The Potomac Highlands Dispatch - the online newspaper

Library celebrating 10th anniversary in March

LONACONING, Feb. 16 -- The George’s Creek Regional Library will be celebrating their 10th anniversary on Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an Open House including fun, entertainment, and refreshments for all ages.

Everyone is invited to come and stay for the day, joining us for this fun celebration and a chance to learn more about our county history. Planned entertainment for the day includes Read Across America for kids, Early American Entertainer and Old World Troubadour John DuRant’s Children’s Show, and local historian Sandy Grandstaff bringing George’s Creek history alive.

There’s lots of entertainment planned for younger children. At 11:00AM, students from Frostburg State University will be reading stories for the Read Across America annual observance of master storyteller Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The National Education Association brings this program to the library each year with a free book for each child attending, and this year, lots of stuffed “cat in the hat” give-aways.

Starting at 12:30PM, Early American Entertainer and Old World Troubadour John DuRant will be performing live his children's show of interactive songs, stories, and entertainment, courtesy of the George’s Creek Promotion Council. From Braddock Heights, Maryland, DuRant is the former host of the Cable Television series “The Troubadour,” and is known for his numerous performances as an Early American Folk Singer throughout the Mid-Atlantic States, and a principal entertainer at the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville, Maryland. He appeared in a small supporting musical role in the motion picture Gettysburg, as well as a major participant on the second Soundtrack album.

An accomplished player of the lute and guitar, his singing repertory includes songs from the Colonial Period and the Civil War, old and modern songs of the sea, comedy, and a long list of favorite interactive children's songs. Two of his current music albums, “The Cat Came Back”, and, “Home from the Sea”, will be available for purchase locally in Lonaconing until March 20th. Mr. DuRant's fan club website is at www.troubadour.bz . In period costume, he also will do strolling performances throughout the day.

At 2:00PM, historian Sandy Grandstaff will talk about local history and the historical paraphernalia housed in the library Community Room. It’s an impressive Regional History Display, containing a plethora of artifacts, personal effects, and records that keep alive and record the life of the region from the 1830s, when the company town attracted Scots, Irish, Welsh, and Germans workers, hired for the digging of iron ore, coal, and limestone, and the construction of Lonaconing’s historical, coal-fueled, cast iron production furnace.

See the first ever American League Most Valuable Player Trophy that Lefty Grove received in 1931. Although the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame would love to have it, Lefty entrusted it to the care of former Valley High School Coach, John Meyers, so more residents of his hometown would get to enjoy it. Thanks to John Kruk, a former first baseman with the Phillies, it is now housed in a special showcase as part of the library’s collection.
It was after 13 years of hard work, on March 26, 2001, that the George's Creek Regional Library opened its doors. Located in the city of Lonaconing, and serving the region surrounding Barton, Lonaconing, and Midland, the modern design of the building showcases regional history: large windows reminiscent of openings to an iron furnace or deep coal mine, dark seam-like strips in the brick, and tall dark pillars that could be pillars of coal. The children's story tower represents an iron furnace, and the train motif in the children's area reflects the importance of the railroad in the transporting of iron ore and coal.

Mark your calendars, and bring the whole family for a fun time; be immersed in some wonderful times in history. For more information call 301-463-2629, visit us at www.alleganycountylibrary.info <http://www.alleganycountylibrary.info/> or contact us on Facebook or Twitter.