Published: August 27, 2008 03:08 am            

September is Self-Improvement Month

Fall is action packed with events. Along with back to school, football, and new contestants on “Dancing with the Stars,” September is also Self-Improvement Month — and that covers a lot of territory. We can improve our attitudes (!), our financial discipline, our relationship with our spiritual center, our relationships with people, our health regimen, our intellectual stimulation and perspective, and everything else you can think of.

A lesson many have learned is that you can not change (or improve) anyone else; you can only change (improve) yourself. Our children, though, are a different story. Young people look to adults as role models — even when we or they — do not consciously recognize that they are emulating us. Perhaps then we affect the future by being the best role models we can be everyday.

I would not presume to tell anyone how to do that. I will offer that the library has a variety of books, with a broad array of viewpoints, to help us with every topic from spirituality to etiquette to financial planning to health, fitness and diet to organization to world events to leisure pursuits of every kind. Library programming and speakers are also part of that intellectual stimulation, information, and enjoyment.

“Yoga and Smoothies” is a program for teens designed to introduce yoga as a lifelong physical endeavor for a healthy body and a smoothie, made with fruit and yogurt, as a healthy substitute for other, less healthy, food choices. Teens are invited to participate at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. No special clothing required. Bring a yoga mat or a towel for floor work.

Tai Chi continues to be offered each Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. for beginners and at 5 p.m. for the more experienced practitioners. The Tai Chi Club of Palestine has donated a couple of videos to the library that closely resemble the form being taught at the library and they recommend them for those who want to have extra instruction between lessons at the library. You can use the search term “Tai Chi Club of Palestine” to find them.

Grandparents Day is the first weekend in September. We invite grandparents to join their grandchildren for a special Storytime honoring grandparents, a craft, and refreshments on Saturday, September 6 at 11 a.m.

“Read to Me” is a five-week language-enrichment program to further develop social and language skills in infants and toddlers. The program features basic baby sign language, rhymes, songs, finger plays, and reading.

Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 3, children from infant to walking-well attend at 10 a.m. Children who are walking-well through thirty-months attend on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Parents may bring other young children who can participate or they may read on their own. Bring a blanket as infants will be on the floor. Contact Youth Services Librarian, Jamie King, at 903 729-4121 during regular library operating hours for more information.

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For a taste of, or a memory of, previous Murders on the disORIENTed EXPRESS, join us for Embrace the Arts on Saturday, September 6 at 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibit is entitled "disORIENTed Memories and Memorabilia."

This October’s presentation of “Close Encounters of the Texas Kind” marks the thirteenth edition of hilarity, hi-jinx and hullabaloo on Murder on the disORIENTed EXPRESS. Sue and David Smith started the marvelous murder mystery/dinner theater/train-ride event, Murder on the disORIENTed EXPRESS in 1993 as a fund raiser for Palestine Public Library and Anderson County Literacy Council.

Using snippets of local history, local flavor, and Texas hospitality, thousands of people have traveled from nearly every state in the Union (and Canada, too!) to enjoy this fun-filled event.

This “retrospective” exhibit features memorabilia including scripts, posters, T-shirts, costumes, and photographs. It reminds us of past fun times that feature the talents of local thespians and local playwrights and entices us to attend this year’s exciting Murder on the disORIENTed EXPRESS event!

Anyone who has costumes, T-shirts, props, or photos that they would be willing to have be part of the exhibit for the month of September is asked to contact David through me at 903 729-4121.

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Thursday at 5:30 p.m., an extra special “Your Old House” episode featuring Peggy Riddle of Cornerstone Heritage Preservation Services along with Palestine Historic Preservation Officer Neely Plumb will address “What Are Historic Landmarks and Historic Districts?”

Topics to be discussed include what historic districts are, what the different historic designations are, how to get historical markers, and what the types are. With more than a half century of preservation experience between the presenters, this is an event not to be missed.

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Margaret Smith of Jeb Hensarling’s Office will be at the library Thursday at 9 a.m. to hear your concerns and bring them to the attention of the Congressman. Take this opportunity to have your voice heard.

        

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