By Gloria Carlson and Laurie McIntosh
Though the effects of July’s torrential rains are still being felt throughout the Western Catskills we are all in the process of drying out. Andes was spared the devastation experienced in Walton and Sidney. The Andes Library suffered a flooded basement, but otherwise we came through relatively unscathed. The morning after the worst flooding the Andes Fire Department was right on the scene pumping away. We sincerely thank them for their hard work during this difficult time. Our basement is quite small and as we don’t have any books or supplies down there, the accumulated mud did no damage. Even our heating system is in working order! We in Andes are all extremely fortunate!
The Sidney Library is now in the process of cleaning out their flooded basement with two large dumpsters filled with damaged books, papers, cabinets, and sheetrock. The Walton Library was very hard hit by the flood. They lost their whole lower level: new Children’s Room, Young Adult collection, Adult Non-Fiction section and Local History section plus computers, printers, and their fax machine totaling about $200,000 worth of damage. Stay tuned for a possible “Flood Fest” fundraiser or series of performances to benefit Walton, Sidney & other libraries that were badly hit.
Speaking of performances, we’ve got quite a line-up of events planned at the library this month. On Thursday August 3rd at 6:30 pm, the Americorps crew will return with another exciting family program called “Map & Compass”. Kids will learn navigational basics in this fun, hands-on workshop.
On Thursday August 10 at 6:30, families can get ready to rock with Uncle Rock, a fabulous songwriter and children’s musician. Uncle Rock, aka Robert Burke Warren, is a long-time globetrotting performer who, since becoming a Dad and settling down with his family in Phoenicia, has found a new creative outlet in the form of rockin’ kids’ music. It’s hard to say who will like Uncle Rock more: the kids or their parents.
“Kids in the Kaatskills” continues until August 11, with wonderful activities for children scheduled every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Children of all ages are welcome to join for activities ranging from music, yoga, and storytelling to making tie-dye T-shirts, pinch pots, nature collages, and doing cool experiments with “Mr. Science”. Please stop by the library to pick up a complete schedule. With the exception of a $2 materials fee for the tie-dye shirts, all of these programs are offered free of charge.
August in Andes equals Community Day, and the Andes Library will be right in the midst of the festivities with our Mega Book Sale. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, August 12th for Community Day, but do stop by the Andes Library to say hello and borrow a book, magazine, DVD, Video Cassette or CD, or let us know how we can help you!
A reminder to our young patrons: The Summer Reading Club continues through August. Don’t forget to keep track of all the library books you read this summer. If you haven’t done so already, you can still register for the Summer Reading Club and win prizes for being a great reader!