Join the Friends! If not a member, consider joining. If a member – do you need to renew?
Membership applications can be found at the Library and on the Friends’ website. Already a member, but need to renew? PayPal makes it easy. Our dues are little but the rewards of becoming a member of the Friends of the Falls of Schuylkill Library are great! Funds raised by the Friends cover programs, materials, activities, furnishings building upgrades and much more at our Falls branch.
Generally, at the end of the summer, we’re able to describe the fabulous Falls Library programs for patrons of all ages. This summer, we’re sorry to report that there were HVAC challenges for many libraries in the Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP) system including our beloved Falls branch. This resulted in multiple temporary closings and put a halt to a lot of great programs initiated over the summer, for instance, the Young Visual Playwright’s program and several wellness programs: Chair Exercise, Qigong and Mudras for Inner Balance.
We know these problems were hard to deal with especially when Friends and neighbors sought respite from the high July-August temperatures, but as we move into the Fall many programs have been rescheduled….
🎉Falls of Schuylkill Welcomes New Branch Librarian, Jenn Estepp
by Jenna Musket, Chair, Community Outreach and Engagement Committee
On Wednesday, July 31st, I had the pleasure of getting to know our new Branch Librarian, Jennifer “Jenn” Estepp, a little better as she granted me the opportunity to interview her for the Fall issue of the Catfish Chronicle. We had a lovely lunch and chat at Vault and Vine, and so I present to you, dear Friends, some summary highlights from that interview.
Jenn was born in Columbus, Ohio and spent the first twenty-some years of her life there, including college when she went to the Ohio State University where she majored in English. She confessed that she sort of always, maybe, had it in the back of her mind to become a librarian…
📚Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata – translation by Ginny Tapley Takemori
Book Review by Lisa Meyers
Over the years, a friend and I have been sharing our reading lists and this book was recommended. It’s a quick read and is loosely based on the author’s own experiences working at a convenience store in Japan. Through the eccentric but disciplined behavior of the female protagonist, Keiko, the book reveals a variety of societal issues such as work ethics, mental and emotional health, conformity vs. non- conformity, and misogyny. Anyone who has tried to step out of their comfort zone, only to feel a loss of identity and a longing to return to the “familiar”, will understand her situation. Anyone who has ever felt that they never “fit in” with society will certainly relate to Keiko!
The expectations of Japanese work culture include intense dedication and commitment to one’s job. These expectations seemed to make their way into Keiko’s personal life as evidenced by her peculiar habits and interactions with others.
Because Keiko does not wish to conform and comply with the social norms of dating, marriage, having children, and seeking higher paying employment, she is ostracized and labeled by family and friends as needing to be “cured”. While her character traits might be indicative of someone on the autism spectrum, she possesses a common-sense intelligence that is misunderstood by others. The whole dilemma of trying to please others while remaining true to oneself is a situation most of us have experienced at some point in our lives and this is a prominent theme in the book.
*New* Check it out!
BookPage now at Falls of Schuylkill!
BookPage is a monthly publication for readers, highlighting the best new books and backlist titles across genres. Each issue features reviews, booklists, and chats with authors. Falls is now the latest of over 3000 locations across the country, like libraries and bookstores, where you can pick up a copy.
🍂Autumn 2024 Calendar of Events🍂
The library has multiple free programs this fall with programs for all ages.
Looking to share your crafts project or project ideas with other creatives? Stop by the Library – bring a portable craft project that you are working on, or come, watch and learn from others who are passionate about their projects?
👨🍳Learn to Make Traditional Korean Kimchi!
Tue, Sept 10 at 5:30 p.m.
Learn how to make traditional Korean kimchi! Join us as we delve into the tradition of Korean fermentation and the art of making kimchi – a traditional side dish of salted and fermented vegetables, such as napa cabbage and Korean radish. In this hands-on class, you will learn the history and cultural significance of this Korean staple and experience the joy of crafting your own delicious and authentic kimchi. All materials will be provided. Presented by the Philadelphia Folklore Project.
🍄All About Mushrooms!
With Philly Mycology Club Sept 16 at 5:30 p.m.
Explore fungal diversity and general mushroom morphology with members of the Philadelphia Mycology Club. This talk will serve as a beginner-friendly introduction to fungal identification and ecology. For more info, check out their website.
🔍The Vidocq Society: Solving Cold Case Crimes Sept 17 at 5:30 p.m.
