Welcome to the Dwight Library Blog. Here we can provide you with very current information on Library activities and programs. With an extensive collection, hi-speed wireless computer access, we are truly the heart of the community.Please visit our official website for both Lake of Bays Libraries at www.lakeofbayslibrary.ca

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Tall Enough to See "Forever"


Feet may not reach to the floor, but imagination knows no bounds!


We get all ages and stages of life-long learners here at the Dwight Library.


It's a real treat to watch them blossom as they learn, their imaginations unfolding right before our eyes.
This young user may not have her feet firmly planted just yet, but she's already reaching into worlds her grandparents couldn't even imagine. Where will her bright young mind take her next? Stay tuned...
Our library provides computers, assistance in their use, and High Speed Wireless. Everyone is welcome to the library, where learning and imagination go on forever. No wonder libraries are considered so important!

Birds Like Christmas Trees Too


Dec. 4th, a group of keen kids and adults gathered to help us decorate our outdoor tree.


Resplendent with solar powered twinkle lights, handmade ornaments such as glittery pine cones, and carefully hung suet/seed 'decorations', it is up and already welcoming the birds

.After all, Christmas is for sharing!

"Moose"tly be Merry!



The Friends do a tremendous amount of work on behalf of the Dwight Library, and we are very honoured and privileged to have them.
Every December, we like to get together for some fellowship, a good meal, and the opportunity to say Thank You to the Friends.
This year, we gathered at the Moose Cafe in Dwight. Complete with Christmas crackers, crowns, bad jokes (What happens when frogs park illegally? They get TOAD....) and twinkly lapel pins, we sat down to a choice of Maple Glazed Chicken or Red Pepper Salmon, to say nothing of the dessert menu!
It is a small gesture for a huge debt of gratitude. Our Friends are the BEST!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Just Dance!


Inspired by the moves on Dancing With The Stars? So, you think you can dance?
Or do you just want some fun and movement in your Friday morning?
Join us for an hour of rockin' to the Wii Dance program. Meet new and old friends, share some laughs, and hone those dance moves!
All ages, everyone... and no sign of those critical but loveable judges anywhere! What could be better!?
Sign up a the library, or give Peggy a call and get her to scribble down your name if you can't get in to sign up!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

It's Beginning to Look a LOT Like Christmas




Join us for our COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION and PENNY SALE, Saturday December 4th, at 10.30 a.m. at the Dwight Public Library.

Bring the kids to help us decorate our 'critter friendly' Christmas tree. Kids will make ornaments using natural materials including pine cones, seeds and fruits to feed our feathered friends at the holiday season. See the tree lit with environmentally friendly solar twinkle lights.




Refreshments and treats for everyone!


Penny sale begins November 23rd, and winners will be announced at noon on the day of our celebration.



Event sponsored by the Dwight Friends of the Library.

Stampin' Up! Advent Calendar




The countdown is beginning for Christmas -- and here's a great way to get into the Spirit.


We're offering a Stamping session, suitable for adults and children alike (children between 7 and 12 must bring their own adult along!)




SATURDAY DECEMBER 4th, FROM 10.30 TO NOON at the Community Centre in Dwight.
Material cost is $37.00

Participants must register and pay in advance at the Library before NOVEMBER 25 during regular business hours. Call Kim Hutchins 635 9200 for more details.


Mark your calendar, register, and get ready to stamp up some spirit for the holidays.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Life is Just BOO-tiful!


Time to get those skeletons out of the closet, and come to the Costume Party, Friday Oct. 29th, at 9 p.m. at the Community Centre.
This is for children ages 0 to 13. Parents are also invited.
We can't wait to see who (or what?) shows up on the Red (Black?) Carpet...
All the Boo-tiful people, that's for sure. It's bound to be SPOOK-tacular, because, you know, Hallowe'en, BITES!

The New Fence


Well, the old fence. Now new.


This is part of the historic fence that used to surround the Stewart Memorial Church in Dwight. Earlier this year, the Church held a fundraiser here at the library with the goal being to raise enough money to restore the old picket fence.


They were very successful, and the fence was replaced with a new one -- copying faithfully the old design.


