Being Grateful, Winter Holidays & Community Outreach

The staff and volunteers of the Jamerson Memorial Library would to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! We are grateful for all the support and participation of our patrons as we wrap on one year and look forward to the next.

A huge thank you to the Appomattox Garden Club for providing the fresh-cut greenery wreaths and swags for our front doors, as well as outside sconces to match this year’s candy land gingerbread-inspired winter wonderland decor. For almost three decades, the Garden Club has offered their time and talent to help spread Christmas joy to Main Street by providing this service to us and other local organizations.

For Wednesday, November 19th’s Story & Craft Time, our resident Library Fairy MaKayla presented the book “Robin Hill School: We Are Thankful” by Margaret McNamara. It’s almost Thanksgiving, and Mrs. Connor asks the class to think about what they are thankful for. Reza and his mama make a list together. He can’t wait to talk to his class about his family, his dog, his bike, and so much more! But then at school, everyone takes turns saying what they’re thankful for, and the other kids say the same things Reza wanted to say! Can Reza think of something else he’s thankful for before it’s his turn to speak? The kids enjoyed snacks while decorating turkey masks. Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday there will be no Story & Craft Time on Wednesday, November 26th. Our next Story & Craft Time will be on December 3rd, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Our guest reader will be Ranger Chance from Holliday Lake, he will feature the book “Three Little Beavers” by Jean H. Diehl. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

Thursday, November 20th was a busy day for the Library. Staff worked on more Christmas decorations, and we hosted two different programs in one day. We featured After School Crafts with MaKayla for “Bad Art – Thanksgiving” and the kids made an assortment of Thanksgiving-inspired crafts with lots of embellishments while enjoying snacks. To wrap up the day, we hosted a movie inspired by a short story about a high-society woman in late-1800’s New York. When her estranged daughter becomes ill and is too proud to ask her mother for assistance, the granddaughter takes it upon herself to contact her grandmother and plead for help. Upon the daughter’s arrival, it causes an upheaval in many lives, but may also lead to reconciliation within the family. Our next Jamerson Movie Time will be on Wednesday, December 10th, starting at 5:30pm.

On Friday, November 21st, we hosted a private movie time for a group of adults who need a safe and quiet place to meet up. If you are interested in having the Library host a private craft, story, movie or other type of event for you, please feel free to reach out to us.

On Saturday, November 22nd, Library Fairy MaKayla worked her Christmas magic by loaning the Library her camera and talent for the Family, Friends & Small Group Holiday Photos . If you have missed this opportunity, we welcome you to make use of our gingerbread-inspired photo spot outside our front doors. Inside, we have a Grinch banner and if the community room is unoccupied there is the indoor photo spot, just ask an employee if it available.

This year, the Library is sponsoring several outreach programs. One is “Elves for Elders”, hosted by Central Virginia Alliance for Community Living Inc. (CVACL). Patrons are encouraged to pick an ornament tag off the tree, located in the Library’s foyer, and help provide Christmas to a local senior citizen who may not otherwise have one. Gifts are due back by 5:00 pm on December 5th. CVACL requests that you do not wrap gifts, but instead put them in a bag or box with the ornament tag. There is also an option to bring in lotion, puzzles, tissues, gift cards, blankets, towels, gloves, hats, or other items to help put together needed gifts for ornament tags that were not taken or not returned.

We also have a box for St. Anne’s Community Christmas Tree outreach near the circulation desk for patrons to bring in lightly used and new gifts for children from preschool through high school age. St. Anne’s works with other local churches to help provide Christmas gifts for families in need. If you have an extra toy, blanket, socks, coloring books, art supplies, books, clothes, or other such items you are encouraged to donate, and help spread the Christmas Spirit throughout Appomattox.

The Library is accepting donations of Meal in a Bag Kits, which will be distributed to households throughout our community to help ensure that every family has access to a warm and nourishing meal during the holidays. Donations may be dropped off at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library during regular operating hours.

Thanks to a generous donation from the Women of the Moose and the Moose Lodge in Appomattox, the Library is putting together numerous Meal in a Bag Kits. We have added new recipe cards to our website and look forward to working with St. Anne’s Episcopal Church to make sure that those families in need are provided for.

If you would like to participate, the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library has a box of gallon-sized zipper bags with recipe cards in them, so all you have to do is fill the bag and return it to the library.
For a list of suggested items and sample recipes, please visit our website at: https://www.jrjml.org/tbtc/ to view the Meal in a Bag recipe cards. Your participation and generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors this season.