Featured speakers for this event are Howard Lebofsky, Deputy Commissioner of the Vidocq Society (left) and long-time East Falls resident John “Jack” Maxwell, Chief Inspector, Detective Bureau,Philadelphia Police Department (retired). Our speakers will provide a general overview of the Vidocq Society including a discussion on: Eugene-Francois Vidocq, the founding/formation of the Society in Philadelphia; the assistance the Society offers to law enforcement agencies; their policies and guidelines for accepting and presenting cases; and, the wide ranging expertise of their members and the various resources they draw upon to provide assistance.
They will also discuss and reference older cases that this group of detectives, forensics experts, and law enforcement officials among others was instrumental in helping close.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of Falls of Schuylkill Library and will be held downstairs in the meeting room. Please use the Midvale entrance.
Light refreshments will be served.
*New*Mystery, Murder and Mayhem!
Is coming to the Falls Library in October.
The dates for the first Mystery Book Club meetings are: Tuesdays October 8, November 12 and December 10 at 4:00 p.m.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Chair Exercise with Megan DoNascimento
Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. Sept 19 & 26 and Oct 3.
Chair exercise allows you to work out while seated or using a chair for balance which offers the same benefits like boosting strength, flexibility and mental well-being. We will also work on stretching, balance and relaxation. Enjoy the calm, peace, and self-acceptance that exercise brings no matter what shape you are in. This class is taught by Megan Do Nascimento, who has taught extensively in the area. For adults of all ability and skill levels. Please dress comfortably (and bring water to hydrate).
This program will be held in the Community Meeting Room (use Midvale Ave. entrance)
Community Game Nights
Meets once a month at 5:30 PM
Mon. Sept 23, Tues Oct 29, Tues. Nov 26 & Tues. December 17
Enjoy board games? Looking to socialize? Meet up with neighbors? The Library has many games on hand such as Scrabble and Chess, but feel free to bring your favorite board game – Taboo, Pictionary, Ticket to Ride – or card game – or charades…and get set to have some fun! Facilitated by co-host Penny Scott.
OR Interested in Majiang?
Come learn the basics of the game (Chinese style) from seasoned player and East Falls resident Piyanut “La” Sripanawongsa.
Game Nights meet downstairs in the Community Meeting Room (use Midvale Ave entrance).
You might be interested in knowing that Community Outreach and Engagement committee members Elizabeth Corea and Jenna Musket inventoried the games stocked at Falls of Schuylkill Library over the summer.
FSL has 114 games and activities on hand!
You might guess that there are classics such as Scrabble, Scrabble Junior, Pictionary Junior, Jenga, Checkers, Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture, and eight decks of cards, but there were also some interesting finds in the mix: Frog and Toad Adventure Game, Feed the Woozle, Black Americans of Achievement – “The Game,” and Mindfulness in a Box.
🏛️Wharton Esherick Museum Slide Talk
Wed, Sept 18, 2024 2:00 p.m.
Explore the home and studio of the famed American artist, and walk up and down his sculptural staircases – all without leaving East Falls. Phil Wagner, a longtime docent at the Museum, will share slides and stories about Esherick, who worked primarily in wood to create furniture, furnishings, utensils, interiors and buildings.
This program is sponsored by the East Falls Village and will be held downstairs in the meeting room. Please use the Midvale entrance.
Qigong – Fridays at 11:00 a.m. in October!
October 4, 11, 18 & 25
Eileen Kelsall has been practicing, studying, and teaching Qigong for the past ten years. Eileen has led Qigong programs for MALT,on Zoom and in the area. She finds immense joy in sharing this special practice and inspiring others to make Qigong a way of life!
This program is sponsored by the Friends of Falls of Schuylkill Library and will be held downstairs in the meeting room. Please use the Midvale Avenue entrance.
Author and Book Events
✍️Author Event:
Jon McGoran
Tues. October 15
5:30 PM
Jon McGoran is the author of 11 novels including acclaimed ecological thrillers Drift, Deadwood and Dust Up as well as The Dead Ring based on the hit show, The Black List. His newest novel, The Price of Everything is set to be released in April 2025. When not writing novels or short fiction, McGoran teaches at Drexel University’s Creative Writing MFA program.
