CCL well-stocked with indoor activities to beat winter blues
Getting tired of Wisconsin’s winter wonderland? Stop by the Colby Community Library (CCL) for activities to take the chill off.
TGIF: Sign up through the end of January for the Thank Goodness It’s Friday (TGIF) basket weaving classes on Friday, Feb. 7, at the CCL. There are two classes: “My Fair Lady” class from noon to 4 p.m. for advanced weavers and “Plastic Bag Wastebasket” from 5-9 p.m. for beginners. A meal will be offered between classes. Shirley Mount, of The Basket Patch in Gilman, will be the instructor. This Friends of the CCL fundraiser has a fee.
Tax forms: The CCL has paper copies of the 2019 federal and Wisconsin tax forms. Computers are also available for patrons to download forms; however, there is a charge for printing them. Library staff can assist in finding tax forms, but they are not tax consultants.
Focus on 20/20 with Art: Displays of all types of art-related books will be featured throughout the library this month. From painting to pottery, check out a book to learn a new skill or hone a current one. It is also National Responsible Pet Owner’s month; the CCL has a good selection of books and care manuals for a variety of pets.
Binge Bundles: Peruse through the library’s collection of 3,500 DVDs in the movie department. For added fun, during the month of February, check out a “Binge Bundle” package of three theme-related movies and free popcorn.
Adult Reading/Movie Challenge: The CCL is offering a yearlong “Focus on 20/20” Reading and Movie Challenge for adults. Check out books or movies of your choice from the CCL, read/view and record them, and turn in the logs by noon on Dec. 31, 2020, to be eligible for Abby/Colby Chamber certificates. In 2019, there were 10 lucky winners from 60 entries.
Story Time: Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. will be the CCL’s monthly story time. All ages are welcome to attend. Valentine’s Day-themed activities will be offered.
CCL Book Clubs: On Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 1 p.m., the afternoon book club will discuss The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks. The evening club will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah.
Students Love Art: On Thursday, Feb. 20, join Colby Elementary School art instructor Lynn Spice at 6 p.m. to learn why her “Students Love Art.” Selected examples from CES art students will be on display in the RCU Community Room at the CCL that evening and throughout the month of February.
Crafters: Craft and Hobby Night is Friday, Feb. 21, beginning at 4 p.m. This gathering is for adults wishing to work on individual crafting projects in the RCU Community Room. An entrée will be ordered in. Bring an accompaniment to share and beverage of your choice.
Community Service: The Maddie Thums Memorial Sew-a-thon and the CCL’s Make-A-Difference Day (MADD) will be held on Friday, March 6, from 1-8 p.m. The Marshfi eld Medical Center will receive items sewn in memory of Maddie, a former nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital and library volunteer.
The MADD project will be quilts and pillowcases for the Spencer chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP). These items and other new twin-sized bedding will be collected throughout the month of March to accompany beds for kids in a 25mile radius of Spencer.
“No kid sleeps on the floor in our town” is the mission of SHP. Sewing machines and notions are welcome. There will be tasks for all abilities. A Lenten-friendly soup supper will be provided at 5:30 p.m. for all the workers. The Thrivent Action Team program is the sponsor of these community service projects.
Stay Warm Activities: Two puzzle setting tables are always available. Challenge yourself to work on the 1,000-piece puzzle or help complete the 500-piece or less puzzles. Mosaic sticker art has also been popular for patrons of all ages. The children’s play hut and S.T.E.A.M. room are filled with many educational toys and games. The Pearl Vorland History Room is a relaxing area to research Colby or family history or read by the fireplace.
Lucky to Have Friends: The annual meeting of the Friends of the CCL is scheduled for Monday, March 9, at 6 p.m. Preceding the meeting, at 5:30 p.m., an Irish-themed appreciation meal will be served, as the CCL is lucky to have so many willing volunteers in the Friends group. Forward Bank is sponsoring, serving the meal and also providing door prizes. Anyone wanting to join the Friends organization, which offer financial support and volunteer assistance to the library, should contact the CCL for more information. Friends need to RSVP by Feb. 29 for the meal.
Books Wanted: Forward Bank’s Colby location will be collecting books for the annual Colby Cheese Days Book and Movie Sale this year. From Jan. 1 to July 1, books and movies (in good condition) may be dropped off at Forward Bank during regular business hours. (Do not bring the materials to the CCL, as all sorting will be done at Forward Bank.) The sale, sponsored by the Friends of the CCL, will run July 1618 at the Lions Shelter in Colby.
The CCL is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m.7 p.m.; and Saturday, from 9 a.m. until noon.
