Poetry Workshops

Poetry Workshops at the Lewiston Public Library

 

The Lewiston Public Library is offering a series of poetry writing workshops on the following days

 

“Like an Iceberg Between the Shoulder Blades”:*Metaphor in Poetry  (May 6)

In this workshop, writers will consider the power of metaphor in poetry and will complete a hands-on activity that will allow them to shape poems of their own around metaphor.

 

“Tell Me a Story”: Narrative Poetry (May 20)

Writers will examine the characteristics, challenges, and possibilities of narrative poetry and will write narrative poems of their own.

 

“What Spring Does with Cherry Trees”: Exercises in Poetry-and How to Keep Writing! (June 3)

In this fast-paced workshop, writers will complete a number of exercises that should prepare them to leave with several original poems or poems-in-progress.  Included among the exercises will be several concrete, independent activities that should keep participants writing long after the workshop has ended.

 

Reading (June 5th)

 

Writing is meant to be shared.  This event is open to the public and will offer writers in the poetry and creative nonfiction workshops a chance to share their work with family, friends, and one another.

 

The Lewiston Public Library is located at 305 South Eighth Street in Lewiston. The events are free and open to the public. Space is limited and registration is required. Call 754-4720 to register or visit www.lewistonpubliclibrary.org for more information.

 

This series is made possible with funds from the Arts Niagara Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Tonawandas’ Council on the Arts/Carnegie Art Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Writing Workshops

Creative Writing Workshops at the Lewiston Public Library

 

The Lewiston Public Library will be holding a series of creative writing workshops starting May 1st and continuing to June 5th.

 

The first session will be held on May 1st and is part of a series of Creative Nonfiction Workshops held for six consecutive Thursdays from May 1st - June  5th and will be conducted by Heather McEntarfer, Writing Center Coordinator for Negara University’s Creative Writing Center.

 

Creative nonfiction, the literature of reality, has experienced a resurgence since the 1960’s and is now considered an important and growing genre.  Creative nonfiction writers apply the techniques of poetry and fiction-metaphor, narrative, characterization-to true stories from their own lives and from the world around them.

 

In these workshops, writers will focus on the personal essay, spending much of their time writing, developing, and revising one primary piece. The five workshops will focus on the following skills: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction/ Finding a Topic (May 1st); Scene writing (May 8th); Characterization/Dialogue (May 15th); Voice (May 22nd) and Structure/Revision (May 29th).  

Each creative nonfiction workshop will build on the skills learned and the writing completed during the previous workshops.  Therefore, writers are encouraged to attend all sessions.

 

The Lewiston Public Library is located at 305 South Eighth Street in Lewiston. The events are free and open to the public. Space is limited and registration is required. Call 754-4720 to register or visit www.lewistonpubliclibrary.org for more information.

 

This series is made possible with funds from the Arts Niagara Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Tonawandas’ Council on the Arts/Carnegie Art Center.

“The Enlightened Mind”

“THE ENLIGHTENED MIND” (Fundamentals of Buddhism)

 

The Lewiston Public Library will be hosting a series of programs on the fundamentals of Buddhism called “The Enlightened Mind.” Presented by wei bo, a Buddhist teacher and the self-proclaimed “Zen Master of Lewiston.” The three week series will take place on Wednesdays, May 14, 21, and 28th at 2pm in the library’s community room.

In these programs your host, wei bo, will take you on a journey to the farthest reaches of the Enlightened Mind. Participants will be examining and exploring the ancient path to enlightenment through meditative practices and procedures used for 2,500 years. If you ever wanted to know everything needed to live a totally integrated, productive and yes,  HAPPY life, this program series of lectures and demonstrations is for you !

The programs are free and open to the public. Please wear comfortable clothing. All ages are welcome. For more information contact the Library at 754-4720 or visit www.lewistonpubliclibrary.org. The Library is located at 305 S 8th Street in the Village of Lewiston.

A Writer’s Journey

“A Writer’s Journey”

 

Local author Norah Perez will present a series of creative writing workshops each Saturday in May. Drawing upon her experiences as a scriptwriter and novelist Mrs. Perez will offer help and guidance to those interested in various aspects of writing. She will answer specific questions about the publishing business, and offer advice and practical guidelines to aspiring writers.

 

The sessions to be offered are- “Keeping a Journal” on May 3rd; “Writing a Memoir” on May 10th; “Writing a Novel on May 17th; “Writing Historical Fiction” on May 23rd; and “Writing for Young adults” on May 31st. These two hour sessions, from

1pm to 3pm, will include author readings and discussions, and those attending will be expected to participate in short writing exercises and critiquing. 

 

Anyone interested in writing for self-expression, to preserve family history, or for personal enjoyment is welcome to attend. Participants should bring basic writing materials (note books, pen, pencils, etc.) but laptops will also be permitted.

