Giving Thanks

The staff of Bremen Public Library took some time to reflect on what they appreciate most about working at the library. Each staff member shared his or her thoughts below. 

What are you grateful for today?

Kyle Burkett

I am thankful that when I go to work, I’m going to a hub for all of the world’s aggregated knowledge. I am surrounded by incredible works of art and literature and music, and information about millions of different subjects is, quite literally, at my fingertips.  I am thankful that I get to work for an organization whose mission I am passionate about, and that I get to work with other people who are dedicated to that mission as well.  Most of all, I am thankful that the work we do at the library has a real, tangible effect on people’s lives—and that we can see, firsthand, how they are better for the work that we do. 

Lisa Bixel

Timeless Classics
Helpful Coworkers
Artistic Webpages
Never Ending Books
Kind Words
Faithful Patrons
Unique Staff
Laughter

Chris Scandling

Although a native Hoosier, I’d been living in Las Vegas for several years when dreaded news arrived via a simple phone call. My mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and a planned brief visit to Indiana turned in to an indefinite stay. It was during this time that a permanent return to my native home was contemplated, and Bremen Public Library played a considerable role in making that happen. An offering of this job not only meant being closer for family purposes, it brought me, career wise, back in to the library fold.

A previous earlier stop on my career path, it’s been like putting on a pair of comfortable slippers. I’d thoroughly enjoyed the work before, and absolutely adore it now. This is largely in part to such an amazing community to be a part of. From patrons who I’ve become so invested with, staff that brings wisdom, laughs and a sharing of occupational passion, and the joy in contributing to all our library represents in this area. I am thankful that my mom is doing so much better these days. I am thankful to you, Bremen, for embracing me as one of your own.

Brenda Anderson

I feel blessed to work in such a great community. Bremen is not where I grew up and I did not have any ties here when I started work at the Bremen Public Library eighteen years ago. The friendly hometown atmosphere has been a great place to meet people. I’ve crossed paths with some wonderful people here who inspire me to be a better person. I’ve seen such kindness when tragedy has struck in the community and people have stepped up to try to lessen the burden of someone else or just let them know they are not alone or forgotten. I’m thankful for all of you.

Violet Gunter

I am thankful for all the kids, who come through and use our imagination station. I love listening to them have fun and be silly. Some of my top favorite things that I have heard are, a "customer" who wanted an apple pie without apples, a little girl who could not take her pet shark on the plane with her, because it would make the plane smelly, and a boy who was playing house with some girls and then proceeded to claim that he was a millionaire and that he could do whatever he wanted and that they have to listen to him. Thank you to all the children, who have unknowingly made me smile and even laugh out loud. 

Cindy Hartman

I am thankful for the parents and children who take part in our weekly Preschool Story Hour and weekly Wiggle Worms Family Story Times. I think that I sometimes get as much enjoyment out of the sessions as the children do! It brings a smile to my face when a child really gets into a song we are singing or playing for an activity and they put their whole body into it. When a little one is wiggling with excitement waiting for their turn to get a shaker egg, it is a blessing that we get to provide these children with this opportunity in our community. When a child really enjoys a book that we are reading and asks to take it home with them, it is a blessing for my soul. When the preschoolers call out for another puppet show, this, too, is something that I am thankful for. Each week I get to do something that I love doing and am thankful I get to make a difference in a child's life here at Bremen Public Library.

Holly Heller

I am thankful how our library serves as a community hub for people from so many different backgrounds. We have people learning to play the Chinese tile game, Mahjong. We have homeschool students who use the library as their classroom. We have people working on their resumes at our public computers. We have people using our copy and fax service for a variety personal and business reasons. We have college students seeking a quiet place to study and plug in their laptops. We have families in crisis who use our space for scheduled visitations. We have school-age kids playing chess, checkers, LEGOs, and the Wii. We have parents of infants, toddlers and preschoolers who value early literacy and introduce their children to the library at young ages. We have people researching their family genealogy. We have artists in bloom who learn to paint at our monthly Create-UR-Canvas event. We have movie buffs who stay up to date on the latest DVDs from our collection. And, of course, last but not least, we have our avid readers who visit the library regularly to restock their supply of reading material. I am thankful for each and every patron, and for being able to work in a place that meets each of their needs in a comfortable, safe, friendly and accepting environment.

