CF community library offers youth to adult programs

CRYSTAL FALLS -- Interesting and fun activities are pretty much a given at the Crystal Falls District Community Library.

"It's always hopping here at the library," Director Evelyn Gathu said. "We are already preparing for our summer programs as well."

April is Poetry Month. To celebrate, the library will host poet, folk singer and songwriter Troy Graham of Marquette for an evening of music and poetry at 6 p.m. today.

"His creative writing/poetry workshops are interactive and energizing to the new or seasoned writer," Gathu said.

Graham has worked with school-age children in workshops to challenge their skills and share his story. He began writing poetry at 15 and his love of writing has been a helpful coping mechanism for his depression and anxiety.

His poetry work has been featured in four books; his first self-published collection, "Freshwater Mermaids," can be found on Amazon. His newest poetry book, "Dinosaur Dreams," will be available for purchase for the first time at the book release tonight.

Copies of Graham's other books and music will be available for purchase this evening as well.

The Friends of the Library will provide coffee, juice and snacks.

On Mondays, advanced crochet is offered from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and beginner crochet is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Knitters gather from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday and on the first Thursday of every month, they have advanced quilting from 9:30 to noon.

The Library Club meets weekly from 3:15 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays for third- through fifth-grade students.

Gathu asks that any children interested contact the library to register.

The Adult Book Club gathers monthly from September through May. The next meeting is planned at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, and have chosen to read "The Lost Apothecary."

"During this time members select what novel we will be reading for each month," Gathu said. "For the summer months adult readers have the option of taking part in the Summer Scares series."

The library will host its Fourth Friday Board Games night from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.

"We have several board games to choose from, but please feel free to bring in your own board games, too," she said.

The library will serve refreshments and everyone is welcome.

On Saturday, children are invited to attend the Arbor Day Story Hour starting at 10 a.m. They will be reading Dr. Seuss's "Thank You For Being Green" and "Speaking for the Trees"; "Cool Green: Amazing, Remarkable Trees" by Lulu Delacre; "The Busy Tree" by Jennifer Ward; "Maple" by Lori Nichols; "Some Questions About Trees" by Toni Yuly; and "Be Thankful for Trees: A Tribute to the Many & Surprising Ways Trees Relate to Our Lives" by Harriet Ziefert.

"We will be making tree collages for a craft," Gathu added.

The library will also serve snacks and juice.

The next Explorer Story Times are slated for May 13, with the theme "Amazon Rainforest," featuring Brazil; and on May 26, highlighting Pennsylvania.

In partnership with the U.P. Publishers & Authors Association, the final U.P. Notable Books Club Zoom event is planned for 6 p.m. May 11. The club will read "The Big Island" by Julian May and John Schoenherr.

They recommend participants borrow a copy of the book from a local library or purchase one in advance.

Those interested are asked to contact Gathu in advance.

The library is also getting ready for its summer programs, including Summer Scares 2023. They select nine horror books for the program: three selections for adults, three for young adults and three for middle-grade readers.

Each age level meets once a month in June, July and August to discuss that month's chosen book.

"During the gatherings, the group often joins the author by Zoom," Gathu said.

This year's selections include: Adult -- "Ring Shout" by P. Djeli Clark, "Catherine House" by Elisabeth Thomas and "The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror," by Daniel M. Lavery; young adult -- "In the Shadow of Blackbirds" by Cat Winters; "Squads" by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and "Mooncakes," by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu; and middle grades -- "Small Spaces" by Katherine Arden, "Living Ghosts & Mischievous Monsters: Chilling American Indian Stories" by Dan Susuweh Jones and "A Small Zombie Problem" by K.G. Campbell.

In addition to their book selections and programs, the library provides many other services. Gathu encourages residents to come in during regular hours to check out what they have to offer.

The Crystal Falls District Community Library is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

For more information on any library event, call 906-875-3344 or visit the CFDC website. Those interested in registering for an upcoming program can email Gathu at egathu@uproc.lib.mi.us.