Indian Trails Library kicks off 50th celebration
Patrons of the Indian Trails Library, which serves most of Buffalo Grove and Wheeling, will get a whole new view of the Dewey Decimal system this weekend.
As part of the launch of the library's 50th anniversary, the Do the Dewey program will bring in chocolate makers and belly dancers to illustrate the book-organizing system.
The celebration will kick off on Friday night, with the BG Encore! Singers performing.
"They'll sing songs from the '50s, and we're going to have cake and punch just to start the celebration off," said Michelle Shapiro, program and special events coordinator for the library.
The second day will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, when Chocolate Marvels will have a tasting. Middle Eastern belly dancers from Troupe Namaste will take over at 10:30 a.m., and the day will also feature authors of two books.
Jeffry Mallow will discuss his book "Our Pal God and Other Presumptions: A Book of Jewish Humor," and Robert Renteria and Corey Blake will discuss "From the Barrio to the Board Room."
Shapiro said she hopes the authors especially will appeal to the large Jewish and Hispanic populations the library serves.
The rest of the day will include costumed characters dressed up as a gypsy, archaeologist and Civil War soldiers. A free hot dog stand will be set up outdoors.
It's all a way of saying thank you to the library's wonderful patrons, Shapiro said.
Sunday will feature a family carnival and circus, with hot dogs and popcorn. The library will also bring in a magician and face painter, as well as other activities.
"It's a nice day for families," Shapiro said.
All in all, the library will have more than 50 programs between this weekend and the end of April to celebrate its 50 years. It opened in October 1958 with the help of volunteers from several service organizations in an effort spearheaded by the Wheeling Women's Club. Six months later, a referendum was passed forming the publicly funded library district.
"The library's a tremendous treasure," Shapiro said, adding staff is excited at the chance to show the community what the library has to offer. For more information, visit indiantrailslibrary.org, or call (847) 459-4100.
50th Anniversary Weekend
The Indian Trails library will be kicking off its celebration this weekend with three days of activities. Other anniversary activities will take place every month through October 2009. For more information, visit indiantrailslibrary.org or call (847) 459-4100. The library is located at 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling.
FRIDAY
7 p.m. BG Encore! Singers perform
SATURDAY
10 a.m. Tasting and telling with Chocolate Marvels in the front room
10:30 a.m. Troupe Namaste, a Middle Eastern belly dancing group, performs in the large meeting room
11:30 a.m. Author Jeffry Mallow discusses his book "Our Pal God and Other Presumptions: A Book of Jewish Humor" in the front room
12:30 p.m. Lance Brown as Wil Rogers in the large meeting room
1:20 p.m. Robert J. Renteria and Corey Blake discuss their book "From the Barrio to the Board Room" in the front room
2 p.m. R.J. Lindsey portrays archeologist James Henry Brested in the large meeting room
2 p.m. Gypsy Steve Sodoro will walk around the library giving palm readings
3:30 p.m. The Battlefield Balladeers will sing songs of the Civil War in the large meeting room
SUNDAY
Noon Susan C. Johnson animal show
1 p.m. Face painting
2 p.m. Magic Dave the magician