Hello everyone.
As many of my readers know, the Okotoks Public Library is very important to me. I want to share some of our plans with you. Note that I will be walking in the 'Book It' event. Please join me if you live in the area. I would also appreciate pledges if you are so inclined. Thanks for reading and please support the local library in your area.

The Okotoks Public Library Board, Director and Staff continue to be very busy with several fundraising activities in addition to the regular programming and services offered by our library. Here are some events of note:

April 22 – May 7: In-Library Silent Auction
If you need a Mother’s Day gift, some updated kitchen accessories, a pail of goodies for the gardener in your life, or a special treat for yourself, check out our 10 Silent Auction items. We have a wide assortment in a range of prices: books, a certificate for a massage, gardening tools, kitchen accessories, gift certificates for tickets to Okotoks Dawgs Baseball games, wine, chocolates, a family day pass to Kayben Farms and even a chair!

Friday, May 3, 3:30 p.m.: Unveiling of the Donor Wall of Fame
Please join the Okotoks Public Library Board as we reveal the Library’s Expansion campaign Donor Wall of Fame. There will be a short program and cake and refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

Thursday, May 23, Plant It: Create a Succulent Container
Where/When: Thursday, May 23, 7 – 8 p.m., Program Room, Okotoks Public Library
Instructor: Jane Ervin, Library Board Member & Former Owner of Okotoks Flowers & Things
Maximum Enrollment: 30; Pre-register by May 17 at www.okotokslibrary.ca or in person at the library
Cost: $35; Pay online when you register or with cash or debit in-person at the library
Description: Jane will help you create a succulent container. Materials supplied, but please bring heavy gardening gloves and/or tongs. This is a fundraiser for the Okotoks Public Library.
 
Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. – Noon: MAJOR EVENT: Book It – A Fun Walk/Run
NOTE: No registration fee, but we need participants to register by May 27th.  
For more information, to register, and for copies of the waiver and pledge form, please see: http://okotokslibrary.ca/content/bookit
Please consider participating in “Book It” and/or pledging someone to walk/run as we really need your support. Note that both the Library Staff and the Board Members are forming teams, so you can add pledges to our pledge sheets if you wish! Email us at board@okotokslibrary.ca    Thanks.
 
Monday, May 27:  The Next Step for a Proposed Arts & Learning Campus on Riverside Drive 
Okotoks Town Council passed motions on January 7th and February 25th for the exploration and then preliminary conceptual development plans for an Arts & Learning Campus on Riverside Drive. The Okotoks Public Library is one of the potential partners. The next important date is May 27th when the funding and phasing aspects of the proposed plan go before Council. Remember, everyone is welcome to attend Town Council meetings. If you are interested in attending to show your support, a delegation from the Library will be going. You are welcome to sit with us if you wish. Please contact me at board@okotokslibrary.ca, and I’ll let you know the approximate scheduled time for that agenda item.

             Well, spring is definitely in the air, and the forecast is for scattered showers over the next few days. I hope those showers scatter here because we need some moisture.
            On my way to Okotoks this morning, there were about a dozen Trumpeter Swans on a pond southeast of our place. The trumpeters make a stop there every year on their migration route through, and it’s always an exciting day when their large white bodies can be seen—often bottoms up—as they feed. They are only there for a few days. Of course, I had to stop and try to get a photo or two—I was parked on the road so the photo on my Home page is somewhat blurry.
             I checked my “Birds of Alberta” book when I got home though just to make sure they weren’t Tundra Swans which also migrate through this area. But, the Tundra Swans don’t have the distinctive curved neck of the Trumpeters so I’m sure I have my sighting correct. (However, if any ‘birder’ is reading this and can get a good idea from the photo, please do let me know.) Their calls were also very loud and bugle-like while the Tundra Swans have a higher-pitched, quivering call.
            The Robins have been back for a couple weeks now, and I enjoy their cheery songs. We haven’t seen any male Mountain Bluebirds yet, but there have been lots of sightings in the area so I think they might be avoiding our houses. We cleaned the birdhouses out in early March, but bluebirds are notoriously fussy about their real estate, as my Dad used to say.
            The mule deer have moved into the yard as they wander about seeking the green sprigs of grass that are starting to emerge. Hayley dog is getting quite deaf now so the mule deer bother her less although she still barks if they come too close up the path.
            The moose spend most of their time in the environmental reserve behind us. They have been in the yard, but we haven’t seen them up close—just the evidence. Soon, it will be time to shovel all that out of the yard and garden.
            The windows look very filthy in the bright spring sunlight so that’s another job that will need to be tackled. Of course, the entire house could use a good spring cleaning, but the chances of that happening look increasingly unlikely as my volunteer Library Board work continues to take over.
            Best Spring wishes to all of you. Thanks for reading, and please do respond to me if you have the inclination. It’s always nice to get comments so it doesn’t feel like I’m talking to myself.