Fall 2017 Friends of the Huntington Woods Library

FRIENDS NEWSLETTER FALL 2017

OUR LIBRARY IS THE JEWEL OF THE CITY!

Bernadette Borla

Why should you become a Friend of the HW/PR Library? Well, aside from the

FOTL being a fun, close-knit group of people, all Friends share the goal of help-

ing maintain the library as the jewel of Huntington Woods. We are very fortu-

nate to have a library full of wonderful professionals and staff who are commit-

ted to bringing us programs and resources that are utilized by our entire city.

We need you! The membership fees raised from becoming a Friend go directly

toward the myriad of adult and youth programs. The Friends fund quality edu-

cational and entertaining programs during the year, as well as the popular sum-

mer reading program for children and adults. Last year the Friends purchased

an Afterschool Edge computer for the Children’s section of the library and paid

for updated lighting in the gallery. The citizens of Huntington Woods and

Pleasant Ridge benefit greatly from the various resources, programs and ser-

vices provided by our library, and your financial support is integral to the con-

tinuation of these programs.

We appreciate our members! The benefits of being a Friends of the Library

member include members’ only events and exclusive FOTL swag such as the

tote bags you may see people carrying around from the recent ice cream social

and membership drive. And, of course, another benefit is making a connection

with other great people who are also interested in keeping the library thriving

in the years to come! There is always room for people who would like to use

their special talents to volunteer and get involved with this wonderful group

that is doing exciting things to keep our library the jewel of our city. Please pick

up a membership form at the library or print the last page of this newsletter

and join today!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Passing the Torch ................................ 2

President’s Message ............................ 3

Book Sales ........................................... 4

Treasurer’s Report .............................. 4

Events ………………………….…………….5-7

Membership Roll………………………...8-9

FRIENDS BOARD

President: Melissa Kessler

Vice President: Joann Serr

Treasurer: Martin Ferman

Membership: Bernadette Borla

Recording Secretaries: Amanda Alberts & Toni Brandt

Publicity: Tom Tryban

Library Board Liaison: Mike Corbin

Book Sale Chairs: Sue Hamilton & Jenn Faber

Book Cart: Mike Corbin

Hospitality: Patti Abbott, Claire Galed, Shelley Gach-Droz, Elaine Shifman, Toni Brandt

PASSING THE TORCH

Toni Brandt stepped down as President of

the Huntington Woods Friends of the

Library Board in Fall 2017, turning her

duties over to Melissa Kessler. However,

her involvement with the Board will con-

tinue. The Friends express their sincere

thanks to Toni for her many years in this

position. Her leadership skills will be

difficult to replicate.

Toni has been part of the Friends of the

Library since 1989 when a neighbor re-

cruited her. She became president of the

group in 1996, and except for a three-year

gap, has been president since then. She

also served as membership chair, and

helped to expand to over 500 members.

For a small library, this was a very large

group of supporters.

Toni devoted a lot of her time as president

to looking for worthy projects to finance.

She believes due to the partnership be-

tween the library director, her staff, the

board and the Friends board, the needs of

the library will always be addressed.

She has also enjoyed working with the

various people who volunteer with Friends

of the Library and also interacting with

citizens. Driving a car in the yearly Fourth

of July parade has been especially enjoya-

ble, with board members and HW citizens

riding in a convertible (supplied by the

Shifmans) dispensing New Orleans beads

to the crowd. She also enjoyed working on

the HW House Tour, which for 15 years

served as the Friends' biggest fundraiser.

When asked what the worst part of the job

was, Toni said, "There was no worst part. I

always tried my hardest to make the best

decisions, to lead with compassion and the

spirit the community expects. Our role is

to support the library and that support has

expanded over the years."

Former library director, Shelly Gach Droz

says, "Toni has tremendous commitment.

She is immersed in all events and gives

back 1000%. Her magnetism made a posi-

tive mark on the library. Her legacy will be

difficult to match."

