Columns/Opinions

By Lisa Shapiro

Staff Writer

Celebrate National Library Week
    During the week of April 13 – 18, 2014, communities across the country will celebrate National Library Week, a time to remind the public about the contributions libraries, librarians and library workers make to their communities.
    “Lives change at your library” is the fitting theme for this year’s National Library Week celebration. Libraries of all types serve as catalysts in their communities, offering opportunities for children and adults alike to learn grow and achieve their dreams in addition to providing access to books, e-books, computers and other resources. Libraries offer guidance to aid library users in their quest to open new worlds and change their lives.

    Last week’s fire at the old G.W. Carver Elementary School was a tragedy. That school holds lots of good memories for former students, spanning many generations here in Edna.
    Since the school was built in 1954, thousands of children have sat in those classrooms and learned their ABC’s, multiplication tables, how to write their name, and read. Friendships that lasted a lifetime were forged on the playgrounds. Physical education teachers taught sportsmanship and kickball, music teachers instilled the love of singing, and teachers inspired many to be more than they ever thought they could be.
    If those walls could talk, oh the stories they could tell. I had three children get their first education at G.W. Carver Elementary. I was a substitute teacher there as well. I truly believe the foundation for a love of learning begins during the early school years and the teachers that taught there were second to none.

    I pride myself on being pretty savvy about things. I can program a remote (it may take longer than most) use a computer, cell phone – heck, technology has nothing over me. For an old girl I get along ok.
    As the publisher of the newspaper, I hear all kinds of things. We get the police and sheriff reports, public records, and write articles about criminals in the newspaper. You would think that not much could get by me.
    Well, think again. Because this self-proclaimed smartie and her friend got taken by a scam last week. The crazy thing is, when I explained it to my hubby, Larry, and son, Stephen, they looked at me like I was stupid for falling for it. I told them it was so believable we didn’t even question it. Then, bam, reality set in and we felt like fools.

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year! If you ask most people, they will tell you that the Christmas season is their favorite season. Who doesn’t love Christmas music, shopping, poinsettias, and the smiles from strangers who can’t hide their enthusiasm? I, too, love the holidays. I find it easy to get caught up in all the “must-do’s” that accompany the craziness that takes over in December. I must put up the tree and decorate the house. I must encourage Honey to put up the outside Christmas lights. I must buy gifts for all those I love. I must try to bake some Christmas treats. I must mail Christmas cards. I must, I must, I must!!!
    Needless to say, the musts tend to take over and dampen my spirits a bit. The stress that settles on many as they try to live up to their own expectations of what the holiday should be sometimes ruins a perfectly wonderful time of the year. So, every year I try harder to find the joy – and keep it.