So Long Summer, I’ll miss you! September is speeding by so quickly, it’s already Autumnal Equinox and I am just getting a moment to record the goods. Last week, I got sneaky in the community hiding treasures in all directions of the library’s service area. Before the cold weather snaps on us again, I invite you to hit the road for some adventures. Get acquainted with Geocaching. Over the next few weeks, lucky cachers may find a Page Cache. (See image below)

The rules of the game are simple. Get out and geocache! The game is more fun than the actual treasures, in my opinion. The value of one Page Cache is a single scoop cone from Dippity Do Dahs Homemade Ice Cream Shop on Market Street in Corning. If you are a lucky “cacher” who finds a Page Cache, you can cash it in for a sweet treat! Token value expires on November 10 of this wild year, so if you find one after that date, enjoy the 3-d printed Page Cache magnet as a memento and tell me you where you found your prize in the comments. You can download a nifty app for your mobile device and take digital the clues on your trek. There are some very cool caches that are for Premium members only, but I found a trick to avoid the membership fee. If you access the site from a web browser, you can see those premium caches and hunt for them with some clever navigation skills.

For some sly clues, read closely: if you are seeking high ground, mark the coordinates into GPS and steer clear of the Interstate. A dead end road awaits and God is Watching. Corning is fragile, so handle with care. Natural camouflage can be found in Hornby. Caton tells you to stop at an odd number. When in Erwin, lumbering is history.

That treasure to the last clue might actually truly be history. I saw some muggles out and about as I meandered through the wood. They might have seen me. This is a term you should know. Someone is always watching…

As the weather starts to cool, we take advantage of the great outdoors before we are once again trapped inside for a long winter. Yoga in the Parks continues for 2 last sessions. Find Elizabeth Moses at Hornby Park on October 3 and finally at Caton Park October 17. These classes will now begin at 11 am versus 9 am. We practiced some “snowga” last Saturday watching our breath look like fog. We’ll try to avoid that if possible, but wear layers!

The last outdoor Maker Monday was held at Hornby Park. We planned on making Mandala Art with Sandra Roig Tomas Ryder, but the uptick of Covid-19 cases in our region caused no human students to attend this relaxing and meditative method of mark making. As the instructor and I enjoyed conversation, we were greeted by the most unique library program guests I’ve ever encountered. We’ll chalk these bovine visitors up with the Crazy Tales of Library Land! Maker Mondays will continue online in October and November with Wynn Yarrow. Make Clay Birds or Shining Stars from the comfort of your own space. All supplies will be provided. Be sure to register to get in on the action.

Mark your calendars for October 16 & 17. Empire State Maker Faire is a special event fit for all ages. An open call to Makers closed on September 20, BUT YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO APPLY! We will be reviewing and accepting applications on a rolling basis for another few days. The Southeast Steuben County Library is a partner of Maker Faire Twin Tiers, which joins forces with all New York State Maker Faires to bring you one event to rule the entire Empire. This event will be free and virtual on YouTube. Stay tuned for further information.

That’s a wrap for this stationary moment. I’ll check you on the flip side!