Gowanda Library

hosts community

'Read Out Loud'

     Beginning the program, Dr. Robert Heichberger gave the background of his selections from an old book of poems from the 1800s and how they relate to today’s world. Using a German accent, Heichberger recited a poem about the daily adventures of a little German boy, “Leedle Yawcob Strauss,” and a cute and clever poem about the “The Moo Cow Moo!”

     Six-year-old Brianna Chupa, who came into the library with her mother to get some books, joined in and read a caring story about a Panda bear family, entitled “I Will Always Love You.”

     Members of the Gowanda Poetry Club recited a variety of original poems. Lloyd Milks read his poems, including “Reflections,” about superstitions; “The Voyage,” and one about the value and beauty of trees, inspired by the work of the Gowanda Tree Committee. José Marchese read his thoughtful and moving poems, “God’s Creation,” “What is Love,” and “Valley of Life.”

     Some delightful poems depicting country life from her late mother, Mary Glass’s journals were read by Arlene Milks, including “Dandelions,” “Rain,” “The Tractor,” “The Lost Kitten,” and baking “Two Loaves of Bread.”

     Most of Linda Jones’s poetry is also inspired by her impressions of common things or events in the community, including her poem “The Parking Lot,” and “The Butterfly Souls” - when butterflies were released after the renovation of the old Gowanda Psychiatric Hospital cemetery - the “butterflies symbols of forgotten souls, spirits of those flying free ... at last.”

     Area physician Dr. Ronald Greco, with assistance from his young son Trevor, read from a “Crime Science” book for kids, to go along with the popular CSI television program. Continuing with another science theme, science fiction, Dr. Frederick Kurtz, who described his reading interests as “eclectic,” read from the Anne McCaffrey “Dragon Quest” series of books.

     Gowanda High School students James Mitchell and John Boyer selected chapters of a popular young people’s book, “Lemony Snicket,” which is being made into a movie starring Jim Carrey. Esther Kuhs and library manager Jeanne Glende continued readings from the book during the afternoon.

     Chuckles could be heard from all parts of the library as many humorous selections were read throughout the day. Village of Gowanda Mayor Dick Klancer regaled listeners with the Dr. Seuss classic, “Green Eggs and Ham.” Gowanda Schools Superintendent Charles Rinaldi was amused by the dialogue and illustrations as he read from “Score One For the Sloths” about the pupils, teachers, and principal at the Sleepy Valley Sloth School!

     Also representing the Gowanda schools, Business Administrator Tana Troke read a story about a school play, “Tackylocks and the Three Bears,” and Jody Shaw, who is secretary to the superintendent, read “Hooray for Wodney Wat,” about a youngster who overcame a stutter.

     Choosing from her family’s own collection of books, Vicki Cocca read selections from a favorite story, “The Little Princess.” Dr. Warren Adair gave a rousing rendition of the classic poem, “The Cremation of Sam McGee,” and read a very funny story of “The Three Little Pigs” as told by the Wolf - his side of the story!

     By the end of the day, many of the participants in the “Read Out Loud” stayed to hear the other readers, and there was quite a group gathered as Poetry Club member Richard Westlund, who has been writing poetry since the age of 7, read his “First Poem,” and humorous verses “The Bull in the China Shop,” “The Windshield,” “What’s Mine is Yours,” and a series of poems that captured the essence of the seasons of the year, including the very timely “Reluctant Spring.”

     Eileen Humphrey had everyone laughing as she read poems illustrated with clever drawings from the children’s book “Light in the Attic” by the late humorist and artist Shel Silverstein, including “If You Have To Dry The Dishes,” “The Messy Room,” and “Sister for Sale.”

     Inspired by Silverstein, Westlund capped off the day’s program by doing a Knock-Knock joke - complete with song and gestures - “Knock-knock,” “Who’s There?", “Sam and Janet,” “Sam and Janet Who?", “Sam and Janet Evening!” - sung to the tune of “Some Enchanted Evening.”

     (Donation of the sound system for the day was by Ron Milks, sales engineer for SVS, Inc., Sound Video Solutions.)

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Clarification
The article "Gowanda Library hosts community 'Read Out Loud'" that ran in last week's edition of the Gowanda PennySaver/News was written by Karen Blake.