STAFFORD — What a fun Monday! We had Lisa from the South Central Kansas Library System getting the glitches out of our computers, kids and moms for story hour and the South Central Community Foundation stopping by with a $2,000 check to enhance our outreach to “Families and Friends.”

SCCF is located in Pratt and is a financial vehicle for people and groups to invest and grow their investment dollars. Their Mission Statement: Our mission is to enhance the life, culture and community of South Central Kansas by connecting people who care with causes that matter. It originally served six counties: Barber, Comanche, Kingman, Kiowa, Pratt and Stafford. In 1998, Rice County joined the organization. 

We are going to use our grant to buy educational toys, books and equipment to enhance our outreach to families and children in our area.

Sandy and I are so excited to have preschool story hour and now we have families stopping in throughout the week to enjoy time together at the library.

Holly Launchbaugh, executive director and Hannah Brummer, program manager, had the fun job of delivering 25 checks throughout Stafford County. We also talked about Match Day. Make a gift to your favorite participating local nonprofits (including Larabee Library). The more you give, the more your favorite charities receive from the potential $100,000 match pool. 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.

Thank you South Central Community Foundation for your gift to us and south-central Kansas. Thank you to the contributors and staff that make it all possible.

We have had an interesting week. Due to an accident on the farm (my fault) our grandpuppy, Deuce has been staying at our house 24/7 this week, to keep him from taking out his stitches. We have created many ways to get pills down, discovered doggy shoes to keep the medicine on and dirt out, and yes, he is a cone-head (although he can still reach some stitches). It has been a total family effort and the vet was impressed with his progress. He got to go to his home over the week-end and was so happy to be in his own space. We are so glad for “The Other Family Doctors” at Hoisington Vet Clinic for their 24/7 service.

If you have a loved family pet or are thinking of getting one, we have many factual books that might be a help. We also have great stories featuring animals of all kinds.

Don’t forget, our reading conversation, Recently Read, will be this Tuesday at 5:30. Looking forward to seeing you there!

This week will be the end of this quarter’s “Awesome Autumn Reads.” Please fill out your sheets and bring them to the library or call and let us know if you reached five books.

Coming events

• Monday Mornings, Preschool Story Hour, 10-11 a.m.

• Every Wednesday (except 2nd Wednesday), - ESOL with Rachel Sandoval 6 p.m.

• Aug. 1 to Nov. 1, “Awesome Autumn Reads” book challenge

• Oct. 28 and Nov. 25, Recently Read, 5:30 p.m. Come join the conversation.

• Trunk or Treat at Stafford County Hospital

• Nov. 4, Parents as Teachers night at the library, celebrating Kansas Reads to Preschoolers.

• Nov. 18, K-State Extension workshop on smart technology and you. More details to follow

• Nov. 19, Medicare Plan D sign-up. Must call for an appointment.

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.