But Melissa Kessler intends to try! Melis-

sa, her husband and two daughters have

lived in Huntington Woods for a little

more than six years. They became enam-

ored of Huntington Woods before they

moved here, preferring to take their daily

runs through quiet streets dappled with

shade of mature trees. After scouring the

market for a home, they were able to move

to HW in 2011.

Melissa views the library as a quaint, pow-

erful and beautiful beacon of knowledge.

She loves the size, the unique stained glass

windows and the welcoming gallery. But

her favorite thing about the library is the

way it brings the community together. By

attending its programs, she has made

many friendships and connections with

people simply because of the shared love

of reading.

She has loved libraries her whole life. A

favorite childhood memory is of going to

the library in Washington Township (it

was a tiny, one-room white house) and

being shown her favorite series of books

by the friendly librarian. She was so in-

spired by the librarian’s knowledge and

fascinated with the checkout process that

she and her sister bought their own date

stamp and turned their own collection of

books into a library.

The library has been a constant in the

various stages of Melissa’s life: from help-

ing her craft a lofty proposal to have a

horse as a pet, checking out cassette tapes

for optimal roller skating music, fulfilling

her research and socialization needs as a

student and providing a place of serenity

in times of stress, she has always turned to

the library. Now, as a mother, she sees the

library as a never ending well of

knowledge, positive socialization and

opportunities to grow for her children.

These experiences give Melissa many ide-

as of how the Friends can best serve the

needs of different generations in our com-

munity. She believes the library has some-

thing to offer everyone and will lead the

Friends in a continuing effort to prove it to

you—all you need to do is open the door.

See you at the library!

2018 SCHOLARSHIPS

We are pleased to announce two $500

scholarships to graduating seniors

who volunteer within our organiza-

tion.

Scholarship requirements:

Volunteer with Friends of the

Huntington Woods Library in

2017 or 2018

A high school senior with a 3.0

or higher GPA

A completed application must be

submitted along with the re-

quired essay and documents no

later than March 30, 2018

Accepted as a full-time student

at an accredited two or four year

college or university

Confirmation of acceptance into

college or university is required

Pick up an application from the circu-

lation desk at the library or online:

http://huntington-woods.lib.mi.us

(see Scholarship page under Friends

tab )

2

Patti Abbott, Elaine Shifman & Jenn Faber

Melissa Kessler & Toni Brandt

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

This fall marks the end of the term of our president, Toni Brandt. As I reflect on the

impact Toni has made on our library, I am struggling to find the words to express the

gratitude for the years that she gave her time, effort and shared her passion to help

improve and shape our library into the jewel it is today. I am very honored to be

Toni’s successor and I look forward to the challenge of continuing the incredible work

she has done.

Our library is unique—not just because of its size, the hand-crafted stained windows,

or its intimate gallery. It is the people there: the librarians, staff, library board,

Friends, and YOU, its patrons. With people spending increasing amounts of time liv-

ing in a virtual world, libraries provide face-to-face experiences that allow for explora-

tion of creativity and imagination. Our library is our community hub, a portal with

an endless supply of information that promotes literacy and original thought. It gives

us the tools to pursue knowledge of new technology and encourages lifelong learning.

October marked the beginning of our new year and the Friends are already hard at

work for you and your community. What’s ahead? We envision a library that will wow

you: exciting programs, new adult reading area, member-only as well as community-

based events that will showcase the incredible resources you have available for FREE!

Thank you for supporting our library through your membership, and donations and

patronage at our used book sales.

If you’re reading this, it means you care about your library. I implore you to share

your love of the library with your neighbors. Renew your membership today and help

us spread the word about why our library is truly the jewel of our community.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAP-

PENING AT THE LIBRARY!

ADULT PROGRAMS

LECTURES/DISCUSSIONS

The Butterfly Effect, 1/24/18, 7 p.m.

If These Walls Could Talk, 2/14/18,

7 p.m.

