Author: Erica Unterman

Erica Unterman is an artist, gardener, nature enthusiast, yoga teacher, and Outreach Coordinator for the Southeast Steuben County Library. Erica manages the library makerspace, the Creation Station, and authors the companion blog, www.creationstationary.com, where she shares the results of her creative endeavors and library programs. Art accessibility is a mission Erica takes seriously. She curates exhibits for the library with regional artists through the ARTS Council of the Southern Fingers Lakes and Elmira Regional Art Society. She can teach you how to sew, 3D print, design graphics with the Cricut and much more. Subscribe to her blog to stay in tune to all that happens in the hall of books.

Hauntingly Good

Erica UntermanLeave a comment

Gearing up for Halloween can be a flurry of activity. Making decorations for this season has me feeling like an elf far before we speak of Santa’s Workshop. The growing excitement to see Trick-or-Treaters march down the streets once again inspired some ghostly goodness to pop up on our 3D printers. Using glow-in-the-dark filament, this ghostly creation haunts our hall of books, but you can request on of your own or a fleet to frighten your friends.

Ghostly Goodness

To promote our 3D printing finesse, there is a promotion underway. Pumpkin Giveaway Alert!

Enter for a chance to win a 3D printed Pumpkin candy dispenser for Halloween. Comment on this post with the word “Chocolate” or “Fruit” depending upon the flavor you prefer. Comment both words separately for 2 entries. Share this contest for a little extra Library Love. Two winners will be selected at random. Contest ends Friday, October 29 at noon. Winners will be announced at 4pm the same day. Find the contest on the Southeast Steuben County Library Facebook Page.

As I decorate my home for the season, I veered from the Crafting with Kimberly Tabletop Birdhouses tutorial and created a Tim Burton-esque model, perfect for any Beetlejuice movie fanatic. This mild goth-girl has no room for pinks and florals, but black and white stripes speak strange and unusual, because “I myself am strange and unusual.” (Lydia Deetz, Beetlejuice)

This haunted house stack sits upon my front entry, which also adorns a skeleton and loads of dried flowers. I have been building an ofrenda to honor my loved ones who have passed this year using flowers and gourds harvested from my gardens. This practice has become a daily meditation that equals artistic expression, but is as transient as the lives we lead. Each moment is precious, each minute a gift. Visit the children’s department at the Southeast Steuben County Library this week to view an ofrenda created by community members in honor of dearly departed Mary Lu Walker. We greatly miss Mary Lu and her songs that fill our memories. There is an item representation of her many beloved songs, like Peanut Butter and Mittens. It’s sure to bring a Cheshire Grin to many storytime guests.

Find this flower and leaf skull mandala that I made as part of the memorial for Mary Lu. Perhaps you will become inspired to create an ofrenda of your own. If you do, please share an image in the comments. This unique form of expression is healing and honors the end of the season of growth as we enter the season of death and the dark hours of winter. Don’t get Scared! Keep and eye on our calendar of events to keep your spirits bright and entertained!

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

We’re Crafty!

Erica UntermanLeave a comment

We’re Crafty at the Southeast Steuben County Library. Aside from our humble Creation Station Makerspace, we offer several crafting classes each season. Crafting with Kimberly has been engaging patrons each month with a themed craft. We transitioned back to virtual programs via Zoom during the height of this seasonal transition. End of summer, back to school, harvest time hustle causes all sorts of havoc for schedules. I have found that offering virtual classes welcomes many more late-working professionals to participate, as well as parents whose children can craft or play in the sidelines. That type of flexibility is what makes the Southeast Steuben County Library so accessible. Check out our most recent class to decorate your entrance with a Spider Web Wreath.

Spider Web Wreath Tutorial

Limited supply stock made it tough to create the kits for this class. There are no leftover supplies to offer Take and Make kits, but if you loved this craft, visit our library building and you will find the new home for Take and Make kits. Deeper inside the hall of books, across from the Reference desk, you will find the Creation Station Makerspace. At the entrance to the “Station,” there is a collection of crafting freebies. Take and Make kits can be found there, if they are in stock. This feels like the best Trick or Treat offering ever! When you are there, find the sewing machine, serger, 3D printers, and Cricut precision cutter.

Cricut has myriad uses for the crafty individual. With a little knowledge and experimentation with the design software, you can be creating your own apparel decals, custom cards, gifts, and personalized goodies. If you want to know more about Cricut and Cricut Design Space, follow along with the tutorial above. There is also time to register for Maker Monday where we will be creating Halloween Party Decorations. It should be a Spooky Good Time!

Tabletop Birdhouse Tutorial

You should pick up a Tabletop Birdhouse kit when you visit the Creation Station. The tutorial premieres on Friday, October 8 at 7pm. Grab your glue guns and get ready to craft a cute birdhouse, or give it a Haunted House vibe. A little black paint and a set of fairy lights will surely make these sweet houses look more Herman Munster than Donna Reed. I noted that harvest season is in full swing and the holidays are literally weeks away. I generally get into Donna Reed mode once the days are shorter and cooler. Join me for if you have an interest in a Paper-Free Kitchen and Dining experience. Sign up for the Sewn Napkins tutorial in November. We will be sewing along together to cut out paper waste and be more ecologically conscious.

