Beautiful Music on the lake!

The library was filled with the sweet music of strings on Sunday afternoon, November 7. The Ash Grove String Quartet plied their talents to a standing room only crowd. Attendees enjoyed the music and the venue. . .a window looking out at Reeds Lake!

ASH GROVE STRING QUARTET BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Sunday, November 7, 2010
2:00pm
East Grand Rapids Library
746 Lakeside Dr. SE

Irena Kocharova and Mary Kladder on violin, Christy Wiersma on viola
and Lorene Turkalo on cello

Back by popular demand, this local quartet will entertain library patrons with classical pieces, including those by Italian, Spanish and Russian composers. This group of musicians ply their talents at local venues such as St. Cecilia’s and Festival of the Arts, as well as private concerts and weddings. This is a free family concert.




This is a free family concert sponsored by the Friends of the Library

Navajo Creation Story Recap

An interested group of people attended our program Sunday afternoon. Lecturer, Sharon Whitehill, spoke of the Navajo Creation Story pointing out similarities between other cultures and their creation stories.


Sharon Whitehill

Thanks to all for attending and participating in the discussion.

THE NAVAJO CREATION STORY – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2:00 PM

Sharon Whitehill will present the Navajo Creation Story. Included in her presentation will be a painting depicting the creation story of Emergence and also some sand painting illustrations.



For 32 years, Sharon was a professor at Grand Valley State University, teaching literature courses, world mythology and writing courses. She is now retired and enjoys teaching courses for adults in Michigan and in Florida during the winter months.

June Used Book Sale!

FRIENDS' USED BOOK SALE!

Saturday, June 19, 2010
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
East Grand Rapids Middle School
2425 Lake Drive, SE
...
Presale for Friends Members
East Grand Rapids Middle School

2425 Lake Drive, SE
Friday, June 18, 2010
6:30 - 8:30 pm
You may sign up to be a member before the sale at the Library or at the door!

Here are some valuable Friends' links:

Membership form
http://www.kdl.org/kdl/pdf/EGRFriendsBrochure.pdf

Linda Nemec Foster, Grand Rapids Poet Laureate to Visit East Grand Rapids Library

On Saturday, March 27, 2:00pm Grand Rapids' first poet laureate, Linda Nemec Foster, will be at the library to speak about her work and read her poetry. Linda will be available to sign copies of her newest collection of poetry, Talking Diamonds.



Please visit Linda's website to learn more about her life and writings http://lindanemecfoster.com/bio.htm

Lincoln Program a Rousing Success!

Library patrons were treated to a standing room only visit from President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln on Saturday afternoon, February 13. Fred and Bonnie Priebe did not disappoint the crowd with their impersonations. This was quite an educational program for young and old alike!

Historical Program at the Library. . .Come one, come all!

Saturday, February 13, 2010, 1:00 pm




FREE FAMILY PROGRAM

Great Used Book Sale! Thanks to EVERYONE for your continued support!

Hopefully everyone went home with fun finds!

A little romance anyone?


Thousands of books from which to choose!



All proceeds benefit the East Grand Rapids Library. This year the Friends used funds raised to purchase 12 new laptop computers for computer classes. We also support programming, special projects and book collections, new furniture and other areas that need our sponsoring. What a wonderful community and a fabulous library!

FANTASTIC USED BOOK SALE, January 29 and 30, 2010

Friday, January 29. 6:30 - 8:30pm Friends Only Presale.
You may sign up for a membership at the door or ahead of time at the EGR Library.
Family $10
Contributing $25
Sustaining $50
Patron $100 or more

Our membership form is found online.

Saturday, January 30. 9:00am - 4:00pm

East Grand Rapids Middle School
2425 Lake Drive, SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Questions: Call the library (616) 784-2007

Come and browse and find those titles for which you have been searching! Thousands of books in over 30 categories are waiting for a home on your bookshelves! The Friends' semi-annual sale is always fun. We have books for all ages.

Also included in the sale are DVDs, VHS, CDS, vinyl albums, and assorted sundries. Special categories include collectible coffee table and antiquarian books.


PRICES:
Adult Books-
$1.00 paperbacks
$2.00 hardcover

Coffee table, sets and antiquarian books - individually priced

Kids' Books -
$.50 paperbacks
$1.00 hardcover

$2.00 (individual) DVDs (sets priced higher)
$1.00 VHS

$.50 individual audio cassettes

Herbs: Recipes, Crafts & Gifts at the East Grand Rapids Library! December 5, 2009

Successful and fun program by Connie Hanson! On December 5th a nice crowd enjoyed learning about spices, recipes and gifts. Tasting the goods that Connie brought to share was divine. The Friends hope to bring Connie back in spring 2010 to present another seasonal program. Stay tuned!



Join the Friends of the Library this Saturday, December 5 at 2:00pm for a special free workshop presented by Connie Hanson. Connie, former owner of the local Scents of Summer Herb Shop, will share recipes and herbal gift ideas. There will be plenty of tasting at this creative gathering! See you at the library!

Ash Grove String Quartet Concert Simply Wonderful!

Approximately 80 people attended our Sunday afternoon concert at the library. The musicians were well received by the crowd!

Even the little ones were entranced by the music!



Thanks to all who participated and attended!

