In Memorium

 

New Genealogy and Local History Titles

Here is a sample some of the new genealogy and local history titles hitting the shelves this week. The books are part of a generous donation from a Smyrna resident whose late wife was an avid genealogist. Thank you, Mr. C. and former councilman Mr. Newcomb!

Winter Book Sale Announced

 

Smyrna's Sesquicentennial Commemorative Book On Sale Now

Friends of Smyrna Library and the Smyrna Historical Society will be selling copies of Smyrna's sesquicentennial commemorative book at the Smyrna Handmade Holiday Market this weekend. Our booth will be in Brawner Hall. Books are $26 each. We accept cash, check, and Venmo. Hours are Friday (12/2) from 4-8pm, Saturday (12/3), 10am-5pm, and Sunday (12/4), 11am-4pm. Hope to see you there!

Fielding Lewis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Donation

The Fielding Lewis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution visited Smyrna Library to donate books to the genealogy collection. The chapter members are pictured here in the Isanhour Genealogy reading room. To learn more about the amazing resources available to researchers, visit Smyrna Library's Adult Services department. Thank you, DAR!

Pop-Up Veterans Day Exhibit

Smyrna Public Library has a pop-up exhibit in honor of Veterans Day in the meeting room today (11/9/2022) from 3-5pm. The exhibits feature soldier uniforms from the Vietnam War, WWII, and WWI. The exhibit is appropriate for ages 7 and up. (Some exhibit items are fragile.) This exhibit was made possible by a grant from the Smyrna Veterans Memorial Association.

Photographic Art by Dominique Chaponot Opens at the Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The November/December 2022 Art Gallery exhibit has opened – Photographic Art by Dominique Chaponot.  Ms. Chaponot’s exhibit is on display through December 31. The Art Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Public Library.

Art Gallery exhibits are organized by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement

Dominique Chaponot is a artist photographer who resides in Douglasville, GA., she comes from a family that loves Art, any Art. Her father was a saxophonist, her Grands Parents won a Award in dance contest in Spain, her cousin is a jazz singer in Paris and her aunt is a painter in Cannes (France).

Her interest in the Arts was further cultivated when she entered a drawing contest and won a free Art lesson at the “Arts et Metiers” school in Paris. As a student, she went to the “Louvre’’ every month. She was especially interest in the painting she saw there.

She began taking photos for fun at the age of 15, and became more serious about photography in her thirties when her husband gave her a computer and introduced her to professional software, she fell in love with that.

Her photographic art often takes weeks to be able to create a final photo composite. But she is motivated to create a "Photographic Art Piece" that is unique; a work of art that is different than any other photographer and artist. This is not just a collage of photos, it's a Visual Language. Each composition is a story, another world. Her eyes and mind see the world as it exists and she create a new version of that world with her heart. A New World is born and she explore it with all her skills.

Today she still enjoys working with digital equipment, Her background has given her a new vision in photography, her imagination has not limit.

Dominique has won numerous Awards for her photographs.

Wonderbooks Are Here!

Wonderbooks are here! The Friends of Smyrna Library donated over $2000 to Smyrna Library to fund the formation of a Wonderbook collection. Additionally, Judge Cindy Morris made a personal donation to this project to honor her mother, former Library Director Doris Morris.  

Zach Hiatt from Modern Woodmen as made a personal donation to support the new collection.

Wonderbooks are talking books. 

Children can read a book and listen to the audiobook simultaneously-- without the use of a CD player, computer, or other device. Ask to see the Wonderbooks the next time you are in the library!

Friends of Smyrna Library Sponsor Hispanic Heritage Art Workshop

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month the Friends of Smyrna Library sponsored a Hispanic Heritage Art Workshop today that featured traditional Otomi embroidery patterns as inspiration to paint with acrylic on canvas.

