Helping hands: Book fair supporting Mid-State Literacy Council is back. See the schedule
Ahead of the Barnes & Noble Book Fair supporting Mid-State Literacy Council, I asked Wanda Mertick, MSLC board member and chair of the book fair committee, to share her thoughts on the importance of the annual event:
“It may seem odd to reference a streamed show in a quote for books and reading, but please bear with me. In ‘Ted Lasso,’ the character Dani Rojas exclaims, ‘Futbol es vida! Football is life!’ For me, I change that to, ‘Reading is life!’ I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t reading. Babysitting money went toward books, books and more books. School and public libraries introduced me to David Copperfield and Charles Dickens, and ‘The Moonstone’ and Wilkie Collins. My brother, Darrell, put into my hands ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ and I confess to have read or listened to these books at least 70 times. I know, I know. My dad would say, ‘Didn’t you get it the first time?’ to which I would say, ‘No, Dad, there’s so much more there each and every time!’
Reading has opened new worlds to me, broadened my mind, let me learn what others are thinking and feeling, and of course, helped with my education and career. Oh, yes, reading is, indeed, life!
And now, here is an opportunity for you to help others receive the life that reading brings! Mid-State Literacy Council’s book fair with Barnes and Noble is an amazing partnership that helps raise awareness for literacy, puts books in the hands of people we serve, and allows us to purchase much-needed resources. This year, as you explore the bookstore for gifts for yourself, others, and, by extension, Mid-State Literacy Council, perhaps you will find reinforcement for my phrase, ‘reading is life!’’
“We are truly honored to continue supporting the MSLC in their mission and to give the joy of reading to children in our communities.” Kristin Greyhosky, store manager, said.
Book fair schedule of events
Friday, Nov. 17
7 p.m.: Writers of the Future with Jason Palmatier and T. J. Knight, authors in Writers of the Future Vol. 39
Saturday, Nov. 18
10 a.m.: Reading Rocks with Cathy Breisacher, author of “Chip and Curly: The Great Potato Race”
11 a.m.: National Children’s Story Time with Diane Twomley, author of “Carole Jane from Starfish Lane”
11 a.m.: Annika Sharma, author of “Love, Chai & Other Four-Letter Words” and “Sugar, Spice, and Can’t Play Nice”
noon: Children’s Drum Circle with Jenn Bittner
12:30 p.m.: Cupcakes for everyone and Ruth Kistler Service Award
1 p.m.: Panel — “The Heroic Journey” with KL Going, author of “This is the Planet Where I Live”
2 p.m.: Kolam Creations with Venkat Gopalan
3 p.m.: Paper Making with Sue Kellerman
Sunday, Nov. 19
1 p.m.: Designing a Pollinator Paradise with Pam and Doug Ford
2 p.m.: Exploring Stamps through a Local Organization with Scott Tiffney
2 p.m.: Poetry Slam with Steve Klebacha and Jack Beccasio
3 p.m.: Living the Green Lifestyle with Jasmine Fields and Anna Bohsali
4 p.m.: Musical performance by State College Suzuki Program
