Hitting the road

One of my projects is to create a winter reading program. This is not a new idea. The Indianapolis Public Library hosted a "Read Around the House Reading Program" when I was in graduate school. The idea was tweaked by Linda Fox at the Cloquet Public Library and myself several years ago. The idea was further tweaked by Rita at the Arrowhead Library System in Minnesota. I am now working with a graphic artist and several librarians to tweaking it again for the libraries in Virginia. With all this tweaking, sometimes the process becomes paramount and the project loses focus.

When this happens, and it has, it is time to hit the road and visit the people I work for. Sometimes Terry comes along with me. This is a good thing, for I can get lost in a closet. Terry gets me to the library on time and then will find a place to sit and read. With Terry driving this allows me to relax and focus on the visit rather then worry about directions or the lack of them.

I have been impressed by the libraries I have visited and the librarians who serve their community. They care about their community, proactive in meeting the needs of the community and proud of the things they have accomplished. This is not a false pride, either. The librarians have done some fantastic programs. In the comming months I would like to find a way to recognize and celebrate these accomplishments.

The consuction paper artwork is from the Fauquier County Libraries.

A Mostly True Event

While some people are readying themselves for that most sacred of days,“Super Bowl Sunday,” I cheer another sport. One that is older than football. I am of course talking about the game Dog and Squirrels. This game is played across the United States, but the first game in this country was held here in Virginia. In 1607, over 400 years ago three ships, Discovery, Godspeed and the flag ship Susan Constant, led by Captain Christopher Newport (who only had one arm) sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. The 105 passengers and the 39 seamen who landed in Virginia on Sunday, April 26, 1607 began exploring the Chesapeake Bay and were met with misfortune, one of the passengers died. The settlers withdrew to the ships and then explored Virginia Beach on April 27. Two days later, on a Wednesday, the settlers traveled to a site known as Cape Henry and erected a cross and gave thanks to God. The next day, it was a Thursday, the three ships, with 104 passengers and the 39 crew meandered up the James River and began a settlement in Jamestown on May 13, 1607. It was in the forest of Jamestown, over 400 years ago, near the first English settlement in the new world, a Dog saw a Squirrel, barked and gave chase. Thus the game began. There were no cheerleaders, no instant replays, no fouls and no first downs. Yet the game did begin. This great game continues in our backyard and in our neighbor’s backyard. On this most scared of days. If you go outside, you will hear no cheers of “Who let the Dogs Out.” The Dogs are down 3 to 3,655. The Squirrels Rule!

The facts came from Jamestown's Story Act One of the American Dream by Parke Rouse, Jr. Compiled and Edited by Wilford Kate.