 

The Lewiston Public Library is located at 305 South Eighth Street in Lewiston. The events are free and open to the public. Space is limited and registration is required. Call 754-4720 to register or visit www.lewistonpubliclibrary.org for more information.

 

This series is made possible with funds from the Arts Niagara Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Tonawandas’ Council on the Arts/Carnegie Art Center.

 

Genealogy Event in Niagara Falls

For those interested in the wonderful local history collection at the Niagara Falls Public Library: 

On Saturday, April 26th, 2008 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. the Friends of the Local History Department at the Niagara Falls Public Library have invited the public to come and experience their holdings.  If you are researching local people for your own genealogy project, or you are just interested in the history of this area please think of attending this event.  This is a great opportunity to see what records are available to the public.  Along with the presence of the city historian, there will be an historical display, local history authors present for book signings, gift shop specials, materials for cemetery research, story writing assistance, refreshments and much more. 

Hope to see you there!

Michelle Ann Kratts

Jon F. Popkey Genealogy Room

The Dead Beats Society

Do you wake up each morning to coffee, toast and the obituary page?  Of course, you feel the need to be aware of any family, friends or aquaintances who may have slipped out of this life…or maybe you have an addiction to things macabre?  The obituary page may be the only reason you buy a newspaper.  Or it may be the only thing you have time to read before you fly out the door. 

If this is you, then perhaps you may want to consider volunteering for our newly forming Dead Beats Society

For the genealogist, the obituary is perhaps one of the most exciting finds.  Obituaries usually contain birth information, family information, interests, relatives, military service and even a picture–obviously painting a more vivid sketch of a deceased ancestor.  Our genealogy department is constantly receiving requests for obituaries from all over the country.  Obituaries are integral to the success of any genealogy department.  With the limited time that I have available for working in the genealogy department, I am overwhelmed with the collection and keeping of obituaries.  My goal is to ultimately digitize these records so they will be more easily accessible.  I am looking for volunteers that are willing to donate their time to helping me with this task.   The work is so simple.  It mainly requires clipping obituaries, copying them, typing the date they were published, and filing them in our binders in alphabetical order. 

If you are interested please sign up at the front circulation desk.  A training meeting will be held Tuesday, June 10th at 6:30 pm. 

Michelle Ann Kratts

The Bob and Rita Giannetti Southern Family History Collection

On Monday, April 14th the Lewiston Public Library celebrated a defining moment in the history of our new genealogy room.  Thanks to a generous donation from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Giannetti our genealogy room contains a new collection of over 250 titles relating to the pursuit of southern family history.  These books will surely prove to be a treasure trove of genealogical data.  They mainly center on the family histories of old Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina.  A bibliography of these titles will be soon be available online and researchers may submit requests for lookups. 

Special thanks must go out to the Boy Scouts of Lewiston Troop #855.  They worked tirelessly and professionally to get our new room in order as a special part of their Eagle Project.  It was certainly a great experience. 

As usual, The Friends of the Lewiston Public Library exceeded all of our expectations and helped to make this event a success. 

And thank you so much to everyone who came out to the library to view our new collection.   It was a spectacular evening!

3-D Photography Show at the Lewiston Public Library

The Lewiston Public Library is offering a program on 3-D photography by local artist Paul Pasquarello. Called “My Two New Best Friends or I’m in love with Anna Morefix” the program will take place on April 15th at 7pm in the community room.

The show consists of a 45 minute, 3-D projection show of widescreen stereo views. A potpourri of images will take the viewer from Buffalo, to the Western United States, then to Spain and France. Projected onto a unique, doublewide screen, and wearing special polarized glasses, the viewers feel as though they are part of the scene.

 A short talk will precede the viewing, explaining the process and showing the equipment used to produce the images. Recommended for the entire family, the event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited.

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott
Reviewed by Suzanne Dlugolonski, Teen Services Librarian

I truly enjoy Elizabeth Scott’s books. The protagonists are very real and the average reader can relate to their plights.  In Scott’s newest book, Perfect You, Kate has lost her best friend, is humiliated by her dad, and is perennially confused by boys. What 16 year old didn’t/doesn’t go through that?

The summer before her sophomore year of high school, Kate’s best friend Anna lost a lot weight and had a total makeover.  But not only does she look different, Anna acts different too.  She’s joined the cheerleading team and hangs out with the most popular girls in school.  While Kate is being ignored by Anna at school, at home she is dealing with her dad’s mid-life crisis and a domineering grandmother.  Further complicating matters is the incorrigible Will.  Kate can’t stand Will, yet she can’t stop thinking about him either…

Perfect You captures the ups and downs of being a teenager, especially the (sometimes turbulent) father-daughter dynamic.  When Kate’s dad picked her up from school wearing a carrot hat, I couldn’t help but remember the time my dad rode his bike to my lacrosse practice wearing spandex shorts with a padded butt and aerodynamic helmet. My teammates were yelling “Tour de France! Tour de France!” until they realized “Oh… Suzanne… that’s your dad…”  I felt Kate’s pain.