Ash Grove String Quartet - November 22, 2009 2:00pm - 3:00pm - Classical Sunday Concert

Sunday, November 22, 2009 2:00pm - 3:30pm Free Concert
Join us in the East Grand Rapids Library on a fall afternoon with the beautiful sounds of the Ash Grove String Quartet.

Grand Rapids-based Ash Grove String Quartet plays intense works of once famous, nearly forgotten Italian, Spanish and Russian composers.

The Ash Grove String Quartet, which was formed about a dozen years ago, consists of Irena Kocharova and Mary Kladder on violins, Christy Wiersma on viola, and Lorene Turkalo on cello. They play for weddings, receptions, and other events, as well as performing string quartet concerts at Festival of the Arts, the Art Grand Rapids Art Museum and at Saint Cecelia. They are also active individually playing and teaching.

Music, a fireplace and a lovely comfortable setting for a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

FREE CONCERT

Fantastic June Book Sale!

Another great sale, Saturday, June 20, 2009 at the EGR Middle School. Our presale for Friends of the EGR members was also a hit the night before :) If you have not been to one of our sales, you will get a chance again in January 2010. Don't forget the Friends' Corner at the East Grand Rapids library. It is an ongoing sale packed with lots of goodies!

What's Under There: Reed's Lake Ecology and Fishing Expo

Captain Bill Poisson with his catch of the day in 1953

Discover the wonders of life under the waves of Reed's Lake with a fun afternoon of fishing trivia, lore, and legend and uncover ways we affect the lake environment.

HAVE YOU CAUGHT A KEEPER?
Share your photographs with us!
People can start bringing in their photos anytime.
They should be unframed.
We'll put them on display on the orange wall upstairs, outside the East Grand Rapids History Room and downstairs on the magnetic wall in the juvenile fiction area (we'll
make color copies and put them in both locations).

The pics should be no bigger than 8x10.

People should write on the back any pertinent info
i.e. fish size, weight, where they caught it..that would be great! Identification cards will be posted next to each picture.

Saturday, June 27. 2:00pm - 4:00pm

For all ages - Free - No registration required.


Jim Muller- Reed's Lake ecology expert, former high school science teacher. His knowledge of local ecology will give the community insight into the environmental issues facing Reed's Lake.

Chase F. Klinesteker - Spoonplugging instructor. Will show how knowing the geography of the lake bottom will enhance your chances of catching the "big one".

Learn to make your own lures/flies to attract local fish.

In cooperation with a grant from the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation and the Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library.

FANTASTIC USED BOOK SALE - Saturday, June 20, 2009, 9am - 4pm

Bring your friends, neighbors and relatives to our June sale! We have over 30 categories of books as well as music CDs and audiotapes, DVDs and VHS!

Sale location: East Grand Rapids Middle School. 2425 Lake Drive, SE. Located at the intersection of Lake Drive, Breton Road and Lakeside Drive.


It's a great day for shopping in East Grand Rapids! Our sale coincides with the annual Reeds Lake Clothesline Art Show. What could be better?

If you are a member of the Friends of the Library of East Grand Rapids Library, please plan on attending the "Members Only Presale" on Thursday, June 19, 6:30pm - 8:30pm. If you are not a member we would love to have you join! You may sign up to be a member at the EGR Library in the days before the sale or you may join the evening of the Presale. Membership information is found on our blog page, our KDL page http://www.kdl.org/branches/1/news/32 or you may call the library at (616)647-3880,

Hope to see you at the sale!

EGR Time Capsule: Celebrating the 50th Birthday of the East Grand Rapids Library - Fundraiser

The Friends of the Library of East Grand Rapids, the Library staff and the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation rallied together for a wonderful fundraiser, Saturday evening, April 25, 7:00 - 9:30. The event included a silent and live auction of items and events, such as a week at a cottage on Lake Michigan, a chance to ride in the fire truck in the 4th of July parade, choice seats in the new press box for the East v Lowell home game, a signed and framed Chris Van Allsburg poster and many other interesting and fun items.



The party was catered by Ramona's Table and Graydon's Crossings, Gaslight Village restaurants. The food was varied and delicious! We have great eateries in our city!


One of our favorite local musical groups, Potato Moon, entertained. The members of this group are East residents and so musically talented!


The library staff and Friends of the Library created activity tables from the decades, 1950s to the present. The history of the EGR Library accompanied each decade represented.




1990's table




Gale and Diane Demarest, Sam Helmrick, Friends of the Library



Gail Haebich and Pamela VanderPloeg, current KDL Assistant Director, former EGR Manager



Dawn Lewis, current manager and Geil DeYoung, former manager



1980's table



1960's table. Jacque and John Miller. Jacque was a former assistant library manager.



Helen Salan, Rita and Stuart Citron, Dawn Lewis and Tony Barnes






Former library manager, Gail DeYoung and Kent District Library Director, Martha Smart, had a good time seeing friends, co-workers and former library employees!







1970's table



1950's table



Gail Haebich and Gail DeYoung, former assistant manager and manager of EGR Library



Birthday cake!



Brian Donovan, City Manager, ticket man!



All around the library!


Potato Moon


Karen Brower, city clerk, Tony Barnes, Community Foundation



Live Auction!



Mary and Tom Christensen, Friends of the EGR Library




Over 100 people attended this event. All proceeds will benefit the Library and the Community Foundation. Thanks to all who came, had fun and supported this worthy event.