As fall begins, October is generally our “spooky” season, and Texas is no stranger to a number of myths, legends, tall tales and stories that could send tingles up anyone’s spine.
Growing up, I remember stories of the haunted railroad tracks in San Antonio. It was on that spot, the story goes, where a busload of children was hit by a train. If you stop before the tracks, sprinkle baby powder on your rear window and place your car in neutral, the children will push you across the track, and you can see the handprints of the children in your mirror. Before it was saved by the daughters, the Alamo complex was used as the police department. An 1894 newspaper account tells of the night sentries hearing footsteps across the roof on rainy nights. At the time, historians thought it rained during the siege, but accounts today vary on this point.
I didn’t know about the Alamo story until I read about it in Donna Ingham’s Mysteries and Legends of Texas. There’s time to catch Donna, writer E.R. Bills and Cynthia Leal Massey at our book festival taking place Saturday, Oct. 1 at Main Plaza. This program, which will cover these myths and mysteries (and more) begins at 2:15 p.m. Head to boernebookfest. com for a complete schedule.
We also have a slate of other programming this fall. Bony fingers crossed that the weather will cool down at some point. On deck Saturday, Oct. 8, is storyteller, author and illustrator Xavier Garza who will be to read from and sign his wonderful books. If you haven’t heard Xavier tell stories, you are in for a treat! He’s a wonderful storyteller and specializes in retelling Mexican folktales. The author writes and illustrates books for kids of all ages. Please join in on the fun. We’ll be in the youth department at 1 p.m.
October’s Live! At the Library will feature the always popular local group “Three Swings and a Miss.” This program will be 7-9 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Library’s Amphitheater. Since the program will be held outside, please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Live! At the Library is free and open to the public.
The always popular Boerne Boo! returns to the library Saturday, Oct. 22. Boerne Boo! is a fall festival hosted each year around Halloween by the city. Join us for a ghastly good time at this free, family-friendly event with arts and crafts, trick or treating, bounce houses, carnival games, food trucks, music and of course lots of candy and prizes! To top off all the fun, there is a costume contest for kids and adults. So be sure to come dressed to impress! The Parade of Costumes begins at 5:45 p.m., and fun zones will take place throughout the back lawn of the library from 4-7 p.m. Be sure to bring a bag for the trick or treating.
Call the Parks and Recreation office at 830-248-1635 if you have any questions about this event.
As we head ever closer to the spooky ending of October, teen services coordinator Alex Pena has two treats in store! At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26, Champion Theater will perform Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” at the library’s amphitheater. At 7 p.m. Oct. 27, The Storyman (Gary Whitaker) brings the classic tale of “Sleepy Hollow” to life in an oral retelling. This will also be held at the library’s amphitheater. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Picnic baskets are welcome!
We have started new activities in the HUB, our teen space, each weekday at 4 p.m. for youth ages grade 6 and up. During the month of October, we’ll have special spooky themes going on. Don’t miss Move Mondays where we work on active games or outdoor fun to keep teens moving. Tuesdays is Coloring Club which is a fun but relaxing and quieter respite for teens seeking a little peace. On Wednesdays, join us for anime club in the gaming/crafting room. Thursdays feature “crafternoons” in the gaming/ crafting space to help spark creative fun. On Fridays, we return to the traditional game free-for-alls with Friday Fight Club activities. For more information on any of these programs, you can reach Alex at 830-249-3053.
Happy Spooky Season!
Comment
Comments