Friday Fashion Club - Accessorize!

For Fashion Friday Club, we had a TON of bric-a-brac donated by the Art Institute of Chicago.  Our resident fashion designer, Tetyana Buchholz is an alumna of the school and we are grateful to have this professional connection.

Craft 'til the table is clear!

We emptied the contents of two large tote containers and told the budding designers to "Craft until the table is clear!"  That joke was quickly understood.  These supplies are the type that never deplete.  A few parents also offered to add to the collection after seeing the projects at the end of the program.

Sewing lessons included

For some students, it is difficult to dream up a project when seeing a pile of supplies.  Some students had a mission from the start.  The hurdle several students faced was wanting to sew something, but not having the skills.  Luckily Tetyana is a seasoned sewing instructor and at least 3 students were trained on sewing machine basics within the 90 minute session.

A project in process

Learning to sew and design your own bag is fun, but requires some patience.  This designer had to remember how to place the fabric right sides together and pin the trim correctly in order for it to be sewn in place, but not bunched or cinched.  

Patience leads to project success

This rainbow bag inspired another designer to create a pouch for her mother.  Gifts made for parents always make me happy!

Pouch made for Mom

If you grew up in the 1980's, you are sure to remember, and possibly used these t-shirt clips.

Well, move over T-shirt Clip, you have now become a Veto Necklace.

Power of the Veto

The Big Brother reality television show inspired this simple necklace.  You can spend over $50 to get a replica from the CBS Store or you can get crafty in the studio to make your own for free!

Beginning of a Halloween Costume

With Halloween just around the corner, it was suggested to make costume essentials that cannot be purchased.  I look forward to seeing how this designer finishes her Chess Piece costume design.

Our designers had a blast rummaging through supplies and creating good and bad designs.  This is part of the process.  Not all creations are great.  Not all creations take forever to make.  We all appreciated the freedom to make without fear.  It was especially fun to get together and learn, while sharing silly stories and giggling away the afternoon.

Thanks for visiting.  Check back soon for more exciting stories from the SSC Library!

Theatre Camp 2016

The last week of August held excitement and multi-layered skill building for anyone aged ten and older at the Southeast Steuben County Library.  Partnering with the local theater group, Centre Stage Community Theatre, we hosted a week of Theatre Camp for five fun-filled days.  

Kimerly Canale is a terrific actress!

This workshop was offered in 2015 and was such a great success, we had to offer it in 2016.  Kimberly Canale lead the week once again with the help of the forever-funny, Eduvigis Vazquez>>> lovingly known as Eddie or Abuelo. 

Everyone loved Eddie for his goofy traits and all inclusive personality.  He was quickly seen as a mentor.  Keeping the action and excitement was key to entertaining and educating this large class.  The chant "Boom Chicka Boom" was the favorite practice game for the whole crowd, especially so with Eddie's antics!

Pick up to 5 pieces

To begin, Kimberly instructed each actor to pick up to 5 pieces from this bucket.  No one knew these items would equate to details about themselves.  This ice-breaker game was handy with opening up conversation between students and breaking their shells of shyness.  

You can't take me...

With games like "You can't take me," each student had a chance to act like a household object.  Roles were given while the main actor waited outside the room.  When the "scene" began, the main actor tried removing an "item" (aka, actor) out of the scene.  The "item" would reply, "you can't take me" and give a reason.  In this image, Eddie can't take Kimberly, because "How would you tell the time?" Look at her pose.  Can you guess she's a Grandfather Clock?!

Practice makes perfect

From games like "Mirror, Mirror," where actors pair up to play off of each others' movements to tongue twisters to say out loud, like "Cinnamon Aluminum Linolem" (say it out loud!) or "Unique New York," (go on- try it!--you'll get the giggles) the group moved on to acting out plays from readers' theater script books like Cinderella Outgrows the Glass Slipper and Other Fractured Fairy Tale Plays.  Repeating the same play over and over again was not something anyone complained about!  They had the insight that repetition is the foundation to mastery.

Parent Performance

Our actors requested to perform for their parents and families on the last day, so we set up a theater for final performances.  Parents got to gush over the skills each actor gained and tons of video was shot.

If unsure, check with the director

Performances were undoubtedly wonderful.  Kimberly's guidance gave students confidence.  If anyone was unsure of a detail, they were told to "check with the director."  During performances, Kimberly announced each process and the value or purpose for each activity.  This gave everyone insight to the methodology.

Big smiles and treats

The week long workshop ended with treats for our hard working actors and some group shots.  This program was well attended, with almost 20 actors ready to play each day. Summer vacation was nearly over, but they never wanted the fun to end.  Even after 5 days and ten hours of hard work, the group groaned when we declared the end had arrived.