Melissa Nunez

Working at the library has been such a season of joy. The three things in my life that I'm passionate about are my faith, my grandchildren and my books and I cannot remember a time in my life that I did not have a love of reading. But the joy I find within the walls of our library has very little to do with the written word. I am thankful, grateful and blessed in the relationships I’ve formed with the people of this community. It has been such a blessing to pause for a chat about the weather; to see the excitement  in a patron’s eyes when a favorite author is placed in their hands; to give a smile and receive one in return; to offer an ear when someone clearly needs to talk. I’m am grateful for our community.

Terrie Bickel

I have been at BPL now for almost 19 years. I have met many wonderful people, both in the community, and on the job. I am grateful for each and every one of them, as they have made my world a happier place. I have gotten to read 1000 Books Before Kindergarten to each of my children, act in numerous Tea Parties, hang my art work, play Monopoly, and even play football! How could I not be grateful for this place?

Book Club Chat

By Terrie Bickel, Leader of the Bremen Readers Book Club

The Bremen Readers met November 15 to discuss The Blue Bottle Club by Penelope J. Stokes. This inspirational book tells the story of four friends and how grace came to play in each of their lives.

The book begins with a reporter, Brenden Delaney, who is doing a small story about an historic home that is being torn down. After she is given a blue bottle that was found in the attic before demolition, she discovers four papers inside the bottle. Upon further investigation, she finds that the papers are actually dreams, written down by four teenage friends on a Christmas day in 1929. The dreams describe what each girl hopes the future holds for her. When Brenden reads these papers, she sets out on a mission to see if the girls are still alive these 65 years later, and if so, how have their lives turned out. The book follows the reporter on this quest to find four old friends, as well as herself.

The Readers rated this book a 3.88 out of 5. They liked how each friend’s story was revealed, as well as the grace each girl discovered along the way.  It is an uplifting and enjoyable story that teaches us “The dream itself is the gift, not necessarily the fulfillment.”

Christmas is Coming!

By Lisa Bixel, Bremen Public Library Adult Assistant

The calendar may show the end of October but the new arrivals at the Bremen Public Library indicate that December is not far behind. The Christmas inventory is rolling in! Books by your favorite authors are quickly making their way to the shelves. Looking for holiday reads, music or DVDs? Look no further! 

Some of my past favorites include, A Dog Named Christmas by Gregory Kincaid, The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans, A Choice To Cherish by Alan Maki, Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber, Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. 

A Dog Named Christmas, which was made into a Hallmark Movie, chronicles the life of a developmentally challenged boy named Todd and his dog as he sets out to convince his family the importance of caring for animals in need by participating in a local shelter’s inaugural “Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program.” George McCray, Todd’s father, is opposed to the idea because of his experiences with the love and loss of his past canines and does not want Todd to go through what he experienced. Todd’s mother, Mary Ann, knows how deep George’s wounds are but feels that bringing a dog into their home could promote the gift of healing.

The Christmas List is inspired by Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Business Executive, James Kier, who causes misery and suffering wherever he goes, gets the scare of his life when an identity mix-up causes him to read his own obituary and sees the realization of what his friends, family and colleagues really think of him. This book has you digging deep to think about your impact on others.
A Choice to Cherish will tug at your heartstrings and have you evaluating your choices in this life!  How well do you know the people in your life? This story  tells the tale of Alan and his dying grandfather, George. It’s Christmas in Montana, and Alan cuts down and decorates a Christmas tree for himself and his grandfather.  As his present, Alan may choose one of eight keepsakes of his grandfathers. Yet before he can choose, he must read a story George wrote about each keepsake. Through these stories, Alan learns the secrets of his grandfather's life. A short read about love and reconciliation that will forever stay in your heart!

Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle is a light and uplifting story about Emily Merkle, or Mrs. Miracle as she is fondly known, and her magical ways to ensure a Merry Christmas for all in the toy department of the financially troubled Finley’s Department Store. Just when it seemed Christmas might not come at all this year, Finley's favorite employee proves they don't call her Mrs. Miracle for nothing!

