SUMMER SIZZLES AT THE CANASTOTA PUBLIC LIBRARY

If your children are like mine, they are already filling their summer days with lots of activities. And, like most parents, I’m looking for activities that are full of learning opportunities and that don’t break the family bank! The library is offering some great reading and writing programs for area youth at no cost! Not surprisingly, research shows that students who read during the summer breaks go to school better prepared in the fall semester! This year’s Canastota Public Library Summer Reading Programs are geared for fun and learning.

Children aged kindergarten to sixth grade may participate in the “Make a Splash at Your Library” Summer Reading Program. The “Make a Splash” program will run from June 28th through August 9th. Activities and special events are scheduled on a weekly basis. While most events will take place at the Canastota Public Library, some of the events will be held at the Auditorium at the Roberts Street Elementary School. Calendars listing all events and activities are available at the Canastota Public Library. Registration for “Make a Splash” is scheduled all day on Monday, June 28th at the Canastota Public Library on the second floor. Parents can also register children online through the Library’s website.

The library will also coordinate a special summer reading program for teens in grades six through twelve. Sign up is also schedule for all day, June 28th at the library on the second floor and through the library's website.  The theme is “Make Waves @ The Canastota Public Library”. Events, which all will have a water or beach theme, include a Battleship kick-off tournament at 2 pm on Monday, June 28th. The teens will also be able to participate in craft programs, a journal writing course and a reading club.

The Lunch Bunch reading club will meet each Tuesday at 12:30 beginning on July 6 and ending on July 27. A list of books that the group will be reading can be picked up at the library. Lunch will be served on the days that the group meets at no cost to participants.
The Write Stuff, the Library’s summer writing program for teens will meet each Wednesday beginning June 30 and ending July 28th. This year will feature journal writing including prompts and exercises! A journal and pen/pencil will be provided.

Teen Craft Days will be held on Thursdays at the library beginning at 1pm. Some supplies will need to be purchased by participants. Sign-ups will be necessary for Teen Craft Days so that we are sure we have enough materials for all to participate. Crafts include t-shirt decorating, flip flops enhancements and drink coaster sets.
The library notes that these programs can be made available due to the support that we receive from the Friends of the Library and in part by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute for Museum and Library Services!

These programs can be fun and informative for kids in grades kindergarten and up! And, the prices are definitely right at “free”. We hope that you will encourage your child to read this summer. Reading can take them to some very exciting places and help to prepare them for a successful school year in the fall!

TWEETING IS FOR THE BIRDS

I am becoming increasingly annoyed at new technology. In the past, my husband has indicated that I am the most technologically challenged person that he knows. And, although he is absolutely correct about my affliction that is not why I am annoyed with every new fangled gadget that comes down the pike.


I realize that there is a learning curve for everything that is new and different. I know how to basically use my email, my cell phone, and my iPod. My annoyance comes from the constant bombardment of communication. We have email, snail mail, telephones, cell phones, pagers, tweets, and blogs. Our information comes from the internet, television, radio, newspapers and magazines. While this is all very nice and sometimes even immediate, I think it is the immediacy that is most troubling and yet at the same time, helpful.


Tweeting, when I was young, was something that birds did. And, it made sense. Birds communicated with other birds by tweeting or chirping. Tweeting today, allows an infinite number of people around the planet, and perhaps beyond our planet, to know what a person is doing or thinking at the exact instant that they are doing and thinking whatever it is they are doing or thinking. Do we need to know that a particular person thinks that salespeople in the metropolis where they are shopping are rude and disgusting? Some things might better be kept to yourself!
I like my cell phone. A cell phone is particularly helpful in emergencies. I like to travel with a cell phone and have one with me in the event that a family member or coworker can reach me in an emergency. I do not like to chat. My college aged daughter communicates almost exclusively through chatting. The main reason I don’t like to chat is that when chatting, a person can’t see your emotions or hear your tone of voice. The second reason that I don’t like chatting is that I don’t understand most of it. Chatting seems to use a lot of slang. Often, my daughter will pepper her chats with little coded messages like “LOL” and “bc” and “GTG”. There are actually manuals online that list many, many different ways to “say” different things when chatting. For instance, the following all have to do with laughing: LOL, ROFL, FOFL, LIS, LMHO, LMSO, LOLA, LOLZ, and LOOL, to name just a few. Why can’t people just say, that made me laugh? Or, that is funny? Or simply—funny!

There are times in my life when I actually want to be alone. I crave the quiet. My best thinking moments are those spent on the deck listening to nature. I am able to focus more on important issues.

My undivided attention allows me to think through a problem and create solutions. I think that more of us should find that type of quiet and alone time. It should be time without a radio, a cell phone or any of those modern gadgets that shake or rattle or roll.
In this case, I believe there is more value in life in watching the birds and hearing them “tweet.” I have no interest in “tweeting” myself.

Canastota Native, Joan Cerio, to Speak at Canastota Public Library

On Tuesday, May 18 at 7pm, Canastota native, Joan Cerio, will speak about how she wrote her book, “In the Key of Life, An Activational Journey to the Soul”. The talk will take place at the Canastota Public Library in the Lawson Community Room. In her talk, Cerio will provide tips on how to allow your writing to flow.

Cerio, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a Master of Science degree in science education, has also studied the metaphysical and spiritual aspects of life. She began this study as a massage therapist and then became a Reiki Master Teacher, Advanced Level Integrated Energy Therapy Practitioner and studied Healing Touch and Ortho-Bionomy. In addition to being a healer, Cerio is an author, mystic, teacher and speaker.

Cerio’s book, “In the Key of Life, An Activational Journey to the Soul” provides nine keys for opening to the truth of who you are and your life's purpose. This book is not a typical self-help, new age, metaphysical, or spiritual book. The book really is an extension of Cerio’s healing work and is a way to bring energetic support to more people.

Ms. Cerio will hold a book signing immediately after the presentation. The cost of her book is $13.95 plus tax. She can accept cash or checks only. Light refreshments will be served following the presentation.