Crank Up That Juke Box and Dance!

The Decorinator and BizMeister were trying to think of some eye-catching decorations for the entrance to the library's youth services department that would dovetail nicely with the 2018 Summer Reading theme, "Libraries Rock!"  Queen Settler came up with a true winner:  If libraries rock, then why not display a jukebox?  So the Decorinator and BizMeister fashioned one out of cardboard, paper, plastic, and, well, you know, decorator stuff.

Click Photos to Bigify

That's a Cool Jukebox!

Which Band Made That Record?

Scowl-Face discovered a design flub, however.  He crashed his head into the big black note hanging over into the passageway into youth services.  So, watch out, tall patrons!  Duck!!!  Queen Settler demonstrates.

Duck!

Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

For all you youngsters out there who don't know what a jukebox is, there's a video for that.

Click Video (Above) to Play

Obviously, since our jukebox is only a decoration, you can't actually play records on it, but you can crawl beneath it through the bottom passageway into (and out of) youth services.  But that's only for youngsters.  Adults don't get to have any fun.

Congrats to the Decorinator, BizMeister, and Queen Settler for this fantastic display!

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  The intro to the TV show Happy Days (1974-1984) featured a jukebox.  Here's the Season One intro (1974).  Kids--ask your grandparents who Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, et al., are/were.

Cauliette in the Press Box

Once again, I've come out of retirement to report on a library program featuring moi.  Well, to be precise, Cauliette, my puppet self that BizMeister created.  Click the photos to bigify.

 Backdrop for library program about Amos Rusie,

"The Hoosier Thunderbolt"

Cauliette reporting from the press box

(note the notepad and press pass)

Mooresville native Amos Rusie (1871-1942) played for the New York Giants and was considered the fastest major league baseball pitcher of his time.

The Decorinator and BizMeister created this wonderful backdrop for this program and suggested that I cover it for my blog.  Since I'm retired, it was a perfect job for Cauliette, who still works in the MPL Indiana Roving Reporter Room.

My minions took some photos before the program began, which showcased homemade snacks (created by BizMeister), including "crackerjack" caramel corn and baseball cookies, as well as hot dogs. Our local McDonalds graciously donated juice containers.

BizMeister also served as ticket-taker (well, since the program was free, she actually gave out tickets for a raffle prize).

BizMeister & the Decorinator

joking around before the program

The program was presented by Indianapolis author and baseball expert Pete Cava.  If you missed the program, Scowl-Face video-recorded it, including a Q & A session.

Amos Rusie:  The Hoosier Thunderbolt

by Pete Cava

(click image to play video)

Question-and-answer session for Amos Rusie program,

by Pete Cava & David Reddick

(click image to play video)

Before the program began, our own Miss Teresa, whom I'm now nicknaming Keyboard Queen, played "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

Miss Teresa plays "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"

(Amos Rusie program intro)

(click image to play video)

I guess I should include some images of Amos Rusie himself.

 Amos Rusie 1889 baseball card

from the Indianapolis Hoosiers

(major league baseball team)

 Amos Rusie baseball card

early 1890s, New York Giants

 Amos Rusie in the windup

(He was the fastest pitcher of his era)

 Amos Rusie baseball card (mid-1890s)

New York Giants

Amos Rusie PowerPoint slideshow

played at the beginning of our program

Amos Rusie Baseball Hall of Fame plaque (1977)

Several Rusie family members attended the program and added some interesting stories during the Q & A session.  There was a good turnout. Luckily, we didn't have to call the game because of rain, but it was really windy.  That's why we didn't play a wiffle ball pickup game in the library courtyard outside after the presentation.

As always, everyone did a wonderful job.  It was a most enlightening program.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Our Peanuts Clubhouse

FEBRUARY 2020 UPDATE:  The Decorinator and BizMeister have been busy updating our Peanuts® clubhouse around our elevator.

Marcie, Snoopy and Schroeder

(Click Images to Bigify)

 

Schroeder has caught a swimming dinner!