In observation of the Thanksgiving Holiday, the Library will be closed from Wednesday, November 26th, through Friday, November 28th. We will reopen for normal business hours on Saturday, November 29th, starting at 9:30 am. The book drop, located at the back of the building, will remain open.

Looking to get your Christmas gifts wrapped? The Appomattox County Library Association (ACLA) along with Library Staff and volunteers will host their first “Wrapping For A Cause” on Thursday, December 4th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm inside the Library’s community room. Get your gifts nicely wrapped, complete with bows, in exchange for a monetary donation. All donations will go to ACLA to support the Jamerson Library.

Catch the Christmas Spirit! Join the Jamerson Library staff at the Moose Lodge’s “Santa’s Crafty Pizza Party” on Saturday, December 6th, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Come do “make and take” Christmas ornaments with us! You make an ornament to put on the tree, and take one home with you! There will be pizza, pictures with Santa, ID Kits and more! Moose Lodge participation fees do apply.

In observation of the Christmas Holiday, the Library will be closed from Wednesday, December 24th, through Friday, December 26th. We will reopen for normal business hours on Saturday, December 27th, starting at 9:30 am. The book drop, located at the back of the building, will remain open.

If you have any questions or concerns about this article or other library-related topics, please feel free to call us during normal business hours.

Article / Photo Submitted by
Katharine G. Bloodworth
J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library

Community Calendar

November 24th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 1:00pm–3:00pm. Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign-up for classes to earn your GED.

November 26th, Wednesday – The Library will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. There will be no Story & Craft Time on this day.

November 27th, Thursday to November 28th, Friday the Library will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

November 30th, Sunday – Jamerson Library will participate in this year’s Christmas Parade. Look for the green car and the famous fuzzy grumpy green mam!

December 1st, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 1:00pm–3:00pm. Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign-up for classes to earn your GED.

December 3rd, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library hosted by Holliday Lake State Park, starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Ranger Chance will feature the book “Three Little Beavers” by Jean H. Diehl. Beatrix the beaver longs to be good at something. Her brother, Bevan, is an expert at repairing the lodge with mud and twigs. Her sister, Beverly, is a superb swimmer and underwater gymnast. What makes Beatrix stand out? To find out more, make plans to join us. We will have a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

December 4th, Thursday – Wrapping for a Cause starting at 5:00 pm in the Library’s community room. Support ACLA’s (Appomattox County Library Association) members, friends, family and volunteers as they wrap your holiday packages in exchange for a monetary donation. All funds raised will be used to support the Jamerson Memorial Library through this 501(c)(3) friends of the library-style organization.

December 6th, Saturday – Jamerson Library’s Creative Class for Adults (18+) starting at 10:00 am in the Library’s community room. Learn to make paper ornaments out of recycled books, Christmas cards, scrapbooking supplies, and other embellishments. You must be pre-registered to attend. You can register online at: https://www.jrjml.org/adult-program-registration/ .

December 6th, Saturday – Catch the Christmas Spirit! Join the Jamerson Library staff at the Moose Lodge’s “Santa’s Crafty Pizza Party” on Saturday, December 6th, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Come do “make and take” Christmas ornaments with us! You make an ornament to put on the tree, and take one home with you! There will be pizza, pictures with Santa, ID Kits and more! Moose Lodge participation fees do apply.

December 8th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 1:00pm–3:00pm. Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign-up for classes to earn your GED.

December 8th, Monday – Sun Bonnet Stitchers will meet at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 10:00 am. Anyone interested in sharing or learning a skill like crocheting, knitting, quilting, needlework, sewing, or other related hobbies is encouraged to attend. Enjoy good company while sharing patterns, exchanging ideas, learning new projects, or teaching others. This meeting is open to anyone willing to teach or learn, yes gentleman, this includes you too!

December 9th, Tuesday – Jamerson Library’s Tween STEAM program starting at 4:00 pm in the community room. Learn how to make snowball (pom pom) catapults just in time for winter fun! Snacks will be served.

