Donny Humes - reception January 5, 2007

DONALD R. HUMES, JR.
Artist's Statement

Born in Columbus, Ohio I was recently transplanted to southeastern Georgia with my wife Sonya and son Ivan. As an artist, I am sure this change in environment will take my art in a new direction.

I was always creating or making something as a young child. As I got older, I experimented with many mediums. I drew, painted, shot photographs, and made mini-magazines ('zines) with photocopies. I was very influenced by the culture of skateboarding and the alternative culture of "do-it-yourself". I always loved art and expressing what I felt.

Now at age 37, I am a carpenter with a special fascination for scrap wood and found objects. I like to reuse, renew and recycle pieces of wood and objects that other see as trash. Pieces of wood with unique patterns and knots are usually seen as less useful for commercial purposes, so they are turned into sawdust. I collect these pieces and put them together with weathered boards and scrap material such as copper and fixtures I acquire from home remodeling jobs. I often focus on making creatures or furniture out of these materials because I like to see them coming to life before my eyes. Each of these pieces had a journey and a story to tell, and when they are combined in the right way, they are a reminder that there is so much around us with hidden personality and a message for us, if we only notice it.

I never went to school or college for art. I am what they call a self-taught or "outsider" artist. It is a gift that comes from within. That's what makes my art different from the art of many others. My art is durable and textured and invites people to touch it and interact with it, and I hope that my art can be appealing to people who don't think of themselves as "art lovers" because it is accessible and playful, but with a serious reminder about finding use and beauty in everything in our society we're willing to cast aside.

The Screven County Library is pleased to invite you to meet the artist on Friday, January 5 at 7 pm at the Screven County Library. There will be food, drink and music, as well as the work of this fascinating artist. Mr. Humes' work will be on display in the library's multipurpose room throughout the months of January and February.

Nowhere in Screven & Jenkins - 12/28/2006

The New Year is almost here, and that means you only have two days left to start it off right – with $100 of extra money! That’s right, you have until December 30 at 5 pm to turn in your Screven or Sylvania themed picture to be used as the OFFICIAL souvenir t-shirt of our county! This contest is open to both adults (15 and up) and kids (14 and under) so pull out a sheet of unlined 8 ½ x 11 inch paper, draw something up, and bring it to the library before 5 pm Saturday. Please make sure that you fill out an entry form, we’d like to know who to give that $100 to!

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SCREVEN:

On Friday, January 5 at 7 pm we will be having a reception for Donny Humes, the sculptor who will be exhibiting his unique and fascinating sculptures in the library’s multipurpose room. Make sure to come and see the playful side of art! The exhibit will be on display in the library throughout January and February.

In the display case in the lobby we will be exhibiting Gayle Cousar’s collection of pitchers and china. Stop by and be amazed at the variety and imagination that went into creating these charming and useful pieces.

Bring the little ones to the library on Tuesdays for good times and a bit of learning as well. At 9:30 am we have Twinkle Time, a lapsitting program for children 2 and under. Caregivers, infants and toddlers will all enjoy a chance to settle down together for nursery rhymes, fingerplays and other fun activities, and there just might be a door prize waiting to be given away to some lucky mom or grandma.

At 10 pm on Tuesday is our pre-school storytelling program, a fun time for children 3 and up to listen to a story and do a craft project while the adults in their life catch their breath from all the holiday craziness.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN JENKINS:

The display cases in the Ruth Newton Spiers Board Room are filled with beautiful hand-painted china. These pieces were done by Mrs. Camille Lane, Mrs. Marilyn Knight, Mrs. Jackie Moore, and Mrs. Barbara Pike. Please come by to see this wonderful display.

At 4 pm on Wednesday we have storytime for children ages 3 and up. During this fun time, children can listen to a story and do a craft project while the adults catch their breath from all the holiday rush.

Now, on to the books!

ASK THE FRUITCAKE LADY by Marie Rudisill. Marie Rudisill is the person that Jay Leno goes to for advice, and she doesn’t hold back on giving it! From the “boxers or briefs” debate to who pays the way on a date, she lets everyone know exactly what she thinks.

MONTH-BY-MONTH GARDENING IN GEORGIA by Walter Reeves & Erica Glasener. When should you plant tomatoes? What kind of roses grow well in Georgia? These questions and more are answered here.

JOURNEY INTO THE VOID by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Fans of D&D style fantasy know that the team of Weis and Hickman are some of the best when it comes to exciting adventures.

