Who Knew Gingerbread Houses Are Literary Based?

It is unclear the exact origins of gingerbread. 

Ginger is native to Asia, and gingerbread was eaten during the 11^th century Crusades; however, it was the Germans in the 14^th century who made gingerbread the wonderful holiday treat that is celebrated by so many at Christmas. 

Most likely, the Brothers Grimm are responsible for the popularity of gingerbread houses. It is possible that the sugar confections were constructed before the Grimm’s fairytale Hansel and Gretel was published; but thanks to the continued obsession with this tale, gingerbread houses have remained candy-coated creations of yummy goodness. 

The teens at Forest Public Library continue the tradition by creating their very own gingerbread houses. We librarians credit the Brothers Grimm and their tale of a cannibalistic witch for making gingerbread houses the popular holiday activity that everyone enjoys!

December Fun at the Magee Library

Open Mic Night was a “Rocking” good time!

We had 12 people that performed at our Christmas Open Mic Night, Thursday, Dec. 13. The favorite song of the night was “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree,” performed by Julia Chencharick and then Walter Baldwin did his version of the song. We also had “Jingle Bells” performed by Danial Baldwin. My favorite was “Blue Christmas,” performed by Walter Baldwin. (Ok, now you know I am a big Elvis fan!) He also performed “White Christmas” and “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” which had us all laughing. Joshua Wickes recited an Edgar Allen Poe poem entitled “The Bells.” We had a trio of boys who even tried to rap “Silent Night!” Everyone enjoyed it when the moms stood up and sang, “Dashing Thru the Snow.” The Baldwin Family did a great job on “O Come, O Come, Emanuel.”

There were a few people that performed more than once. So, we did not have a first or second place; instead, everyone that participated in the event got to put their name in a drawing for one of three $5.00 gift cards from Walmart and one $10.00 gift card from McAlister’s Deli.

The winners: Walter Baldwin won the $10 gift card, Danial Baldwin won a $5.00 Walmart card, Micah Floyd won a $5.00 Walmart card, and Julie Baldwin won the last $5.00 Walmart card.

Santa visited the Magee Library!

Santa has come and gone so he could get back to the North Pole in time for Christmas Eve! But when he visited the library, we had sixty-five little ones come to get their picture made with Santa Claus. While they waited for their pictures “to develop” the children had refreshments of hot chocolate and cookies. The children made a Christmas ornament to take home with them. It was a foam craft of a snowman holding a candy cane with the year on it to mark the occasion. We are already looking forward to next December!

Check out the fun things going on for January (Bingo, Tea & Coloring and Snap circuits).

December at the Flowood Library

The Flowood Library is a community resource for the City of Flowood and the surrounding area. The Flowood Library has a lot to offer and for the remainder of the month of December 2018 the following programs are scheduled:

Mugshots Trivia December 18, 2018, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Join us for a night of family-friendly fun. Trivia-Nite will be held at the Mugshots in Flowood. Presented by the Flowood and Reservoir Libraries. Flowood Book Club December 18, 2018, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and discuss their favorite books and, perhaps, learn of a few more good reads in the process. This month's selection is Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror by Steve Alten. The Flowood Book Club meets every third Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. There shall be coffee and refreshments for attendees. We hope to see you there! Crochet with Donna December 20, 2018, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Join Pamela and Donna and learn to crochet. Must bring your own supplies.  Contact the library for more details. Preregistration is requested. What Is Falun Dafa? December 15, 2018, 9:00-10:00 a.m. Experience Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, at the Flowood Library. It is a meditation practice that brings about serenity and a higher level of awareness while also greatly benefiting your physical well-being.

Flowood Library Recipe Club  Meets every second Thursday 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join us on the second Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a meeting of the Flowood Library Recipe Club. Bring copies of your recipe to exchange along with a sample platter so everyone can try it! "Samples are optional and appreciated." Please preregister. Mother Goose Lapsit Mondays, 9:30 & 10:30 AM Story Time for children up to 3 years old. This month's themes are Penguins, Polar Bears and Happy Holidays! Peek-A-Boo Baby Tuesdays, 10:30 AM Babies to 16 months. Join Ms. Emmy for a fun time singing songs, reading stories, and developing fine motor skills through finger plays. This month's themes are Snow, Snowmen, Happy Holidays and Penguins! Preschool Story Time Every Wednesday, 10:30 AM; Every Thursday, 10:30 AM For children ages 3 to 6 years old. Ms. Eleanor hosts a fun filled story time every Wednesday and Thursday mornings! Come join us for songs, stories, and work on a neat craft that you get to keep! This month's themes are: Bears, Winter, Happy Holidays and New Year's. Kids' Hour Tuesdays, 3:30 pm (when school is in session)  Join Ms. Emmy for story time and crafts for children in kindergarten to sixth grade. This month's themes are Snow, Snowmen, and Happy Holidays! Teen Night Thursday, December 27, 6:30 pm Teens grab your hammer and get ready to make nail art. We'll have funky patterns to choose from or be creative and design your own. The Flowood Library offers something for everyone. Check out our New Book display. We have DVDs for movie enthusiasts. We have audio CDs for your listening pleasure. If you are working on a research project or need to be proctored for a test, the staff at Flowood Library can help you. Check out our Used Book Sale or sit quietly reading a book in our living room. The outside patio is available for your use; however, we recommend you wear a coat because it’s cold outside.

