Raining Dogs & Cats, Plants & Plans

The Library didn’t let a little rain, ok, a lot of rain dampened our Royal Party on Saturday, September 27th. We simply moved into the community room to welcome knights and princesses for cupcakes, games, and sword fights! We had such a good time and plan on offering another Royal Party next spring for those who may have missed out on the fun or wish to attend as a returning guest.

The rain continued on Monday, September 29th, but it didn’t slow the Library down. Library Director Mrs. Cindy Scheu and a staff member set up a vending station at “The Good Neighbor Information and Help Center” program hosted by Grace Hills Baptist Church. The purpose of this program was to offer local seniors much-needed information about the importance of wills, Medicare and health insurance, financial preparedness, bank scams, and more. The Library along with several other vendors offered information directed toward senior citizens to potentially enhance their well-being mentally, financially, and physically. The Library passed out newsletters, other library-related information, swag bags and bookmarks to each person who stopped by our booth.

The dogs were back! Twice yearly Old Dominion K-9 SAR (Search And Rescue) from Tennessee comes to central Virginia to train personal and professional working dogs all over the east coast in the art of man trailing and other skills need to locate persons in need. They practice in the town’s parking lot behind the Library, and staff welcomes them inside to help tune the skills of handlers and dogs alike. The Library staff put out a table with fresh hot coffee, cream, assorted sweeteners and donuts to show their appreciation for all the hard work that this group does to keep everyone safe and give hope that rescue resources are available when the time arises.

On Wednesday, October 1st’s Story and Craft Time Library Fairy traded in her wings for a witch’s hat as she presented the book “The Leaf Thief” by Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater. Squirrel loves counting the leaves on his tree – red leaves, gold leaves, orange, and more. But hold on! One of his leaves is missing! On a quest to find the missing leaf, Squirrel teams up with his good friend Bird to discover who the leaf thief could be among their forest friends. The kids enjoyed snacks while making a squirrel hide-and-seek leaf scene. Our next Story and Craft Time will be on Wednesday, October 8th, at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm, featuring author Kerri Rundstrom as she reads her book “Max and the Moo Mystery”! A playful and empowering book that helps kids understand what alpha-gal allergies are and helps to build food confidence by becoming label-reading superheroes. The Library will serve alpha-gal friendly snacks.

We had a last-minute booking on Wednesday, for a private craft and movie time. We managed to rock it by providing a beaded pumpkin craft and showing a movie from the famous teenage detective team with a green flowered van and a clever dog.

Also, on Wednesday the Library welcomed Curtis from Farmers Bank of Appomattox. Curtis provided participants with the opportunity to educate themselves on established and new banking scams and how to protect yourself from the classic and ever-changing trends designed to fraudulently gain access to your funds. The public was allowed to ask questions, express concerns, or share personal stories. Curtis had several informational sheets and bookmarks to remind those that attended the signs to watch out for. The next Farmers Bank presentation will be on Tuesday, October 21st, starting at 5:00 pm in the Library’s community room.

The much-anticipated Fall Plant Swap was held in the Library’s community room on Thursday, October 2nd. Patrons brought in plants and exchanged them for others in this fun interactive program designed to spark an interest in gardening, indoor plants, and horticulture education. The Library carries a nice selection indoor and outdoor gardens, plants, succulents, landscaping books and a growing seed library.

On Friday, October 3rd we hosted a small group of adults for a private movie time, providing them with snacks and a safe, quiet place to gather and enjoy an activity. If your group wants the Library to host an event for you please feel free to reach out to us.

A HUGE thank you to owner Alexis from Griffin’s Garden, an up-and-coming micro flower farm new to Appomattox. Griffin’s Garden was the first business to host herb/vegetable/flower beds at the Library! Alexis personally came to the Library on Friday to plant lettuce, spinach, and wildflowers in the three beds that Griffin’s Garden is sponsoring! She has plans on changing the beds out seasonally to host a variety of herbs, vegetables, and flowers to attract local bees, birds, and butterflies. The Library welcomes families, businesses and other organizations to sponsor their own bed(s) of zone-friendly plants.

On Saturday October 4th the Library Director hosted her monthly Creative Class for Adults. Using recycled tin cans, paint, mod-podge, and napkins attendees created pretty planters. The Library provided all supplies including dirt and pre-rooted plants so everyone took home a completed planter.

The Library has a short but full week of programs next week, including several family resource organizations, Story & Craft Time, Teen & Adult Book Clubs, Girls Who Code, a poster contest creation time hosted by Robert E Lee Soil and Water Conservation District, a spooky telling of an Edgar Allen Poe short story, and hosting a private movie time.