AGAINST THE DAY by Thomas Pynchon. From the Chicago World’s Fair to World War I, from labor troubles to the mysterious Tunguska Event in Russia, this tale of corruption in high places, false religiosity, and unrestrained corporate greed spans the globe.

AFTER THIS by Alice McDermott. The middle decades of the 20^th century are a turbulent time for the country and for the Keane family. Here is the tale of their struggle to remain a family in the face of forces that stand ready to tear them apart.

COOL SITES TO CHECK OUT:

“50 Coolest Websites” is an annotated list of 50 useful and amusing websites in the areas of entertainment, arts, and media; shopping, lifestyle, and hobbies; news and information; staying connected; time wasters; travel and real estate; and web searches and services. "Many of ... [the sites for 2006] are shining examples of Web 2.0: next-generation sites offering dynamic new ways to inform and entertain." Includes links to lists back to 2003. From Time magazine in partnership with CNN.

“Research Beyond Google: 119 Authoritative, Invisible, and Comprehensive Resources” offers an annotated list from October 2006 of authoritative websites on the "invisible web." The "invisible web comprises databases and results of specialty search engines that the popular search engines simply are not able to index." Topics include search engines, art, online books, business, consumer, finance, government, international, law, health, science, and transportation. Librarians' Internet Index is listed. From the Online Education Database (OEDb), a site that offers reviews of online schools and degree programs.

“healthywomen.org” provides medical information for women, more than 100 conditions, diseases and women's health issues covered in depth, from acupuncture to yoga. Diagnosis, treatment, questions to ask your health care professional, lifestyle tips and more. All content reviewed for medical accuracy by health care professionals. Also includes question and answer columns on topics such as breast health and midlife health. From the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC), an "independent health information source for women."

“AlcoholScreening.org” includes a library of publications about alcohol and health from the U.S. government, and a database of alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs.
"If you consume alcoholic beverages, it's important to know whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. Answering these questions will take only a few minutes, and will generate personalized results based on your age, gender and drinking patterns." A project of the Boston University School of Public Health.

“Get a Passport Now” gives brief information about new passport requirements for 2007 for travelers to and from the U.S. All travelers will be required to have passports -- including U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. by air from throughout the Western Hemisphere -- on January 23, 2007. Also includes material about sea and land travel, and links to official passport sites for U.S., Canadian, and Mexican citizens. From the Travel Industry Association and Travel Business Roundtable.

“Elvis: The Undisputed King of Rock and Roll”, a companion to a past exhibition about Elvis Presley, features an essay about the musician and performer, along with photos of items from the exhibit. Provides a link to Elvis' Rock and Roll Hall of Fame profile, which includes a biography and timeline. From the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Well, that’s it for now – see you at the library!

News from Knowhere - 12/21/06

Christmas is almost here, have you gotten your shopping done? If you haven’t, you might want to stop by the library and buy a Christmas CD for only $1. Or you could just borrow one from our CD collection to bring some Yuletide cheer to your party or Christmas morning – it’s a two week checkout and we have holiday albums from artists ranging from Linda Ronstadt to Chanticleer, and from All 4 One to Lonestar. The library will be closed from December 25 until December 27 for Christmas, so get your holiday reading, movies and music soon!

Starting on January 1, 2007 all library transactions will require a PINES library card. Because the PINES system has over 1.6 million patrons, there have been numerous incidents in which materials were erroneously charged to the wrong patron when they were actually checked out by another person of the same name. Due to this, photo IDs will no longer be accepted in place of your library card!

Our holds policy will also be changing with the new year. Starting in January, there will be a limit of 50 holds at a time per card. If you have more than 50 items on hold when the change goes into effect you will still receive your materials, but starting January 1 the software will not allow any further holds above that 50 item limit to be placed.

Don’t forget to come to the library to see the great engraved Christmas cards created by Prof. James Munce – they’re well-executed and (mostly) funny! They’ll be on display in the library lobby all through the month of December.

WHAT'S GOING ON IN SCREVEN

We also have the entries for the souvenir t-shirts on display in our multipurpose room. Remember that you have until December 30 to get your entries in and have a chance to WIN $100! It’s a very simple contest:

Get a piece of unlined 8 ½ x 11 inch paper (standard letter size)

Draw a Screven County or Sylvania themed design that will look good printed on a t-shirt

Turn it in to the library for judging

There will be a winner in each of two categories, Adults (aged 15+) and Kids (14 and under). Each will receive $100 and a free t-shirt with their design, as well as the pride of having designed the official souvenir t-shirt of Screven County. Everyone can use a little extra cash after Christmas, so bring your entries in today!