Get your tissues out for The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere. Two couples will find their lives turned upside down and transformed in VanLiere’s debut novel. Robert Layton, who specializes in bankruptcy law, is very ambitious and wants to climb the company ladder. His life is turned upside down when his wife, Kate, tells her absentee husband that she wants a divorce right before Christmas. Meanwhile, another family is facing tragedy as Maggie Andrews is diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  Maggie’s son sets out to  buy a pair of shoes for his mother as a going-away present. When Robert and Maggie’s son cross paths in the department store, both of their lives are transformed forever.

On a lighter note, the Christmas classic, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will have you laughing whole-heartedly, as you fall  in love with the hilarious Herdman siblings! The siblings take over the annual Christmas pageant in a hilarious yet heartwarming tale involving the three wise men, a ham, scared shepherds, and six rowdy kids. Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys Herdman are a mean bunch! They set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s toolshed, blackmailed Wanda Pierce to get her charm bracelet, and smacked Alice Wendelken across the head. Everyone is in disbelief when the Herdmans show up at church for the free snacks and suddenly take over the Christmas pageant. This group of siblings set out to make life miserable for everyone but in the end the transformation of the Christmas Story is one the reader will never forget. This year’s pageant is definitely like no other, but maybe that’s exactly what makes it so special.

Christmas is a season of great joy, healing and renewed strength! Reading soothes the soul! Happy Reading!

A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting. 
~Henry David Thoreau

Book Club Chat

By Terrie Bickel, Leader of the Bremen Readers

The Bremen Readers' latest discussion was about The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, by Kim Edwards. The book follows two families whose lives are intertwined by the same secret, a secret that began with the birth of a child.

It is 1964 and Dr. David Henry is a happily married man whose wife, Norah is pregnant with their first child. As she goes into labor, they drive through the snow to Henry’s clinic. There they are joined by Caroline Gill, Dr. Henry’s nurse. Norah gives birth to a healthy baby boy, and then his twin sister. When Dr. Henry realizes his daughter has Down’s Syndrome, he gives the baby to Nurse Gill and instructs her to take the baby to an institution. He then tells Norah that their daughter was stillborn. When Nurse Gill gets to the institution, she realizes that she cannot leave the infant there, and instead raises her as her own.

Edwards leads us through the lives of these two families, one of which unravels as the book progresses. The story made for an interesting book discussion as the Readers were both saddened by the demise of Dr. Henry’s immediate family, and uplifted by the turnout of his daughter. While no one agreed with Dr. Henry’s decision, all could understand how such a thing could happen, particularly in the 1960s. And of course, had Dr. Henry not given his infant up, there would be no book. The book did have a pleasing ending, which helped make up for its often sad storyline. The Readers ended up giving The Memory Keeper’s Daughter a rating of 3.125.

Book Club Chat

By Chris O'Brien, Leader of Questers Book Club

The Questers Book Club met Wednesday, Oct. 11 to discuss The Paris Wife by Paula McClain. The Questers rated this book a 3.1, with much lively discussion, including some honest criticism. However, those of us who have never read any of Hemingway’s works left the discussion with serious intention of doing so. 

The author writes on her website that when she began to research her book, beginning with biographies of Hemingway and Hadley, and with their delicious correspondence, she knew the actual story of the Hemingway’s marriage was near perfect.  It was a ready-made novel, ripe for the picking. She did not have to invent a plot for them, nor did she want to. She used the framework of historical documentation to push into the characters’ hearts and minds, discovering their motivations, their deepest wishes.

The most important step for the author was getting Hadley’s voice. She has very little dialogue in A Moveable Feast, but what there is, is so evocative. It led the author to seek out the letters Hadley wrote to Ernest during their courtship, and that’s when she knew she could write the book. Her speech rhythms, her intelligence and charm and sense of humor all come through with clarity and effervescence. She says she fell in love with them both.

Then things began to unravel. Hadley lost a briefcase that contained four years of Hemingway’s work. McLain says that Hemingway never really forgave her for that. It was symbolic of how different they were.