The Lewiston Public Library owns Perfect You; it can be requested through NIOGA.  Elizabeth Scott’s next book, Stealing Heaven, is due out in May 2008.  To read more about author Elizabeth Scott visit her website and her MySpace.

A Magical Afternoon with Natalie Kinsey-Warnock

As Lorraine and I drove down Ridge Road on a brisk early spring morning we had no idea what lay ahead at the quaint Lee Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.  It turned out to be one of the most extraordinary moments in our lives.  And Lorraine and I have had some great moments together….

It seemed the perfect adventure for a couple of book-lovers so we just HAD to attend this wonderful luncheon with Natalie Kinsey-Warnock, children’s author and family historian.  We met her immediately upon entering the library (along with the lovely library ladies from Lee Whedon) and found her bright, fun, earthy and real.  She welcomed us with her warm, wide smile and completely drew us into her magical world. 

 Her presentation focused on her inspiration, the Northeastern Kingdom of Vermont.  She said it was the last little section of Vermont to be settled and her family has lived there for 7 generations.  They emigrated from Scotland hundreds of years ago, and their stories came ashore as well.  She writes incessantly of her own family history, often embelishing little snippets of things she discovers here and there. 

“I write to honor these people who came before me,” she declared over and over again. “I want to tell their stories.”

And she has written their stories quite succesfully! 

Her slideshow mesmerized us with beautiful Vermont scenery and introduced us to her wild animal friends.   Natalie is much more than just a writer.  She is an outdoors-woman, an athlete and an animal rescuer.  She loves her animal friends completely and seems connected to their world.  You can’t spend a moment with Natalie without hearing one of her unbelievable animal stories.  She has had many interesting encounters with bears, moose, foxes, wild turkeys and coyotes.  But she especially loves the birds.

 Now her books are as captivating and inviting as her laugh.  They are folksy and have a certain forever-ness about them.  Little children will enjoy The Bear Who Heard Crying and imagine they are lost in the woods, adults will read The Wild Horses of Sweetbriar Island and marvel at the simplicity of one nameless little girl’s passion for some wild horses, and older people will understand the gentle passage of time in The Canada Geese Quilt.  We don’t have all of her books at the Lewiston Public Library but we can help you order them through our inter-library loan program. 

 Natalie is a prolific writer and her words seem crafted out of the moon and the stars.  She confessed that there are some stories that almost magically write themselves.  She is currently writing at least 50 stories at the present time.  And she does not spend her days clicking away at a computer keyboard.  Her medium is merely a pencil and some paper.  Lorraine also asked her about her illustrations, as most of her books are picture books.  Natalie admitted that she is quite lucky as she has a definite say in her choice of an illustrator.  Most authors do not.  The New York City editors often have a little trouble seeking an authentic depiction of her farm life in Vermont, but she quickly sends photos to the illustrators and they seem to do a spectacular job. 

 Natalie had a little surprise for all of us library ladies, too!  She brought a neat little stack of quilts from long ago.  Her childhood was very influenced by her dear grandmother, Helen Urie Rowell, who was the inspiration for her story, The Canada Geese Quilt.  Natalie, who doesn’t like to sew herself, used to draw the designs for her grandma’s quilts, choose the colors and schemes and watch grandma piece it all together.  And everyone knows that quilts are stories, too.  We saw the actual Canada Geese Quilt which her grandmother had crafted with her own hands, and even some created by Natalie’s dear sister, the genealogist of the family, including The Bear Who Heard Crying.

Natalie’s sister, another Helen, unfortunately passed away a few years ago.  They were very close and she was a sort of co-conspirator for many of Natalie’s works.  Helen did much of the research which gave the stories their backbone.  Together they listened, they ravaged the old records left behind by their ancestors, they tiptoed through many a cemetery.  The popular story  The Bear Who Heard Crying was actually an artistic rendering of little bits and pieces of a family story from hundreds of years ago.  Natalie turned to all of us and said: ”You, too, have stories to write from your own family.  These stories get lost because people don’t write them down and people don’t tell them.”  Natalie often tells children to visit their grandparents and their aunts and uncles and to get their stories before it’s too late.  She believes we all have these wonderful adventures within our ancestral past and they are waiting to be found and shared. 

I don’t think Lorraine and I will ever forget our afternoon with Natalie Kinsey-Warnock.  As the afternoon drew to a close, we felt the need to purchase our own special copies of her books and were told the perfect little shop was just down the street.  To our surprise, Natalie decided to accompany us in our little excursion and we found ourselves practically arm in arm with this adventurous author.  We stumbled across the railroad tracks and down Medina’s nostalgic Main Street looking for The Old Book Shoppe.  We giggled over things like a couple of school girls and watched as a flock of Canada Geese flew overhead in a great V. 

It was a wonderful sign to end our spectacular and enchanted afternnon with Natalie Kinsey-Warnock.

 Michelle Ann Kratts