We’ve got a great artist coming in January to show his work, and it’s totally different from anything you’ve ever seen! His name is Donny Humes, and he creates sculptures from found objects that are out of this world. Want to see some of his work? Click the links: 1 2 3 4 Want to meet him? Join us at 7 pm on Friday, January 5 and get your new year off to a radical start!

WHAT'S GOING ON IN MILLEN

Don’t miss the beautiful hand painted china display in the Ruth Newton Spiers Board Room during the entire month of December.

Wednesdays at 4 pm we have our fun storytimes for the little ones. Bring them in to listen to a seasonal tale and create cute crafts to take home.

The following books are new here at the library:

THE ROAD by Cormac McCarthy. A father and son walk through the ruins of post-apocalyptic America, their only possessions a single pistol, a cart of scavenged food, the clothes on their backs… and each other. Their destination: the coast.

CHERRY CHEESECAKE MURDER by Joanne Fluke. Hannah Swenson is back (and so are her recipes) as Lake Eden becomes a movie set. But no one expects the tension on the screen to become murder for real, and Hannah has to sift through the evidence to whip up a solution to this mystery.

THE GRAYS by Whitley Strieber. Those familiar with extraterrestrials shudder at the thought of the Greys, the alien beings who kidnap humans for their experiments. In a small Kentucky town, three Greys have been manipulating bloodlines to create the ultimate human. The result: Conner Callaghan, a nine-year-old boy caught in a battle to save the human race.

ALCOHOLISM AND THE FAMILY by Gilda Berger. There are 17 million Americans who abuse alcohol. One in every four homes is affected by an alcohol related family problem. Here is a clear look at the terrible cost of alcoholism and the need for prevention and treatment programs.

THE JOY OF COOKING by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, and Ethan Becker. 500 new recipes and 4000 of the most beloved recipes from previous editions make this 75^th anniversary edition a must-read for foodies and cooks alike.

CAPITOL MURDER by William Bernhardt. Bernhardt’s bestselling novels featuring Oklahoma defense attorney Ben Kincaid capture the bare-knuckles reality of high-stakes criminal defense, as lofty ideals of justice clash with power, corruption, and wealth. In Capitol Murder, Bernhardt’s hard –charging hero takes on his most shocking headline-making case yet.

ON AGATE HILL by Lee Smith. Molly Petree, orphaned by the Civil War, is by her own definition “a spitfire and a burden.” Raised in a once prosperous plantation on Agate Hill in North Carolina, she has no interest in self-pity. When a mysterious benefactor appears, Molly Petree never looks back.

PALESTINE: PEACE NOT APARTHEID by Jimmy Carter. Former president Jimmy Carter offers an assessment of what must be done to bring permanent peace to Israel with dignity and justice to Palestine.

WELFARE STATE AMERICA: SAFETY NET OR SOCIAL CONTRACT? By Michael Kronenwetter. Kronenwetter examines a number of compelling questions in this timely look at the past, present, and future of the American welfare state.

PRISON LIFE: THE CRISIS TODAY by Anna Kosof. How can the government effectively manage the huge numbers of people who have been convicted of criminal acts?

AMERICA'S HEALTH CARE CRISIS: WHO'S RESPONSIBLE? By Nancy Levitin. American health care has become dauntingly complex and the proposed solutions to its crisis are controversial. To understand the changes requires extensive information about its many players and their role in the crisis.

A FEMALE FOCUS: GREAT WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS by Margot F. Horwitz. This is the fascinating history of highly celebrated and less renowned women who have opened the lens of their view of the world.

COOL SITES TO CHECK OUT:

“How to Take Great Photos of Holiday Lights” offers ideas for taking photos of tree lights, candles, holiday lights on buildings, and other indoor and outdoor lit subjects. Includes tips for both film and digital photography, and examples of photographs of holiday lights. From a photography school.

“A Do-It-Yourself Year-End Bonus” describes how most employees have the power to put at least a couple hundred extra dollars in their paychecks each month, starting this month. Simply tell Uncle Sam to back off a bit in biting into your paychecks. Includes an online calculator to help you determine if you should adjust withholdings to increase your take-home pay. From Kiplinger's.