So, what to do with the old fence? Well, that too became a fundraiser, and sections of the fence were sold. The library was happy to secure enough of the original fence to set off the new community garden and Book Nook.
Thanks to our volunteers, who cleaned and repainted the old fence, and helped install it.
We think it looks absolutely fabulous.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

What a Great Evening!





Over 50 people crowded into the Community Centre Wednesday night to meet Leacock Prize winning author Terry Fallis.







What fun, to learn of his adventures, crossing items off his life list (go skydiving, sail a tall ship, write a book... two out of three's not bad!), self-publishing, and happenstance. He described how he approaches writing -- very disciplined, very mapped out in advance; where he 'found' some of his characters; how he fits writing into his schedule;how winning the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour changed his life.

Like many first time novelists, he found himself unable to secure an agent for his novel, The Best Laid Plans, Terry set about self-publishing the book. A perk of that on-line excercise, he was provided with ten copies of the novel for himself, in addition to the ones he was trying to market. The Leacock Award requires the submission of exactly ten copies of the book being considered. Had they needed eleven, Terry would not have entered in 2008... but there were those ten copies, just crying out for readers.



Thrilled just to make the short-list that year, he was delightfully astounded to discover his wife kicking him under the table to alert him to the fact that he had, in fact, won.





He was charming, approachable, entertaining, and it was a joy to spend an evening in his company. Also a joy to spend time in the company of his characters, brought to life as he read from the book. People such as Muriel Parkinson, and Angus McLintock, who step to life off Terry's pages.


A political novel with a twist, this book, and its sequel The High Road, are well worth the read. There's everything in there, from lessons in building a hovercraft to how to run a political campaign...




You can access podcasts of his work on-line, if you'd like to listen to Terry read the books. Part of the publishing adventure for Terry was to put up weekly chapters of his work on-line, and receive feedback from across the globe. He got emails back encouraging him, asking for more chapters, even correcting his pronunciation.




Having heard where he finds inspiration for his books, we'd not be too surprised to learn that down the road there's a mention in one of his novels of a photo -- The Friends presented him with a Jerry Schmanda photo of the northern end of two southbound moose in Algonquin. Rather an poignant political statement, all in itself...



Asked about getting more men into Book Clubs, he could only comment that his own book club is pretty evenly divided that way, but encouraged folks to join all book clubs. It's a wonderful way to find yourself reading books that, left to yourself, you'd probably never pick up, but that you'll find more than worth the read.
Thanks to the Friends of the Dwight Library, Peggy, Cathy, and everyone who helped provide coffee and desserts, decorate the room, and make this event possible. And a huge Thank You to Terry, for making the trek to Dwight to spend time with us. We look forward to welcoming him back in the future.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Northwoods Literary Festival


What to do over the Thanksgiving weekend when no enjoying the fall colours and munching on the leftovers?
Friday offers an evening of inspiring stories in the Algonquin Theatre.
Saturday you can catch an early breakfast at the Mill on Main with Joseph Boyden; and Saturday morning (while that turkey is still cooking) Trinity Church in Huntsville hosts a day of readings and book signings.
All this, and still lots of time for a walk in the wood!

Me to We



Join the community on October 9 for a Thanksgiving Craft and Bake Sale to raise money for Team Kenya, a group of local students who will be heading out to Africa on a humanitarian project.




This is WAY beyond your 'average' bake sale -- top flight local chefs are coming together with local artists to provide the items at this sale. It's going to be a fascinating and fun event, and all for a great cause!
Asante Sane! (kiswahili for Thank You)

Looking Good!


Thanks to the friends and the community volunteers who came together to landscape, garden, and provide our new sign for the Book Nook!


It's getting a lot of attention already.


Future plans include expanding this area to include an experimental Community Garden, so as they say, Watch This Space!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Go North, Young Deer...




Before the late 1800's, whitetail deer did not occur in Muskoka. What changed? Most people think our original old growth forests were unsuitable for deer, and they couldn't survive here until settlers transformed the landscapes through land clearing, logging and other activities that promoted new second-growth forests favoured by deer.



But is it true? Are deer simply a by-product of human impact?

