Computer Basics 2
Bits and Bytes will continue on Wednesday, May 7, at Westchester Public Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, with Computer Basics 2. The session will take place from 1-4 pm. The class is free, but registration is required as computer stations are limited. The program will take place in the Bertha Wood meeting room on the second floor of the library. Registrants need to be comfortable using the mouse.
Registration will begin on April 23. To reserve your spot, visit or call the Serials Department or register online at www.wpl.lib.in.us. Click on the Bits and Bytes link.
Computer Basics 2 will continue with basics and will look further into understanding applications, storage and the control panel. Topics to be covered will include file extensions, cut-copy and paste, managing files, backing up your files, and more.
For more information and to reserve your spot in the Computer Basics 2 class, please call the Serials/Automation Department at 926-7696, extension 1125.
Spring Book Sale
The Friends of the Westchester Public Library will begin their 3-day book sale Friday, April 25, with the Friends Only Preview Sale from 4 - 8 pm. Only current members of the Friends will be admitted, but patrons can purchase their 2014 membership to the Friends at the door for $5.
The Public Sale will be held Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, from 9 am - 4 pm. On Sunday, all items will be sold for $3 a bag. No electronic scanners will be allowed.
There will be thousands of books of all types sorted and spread throughout a number of rooms and hallways in the second floor of the Thomas Library, 200 West Indiana Avenue, Chesterton. Library Director Phil Baugher reports, “We have a good selection of books again this year and I encourage our patrons to stock up on titles for their summer reading.”
Prices for newer and special books will be individually marked. A large number of hardcover books will be sold for $1.00 each and paperbacks for $.50.
Proceeds from the sale are donated to the library and help fund many supplemental and special programming efforts such as film series, children’s programs, book discussions, and staff recognition events.
Easter Egg Hunt
Children ages 2-6 are invited to join the Easter Egg Hunt in the Children’s Department at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, on April 19. The hunt will begin promptly at 10 am. No registration is necessary, and there is no charge to attend.
For more information, contact the library at 926-7696.
General Gardening
Westchester Public Library will offer two gardening programs this spring. General Gardening: Azaleas to Zucchini will take place on Tuesday, April 29, from 7-8:30 pm at Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter, and on Tuesday, May 6, from 7-8:30 pm at the Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton. Registration is not necessary for either program.
Tim Miller will present information on soil, seeds, and planting, just in time for attendees to begin working on their garden preparations. Join Miller at Hageman Library on Tuesday, April 29. Attendees will receive a handout. Miller is a long-time personal gardener and is the library gardener as well. Miller has presented a number of gardening programs on a variety of topics for the library.
On Tuesday, May 6, Russell Hodge of Erwin and Hodge Tree Care will discuss tree care. Hodge has been involved in the tree care industry for 31 years, and is from a family that has been in the industry for over 65 years. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, a tree appraiser, a state certified pesticide applicator for trees and shrubs, and was a corporate tree crew safety trainer for 7 years.
For more information, call Hageman Library at 926-9080 or Thomas Library at 926-7696.
Battle of Chancellorsville
The American Civil War: A Series on the Major Battles will continue at Westchester Public Library with a look at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Join Thomas Murphy at the Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, from 10 am-noon on Saturday, April 26. There is no registration required; attendance is free of charge.
Major General Hooker’s well-executed crossing of the Rappahannock fords on April 30, 1863 placed his rejuvenated and reorganized Army of the Potomac on Lee’s vulnerable flank. Rather than retreat before this sizable Federal forces, Lee opted to attack Hooker while he was still within the thick wilderness.
Late on May 1, 1863, Lee and Jackson conceived one of the boldest plans of the war. Jackson, with 30,000 Confederates, would follow an attack on that exposed flank. The May 2, 1863 flank attack stunned the Union XI cops and threatened Hooker’s position, but the victorious Confederate attack ended with the mortal wounding of Stonewall Jackson.
On May 3, 1863, the Confederates resumed their offensive and drove Hooker’s larger army back to a new defensive line nearer the fords. Swinging east, Lee then defeated a separate Federal force near Salem Church that had threatened his rear. Lee’s victory at Chancellorsville is widely considered to be his greatest of the entire war.
The American Civil War series will continue on June 21 with a look at the Battle of Gettysburg.
History buff and Civil War enthusiast Thomas Murphy will present each program. Murphy is an RSVP volunteer and has presented a number of programs at the library. Future programs will cover the battles at Manassas, Antietam, and Chickamauga.
For more information please call the library at 926-7696.