Snow in May!

Hi Friends!

After seeing so many snowboarders and skiiers take the lift to the top of Blackcomb Mountain, I decided to go see what all those folks were doing.  Two Aussie fellows wanted to meet me...and I wanted a close-up view of their awesome snow boards.  Thanks, guys! 

We all got on the gondola right on the Whistler Village Square, and went way up to another station where we transferred to a ski lift that took us even higher! I had to sit very still so I wouldn't rock the lift.  However, I did wave to everyone I passed on the way.

Another new friend, ready to ski, greeted me, and told me how much fun she was having, skiing in the middle of May.  I think she wanted me to go shussing down the mountains with her!

I looked all around, and saw more rugged, snow covered  mountains surrounding me.  I wanted to romp and roll in the snow, lie down in it and just stare at the spectacular beauty of the stately fir trees, pristine snow, and the clear azure sky.  What joy we find in just observing God's handiwork. 

Can you find the three skiiers in the picture?  They seem really tiny compared to the majestic trees.

Before we returned, I had to make a "snow bear" to remind all the mountain people that L.L. Bear was here!

Tomorrow, we'll be on the road to Vancouver, to see the sights in a Big City! 

Au Revoir,

L.L. Bear

L.L. Bear sez: Remember to Catch the Reading Express

...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets
June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music
June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales
June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns
July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals
July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad
July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories
July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

  

On the Road Again

Good Morning!

The early arrival of Mr.Sun and the chiming clock tower in Whistler got me up...ready for another adventurous day!  In the car and on the Sea to Sky Highway, south to Squamish, to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park we went.  No wonder this drive is one of the most scenic in the world!!  The Squamish and Lilwat peoples have names and stories for all of these magnificent mountain peaks.

I am catching the railroading fever, riding trains and touring train cars of the past.  Remember, that we will all be "Catching the Reading Express" in June and July at the library! 

I learned how hard the 'old timers' worked to build the rails, to construct and maintain the railbeds and the trains to keep them running across Canada, up, down, and through the mountains.  Wow!  That was work!  They would also pick up the mail at each stop along the track and sort the mail into big bags in the mailcar, and drop off the bags at other stops among the route.

Being in all these trains reminded me of stories I would hear when I lived in Mrs. Herbst's classroom.  The Boxcar Children was a favorite of mine.  Real boxcars are pretty big; big enough for even a mama bear, papa bear and their cubs!

Back in my room, in my jammies, I'm ready for dreams about being the first Bear Train Engineer!

L.L. Bear

L.L. Bear sez: Remember to Catch the Reading Express

...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets
June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music
June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales
June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns
July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals
July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad
July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories
July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

Seeing Whistler

Greetings to my library followers!

An early morning stroll took me to the Squamish Lilwat Cultural Centre (British spelling...) where I spent several hours learning about the native peoples of this region. Can you spot me on the carved totem at the entrance?  The carved figures were used to mark territories and the raised hands welcome visitors to the Centre.  A carved silver tip grizzly (yes!) on the door was the protector of the Lilwat people, and a carved salmon represents sharing.  I loved to learn that!   While the building was being constructed a mother bear and her cub walked all around it!  No wonder I felt so comfortable here.

The original peoples took great care (and still do) to use only what they needed from the land.  Nothing was wasted. The great cedar trees provided wood for canoe travel, for longhouses, cooking fires; bark for weaving sleeping mats, clothing, and baskets; roots for ropes and baskets.  They hunted and fished and gathered plants. They expressed gratitude for all that was provided. 

Have you heard of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police?  I met some Royal Canadian Mounted Police BEARS!   We are now best buddies! They are showing me the Canadian flag with the red maple leaf.

I had to visit the local Whistler Library...and surprise!  I met a new BEAR friend there!  He sends his greetings to everyone in Aubrey.  He's bigger than I am, but we got along, and shared some of our favorite books.  I saw lots of new books, and books that we have in our own library.  This is a beautiful new library made of native wood and stone, with tall and wide windows so everyone inside can see the trees and mountains.

The sun sets around 10 at night...and then I am ready for my soft pillow...it's been a fun day.   ZZZZZZZZ

Your Friend,

L.L. Bear

Don't forget to Catch the Reading Express

...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets
June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music
June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales
June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns
July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals
July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad
July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories
July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

Canada, Oh Canada!

Good Monday Morning from Whistler, Canada!

