Characters at a Cocktail Party

What a party!  The Friends Cocktail/Costume Party on Saturday September 22 was attended by many well-dressed characters, including Lady Macbeth, Belle Skinner, Sherlock Holmes and Watson, Dr. Gonzo, Tigger, a Wizard, Reporter Brenda Starr, and several Flappers. 

Thanks especially to party organizer Christine Alger, seen here enjoying the Wine Toss.  (Photo courtesy of Peter Palombella.)  HPLC President Terry Plum thanked the Friends: "The costumes were terrific, and so were the prizes. Excellent work."

The Holyoke Sun published a series of wonderful photographs. See the cover and page 10 of the issue dated September 28 - October 4: http://www.holyokesunonline.com/pdfs/hs09.28.12.pdf

Other photos have been posted on our Facebook page.  See an album taken by "Brenda Starr, Reporter" (a.k.a. Sara Krohn) and another album posted by Jeffrey Byrnes.

Holyoke on the rise

News from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC)
September 19, 2012

Holyoke on the Rise
The addition and renovation of the Holyoke Public Library reached a milestone on Friday, September 7, 2012 when the highest structural beam was hoisted into place.  Community members, library staff, and local and state officials marked the occasion with a “Topping Off” ceremony to celebrate this mid-point in completion of the project.
http://mblc.state.ma.us/mblc/news/releases/past-releases/2012/nr120917.php

photos:  Flicker album of photos
video:  video of ceremony (made by Mike Hines, Holyoke Public Schools)
more: http://www.thereminder.com/localnews/holyoke/reconstructionofho/

[This newsletter was sent to libraries state-wide.]

Sign a steel beam! Topping out - Friday Sept 7

The steel work is nearly finished! We are invited to come to the construction site Wednesday 8-2 or Thursday 8-2 to sign our names on the steel beam that will be installed FRIDAY September 7, 2012. 

We are also invited to attend the official Topping Out Ceremony at 10:00 am FRIDAY Sept 7 in the Library Park adjacent to the construction. Coffee and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Library.  

Friends Board members Connie Kennedy and Sandy Ward are coordinating the refreshments (and food for the steelworkers to thank them for their work). Library Director María Pagán is coordinating the ceremony.

September 4, 2012

Steel columns up!

Look at the progress at the Library construction site!  The structure for the new addition is rising into the air.  Erection of the steel columns started Wednesday August 15. These pictures were taken only two days later.

Photo from webcam Friday morning 8-17-12

Friday afternoon 2:20pm 8-17-12

View from Maple Street side, 11:20am 8-17-12

HPL Night at the Blue Sox!

July 28 New Flash: RAINED OUT again! Will try MONDAY! July 26 News Flash:  This game has bee RE-SCHEDULED (BECAUSE OF RAIN) until Saturday.  It will be the second game of two.
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As part of the Library's Summer Reading Program, Thursday, July 26, is Holyoke Public Library Night as the Blue Sox, Holyoke’s favorite baseball team, faces the Danbury Westerners at MacKenzie Stadium on Beech Street at 6:30 PM.

All tickets for that game are specially priced at just two dollars each (a saving of $4.00 on each ticket) and children five and under are free – making this a perfect opportunity to treat the family to an evening out as you support your new library and Holyoke’s own ball team.

Holyoke Public Library Board President, Terry Plum, will throw out the first ball for the evening. Mayor Alex Morse and several City Council members are expected to be on hand, together with Friends of the Holyoke Public Library, HPL Board members and other community leaders. 

The 2013 Red Hyundai  Elantra, provided by Gary Rome Hyundai, will be on display at the stadium that evening. Tickets for the “Drive into the Future” Raffle for a three-year lease on the vehicle will also be available for purchase. All proceeds from the drawing have been committed to the Holyoke Public Library’s Next Hundred Years Building Campaign.

Cocktail Party! Costume Party!

Who will you be?
Please join the Friends of the Holyoke Public Library at our Annual Cocktail Party. This year will be a costume party and we ask that you come dressed as your own literary inspiration. Come as a favorite Character, Author, or Book!   Prizes for best costumes will be awarded. We will have hors d'oeuvre, a cash bar, music and several raffles.  Tickets will be on sale soon.

***Saturday, September 22, 2012***      [Date changed from August  to avoid summer heat.]
6:00pm until 10:00pm
City Hall Auditorium
Temporary Library Location
536 Dwight Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
Costumes are NOT required but ARE encouraged! An assortment of fun costumes and props will be provided courtesy of CityStage & Symphony Hall. CityStage Symphony Hall is proud to present great entertainment just minutes from Holyoke. For their complete 2012-13 Season lineup visit www.citystage.symphonyhall

A photographer will be on hand in case you desire a portrait of your character.

Annual Meeting: Election results

Passing the gavel to the new President, Christine Alger

On June 13, 2012, at the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Holyoke Public Library, elections were held for board members and for officers. The following officers were elected for the coming year:

President:                             Christine Alger

Vice President:                     Sandy Ward

Secretary:                             Jim Massery

Corresponding Secretary:  Connie Kennedy

Treasurer:                            Barbara Raines

Assistant Treasurer:            Patti Lumbra 

Nine people were elected to three-year terms on the Board:  Michael Baron, Elaine Baskin, Darlene Elias, Maredith Haesaert, Connie Kennedy, Katherine Lynch, R. Andrew Parker, Migdalia Thomas, and Frank Wotton.  New member Brittney Noble was elected to a one-year term (filling a vacancy) on the Board.  

Outgoing President Tim Damon will continue on the Board and will also serve on the Executive Team in the role of Past President.  Also continuing on the board are members elected in previous years: Dayna Abrazinski, Christine Alger, Dick Coleman, Catherine Dower, Patti Lumbra, Loida Martinez, marypaz, Jim Massery, Tom McCabe, Andrew Melendez, Barbara Raines, Karlene Shea, Christopher Tinson and Sandy Ward.

Tim presented a bouquet of flowers to volunteer Margaret (Peg) McCarthy, who is retiring not only from the positions of Assistant Treasurer and of Membership Chair, but also retiring from the Board after many years of service. She will continue to be active with the Friends.

Tim Damon presented flowers to Margaret McCarthy

Refreshments from Hamels Catering were served in the lobby by the library entrance.

Terry Plum, President of the Holyoke Public Library Corporation, gave an update about the library building project and answered questions.  The construction process is going very well, on schedule and on budget.

We all look forward to the opening of the renovated and expanded Library next year (summer 2013).  The Friends will then have a designated room in which to meet and work.