POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS POLO LIBRARY Special Hours POLO TRI-COUNTY PRESS The library will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 1 to TRI-COUNTY PRESS observe New Year’s Day. We wish all our patrons
Tri-County Press / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Dec 31, 2021
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a safe and happy holiday! The library will also be closed on Monday, Jan. 17 to observe Martin Luther King Jr Day. Special Procedures Masks are required in the library for everyone over the age of two. Polo Library’s programs and services are for everyone. If you require an access service to fully participate or have any questions about accessibility, please contact Ellen Finfrock at 815-946-2713. Community Services A representative from Rock River Center will be at the library from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26. Library Services Did you know we offer home delivery? Just call to request an item and make arrangements for delivery. Another call to the library is all that is necessary to arrange pick up. Items of all types are available, including magazines, movies, large print books and audiobooks. Adult Programs Book groups meet Friday, Jan. 14 and Monday, Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m. Book 2 Movie discussion group meets on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 5 p.m. These groups are open to anyone who is interested, no registration required. Stop in to pick up a copy
and join us! Coffee with a Cop Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 10:30 a.m. Drop in and enjoy coffee and conversation with Polo’s Chief of Police, Troy Randall. Genealogy Assistance Are you interested in researching your ancestors but don’t know where to start? Do you have a start and need help with your research? Stop by the first Wednesday 5-7 p.m. or the third Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and let Donna help with your project. Polo Library is now a FamilySearch Affiliate Library which allows access to more digital records when you’re researching at the library. Jigsaw Puzzle Swap Are you bored with the same old puzzles you have at home? Bring your gently used puzzles to the library and leave with new-to-you puzzles. Each puzzle to swap must: be primarily at least
500 pieces, be complete, no missing pieces; be placed in a zip-lock bag within its container; include an image of the completed puzzle - picture on box, poster or photo. Don’t have a puzzle to swap? Come pick one out and swap it back when you’ve finished with it. Jigsaw Puzzle Swap is located in the display cabinet in the Congress Street foyer. Virtual Travelogue John Lynn’s America Coast to Coast, Part 1 Jan. 12, 6 p.m. This is a live on Zoom program. Register at the Circulation Desk, email library@pololibrary. org or call 815-946-2713. Yoga at the Library Monday, Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. Taught by Clementine Studio. Register at the Circulation Desk or call 815-946-2713. Children’s Programs Winter Reading Land Kick-Off Party, Saturday, Jan. 8 10:30 a.m. Help Ms Melanie kick off Winter Reading Land with a Board Game Party. This reading program is for Kindergarten through 5th graders and will run from Jan. 8-Feb. 26. Register for the kick-off party and reading program by emailing melaniew@pololibrary.org or call 815-946-2713. Virtual Storytime on Saturday, Jan.15 at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook and YouTube. In person Storytime on Saturdays, Jan. 22 and 29 at 10:30 a.m.
PINE CREEK NEWS BY KAREN MERLAK Christmas Day has come with the celebration of the birth of the King. This is the moment we have been anticipating for the past four weeks of the Advent season. For the greatest gift of love, we are forever grateful to our Heavenly Father. This morning for church, we are starting a three-week pause from in-person church. Pastor Suzanne Hall Stout led the service on Facebook Live. Our pianist, Bev Kearns, provided the music for the morning. We will be online only for the next two Sunday mornings. On Friday evening, our church hosted a Christmas Eve service in our building, in person and online. Greeters for the evening were Don and Vicki Hay. James and Nancy Hopkins lit the Christ candle for the service. Pastor Suzanne led the service, which included singing many of our favorite hymns. James Hopkins and Chuck Kearns also helped with readings during the service. James also provided the luminaries outside of the church. The service concluded with a candlelight singing of “Silent Night.” Stephanie and João had plans to travel to Minnesota to spend a few days with João’s family. Unfortunately, they were not able to go due to illness. The couple stayed home with their dog, Pepper. Even miles apart, we are able to keep in
touch, sharing the excitement of the holidays. This Christmas looks a bit different for me this year. I am celebrating with my son Matt in Hawaii. I arrived last week and will return home in a couple of days. For the week, he has given me a tour of the area where he has been stationed for the past six years. He was able to take me to his shop where he works, a tour around the base and neighboring cities, and to the beach to see the ocean. This area is surrounded by mountains, palm trees, and beautiful flowers. Even more than the beautiful scenery, I am grateful for the long talks, time cooking dinners, and the many memories made over this week together. I have been getting acquainted with his blind cat, Alice. For Christmas Day, we exchanged gifts and made dinner together, including a couple of our family favorites. In the evening, we went to the movies. Matt and I share a great love for stories, in books and in movies. On Friday afternoon, Matt and I called Clint to wish him a Merry Christmas since it was Christmas Day where he is. Clint is back to work and feeling much better. Our family is looking forward to the next big moves in 2022 for Matt and Stephanie. Mostly, our time together has included lots of
relaxing rest. This rest has given me time to reflect on my life at home. This year has been full of great accomplishments. However, spending time working toward my goals has taken me away from other things. It is easy to lose our focus with so many other things of this world that take our attention. We have so many distractions around us. This morning, Pastor Suzanne spoke about the importance of making room for Jesus, now that He is here with us. Being away from home has allowed me to think about my priorities and the amount of room they are taking up in my life. Each time we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we have a reminder to invite Him into our lives. When we invite Him first, everything else falls into place. During this time of relaxation and rest, I am rearranging my priorities again so that He is first. I am grateful for this time of refreshment and reconnection. I hope to see you online with us next Sunday as we gather on Facebook Live to worship. Please leave a comment when you join. Soon, we will be together again. For now, our family bond is stretched but not broken.
(Karen Merlak lives in Polo and is a member of the Pine Creek Christian Church)