December 10th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

December 10th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Teen Book Club starting at 3:30 pm in the community room. This month’s featured book is “The Enchanted Sonata”, written by Heather Dixon Wallwork. Clara Stahlbaum has her future perfectly planned: marry the handsome pianist, Johann Kahler (ah!), and settle down to a life full of music. But all that changes on Christmas Eve, when Clara receives a mysterious and magical nutcracker. Whisked away to his world–an enchanted empire of beautiful palaces, fickle fairies, enormous rats, and a prince–Clara must face a magician who uses music as spells…and the future she thought she wanted. “The Enchanted Sonata,” a retelling of The Nutcracker Ballet with a dash of The Pied Piper, it will captivate readers of all ages. There are multiple copies available at the circulation desk.

December 10th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library Christmas Movie starting at 5:30pm in the community room. After a villain kidnaps Santa from the North Pole, an E.L.F (Extremely Large and Formidable) operative must partner with the world’s most accomplished tracker to find Santa and save Christmas. This Movie is rated PG–13. Free refreshments will be provided.

December 11th, Thursday – Girls Who Code at the Jamerson Library starting at 4:00 pm in the community room. Girls Who Code is a club designed to help young women learn about science, technology, engineering, and math and how they integrate into their everyday lives. The Jamerson GWC club welcomes new members from 3rd grade to 12th grade. Please register at https://www.jrjml.org/girlswhocoderegistration/.

December 11th, Thursday – Jamerson Library’s Adult Book Club starting at 5:30 pm in the Library’s community room! This month’s book selection is “The Blind Contessa’s New Machine” by Carey Wallace. Carolina Fantoni, a young contessa in 19th-century Italy, is going blind, but nobody believes her: neither her parents nor her fiancé, the town’s most sought-after bachelor. Only her friend Turri, the eccentric local inventor, understands. But as darkness erases her world, Carolina discovers one place she can still see — in her dreams. In them, she can not only see, but fly, exploring new worlds in her own mind. Based on the true story of the blind woman who inspired the invention of the typewriter. We have multiple copies of this book to borrow and return on your honor. Please see a friendly staff member at the circulation desk to obtain a copy.

December 13th, Saturday – Wrapping for a Cause starting at 10:00 am in the Library’s community room. Support ACLA’s (Appomattox County Library Association) members, friends, family and volunteers as they wrap your holiday packages in exchange for a monetary donation. All funds raised will be used to support the Jamerson Memorial Library through this 501(c)(3) friends of the library-style organization.

December 15th, Monday – GED Outreach @ the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. From 1:00pm–3:00pm. Doriane Mills from the Adult Learning Center will be at the Library to answer your questions and help you sign-up for classes to earn your GED.

December 16th, Tuesday – Wrapping for a Cause starting at 5:00 pm in the Library’s community room. Support ACLA’s (Appomattox County Library Association) members, friends, family and volunteers as they wrap your holiday packages in exchange for a monetary donation. All funds raised will be used to support the Jamerson Memorial Library through this 501(c)(3) friends of the library-style organization.

December 17th, Wednesday – Preschool Story & Craft Time at the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library starting at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Library will feature an age-appropriate book followed by a simple craft project and snacks. Everyone is welcome to attend with the understanding that this program is intended for preschool patrons.

December 17th, Wednesday – Jamerson Library’s Cookies With Santa! Parents and guardians bring the kids out to meet Santa Claus! Enjoy cookies and juice or milk in the community room from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Don’t forget to bring a camera or your phone to capture some great family memories at the local Library!

December 18th, Thursday – Hot Chocolate and Legos at the Jamerson Library from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the community room. Due to an early-release school day, the Library will be providing hot chocolate, snacks and Lego fun for students of all ages.

December 18th, Thursday – Wrapping for a Cause starting at 5:00 pm in the Library’s community room. Support ACLA’s (Appomattox County Library Association) members, friends, family and volunteers as they wrap your holiday packages in exchange for a monetary donation. All funds raised will be used to support the Jamerson Memorial Library through this 501(c)(3) friends of the library-style organization.

December 19th, Friday – Hot Chocolate and Legos at the Jamerson Library from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the community room. Due to an early-release school day the Library will be providing hot chocolate, snacks and Lego fun for students of all ages.

December 20th, Saturday – Wrapping for a Cause starting at 10:00 am in the Library’s community room. Support ACLA’s (Appomattox County Library Association) members, friends, family and volunteers as they wrap your holiday packages in exchange for a monetary donation. All funds raised will be used to support the Jamerson Memorial Library through this 501(c)(3) friends of the library-style organization.

December 24th, Wednesday – Library Closed, no Story & Craft Time.

December 25th, Thursday – Library Closed.

December 26th, Friday – Library Closed.

December 31, Wednesday – No Story & Craft Time.