This Library has taken an active role in our community for nearly 3 decades and currently we are working in conjunction with Friends of Holliday Lake by displaying their “Stained Glass Vision” quilt they are raffling off to raise funds for the American Cancer Society and Friends of Holliday Lake. This beautiful quilt was donated by Celeste of Country Lane Quilter in honor of her dear friend Lorraine. Lorriane, who has since passed away from cancer, started this quilt and it was finished by Celeste and friends in her memory. If you would like to see the quilt in person we encourage you to stop by the Library. For chances on this quilt, you may contact Celeste at 603-547-5903 or visit the Friends of Holliday Lake’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080228708707

Penny and her posse are still ridding strong around Appomattox. If you find Penny, or a member of her posse (a cat-shaped rubber duck) you are encouraged to bring them back to the Library and exchange them for a Penny Pincher Posse Prize. We will continue to hide Penny and members of her posse around town until all the kitty-ducks have vanished. To keep this fun and interactive game going we encourage you to return the kitty-ducks. Once they are gone, the game is over.

In observation of the Railroad Festival and Columbus Day, the Library will be closed to the public from Friday, October 10th, through Monday, October 13th. The book depository at the back of the building will also be closed during this time. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause our patrons. We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, October 14th, starting at 9:30 am.

If you have any questions or concerns about this article or other library-related topics, please feel free to call us during normal business hours at 434.352.5340.

Article / Photo Submitted by
Katharine G. Bloodworth
Assistant Library Director
J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library

Community Calendar

October 6th, Monday – Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy at the Jamerson Library. A Witness Advocate from the County office will be in the Library’s community room from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm to offer support, resources, and a safe environment to report and seek help from domestic violence.

October 7th, Tuesday – Something to neigh about! Trot the Book Bus to visit the Jamerson Library from 11:50 am to 12:45 pm. Preschool to high school kids are welcome to borrow a book from this horse-painted bookmobile. You can return Spot or Trot Book Bus books to the Library at any time.

October 7th, Tuesday – PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) to be at the Jamerson Library from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. PEATC provides tools and information to empower parents/guardians of students with disabilities (birth – 26 years of age) with services and support, research-based information and training, and opportunities for strategic partnerships and advocacy for systemic improvement. For more information on PEATC please visit their website at: https://peatc.org/.

October 7th, Tuesday – Mr. Craig York presents a spooky telling of Edgar Allen Poe’s Hop Frog at the Jamerson Library starting at 6:00 pm. Hop Frog is a short horror story about a crippled jester and his friend, who are abused by a cruel king and his ministers. We strongly suggest a mature audience for this program.

October 8th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm in the community room. The Library will host author Kerri Rundstrom as she reads her book “Max and the Moo Mystery”! A playful and empowering book that helps kids understand what alpha-gal allergies are and helps to build food confidence by becoming label-reading superheroes. The Library will serve alpha-gal friendly snacks.

October 8th, Wednesday – Spot the Book Bus to visit the Jamerson Library. Reading is “spot” on with the black and white dog painted bus named Spot! Spot will be in our parking lot from 12:10 pm to 12:40 pm for kids from preschool through high school to borrow a book. You can return all Spot and Trot Book Bus books to the Library at any time.

October 8th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Book Club at 3:30 pm in the community room. This month’s book will be the graphic novel “A Witch’s Guide to Burning” by Aminder Dhaliwal. A witch’s work is never done when she works for the people. With the success of her town relying on her magic, demands are high. But what happens when a witch can’t keep up with the magical requests? Scare up a good conversation and enjoy Halloween inspired snacks with us!

October 8th, Wednesday – Join the Robert E. Lee Water and Soil Conservation District at the Jamerson Library from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm to create a poster for the
National Association of Conversation District’s “Home is where the Habitat is“ contest! All supplies will be provided, the contest is open to public, private or home school students K – 12, girl scout/boy scout troops, etc. The Library will provide free snacks! For more information visit their website at https://vaswcd.org/poster-contest/ .

October 9th, Thursday – Girls Who Code at the Jamerson Library starting at 4:00 pm in the community room. Girls Who Code is a club designed to help young women learn about science, technology, engineering and math and how they integrate into their everyday lives. The Jamerson GWC club welcomes new members from 3rd grade to 12th grade please register at https://www.jrjml.org/girlswhocoderegistration/.

October 9th, Thursday – Introducing the Jamerson Library’s Adult Book Club starting at 5:30 pm in the Library’s community room! This month’s book selection is “Beneath the Stones” by Susan Coryell. Mystery, suspense and romance flourish against a backdrop of Civil War turmoil and ancestral strife–where immortality infiltrates the ancient air breathed by all who inhabit Overhome Estate. We have multiple copies of this book to borrow and return on your honor. Please see a friendly staff member at the circulation desk to obtain a copy.

October 14th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library Tween Steam starting at 4:00 pm in the community room. Become a “Mad Scientist” and perform a selection of experiments with Library Fairy MaKayla as she trades in her gossamer wings for a pair of dragon wings!