 

 Looks Mighty Tasty, I Must Say

_____________________________________________

The Decorinator and BizMeister have been busy building the Peanuts® clubhouse around our elevator, using their characters from our Old Settlers parade float.  As always, click the photos to bigify.

 Looks Like a Tree House to Moi

 Peppermint Patty & Charlie Brown

 Snoopy Will Not Be Pleased

From Another Angle

Decorinator and BizMeister do such a fantastic job decorating the library.  What a happy place!

Stop by to see these new displays.  They are great family photo opps!

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Here's the official trailer for The Peanuts Movie (2015).

The Decorinator & BizMeister Get Spooky

The Decorinator and BizMeister get spooky with their new decorations at the library's youth services entrance.

Click Photos to Bigify

That bat looks like Batman's batarang.  Just saying.

Surely, I don't look like that

Be safe on Halloween, little humans (and felines)

One of the many ghosts that haunt my library

There's another one!

With a special crawl-through place for our kiddy patrons

While you're at the library, be sure to take a peek at our other Halloween-related decorations and displays.  We have loads of scary books to read!

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Many Happy Returns To You, Too

The Decorinator and BizMeister have been plenty busy putting up holiday displays for December.  They created some nice new ones to go along with old favorites.  As always, click the photos to bigify.

Many happy returns to you, too

There's a huge wreath above the automated book return next to the Friends of the Library book sale room.

Straight from the Arctic Circle (or maybe the Circle K)

This nifty igloo is constructed from plastic milk and water gallon jugs.  It looks cold, but actually it's quite comfortable to lay inside.

Who's that looking down on the igloo?

Oh, no!  It's the Grinch who stole Christmas!

Hank and Willie looking dapper in their holiday gear

Can you see the lights?

Our stuffed slobberdog warms up by the faux fireplace

As you may recall, we've had some close calls with the faux fireplace in the past, especially with my "flat" counterparts.

Holiday books, movies, music, etc., available to checkout

One of my personal favorite DVDs

Our other faux fireplace

This fireplace is an actual heater that blows real heat.  The blower is turned off right now, though, so only the pretty fire is running.

 Flames look plenty real to moi

Mr. & Mrs. Claus light-up the bottom of our automated book return

Stop by the library sometime in December to see all these (and many other) wonderful decorations.  Once again, the Decorinator and BizMeister have outdone themselves with their creativity.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Aliens Invade the Library!

It was only a matter of time before aliens invaded Mooresville Public Library.  As always, click the photos to bigify them.

Obviously an alien spacecraft

I wonder if those aliens brought moi any canned tuna-in-oil?  If they're of superior intelligence to humans (and who isn't?), they'll have some handy.  As THE highest intellect on planet Earth (well, felines generally, but, maybe, moi specifically), I'll serve as our representative in dealing with these invaders.

I claim your ship to sleep on

 I'm now being informed that the Decorinator and BizMeister created that alien vessel (as well as this cute spaceship below) for our 2019 Summer Reading program, the theme of which is A Universe of Stories (June 3-July 27).

Our Youth Services department has loads of fun programs scheduled for this summer to go along with summer reading, as you can see from our online events calendar.

If you're one of our young people patrons, you may climb aboard our special space capsule, also created by the Decorinator and BizMeister.

Climb aboard!

Space is a big place, so there's lots to explore.  Just like your favorite library!  Drop by and space-out a bit.  Like Hank and Willie (below).

Hank & Willie are all set for Independence Day

The boys don't say much, but they have cool hats and ties.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Our alien spacecraft reminded moi of the Jupiter 2, seen in the vintage sci-fi television series Lost in Space (1965-1968).   Scowl-Face loved that show, probably because he fit the target audience (he was 7-10 years old during the show's network run), plus he had the hots for Penny Robinson, played by actress Angela Cartwright.  He was a big fan of the Robot (voiced by Dick Tufeld), Will Robinson (played by actor Billy Mumy), and Doctor Smith (played by actor Jonathan Harris), too.  He had a battery-powered replica of the Robot.  Too bad he doesn't still have it; that might be worth a lot of money now.