Manchester Library Friends Newsletter

February 2007

 

Meet Jill Jean Feb. 7 at 6:30 PM!!

 

Message from the President:

Welcome to the first 2007 Friends of the Manchester Library Newsletter!  We hope to communicate with the patrons and supporters of our terrific Manchester Library with quarterly editions of this Newsletter.  As you may know, the “Friends” actually own and operate the building which houses the Library and the land is owned by the Port of Manchester.  This truly is a community library!  We have exciting fund raising events planned throughout the year that help us keep the building open and running smoothly.  Your participation in these events is sincerely appreciated.

Perhaps the most important event is just around the corner and that is our Open House on March 24th.  This will be your opportunity to learn more about our Library and the “Friends” group of volunteers  We invite you to come meet us and learn more about the Friends and how you may be able to help do something fun while contributing to the community that you love.  We’ll have information, entertainment, refreshments, and some fun “Friends” to share their inspiration for volunteering in our community.  We hope to see you on Saturday March 24th 10AM-2PM in the Library.

John Winslow, President, FOML

 

AARP Opens Tax Aide Season

Free Tax assistance and electronic filing are available at the library Thursdays, 4 to 8 pm through April 12. Trained Tax Aides can assist in filing most non-complex returns.

 

Read any good books lately?

I have just finished reading The Old Way: A Story of the First People by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas (2006).

This book is about the San, or Bushmen, of the Kalahari in Africa, and is recounted in two time frames: one when anthropologist Thomas was nineteen in 1950 and went with her parents in search of the Bushmen, and later when she was mature and famous. She says of this book “I am trying to reexamine some of our experiences in the light of all that was learned since our first visit.”

This is a beautifully written insightful account of a fascinating desert people, and keeps the reader’s attention throughout the book. It was of particular interest to me because when we were stationed in Africa in 1960 we drove from Pretoria, South Africa, to South West Africa (now Namibia). A hundred miles of our trip was driving on a dry creek bed and there were days when we didn’t see another person. I remember a lot of the country this author describes. Her earlier book, The Harmless People (also about the Bushmen) has never been out of print. ----Norma Brady

 

Plant of the Month

Wire-vine; calacinum complexum (kal-ah-sin’-um) now designated muhlenbeckia complexa

This twining sturdy little plant is from New Zealand, and adapts well to our Puget Sound area. It is sometimes called maidenhair vine because it has the thin stiff black stems of the fern by that name. The leaves are alternately placed on the stem and shaped like miniature paddles.

Wire-vine is attractive enough to stand alone in a pot, or it does well climbing over rocks in a garden, or sharing a patio pot with other plants. It is well-behaved and doesn’t crowd or run wild, and requires minimum water. I have found that it withstands temperatures into the mid-twenties. Propagation is by cuttings. This past summer a bright green tree frog took up residence in my plant. ----Norma Brady

 

Special Friends Recognized

The FOML recently began to recognize the energy and many hours that volunteers put into keeping the library open. First on the “Special Friends” plaque is Samantha Evans, whose enthusiasm and verve helped make the 2006 Salmon Bake a major success. Her contributions were recognized in August 2006. In November, Carol Campbell was recognized for the many hours she puts in as secretary, in the book store, and helping with building maintenance. It takes dedicated volunteers like these to keep the library open!

 

Check out the new COLORS

Recently Deidre Kelly organized the paint colors (and the tools), and with help from Dee D’Haem, Rich and GiGi Weixler, Ron Rada, and Carol Campbell, the meeting room was transformed with two shades of rich purple. Both bathrooms are freshly painted as well, and the main library area has more burgundy walls. We hope the colors add to the feeling of welcome when you walk in the door.

 

Strategic Planning Session Held

Several FOML members recently spent a Saturday brainstorming about ways to improve our fundraising, target our energies toward the important things, and recruit and keep new volunteers. We came away with plenty of new, good ideas, some action items, and a lot of enthusiasm for the work ahead of us in 2007!

 

Web Site in Manchester

Check out Manchester (and FOML’s info) at www.manchesterwa.org; our thanks to the Manchester Community Foundation for hosting the site.

 

Volunteers Needed

The FOML always needs help with projects and ongoing fundraising and maintenance work. Here are some of the things you could help with:

•Book sorting and shelving

•Special book sale set up and cashiering

•Salmon bake organizing

•Facilities maintenance (the small stuff that comes up with any building)

•Publicity for events, newsletter editing

•Garden weeding and maintenance (monthly work parties organized by the Long Lake Garden Club need willing hands)

•Leadership (officers, committees)

To volunteer, contact John Winslow at Johnwinslo@aol.com, Carol Campbell at campbellcarol@wavecable.com, or library staff at 871-3921.

 

2007 Schedule of Events

February 10, 9-3:00 Book Sale

March 24, 10-2:00  Open House

April 21 9,-3:00   Plant/Bk Sale

June 17, 12-5:00   Salmon Bake

September 15, 9-3:00     Book Sale

November 17, 9-3:00 Book Sale