MUSIC

Boogie Woogie Man American music,

Wednesday, 12/6/17, 7 p.m.

ART WORKSHOPS

Adult Coloring Club, Mondays, 12/11/17,

1/8/18, 2/12/18, 3/12/18 from 1-3 p.m. Library

supplies the coloring pages, colored pencils,

markers, and snacks

Clock Making, Tuesday, 12/19/17,

7-8:30 p.m.

Be a Stitch, Wednesday, 12/27/17,

7-8:30 p.m.

Milton Glaser Inspired “Birds of Peace”,

Wednesday, 1/17/18, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Turkish Paper Marbling, Saturday,

1/27/18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Valentine Art with Jane Alkon, Thursday,

2/8/18, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Felted Wool Table Mat, Thursday, 2/15/18,

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

AGAM Inspired Plexi “Stained Glass”

Kinetic Sculpture, Saturday, 2/24/18,

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

All classes and programs are fully

funded by Friends of the Library

Registration is required for all classes due to

limited seating.

Register and see more available classes at the

library or online at:

http:/huntington-woods.libcal.com

3

Melissa Kessler

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2018, UPCOMING PROJECTS & EVENTS

We have been working overtime to come up with new and exciting projects and

events for the library for the next year! These are some of the things the commu-

nity can look forward to in 2018:

Two $500 scholarships for graduating high school seniors

New comfy furniture for the teen area of the library

Cell phone charging stations in the library

An ‘idea lab’ in the new computer section of the library—a loaded iMac with

the Adobe software suite

Digital sign display behind the circulation desk

A beer & wine tasting event in March (details to come)

‘Coffee with Friends’, a coffee and doughnuts hour at the library (details to

come)

FILM DISCUSSION GROUP AT THE LIBRARY

The Huntington Woods Library

is hosting a film program of

Oscar winners recognized for

their excellence at the Academy

Awards. Each of these films

exemplifies aspects of what is

best about filmmaking and a

“night at the movies” in our

current moment. In our discus-

sions of the films as texts we will

together analyze the technical

and thematic components and

merits of individual scenes and

the films as a whole.

To participate, screen the film in

advance of the discussion

(copies will be available at the

HW Library) and then join us at

6:30 pm on the final Wednesday

of each month.

Join Dr. Tara Hayes, the Book

Club Professor, for thought-

provoking discussions.

31 Jan 2018: Jules and Jim

(1962)

28 Feb 2018: Rear Window

(1954)

28 Mar 2018: Vertigo (1958)

As a critic at Cahiers du Cinema

Francois Truffaut took very

seriously the films of Alfred

Hitchcock discounted by Ameri-

can critics as popular movies

that have no substance. For

Truffaut each Hitchcock film

revealed that as a director

Hitchcock had given great

thought not only to each crea-

tive decision but also to the

potential of his art. As a director

Truffaut’s own film oeuvre was

greatly influenced by Hitchcock,

and as a critic he then set out to

influence and to change how the

world approached and under-

stood Hitchcock.

Our year of Hitchcock & Truf-

faut will put the films of these

two masters side by side to

analyze and to discuss the films

themselves, how the films are

about cinema and art, and how

the films present the film theo-

ries of their creators.

BOOK SALES 2018

By Martin Ferman

2017 continues to be another good year financially. Our main sources of income continue to be

our book sales and membership/donations, both of which are ahead of last year’s record pace.

Expenses continue in-line with our budget, and reflect the main purpose of the Friends: support of

the library and the community. Over half of our support goes directly to the library to support the

large variety of programs offered. The second largest amount funds specific purchases, such as

new lighting for the gallery this past January; and we continue to support community activities,

such as the 4th of July Parade and Project Graduation. Essentially, all the money we raise each

year goes to back to the community.

Check out our book sales! The Friends used

book sales, which are open to the public, are

held in the lower level of the HW library and

offer a huge variety of paperback and hardcover

fiction, non-fiction, young adult, children’s

books and media. Don’t miss the best book sale

around!

