“May the winds of fortune sail you, may you sail a gentle sea. May it always be the other guy who says this drink’s on me” – Irish toast
While often taught hand in glove alongside other works from the British Isles, Irish literature is really in a class of its own with all the themes, concepts and humor you would expect from a country that has been at the historical forefront of tension over politics, nationalism, religion and poverty. There is remarkable beauty in the texts, and if you are interested in exploring more this St. Patrick’s Day, we are always happy to help you find a writer of interest in our library.
My recent Irish discoveries include Sally Rooney and Colm Toibin. I’m currently reading Poet Alice Kinsella. I always love Seamus Heaney. And I’m still intimidated by James Joyce.
However you celebrate this month, “May you have warm words on a cold evening, A full moon on a dark night, And the road downhill all the way to your door.”
We have a lot of great programming lined up this month. We hope you can join us for one or all!
On Thursday, March 17, join us at 7 p.m. at the amphitheater for Live! At the Library featuring The ShAnnie Band. A duo comprised of Shan Kowert and Annie Acton, the group, according to its website, mixes eclectic Americana pop folk with Celtic and Spanish undertones.
ShAnnie’s music is soulful, lyrical and mesmerizing. Annie will captivate you with her dramatic visual performance. It›s been said by many that when «Annie sings, you believe.» Shan, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist crosspicks the guitar strings or moves across the piano keys enthusiastically enhancing every song. Whether it is Annie or Shan taking the vocal lead, the other voice is floating around in harmony.
On Wednesday, March 23, makes plans to trek to the library for the story of the famous little Chinese Desert Dog with the big heart that took the world by storm several years ago with her story. In “Finding Gobi,” ultramarathon runner Dion Leonard relays the dramatic tale of his bond with the little terrier mix that appeared out of nowhere in the Gobi Desert and proceeded to run the next 77 miles alongside Leonard.
Leonard and Gobi will be here at 6 p.m. that night to talk about their tale and to sign books! It’s an awesome adventure story!
On Saturday, March 26, the Inishfree School of Irish Dancing will make a return visit to the library. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., the group will give a toe-tapping, hand-clapping performance sure to get the Irish blood pumping.
On Wednesday, March 30, join us at 6 p.m. to learn more about weapons in early Boerne. Sponsored by the Kendall County Historical Commission , we are thrilled to present Frank Graves, an early American percussion firearms expert, who will discuss rifles and pistols used in early Boerne history, including the rifle patent of Boerne gunsmith E.A.F. Toepperwein.
Weapons have always played a role in Kendall County’s early heritage, whether for food, for recreation by the German-influenced Boerne Schuetzen Verein (shooting club) or for life-or-death Native-American engagements. In his presentation, Graves will share the back story on a variety of pistols and rifles, several with Kendall County pedigrees. Two of his artifacts are on loan from the Boerne Area Historical Preservation Society and the Old Jail Museum.
Even our county’s namesake, George Wilkins Kendall, when visiting his Post Oak Spring Ranch (located just four miles east of Boerne) in the 1850s, focused on armaments and humorously assessed the presentation of his shepherds
“Instead of ‘crooks on their shoulders and perhaps lutes under their arms,’ as poets were wont to describe the gentle folk who tended the flocks, each was ready to stand off a full-fledged Comanche raid. Standard equipment for guarding a flock of eight hundred sheep included a double-barreled gun, a Bowie knife and a Colt six-shooter.”
Graves’ evening program is free and open to the public in the Patrick Heath Public Library’s Community Room on Wednesday, March 30 at 6 p.m. Please contact Bryden Moon, bemoonjr@aol. com, with any questions.
Coming up in April: We partner with Get Fit Boerne next month to offer health and wellness seminars and Tai Chi, Sound Meditation and Yoga. Check our calendars and head to Boerne Parks and Recreation/Get Fit Boerne to register and peruse the other programming happening around town. It’s a great way to find out about the resources and programs around Boerne that can help you on your healthier journey!
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