“It’s Fall and that’s apple picking season.” Fans of Saturday Night Live might recall this hilarious scene of the Chickham’s Apple Farm. If you live Upsate, you know the deal. We pick apples! This sketch comedy mocks the way some farms truly market what nature gives us for free. Just look around your neighborhood or country sides. Johnny planted his Apple seeds everywhere. We’re pretty lucky that way! As a homestead crafter, I love to prepare apples as butter and sauce, but I’ve grown a wild love for fresh-pressed apple cider. Apples from my tree fell too quickly and “got the deers drunk.” Instead of heading up to “Chickham’s” I used the Art of Asking to accomplish my craft (thank you, Amanda Palmer) and picked a bushel for free from my neighbors’ yard. The satisfaction of pressing apples picked by your own hand is tremendous. All the vitamins and minerals, with a bit more elbow grease, make the product even sweeter. Just like any craft, success is all about finding the Joy in the Making.

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

Sunsetting

Erica UntermanLeave a comment

Summer has past and warm weather is “sunsetting” in our region. The winds of change are upon us as the leaves shift colors and our gardens wither to the ground. This transitional time of year proves to be fast-paced and hectic, so I want to share a few fun things to save time, money, and energy. Libby is an amazing App run by Overdrive that offers tons of digital content. If you already borrow digital materials from the library, you likely use Overdrive to navigate to your magazines, audiobooks, and ebooks. If you are an Overdrive user– prepare now, because as of 2022, the Overdrive App is sunsetting and attempts to use it will be redirected to the Libby App.

Libby by OverDrive - Memphis Public Libraries
Download Libby

Give me a chance to introduce this little lady if you have not yet met. I lovingly call Libby my best friend who can travel with me on many devices and knows just where I left off in a digital magazine, book, or audiobook. Extremely time efficient friends are extra helpful in this hustle and bustle world. This one-tap app will have you reading or listening in just a few short clicks. Check out this tutorial video to get started.

Getting Started with Libby

We understand that getting acquainted with new apps and technology can be tricky, that’s why we offer Tech Coaching options with our patrons. If you hit a snag in using this app or any technology for that matter, call the Reference desk at the Southeast Steuben County Library for some help. Our Tech Coaches are skilled to guide you through many technical glitches. All you have to do is ask.

Once you become acquainted with Libby, you might be interested in discovering more digital catalogs that Southeast Steuben County Library provides 24 hours, 7 days per week. Hoopla Digital is offered only to our card holders and opens another avenue to digital content, like movies, television shows, music, and more. Unlike visiting the library and borrowing physical items, you can peruse these catalogs at your leisure and borrow items you want with no wait time. All items are downloaded or streamed directly to your device. You just need to create an account with Hoopla Digital using an email address and password. Then, enter your library card number and PIN to get registered. Follow this video tutorial to begin.

Hoopla for the Web

You can use Hoopla on a computer browser, but there are some limitations to downloading content onto a computer. I have found Hoopla works best on mobile devices and tablets, but there are also Roku and Alexa options I have yet to explore! Check out the Hoopla Digital video library to find the device you have or just call us at the library for assistance.

There are nuances to each of these digital catalogs, so be aware of borrow limits and make the best use of your digital options each month. Keep in mind how these services can save you money and time. Hoopla has saved me lots of money and shipping delays on required reading materials for classes. Before I purchase a book, movie, or music, I first check the Libby or Hoopla catalogs offered through Southeast Steuben County Library. Most times I am happily surprised to find just what I need and have instant access to the content. Hoopla also offered multiple checkouts on titles. This is excellent for book clubs and classes, where many copies of a book are needed at once. Give these digital catalogs a try. Drop a comment below to tell us know what you think.

Cyanotype Diptych

Our readers might recall from our last post, Summer to September, that we hosted this fantastic Cyanotype workshop with artist, Megan Walsh for Maker Monday in August. Sunlight is a necessary ingredient for developing this type of artistic photography, but we lacked the necessary UV index on the day of class to create a quality print. The diptych above is a good example of what can be achieved when processing a Cyanotype. Considering the weather forecast for this coming weekend (Hello, October!!!), it will be a great time to pick up a Take and Make kit from the Creation Station and learn more about this fun craft on your own. Ensure the UV index for the time of exposure is at a rate of 5 or higher to achieve the best effect. Read the kit instructions closely and keep the prepared paper out of the sun until you are ready to expose your image. Have fun, get creative, and share your results.

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

Summer to September

Erica Unterman1 Comment

As the final days of August approach and those Yellow School Buses begin to grace our streets again, we find there are plenty of activities to steer us past September. If you have not tuned into the Southeast Steuben County Library Calendar of Events recently, you might miss out on some great opportunities to engage with your community. Most recently, the library and Corning Garden Club took the initiative to spruce up some neglected raised garden beds that reside between the library building and Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink. What once housed invasive weeds, untamed shrubs, and actual trash now has new presence just in time to present the public with an arts gathering, Free and Open to the Public.

