STAFFORD — We all know what a horrific week Americans had this past week. Political disagreements leading to a horrific murder, a school shooting, remembrances of 9/11 and to bring it all too close to home, a gun found in a student’s bookbag at Maize, Kansas. Where do we go from here?
We have to remember people can agree to disagree and not let things escalate to violence. On CBS Sunday Morning, the program featured a historian, John Meacham, who looked back into history and how imperfect people at horrific times form a more perfect America that changes the future for good. Examples were: Abraham Lincoln at horrific Gettysburg, Omaha Beach in World War II, President George Bush after 9/11.
How can America get back on track?
We are all neighbors, we need to agree to disagree and respect each other. Understand that the social media and the instant information at our fingertips may or may not be true. Enemies of the USA instigate misinformation that insight sometimes even well meaning but misinformed people to violence. How many of these violent people have given “hints” to their violent thoughts before action? Almost all of them. “If you see something say something.” Get these people help before violence occurs.
Libraries, schools and parents need to educate people they are in contact with, that just because you have heard it or read it or even saw it on media it is not necessarily true. Information is taken out of context and/or twisted, or completely made up to promote an agenda. In this time of AI and instant information we need to check the “facts” presented through several sources. Watch for misspellings, bad grammar and “voice.” Does it sound accurate or is something kind of “off”?
It all begins at home, in our neighborhoods, schools and churches.
Reach out and get to know those around you. Have a broad understanding of the world through reading and participating in global awareness through reliable sources. Come peruse our Non-Fiction section and soak up history for a better understanding of the world you live in. Bond with each other.
RESPECT each other.
Sandy and I are getting ready for a night at the library with Parents as Teachers’ families. “PAT” is an education program that promotes bonding with your child at an early age and shows you how to educate your child in the home to be ready for school and the future. Small children’s brains are like sponges that suck up everything that they hear and see around them. Let’s make what they suck in be positive. PAT helps the parent create a positive and educational environment.
The flagpole and yard light are ready for the memorial for Tim Dye Oktoberfest at 9:30. The library will also be open and we invite you to come inside and enjoy our space. Sandy is creating a bulletin board honoring Tim. If you would like to come and add a memory of Tim or let us know of a memory we will add it to the remembrance board.
An unexpected thing happened to me this week! My Kansas Library card expired! I was having withdrawal symptoms till I could get it reinstated. Who knew this person who loved to read “an actual book” in my hands would be so appreciative of on-line reading. It’s because I can usually get the next book I NEED anytime day or night and I can read anytime as long as I have my phone. September is the month the state promotes their library card and easy book access. Come in and sign up or renew your card.
A Medicare Plan D sign-up is coming this fall. Watch for the time as it becomes available. There will be limited spots for this sign-up so be ready to give us a call when the date is known.
Larabee Library has signed up for “Giving Tuesday” with both South Central Community Foundation at Pratt and Golden Belt Community Foundation at Great Bend. Why is this important to you? I know many of you give to non-profits toward the end of the year. These two local foundations can take your gift and “match it” with funds from a potential $100,000 match pool. The more you give the bigger the match. Early bird giving starts Nov. 2 and runs through Dec. 2, with the Match Day event hosted on Tuesday, Dec. 2, the day known globally as Giving Tuesday.
The Building Committee has worked hard to restore Larabee Library to its beginning beauty. The last big expenditure is to restore and paint the white trim. The wood has disintegrated in some areas and the paint needs to be freshened to protect the wood in the future. The committee is also looking to the future and wanting to provide a maintenance fund to address structure needs before they become a big problem like what has happened in the past. We want our descendents to be able to enjoy the library “to infinity and beyond”!
Let’s make some positive connections this week with those we see and communicate with. Smiles, hugs and fistbumps are free! They might just make someone’s day.
Gerry Hildebrand is the head librarian for the Nora Larabee Memorial Library, 108 N. Union St. in Stafford. Phone 620-234-5762, email larabeelibrary@gmail.com or visit Facebook at Nora Larabee Memorial Library.
