By John Maruskin

Clark County Public Library

Let’s start with a couple of thank you’s this week.

One Monday in April, the Library experienced an anomalous power surge that fried the microwave in the community room kitchen. The next day, electricians were checking the circuits and breakers and while that happened, the Clark Quilters were meeting in the community room.

One of the quilters, Mariette Guyla, noticed the wrecked microwave and immediately offered to donate a replacement. She brought it in the next day, and because of her quick, gracious work patrons who came to watch the Kentucky Picture Show had their microwave popcorn as usual.

Thanks Mariette, you saved the Library an unplanned expense and brought joy to the hearts of afternoon movie goers. This has been reported to Santa Claus and noted on his nice list.

 Another patron, longtime Clark County literacy advocate Betty Berryman, let the Library exhibit two citations she received while working as a journalist. One is a plaque from the University of Kentucky Journalism Alumni Association for her induction into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame, and the other is a clock commemorating her year as the President of the Kentucky Press Association. 

 Thanks Betty. We’re grateful you let the Library share your awards with people in Clark County who can be inspired by your achievements. 

There are two special events occurring at the Library this week.

Thursday, May 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m., the Library’s Appalseeds Organic/Heirloom Gardening Program presents Fast Food: From Seed to Plate in 6 Weeks!

Learn which easy heirloom veggies you can harvest in six short weeks — or less! This class is an introduction to growing all kinds of hardy heirloom greens, radishes and squash. Participants will take home a Fast Food Heirloom Seed Kit to get started. Please register to attend by calling the Library or using the online Evanced registration system.

Saturday, May 6, noon-2 p.m., Winchester author, Eliza Scalia signs her new book, “Azrael.” 

Eliza Scalia is a graduate from GRC and the Psychology program at Eastern Kentucky University. Azrael is the sequel to her first popular novel, “Death’s Assistant.” Copies of “Azrael” will be available for purchase. You’ll enjoy meeting Eliza and reading her books.

Other events this week: 

— Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., the Novels at Night Book group discusses “The Underground Railroad,” by Colson Whitehead. “The Underground Railroad,” was on many of the Best Books of the Year lists for 2016. It chronicles the daring survival story of a cotton plantation slave in Georgia, who, after suffering at the hands of both her owners and fellow slaves, races through the Underground Railroad with a relentless slave-catcher close behind. Books are available at the Circulation Desk.

— Wednesday at 2 p.m., Kentucky Picture Show presents one of the best movies of 2016, the story of a team of African-American women mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the US space program. Rated PG.

— Friday at 10 a.m., Write Local weighs in on whether adverbs are evil.

— Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Outside the Lines Adult Coloring soothes souls and brightens lives. Ya gotta love a box of crayons.

— Finally, Library patron and Sun columnist, Chuck Witt, asked me to pass along that the website hillsdale.eduwill send a free copy of the Constitution to anyone who requests it. The website also offers a FREE online course on the Constitution for anyone who wishes to sign on for it. Also, constitutionfacts.comhas a long list of interesting facts about the Constitution, including that the word ‘democracy’ is not mentioned once in the document.

What about syzygy?

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.