Imagine a new approach to Nasser Civic Center

Imagine!- Public Art in the Plaza will take over the library’s backyard, Nasser Civic Center Plaza, starting Thursday, September 2 and runs through Sunday, September 5, 2021. The event kicks off at 6:30pm with a ribbon cutting ceremony, which reveals a public art installation of kites. “Art Lifts us Up” is an overall theme of this event, which is an effort to gather community and work through the challenges of this on-going pandemic.

Make a Birdhouse this Friday

The library has arranged for the installation of a giant Sunflower Sculpture to be on view during this event. The sunflower is a symbol of positivity and strength, qualities that make up our unique community. We want you to ensure you get down to the plaza! The creators of the sculpture, the Crows Nest Artists, will be on site on Friday from 5 to 7pm to host a Birdhouse Making Workshop. Create fun, funky bird houses and feeders out of recycled, found and natural materials with the expertise of Gwen Quigley and Tony Moretti. Your creations can be used to decorate the plaza and can be picked up on Sunday evening or take them home right away for your feathered friends. This activity is made possible in part by the QuickARTS grant program administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and funded by the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc.

Crafting with Kimberly

For those who have plans for Labor Day weekend, check out the next Crafting with Kimberly on Tuesday, September 14 from 5:30 to 7:30pm where we will learn a simple Sunflower Painting method. As the season changes, we try to hold a pop of color, positivity and strength as we head into the dark and cold months of winter. Kimberly’s August Birdhouse workshop is postponed until further notice, but keep an eye on the Facebook Page for news and other notifications. We will begin to transition back to virtual workshops via Zoom starting in October. This will give us ample time to craft together, while staying cozy at home.

Outdoor Yoga with Elizabeth Moses

We practiced yoga outdoors in the hidden gem of Margaret Smyers Park in Caton on August 21. It was a hot and humid morning in the Civic Center Plaza while we gardened, but the rain nearly ruined our plans for asana practice. Luckily there are plenty of pavilions to rearrange in the park and we made the best of a wet situation. Of course, the rain halted once we moved the tables and created shelter, but the practice was priceless. Click here for a recording of the session and find a few other Creation Station made videos while your perusing. Join us again next Saturday, September 11 at 11am in Kinsella Park, Painted Post. Families and Friends welcome. No rain allowed!

Cyanotypes with Megan Walsh

Our latest Maker Monday was lead by Megan Walsh who is well-known for these blue-toned creations. This type of photographic printing process creates imagery using sunlight and provides incredible details. Despite a rainy afternoon, there were peeks of sunshine that allowed us to test this method. Using botany samples from her property, Megan described the process and gave us a few chances to battle the weather for a quality print. It is recommended to have a UV rating of 5 or higher for this process to be effective. Luckily we had kits to practice on a bright day. Our next Maker Monday will be hosted by Yours Truly. We will make Wooden Wind Chimes using driftwood, beads, and other found materials. Sign up today for your lesson on September 20 from 4:40 to 6pm.

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

IMAGINE!

Erica UntermanLeave a comment

A FREE 3 Day public arts event is coming round the bend this Labor Day weekend. Mark your calendars and head down to Nasser Civic Center Plaza to see the transformation that occurs when Community Comes Together. Imagine! Public Art in the Plaza is “a multidisciplinary arts event as an opportunity to envision the Corning Civic Center Plaza as a future Public Arts Park. IMAGINE! will be held at the Corning Civic Center Plaza on Thursday, September 2 through Sunday, September 5, 2021. Free and open to the public. Bring a picnic and a chair to this family friendly event!” This event is hosted by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, but the Southeast Steuben Library will be a participant. The best part about this event is the location is our backyard! You can grab your library materials, then find the entertainment just outside our doors.

Sunflower Sculpture

You will find the Civic Center Plaza transform beyond what we could imagine in the coming weeks. The Library will host this Sunflower Sculpture created by Crows Nest Artists, Gwen Quigley and Tony Moretti. Thanks to the generosity of Tanglewood Nature Center, the Southeast Steuben County Library is renting this sculpture to exhibit in our community. This activity is made possible in part by the QuickARTS grant program administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and funded by the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc.

Funky Birdhouses with Crows nest Artists

Join us on Friday, September 3 for a Funky Birdshouses Workshop with the Crows Nest Artists. Create fun, funky bird houses and feeders out of recycled, found and natural materials with the expertise of Gwen Quigley and Tony Moretti. Decorate the Civic Center Plaza for the Imagine, Public Art in the Plaza event during Labor Day weekend. Take your project home after the workshop, or leave it installed until September 6. This is a multi-generational workshop, fun for families or simply for kids of all ages, plus the results are great for the birds and world. Use this opportunity to be creative, use tools, build and decorate. This activity is made possible with donated funds received in memory of E. Jacqueline Welles.

