May. Maybe winter is finally gone!

It seems like Spring arrived here in fits and starts, with a few warm days followed by a return to colder weather. Now it's May. Maybe winter is finally gone!

May is when planning for our summer program kicks into high gear. I'm putting the finishing touches on our Summer Quest brochure, and adding a registration link for our STEAM camp to its listing on our website. I'm sorry, it doesn't look like a link -- formatting issue -- but if you click on the URL (web address), it works! I've also added the link to this blog post.

We have started up our book discussion group this month. Our May book is In Time: The Killing of Polly Paul by Paul Petrunak, Jr. This is a slice of true crime and local history about a double murder that took place in Cambria County in 1865. After initially planning to meet on May 16, we rescheduled our session when we learned that the MAHS chorus & band concert was that evening. We are meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. It's not too late to pick up a copy of the book. It is very short, and a quick read!

Our first Summer adventure will be the Electronics and Robotics STEAM camp, which will be held at our library June 24-28, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program will be led by the Somerset County Federated Library System (SCFLS) STEAM Team. (That's Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math Team!) It is for ages 8 and up, and enrollment is limited. Registration is required. Register online at https://cutt.ly/STEAM2024 or call our library to register.

Our year-round STEAM programs will continue through the summer:

• LEGO CLUB on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.

• Magna-Tile Club on Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.

The 2024 Summer Quest theme is Adventure Begins At Your Library. Sessions will be held at the Paul Fuller Playground in Meyersdale, weather permitting, on Fridays at 10 a.m. starting on July 12, and ending on August 9. (In the event of bad weather, check our Facebook Page or call (814) 634-0512 for information about an alternate site.) Registration is strongly encouraged so that we have enough craft materials for everyone.

Miss Debby is busy planning lessons for the summer sessions. This is her first summer in charge of our children's summer program. However, as a Cub Scout leader, she has plenty of experience planning outdoor adventures for young folks!

Did you know Smokey the Bear is turning 80 years old in 2024? That fact may figure into our summer program. To learn about Smokey the Bear and his history (and his birthday reading challenge) visit https://smokeybear.com/

More summer fun: George Menser (onl left in photo), who created our library's murals, will be teaching a four-week drawing class for youth age 12-17 on four Saturdays in June and July, beginning June 15, at 10:30 AM. George will also be presenting a program featuring some of his editorial cartoons on Tuesday, June 25 at 7:00 PM.

Watch for more details on our website, Facebook Page, and in the Got News?? newsletter.

The Laurel Highlands Antique Bottle Club is planning a display at the library on Saturday, July 27, between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM.

In the meantime, let's all take time on Memorial Day to honor our armed forces members who gave their lives in the line of duty. Our library will be closed on Memorial Day, May 27.

I need to let you know that we will also be closed for much of the day on Tuesday, May 14. Members of the National Honor Society from Meyersdale Area High School will be with us that day helping to move books and shelves as part of our current ADA Accessibility Project. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the closure.

Watch for a new Story Stroll to appear soon. It always takes a few days to get all the pages distributed around town, so please be patient while it is only partly in place.

Have a wonderful month of May!

The Library Lady