Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. There is no good reason for this since I was almost always single for the most dreaded singles’ holiday of the year.
In high school, all of the cafeteria tables would be left up after lunch and as deliveries of flowers, balloons and stuffed animals arrived at school, the cafeteria would fill. All day long, the lucky girls with a delivery awaiting them would receive a red note from the office saying “You’ve got flowers in the cafeteria!” Despite the fact that I never received one of these coveted notes, I would get wrapped up in the anticipation that maybe something romantic and wistful would happen to me on Valentine’s Day. It never did, but I never lost hope.
I still look forward to Valentine’s Day like a heart-sick teenager, but no longer do I wish for a delivery of flowers from a secret admirer or a note in my locker from the boy I happen to have a crush on. It’s exciting enough just to see the little ways people celebrate throughout the library: a red shirt, a bag of candy hearts in the break room or a vase of roses on the front desk.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’m featuring a cooking class for couples on Thursday, Feb. 12th at 5 PM. Usually, my cooking classes feature German cuisine, but this time I’m going to draw from my Italian roots for gourmet pizza! Participants will make their own pizza crust and sauce and add their own gourmet toppings like fresh mozzarella and ricotta cheese, pancetta, olives, pesto and tomatoes. Each couple that participates will complete the class with a large pizza and an extra crust to take home. Registration is required, so please hurry! Spaces are limited and filling up quickly. You can register by sending me an email at [email protected] or calling 625-9014.
Continuing in the romantic vein of Valentine’s Day, the next wine tasting with Clayton Cutting will be Friday, Feb. 27th at 6 PM. Learn about and sample some of the best wines from around the world. There is no cost for this class, but registration is limited and you must be 21 to participate. Please reserve you seats in advance by calling 625-9014.
I had a good response to last month’s inquiry about starting a genealogy group at the library. The first meeting of the group will take place on Saturday, Feb. 21st at 10 AM in the Kansas Room. This meeting will be informal and exploratory. Whether you are a beginner at genealogy or a seasoned expert, please feel free to participate as all levels of experience are welcome. At this meeting we’ll be discussing potential meeting topics, presenters and meeting dates. Come, one and all!
My final program for the month is a staycation to Nicodemus, KS in honor of black history month. Nicodemus is the only remaining all-black settlement west of the Mississippi. It is also a National Historic Site. Participants of this staycation will receive transportation to Nicodemus, a guided tour by local historian Angela Bates, a meal catered by Ernestine’s BBQ, and a historical reenactment of the Politicians of Nicodemus. Space is limited for this excursion, so please call me to reserve your seat!
Happy Valentine’s Day to all my readers. I hope it does not disappoint.
The Kansas Room is located in the basement of the Hays Public Library and is open from 9 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and by request.
Lucia Bain is Kansas Room Librarian at the Hays Public Library.