Friends of the Howard Lake Library

The Howard Lake librarians have completed a major project at the library: “weeding” seldom circulated books from the adult book shelves.   Just as you weed and thin plants in your garden to provide more room,  the librarians thin books, in this case some that haven’t been checked out since 2002, to provide more room on the shelves.  These weeded books are then transported to the St Cloud headquarters, where they will still be available for patrons who request them.

The next time you stop at the library, don’t immediately head for the computers or the movies.  Turn to the right, and browse the book shelves. At one time, books were on the bottom and the very top most shelves.   Now, after the diligent work of the librarians, only the middle four shelves are in use.  This makes it much easier to read titles and choose a book.

The children’s bookshelves will also be weeded as time allows.

Browse the shelves at the library.  You may find a new, soon-to-be favorite,  author.   There is an amazing range of non-fiction, too.  How about a cookbook or a craft book?  Weight loss, parenting help,  WWII, car care, furniture building, birdwatching, antiques or ?????  The range is amazing.

Check out the library and check out some books.

50 perfectly painted pumpkins left the Howard Lake Community Room with their proud creators on Saturday morning, Oct. 25, 2008. The day started out overcast, but ended with the brilliant sun shining on the unique creations. While the paint on the pumpkins was drying, the painters enjoyed cookies, Kool Aid and a game of bean bag toss. Many also went downstairs to the library to check out books. One even signed up for his first library card!

We had some coffee drinking onlookers who enjoyed the efforts of the painters and a mid-morning treat as well.

A sincere thank you to Untiedt’s Vegetable farm for the pumpkins.

We look forward to seeing you next October.

The Friends have regretfully decided to eliminate the annual bake sale. However, everyone is still invited to join us for coffee. We will have biscotti available for purchase, as well donuts and similar goodies. Have a cup or two, visit with your friends, and watch the painters.

Coffee time will be Saturday, October 25 from 9AM to 11 AM in the Howard Lake Community Room. Hope you can make it.

Parents & caregivers: would like your youngsters to be able to paint a pumpkin but do you not want to deal with the mess involved? Let the Friends give you a helping hand. On Saturday October 25th, for only $3 ($10 maximum per family), your child will get to choose her/his pumpkin, decorate it with paints provided, then enjoy Kool-Aid & cookies while the paint dries. There are 2 sessions: 9 AM and 10 AM. Preregistration is suggested, but not required. Call the library at 320.543.2020 or stop in to sign up.

This event is held in the Howard Lake Community Room (above the Howard Lake Library). Older painting clothes are suggested. Family and friends are invited to watch the artists at work.

Great River Regional Library is offering a look at what it was like to be a pioneer at home and on the trail.  This program is scheduled for October 2 and will be from 6 PM to 7 PM.

Preregistration is required and is limited to 20.    The program will feature pioneer-related activities and crafts.

To register or for more information, contact the Howard Lake Library at 320.543.2020.

Is your child in day care or in school during the regular Friday morning story time? Librarian Karen Borrell will host 2 evening story times from 6:45 to 7 :30 PM. The first will be Thursday, October 23. Her theme for that evening is Pumpkin Patch Stories. The next story time is Thursday, November 20. What a Hoot: Owl Stories will be the feature that evening.

This story time targets ages 3 to 8, but all story lovers and their parents are invited. Put on your comfiest clothing-even jammies-and we’ll see you at the Howard Lake Library for evening story time.

For more information, contact the library at 320.543.2020.

The Howard Lake Library is presenting story time with Mary Wherry every Friday through November 21.  This story time, targeting ages 3 to 5, features stories and activities.  It is held at the Howard Lake Public Library from 10:30 AM  to 11:15 AM.

No preregistration is required.  For more information, contact the library at 320.543.2020.

September 14th saw WWII revisited in Howard Lake. Loren Zander amazed the 150+ people in the audience with his clear recollections of events from over 60 years past. His explanations of the aircraft, bombing runs and life on an airbase were fascinating.

Photos on display showed airbase accommodations and the aftermath of an attack by Japanese fighters. Zander had many pieces of memorabilia, as well as his medals and uniforms, on display. He spoke for over an hour, and then entertained questions from the audience.

The second part of the WWII program involved the 40′ Bus-eum with a theme of German POWS “Held in the Heartland”. Many lined up to view the exhibit.

The Friends send their thanks to all who made this program so successful: St. James Lutheran School, Dennis Entinger, the Herald-Journal and many, many more.

Photos by Diane Schaible.

The Friends of the Howard Lake Library hosted the annual End of Summer Reading Party on Thursday, August 28th. The beautiful evening allowed us to enjoy the party on the library square and greens area. Musical chairs, bean bag toss and pin the pepperoni on the giant pizza were played by an enthusiastic crowd of readers. The Howard Lake Royalty helped with the games. Everyone who participated in the games won their choice of prizes from the big blue bowl and devoured the Kool Aid & cookies provided. Winners of the various drawing were announced.

Thanks to all who participated in the 2008 program. Keep reading and using the library. See you next June for the 2009 program.

The Friends are sponsoring a 40′ bus converted into an exhibit about the WWII German prisoners held in the Midwest from 1943 to 1946. The exhibit is a production of Traces and features 15 display panels with photographs and documents and a 21 seat theater for viewing a DVD about the subject.

The Bus-eum will be in Howard Lake on Sunday, September 14 from 3 to 6 PM. It will be parked by St James School, located at 1000-6th Ave. . This is an open house style exhibit. You are encouraged to listen to Loren Zander sharing his remembrances from the war in the Pacific, starting at 2 PM, and then tour the Bus-eum.

Refreshments will be served.

Brought to you by the Friends of the Howard lake Library as part of their adult programming.