Hemingway was single-minded about his writing. Hadley was the homemaker and mother, taking care of the child they nicknamed “Bumby.” Finally, Hemingway began having an affair with one of Hadley’s friends, a glamorous young journalist named Pauline Pfeiffer.

During the time Pauline was pursuing Ernest, she never lost this pretense that she was also Hadley’s best friend --- she was sending letters to them both. The letters to Ernest were letters to a lover. And the letters to Hadley were sort of eerily asking for approval.

The marriage finally fell apart after one disastrous summer, when the three members of the love triangle vacationed together on the Riviera. They spent the trip in the company of the rich and sophisticated Sara and Gerald Murphy, who loved to entertain talented artists and writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Hemingway. Many years later, Hadley, who by then had been happily remarried for many years, told an interviewer how glad she was when the marriage finally ended.

“Ernest was a terrific responsibility. And when he was not happy, when he was leading a double life and everything, it was just awfully hard. I just didn’t care for it.”

But Hadley also told the interviewer that she still cared for Hemingway and thought he was a great man. For his part, Hemingway seemed to regret what had happened to their marriage in Paris.

Hemingway was married four times, and Pfeiffer became his second wife. Yet he seemed to have a great affection for Hadley Richardson until the end of his life.  Neither of them ever seemed to forget what it was like to be young and in love in beautiful Paris.

Yes, We Have a Book for That

By Cindy Hartman, Children's Department Assistant at Bremen Public Library

Yes, we have a book on that. As an assistant to the children's librarian, I get asked a variety of questions every day and my usual answer is, “Yes, we have a book on that." With the development of the Wiggle Worms story time for children birth through age five, we now have a program for babies and toddlers. With this younger age group, comes a different set of needs, and yes we have a book on that.

One of the recent themes in the question-field, that I have gotten recently, is do we have any books on potty-training? We have a variety of books for the parent or caregiver, but we also have several books that are specifically written for children. Since I primarily deal with children’s books, that is what we will cover today.

Books for Children on Potty Training:

Princess of the Potty by Nora Gaydos

Prince of the Potty by Nora Gaydos

It’s Potty Time by Tracey Corderoy

Potty Superhero - Get Ready for Big Boy Pants by Mabel Forsyth

Dinosaur vs. the Potty by Bob Shea

Duck Goes Potty by Michael Dahl

Have You Seen My Potty? By Mij Kelly

Potty Time by Guido van Genechten

On Your Potty by Virginia Miller

Potty by Leslie Patricelli

Vegetables in Underwear by Jared Chapman

In a previous life, I was director of various preschools and daycare facilities for about 25 years. Here are some tips that I would suggest in beginning this process:

1. Make sure that your child is ready. They should be having several dry diapers each day, be able to communicate that they need to go to the restroom, or that they need to be changed, be able to take off their own clothing and be able to follow simple directions. If you make sure that they are ready, it will be a much quicker, and less stressful for all.

2. Make sure that you are ready. It is important that you are consistent in this process. Do not confuse the child because it is not convenient for you to do potty-training today, so you don’t work on it. Be positive and be proactive. Have underwear, potty seat, and possibly a timer to remind them to go potty ready. Have some books to read while practicing will make it easier for your child to handle the waiting process.

3. Go shopping together and buy special underwear that has meaning to your child and put this on your child each morning and as long as they stay dry, they get to wear the special underwear. When they have an accident, they then change into plain training underwear. If you are concerned about accidents, I would suggest to buy some old fashioned rubber pants like those used for cloth diapers to put on over their training pants. Do not rely on disposable products such as Pull-ups for every day usage as they are designed to wick away moisture and your child will not be able to tell that they are wet. These type of products are fine for special events that you need to make sure that your child does not have an accident, but not for daily use.

4. Have a small treat ready that they really love that they can immediately have when you have success. After you have success for several days, you can then move on to a longer term that that they have to wait to get after several times of success. Example: do M&M’s for using the potty and staying dry. Your child has been dry for a couple of weeks with only one or two accidents. Move on to a special thing that your child really wants to do.

We also have books on other topics that parents may need some assistance with. Breaking your child from their pacifier? We have a book on that! No More Pacifiers by Michael Dahl. Transitioning to a big bed? We have a book on that! Big Bed For Giraffe by Michael Dahl.

