Library Starts New Chapter

Again with the reading....I KNOW!!! Our small county library is really trying to get the community interested and literacy up.

Library starts new chapter
By Kathleen Brown
For the Advertiser

Summer programs offering children programs, rewards, and festivals have long been a staple at county libraries.

“So why can’t the adults have a little fun too?” Peggy Kennedy of the Laurens County Library staff said.

Library director, Ann Szypulski is steering the activities and involvement at the library toward this focus. Szypulski, a Clemson Graduate with a master’s degree in library information, became the Laurens County Library director last July. Since her appointment she has been taking steps to continue the work that her predecessor, Bill Cooper began.

“I have really been trying to build on what he did,” Szypulski said, “Bill Cooper did a wonderful job running this library.”

With big plans underway, Szypulski is optimistic about the direction the library is taking. Within a couple of months the library hopes to begin offering computer classes to the public, where attendees can learn basic to intermediate knowledge about computers.

The library also plans to extend the geographic reach of the “Bookmobile.” The new route would take the mobile-library into Gray Court to serve the residents there who have no convenient library available to them.


Sypulski’s plans revolve around the adult summer reading program, which will be making its debut in the next few months. “Master the Art of Reading” is a state-supported event that encourages adults ages 18 and older to read, record and review literature over the summer.

Kennedy, who heads the program at both branches, says that adult reading is very productive.

“Adults who are reading set a good example that children can follow,” Kennedy said.

Szypulski and Kennedy also hope that the personalized review cards on display in the library will encourage other readers to pick up a recently reviewed title.

“People come in here all the time and ask us what is good,” Kennedy said. “We hope that this will give people a nudge in the direction of a book that maybe they see their friend read.”

For added persuasion, the library has secured donations from several local merchants that will be awarded to participants throughout the program.

“We all need a little confirmation, even adults,” said Kennedy. Szypulski agrees.
“I want to make the library a community place, a social place, a place to have fun, and also a place to improve ourselves,” Szypulski said.

Sign-ups for the “Master the Art of Reading” program begins on June 1st. For more information on this and other events at the local libraries contact the Laurens County Library at 864-681-READ.

Memorial Day Full Write Up-

This short write-up will be accompanied by a number of photographs, some on this page and others not, on the Wednesday (May 27th) Issue of the Advertiser.

Local effort to make Memorial Day memorable
By Kathleen Brown
For the Advertiser



The solemn chords of “Taps” filled the Clinton square as almost 200 people paid tribute to the fallen soldiers of World War II on Friday morning.

The American Legion Auxiliary 56, the VFW Auxiliary Post 5932, and the City of Clinton organized the service to specifically honor the county’s World War II veterans as well as veterans of all other wars.

Veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam were all in attendance at the service to acknowledge the laying of the wreaths on Clinton’s Veterans Tribute memorial.

“Memorial Day is not just about grief,” said Norman Pigeon during his speech, “It is about being uplifted by the service of these citizens of the highest order.”

Red, white and blue flags and paper poppies were in abundance around the county as early as Friday morning in recognition of the Memorial Day weekend.


Members of the Laurens Ladies Auxiliary and the VFW Post 3354 braved the sun on Friday afternoon to decorate the graves of the deceased veterans in the Forest Lawn cemeteries with flags, as well as others around the city.




“We do this every year,” said Sylvene Wilkie. Bearing hundreds of American flags and a power drill, the Ladies Auxiliary made sure that no veteran’s grave was left unadorned.

Memorial Day

In honor of Memorial Day, The American Legion Auxiliary 56, the VFW Post 56 Auxiliary, and the City of Clinton hosted a service on the square this morning.

The event paid respect to World War II veterans as well as to veterans and serving military in all wars. Over 150 people showed up to hear guest speakers Norman Pigeon and Reverend Fred Gist give their touching insights into the national holiday and the men we honor who gave their lives.