Dan Strickland, former Chief Naturalist of Algonquin Park will give us answers to these questions, Wednesday, Sept. 22 at the Dwight Library, starting at 7 p.m.




Dan will show the fatal flaw in the easy explanation outlined above, and will provide evidence for a much different explanation of the northward expansion of deer. Try to guess the rue answer, and come to this talk to see if you are correct!
You might get a laugh out of it!


Everyone is welcome.

The Play is the Thing!



Kidplayhouse Productions was here in the spring with a wonderful program. They're BACK!



The Fall Theatre Arts Program at the Dwight Community Centre for kids grades 3/4 to 8 will begin Tuesday, Sept. 21, with registration from 5.15 to 6 p.m.

It's a ten week program, with a performance to close out the show. The costy is $125, and a fee subsidy will be available where needed. Don't miss out -- Kidplayhouse productions prides itself on fostering curiosity resilience self-esteem critical thinking skills and empathy through integrated arts education and creative play. How wonderful is that????




Contact us before the 21st to reserve a space, at 224 - 8800 (local call) or email the folks@kphproductions.com






Terry Fallis is in Town! Mark your Calendars!






A Visit with Terry Fallis
Author of “The Best Laid Plans” & “The High Road

Don't miss this evening of evening of desserts, beverages and lots of laughter with Terry Fallis. His satirical novels of Canadian politics will have you laughing out loud.
His debut novel (TBLP) was originally self-published in 2007 and won the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. McClelland & Stewart published TBLP in September 2008.






He also won the Gold Medal in the Independent Publisher Book Awards in the Regional Fiction - Canada East category. In 2010, the Waterloo Region chose The Best Laid Plans as the One Book, One Community selection.






The sequel to The Best Laid Plans, called The High Road, has just been released in September, 2010.

Presented by
The Dwight Friends of the Library
&
Coles Book Store – Huntsville

Wednesday, October 13th
7:00 p.m.
Dwight Community Centre
Hwy#60 @ Hwy #35
Dwight


Tickets $10.00
Available at
Dwight Public Library
&
Coles Book Store
Huntsville Place Mall
(Cash only please)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Faster than a speeding internet

This is the time of year we get to meet a lot of new neighbours. Those who are up at their cottages, or just vacationing at one of the wonderful resorts in our area, often drop by to 'borrow' our Internet.

Today we had laptops almost everywhere -- you could find them snuggled up to their people, in the computer cafe, at the table, curled up in the cosy armchair by the fireplace, at the table, and sitting cross legged on the floor in the far corner.

At one point every one of our computer terminals were also in use. We were buzzing with the Net!

How Does Our Garden Grow?




Thanks to all our wonderful volunteers who have donated time, hands, energy, plants -- and now stones! -- to make our new Book Nook glorious!
It began with Peggy cleverly talking the Chamber of Commerce into letting us have the little tourism booth they no longer needed. This is rapidly transforming into our Book Sale centre, and can be utilized by community groups as well.
Then came the gardeners, who brought us flowers and shrubs and topsoil and shovels and green thumbs.
Then Lakeside Landscaping dropped by, with a collection of patio stones and a stone bench.
We're so excited at how lovely it looks! Thank you to all our fabulous volunteers who have helped to bring this into being. You (dare we say, given the beautiful stones now in place) ROCK!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Stepping Stones


Aug. 18, 10.30 a.m. come join us at our garden room, just outside the library. Bring gems, leaves or beads, and we'll teach you how to create a stepping stone for your garden with your own unique accent.


This is for Children, 6 and up. $5./person, and the instructor is Sandy Brown.

Sandy Inkster Telling Tales

Sandy Inskter will be here Thursday Aguust 12 at 11 a.m. Children 6 and under are always spellbound by her story telling.

Sandy is a specialist in Early Years Literacy. Get them into the habit, for life.

Sandy will be back in town in September. At the Baysville library, Sept. 13, hosting a seminar for Folks who Work in Early Years Literacy.

