December is a wonderful time, full of holiday cheer and sooooo many things to do! Your Abilene Public Library has many great programs all across our system, but I'd like to draw your attention to some we'll be hosting at the Main Library downtown early in the month.
On Thursday, December 5 at 6:30PM we'll be hosting local author and life coach D. Grant Smith, who you might be familiar with because of his years on KACU-FM and as the host of the syndicated radio show "The Appetizer." During our program, D. Grant will talk about his newest book Be Solid: How to Go Through Hell and Come Out Whole. He will help you to understand experiences of personal loss and how to use it as a catalyst to heal yourself. Having experienced his own loss, his book "is a guidebook for healing, recovery, and a pursuit of wholeness in every area of your life to be your best self, regardless of what obstacles and pain you've experienced." This will be a positive, engrossing program you don't want to miss!
Of course, all of downtown will be celebrating Christmas that week of December 2-7 as City Sidewalks kicks off the holiday season downtown with the lighting of the city tree at the Convention Center on Monday, the Christmas Lights parade on Tuesday and many fun events for the entire family each day.
Your library is excited to participate in City Sidewalks with a wonderful program on Tuesday night, December 3rd at 5:30PM in our upstairs auditorium. The Madison Middle School Viva Strings! will be performing the sounds of the season for our enjoyment. Their unique arrangements and alternative styles of music are not often performed in a traditional orchestra setting, so you won't want to miss this concert from these amazing young men and women.
Each evening during Sidewalks your library will be hosting a craft session for the family with some fun holiday themes. On Monday, you can make a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ornament at 4:30PM, Tuesday, we'll do Festive Face Painting at 5:00PM, and Wednesday, to go with the pet theme, we'll be making a great dog tug toy beginning at 4:30PM. Your pup will love this as a Christmas gift. Thursday, you can design a new sleigh for Santa with LEGO during an extended LEGO Club session beginning at 4:30PM, while Friday is Family Fun Board Games at 4:00PM with classic board games, snacks, and fun. Stop by your Main Library for some holiday glee while you are enjoying all the other attractions of City Sidewalks Week.
Wednesday, December 11 at 10:00AM we'll have an awesome opportunity to make a Christmas gift or two during our Crafty DIY program downstairs in the Creation Station. Making Sugar Cookie Sugar Scrubs is a super easy way to show someone you care, and best of all, we supply all the materials needed.
On Thursday, December 12 at noon, come down to the library and learn how you can begin "Harvesting Your Family Recipes." Abilene Christian University archivists Mac Ice and Amanda Dietz can get you started preserving those handed-down favorites so they can be shared and preserved. Food, particularly, around the holidays, can generate some of our strongest memories and traditions, so the recipes used to create them are important family history. Learn how to interpret, recreate, and preserve your family's recipes, and the stories and memories associated with family meals.
Give us a call at 325-676-6025, check Abilene Public Library's Facebook page, or our website for more information. No matter how hectic your holiday season can be, your Abilene Public Library has opportunities to relax, have fun with the family, and maybe learn something as well!
Article Contributed by Janis C. Test, Information Services Manager