Groans are good after a five day program.  Aside from attendance retention, the students actions showed their appreciation for the class.  We kept it low-key.  No rehearsing, no filming, no costumes needed.  Simple repetitive fun and skill building.  Reading aloud and public speaking skills soared in this class and will be utilized for a lifetime.  Bravo actors!  

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

Free Comic Book Day is the first Saturday in May.  This year marked the 15th anniversary of this event, and the Southeast Steuben County Library got on board.  We ordered 500 issues of a variety of titles for our patrons to have, hold, and take home.

Captain America, Assassin's Creed, and Lady Mechanika were rated Teen +
Doctor Who and Howard Lovecraft were rated for All Ages

The Corning region was busy with sporting events, neighborhood rummage sales, Caton Community Days, Caton auctions, and the infamous Friends of the Library book sale.  Our building was nearly empty of patrons until mid afternoon, but the hours of 1-3 p.m. filled our hall of books with laughter, joy and wonder over the free comics and make-your-own-buttons.

For anyone who wanted to circuit the establishments offering free comics, our buddy Jared, head Hero Bot at Heroes Your Mom Threw Out created a list, which was printed in our local newspaper.  Jared even made an appearance on the local news and gave our library a shout out!  Thanks Jared!!!

SSC Library was a point in the Corning, Painted Post, Elmira Heights Free Comic Book Day triangle.

Current copies of Free Comic Book Day issues were available to any patron.  At least one free comic was offered, but as the day progressed, we offered any and all to whomever was interested.  For those who follow our Facebook events, there was a Cinco de Mayo ad to mention in order to receive all 5 copies for the low, low price of FREEEE! 

At last, we rolled out last year's leftover comics from our legendary Library UnMasked event. (Psssst....save the date....Library UnMasked is set for July 15, 2016, 6-8 pm!!!)  It was finally BUTTON MAKING TIME!

Leftover salmon is gross, but Leftover Comics are best read while standing

An instant crowd formed once the table was covered with color and comics.  Anyone interested was allowed to choose an image of their fancy and have it permanently preserved in a Badge A Minit press. 

Choose, Cut, Press, Preserve

This "machine" is not for the weak.  You MUST eat your Wheaties in order to have the strength to produce as many buttons as we did in just 2 hours.  Kids were fascinated by the simple machine and the process to make a pin button.  This activity is a little time consuming and easiest if one person controls the cutting, while another does the pressing.  No one seemed to care about the length of the process, just that they got to wear their favorite super hero or villain on their collar.

Only 2 buttons per patron?!?---"Wanna bet?"

While I prepared for big crowds by limiting quantities of books and buttons, our attendees has other ideas.  The enthusiasm to create these cool wearables and brag about them throughout the weekend was too tempting to stop at just two.  Luckily, we had enough supply to feed the masses.

Through the chaos, our STLS buddy, Filomena Jack of Pink Velvet Bird, dropped off her lovely art work to display in the library this summer.  Better get in the building before September!

photo of Filomena Jack by Janie Ferguson

This first time effort was a major success for a Saturday in the library.  Over 120 comics went to various homes and more than 50 buttons will be worn with pride for years to come.  Two little wonder women even received free goodies from a sweet Pink Velvet Bird.

Wonder Woman pouches by Pink Velvet Bird

Thanks for all who participated in this epic Free Comic Book Day.  Jared had our backs to make this day happen and we are very grateful to provide such fun to our community.

Jared, Our Helpful Hero

As I mentioned, the legendary Library UnMasked is set for Friday, July 15, 2016 from 6-8 p.m.  SAVE THE DATE!!!  Start making your cosplay gear and prepare for an evening of fun and games.  Let's ROCK THE LIBRARY for a second year!

Thanks for visiting.  

Please comment if you attended Free Comic Book Day.  

We want to hear from you.

Spring Break Mad City Money

It's Spring Break for Corning/ Painted Post Schools!  Luckily this break coincided with Money Smart week this year,April 23-30, 2016.  This gave me the opportunity to schedule our annual Mad City Money event presented by the Corning Credit Union.

Mad City Money, presented by Corning Credit Union

Mad City Money is real life simulation game, quite like the Game of Life.  Please read  this description of our Mad City Money event from 2015 to get a feel for all of the excitement. There were less students available this year, which means Spring Break is not a good time to plan a financial literacy event.  Nevertheless, 12 students got a real life lesson on being adults. 

"Bills, bills, bills!  It's so hard being an adult!"

These kids got a taste of how hard balancing a budget for needs is when you have the world of desires at your fingertips.  Who wants to buy a bus pass when a Ferrari is an option?!  And while dealing with a highly persuasive used car salesperson, like we did, choosing wisely might not be the easiest option.