Take advantage of your library, because we have a book on that!

Exciting Week Ahead

This is going to be an exciting week at Bremen Public Library! Not only do we have two book club discussions and our regularly-scheduled Wiggle Worms and Preschool Story Hour, but we have two well-known authors coming to visit, a Halloween-themed Brick Club AND it's the final week to enter the Flash Fiction Challenge!

Here are some highlights for October 9-14:

MONDAY, 7:30-8:30 PM

The Night Owls Book Club meets on the second Monday of every month in the Upper Level Meeting Room of Bremen Public Library. Discussion leaders are Jill Byrd and Melissa Nunez. 

New members are always welcome! Stop by the Adult Desk at Bremen Public Library to request a copy of next month's book.

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, 10-10:45 AM

Wiggle Worms (an interactive story time for little ones age 0-5 and their parents, grandparents or caregivers) features early literacy fun with books, songs, fingerplays and body movement. 

Registration is required. Please call or stop by the Children's Department to inquire about openings.

TUESDAY, 6-7 PM

Bremen Public Library welcomes Tracy Korn, author of The Elements series, as the headline event of Teen Read Week. Korn will lead the audience in an interactive game about storytelling, followed by a Q & A time and a book signing. She will give away posters and bookmarks. Her books will be available for purchase and signing and she will be accompanied by live character representations from her books! Korn is an Indiana resident who holds three master's degrees from Indiana University. She has taught high school English for 17 years. Her students inspired her to write her debut novel, AQUA, which is the first book in The Elements series. The sequel, TERRA, was released Aug. 27, 2016. The third book in the series, AER, was just released in September. 

Everyone is invited to attend this free event!

WEDNESDAY, 2:15-3:15 PM

The Questers Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. in the Lower Level Meeting Room of Bremen Public Library. Discussion leader for the Questers is Chris O'Brien. 

New members are always welcome! Stop by the Adult Desk at Bremen Public Library to request a copy of next month's book.

THURSDAY, 9:30-10:30 AM

Preschool Story Hour features stories, songs, puppets and more that encourage development of early literacy skills in young children ages 3-5. Children attend independently. 

Registration is required. Please call or stop by the Children's Department to inquire about openings.

FRIDAY, 2-4 PM

What could be a more perfect blend than books and coffee? Join us at Bremen Public Library on Friday, Oct. 13 for The Perfect Blend -- a coffee tasting featuring Mean Bean's full line of fall flavors combined with a book signing featuring author Sarah Price. Starting at 2 p.m., you can sample the following coffee flavors from our local Mean Bean Bistro and Brew: Sweet Potato Pie, Pumpkin Spice, Jazzy Jack-o-Lantern, Harvest Spice, Molasses Spiced Cookie, Caramel Candy Apple, Regular Mean Bean Brew. Small cups will be available for the coffee tasting. Fill out a rating card on the fall flavors to help us determine the most-liked blend of the day and you will be entered to win a book by author Sarah Price! From 3 to 4 p.m., Sarah Price will be available to sign books and mingle with patrons. Bring your own copy of one of her many titles or purchase one during the signing. Learn more about Sarah and her novels at sarahpriceauthor.com. 

Everyone is invited to attend this free event!

SATURDAY, 11-12:30 AM

Get in the Halloween spirit (pun intended) with a spooky design! Will your creation be a trick or treat? Young adults, children and families are encouraged to join us for this time of imagination. We will use LEGO bricks to study concepts via themes, develop math and science skills, work in teams and have fun! 

Everyone is invited to attend this free event!

SATURDAY @ MIDNIGHT

Saturday is the final day to submit your entry into the Flash Fiction Challenge. Students in grades 6-12 are invited to finish the following writing prompt using between 500 and 1,000 words: "It was a dark and stormy night when I found myself trapped in Bremen Public Library." Submit entries via e-mail to Chris Scandling at cscandling@bremen.lib.in.us or deliver a printed copy to the library. Ten winners will be chosen and notified on Friday, Oct. 20. Each winner will receive a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card and the top 10 stories will be featured on Bremen Public Library's YA Blog, "A Series of Fortunate Events," during the last week of October.