The Bookmark: May Literary Happenings in Coweta
By NANCY CAROL SANKER, Special to The Paper
No. Nope. Non. May is not all about Mother’s Day. I can’t believe I just said that! My roles as Mom & Nana mean everything to me, but my viewing lens has been adjusted. Maybe you’re a super-Mom, never-Mom or you had a Mom who chose to shrug off her Mom-cloak. My bet is that most women know how to nurture and THAT is what May should be all about. The ability to nurture fur-babies, beautiful gardens, friendships, children in CASA and desperate families after a tornado is paramount.
Nurture means to help, take care of and to hold and don’t we all know that in this pandemic-ravaged world all three are more treasured than ever? Our Coweta tornado underscores these primal needs.
Books offer their own special brand of nurturing. What we read offers guidance, comfort, escapism and even a path to new relationships, hence the popularity of book clubs. Coweta County is fortunate to offer a multitude of ways to be nurtured via books, authors and literary events. I hope the following opportunities help nurture you throughout May.
Coweta Public Library System (CPLS)
Library branch phone numbers:
Central Branch – 770-683-2052
Grantville Branch – 770-683-0535
Powell Branch – 770-253-6235
Senoia Branch – 770-599-3537
Current hours are:
Monday, Wednesday & Friday – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday – 1 – 6 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Curbside Pick-up:
M-F – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free Wi-Fi is still available in each library parking lot. The network name is BOOKWORM. No password is needed.
The 2021 Summer Reading Challenge will be here soon. Tails and Tales will be available in a hybrid format and will include popular performers, Magician Ken Scott, Puppeteer Lee Bryant and scientist-extraordinaire, Dr. Donald White. In-house programs will include story-times, science programs and arts and crafts.
If you missed the 2020 Summer Reading Programs, Blast from the Past, you’re in luck! They will be showcased on the CPLS Facebook page in May.
Hurry – your opportunity to view Rae Duncan’s larger-than-life Vivid Blooms ends the week of May 10.
The Newnan Carnegie Library (NCL)
1 Lagrange Street (www.newnancarnegie.com) – 770-683-1347.
Masks and social distancing are a must. Register for events on Eventbrite. Good news! The Carnegie has returned to regular hours. M-F – 9 a.m-5 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m.-Noon.
FREE – One of the best ways to nurture is through nature and the Carnegie can help. Stop by to choose from a wide variety of seeds, all for my favorite word – FREE!
Wednesday, May 12 – 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. – Book club with Lola, the registered therapy dog – Lola and her handler, Ms. Pam, provide a free fifteen-minute, private reading experience for elementary and middle school aged students. Register via Eventbrite for your child to have this special opportunity to be nurtured by Lola via a virtual Zoom call.
Your friends at the Carnegie love to read, provide book reviews AND offer a stunning array of current popular books just steps inside the door. These Carnegie reviews are available online:
- Olive by Emma Gannon
- House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
- Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
- Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards
- The Breakdown by B.A. Paris
Thursday, May 20 Hometown Novel Nights (HNN) at 6:30 p.m. Live at the Carnegie in the spacious auditorium upstairs– Yay! Join David Allman, Donna Black and Mike Nemeth and moderator, Scott Ludwig for what promises to be a great evening discussing The Spice of Variety. These Georgia authors bring you expertise from writing in an array of genres. Book signings and sales will enable attendees to support the Carnegie with their purchases. Seats are limited so sign up today.
Other Events and Book Club News
Saturday, May 15 – 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Writers Helping Writers at the Corner Arts Gallery, Studio & Gift Shop, 30 S. Court Sq. This helpful group nurtures each other on the third Saturday of each month. Do you yearn for advice or have an abundance to share? This is the place for you!
Wednesday, May 12 – 11 a.m. -11:15 a.m.- Peachtree City Library – Join Newnan’s Obie, the multi-talented canine, in his usual second Wednesday time slot as he reads the classic fairy tale, Rapunzel for children K-2nd grade. Watch Obie on Peachtree City’s Facebook page. Obie, who is loved, fed and watered by Newnan author, Lee St. John, currently has over 51,000 views on Pinterest.
Book clubs offer the joy of reading, shared laughter and abundant nurturing, all mixed together in a delicious meeting.
SummerGrove’s Read Between the Vines, led by Arielle Doheny has selected The Last Flight by Julie Clark based on a recommendation on Reese Witherspoon’s Facebook page. This suspense novel sounds like an intriguing riff on the dangers of identity exchange.
Wine & Words member, Kelly Stephens selected the exceedingly popular Kristin Hannah book, The Four Winds for our May discussion. This tale of the Depression, Dust Bowl and gutsy migration to California reminds me to really appreciate a simple glass of water. I am in awe of the women who nurtured their bare-footed children during a time when a dusty potato was considered a treat.
Thanks to all women who nurture, especially during these post-tornado weeks.
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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 Bookmark to success! To reach Nancy, email: [email protected].