2018 Book Sale Dates

Saturday, February 3, 10-4

Saturday, April 7, 10-4

Saturday, June 2, 10-4

Friday, August 3, 10-6

Saturday, October 6, 10-4

Saturday, December 1, 10-4

We always have opportunities available for new

and returning volunteers--please join us!

If you would like to volunteer for a book sale,

please contact one of our book sale chairs:

Sue Hamilton (248) 298-9307

email: hamilton618@gmail.com

Jenn Faber (248) 444-6833

email: greengirl222@gmail.com

Book Donations Quality books help make our sales successful.

Tax-deductible donations of hardcover and pa-

perback books are accepted year-round. Please

leave books in bags or boxes in the donation box

or the seating area in the lobby of the library, or

outside the door if the library is closed. Please

note that we’re unable to accept textbooks or

damaged books, which can be recycled instead

(paperbacks in your recycle cart and hardcovers

can be dropped off to SOCRRA). We appreciate

your generous donations!

2017 TREASURER’S REPORT

4

The Fourth of July parade is a tradition in Huntington Woods and is

always such a fun, and almost always sunny day. On any given Fourth

of July you can find me as the driver of a truck, city dump truck, or con-

vertible representing Friends of the Huntington Woods Library. In re-

cent years, Elaine and Arnold Shifman have upgraded my ride and ob-

tained a convertible for me to drive. The car this year was a 2011 Cama-

ro Pacer—what a sweet ride!!! Getting the top down was a bit tricky, but

thanks to my husband, Ernie, and a few neighbors, I made it to line up

on York in plenty of time. Waiting for me were Caroline, 10, Juliet, 8,

and their dad, Mike Egnotovich. Mike and his wife, Claudia Link had

bid (and won) on the ride for their daughters at the annual Men’s Club

Auction.

Caroline and Juliet did an awesome job of throwing out beads to parade

spectators. By the time we ran out of beads, Juliet’s arm was tired—we

had thrown out over 2,800 strings of beads. In fact, this was the first

time that I ran out of beads before the parade ended at Scotia Park.

With no beads left, Caroline and Juliet, jumped out of the car, put on

book jackets and passed out book marks for the Friends. Thank you,

Mike and Claudia, for your bid to the Men’s Club Auction and thank

you, Caroline and Juliet for doing the hard work of throwing the beads!

I really enjoyed the girls’ company, and I know everyone enjoyed the

beads!!!

FOURTH OF JULY FUN

5

Toni Brandt

STORY TIME

Story Time focuses on introducing

children to the wonderful and exciting

world of literacy. Each story time in-

cludes activities from all six aspects of

early literacy:

Narrative Skills

Phonological Awareness

Letter Knowledge

Print Awareness

Vocabulary

Print Motivation

In order for all children to enjoy story

time and get the most benefit from it,

we ask that you arrive on time, silence

your cell phone, and save conversations

for later. Creating life-long learners is

our goal; read early, read often!

UPCOMING STORY TIMES

Babes & Books, Mondays, Dec. 4, 11,

Jan. 8, 22, 29 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Little Readers, Tuesdays, Dec. 5, 12,

Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Pre-School Readers, Tuesdays, Dec.

5, 12, Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 from 1 to 1:45

p.m.

Tiny Tots Story Time, Wednesdays,

Dec. 6, 13, Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 from 11 to

11:30 a.m.

Pajama Club Story Time, Thurs-

days, Dec. 7, Jan. 11, 25 from

6:30 to 7 p.m.

Drag Queen Story Time, Thursdays

Dec. 14, Jan. 18, Feb. 15 from 6:30-7:15

4 Wishes Book Club, Saturdays Dec.

16, Jan. 13, Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. to

12 p.m.

