By JANET STOICA

It’s sure to be a bountiful summer filled with great happenings at the Gladys E. Kelly Public Library in Webster.  Firstly, we have to give a big shout out to Sondra Murphy, Webster’s wonderful Library Director, who has recently returned from welcoming her second child, Orion, into the literati world.  Cheers, Sondra!

Secondly, let’s get on with the recent events waiting for library patrons to enjoy!

Director Murphy applied for and received two recent grants. The first grant received, in the amount of $9,000, was for the appealing outdoor garden filled with beautiful flowers and healthy vegetables for the volunteers who are spending time weeding, fertilizing, and watering the plants and nutritious root vegetables and herbs. The funds received from the Association for Rural and Small Libraries are designated as a Sustainable and Resilient New England Libraries Grant. She initially received permission to pursue the grant funds from the town and also the Library Trustees. The funds enabled the purchase of materials for the building of the raised 50-foot-long by 10-foot-wide garden bed (Thank You, Webster Highway Dept.) including the soil, wood chips, seedlings, watering hoses, and garden ornaments such as the Corten Steel garden frog, rabbit, bird, and additional metal decorations. Corten, or weathered steel, eliminates the need for painting and once exposed to the elements develops a seasoned rust-like appearance. Vegetables planted include tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, radishes, garlic, carrots, lettuce, pumpkins, and Japanese herbs and vegetables such as eggplant, mizuna (similar to arugula but with a mild peppery flavor), shiso (a member of the mint family with a taste similar to cinnamon and clove), and indigo (non-edible and used as a blue dye). Flower varieties consist of zinnias and calendula.

“We hope to have an instructor from the Assawaga Organic Farm of Woodstock CT come in to educate our patrons on the Japanese herbs as well as the indigo dye. Additionally, we’ll be offering four tasting classes for children and adults using produce from our garden as well as from local growers,” said Director Murphy. 

Mark your calendars for the following Tasting Classes: Tuesday, August 22-Salsa Workshop. A favorite chip dip! Thursday, August 31-Pesto Workshop using basil, nuts, a variety of cheeses, and olive oil; Thursday, September 7-Quickles. Quick pickles in a plain style or with onions; and Thursday, September 21-Pizza making featuring margherita pizza. Children’s classes begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. and Adult classes are held at 6:00 p.m. sharp. 

“We’re excited to be using our garden’s produce and our goal was to grow a little of everything to be used in our workshops,” said Ms. Murphy. “We’re also looking forward to harvesting small pumpkins for our children and one large pumpkin that we’re hoping might be entered into a local agricultural fair in the fall. We also want children and adults to know that they are welcome to stop by at our main desk if they’d like to volunteer for helping with the garden and jobs will be assigned to them. Open garden hours are Monday–Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.”

The second grant that was awarded to the Gladys E. Kelly Public Library was from the Janet Malser Trust in the amount of $15,000. The library wanted to purchase a Charlie Cart which is a mobile kitchen demonstration cart. The cart’s purpose is to promote and support food literacy programs for children and adults. It’s brightly colored and measures five-feet long and two-feet wide with a built-in induction stove top, convection oven, Vitamix blender, sink, mixing bowls, measuring cups, and most importantly, includes learning curriculum. The programs will be overseen by library staff and local chefs who will visit one or two times monthly throughout the fall and winter months. The staff is also looking forward to working with Bill Sabine of Andy’s Neighborhood Canteen who will sponsor a pasta and wine-tasting class. 

The Summer Reading Program has also begun! This program is open to all from children to teens to adults. There will be fun raffles and prizes for the number of hours spent reading books. A great and enriching experience for all ages. Some of the youth prizes include season passes to Memorial Beach, a ride to school in a police cruiser or a fire engine, and a backyard party basket that includes a Slip and Slide, an inflatable basketball hoop, and a bubble machine. Teen prizes include gift cards to Taco Bell and Fortnite video games. Adult prizes are a Rose Room gift basket as well as a $100 Blackstone Valley Cinema movie package.  Stop in and get the details on the Reading Program, you just can’t lose for reading!

Additionally, the library always looks forward to donations of current books and novels (no textbooks or magazines please), CDs, DVDs, games, and puzzles. So clear out your bookshelves and racks and hop on down to the library to donate.

Attention business owners and generous individuals: The library is now seeking sponsors who can fund the garden and its food literacy programs on an annual basis. Current estimated costs are $1,000-2,000 annually. Sponsors will have a plaque placed at the garden showing their sponsorship.  Thank you for your kind consideration.

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