What a difference a day makes! The picture last week in the Great Bend Tribune showed the snowy steps at Nora’s Place on Sunday. On Monday, Nov. 27, at the end of the day they looked like the picture shown this week. Mansel Concrete Construction had quite a day jackhammering, concrete sawing, and removing stone steps and debris.
I was hoping for a time capsule in the huge hole under the old steps but, sadly, Chris Mansel reported there wasn’t one. He also reported, thankfully, Jimmy Hoffa wasn’t there either!!
Giving November is over. THANK YOU goes out to the people who gave, which allowed us to report 225 articles were donated for the library to share with the Stafford Schools and Stafford Food Bank. This is a count of the articles, not of the individual pairs of socks, mittens and clothing bundled into packages. We also would like to thank those that participated in Giving Tuesday. What a GREAT community we have that shares its bounty with others. Thank you all!
Speaking of community – We would like to thank Bob Minks for his amazing 50 years of service to the people of Stafford at the Stafford County Hospital! It’s hard to imagine the hospital without Bob’s caring and excellent service. Not to mention what we all know – that it will lose that great laugh and humorous tricks that made a hospital stay or a day of work more endurable. THANKS BOB!
Remember we have beautiful NORA gifts for Christmas giving. Mugs, mouse pads, note cards, and tote bags all featuring Nora Larabee or her beautiful stained glass window. Unique gifts for your loved ones. Proceeds will help with the continued restoration. These gifts can be purchased at the Library.
Book Club in 2024?
We are exploring what type of programs you would like to see at the Library during 2024. A patron wondered if there might be interest in having a Book Study (Book Club) at the library. We have cozy chairs. We can get your choice of book to study. Are there readers that would be interested? Let us know if you are and what genre of book you might like to explore with others. Plus when would you like to met for the book discussions??
It is fun to share favorite books. A book I just finished that a patron recommended, “The Masterpiece” by Francine Rivers, is a very inspirational romance. I couldn’t put it down. The plot shows how God can take two damaged adults that had horrendous childhoods and give them a future of hope and love. It is in our SCKLS Rotating Book selection and will be returned to SCKLS in January so come check it out soon.
Reading is powerful! It can be entertaining, but it is so much more! A quote I found on Lyn Fenwick’s blog explains part of why I have always loved reading. “The more a child reads, the likelier they are able to understand the emotions of others.” That quote was followed by the sad statistic that “80% of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.” (Quoted statistics from 2022.) When a child (or an adult) reads, the characters become real to them. Stories share the emotions, the disappointments, the hurt of the characters, in a way that allows the reader to experience the emotions of the characters, something they cannot always understand about real life feelings of others. There is great research on how important reading is for mental health. Reading a variety of genres with information, inspiration, mystery, romance, problem solving, etc. can greatly enrich our lives and mental health. Read to our “littles” early in their lives and install a love of reading. Read Every Day - Live A Better Life.
Looking ahead
We have finished the fall book challenge and will start another in January. Watch for further information in December.
December 9th, Sandy will be entertaining Stafford Kids with Bean Bag Bingo at the City of Stafford Christmas Carnival, 8:30-10 a.m. at the VFW.
Plus, from 1-4 in the afternoon there is a Pop Up Vendors Market at the VFW.
Plus, from 4:30-7 p.m. there is a spaghetti supper being sponsored by the Senior Center.
Come Join the Day of Fun!!
We have enjoyed families participating in the Penguin Hunt. Come join us for free family fun at your convenience!
Come see us at Nora’s Place! Our address is 108 N Union, Stafford.
Next Board Meeting: December 13 at 6 p.m.
Come join us at Nora’s. Our address is 108 N. Union, Stafford,
Our library hours are: Monday morning 8 a.m. to noon; and Tuesday through Friday 2-6 p.m. Call 620-234-5762, email larabeelibrary@gmail.com. Visit Facebook at Nora Larabee Memorial Library.
By Gerry Hildebrand, head librarian for the Nora Larabee Memorial Library. Phone 620-234-5762, email larabeelibrary@gmail.com or visit Facebook at Nora Larabee Memorial Library.
Written By Gerry Hildebrand,
Denise Dickson,
& Sandy Gere
