Happy Halloween

This is my favorite time of year.  I love the crisp air, the blue October skies, and Halloween.  Come celebrate with us tonight at the Asbury Branch.  The City of Asbury Halloween Parade starts at 6:30 p.m.  Our Library  will be the final destination for all parade goers.  Local vendors will be giving out treats in front of the Library and the Library has a special prize for every child who visits after the parade.  My grandson is coming to join in the fun.  So look for a 5 year-old Spiderman in the crowd.  

What I like about Halloween is that it celebrates the cycle of life.  Spring is all about rebirth, but in the fall we reflect on the passing of time and the transitory nature of our existence.  And Halloween lets us make fun of the inevitable and we can play among the zombies, skeletons, and ghosts.  In Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico, families bring treats and have picnics on the graves of their loved ones.  It is a sign of respect and remembrance.  

I also like that Halloween teaches children not to be afraid of the dark or of pretend scary things. There is enough real stuff to be afraid of, so it's good to be able to take the scare out of wispy ghosts, spider webs, tombstones, werewolves, and vampires. If we can dress up like them, they must not be too scary.  

And Halloween is a time for spooky stories.  I used to read to  my children from Alvin Schwartz's "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" every season.  He re-tells many of the old folktales in very short stories. He has several volumes to choose from.  If you are planning a Halloween party, the Library has lots of great books to tell spine-chilling stories from.

Here is a very short list:
"The Skull Talks Back" by Zora Neale Hurton 
"Favorite Scary Stories of American Children" by Richard and Judy Young.
"Scary Stories to Sink Your Teeth In" by Lois Metzger (contemporary stories for older readers)
and "Ask the Bones: scary stories from around the world" by Olson and Schwartz.

Don't forget to pick up some scary movies when you visit.  We have all the classics for your teen or grown-up parties.

We also are having regular storytimes this week.  Check the website (www.dubcolib.lib.ia.us) for times and locations.  Also we are having a special author visit.  

Come meet local author, Art Huinker. His book "Small Man, BIG Heart" shares his experiences in the world of baseball.  Mr. Huinker will be speaking on Wednesday, October 23rd at the Residences Model home beginning at 4:00 p.m.  The Residences Model Home is located at 5249 Grand Meadow Dr. (Take Waterfront Dr. off of Asbury Rd. then left onto Grand Meadow Dr.)  Art will also be speaking at Peosta/NICC Branch on Tuesday, October 29th, 10-11am.

It is supposed to warm up this weekend, so enjoy the weather and come visit the Library to get your "spooky" on.    Dawn