Date: Monday September 13/10
Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm (lunch included)
Host Library: Lakes of Bays – Baysville
• Program sharing – bring copies of two program outlines to share (12 copies)
• Networking – what are your challenges and successes?
• Evaluations – how do you know if your programs are accomplishing your goals?
• Professional Development – storytelling using props and puppets
• Early Literacy Checklist – how it can identify solutions to problems
RSVP to Sandy by Tuesday September 7, 2010 sinkster@handstfhn.ca

That one all sounds dreadfully serious (but Sandy's there, so it will be brilliant and entertaining, and everyone will Laughingly Learn) but ours, Thursday, is pure joy for children... Sandy takes them voyaging into wonderful worlds, bouyed up by books.

Come on out!

Dog Safety Seminar


Does your child know how to approach a strange dog? Or what to do if a strange dog makes that approach, ears back, tail down?


What does it take to look after a dog, safely and comfortably for both humans and canines?


Join professional dog trainer Lynn Remmelgas from Muskoka Dog Academy on Tues. August 10, 10.30 a.m. til noon for our Dog Safety Seminar for the Whole Family. $3/person big or small.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Trivia Night!

This Wednesday is Trivia Night!
Get together a team of 6 (hopefully eclectic friends) and sign up for a table. It's only $60.
You get popcorn, cold drinks, a great contest and one of the most fun ways to spend a summer evening.
Get there about 6.30 to get signed in. The questions start at 7 p.m.


You should go...

Sunday, July 4, 2010

It's a Jungle In Here!


We are pleased to be participating in the TD Summer Reading Programs once again.
The theme is Destingation Jungle. Kids, 12 and under, who register with their local library for the TD Summer Reading Club receive a poster, stickers and an activity book all free as a part of their reading kit.
Come explore the wonders of nature in the jungles of the world, go on exciting voyages and travel to exotic lands by exploring the shelves of your local library. See our booklist suggestions and find a jungle in your own back yard.
Oh, and if you're older than 12, but have unpaid book fines, if you come in and dance with our Jungle Parrot, rumour is Peggy may just forgive what you owe...

Creativate!




We're excited. TheHuntsville Arts Society is working with us to provide CREATIVATION, a fabulous program for the budding artist in your family.


A series of art classes, with various artists, are being offered. First up is this week, JULY 6, with Nancy Gray Ogle.


The subject, dear to every child's heart, is How to Draw Animals. And if anyone knows about that, it's Nancy. From moose to mice, from huge sweeping works right down to simple line sketches, if it's animal art, she's your gal... A reknowned international wildlife artist, she brings a wealth of talent, experience and joy to the act of creation.


A single session in Creativations costs $12.00, plus $3 for materials.


For information on the whole series, give Peggy a call, or check the sidebar of this Blog.




But first, sign up your young minds and creative imaginations for this session of July 6th.


Wednesday, June 16, 2010

How Does your Garden Grow?


Bring a perennial flower...


Bring a shovel...


Bring a smile...


Join us at the Library at 5.30, Thursday...


We have a design for a garden, and we've been digging and turning the soil, and we're ready to put in plants.


We've got the Book Nook ready to go, and this garden will enhance it and the area.


See you there, green thumbs and all!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Getting it in OVERDRIVE


Lake of Bays Public Library ( both Baysville and Dwight ) now offer OverDrive!


This is a program that will enable you to download audio books onto your own Mp3 player. Check out the library website, , click onto e-resources to Overdrive and follow the directions from there. You can download books for free, and listen to them while you are driving, relaxing on the dock, doing housework, mowing the lawn or supposedly doing all sorts of other things not nearly as interesting as listening to great narration.




While you're in the E-Resources section, take a moment to check out all the other applications and useful resources we've got available for you, without you ever having to leave the comfort of your own computer.


Although you WILL leave your own computer... you'll want to come to the Library and visit us. Won't you?

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Side By Side





To develop curiosity, resilience, self-esteem, critical thinking skills and empathy – all this while having fun and taking care of each other... how magical is that??? Twenty kids found out, during their time with Kidplayhouse Theatre, through the Dwight Public Library.

The rest of us found out when the group presented a selection of skits. Titled SIDE BY SIDE on June 2nd at the Dwight Community Centre. What an explosion of creative play and imagination was on display, under the guidance of Glenn and Elizabeth Copeland and their team of volunteers.
Special thanks must go to the Dorset Lion’s Club, who sponsored five children to attend this workshop.