This Bear from Texas loves sunny weather, and so it is in Whistler!  Cool and bright with signs of Spring in this mountain village...daffodils and tulips are nodding their cheery heads in the breezes. Snow is still to be seen on the mountains and I bet my bear friends are beginning to wake up in their cozy hibernating dens.  They must have rumbly tummies and are ready to prowl about for munchies.

In fact, I saw a sign at the local bus stop that warned my human friends to be aware of black bears that live everywhere here in Whistler!  Humans may not feed those bears...but they may continue to feed me!

My plane trip from DFW was spectacular!  As we flew over southern Colorado, a magnificent view of the snow-covered Rocky Mountain ridges kept my nose pressed to the window.  Wow!  The view of Mt. Ranier as we prepared to land in Seattle gave me big goose bumps of excitement!  It was a perfect day to fly.

My travel friends buckled me into a car for the next leg of our trip...a seven hour drive from Seattle to Vancouver to Whistler. I did have to stop once in awhile to stretch my Bear legs and to see a few sights.  My very favorite part was the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler...each curve of the road revealed more beauty of high peaked forested mountains meeting deep blue lakes.  I so wanted to get out and climb the mountainsides and just look at God's majestic creation.

What do you think of this enormously gigantic ore truck??  It is in front of the British Columbia Museum of  Mining, a former copper mine.  Some of my library friends who check out truck books would LOVE this one.  A very special friend of mine, Ryan, would really want to sit in this truck! 

What more could a  Bear want than mountains, cool weather, deep green forests, and good ttravel companions?  Maybe a full tummy and a soft pillow!  What a great day it was...

I wonder what this new day has for me?

Love to all,

L.L. Bear

L. L. Bear Prepares for Canada & Alaska

Hi library friends!  Since our summer reading program is "Catch the Reading Express," I began thinking about catching a plane, train, ship...and traveling again!  I love being in the library, surrounded by all the books I'd ever want to read and meeting lots of new friends, but I also missed traveling all over the world seeing places I have been reading about.

I decided to pack my gear and go to Canada and Alaska...to perhaps see some of my relatives, the Kodiak bears.  They are experts at catching salmon, and I haven't tasted any salmon in a long time.

It's still snowing in Whistler, British Columbia, where I'll be for a few days.  That's where the Winter Olympics were held this year.  I have my parka and snowshoes ready for some outdoor exploring.  Find Whistler on a map, and follow my newest adventures. You might even find books on Alaska, Canada, bears, the Olympics, or even trains...I'll be taking a train trip high in the Canadian Rocky Mountains!

I'll be in touch with you on every leg of my journey!

L.L.Bear



Fun Summer Activities at the Library!


Catch the Reading Express


...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!


Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20


June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets


June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music


June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales


June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns


July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals


July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad


July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories


July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

Fun Summer Activities at the Library!

Catch the Reading Express

...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets
June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music
June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales
June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns
July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals
July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad
July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories
July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

Book a Trip on the 30/30 Reading Express

2010 Adult Teen Summer Reading Club

Your goal is to read 30 minutes a day for 30 days. Time also counts if you listen to audio books. Turn in a ticket each time you reach 10 days and you will have three chances to win fabulous prizes!
Drawings will be on July 27, 2010 at 6:30 pm at the Aubrey Area Library.

Summer Reading Art Contest

You are encouraged to draw, paint, build, sculpt, use recycled materials, sew, make a collage, a diorama, a mobile - whatever suits your fancy...just BE CREATIVE! Let your creativity be inspired by what you read this summer!
Art will be judged by age categories: Ages 3-5, 6-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-17 & Adult
Judges are local artists and prizes will be awarded for each age category.
Please pick up an Artist Registration Form at the Aubrey Area Library Circulation Desk and submit your artwork by July 20th.

Local author Lynnette Theisen signs copies of her book, THROUGH THE NIGHT, at the library

Local author Lynette Theisen signs copies of her book, THROUGH THE NIGHT, at the Library.

The winners of the Aubrey Area Library National Library Week Movie Trivia Contest were announced Saturday, April 17. The lucky patrons were Judy Newton, Julie White and Heather Brender. In order to be eligible for the drawing, the entrants had to answer all of the trivia questions correctly. Congratulations winners!

Judy Newton

Julie White

Heather Brender

April 11 - 17 is National Library Week. To celebrate the event, Aubrey Area Library is sponsoring a Movie Trivia Contest. Answer all the movie trivia questions correctly and your name will be entered into a drawing for fun prizes! You may pick up your Movie Trivia Questions at the Library beginning Tuesday, April 13. The drawing will be held on Saturday, April 17 at 2:30 pm. Good Luck and thank you for supporting the Aubrey Area Library!