!
Although it was raining, our most popular day was Bag Day on Sunday: customers could buy a Friends bag, fill it up with books instead of purchasing the individual items. Talk about a good deal!
Proceeds from the sale support great library programs for children and adults all year long.
10/30: CODERGALS
An exceptional program led by LHS female coder volunteers, Codergals started on October 16th, and continues on until November 6th. In this program, girls in grades 3-5 learn new coding techniques each week, such as creating their own emojis, opening their own blogs using WIX, exploring objects & variables in coding with the dancing Yeti project, and this most recent week, in the spirit of Halloween, the group practiced their coding skills with a zombie game. They also began learning about app coding using the bitsbox system.
On the last day of the class, they will present their completed blogs containing all of their work. With the technical field expanding and growing every year, this is a fun opportunity for girls to learn about some of the latest programs, apps, and pages used for coding.
10/31: TRICK OR TREAT AT THE LIBRARY
If you were looking for a fun place to visit on Halloween, the library was it. Our librarians dressed up for the occasion, many donning traditional witch hats to celebrate the day. Hundreds of kids showed up in costume, said the magic words– “trick or treat”– and received candy either at the circulation or the children’s desk. Kids with allergies and food restrictions were given non-sweet treats. Make sure to keep the library in mind when planning your Halloween adventures next year!
11/1: NATURE HEALS WORKSHOP: SEASONAL EATING AND HERBS FOR IMMUNE SUPPORT
Run by herbal specialist Jenna Henry Hansen and yoga instructor/nutritional therapist Jenn Dorney, this incredibly informative workshop focused on the ideas of ancient eating, specifically the practices of Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. Jenna and Jenn went over specific grocery items to purchase based on the season, including sample recipes for everyone to take home with them and sample foods and drinks to try at the event itself. There were also many packets handed out with information on the properties of many foods and herbs with information on how they help strengthen the immune system.
Here is an immune boosting recipe from last night’s program that you may find useful as we head into the colder months. Be sure to let us know if you try it out!
ZESTY IMMUNE-BOOST ELDERBERRY SYRUP
Take 1 tsp 3-4x daily at the first sign of a cold.
INGREDIENTS:
1 Cup fresh or 1/2 Cup dried elderberries
1/4 Cup rose hips
1 Cinnamon stick or 1 tsp ground cinnamon
2-3 Whole cloves
Zest of one orange
3 Cups water
1 Cup organic raw honey
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Place the berries, rose hips, cinnamon, orange zest, clove and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30-45 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and mash up the mixture.
4. Strain the mixture though a cheesecloth or strainer, making sure to squeeze out all the goodness from the herbs.
5. Stir in honey. Add more or less to taste.
6. Bottle the syrup and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
11/2: TEEN ADVISORY BOARD
Did you think that those awesome teen programs happen by themselves? Of course not! That’s why we’re giving you an inside look into a planning meeting of the Teen Advisory Board. They are working to finalize the plans for Night at the Library: National Treasure. The group tested the puzzles, worked on the clues and ensured that the event will be fun for all!
11/2: MARTY SCHNEIT LECTURE – THE BORSCHT BELT
Historian Martin Schneit lectured to a packed house about the Borscht Belt, the nickname for the summer resorts that existed in the Catskill Mountains in parts of Sullivan, Orange and Ulster counties in New York. He displayed many colorful slides of Grossinger’s Hotel, with its grand dining room and indoor swimming pool. Marty shared stories from his time as a busboy at Grossinger’s; displaying a photo of Bess Myerson, the 1st Jewish “Miss America,” being crowned in 1945, sitting at one of the tables. He dazzled the crowd with interesting facts, such as basketball player Wilt Chamberlain worked as a bellhop at Kutsher’s Hotel. The crowd enjoyed musical clips of Eddie Fisher singing “Sunrise, Sunset,” and of Jimmy Durante singing “Make Someone Happy.” Marty had the audience heartily laughing along to jokes originally told by Rodney Dangerfield and George Burns.
This fantastic trip down memory lane was made possible by the Friends of the Livingston Public Library.
Don’t miss Marty Schneit’s next lecture on November 16th, about New York City During World War II, also sponsored by the Friends.
11/3: ONLINE BUSINESS & NJ TAX
They explained the NJ Sales and Use Tax, how to properly report and pay taxes, helpful publications and useful contact information. Participants were able to ask questions and both representatives provided useful information.
This is the first in the It’s Your Business Series of business and personal finance programs. Registration is open for the next program in the series, Fundamentals of New Jersey Sales Tax.