Help us spruce up the Civic Center raised beds as we prepare for this epic event in the public plaza. There are two dates to volunteer your gardening skills, muscle power, hand tools, and pick up trucks. Sign up to help this Saturday, August 14 for either of 2 shifts starting at 8am or 10am. You are encouraged to also particpate next Saturday, August 21 for Mulch Day. If you love to garden, be part of community, and need some volunteer time in your life, join the Corning Garden Club for all of the transformation of this plaza.
Outdoor Yoga

If you missed our last Outdoor Yoga session with Elizabeth Moses, view the recording of the full class posted above. We visited Lindley-Presho-Caton Little League ball field for a refreshing session of movement. The next class will be at Margaret Smyers Park in Caton on Saturday, August 21 at 11am (if the weather allows). The class will be presented on Facebook Live if weather indicates heavy rain, so stay tuned to our page! Mark your calendars for the last live yoga session on Saturday, September 11 at 11am at Kinsella Park in Erwin.

Moon Mirrors

The latest Crafting with Kimberly class showed us how to make Moon Mirrors. We had a bunch of fun with this inexpensive and easy project. The few items needed to make a moon mirror are a round shaped mirror, flat sided glass baubles and a tube of caulk. We sourced all of these materials at the Dollar Tree and created them in Civic Center Plaza. The weather held up for us this time versus my Hypertufa class on Midsummer Day. We offered some Take and Make kits, but they quickly disappeared before this article could be published. I look forward to seeing YOU at one of our upcoming programs. Always keep tuned to our calendar of events for programs offered for any age!

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

What’s Going On?

Erica UntermanLeave a comment
Creation Station is a Makerspace that is Free and Open for the Community

Since summer is zipping by at warp speed, it’s time to catch up our followers on what’s going on in the Southeast Steuben County Library before the season’s change again. The Creation Station Makerspace is preparing for real-life once again and we are pleased to welcome makers eager to 3D print, sew, and create personalized graphics using the Cricut machines. In just the past month, we’ve taught several sewing lessons, prepared a few 3D prints, and began discussions on ventilating the space to allow for the new Snapmaker to live up to it’s reputation as a multiple use machine. While it can create much larger 3D prints versus our original Makerbot Replicator 2, this new addition to our creative space will allow for Laser Engraving and Cutting, as well as CNC Carving. When the ventilation is final, we will be able to help create personalized gifts for wedding parties, (almost…) just like CCLD Tinker Lab!

Splash Outdoor Movie Night on July 23 at 8pm.

Trek out to the Lindley-Presho-Caton ballfield for a Friday night movie under the stars. Join us for a viewing of the big tale “Splash”, rated PG, 1 hr 51 min runtime. Bring your chairs, blankets, and bug spray for an evening of enchantment. Concessions will be for sale. Take your own snacks or cash for the concession stand to support the Lindley-Presho-Caton Little League. This is a double header; “Tom & Jerry” is on plate for July 30!

Mark your Calendars for Yoga in the Parks!

In case you missed the notifications, Yoga in the Parks is also on plate for a few dates this summer. Pack your yoga mats and return to Lindley-Presho-Caton ballfield on July 24 before 11am for a refreshing and joyful session of Yoga Asana practice with Elizabeth Moses of Crystal Heart Yoga Studio. Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. You should understand that when participating in any exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. The experience and careful guidance provided in these classes makes movement accessible to all bodies. Feel confident that all levels of experience are welcome. These sessions are perfect for folks who are curious about yoga, but nervous to take that leap to studio classes. If you can’t attend this class in July, try to join us for the other upcoming dates and locations:

• August 21 at Margaret Smyers Park in Caton
• September 11 at Kinsella Park

If weather is a concern, we will make notifications via the Library Facebook page, but always use your own discretion.

Learn How to Make Hypertufa Flower Pots

Our June Maker Monday was a fun flower pot making experience that ended in a wash-out thunderstorm. Learn how to make the mix and cast into simple shapes with this tutorial I created for the library YouTube channel.

Maker Monday: Cyanotypes with Megan Walsh - Southeast Steuben County Library
Join us for the next Maker Monday

The next Maker Monday class will be hosted at a special time on August 23 at 1pm. Join special guest artist, Megan Walsh to learn how to make Cyanotypes. Known as a camera-less photographic printing technique, cyanotype is a unique and easy manual process used to create printed image. Using the power of sunlight, create your own original prints, with good definition and an intense, unique shades of blue. Print materials can include plant clippings, leaves, feathers, or objects brought from home such as keys, lace, and buttons.  Materials will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring items to experiment with. This class will be held in-person outside at the courtyard of Civic Center Plaza. *Registration deadline, August 15. A rain date will be determined, should that circumstance arise! If you cannot attend this class, but love the Megan’s art, find it for sale at Craft Farm in Elmira.

3D Printed Logo

Remember to visit our library for your 3D printing inquiries and needs. Turning ideas into reality is key to any dream. The image above is the a marketing prototype for a local musician, DJ Green Arrow. After scheduling an appointment, we used Tinkercad and a little help from a colleague to turn a digital image into a 3D element. If you have a skill you wish to learn or share, let us know in the comments. A makerspace is a community effort. It is our mission to make learning free and accessible to everyone. This includes creative literacy. Email Erica Unterman if you want to learn how to turn your ideas into reality. Let’s schedule an appointment and meet at the Station.