In the words of the speaker, Norman Pigeon, who served in the Navy from 1955 until he retired in 1979, "Memorial day is not just about grief, it is about being uplifted by by the service of the citizens of the highest order."

Remember the fallen soldiers in the wars of yesterday and today, and have a happy Memorial Day.

The full write up and more pictures from the event will be in next Wednesday's (May 26) paper.

Library Fun...Don't forget your card!

So I realize I've been writing a good bit on the reading vein, but I really don't think it can be over emphasized enough in our communities. Plus it's something to write. ;)

Be creative at your library this summer
By Kathleen Brown
For the Advertiser

Magicians, artists and storytellers, these and other attractions await the participants of this year’s Library Summer Reading Programs.

The Laurens County Library and the Clinton Public Library are gearing up for their annual summer reading programs. Both libraries will host two separate programs, the “2009 Children’s Summer Program” is open to students ages 6 to 12 and the “2009 Teen Summer Program” is for ages 13 to 19.


“Be Creative at your library!” is this year’s statewide theme for all participating public libraries. The Clinton and Laurens branches have been working steadily to secure the special guests and new books that will be used during the programs.

Pam Bennet, the Laurens County children’s librarian, hopes that the programs will inspire the children of the community to continue to read and to visit their libraries.



“We feel it is very important to encourage boys and girls to read,” Bennet said, “The library is a good place to come and have some fun.”

Students who sign up for the program will receive a “reading record” and can write down the books they read to win prizes at the end of the summer.

“Be Creative at Your Library” will have six programs throughout the summer featuring everything from professional puppeteer, Becky Becker, from Charleston to the Laurens County Library’s traditional visit from Ronald McDonald.

“We really want to encourage children to read what they like and to have fun,” Bennet says

.

Sign-ups for the “2009 Summer Reading Programs” begin on June 1st at the Laurens County Library or the Clinton Public Library. For more information on these events and others at the library call 864-681-7323.

If you can read this...thank a teacher

Full Story For Clinton High School Book Fundraiser this will be released on the Advertiser's website this Wednesday.

Clinton businesses raise money for “Book Buddies”
By Kathleen Brown
For the Advertiser

An event last Thursday brought a number of people to the Clinton Square, and the crowds had Steamers’ waitresses working double time and the Depot bookstore’s doors swinging. The two businesses opened their doors on the Clinton Square, to host an event benefiting Clinton High School’s summer reading program.

The English department at CHS heads the fundraiser, also known as “Book Buddies,” in an effort to raise money to buy books for students who cannot afford to purchase the required summer reading material.

“Fifty percent of the kids [at CHS] can’t afford these books,” says Bonnie Lyons, chair of the English department and organizer of the event.




Steamer’s owner Melissa Patton, who committed to donate a portion of the day’s profits to the program, was glad to see the large turnout that the event received. To maximize profits, Steamers stayed open through the dinner hours.

“This is the first time we have done anything with Clinton High.” Patton said, “It is a great opportunity to get new faces in here, as well as to help the community.”

The school’s English teachers hosted a school wide student advising session at the Depot. They talked with students individually and tried to help them decide which of the five books on the summer reading list they would most enjoy.

The English department chose the books to go along with this year’s summer reading theme, “What does it mean to be successful?”

The five books selected this year were “The Book Thief,” by Markus Zusak, “Homeboyz,” by Alan Lawrence Sitomer, “Quiet Strength,” by Tony Dungy, “Dreams From My Father,” by Barack Obama, and “Honey Baby Sweetheart,” by Deb Caletti.

“We tried hard to choose books from different genres,” said English teacher Jennifer Howard.

Several students, like Jamel Roberts, found it difficult to decide which of the five books on the required list to read.



“I will probably be reading either ‘The Book Thief’ or ‘Dreams From My Father,’” Roberts said. With three additional books in tow, he added, “I guess you could consider me a big reader.”

Dilemmas like the one faced by Roberts are just what the summer reading program is trying to encourage.

