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!

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.