Library programs begin June 9
Mountaineer Jen Loeb will present a program on Thursday, June 9, at 7 p.m., in the Guttenberg Municipal Building auditorium. Loeb will walk audience members through her Mt. Everest expedition and show photographs, video footage, and have some of her climbing gear on display. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
The Guttenberg Public Library and the Guttenberg Library Foundation are gearing up for their upcoming Book/Bake Sale, speaker event and summer reading program.
Book/Bake Sale
The Library Foundation Book/Bake Sale is scheduled for Thursday, June 2, from 1 - 5 p.m. and Friday, June 3, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Mountaineer Jen Loeb
Mountaineer Jen Loeb, 46, of Marengo will present a program on Thursday, June 9, at 7 p.m., in the Guttenberg Municipal Building auditorium. Loeb will walk the audience through her Mt. Everest expedition and show photographs, video footage, and have some of her climbing gear on display. The Guttenberg Library Foundation is sponsoring the program.
Loeb graduated from Wartburg College, Waverly earning a degree in biology. In 2006 she focused on volunteer work in Ghana, and has made it a point to volunteer nationally and internationally. Some of her volunteer efforts include building schools, houses, and hiking trails, cleaning up rivers, removing invasive plants and collecting data on endangered species.
In 2010, Loeb started mountain climbing. In 2021 she completed her dream of climbing The Seven Summits, becoming the first and only woman from Iowa to climb the highest peak on every continent. The "Summits" are comprised of the highest mountains on each of the seven continents of the Earth and include Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Mount Vinson and Carstensz Pyramid. Reaching all of them is regarded as a significant mountaineering achievement.
"Fonziba" African Drum Circle
Fonziba, a dynamic, interactive music educator will present her energetic African drumming and culture program on Wednesday, June 8, at 1:30 p.m. at the Guttenberg Public Library. Guttenberg Industries is sponsoring the program.
Fonziba's African drumming and culture programs enable people of all ages to discover and enliven their innate personal creativity. Her unique approach offers a rich and authentic taste of life in West Africa, broadening kids and family member's understanding of other cultures.
Fonziba will bring hand-held percussion instruments for the audience to try, along with an African home display, which will contain many items used in the average African home for cooking, eating, cleaning and sleeping. A video will also be shown to help explain each item. Audience members are encouraged to handle all display content.
Read Beyond the Beaten Path
The Guttenberg Public Library invites area children ages preschool - grade 12 to participate in their summer reading program, "Read Beyond the Beaten Path."
Registration for the seven-week reading program begins June 6. "Pick up your reading logs, punch cards and a schedule of events of what is happening at the library this summer," says Nancy Ruzicka, children's librarian. "We are excited about this year's theme, which will introduce and engage children in nature and outdoor activities. We especially enjoy the wide range of programming we can have with this theme, and the flexibility of using the library, Municipal Building and Ingleside Park for our programming."
"Big Foot Scavenger Hunt" and StoryWalk®
Guttenberg library staff has been busy planning a "Big Foot Scavenger Hunt."Participants will find the first clue at the library followed by clues at other participating businesses throughout the downtown business area," explained Ruzicka. "See if you can track where he has been! If you're lucky enough you might just catch a glimpse of him!"
She added, "We will also have our StoryWalk® boards in store windows along South River Park Drive, starting at Hometown Designs at 602 South River Park Drive."
Schedule of events
• Week 1: Wednesday, June 8, at 1:30 p.m., "Fonziba" African Drums at the library.
• Week 2: Friday, June 17, at 6 p.m., yard games and s'mores - south park gazebo.
• Week 3: Wednesday, June 22, at 1:30 p.m., storytime and craft with Clayton County librarians at the library; Friday, June 24 at 2 p.m., Mississippi River Museum at the library.
• Week 4: No programming - Happy 4th of July.
• Week 5: Saturday, July 9, at 10 a.m., birdhouse craft - north park gazebo. Additional programming to be announced.
• Week 6: Tuesday, July 12, at 6 p.m., Jason Kollum the juggler, stilt-walker, balloon artist at the Guttenberg Municipal Building auditorium.
• Week 7: Wednesday, July 20, at 1 p.m. Osborne Nature Center Program at the library.
Reading challenge punch cards
Preschool - 2nd grade: Read eight books, get a punch on your card, pick a reward and enter your name for a chance at a grand prize.
3 - 6 grade: Read four books, get a punch on your card, pick a reward and enter you name for a chance at a grand prize.
7 - 12 grade: Read two books, get a punch on your card, pick a reward and enter your name for a chance at a grand prize.
Punches are also given for attending library programs from June 8 - July 20, reading the StoryWalk® boards, and participating in the "Big Foot Scavenger Hunt."
For additional information call the library at 563-253-3108.
