During the month of November, Elsie Quirk will be honoring Veterans with a “White Table” display along with a note board for messages and reflections, as well as a display of books and movies related to veterans.
What I find inspiring about this theme is how fully veterans represent America. A patron who is a veteran of the Vietnam War sparked my thinking on this by sharing with me how the experience of serving connected him to people in ways that profoundly transcend social divisions like race, creed, ethnicity, gender, orientation or any other identity. While that may not be the case for all who have served in the military, it is certainly a fact that veterans represent the entire spectrum of Americans. Veterans’ experiences are wide-ranging and, as the veteran I mentioned above pointed out, are best, not romanticized or generalized—it is well worth exploring the numerous and varied stories of America’s veterans, which is also to explore the deeply varied experience of being American.
Check out Elsie Quirk’s display of books, movies, and audios representing the disparate lives and experiences of U.S. veterans. Read about the remarkable life of John McCain in The Restless Wave; learn, in the book 8 Seconds of Courage, about the events that earned veteran and immigrant Flo Groberg the Medal of Honor; or follow the lives of three women on their paths to becoming soldiers and their return from war, in Soldier Girls. Explore the Golden Globe-winning mini-series Band of Brothers; or relish James Mason and Jessica Tandy in The Desert Fox. Looking for something to listen to while inching along Tamiami? Learn about the “Mata Hari of Minnesota” OSS agent Betty Pack, in The Last Goodnight, written by Howard Blum and read by Tristan Morris; or listen to Rob Kugler read his poignant memoir, A Dog Named Beautiful: A Marine, a Dog, and a Long Road Trip Home. Prefer a good novel to all of this nonfiction? Try The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers, called “The All Quiet on the Western Front of America’s Arab wars.”; Forty Dead Men by Donis Casey, a mystery set after World War I exploring PTSD; or Because I’m Watching by Christina Dodd, featuring a woman unsure of reality and the veteran who lives next door.
For our local veterans seeking resources of any kind, we welcome you to visit the Elsie Quirk Library reference desk where librarians are available to help you find the materials, information, or connections you need.
Friday
- Spanish Study Group meets at 10:15 a.m.
Saturday
- Suncoast Writers Guild 10:15 a.m. – noon
Monday
- Forty Carrots Partners in Play 10:15 a.m. OR 11:45 a.m.
For children, up to age 5 with a parent or caregiver. A free class for you and your child to enjoy together. Experience new educational activities, join in circle-time fun, meet other families and receive valuable parenting and child development information. Attendance is limited to 12 families per session. - Monday Night Movies at 5 p.m. This week’s movie is a tail of heroism and bureaucracy, featuring Tom Hanks as an airline pilot.
Tuesday
- Master Gardener Plant Clinic 10 a.m. – Noon. Get free answers to your Florida gardening and landscaping questions. This is made possible through a partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.
- Searching for Your Orphaned Ancestors 10 a.m. – Noon. Join Gail O’Hara as she guides you on a specialized genealogy search. Seatimg is limited and registration is required.
- Englewood Area Computer Users Group 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday
- LEGO Club 6:00 p.m. – 7:30. Children ages 5 to 12 will have fun getting together with others and sharing ideas, working together, and making new friends. LEGO bricks will be provided – bring your imagination. LEGO creations will be on display in the library until the next meeting date.
- Flood Zone Map Changes Workshop 10:15 a.m. – Noon A learning opportunity for anyone who has questions about flood risks, zones, insurance regulations and pending map changes.
Thursday
- Tech Time: One-on-one help with a librarian. 10 a.m. – Noon A Reference Librarian will be available for help with e-books, computer basics, or questions about your electronic devices. Reserve a 30-minute session by calling 941-861-1207 or by signing up at the Reference Desk.
- Great Books Discussion Group 10:15 a.m. – Noon A copy of the reading is available at Elsie Quirk Library’s Reference desk. November’s selection is “The Smallest Woman.”
- Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. For ages 0-5. Interact and participate with your child in a variety of early literacy and school readiness activities that feature stories, music and movement, and crafts.
- Quirky Knitters 1 – 3 p.m. All are welcome to knit and chat.
- Macintosh Users Group 1:30 p.m.