As Falls of Schuylkill is starting up a mystery/ thriller book group this Fall, McGoran will read an excerpt from his novel Drift: A Thriller which genre-wise is classified as fiction, mystery, thriller, and crime. The reading and book talk will be followed by a Q & A with the audience.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of Falls of Schuylkill Library and will be held downstairs in the community meeting room. Please use the Midvale entrance. Light refreshments will be provided.
📖Falls Book Club
Mon. October 28, 2024
5:30 p.m.
The book selection for this month will be The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi.
The group is open to all and new members are welcome. For more information, please reach out to the Branch Manager.
The Falls Book Club generally meets on the last Monday of the month, in the downstairs meeting room. Please enter via the Midvale entrance.
Annual Meeting
Speaker: Melissa Jenson
Tues. Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
We hope you will join us for the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Falls of Schuylkill Library on Tuesday, November 12, at 5:30 p.m.. The first 30 minutes of the meeting will contain a report from our new Branch Librarian, Jenn Estepp, reports from the FFSL Treasurer and President, and the introduction to and election of two officers of the Board, the President and the Treasurer.
Our guest speaker for the next part of the Annual Meeting will be Melissa Jenson. The topic of her talk will be “A Million Years of (Children’s) Literature.”
Melissa Jensen is a Professor in the English Department at University of Pennsylvania, and an award-winning writer of historical and contemporary fiction. At Penn, she has regularly taught classes such as Writing for T(w)eens and Modern Children’s Literature with one fun course title for Fall 2024 of “Radiant, Humble, Monstrous: Modern Children’s Literature.” Most recently, her Young Adult novels have been official selections on such lists as New York Public Library’s Teen Reading and FYA. She is currently working on the fourth and final book in her Philadelphia novel series, and a play centered around bog bodies and Irish rap music, as well as participating in an ongoing multi-media project exploring the connection between anthropology, archaeology, and literature. “Broken Siren”, a contemporary work for string ensemble and soprano based on Homer’s Odyssey, for which she wrote the libretto, debuted in 2020. She has contributed to numerous print media, including Philadelphia Style Magazine and the Philadelphia Inquirer. In recent years, she has divided much of her time between Philadelphia and Dublin, all the better to be immersed in the worlds of really really good fiction and poetry, and fascinating stuff unearthed from underground.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of Falls of Schuylkill Library, and will be held downstairs in the Community Meeting Room (please use the Midvale Avenue entrance). Light refreshments will be served after the Meeting.
📚Fall Book Sale: Thurs 11/21, Fri 11/22 and Sat 11/23
• Book Drop Off Days: Tues 11/12
through Fri 11/15 & Mon 11/18.
(Hours soon to be announced)
• Preview: Wed 11/20
• Book Sale: Thurs 11/21, Fri 11/22
& Sat 11/23
• Pay what you want days: Mon
11/25 & Tuesday 11/26
📖Falls Book Club Mon., November 25 at 5:30 p.m.
The book selection for this month will be The First Ladies by Marie Benedict.
The group is open to all and new members are welcome.
The Falls Book Club meets generally on the last Monday of the month, in the downstairs meeting room.
Please use the Midvale entrance.
✍️Author Event: Anna Engels Tues, December 10at 5:30 p.m.
Anna Engels grew up in Latvia. As a math professor at a liberal arts college, she talked her way into teaching a course in Eastern European Cultures. The idea of writing a novel about Ivan III and his son came out of classroom discussions in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Published in March 2024, A Fool for an Heir chronicles the rise of the first Russian autocrat, Ivan III (1440 – 1505), through the eyes of his son, the boy whose life inspired the legend of “Ivan Tsarevich”: the brave, compassionate, and dangerously naïve hero of Russian fairy tales.This fictionalized biography is threaded with a touch of magical realism, and despite being a 15th century story, this extremely well-researched and written historical novel could not be more relevant. Engels outlines the origins of the Russian Empire, yet it somehow mirrors contemporary times.
Engels, who teaches at Villanova University, will read an excerpt from her book which will be followed by an audience Q & A. For those interested in buying the book, copies of her book will be on hand for the author to sign. All proceeds from her book go to United Help Ukraine!
Friends of the Falls of Schuylkill Library
Officers
Martha Fuller, President
Neha Pancholi, Vice President
Terry Cunningham, Treasurer
Mary Jean Cunningham, Recording Secretary
Join the friends!
Ensure the library remains a vital center of lifelong learning for all the members of our East Falls community.
