Elkhart 4-H County Fair

Selfie at the Fair

It has been a great week to be at the fair! Libraries from Elkhart county, including Middlebury, were represented at the Library Booth.
I was there on Tuesday from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. and we had over 300 visitors say hello to us.  It was so much fun interacting and playing with the patrons. There's still time--the fair is also open tomorrow!

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

YA Book Review: Cirque Du Freak: A Living Nightmare

Title: Cirque du Freak 

Author: Darren Shan

Star Rating: 5

"When I first saw this book series, I thought it was your average horror story with werewolves and vampires out to murder everyone. I wasn't even close. Considering that I never read anything related to the supernatural, I enjoyed it. Darren, the main character who tells the story, is intriguing because of the sacrifices he makes. (I don't want to spoil why and what happens referring to his sacrifice.) 

I also find it interesting that the main character and the author have the same exact name! In the beginning of the book, the main character tells us that everyone's names have been changed, including his. So, that leads me to question if Darren Shan is really Darren Shan?" -Regan S.

Monday, July 17, 2017

Pokemon GO Ash Hat Pikachu and Anniversary!

It took me several tries on two separate occasions to catch this wily pocket monster! Apparently, Ash Hat Pikachu will be visiting all month to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Pokemon GO.

Interestingly, Pokemon GO was launched to the masses on July 6, 2016, just a day after I started my new position here at the Middlebury Community Public Library as the Teen Services Librarian. I am currently a Level 30 trainer in the Pokemon GO game, and I now have a year of new library experiences.

There are some parallels to learning a new game and learning (or relearning) a new gig.  Both have been investments of sorts; both have been fun, both have been trying on occasion (as learning curves typically are), and both overall have been rewarding.

 I look forward to the next adventures in both Pokemon GO and here at the library. :)

Monday, July 10, 2017

Chopped Cooking Contest and West on Warren Tour

Hello!


We hosted the Chopped Cooking Contest on Thursday, June 8, from 2-4 p.m., and the winners of the contest were invited to tour one of the local restaurants in Middlebury. This year's restaurant tour was held at West on Warren, which opened up recently.

Chef Jared Heath and his staff welcomed us to the restaurant. Inside the venue is a beautifully decorated restaurant, art gallery, bar, and patio area.  Chef Jared was also kind enough to take photographs with us!







Part of the interior space at West on Warren.

The patio space! (It was too rainy to go outside.)

The menu!

Pictures of Elise, Sarah, and Chef Jared

I'm holding the menu!

Visiting West on Warren was a great way to start the week! Hope you have a terrific week! :)


Happy Independence Day and D&D Club

Hello!

I hope you enjoyed a fun and safe 4th of July yesterday! The library was closed, so staff enjoyed a day off with family and friends.

I have to share the good news about our Dungeons & Dragons Club and our event that was held on Saturday, July 1. We were also featured in Monday's The Elkhart Truth.  

Here is the link if you are interested in reading about it:  Middlebury Library Features Dungeons and Dragons

Meanwhile, here are some photos from the event. Enjoy!

Book Review: Unrivaled

Hello! 
Here is a young adult book review by Savannah, age 13:

Author: Alyson Noel
Title: Unrivaled
Star Rating: 4

The book Unrivaled is about a girl who wants to leave the beach days behind in order to get behind a reporter's desk. It is like Pretty Little Liars in a way with drama, romance, and threats. It's a very good book.

Pokemon GO: Fire and Ice and New Pokemons

Hello!

There has been a new Pokemon GO event happening called Fire and Ice for fire-and-ice pocket monsters and it just ended. Here are a few Pokemon that I have seen recently:

Stantler- Interestingly, I caught this Pokemon while we were driving through the forest. (I was a passenger.) Stantler is categorized as a "Big Horn" Pokemon and uses intimidation to battle its opponents.

Houndour-I caught this one in town. Houndour is a Dark and Fire Pokemon, and it is also a "Flash Fire" Pokemon. (Basically, don't use fire on this Pokemon-- it will make it stronger.)

Forretress-This is an unusual Pokemon. It is a bug and steel pocket monster, Unlike the Houndour, the Forretress does not like fire.

Image courtesy of pokemongo.wikiapedia.com