“NORAD Tracks Santa” around the world on Christmas Eve. The site provides biographical information about Santa Claus, a sampler of Christmas music, and brief information about NORAD. The tracker goes live the morning of December 24, but prior to that, test videos made of Santa's earlier activities in the calendar year are available for viewing. Available in six languages.

“Celebrating the Holidays in an Interfaith Family” is an article about understanding the dilemma of combining traditions and finding and sharing solutions for celebrating winter holidays in families with members of different religious groups. From BabyCenter.

Well, that’s it for now – see you at the library!

News from Knowhere - 12/14/06

Better stock up on the books and movies! The library will be closed from December 25 until December 27 for the Christmas holidays, so make sure you have all your entertainment needs taken care of early!

Speaking of Christmas, did you know that we have CDs available for sale? They’re only $1, and we’ve got a wide range of styles available, including some that will help make your season bright! And if there’s a booklover on your list, you can’t do better than our ongoing book sale – where else can you get 4 hardcovers or 10 paperbacks for just $1?

WHAT'S GOING ON IN SCREVEN:

Today at 4 pm is our monthly craft day. It’s fun (and free!) for all ages and it’s a great way to create your very own Christmas decorations. Space is limited, though, so sign up now!

Don’t forget that the t-shirt contest is still going on! We’ve got some nice entries, but yours could be even better – and win you $100! Just get a sheet of UNLINED paper, draw a Screven County or Sylvania themed design, and bring it to the library by December 30 at 5 pm. If your t-shirt is picked as the best, then you win the money, a free t-shirt with your design, and bragging rights as the creator of the official souvenir t-shirt for our county! There will be two winners, one for 15 and over and one for 14 and under. Big thanks to the Sylvania Junior Woman's Club for providing the prizes and for their constant encouragement of the creative talents of Screven Countians, adult and children alike! Thanks also go to the Screven County Chamber of Commerce for organizing the printing of the t-shirts, and remember - all proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts benefit the Sylvania Downtown Development Authority.

But just because the holiday rush is in full swing, don’t think that we’re not taking the time to care for the little ones! In fact, the perfect way to relax from all the Christmas chaos is to bring them in for storytime Tuesdays at 10 am. They’ll get to listen to a cute holiday story and then make a craft project related to the story – so you get holiday decorations out of it as well as a chance to sit back, read a newspaper or your email, and catch your breath from all the running around you’ve been doing.

If your baby’s too young for our regular storytime, why not pop in half an hour earlier? Tuesdays at 9:30 we have Twinkle Time, a chance for mothers to bring their infants and toddlers in and enjoy spending time doing nursery rhymes and fingerplays with them. It’s a wonderful way to encourage learning for your child and have fun doing it.

WHAT'S GOING ON IN JENKINS:

During the month of December, the library will host a display of hand painted china done by several ladies in our community. These ladies do beautiful work and you will not want to miss this display. The items will be on display in the Ruth Newton Spiers Board Room for the entire month.

Wednesdays at 4 pm is our great storytime. It's a perfect time for the little ones to listen to a story, do some crafts, and enjoy themselves at the library.

Now, on to the books! Remember, if you see any you're interested in, just click on the title and you can go right to the catalog and even reserve it with your PINES card number and password.

SWEET TEA AND JESUS SHOES. This collection of down-home tales from the South is as sweet as honey… with just a twist of surprises to keep it lively.

THE UNITED STATES OF ARUGULA: HOW WE BECAME A GOURMET NATION by David Kamp. It wasn’t all that long ago that only health nuts demanded organic food, and the idea of a “celebrity chef” would make most people scratch their heads and wonder what you’d been drinking. Now, Emeril is a household name, Food Network is on the TV, and you can find sushi in strip malls. What happened to change the way the nation looks at food?

THE WIDOWS’ CLUB by Joyce Livingston. Val Denay has it all: a lovely home, money, looks, and a great personality. The only thing she’s missing is her husband, and she wonders how she’ll ever fill the void he left behind. But she’s found new friends, and an old rival, and things are anything but boring.

THE GARDEN OF EDEN AND OTHER CRIMINAL DELIGHTS by Faye Kellerman. Fans of Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus will be happy to find they’ve returned in two never-before-published short stories, and those who would like to know more about Kellerman’s own views will be able to peek into her private life with personal essays.

WHEN LIGHT BREAKS by Patti Callahan Henry ~ this book is set in the low country of South Carolina and centers on bride-to-be Kara Larson. Kara prepares for her wedding deals her mothers death and the feelings of abandonment she feels so keenly.

