Shakespeare was right when he wrote that “summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” So we should make the most of summer while it lasts. The library has programs and events that can help children and adults do just that, with an event-filled summer reading program, a huge book sale and a chance to learn all about lobsters.
This year’s Summer Reading Program, which is themed “Read, Renew, Repeat,” is designed to encourage children to think about conservation, environmental awareness and wildlife stewardship through reading and participating in special events. The program is open to all children, pre-k to young adults, whether resident, second home owner or visitor.
Participants will track what they read; earn badges and prizes for every seven days of reading; enter monthly raffles for Lego sets, art supplies and gift certificates to the Cannon Beach Book Company; and enjoy story time, speakers and crafting projects.
The program starts with a Kickoff Party at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, at the library (131 N. Hemlock in downtown Cannon Beach), during which participants will receive a free book and “Read, Repeat, Renew” drawstring backpack, and then learn about growing—and eating—their own food. They will decorate pots made from recycled materials and then fill them with watercress plants. All materials will be provided.
The fun continues in July when participants learn about ocean animals through reading books and magazines, completing a scavenger hunt in the library and watching a presentation by the staff of the Seaside Aquarium at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 12.
During August, participants can hear stories and make ocean animal collages during Bilingual Story Time at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, and enjoy stories, music and crafting with Sara Behrman, author of “The Sea Hides a Seahorse” at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 24.
Children can sign up for “Read, Renew, Repeat” throughout the summer, either in-person at the library, or online at https://forms.office.com/r/wz6KYNdHc7. For further information, call 503-436-1391, or email info@cannonbeachlibrary.org.
Residents and visitors can add to their summer enjoyment by participating in the library’s Annual Fourth of July Book Sale by purchasing books or by pitching in to make the sale a success. This book sale is an important fundraiser for the library, which, unlike public libraries, is not tax-supported.
The four-day sale begins on Thursday, July 4 and ends on Sunday, July 7. Sale hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday includes the traditional bag sale; patrons can fill a bag to the top with their finds for a mere $8 (bags are provided).
Library volunteers have been collecting donated books, pricing them and storing them all year long in preparation for this sale. Patrons can choose from thousands of books of all genres: fiction and nonfiction, hardback and paperback, including mysteries, bestsellers, classics, cookbooks, biographies, history books, gardening books, romances, travel guides, children’s books, and much more. Also included are DVDs, music CDs and vinyl records.
Organizing the Fourth of July Sale is a major undertaking, requiring many hands. Volunteers are needed for all aspects of the sale, including on the afternoon of July 2 to get the library ready by moving shelves and setting up tables, and on July 3 to move books out of storage and organize them for the sale. During the sale, cashiers, baggers and stockers are needed to handle transactions and keep sale tables filled; and finally, volunteers are needed on Sunday after the sale ends to get the library back in shape and ready for patrons.
Volunteering is a great way to help the library, while working side-by-side with a congenial group of library volunteers. It is a good way to make new acquaintances, reconnect with old friends, and contribute to the community. To find out more, or to volunteer, come to the library, or call the library office at 503-436-1391, or email info@cannonbeachlibrary.org.
Participants in the Cannon Beach Reads book club may be a bit too old for this year’s Summer Reading Program, but they will learn about a tasty ocean creature when they meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, to discuss “The Secret Life of Lobsters: How Fishermen and Scientists Are Unraveling the Mysteries of Our Favorite Crustacean,” by Trevor Corson.
This will be a hybrid meeting with participants able to take part in the discussion in-person at the library, or virtually from home (contact book club coordinator Joe Bernt at berntj@ohio.edu for the Zoom link).
A google search regarding the current state of the American lobster yields seemingly conflicting results, with some sources optimistically pointing to a record abundance of lobsters, and others warning that the number of lobsters is on the decline. According to Corson, this argument about abundance vs. decline has been going on for decades. He explains why in “The Secret Life of Lobsters.”
The densest population of lobsters in the world is located in the Gulf of Maine, so it is not surprising that Corson focuses his book there, specifically on the experiences of the lobstermen of Little Cranberry Island, Maine, where he himself worked on a lobster boat for two years.
In addition to presenting an entertaining and authentic description of life as a lobsterman, Corson also describes the work of scientists as they develop innovative methods to examine lobster habits and habitats.
The most fascinating part of “The Secret Life of Lobsters” is Corson’s detailed descriptions of the lobsters themselves–their appearance, social interactions, life cycles, living arrangements and mating habits.
Corson doesn’t offer a definitive answer to the abundance vs. decline argument, but he does offer an indepth look at a significant American industry, vignettes about the scientific method at work and an up-close look at a surprisingly complex crustacean.
Trevor Corson is an author, magazine journalist, essayist and teacher, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The Atlantic Monthly and other publications. He writes about science, religion, food, economics, race, international politics, military history and other topics. He is also the author of “The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice.”
John Markham will lead the discussion, which will begin at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, June 19. Coffee and cookies will be provided at the library. New members, whether in person or online, are always welcome.
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