October 14th, Tuesday – Something to neigh about! Trot the Book Bus to visit the Jamerson Library from 11:50 am to 12:45 pm. Preschool to high school kids are welcome to borrow a book from this horse-painted bookmobile. You can return Spot or Trot Book Bus books to the Library at any time.

October 14th, Tuesday – Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy at the Jamerson Library. A Witness Advocate from the County office will be in the Library’s community room from 9:30 am – 11:30 am to offer support, resources, and a safe environment to report and seek help from domestic violence.

October 15th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

October 15th, Wednesday – Spot the Book Bus to visit the Jamerson Library. Reading is “spot” on with the black and white dog painted bus named Spot! Spot will be in our parking lot from 12:10 pm to 12:40 pm for kids preschool up through high school to borrow a book. You can return all Spot and Trot Book Bus books to the Library at any time.

October 15th, Wednesday – Mr. Craig York presents a horrific tale by Edgar Allen Poe, The Tell-Tale Heart at the Jamerson Library starting at 6:00 pm. A chilling first-person account of an unnamed narrator who insists on his sanity while confessing to the murder of an old man he lived with. We strongly suggest a mature audience for this program.

October 15th, Wednesday – Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy at the Jamerson Library. A Witness Advocate from the County office will be in the Library’s community room from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm to offer support, resources, and a safe environment to report and seek help from domestic violence.

October 16th, Thursday – Chick Flick Retro Movie Night at the Jamerson Library starting at 6:00 pm. Grab your best friend and join us for faux midnight margaritas as we play a movie about two sisters who have always known they were different. Raised by their aunts after their parents’ death, the sisters grew up in a household that was anything but typical. This movie is rated PG–13.

October 20th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Stitchers will meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies is encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes, gentleman, this includes you too!

October 20th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign up for classes to earn your GED.

October 21st, Tuesday – United Healthcare presents a 2026 Medicare Information meeting at the Jamerson Library from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm to discuss the upcoming changes in Medicare.

October 21st, Tuesday – Farmers Bank of Appomattox will be in the Jamerson Library’s community room starting at 5:00pm for a “Popular Bank Scams & How to Protect Yourself” seminar. We encourage anyone with a bank account to attend.

October 21st, Tuesday – Mr. Craig York presents a spine-tingling tale by Edgar Allen Poe, The Cask of Amontillado, at the Jamerson Library starting at 6:00 pm. Montresor lures his rival, Fortunato, into the catacombs under the pretense of tasting a rare amontillado wine to get revenge for an insult. We strongly suggest a mature audience for this program.

October 22nd, Wednesday – Family Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am. The Library will feature the book “My Monsterpiece” by Amalia Hoffman. Our craft project will be to build-a-monster followed by snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

October 22nd, Wednesday – Beat Boredom with Board Games & Puzzles at the Jamerson Library from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Due to an early-release school day, the Library will be opening its community room to kids of all ages for snacks, games, and puzzles!

October 22nd, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Cookbook Book Club starting at 6:00 pm in the community room. This month’s theme is “Almost Homemade”, recipes that use pre-made or store-bought convenience foods, which are then combined with a few fresh ingredients to save time and effort. This program is intended for adults. Bring your favorite cookbook, recipe card or internet suggestion and make a dish to share. The Library will have plates / bowls, plastic ware and napkins, but you must bring your own serving utensils. This program is intended for adults, don’t forget to bring in copies of your recipe for others!

October 23, Thursday – Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy at the Jamerson Library. A Witness Advocate from the County office will be in the Library’s community room from 9:30 am – 11:30 am to offer support, resources, and a safe environment to report and seek help from domestic violence.

October 23rd, Thursday – After school Crafts With MaKayla at the Jamerson Library starting at 4:00 pm. Meet us in the community room, this month’s theme is “Haunted Houses”, and yes, we will be serving snacks.

October 23rd, Thursday – ACLA Meeting at 6:00 pm in the Jamerson Library’s community room. The Appomattox County Library Association (ACLA) will have its first meeting to reactivate this important 501(c)(3) friends of the library-style organization. If you are interested in supporting your local library, we encourage you to attend.

October 27th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign-up for classes to earn your GED.

October 27th, Monday – Legal Aid at the Jamerson Library starting at 4:00 pm. Representatives from Virginia Legal Aid Society will present information about common legal issues, including general guidelines, applicable eligibility, and helpful tools.

October 28th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Crafts for patrons 13 – 19 years of age, starting at 3:30 pm in the community room. We will be featuring Halloween and fall-themed craft projects and serving snacks!

October 29th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

October 30th, Thursday – Library to be a guest vendor at the Elementary School’s Fall Festival from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Stop by our booth from the latest edition of the Library’s newsletter and other Library information, a craft project, activities sheets and more.