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

Midsummer Day

Erica Unterman1 Comment

How can we have approached midsummer when Solstice was just three days ago?! Leave it to the Almanac to give us the factual description and global traditions, while I fill you in on fun library details.

Friends of the Library Book Sale

The last days for the Friends of the Library book sale have arrived. Enjoy 50% off all items in the sale today and tomorrow. Fill your bags for $5 on Saturday, June 26. If you are not aware, our Friends provide the programming funds for the classes we host with the income they receive during these book sales. If you love our classes and want to give back, visit the sale and fill a bag or 3! We get by with a little help from our Friends.

Crafting Fairy Gardens

Crafting with Kimberly is our monthly crafting program for adults that uses Dollar Tree supplies to create kitschy decorations and gifts. This month we made Fairy Gardens and had the fun of hosting this class in person in the Civic Center Coutryard behind the library. Offering classes in-person is just what our patrons were waiting for, because we filled that class with 15 happy crafters, but also offered a hybrid option with a Zoom room for those who cannot get to the library for various reasons. This model allows us to record the class, which I then edit and share to the Southeast Steuben County Library YouTube Channel. I offer Take and Make kits from the class that can be used to craft along with the online tutorial. We have discovered adults truly love this creative freedom we offer.

Book of the Sea

Maker Monday in May was hosted by local artist Wynn Yarrow. We have made many paper crafts with Wynn this year, but this time we went to the Sea. The theme of the sea fits so well with summer and the New York Summer Reading theme of Tails and Tales that this edited version of the class is apropos. Summer Reading kicks off on June 28 at Fallbrook Park. Families, children, teens, and especially adults are encouraged to register and participate in this annual program focused on boosting a love of reading to all age groups. We have lots of prize incentives to build the excitement. But let’s ease into the water slowly with a Take and Make kit to compliment this class video of the Book of the Sea. Kits will be available to pick up tomorrow and the video tutorial will premiere at 7pm on June 25. Get your glue sticks ready! (Note: the video will expire on July 25, 2021.)

Elmira’s Juneteenth Celebration

We hosted the Kickoff event to Elmira’s Juneteenth Celebration on June 18 in the parking lot of Steele Memorial Library. A movie showing of Buffalo Soldiers with Danny Glover was on deck for the evening. Unfortunately, thunderstorms scared most of the crowd to keep cover and stay home. Fortunately, everyone piled onto the streets near Ernie Davis Park on June 19, actual Juneteenth Day to celebrate community, peace, and unity. The smiles on every face make all the difference for a successful event. Rain washed out the afternoon, but the main event had already rocked the streets and most folks had headed home with full hearts.

Maker Monday Downpour

The most recent Maker Monday event was hosted this week. Those threatening thunderstorms stuck around all weekend and finally struck our class at the very end. We gathered again in the courtyard to make Hypertufa Flower pots using recycled objects. Several students skipped class with the pending weather to which I was oblivious. Living in Upstate New York gives you a different awareness of the weather. I often feel it’s silly to cancel an event due to thunderstorms that will likely pass in a few minutes. With that thinking, I neglected to watch the radar to see the indications of the storm running right over the library in the window of time class was held. (Lessons learned.) We had a near Wet T-Shirt Contest, first of it’s kind at our library! Funny thing is the class was over, we just needed to clean up supplies. My wonderful students risked being soaked by the rain rather than run away and leave me to deal with the mess alone. That’s how we maintain that mantra- we get by with a little help from our friends. Sometimes we make those friends in the midst of a major midsummer downpour.

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

Juneteenth and Buffalo Soldiers

Erica UntermanLeave a comment

Juneteenth is the day marked for Freedom from Slavery in the United States of America. Our friends at Elmira Economic Opportunity Program are hosting their annual Juneteenth celebration at Ernie Davis Park this Saturday, June 19 from noon to four in the afternoon. The Southeast Steuben County Library, in partnership with Steele Memorial Library, will host a movie night showing Buffalo Soldiers as a Juneteenth Kickoff Celebration starting at 8pm on Friday, June 18, 2021.

This free event will be family friendly and offer an opportunity to gather in unity and positivity as we celebrate freedom as a community. After a long pause of public gatherings, it is refreshing to offer an outdoor movie experience under the stars. Bring your blankets, chairs, snacks and crew down to the library parking lot. We’ll be outside, so layer for the weather. This kickoff celebration is a memorial for William Keith Vaughan who worked for Elmira EOP, made a great impact in the community, and lost his battle to cancer in 2020, just days before Juneteenth.

Keith Vaughan’s legacy continues with a bequest to our library to provide programming focused on Buffalo Soldiers. The request with such a refined focus sparked our creative librarian brains. Children and families were led on a virtual tour of the Buffalo Soldier Museum in March. Teen and adult poetry writers are now invited to submit their poetry to the Buffalo Soldier Poetry contest. The winners of this contest will have their poetry read in a virtual event hosted on July 28, 2021, National Buffalo Soldiers Day.

