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Travel the world @yourlibrary

Every year as the winter draws to a close, the library hosts a series of travel programs. This year, in a series of five travelogues, you are invited to experience extremes of adventure and danger, follow an energetic tour of historic sites and be enthralled with a leisurely cruise and a spa vacation. Following are a few details about the first three presentations in the series.

Nancy Osborne spent two years working for the United Nations in the war-torn and socially unstable Darfur region of Sudan. In recent years, drought and civil war has exacerbated problems in an area that was already known as one of the poorest countries on the most poverty-stricken continent in the world. Come prepared to be shocked by the living conditions of the people who live in Darfur and also come prepared to ask Nancy questions about her time and work there.

Leslie and Peter Terry spend most of their summers sailing on Georgian Bay and went this past summer planning to make a presentation for the GPL travel series. With this in mind, they took many photos. Georgian Bay is one of the most beautiful parts of Ontario and few of us have the opportunity to view it in the way Leslie and Peter do each summer. Come and share some rare glimpses of this beautiful area.

Mary Anne and Steve Thomas flew from British Columbia into a remote spot in the Yukon interior in a tiny Twin Otter plane to begin their trip down the Snake River. They travelled with a group of eight people, some with very little experience in whitewater canoeing, made the trip in four canoes. All arrived safely at Fort McPherson, thanks to the skill of their experienced guide from the Ottawa area. Come to the library and view the breathtaking scenery of this remote, limited-access area of Canada. See and hear Mary Anne and Steve describe their awesome adventure in this spectacular wilderness.

Later on in the series, Joy Yule will offer a presentation that will take you on a busy, energetic tour of historic sites in China. Phyllis Stora will complete the series with a relaxing review of spa vacations and travel in Eastern Europe.

Set aside Tuesday evenings in March for trips you will never forget. You only need to travel to the Gravenhurst Public Library — from there you will be taken on tours that will take you literally around the globe.

Tuesday, March 4 — Living and Working in Darfur, Sudan with Nancy Osborne.
Tuesday, March 11 — Cruising Georgian Bay with Leslie and Peter Terry.
Tuesday, March 18 — Travel the Snake River (Yukon) with Steve Thomas.
Tuesday, March 25 — Travel China with Joy Yule and friends.
Tuesday, April 1 — Travelling in Eastern Europe and Spa Vacations with Phyllis Stora.

All sessions begin at 7 p.m.

Canada Reads Competition

Tune in to CBC Radio from Feb. 25 to 29 to hear the panelists make their case for why their favourite Canadian fiction should be picked as the Canadian book to read in 2008. The Gravenhurst Public Library has all five books for this year’s Canada Reads program: Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson; From the Fifteenth District by Mavis Gallant; Icefields by Thomas Wharton; King Leary by Paul Quarrington; and Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley.

Children’s programs during spring break

March Break week theme is Tree Ring Circus by Adam Rex. All programs are free and open to children of all ages each day starting at 11 a.m. until noon.

Monday’s theme is Sing Silly Sing with lots of music, dancing and games.

Tuesday’s theme is Circus Performers with magic tricks and more.

Wednesday’s theme is Animal Acts; come make circus animals.

Thursday’s theme is Cirque du Librairie, where everyone can practise their juggling acts.

On our final circus day, Friday, we will be jammin’ and boppin’ in a circus parade.

All who are interested in attending, please register in person at the library or by phone 687-3382.