December Programs at the Pearl Public Public Are the Recipe for a Great Holiday Season!

ATTENTION BAKERS!

Here's your chance to show off your culinary skills and compete to win the GOLDEN WHISK! Thurs. Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Pearl Public Library! 

All are welcome to participate in the competition or to come taste test to vote for your favorite!

Sign up now through Mon. Dec. 3. Call or come by the library to sign up or go online at  

http://cmrls.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?EventId=8170&backTo=Calendar&startDate=2018/12/01

The program is free, so no reason to miss out!

You also don't want to miss the library's very special Country Christmas Family Night on Tues. Dec.  11 at 6 p.m. featuring Dancin' Dan the Banjo Man and Santa Claus!  Also a free program for the whole family to enjoy!

There's so much more going on in December at the Pearl Public Library. Visit www.cmrls.lib.ms.us and click on EVENTS to see all scheduled programs!

We'll see you there!

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT TAKE 2 AT THE PEARL LIBRARY!

The world of website building at the Pearl Public Library couldn't be any more exciting!

The second in a trilogy of basic website development instruction by Becky at the Pearl Public Library will be here before you know it! It's happening on Thursday Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. Mark your calendar and plan to attend!

The first class was a success she said and can't wait to tackle Website Development Basics 2: Building a Website.  Unlike the first class, where the group was taught an introduction to website design, this upcoming class will view, via large TV screen, a model of a website that Becky has designed herself.  "The first website development class was teaching what HTML is," she said. "It was the tools and ingredients. In the second class we will have something to analyze. It's the anatomy of a web page."

WOW! You don't want to miss out! The adult class is free and an hour long from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. And, remember, the third part of basic website development will be taught on Thursday Jan. 7 starting at 5 p.m. That's when you will learn how to get your new website online! 

No reservation is needed. Just come on in. 

We'll see you there!

YOUR CHOICE MAKES THE CHAPTER 1 BOOK CLUB IN PEARL!

Image from www.prestonlibrary.org

The December Chapter 1 Book Club meeting at the Pearl Public Library is Reader's Choice. Uh-huh.  Any book your little 'ol heart desires!

You read the book and talk about it at the book club meeting. "You come to the meeting and share enough about the book to entice someone else to read it," said Cecelia, the Chapter 1 Book Club's facilitator.

You have to admit that sounds pretty fun! Hey! A holiday fiction book would be great. If you need one, the library has plenty.  In fact a whole display of holiday reads is up right now! And, more are going up on display soon!

Next month's Chapter 1 Book Club meeting is Thurs. Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. You don't need a reservation. You don't have to be a member. You don't even have to commit to becoming a member. Just come on by and join in! Remember, light refreshments and door prizes are always a part of the evening's fun program!

We'll see you there!

COMING UP! FANTASTIC SIMPLY CRAFTS IN PEARL!

SEPTEMBER'S DENIM FRAME WITH FLOWER 

OCTOBER'S MASON JAR LID PUMPKIN

NOVEMBER'S JAR LID OWLS

DECEMBER'S CINNAMON STICK SANTAS

Listen up! You have got to mark your calendars! Eleanor is on craft making  FIIIIIIIIIIUHHHH!  Uh-huh, she is red hot, blazing a nifty lineup of creative crafts all the way through December at the Pearl Public Library!  

Starting with a really cute Denim Photo Frame garnished with a pretty, bright flower for September's Simply Crafts on Tues. Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.  That is followed by an awesome  - Southern Living type craft - Mason Jar Lid Pumpkin on Tues. Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. Great stuff! 

Hey, who's feeling hootish?!? The jar lids make another stellar appearance as festive, colorful Jar Lid Owls on Tues. Nov. 11 at 6 p.m.. 

HO, HO, HO, Here comes Santa Claus. He's got quite a sweet, holiday smell. What is that? No, not cookies. Not this time.  It's CINNAMON!  You don't want to miss crafting Santa Cinnamon Sticks! No way! That's Tues. Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.

It would be terrible to miss out on any one of these. Remember, Simply Crafts is every second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. No reservations needed and all materials are supplied. 

We'll see you there!

Mendenhall Book Club Selection

Mendenhall Book Club Dec. Selection

Join the Mendenhall Library Book Club on Thursday, December 15 at 2:00 pm. We will be discussing The Locket by Richard Paul Evans.  You will enjoy our opinions and insights.