Buffalo Soldier Poetry Contest

Rules of the Contest: There will be two submission levels – teen and adult. There will be prizes, including a monetary award and a small physical prize.
1st – $75.00 + physical award
2nd – $50.00 + physical award
3rd – $25.00 + physical award
• The judges for the contest will be Akua Lezli Hope; Karen Alpha; and Wendy Low.
• Submissions should be submitted by July 12. Be sure to indicate if your submission is to be considered in the Adult or Teen category. Submissions should be emailed to Michelle Wells: wellsm@stls.org.
• Michelle will number and send the poems to the judges for blind judging.

• Entrants must live in the five county area of Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates.
• Entrants will have until the July 12 to submit their poem.
• The Judges will provide their choices to Michelle, who will make the public announcement of the winners on July 21.
• There will be an online program at 7:00 PM on the evening of July 28th, National Buffalo Soldiers Day, with a brief keynote speech about the Buffalo Soldiers and the winners will read their poems. The event will take place on the Zoom platform, and will be recorded. Please email Michelle Wells to get the Zoom link to join the event live: wellsm@stls.org

Elmira’s Juneteenth Celebration

We hope to see you this Friday at our movie night kickoff, but you may want to rest your limbs to party all day for the legit Juneteenth Celebration. Many thanks to The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes for offering the grants that make these programs possible. Our communities deserve these opportunities!

Free Take Home Art Kits for Kids!

There will be plenty of Free Take Home Art Kits for Kids at Juneteenth. The opportunity for artists and makers to teach their craft in a Take Home format gives creative outlet to kids who might not otherwise have the chance to have these supplies in their homes. Find the Freedom Flag kits I made as an artist in the community. Each paint pot and kit was lovingly packed by yours truly.

Eddie Dixon demonstrates how he adds details to the eyes of a sculpture he designed of a Buffalo Soldier for the U.S. Military Academy.

West Point Military Academy is a destination for any military buff and an uncommonly known location for Buffalo Soldier history. It was my hope to host he Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point at our kickoff, but they are very busy preparing for a new monument this summer. A statue of Sgt. Sanders H. Matthews Sr., known as the last Buffalo Soldier, will be dedicated in September 2021 on West Point’s Buffalo Soldier Field. Sculptor, Eddie Dixon is the talented maker behind this commemorative piece. An amiable man, he said he has made many Buffalo Soldier sculptures over the years for museums and other sites. And he feels an affinity. “Naturally, you would feel an empathy toward soldiers, for the simple fact that I was one.” Plus, “I’m creating unsung heroes,” he said.

Many thanks to all the unsung heroes who have stood for peace, equality, and unity as our community has changed over history. It is an honor to bring memorial to those who have passed, while we lift our spirits to a brighter future. Let’s see Juneteenth become a legal Federal Holiday.

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

Shift and Pivot

Erica UntermanLeave a comment

We are always striving to keep library services as bright and vibrant as spring azaleas in full bloom. Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, our library has proven we can shift and pivot to maneuver and conquer any situation. While other organizations are still just talking about reopening their offices, the Southeast Steuben County Library has returned to the chartered 55 hour week that New York libraries are required to maintain. WE’RE BACK and better than ever! Running with a New Hours of Operation lineup, there are many more options for you to visit this beloved hall of books. Monday through Friday, 9am-7pm and Saturday, 9am-2pm should allow all your browsing and borrowing needs to be fulfilled. Welcome back!

Papier Mache the Quick and Easy Way with Wynn Yarrow

Let’s catch up on a few weeks of what’s been happening in the Creation Station Makerspace at the library. Papier Mache the Quick and Easy Way with Wynn Yarrow was the April Maker Monday. Local artist Wynn Yarrow led this class with her personal approach to the technique. Since most of our programming is virtual, there were a few students from far reaches of the nation, like Florida and Oregon. It’s fun to see borders and boundaries disappear with virtual learning opportunities. Kits for this class are still available as Take and Make-able, so you can follow along with the tutorial from the comfort of home. This specific video will expire on June 12, 2021, so don’t hesitate.

Yoga with Elizabeth Moses

May Day brought us a succulent Yoga Session with the ever-fabulous Elizabeth Moses of Crystal Heart Yoga in Corning, NY. If you missed the Live event, follow the link above to unite your body and breath. Our next live class with Elizabeth is scheduled for Saturday, May 29 at 11am on Facebook Live. Start your Memorial Day Weekend with mindful movement before digging your gardens and planting those flower beds!

Apron Sew Along with Jesse Junko Beardslee

For Fashion Revolution Week, Jesse Junko Beardslee of Themis and Thread brought her fashion design history and mastery to our live stream. We learned the historic reasons for knowing who makes our clothes and how to condense new purchases into quality garments that are meant to last. Quick fashion is part of myriad reasons Mother Earth’s climate is struggling. Every purchase and decision to spend our money matters. When we make what we need, the product is exponential. We can share the knowledge, sell the products locally or maintain our own fashion without a toss-away mentality. This beckons to the Chinese proverb; Lao Tsu said that if you give a hungry man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. It’s time to learn to fish!

