The library has enjoyed a very special relationship with PEPtBO. PEPtBO stands for Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. It is a volunteer-run, registered charity that is the caretaker for the globally significant Prince Edward County South Shore Important Bird Area.
Volunteers yearly band birds on this major migratory route. It is a focal point for passerines, waterfowl and raptors with reports yearly of other rare and unusual species. Not only do PEPtBO members perform this important function but they also are active in engaging new volunteers to their cause and in spreading the word about the importance of their work.
This is where the library comes in and the ways that we have been able to partner with this remarkable organization. More often than I can count representatives have fascinated a young audience on a Saturday morning in the library or during March break activities in one of our branches. Speakers have attended our newcomers club meetings to inform new residents to our community about the opportunity their organization offers to contribute to the wellbeing of south shore birds.
PEPtBO is currently running a special promotion. They are calling county poets to enter a poetry contest. The library is helping to promote this by hosting contest judge JC Sulzenko on Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 4-5 p.m. for poets ages 9 – 16 and from 5-6 p.m/ for adult poets. Sulzenko will be at the Picton branch. She will explain the chapbook project, talk about what makes a poem a poem, and the content that Poems for the Birds project is looking for. The contest closes Oct. 31. If you are confident you can hand your poem to Sulzenko on Oct. 9 or you can go away to re-work and submit later online.
The winners selected will be published in For the Birds, the chapbook of winning poems and photographs by local enthusiasts. The chapbook (a small collection of poetry often centred on a specific theme) will be launched on the PEPtBO web site in January. There are prizes for the top poem in each age category. For contest details to www.peptbo.ca.
Who is JC Sulzenko? She is an Ottawa-based poet and writer. JC has judged English poetry for over a decade and served as poet-in-residence for Ottawa’s The School of Dance. She has conducted workshops in schools and her book South Shore Suite, published by Milford’s Point Petre Publishing is available to borrow from the library.
Also coming up at the Picton branch is the “Vicki Delany and Linwood Barclay in Conversation” event. This is a fundraiser for the branch expansion. It takes place on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. Refreshments and humour will be served!
A final note: We have good news! We have found a Spanish teacher. We have contacted all of you who asked for this class and currently the class is full. However, we may have another volunteer to lead a class. We will provide updates. We are still, however, looking for a conversational French teacher. Please let us know if you are interested.
Remember to check the rising thermometer on our web site at timetorenew.ca.
-Barbara Sweet