“We want to influence their [the student’s] thinking,” Lyons said, “We want to nudge them in the direction of reading.”

Clinton High School principal Robbie Roach agrees the need must be filled.

“It’s a great strategy to be dedicated to literacy, ” Roach said. “We need to improve literacy to improve everything.”

The money that was raised at Thursday’s event will go to buy copies of the books from the CHS summer reading list at the Laurens County Library. The library annually provides books for the high school library, and furnishes students with books over the summer when the school library is closed.

To donate books or money to the “Book Buddies” fund contact Kathy Hilton at Clinton High School at 864-833-0817.

No Money For Books? No Problem.

This evening, on assignment for the Advertiser, I made my way over to Steamers Cafe and The Depot bookstore for the first Clinton High School fundraiser that will benefit the Book Buddies fund.

Book Buddies, headed by the school's English department, works to buy books for the Laurens County Library that can then be used by students who are not able to buy their own copies of the required summer reading material.

Steamers committed to donating a portion of their proceeds from the entire day's sales to the Book Buddies fund and The Depot hosted a special advising conference for students who still needed help making their summer reading selection

It was great to see so many people out on the Clinton Square supporting the local schools and working to enable the gift of reading to be in everyone's hands, no matter how deep their pockets may be.

Student Artists feel their way around professional gallery

From elementary to high school, students from the Laurens District 55 were given the opportunity to unveil their artwork in a "real gallery".

This is the first little snippet I've written since school let out on the 5th.
It's a small feature story for the Laurens County Advertiser, where I will be writing a lot, hopefully, over the summer.

Background info for out-of-towners: The Artist Coop is a Co-Op art gallery located on Laurens' Historic Courthouse Square.

Exhibit Opens to Display Local Student's Art Work

By Kathleen Brown
For the Advertiser

Students from Laurens District 55 schools joined parents, teachers and artists to enjoy a reception last Thursday for the opening of a student art show hosted by the Artist Coop in Laurens.

The reception allowed the students to view their work, not just on Mom’s refrigerator, but also in a professional gallery setting.

Student artist and E.B. Morse 3rd grader, Willis Long, shows off his oil pastel painting to his dad, Jay Long, at the Artist Coop’s student art show last Thursday. The exhibit features works from Laurens District 55 students, and will remain open to the public until the school year ends.


Art students from Laurens District 55 schools were chosen by their teachers to present their pieces in the third exhibit of its kind held at the Artist Coop. The show offers students a chance to show off to the community what they have accomplished in their art classes.

“I really like drawing the best, and mostly drawing landscapes,” said D.J. Turner, an E.B. Morse 5th grader and 2nd time participant in the show.



D.J. Turner kneels beside his art piece, "Batik Study". Turner is a 5th grader at E.B. Morse Elementary, and he hopes to sell his painting during the Artist Coop's student art show, "It would be nice to make a little money," Turner said.


Many students, like Turner, call art class their favorite part of the school day. That’s one reason the board of directors for the Coop decided to present the student work, according to board member Fay Edge, hoping that the shows will be an encouragement to students in the area who express an interest in art.

The Artist Coop began hosting student shows the beginning of the school year, and hopes to continue the tradition, Edge said.

The present exhibit is the first where students could choose to sell their artwork to the public. This decision has been met with positive feedback from students and teachers.

“They [the students] start to learn that they have the ability to sell something people want,” Kim Deaton, an art teacher at Gray Court and Hickory Tavern, said.

“When they put a price tag on their work, it has value, therefore they have value.”

From batik stained tapestries to retro birdhouses, the student-entered artwork covers a wide range of media.

“The show is great because it lets kids know they can be an artist right now,” said Anne Lane, an E.B. Morse art teacher who has several students represented in the show.

The public is invited to view the exhibit, which is located in the upstairs loft of the gallery. The Artist Coop, located on the Historic Courthouse Square, plans to keep the students’ works on display until the school district closes for the summer.

For more pictures visit the Advertiser's photo gallery here.