Nature Gnomes with Kimberly

Kimberly Canale has returned with more of her creative adventures in Crafting with Kimberly. On Star Wars Day, we learned how to make Nature Gnomes. These are adorable little friends that whip up quickly with some materials from the Dollar Store or around the house and a few sticks of hot glue. Lucky patrons swooped in to snag our prepared Take and Make kits after the class. Check the video description for a list of materials to prepare in order to craft your own Gnome. If you missed this class, be sure to register for the June 1 class. We will be making Fairy Gardens. If the weather allows, this class will meet in person in the Civic Center Plaza behind the library. We will record the class to add to our YouTube channel, so anyone who prefers to join us Live, but virtually is welcome to do so. Register today to add your name to the list and secure a supply kit before it’s too late.

Gnomes from the Class

As summer approaches, we are planning new adventures in the community. Tales and Tails is the summer reading theme. I plan on cooking up some tales with you together, in person, outside in the glory of nature. If you have a program you wish to see hosted at this library, send your requests now. We love to have input from our adoring fans.

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

Maker Mondays and More

Erica UntermanLeave a comment

Maker Mondays is our monthly arts and craft program, which is often lead by a teaching artist from our region of the Finger Lakes (FLX). On April 26, Wynn Yarrow will lead the next Maker Mondays with Papier Mache the Quick and Easy Way. Hit that hyperlink if you want to join the Zoom Room with us. Our gratitude for the grants programs in our region helping to make this program possible. This activity is made possible in part by the QuickARTS grant program administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and funded by the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc.

The Spruce Crafts

If you register for the class, a free materials kit will be provided for you to pick up at the Southeast Steuben County Library. We offer curbside delivery for those patrons who prefer the service. You can schedule a curbside delivery of a program materials kit or any material the library offers. Check out the online catalog and type “kit” into the search query to find crafting and maker kits that you can borrow to explore a new hobby. For those who cannot attend our classes, check out this link for paper mache instructions from The Spruce Crafts.

Sew Wednesdays is another monthly offering from the library makerspace, Creation Station. Offered on the Second Wednesday of the Month (S.W.O.M.), I compile a video tutorial and upload it to our YouTube channel for Public Preview at 7pm. This week, we will learn how to make a Bunny Lunch Bag.

Set an Alarm for April 14 at 7pm

As we approach Earth Day and consider ways to eliminate waste or simply reduce and reuse our packaging, this sewing tutorial will show you how to create a cute and functional lunch bag for you midday fuel. There’s even enough room to add a paperback beside your sandwich and salad.

Apron Sew-Along for Fashion Revolution Week!

We are super stoked to have a second helping of Sew Wednesdays this month thanks to our friend and ethical apparel designer, Jesse Junko Bearsdslee of Themis and Thread.

Fashion Revolution Week is April 19-25, 2021. It is a great time to learn who made your clothes and even take a test run at making your own. With skills and style like Jesse, you don’t want to miss this personal invitation to join the revolution! Sign up today to for a spot in this Live and Virtual Apron Sew-Along class on Wednesday, April 21 at 8pm. Sew an Apron just like the image above. There are 3 fabric options chosen for the kits. Your registration includes a Grab and Sew Kit specifically crafted for you by Jesse Junko Bearsdlee. If you have no interest in sewing, but want to support artisans like Jesse, visit her store Hector Handmade online or visit it on Seneca Lake.

Dreamcatchers and LIVE MUSIC

For the final Kitsch & Kvetch class, we met in-person at the Fountain in Riverfront Centennial Park. To our surprise, we found a full celebration with kilts and bagpipers and LIVE MUSIC for Tartan Day, which is April 6, “the date on which the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320.” The Scottish American Society of the Southern Tier hosted this event, which was a delight to many passersby on an evening with such pleasant weather. This moment felt like the true turning of the tide for Covid-19 and the Quarantine Lock-down. Warm weather and birdsong often gives me that kind of hope, but LIVE MUSIC made the hope feel ever-more-real. We have lots of supplies leftover from class. Dreamcatcher Kits with instructions are coming to our Take and Make table in a couple of weeks. Think May Day, Roger.

Crafting with Kimberly Returns!

Crafting with Kimberly will replace Kitsch & Kvetch, which actually replaced Crafting with Kimberly during quarantine…

We are very excited to welcome back our Crafty Gal, Kimberly Canale with another popular gnome option. This time it’s Nature Gnomes! Register for your spot in this class, which will be on Star Wars Day, May 4. May the Fourth Be With You and us as we plan to meet in person at the Civic Center Courtyard behind the library, but we will also provide a Zoom Room for those who prefer a virtual option. Kimberly returns with another kitschy-cute Gnome for you to craft on your own. Glue guns and sticks have all the control in this process so grab a finger saver now.

This Saturday at 11am

Finally, we get another chance to ground our minds and move our bodies to the gentle guidance of Elizabeth Moses of Crystal Heart Yoga. Her direction through the postures of yoga will invigorate your spirit and awaken your will for a wonderful weekend. Be sure to set aside this moment of self-care for yourself on the mat. We take Mindfulness seriously, providing this moment as a gentle gesture to take care. Just a sip will make a world of difference. This class will be offered on Facebook Live from the Southeast Steuben County Library page. Login, Like Us, and set notifications for when we go live. We offer much more than what this blog records!

