Welcome to the new year and the new decade, 2020. It is a busy month of January at the J.R. Clarke Public Library, so we’ll jump right into the news and events that are happening there.
This Friday, Jan. 10 at 1 p.m., technology guru Levi Smith will teach a workshop entitled Cell Phones — Digital Help When You Need It. Participants will learn how to use a cell phone to make your life easier and more functional. Please sign up at the library by calling 473-2226, or stop in. Levi is a computer and IT instructor at Edison State Community College. The workshop will be held in the lower level Community Room, and sign-up in advance is recommended. Also, coming up with Levi is the third class of Excel, which will be held on Friday, Jan. 24 at 3 p.m.
Vicki Hand’s Keep Moving class is ready to begin a new year. This exercise class is for men and women and will begin meeting weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m., beginning Wednesday, Jan. 8. The fee is $1 per session, and one’s first class is free. This specific exercise will help everyone improve and increase their range of motion, flexibility, coordination, balance, blood circulation, and sense of humor. It is a lot of fun!
Crafters gather each Thursday evening, beginning Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. If you enjoy a specific craft such as knitting, embroidery, crochet, quilting, quilling, stamping, scrap booking or anything else, then come in and join the group. The crafters arrive around 6:30 p.m. and stay until around 8 p.m., when the library closes. Talk and share ideas about your projects, and everyone is welcome. Meet some new friends and re-connect with others. If you have any questions, contact the circulation desk at 473-2226.
Local author Larry Hamilton from Piqua has written three books and will be at the J.R. Clarke Public Library at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28. He will discuss views on Miami County history, and is sure to be interesting. Larry is a well-known Piqua historian; especially on the story of freedmen who settled and lived in the area. He has helped many folks understand what he titles “our inclusive historic heritage.” Larry and his wife, Linda, have purchased a property at 655 N. Main St. in Piqua, and have named it the Randolph & McCulloch Freedom’s Struggle Complex. Larry will be pursuing these topics when he visits. Let’s welcome Larry to our community and learn more about our Miami County history. Light refreshments will be served.
Additional varied workouts employed! Stay tuned for a new way to tune up!
St. Teresa Catholic Church, located at 6925 W. U.S. Rt. 36, just east of Covington, again has its shelter house available for rent, and is currently taking bookings for this spring, summer, and fall. As we approach graduation season, many folks have found the St. Teresa shelter house an ideal place for a graduation open house, family reunion or picnic, or any type of gathering during these coming three seasons of the year. The shelter is located on the grounds of St. Teresa Parish, and features a modern, full kitchen with sink, stove, oven, and refrigerator.
The building has restroom facilities, and there are picnic-style tables with seating for approximately 100 under roof, in case of rain showers or other inclement weather. There are other tables and chairs available to use for additional seating. The shelter house rental also includes a fire pit, corn hole boards, a softball diamond, and volleyball courts for outdoor fun. The rental fee covers the entire day and is very reasonably priced at $150. My wife Stacey and I oversee the shelter house rental, so if you would like to rent the St. Teresa shelter for an upcoming event, please call or text us, Alex and Stacey Moore, at (937) 418-8884.
Lastly, the Covington Outreach Association (COA) would like to thank all those who kindly and generously contributed to the Adopt-a-Child Christmas program. Approximately 80 children and their families from our area were able to receive toys, clothing, and food for Christmas. The COA hopes for God’s blessings on each and every contributor and family who participated in the program this year. Thank you!