THE BRETHREN by Beverly Lewis ~ The stirring conclusion to Annie’s People, this book tells of Annie Zook, the preacher’s daughter, caught between two worlds. Annie longs to return to her forbidden art and the Englisher, Ben Martin. Ben, stunned when family secrets come to light, determines to solve the mystery. Will his future include Annie—or will the Brethern always stand between them.

WILD FIRE by Nelson DeMille ~ DeMille says that this work of fiction is based on rumor; repeated on the Internet, about a government plan very much like the one he calls Wild Fire.

MARS AND VENUS ON A DATE by John D. Gray, Ph.D. ~ A guide for navigating the 5 stages of dating to create a loving and lasting relationship.

YOU, ON A DIET by Michael F. Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet C. Oz, M. D. ~ Researchers are unraveling biological secrets about such things as why we crave chocolate, gorge at buffets, and store so much fat.

SITES TO CHECK OUT:

"United States Institute of Peace: Iraq Study Group (ISG)" was formed in March 2006 to conduct a forward-looking, independent assessment of the current and prospective situation on the ground in Iraq, its impact on the surrounding region, and consequences for U.S. interests. Its site features material about leaders and meetings and links to related documents. From the United States Institute of Peace, an independent, nonpartisan, national institution established and funded by Congress.

“Holiday Giving Guide” helps you find a charity you can trust and provides tips for making decisions about donations, statistics, information about workplace donation campaigns, and a list of the highest and lowest rated charities in various subject areas. From Charity Navigator, an organization that "works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities."

“Questions and Answers for New Pilot Naturalization Exam” provides all of the 144 questions and answers for the pilot test (released in November 2006) of the new U.S. naturalization exam. The exam includes "new questions that focus on the concepts of democracy and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship." From U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“How We Celebrate Hanukkah” covers the history and meaning of the holiday and how to celebrate, complete with blessings, songs, activities, recipes for traditional foods, the meaning of "gelt," and a virtual dreidel game. Chag sameach! (Happy holidays!) From the Jewish Outreach Institute.

“Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture: The Official Kwanzaa Web Site" focuses on the philosophy of Dr. Maulana Karenga, the African-American professor who created the holiday in 1966. It describes in detail the African roots of the holiday, the seven principles, and the seven basic symbols. Includes a comprehensive guide for those celebrating Kwanzaa for the first time.

“Solstice, Sacaea-Saturnalia, Yule, and Today” examines the ancient origins of the winter holiday season and how pagan and Christian celebrations have merged into Christmas traditions. The site includes factual tidbits about ancient and current winter solstice celebrations; Egyptian, Persian, and Roman celebrations; and northern European Yule traditions. Also includes a description of holiday celebrations for the day, a bibliography, and related links.

Well, that’s it for now – see you at the library!

Welcome to Knowhere!

This is the first post of what will be a continuous blog to keep our friends in Screven and Jenkins Counties informed, entertained, and maybe even amused. Here you'll find (among other things) special versions of our articles for the Sylvania Telephone and Millen News which will include direct links to interesting websites and to new books in our library catalog, so that you can request a book without even leaving your computer! Just click on the title of the book, enter your PINES card number when requested, and we'll contact you as soon as your book comes in.

You're probably wondering why a library has a blog. It's simple - it's a good way to let everyone know what the library can do for you! Our library system's main purpose is this: "to collect, organize and make accessible informational, educational, recreational and cultural resources to meet the changing needs of its patrons of all ages and cultural and economic backgrounds." We can't do that if people don't know that we exist!

Our job - and what we most enjoy doing - is finding ways to make your life better. We put articles in the papers letting people know what kind of things are going on in the library, we plan programs for all ages ranging from kids' craft times to educational programs to free afternoon movies. We hire entertainers to enlighten, amuse and bemuse you, and teachers to instruct you in subjects from art to music to dance. We reach out to everyone in the community from babies to seniors and all ages in between. We provide information for you when you need it, encourage artists and collectors local and otherwise to display their work, provide a meeting place for local community groups, loan video/DVDs free (from classics to new releases) , help kids with their homework, host storytimes for the youngsters, and of course do our best to make sure that you can read the latest Janet Evanovich or Anne McCaffery book without having to drop $20 -or more - at the bookstore.

If you need information, want to display your collections or artwork in the library, hope to teach a class or give an informational lecture in the library, or are just trying to find out if we have a book you'd like to read, just give us a call - we're here to help!