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

national craft month

Erica UntermanLeave a comment

March is National Craft Month, so we’ve been busy packing Take and Make kits, hosting craft classes, 3D printing and editing videos to add to our YouTube channel. If you have not been able to snag a craft kit or attend a class, the Tube is your virtual classroom no matter how far flung you may be from Corning.

Paint Faux Watercolor with Filomena Jack

Starting in reverse, the most recent Maker Mondays brought us Faux Watercolor painting with Filomena Jack. This class was made possible in part by the QuickARTS grant program administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and funded by the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. Take a peek at this fun class as get a taste for watercolor painting without the expensive supply investment!

Crochet with Kimberly

Kitsch & Kvetch was hosted by Kimberly Canale who taught us to crochet a water bottle holder to use for long walks and hikes. The pattern we used to stitch the project was created by Goddess Crochet. Kimberly guided us through each step of the pattern, while giving some neat tips and tricks. If you have a hankering for hooking, but need a little guidance, check out the Stitch n Bitch book from the library. If you need supplies, ten crochet kits will hit our Take & Make table this Saturday, April 3, as an Easter Bunny Treat. Be sure to hop in the library to grab a kit and say “Hi” before you leave.

There will be one more Kitsch & Kvetch on April 6 before we return to Crafting with Kimberly. Register today, then join me at the Riverfront Centennial Park at 6:30pm (weather permitting) to weave dreamcatchers using natural elements. If we are hit by rain or snow, the class will be recorded on Zoom.

Sew a Drawstring Pouch

Sew Wednesday taught us how to make a Drawstring Pouch. The little pouch also makes a convenient storage space for my face masks. I usually keep a stash of them in my car, but they were tossed haphazardly in my dash compartment before I made this handy helper. The library has lots of fabric and sewing supplies to help you create a similar pouch of your very own. Stop in the Creation Station to learn more.

Practice Yoga Asana with Elizabeth Moses

We share the joys of yoga movement one Saturday per month. If you missed the class in early March, you can follow this link to watch it and make some time for yourself on your mat. We will host another relaxing session with Elizabeth Moses of Crystal Heart Yoga on April 10 at 11am via Facebook. No account is necessary to watch the video, but Facebook can be tricky. We want you to find relaxation and avoid tech goblins attacking.

As we turn the calendar pages in the morning, remember not be a Fool tomorrow! ❤

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

What’d the Doctor Say?

Erica UntermanLeave a comment

From 1997 through 2018, the National Education Association (NEA) and Dr. Seuss Enterprises partnered to create Dr. Suess Day. This annual celebration on March 2 honors the birthday of author Theodor Geisel, the “Doctor” whose stories are well known and loved by many generations. It has become evident that a selection of his work holds racial connotations that cannot be ignored. Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced today that six titles in the author’s collection of work will stop being published because of racist and insensitive imagery. The NEA’s contract with Dr. Seuss Enterprises ended in 2018. Since then, the NEA has been marketing March 2 to be better known as Read Across America Day as a strategic attempt to focus on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone.

This shift is not about Cancel Culture. Read Across America began as a project to instill a love of reading in young learners, but has been recognized as excluding whole sectors of student populations. This is more of an evolution of society. Learning something new or “re-educating and reorienting our consciousness” takes courage, acceptance and adaptability. Cultural Diversity is becoming a steadfast goal in organizations. Rather than use nostalgia as a defense for acceptance, it is time to use history as an educational platform for positive and effective change.

Truffula Tree Treats from 2015

I sensed the lack of Seussical fanfare today after I shared a social media memory from 2015. A friend replied with this article that President Biden was “Erasing Dr. Seuss,” which caught me in a rabbit hole of internet research on this subject. Despite the cute red and white stripes, the Cat in the Hat injects racial innuendos of the Black Face Ministrels. The first lady of the last presidential administration was called out by a school librarian for her gift of Geisels in 2017. Said librarian offered a list of diverse books for students to read instead. Was the Cat in the Hat Black is part of that list and a must read for all those seeking to be “woke.” Deconstructing racism is just like peeling back the layers of an onion.

Peeling Back the Layers

As we step towards the path of Peeling Back the Layers, I invite you to show up for yourself, so that you have capacity to show up for others. Can we call that a smooth transition? <(wink)> Mark your calendars for 11am this Saturday, March 6. Yoga with Elizabeth Moses will likely get you centered and ready to continue on the righteous journey of enlightenment. This class will be presented on Facebook Live and will be accessible at your convenience.

Yoga for Mobility and Flexibility

While change and pivoting can become exhausting, we are aware of the global Mental Health crises during this pandemic. Mindful exercise like Yoga is a great step toward self-care. Keep an eye on the Southeast Steuben county Library’s calendar of activities as new Mental Health Awareness programs will Pop-up in the near future. “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” ― Rumi

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