President's Newsletter December 2010

Friends of the Library Events for February - March 2011
http://folevents.blogspot.com/2011/02/fol-events-february-2011.html

An enthusiastic committee of Friends of the Library has worked hard during the last six months to produce interesting events at the Library that bring in a wide cross-section of people—and make some money for Library purchases.

Kelvin Smibert, Nora Smibert, Cynthia Richardson & Patricia Reed
with the City Bikes, one of which was donated by Friends of the Library

 July

The Big Book Sale ran over 2 days and attracted in a lot of people who stocked up on the books on offer, many donated by Library users.

Jigsaws were popular

  

Helen Boomsma, President with Don Pegler, Patron

Bound by Books, a get-together of Mt Gambier book groups, had a talk by Lois Dean on her book ‘Minnie’ and related how each group operates—all quite different—with a delicious afternoon tea provided by committee members.

 August

 saw the first of a monthly Sneak Peek at the new books purchased by the Library. Chris Lloyd gives a review of those she has read, we pick out our own books and have a book chat with a cup of tea.

MasterClass in Cheese conducted by Trevor Hodson and sponsored by Yoey’s Fine Foods was informative and interesting, as Trevor really loves his subject.

The Library was overtaken by Picasso-style cows and

librarian Cathryn had to say: “No more cows!”

Cheryl Tilley, Trevor Hodson & Nora Smibert at the Cheese event

September
 A Travel Talk sponsored by Gambier Coachlines drew an audience interested to hear about River Cruising in Europe. FOL committee supplied afternoon tea and Max Seebohm of Gambier Coachlines donated a talking book to the Library.

We were privileged to have a visit from the Chairman of the Library Board, Peter Goldsworthy, well-known author of Maestro, Honk if You're Jesus, Everything I Know (set in Penola) and his latest Gravel, from which he read
excerpts.

 
 October

We filled the Oatmill Cinema for a premiere of Eat Pray Love starring Julia Roberts. We served pizza beforehand, kindly donated by Valley Lake Pizza, as Julia eats pizza during the film. This was a good fundraiser.

Bridge @ the Library was an all-day mini-tournament for local bridge clubs with luncheon served by FOL committee. We’re getting a reputation for excellent food!

  Friday FrightNight was an exciting event for the Young Friends of the Library who played spooky games, listened to scary stories and ate pizza. Shakira won the prize for best costume and Patricia Reed of FOL committee wasn’t far behind!

 

Bound by Books ‘ second meeting took the format of a panel discussion hosted by Selina Green of ABC Radio and was absorbing as they discussed Ian McEwan’s ‘Solar’ and George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’.

November

Children's Cake Decorating with Charmaine Rees had us practising on cupcakes for a very professional-looking finish:

Marie with her cupcake and those made by the class

The Teddy Bears’ Picnic for Very Young Friends was a great success with 60 children in the library cave to hear teddy stories and sing songs with the Library staff then out into the Cave Gardens for a picnic with fruit and water supplied by OPAL.

Marion Thompson offer fruit

‘Libeary’ the FOL teddy bear was launched and is still for sale at $5 each. He is a lovely soft cuddly bear with a bright red scarf knitted by ladies from Boandik Lodge and children from Compton Primary School.

Will from Kongorong with hundreds of Libearies.

Meet the Author Peter Fitzsimons was a most enjoyable night when this larger-than-life raconteur and author held us spellbound.

FOL served wine donated by Herbert Vineyard.

Patricia Reed and Nora Smibert serve Librarian Cathryn Harris
and Peter Fitzsimons with Herbert's wines.

A cloakroom for the Blue Lake Fun Run was run by the FOL committee who were pleased to be part of the proceedings. This will be expanded next year.

December

In what has turned into the Year of the Peters,

Peter Rymill presented the book he edited ‘Notes of a Journey to the South-East 1863’ by William Milne, which was launched by Stan Thompson of ABC Radio to an appreciative audience.

 Libeary was on sale at the Arts and Crafts

Market and at Make-a-Wish Open Day.

At the Library’s First Birthday FOL handed out piggy banks donated by Bendigo Bank, blew up balloons and cut up the huge delicious birthday cake.



Jane Pellen-Philips hands out piggy banks



FOL is proud to have donated a bicycle to the City’s Hire-a-Bike programme.

 A final event was when FOL took Father Christmas and an elf to hand out presents at the Woolworths' Staff Christmas Party.
Thank you Father Christmas for good "Ho Ho -ing!"

Father Christmas and Elf meet some happy customers -
Jeremy & Anikka Marks and their mother.