15 teens accepted the dare.

And the winners are…

Photo caption: First place winner Xuan Zhao (Cathy)

 1^st Place

 Xuan Zhao (Cathy)

In a silent world,

Between the raindrops with you,

Never lose my way.

 “Classically written and following the traditions of haiku. Very cohesively written!” – The Judges

 2^nd Place

Shayne Casey-Shaw

Black clouds replace white

As a storm rolls into town,

Angry and weeping.

“Evokes strong emotional response, very intense.” – The Judges

3^rd Place

Bella Dalmus

Rows and rows of bark

Sticky sap coating backs

The pine cone is watching.

“I appreciate how sensory this haiku is.”  – The Judges

Homework Help volunteers Stephanie Needham and Lamar Allen judged the competition.

Collingwood Public Library extends a big thank you to our teens and judges for participating!

Nearly a rite of passage, hundreds of Collingwood residents participated in Story Time as children. Many continue to bring their own families to the Library for the interactive programme that teaches children the joy of reading.

The Library is holding an Anniversary Story Time to commemorate this exciting achievement.

Join us for this free event on Saturday, May 25, 2013 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The special morning of stories, songs, giveaways and guest readers is perfect for the entire family.

“Anniversary Story Time celebrates the Library’s commitment to fostering a love of reading in children. It honours the many Collingwood residents who have made a connection with the Library and their community by either attending Story Time as children or bringing their own kids,” says Ashley Kulchycki, supervisor of children and teen services.

The Library Board voted to begin a children’s story hour at its May 1913 board meeting. The Library Board and staff believed in the value of specialized children’s programming.

Click the image to read the original newspaper article from May 1913 announcing the decision to hold a story hour.

The belief still holds strong today:

“Children receive many benefits from attending Story Time. The crafts and stories of the programme help children to develop their social and motor skills. They also learn to appreciate reading and the importance of the Library to their community,” says Kulchycki.

In honour of this tradition, the Library invited prominent community members to read their favourite children’s books aloud at the event. Mayor Sandra Cooper, OPP Inspector John Trude and former radio personality John Nichols have each selected famous picture books from over the decades.

Kulchycki will lead children in energetic movement songs in between celebrity readings.

Along with light refreshments, attendees can enjoy informative displays of fun facts about popular children’s books, historical photos, and a comparison of Library statistics from May 1913 and May 2013.

Two full-colour story boards provide photo opportunities for a memento of the event. Children will receive a commemorative button and bookmark.

For more information on Anniversary Story Time, please contact the Public Services Desk at 705-445-1571.

Presented by the Arts Advisory Council of the Collingwood Public Library, the Performance Workshop is an ongoing series of lunch hour performances by a variety of local musicians and other artists. The half-hour performances reoccur on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Patrons are encouraged to bring their lunch; Creemore Coffee Studio provides complimentary coffee, tea and treats.

Do you have a special talent you’d like to share? Contact Christine Palka at 705-445-1571 ext. 6241 or cpalka@collingwood.ca.

“In marking the celebration of Volunteers’ Week in Canada, the Collingwood Public Library Board is proud to recognize the invaluable contributions of the women and men who volunteer at the Library,” says Paul Dulmage, chair of the Library Board.

“Without them, the Library would have great difficulty in continuing to provide the high level of services that our patrons have come to expect, and we are most grateful for their ongoing support.”

Over 30 volunteers dedicate their time on a regular basis to keep the Library running smoothly.

Volunteers help accomplish various tasks including preparing new books for circulation, keeping bookshelves organized, delivering materials to housebound Collingwood residents, helping children learn to read, teaching chess classes, and organizing art shows and musical performances.

“Volunteers at the Library give so much more than their time and assistance. The work they accomplish is very important but they also offer fresh outlooks, valuable suggestions, new perspectives and smiles to brighten our days,” says Lynda Reid, acting director of library service.

“Thank you seems like a tiny word of appreciation by comparison to the magnitude of their gift of volunteering. I am deeply touched by their dedication and their care and concern for the Library and those it serves.”