From Pippy Longstocking Reinvented, through Gilgamesh, Dinosaurs, Dragons, puppetry, an interlude with Shakespeare, a cautionary tale of Doves and Chickens, and some music from Les Mis, the young actors shone, sparkled and laughed their way through the production while the parents and friends pretty much rolled in the aisles.
It takes a lot of courage to get up in front of everyone and speak, sing, or tell your story. You have to be brave to walk out on that stage...

Elizabeth and Glenn were kept on the hop working with these aspiring actors, and thanks go also to their assistants Dave Walton and Adrienne Starr, Peggy Hurley and Kim Goodwin-Myers who helped give the push to get this program off the ground, David and Lisa who helped with sets and everything in between them, and Cogeco for loaning digital equipment to allow the recording of the moment.

This is one of the great programs offered through the Dwight Library. It was the first time it has been offered, but from the response, you should be watching for more of the same. We’re all for it – get the imagination in gear, and there is no limit at all to what a child can dream.
For those interested in having their kids enroll in the Fall/Winter Program, contact info is: Kidplayhouse Productions, Glenn and Elizabeth Copeland email: thefolks@kphproductions.com

I

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Gr8 FILMS!


Peggy's done it again... with the commotion that could well accompany the G8 here in late June, with road detours and expected heavy traffic, a lot of folks don't want the hassle of heading into town. For Anything!

So Peggy's bringing the movies to Dwight. If you're looking for a little break, a little place to kick back, snack some popcorn, chat with friends, and check out the best of the Politically Themed movies Peggy can get her hands on, stay tuned, because the Gr8 FILMFEST is coming.

Movies already planned:

Tuesday, June 22nd - 3 - 5:30 p.m. " Invictus" Directed by Clint Eastwood, cast includes Morgan Freeman playing as President Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as the Rugby Team Captain.
He was imprisoned 27 years for his heroic fight against apartheid. So what does Nelson Mandela do after he is elected president of South Africa? He rejects revenge, forgives his oppressors and finds hope of national unity in an unlikely place: the ruby field.

Wednesday, June 23rd - 3 - 5 p.m. " The Interpreter" Directed by Sydney Pollack.
Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn star in the action-packed thriller. In one of the hidden corridors of power at United Nations headquarters, translator Silvia Broome (Kidman) overhears a potentially explosive secret about a planned assassination attempt. But when federal agent Tobin Keller (Penn) investigates her claim and digs deeper into Silvia's dangerous past, he begins to question whether she is a victim - or a suspect.

Thursday, June 24th - 3 - 5p.m. " The Messenger"
Starring Woody Hasrrelson and Ben Foster.
Will Montgomery, ( Foster ) a battle-scarred Staff Sergeant home from Iraq and newly assigned to the Army's Casualty Notification service. Ordered to bear the bad news to families of fallen soldiers, he is partnered with hard-line officer, Tony Stone, ( Harrelson.)

Limited seating, please call the 635 3319 to save a seat. 14 A Rating.
This is a free program, and what a Gr8 way to beat the heat and take a break from rubbing elbows with the nations of the world and their hangers' on!!

Come Along for the Ride!


JOIN

KATE AUSTIN ON TUESDAY, JUNE 15th at 3:30 p.m. at the Dwight Public Library

Kate will inspire young people who have dreams or goals they want to reach by sharing her own motivating story on becoming a competitive horseback rider.

- Kate has competed at the Trillium level, which is a provincial-rated level

- Recently competed in the 1 m jumpers, where horse and rider have to navigate a course of jumping obstacles, the goal is to leave the jumps up and ride the course in the least amount of time.

- She bought her first horse three years ago

Kate will include a slide show of the journey reaching her dream

Dwight Public Library @ 635-3319

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Friends for Life, Quilts Forever





The Dwight Library is blessed with so many Friends for Life that they have undertaken another commemorative quilt. The original hangs in the Muskoka Room: each book in the quilt has an embroidered name representing one of the lifetime members of the Dwight Friends of the Library.



