Dear Reader:
The following is a week in the life of Russell & District Regional Library during Beef & Barley Festival.
Wednesday, October 4th was Newcomer Welcome Night and this year the library had a newcomer on staff: Manager, Christine Podollan. While Christine is new to Team Library, she is also the pleased new owner of a lovely little home in Binscarth. “Newcomer Welcome Night was a privilege to attend and so many faces there were faces already familiar due to being frequenters of the library,” says Christine.
2023 is the 50th anniversary of Beef & Barley Festival and the library tradition to represent Russell’s lovers of literature and the arts has not diminished over time. In keeping with The Library Ladies tradition, Movie Night was hosted in fine style. Board Members and Librarians alike banded together to ensure the evening was a culinary success. Mind you, hotdogs, and popcorn, while perhaps not considered fine dining by most, are the cornerstone of Movie Night and are prepared and presented with a lot of love. Thank you to all the behind-the-scenes players and to all the front-line workers for carrying off Movie Night in fine style. May the tradition live on.
Friday, October 6th was HomeWorks Trade & Craft Show and what a groovy day it was. While one may not expect to have fun presiding over a table of pamphlets and popcorn for a day, it does happen. As the adage goes, “time flies when you’re having fun.” The Tradeshow was a great example of how integral a library is to a community. Countless people stopped by the library table to say hello and engage in conversation. In a Hall filled with people promoting their business, the non-profit organization that the library is stood out in its position as promoter of literature/literacy and the arts. Let libraries reign!
Saturday, October 7th was the Charity Buckin’ Rodeo. As there was not a Library lady up for the challenge of riding the bull, they outsourced the honour to a young man by the name of Eli Podollan. Eli’s skill as a rider was dwarfed by his outstanding character. When mispresented as a mystery woman called Ellie, Eli rode his heart out for the library anyway. Agh! You may say, what’s the big deal? And you may be right. Accidents happen. However, to a 20 year old young man full of testosterone, the blunder was enormous. And so it is, another testimony to the importance of literacy. Thank you, Eli. Thank you, Libraries and Librarians everywhere. Thank you to each one that pledged the library rider. You raised $720.00: you rock, ride on!
Thank you to the 2023 Beef & Barley Committee for inviting The Russell & District Regional Library to participate in The Beef & Barley Festival again this year. We are looking forward to next year already.
New books at the library, stop in to check one out.
Happy Reading, Until Next Time,
The Library Ladies