The Collingwood Public Library Board and staff extend warm gratitude to all of our volunteers and Library supporters.

Are you interested in volunteering at the Library? Please contact Karen Berry at 705-445-1571 ext. 6231 or kberry@collingwood.ca. 

Back Row, Left to Right: Paul Dulmage, Loo McNulty, Melinda Wilson, Peter Case, Allan Sandberg, Christa Snow, Frank McNulty, John Haines

Front Row, Left to Right: Cathy Swanson, Elaine Cheek, Bridget Schmidt, Hella Sandberg, Dorothy Hiltz, Janice Soergel

Delle began writing several years ago to fulfill a promise to a friend. Her friend expressed the belief that Delle was a writer shortly before passing away from breast cancer. Taking her promise seriously, Delle enrolled in a creative writing class and three years later completed Control Switch.

“I was inspired by a friend who saw something in me that I didn’t,” said Delle. “She made me promise that I would try writing. That is why the book is dedicated to her.”

Control Switch follows a high-powered media personality as her life spirals out of control. Known for her skills as a life coach, the woman must take an emotional journey of self discovery to move her away from an insatiable desire for international recognition.

Long-time friend Keith Tippin accepted the book donation of behalf of the Library. Tippin is the Library’s research assistant.

Tippin gives the book two thumbs up:

“I enjoyed reading Control Switch immensely. The characters were highly believable and the plot focused on real life experiences.”

Control Switch is available on the Library’s new book shelf.

The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Collingwood Public Library.

Born in Turkey, Hassan studied art and design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Istanbul. Her studies exposed Hassan to sculpture, textile design, interior design, graphic arts and ceramic making. This diversity is revealed in her artwork that continually evolves as she is inspired by nature.

“I have this eye and mind to look at everything as a painting subject and catching the beauty in it. I don’t cage myself to one painting style. Every couple of years, almost unconsciously, my hand and brain cooperate to divert from my old painting style to a new personality,” says Hassan.

Since moving to Southampton in 2009, Hassan has spent her time photographing, sketching and painting the beautiful terrain of Bruce and Grey Counties. Her artwork richly illustrates many beloved natural gems: the Great Lakes, granite rocks of Georgian Bay and the shorelines of Southampton.

Hassan’s paintings transform familiar scenes with a fantastical approach that encourages viewers’ imaginations to come alive.

“I am fascinated by nature’s powerful work on earth, rocks and driftwood. Variations in seasons and landscapes have enabled me to reinvent my style over and over each time when a subject matter excites me. My goal is to satisfy a strong desire to recreate nature on canvas as I see it and hopefully, give pleasure to people’s imaginations.”

Through the Eyes of Yükselle runs from Wednesday, May 1, 2013 to Thursday, May 30, 2013 at the Collingwood Public Library. 

Choose one session:

• Tuesday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 15 at 2:00 p.m. 

Registration is required.

To register, contact the Public Services Desk at 705-445-1571.

Bring your eReader, necessary equipment (i.e. laptop for Kobo) and a valid library card to the session.

Presented by the Arts Advisory Council of the Collingwood Public Library, the Performance Workshop is an ongoing series of lunch hour performances by a variety of local musicians and other artists. The half-hour performances reoccur on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Patrons are encouraged to bring their lunch; Creemore Coffee Studio provides complimentary coffee, tea and treats.

Do you have a special talent you’d like to share? Contact Christine Palka at 705-445-1571 ext. 6241 or cpalka@collingwood.ca.

Presented by the Arts Advisory Council of the Collingwood Public Library, the Performance Workshop is an ongoing series of lunch hour performances by a variety of local musicians and other artists. The half-hour performances reoccur on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Patrons are encouraged to bring their lunch; Creemore Coffee Studio provides complimentary coffee, tea and treats.

Do you have a special talent you’d like to share? Contact Christine Palka at 705-445-1571 ext. 6241 or cpalka@collingwood.ca.