From the Kansas Room, By: Lucia Flaim, Kansas Room Librarian, Hays Public Library
It’s hard to believe that May is already here. May is a great month. Most students and teachers will agree that May might just be the best month as it signifies the end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation. For those of us who do not reap the benefits of summer vacation, May marks the return of federal holidays, there having been a dry spell between Presidents’ Day (February 18) and Memorial Day (last Monday in May).
This year, May is especially exciting because I’m getting married at the end of the month! I’ll still be your Kansas Room Librarian, but I will be out of the library between May 27 and June 13. The Kansas Room will be open, so if you have questions just leave me a note, drop me an email at [email protected], or leave me a voicemail by calling 625-9014.
In spite of the wedding, May will be a pretty busy month for the Kansas Room. On Saturday, May 4th the Kansas Room has teamed up with local birder Terry Mannell to do a bird walk at Frontier Park. We’ll meet near the shelter house located in east Frontier Park at 8 AM, which is a prime hour for bird watching. Bring your cameras or binoculars and be prepared to see and learn a little more about birds.
In partnership with the Center for Life Experiences, the Kansas Room will also be hosting a community issues forum on Sunday, May 5 from 2 PM to 4 PM. The program will focus on how to find hope and healing after a friend of loved one has committed or attempted suicide. If this is an issue you are facing, consider stopping by the Schmidt Gallery of the Hays Public Library this Sunday to learn more.
Every family has a story and on May 11th at 10 AM the Kansas Room, along with Ellis County Historical Society and Forsyth Library will be sponsoring a Family History 101 program featuring Grady Birdsong. Grady Birdsong recently published his own family history A Fortunate Passage. Mr. Birdsong will not only read from his book, he will give a presentation on how to research, write and publish a family history. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers followed by presentations from the historical society and Forsyth Library on some of the research materials and special artifacts available in their facilities. This should be a wonderful opportunity for anyone who is interested in writing and passing down their family’s story.
Last, but certainly not least, the Kansas Room will be hosting its second trivia night on Tuesday, May 21 at Gella’s Diner! Liven up your week and your brain with an evening of trivia. No registration is required and there’s no cost, just bring yourself and maybe some friends to play along with you. Trivia will begin at 6 PM but feel free to enjoy some dinner, appetizers or drinks while you play! Here’s a free question (find out the answer and you’ll be one question closer to winning): Before the 17th century, carrots were what color? Good luck!
It looks like I’ll be pretty busy right up to the week before my wedding. I’ll probably stop by the Mindfulness workshop being held at the Hays Public Library on May 22nd at 6 PM…
The Kansas Room is located in the basement of the Hays Public Library and is open from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.