Catfish Chronicle, Issue 8, Spring 2025
This winter, we provided an array of programs that engaged Friends in activities such as baking goodies for the Carol Sing in the Park (moved to East Falls Presbyterian Church), crafting fiber arts, playing Májiàng, practicing QiGong, and reading and discussing mysteries and thrillers.
In December, I sat in on my first Pokemon experience. As the Friends had sponsored FSL’s first ever Pokemon Tournament, and we funded the prizes to be given to winners of the tournament cups, I wanted to see what this cultural phenomenon was all about. It was well-attended with more than 40 in the room, and the number of children who were there exceeded the pre-registration ceiling. Kudos to library staff member, Patrick Hillanbrand, for bringing his creative energy to Falls of Schuylkill and implementing what we hope is the first of such spirited tournaments.
In January, we had our first Board Game Café held on a Saturday. Piyanut “La” Sripanawongsa set up the Májiàng table, and while initially set to play herself, gave up her seat as newcomers arrived looking to learn the game. She quickly pivoted to teacher mode. One woman who came to play Májiàng drove to FSL from Bala Cynwyd saying how robust our library is, and how many great programs are being offered (and that she is taking advantage of). Some who played Scrabble debated the rules they usually played by, Two people who saw our social media post drove from South Philadelphia and set up a table to play Scattergories. The room was buzzing with game energy.
We also offered our first author event held on a Saturday. On January 18th, the Friends hosted Ken Kalfus. While his previous novel, A Disorder Peculiar to the Country (2006) was a National Book Award nominee and three other works were New York Times Notable Books of the Year, Ken gave a delightful reading and presentation of 2:00 A.M. in Little America to 23 attendees. And on February 22, the Friends along with the East Falls Historical Society co-hosted author Amy Jane Cohen who gave a slide-presentation on her new book, Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape.
This winter, the Advocacy committee ran a successful warm for winter campaign. While the Friends purchased supplies for hygiene kits, these were complemented by donations from Friends and neighbors who filled the designated area in the library vestibule with new and gently used hats, scarves, gloves, and socks. A special thanks goes to Karla Irwin for spearheading this initiative.
As we move into Spring come March 20, I am pleased to announce that we have two new co-chairs for the Community Outreach and Engagement committee: Polly Edelstein and Cassy Krueger. A new Friend, Julia Taus, is taking on the role of coordinating our author events. For a sneak peek at the fabulous Spring line-up Julia has coordinated, please take a look at the Spring Calendar of Events elsewhere in this newsletter.
Other new programs offered this Spring include: The Growing Circle: Home Gardener’s Meet Up; Saturday “Sit & Stitch”; Beginner Knitting: Cast on! Knit On; and a special topics workshop, “Caring for our Hands,” the last three, outgrowths, of the Fiber Arts committee. Thanks to our awesome Children’s Librarian, Grace Foster, two ideas for programs that will be funded by the Friends in the Spring include ¡Canticuentos Spanish Storytime! and a production put on by Enchantment Theater Company.
Mark your calendars! A few weeks after we celebrate National Library Week (April 6-12), we’ll run our ever-popular weekend Book & Bake Sale on April 25 and 26 (with preview days prior to the weekend). The Book Sale is once again in the capable hands of co-chairs Beth Hymel and Ann Wiley, and the Bake Sale coordinated by our hospitality duo, Mary Jean Cunningham and Marie Filipponi. Both these committees will be seeking donations come April: books for the Book Sale and baked goods for the Bake Sale. And as always, we know we can count on you!
Jenna Musket
President Friends of Falls of Schuylkill Library