Trust the salesperson or trust your gut?

After a two hour simulation, the students regrouped to discuss their experience.  All agreed this was a great lesson.  None of them underestimate the struggle their families face daily.  

But all were equally relieved that the simulation was over and it was time to be a kid again!

"I want to stay a kid forever!"

A special note of gratitude goes to our volunteers who became "merchants" for an afternoon.  Extra KUDOS go to the Corning Credit Union team who make this program possible in our region.  Great work!

Free Ice Skate Session with SSC Library

When there is no school for teens in the Corning region, I often plan a fun program.  This free ice skating session was the best ever for statistics:  48 lovely skaters took to the ice for 2 hours of exercise.  

Frozen February

This was an extra exciting event, since our Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink was closed for several LONG WEEKS, in need of a repair to make the ice stay frozen.  Happily, we got to enjoy the day off of school skating away the afternoon.

Keep Movin'!

With 48 participants taking advantage of a free skating session, courtesy of the Southeast Steuben County Library, the rink was PACKED!  Luckily, the guards are always ready to lend a helping hand.

Guards are always ready to help.

I took the opportunity to get some time release video on the sidelines...

These videos are so fun, but you must remain VERY STILL, 

despite freezing off your fingers!

Luckily I had a cheerleader to keep me company as we watched the kids go 'round and 'round...

Chili Dog...no that's REALLY his name!

This program was so easy to establish.  It is a joy having a resourceful Civic Center in Corning, NY.  We have our public library, Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink, City Hall, Steelworkers Union Hall and a lovely courtyard all on one city block!  

Be sure to make this city block your next stop in your travels.

Check back soon for more exciting teen programs, we'll be around!

Sandblasting at Corning Museum of Glass

Corning Museum of Glass has a phenomenal education department.  We have teamed up many times to enrich the learning experiences of young adults in my programs.  This time, we got to try sandblasting for the first time in the new Education Lab!

Immaculate Studio

My dear friend, Lu Kania, gave us the short introduction to sandblasting.  It involves these machines:

The Sandblasting Beasts

AND LOTS AND LOTS OF STICKERS!!!! Now chill out a moment....these stickers may look cool, but Lu will tell you, the image will not remain on your glass once "The Beasts" get a taste of them!  The stickers sole purpose is to resist the sand.  That means, the cutesy little sparkles and fishy faces will not be seen by your grandma or Aunt Alice when you gift your amazing sandblasted glass for the holidays.  It means, you create your own design using the stickers as a means to produce a pattern or random chaos.  Here is a sample of our cool creations.

 Once our designs were final, we took turns with "The Beasts" to blast the glass to a frosted appearance.  

The Beasts are sloppy eaters.

I'll show you the process my tiny glass experienced.

Galss is taped and stickered

Glass entered The Beast to be blasted.

Glass has been blasted and is now frosty where there is no sticker.

Some goofball having too much fun with "The Beast".

The glass after being blasted, but before tape is removed.

The process is quick and the result is something we got to take home at the end of the program.  So fun!

A final product, ready for a cold lemonade.

Visit the Corning Museum of Glass to have your own Sandblasting experience.  It's a wonderful experience.

Nerf Party

As summer winds down in the Southern Tier, some very enthusiastic young adults are battling to the finish in our first ever "Nerf Party" hosted by the Southeast Steuben County Library in conjunction with Corning Parks and Recreation Department.

Preparing for the mission

I am apparently too old to appreciate these brightly colored guns and supposedly painless ammunition.  The kids gathered their equipment and selected teams before I even understood how they were going to play.

Grab your gear!

choose wisely

A Parks and Recreation representative set up the Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink (it's ice-free in the summer) and offered the supplies to my group.  Play to "Capture the Flag" immediately commenced. 

The playing field is set.

Players are in position.

The "flag" in set in place.

I remember "Capture the Flag" from middle school, when we learned to play football with the coach.  This is NOT THE GAME I LEARNED.  "Stay in the green lines or else you're out!," I hear them screaming to each other.  There is a determination that slightly frightens my old bones and has me sitting on the sidelines composing this blog.

This means serious business.

Yikes!

How much ammunition DO you need??

My curiosity was tickled by the kids' giggles and slips all over this dusty ice-rink floor.  Unfortunately, curiosity killed the cat....or gets you shot in the neck by a hyper teen.

One of these gun wielders are my assailant!

After a short sting and shock>>>I mean, I'm the lady who set up this program and my teens have shot me>>>I decide it's safest for the 30+ year olds to stick to the side lines.

Luckily, I found some company to keep while I watch from a safe vantage point.

Wisdom to know when to step aside.

Happy August Everyone!  I hope you have a few more fun filled days planned before the yellow school bus' wheels go 'round and 'round!