Spearheaded by Barb and Julia, the new quilt is almost ready to be pieced together, and we are now in the process of taking names. If you would like to see your name embroidered on this new and very beautiful quilt, please see Peggy or Cathy at the Library. A lifetime membership is only $100.00 and brings joy to so many for so many years. We think it's the best investment around.



The quilt is beautiful, stitched by hand -- and we are so grateful for our friends who support the Library in so many ways, and who have produced this piece of art for us.

Side by Side


The theatre program that has been running this spring is drawing to its close -- for now...


On June 2nd, at 7 p.m. (please be seated by 6.45!) at the Community Centre, the The Dwight Kidplayhouse Players will be presenting examples of the fun they've had and the crafts they've learned. It is titled Side By Side, and is a a group of scenes, some live acting, some puppet acting with two or three kids per scene on various subjects as their interests dictated. For example, two young folk wanted to explore Shakespeare. A few young lads were interested in mighty warrior stuff. You can imagine the diversity.


Glenn Copeland admonishes that one should not consider it a production in the common sense of the word. It's not about a script, or memorizing lines... it's not about entering from upstage left, or hitting the mark stage right... or voices off... It's about all of that and so much more, because what they've been working on has been about developing and exploring as many different aspects of their own creativity as possible without having to have a goal in mind.


Glenn reports that he and his wife Elizabeth, along with Adrienne Starr and Dave and Lisa Walton have been having a wonderful time with these kids. The whole program has been process rather than performance oriented. And part of that process has been trying to develop a sense of community with them. There were only two guidelines: The first is to respect each other. The second is to take care of each other.


The journey has been great fun, and the production is just a temporary stop on the road. If there is enough interest, a summer two week long program is in the works. Possibly even a workshop series for adults if there are any takers!


Special thanks must go to the Dorset Lion's Club, who provided support for five children to attend this program. We are all grateful.


All the world's a stage, and exploring that world is what Kidplayhouse Theatre is all about.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Friends are the Best










The Dwight Friends of the Library met for their AGM last evening at Spring Lake Resort. Thanks must go out to Irene for hosting this, and for letting us be a little bit rowdy with a lot of laughter. As I was leaving the meeting I was stopped by a couple at another table who were all smiles, and had been trying to guess what group was meeting. "You are certainly having a wonderful time," they said cheerfully. They were here from Vermont, and heading into the Park to go Moose Watching, but they'd also enjoyed a little local colour on the way!

Good fellowship, good fun, good food and a good meeting ensued. Kelly whipped through the business part of the meeting, Peggy put forward her Wish List budget, Anne Marie reported on the very successful Archery Tournament (we had people as young as 8, and from as far away as Warren, Ontario, 89 of them in total!)
People are already calling about next year's Archery tournament, and asking if there could be another one in the fall. This is a tremendously popular event, and we are very grateful to the Tapley's at Logging Chain and to the Shields' for all the work they put into it. At the dinner we learned that a new target, a 6' tall standing bear, didn't make it through the night after being placed on course the day before. Another bear, a real one this time, took exception to this "intruder" in his territory, and literally tore the target bear in half. Bill and Ross are still looking for half of their bear... Around $3000.00 was raised for library projects through this fundraiser, so very very many thanks!
Barbara and Julia showed off one of the panels of the quilt that is currently being put together to honour the lifetime members of the Friends. One of these quilts already hangs in the library, with each member's name embroidered on a book spine. We have more friends, so it was time for a new quilt! The new
quilt be on display at the library, and if you would like to be part of this, please see Peggy. A Lifetime Membership is only $100.00 and helps our library provide literacy skills for life in a comfortable inviting setting: there can be no better investment.
Another project undertaken by the Friends involved bringing a Wii into the library. At first blush, this would seem to take away from the focus on reading, encouraging computer gaming instead, but Peggy reports that the books are now just flying off the shelves. Thanks to creative displays that put a selection of youth books in the same room as the Wii, librarians find that the kids pick up the books. Maybe just one... then they come back for the Wii, and pick up another book. Then two... and now Peggy says it is quite common for the Gamers to be heading out of the library with four or five books at a time.
The Dwight library is very blessed to have such a vibrant, involved group of Friends, and our thanks go out to each and every one of you.