Caroline & Juliet

Caroline & Juliet, bead throwers extraordinaire Toni Brandt

Along the parade route

On Saturday, September 16th, the Friends hosted an ice cream social

and library open house. The event coordinated with National Library

Card Sign-Up Month and served to educate the community about the

resources our library has to offer, many of which are funded by the

Friends. We showcased the wonderful free amenities our library pro-

vides and entertained the crowds with music, balloons, and an appear-

ance from Pete the Cat. Between the masses of children waiting for bal-

loons and adults eager to devour a delicious sundae, the library was

booming for the entire three-hour event. In the lower level, patrons

learned about the Friends’ mission and we gained many new members

eager to support the library. Members who joined that day received a

free Friends tote, designed by Jenn Faber. In case you missed the ice

cream social, don’t worry, we are making this an annual event! Join us

again in September 2018 to experience the perfect double scoop—the

Library and the Friends Annual Ice Cream Social.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL ROCKS THE LIBRARY!

6

Melissa Kessler

Adrienne Kessler

Karen Tower, Kate Finn

Bernadette & Lydia Borla

Pete the Cat entertains the masses

Rummana Ryan

Will Leonard thinks this ice cream is A-OK! Mirielle Kessler

Melissa Kessler, Sue Hamilton & Jenn Faber Balloon animals are the best!

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Potter’s Army, Mondays,

Dec. 4, 11, 18, Jan. 8, 22, 29

from 4 to 5 p.m.

Martin Luther King Day

Celebration: Who was Mar-

tin? With Storyteller Gwen

Lewis. Monday, Jan. 15 from

11 to 11:30 a.m.

MLK Day: Signs of Pro-

test: Create a sign to share

your ideas. Monday, Jan. 15

from 12 to 1 p.m.

Children’s Peace March,

Monday, Jan. 15 from 1 to 1:45

p.m.

SUPER SATURDAYS

Winter Giving: Dec. 16, 1 to

2:30 p.m. We’ll read some

stories about the spirit of

giving then spend some time

sharing our creativity. Each of

our craft stations will feature

either a gift to make and share

with a loved one or a project

that will be donated to a local

charity or organization.

Slime Time: Feb. 10, 1 to

2:30 p.m. Slime is all the rage,

so let’s make some! We’ll

provide the materials needed

for a variety of different slime

concoctions.

7

TEEN PROGRAMS

Saturdays Rock! programs at the Huntington Woods Library are best for

those in grade 6 and up. All programs are free but registration is re-

quired. These programs are generously sponsored by the Friends of the

Huntington Woods Library.

Vegan Snickers Bars, Saturday, Dec. 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Using just

virgin coconut oil, chocolate chips, Medjool dates and peanuts, we’ll create a

completely vegan version of Ms. Joyce’s favorite candy bar! Believe it or not,

this is super yummy!!

Fabulous Fidgets, Saturday, Feb. 10 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. In the depths of winter, we all need a little fun to get us through including calming bottles – think lava lamps that don’t need electricity, and some good old slime. All materials are provided, including hot cocoa; just bring your creativity.

DID YOU KNOW?

There are more public libraries than Starbucks in the U.S.—a total of 17, 566

including branches. Nearly 100% of public libraries provide Wi-Fi and have

no-fee access to computers.

NEW ADULT READING AREA

The city has fully funded a renovation of the library to re-design the com-

puter area into an adult reading area (view plans on the library website).

The computer stations will be moved adjacent and the new reading area will

feature new comfortable furniture, new shelving for magazines and the

whole main level of the library will get new carpeting.

The ‘Idea Lab’ funded by the Friends will be located in the new computer

area.

