The Bookmark: August Literary Happenings in Coweta

By Nancy Carol Sanker, Special to The Paper

Summertime and the living’s NOT easy, especially now.

George Gershwin could not have written his famous song in this challenging year. And it’s sweltering, but then, that’s a Georgia summer. We just never could have imagined there would be the additional hot back-to-school issues that would include excruciating choices.  I am longing for the days when we focused on a list of necessary school supplies and a backpack to carry everything.

Many thanks to teachers who love their students, their fellow teachers and supporting school staff.  They are doing their best to keep everyone safe. Teachers are juggling additional meetings, new classroom logistics and a flurry of demands from many directions. I hope you express your gratitude!

Speaking of things to appreciate … Southern heat makes an ice-cold Dr. Pepper taste sublime. Reading a great book with breeze-ruffled pages is delectable. An e-book is even easier. Let’s look at what makes August so hot, in a good literary way!

Please check for any updates before attending events.

• The Newnan Carnegie Library – 1 Lagrange Street (www.newnancarnegie.com) – 770-683-1347

Current Hours:

9 a.m.-5 p.m. – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Wednesday

9 a.m.-12 p.m. – Saturday

• Thursday, August 6 at 4 p.m. – Carnegie Cooks – Cold Brew Coffee & Vanilla Simple Syrup. This program will be posted to Facebook, Instagram and YouTube at 4 p.m.
• Visit the website for additional information on August Grab n’ Go Craft Kits.

• Coweta Public Library System (CPLS) (www.cowetapubliclibrary.org) – Welcome Back!

We’re celebrating over 10,000 items checked out the first half of July and it looks like it will be 25,000 by the time you read this. Congratulations to our great library system!

The CPLS libraries are open for Phase 3 – limited browsing.  So, what does this mean? All staff will wear masks and visitors are asked to wear them. Disposable masks will be provided. Social distancing will be observed. The ever-popular plexiglass will protect staff and patrons. While perusing books, please place any books you may have handled on a cart for quarantining and sanitizing.

Important no-no’s:

• No reusable bags allowed
• No computer access
• No donations accepted at this time.

The positive news is our libraries are open. How wonderful is that? The good news continues – an updated and refreshed version of GALILEO is now available to help students in all grades/college, do homework and learn independently. What perfect timing for students, parents and teachers, too.

Branch phone numbers:

Central Branch – 770-683-2052

Grantville Branch – 770-683-0535

Powell Branch – 770-253-6235

Senoia Branch – 770-599-3537

Need a library card? No problem! Visit http://cowt.ent.sirsi.net/en_US/ecard.

Temporary Hours:

M-W-F- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

T & Th – 1-6 p.m.

Saturday – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.– Central and Powell only

Curbside Pick-up:

M-F-10 a.m. to 5 p.m. .

Saturday – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Central and Powell only

*All items must be returned through the book drop which is open 24/7. Important note: returned items are quarantined for 72 hours so they will appear on your account for this time period, however, overdue fees will not accrue in this time span.

• Saturday, August 8 – 2 to 5 p.m. – T.M. “Mike” Brown will be at the Warm Springs Cellars, Warm Springs, GA for “Lines Between the Vines,” serving as the Booktalk spokesperson. The Hometown Novel Nights featured author will be Sharon Marchisello. Visit @TMBROWNAUTHOR for a weekly schedule of virtual Book Chats on Facebook Live.

• Thursday, August 13 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Local author, Ellis Crook, will sign copies of his book, Senoia Boy at the Senoia Community/Senior Center, 300 Howard Road, Senoia. Copies will be available for $20 – cash or check only. All proceeds to benefit the Senoia Area Historical Society. We are looking forward to celebrating Mr. Crook’s achievement.

• Thursday, August 27 – 6 to 8 p.m. – Southern Crescent Literature and Libations – SummerGrove Golf Club, 335 SummerGrove Parkway. Reservations are not necessary. Cocktails, appetizers, dinner and books for sale. Social distancing will be observed.

 Lee St. John will serve as the moderator as the following guests share their insight:

– Colonel Mark Gelhardt, Sr., Former White House CIO and author of My Time at the Clinton White House.

–  Tim Miller, Fayette County Board of Education teacher and author of three action-packed books including The Coward, The Courageous and The Blighted Leaves of Shamrock.

 – Lisa Stapleton Weldon – Twenty Pieces – Lisa will discuss the writing process as she works toward publishing her book about a thirty day walk across Manhattan.

*Please check for updates at http://www.facebook.com/socreswriters/

Cottage Book Club aka Wine and Words– How frequently is our club in perfect reading- accord? Not often! But we all enjoyed the book Diane Robertson selected, Arthur Trulove by Elizabeth Berg. The timing was perfect as this book is about second and even third chances, just when we thought our options were dwindling. The August selection, made by Donnie Turner Silva is Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Sherpa. It’s set in Branchville, South Carolina in 1924 and follows three women as they wade through life’s tough crossroads. I feel another great book club discussion in our future.

Whether you have a child going to school or staying home, I hope you know about the classic book, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. Second thought, it’s for everyone who needs the gentle reassurance that they are treasured, even when they are separated from their loved ones. It’s the perfect book for these imperfect times.

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Nancy Carol Sanker landed in Newnan via Ohio, Colorado and California. The constants in her life are her love of family, friends, fundraising and books. Nine years ago, she created Lights for Linda to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in memory of her sister. Now she looks forward to illuminating the literary opportunities and fundraisers our community offers readers of all ages. Nancy’s 11-year-old book club provides fresh, new titles while her two and eight-year-old grandchildren keep her aware of books for “littles.” Who knew a cow could type? Your contributions about book clubs, Little Free Libraries, events and fundraisers will lead the The Bookmark to success! To email Nancy …[email protected].