Iuka Children’s Christmas Party Is a Huge Success!

         

The 2012 Children’s Christmas Party at the Iuka Public Library was bigger and better than ever!  On Dec. 1^st, nearly 200 children of all ages enjoyed the games, crafts, refreshments, and visits with Santa.  Thanks go to all of Santa’s Helpers–and of course Mrs. Clause!—for organizing and leading the activities and games set up throughout the Library.  Volunteers also read Christmas stories, led the sing-a-long, and took care of all the important work to make sure it was a special day for all the children and their families. It’s a toss-up who had more fun, the kids or the adults!

This year’s event was bitter-sweet, as it was the last one lead by the current Mrs. Clause, long-time Librarian Fredda Sanderson McCune.  Ms. Fredda is retiring in January after 34 wonderful years at the Iuka Library, making this Christmas party more special than usual for her.

As always, the Friends of the Library group supported the event and ensured that every child received a book to take home as a gift from Santa. Other sponsors of the Christmas Party were Bancorp South, Dr. Jim Perkins, First American Bank, Fred’s, Iuka Discount Drugs, Norma Vandiver, and Piggly-Wiggly.  Thanks to all our generous sponsors who made this free event possible!  All of us at the Iuka Public Library are looking forward to next year’s party, but in the meantime, Merry Christmas to all!

       

Library Lines from the GEA Library (Booneville)

by Dee Hare, Librarian

 As we approach a busy season of wonderful celebrations, don’t forget to take some time for yourself by resting and relaxing with some of our great new holiday fiction.  New titles include:

Elvis and the Blue Christmas Corpse is the latest mystery from Tupelo author Peggy Webb.  When someone begins decking the mall with corpses, Callie, her outrageous cousin Lovie and Elvis the basset hound set out to catch the killer and turn their holidays from blue back to white.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries finds Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, summoned to visit his seriously ill mother from who he has been estranged for most of his life.  As their visit progresses well, the Earl discovers that his mother’s beautiful companion has tricked him in order to force the family’s reconciliation.

Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot is a Christian fiction romance set in 1882 Wyoming.  In this sweet tale, a wandering carpenter rents a room from a young widow.  Romance is the farthest thing on their minds but the pair soon discover that Christmas is the perfect time for miracles of the heart.

A Christmas Garland by Anne Perry is set in 1857 India.  This mystery follows the first assignment of a young Victor Narraway, who uses the help of two small children and a Christmas garland to defend a British medical orderly during a murder investigation.

Don’t forget the library’s Memory Tree project to raise funds for 2013’s children’s creative writing and illustrating contest!  A beautiful glass angel ornament will be placed on our Christmas tree in honor or memory of your loved ones for every $5.00 donation.  After the holidays, you can either take your ornament home or leave it at the library for future years’ decorating.

We look forward to seeing everyone soon at the library.

 

Library Lines from the GEA Library (Booneville)

by Dee Hare, Librarian

As December begins and the excitement starts to build for this beautiful holiday season, why not check out some of the great new fiction at the library to help you get into the holiday mood.  Titles include:

Angels at the Table by Debbie Macomber finds angels Shirley, Goodness and Mercy taking an apprentice angel to Times Square to show him the delights of the city.  The group also takes the opportunity to help Will reintroduce a lonely chef and a food critic who have been estranged after a year long separation.

In Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson, Detective Alex Cross is called away from his family on Christmas Eve to mediate a terrible hostage situation that threatens to spiral out of control when a cunning terrorist scatters a sack full of “gifts” around the city to surprise holiday revelers.

An Amish Gift by Cynthia Keller is the story of Jennie Davis, who decides to move to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with her recently unemployed husband and their two children when they inherit a distant cousin’s house and bicycle shop.  The family receives support and a sense of purpose from their Amish neighbors during their first fateful Christmas season.

Silver Bells by Diana Palmer contains two of her earlier novellas.  In Man of Ice, a cynical two-some are forced back together again after a less than magical night together.  In Heart of Ice, a writer visiting a western ranch to research her next novel finds her dislike of its arrogant owner slowly dissolving.

The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson is set during the 1937 Christmas season.  Eight year old Lucy has already been told by her mother that her wish of a pony for Christmas is unattainable.  But the arrival in town of a strange but interesting duo may turn her world upside down and make her dreams come true.

We look forward to seeing everyone soon at the library.

 

Library Lines from the GEA Library (Booneville)

by Dee Hare, Librarian

The Christmas holiday season is upon us!  Get into the holiday spirit by checking out some of the great new books we’ve recently received by your favorite authors.  They include:

The Christmas Book: Creative Ideas for Making the Holidays Memorable by Heidi King contains beautiful photographs of easy-to-achieve ideas for decorating, giving, entertaining, and cooking.  It includes easy ideas for personalizing presents and gift wrap, innovative ways to use—and reuse—holiday cards, as well as fresh approaches to displaying keepsakes and imaginative ways to build new holiday traditions for your family.

In A Season for Angels by Katherine Spencer and the late Thomas Kincade, a graduate student working on his studies in Cape Light falls in love with his complete opposite at Christmas.  At the same time, an ailing family matriarch returns to Angel Island to heal a family rift.

Gregory D. Kincaid’s heartwarming series that began with A Dog Named Christmas and Christmas with Tucker continues with this year’s release of A Christmas Home.  It follows the story of the McCray family, who struggle with mixed feelings while supporting disabled Todd’s efforts to achieve an independent life.

What Happens at Christmas by Victoria Alexander finds Lady Lydingham hiring a group of actors to pose as her “conventional” family in order to secure a long-awaited proposal from a dashing prince.  Her plans go awry, however, when a mysterious man from her past crashes her holiday party.

A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans is a holiday tale inspired by the biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors.  In this modern retelling, Joe is forced out of the family business by jealous siblings.  After becoming the CEO of another company, Joe finds himself in the unlikely position of being his own family’s savior in the face of a troubled economy.

We look forward to seeing everyone soon at the library.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot…..

Christmas “tree” made by Corinth Library staff,

with special thanks to Carolyn McClean.

Northeast Regional Library Announces Staff Changes

Several new staff members are assuming duties during this time. Changes are taking place at the Headquarters library in Corinth and at the Iuka and Tishomingo branch libraries.

Fredda McCune, who has been librarian at the Iuka Library for 33 years, will retire in January of 2013. Gwen Spain has been hired as Librarian. Mrs. Spain is currently working with Mrs. McCune as the transition takes place.

Hazel Sparks has been Order Clerk at the Headquarters library in Corinth for 16 years. Mrs. Sparks will retire in late December of this year. Robin Parrish has been selected to assume these duties and is currently training with Mrs. Sparks in the library’s Technical Services department.

Tishomingo Librarian Brenda Sappington has left the library to pursue a teaching position in the local schools. Mrs. Sappington worked for the Northeast Regional Library for 10 years, 7 of which were as Tishomingo Librarian. Beverly Parker has worked as a substitute for both the Tishomingo and Belmont Libraries over the past year and a half. She has now become the Interim Librarian at Tishomingo.

Headquarters and branch staff welcome these three new staff members to the Northeast Regional Library and wish them well as they begin their new positions.