2017-18 MEMBERSHIP ROLL

INDIVIDUALS:

Judy Akaka

Ann Baker

Peter Bissett

Joanna Black Boelio

Mary Ellen Brigman

Joan Brode

Florence Cohen

Ina Cohen

Nancy Garcia

Rami Garrett

Mary Jo Firth Gillett

Bruce Grauf

Jeffrey Groehn

Katie Haller

Nancy Haller

Sue Hamilton

Barbara Hoegh

Kenneth Jones

Robert Kass

Suzanne Katkowsky

Lauren Kirsch-Weiss

Brian Kirsch

Molly Kotlar

Joyce Krom

Shirley Kuhn

Annetta Miller

Anthony Nader

Mel Natinsky

Charlene Nutton

Donna Pearlman

Nat L. Pernick

Joseph Rozell

Wendy Schrag

Bret Scott

Susan Sheiner

Thomas Tryban

Karen Weiner

FAMILIES:

Phil & Patti Abbott

Amanda Alberts

Melanie & Ken Ameloot

Phyllis & Ron Aronson

Kim & Judy Bateman

Natalie Baum

Mary Beatty-Smith

Beckerman Family

Julianne & Howard Berlin

Robert & Sherry Dobbyn Berman

Kimberly Bernzweig

Bernadette Borla

Rochelle Broder

Morris Brown

Bill & Julie Buccalo

Patrick Calhoun

Ted & Julie Cohen

Reisa & Mike Corbin

Jill Dauphin

Lillian & Walter Dean

Alan & Shelley Gach-Droz

Karen & Jay Dubrinsky

George & Janice Erdstein

Melissa & Tev Estrin

Jennifer & Howard Faber

Amy Feiler

Roseanne & Bernard Fenster

Martin & Denise Ferman

Ron & Shirley Gillham

Steve Gold

Beverly Kent Goldenberg

Bill & Mary Beth Hochstetler

Kathleen Ilardi

Jeffrey Jenks

Susan Karabelnick

Joel Kirsch

David & Sandy Kirsch

Bruce & Ann Klein

Sheila & Sheldon Kohn

Molly & Chris Kotlar

Barry & Barbara Knister

Kathy & Bruce Krauskopf

Michael & Linda Kurpinski

Rick Lagerstrom

Garyn Leonard

Daniele Livernois

Alice & Arthur Marotti

Frederick Miller

Marla & Andrew Moiseev

Monkman Family

Elisheva Mosko

Hannah Moss

Victoria Murray

Nantais Family

Iris Parlangeli

Roberta S. Patt

Roger & Betsy Pearce

John Potter

Beverly Price

Maralyn Pypa

Arthur & Joan Rose

Barbara Rubenstein

Annmarie & Kirk Sanderson

Terri Scheer

Doris Schey

James Schutlz

Judy & Tom Schram

Melvin & Cindy Schwartz

Gary & Linda Schwind

Joann & Scott Serr

Renee Siegel

Elaine & Arnold Shifman

David & Kathy Sloan

Karen Smith

Martha Spear

Elisabeth Stayer

Elaine Stein

Stacey & Frank Stutcher

Michelle Suchyta

Anupam Sule

Amy Sullivan

Julie & Abel Feinstein Towell

Susan & John Tower

Margaret & Richard Tripp

Carlene & Greg Umstead

Verdusco Family

Barbara & David Wallace

Timothy Weeks

Carole & Ronald Weiner

Jeff & Shannon Wolf

Lee & Annmarie Wurm

Ed & Linda Yurewicz

Joan Zaremba

Sharie Zemmol

Patricia & Harry Zientek

Member Roll, con’t next page

8

2017-18 MEMBERSHIP ROLL

BRONZE BENEFACTORS:

Nina Dodge Abrams

Linda Batcheller

Corrine Ben-Ami

Cecilia Benner

Kay Brady & Jim Doyon

Ernest & Antoinette Brandt

Charlene Firestone

Carol Fossee

Claire Galed

Francina & Howard Graef

Tobi Greenspan

John Gryniewicz & Sophie Dobriansky

Mary Beth Halprin

Linda Sue Kayes

Kessler Family

Judy Olds

Ellen R. Portnoy

James & Alice Rhein

Anna Saadatjoo

David & Xina Stewart

Kate Stocker

SILVER BENEFACTOR:

Katie Wright

9

Sign up for a 2018 Friends membership and receive

a squirrel tote to haul your library books around in!