First Sunday Lecture: Philip Ivester, Concord Covered Bridge Historic District Board President, Presents

Thank you for coming out yesterday for the wonderful lecture by Phil Ivester about the Concord Covered Bridge. What a fun afternoon! Big thanks to Phil for sharing his knowledge and time with us and to the Friends of Concord Covered Bridge Historic District for all they do to preserve this bridge and its history.

Speaker: Philip Ivester, Concord Covered Bridge Historic District Board President Sunday's talk focuses on the obscure history of the iconic Covered Bridge. Are you curious about its history? Want to see what the bridge looked like a hundred years ago when the mill pond was still intact? Want to know how many cars should go through on each turn? Smyrna-native Philip Ivester, serves as CEO of Kennesaw-based Energy Management firm. His degree is in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech, but he is passionate about Smyrna history, having grown up in the historic Martin Luker Ruff house near the Concord Woolen Mill, Grist Mill, and Covered Bridge. Over the years he has done extensive research into the history of 19th-century communities known as Concord, Millgrove, Nickajack, and Tillman. He is President of the Friends of the Concord Covered Bridge Historic District and Treasurer of the Smyrna Historical Society. Sunday Lectures are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

FOSL Celebrates Teen Volunteer Service

Tonight our teen volunteers sorted almost 2,300 K’NEX parts into eleven 207-piece kits that once again match the instructions.  These kits are used for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) projects for kids.  If you have any 207-piece K’NEX kits that your family no longer needs please consider donating them to the Smyrna Public Library.  We have lots of spares to refresh and complete any sets with missing or damaged parts.   

THANK YOU, Teen Volunteers!

Modern Woodmen of America Donation

Zach Hiatt from Modern Woodmen of America stopped by Smyrna Library to drop off a $100 donation for the Friends of Smyrna Library today. The donation was in support of a Wonderbook collection for the children's collection. Watch for these special books to hit the shelves this fall.

Johnny Crawford to Present The Vietnam War: A Black Man’s Perspective

First Sunday Lecture Series
Johnny Crawford
The Vietnam War: A Black Man’s Perspective

Sunday, October 2, 2022
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Smyrna Public Library, Meeting Room

Speaker: Johnny Crawford, author of Vietnam Black Soldiers Portrait Project

The Vietnam Black Soldier Portrait Project's goal is to produce black & white portraits of Black Vietnam Veterans in 19 states and the District of Columbia. These portraits will represent a visual history of the 275,000 Black men and women who served in combat and supply services in all branches of the United States Military. The states include Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, New York, California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Johnny Crawford is the Vietnam Black Soldiers Portrait Project's founder and director and a visual storyteller and educator based in Atlanta, Georgia. He is from Jackson, Georgia. He taught photography at Grady High School, Marietta City Schools Adult Education Program, Clark Atlanta University, University of Georgia, Middle Georgia State University, and Mercer University. He was an award-winning staff photographer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) for over 28 years. He has an M.A. in Photojournalism from Ohio University and degrees in Psychology and Public Relations from Morehouse College.

Free admission. Light refreshments will be served.

The Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Thank You, Kiwanis Club!

Recently the Kiwanis Club dropped off a selection of new pictures books as donations for Smyrna Public Library's children's collection.

 Thank you, Kiwanis!

10 NEW Little Free Libraries In-Progress

Campbell High School Junior and soon-to-be Eagle Scout, Blair B., is building 10 “Little Free Libraries” for Smyrna Parks & Recreation for his Eagle Scout service project.  They will be installed across the city in our public parks.  The Friends of Smyrna Library salute Blair’s initiative and great community service.  He spent almost an hour this afternoon going through our book inventory and curated 3 big boxes of selections for the new “Little Free Libraries”.  Thank you, Blair!

Smyrna Museum and Smyrna Public Library Celebrate Smyrna's 150th Anniversary - 1872 to 2022

The History of Smyrna is featured in the Smyrna Public Library Art & Display 2nd Floor Galleries.  The photos in the Art Gallery are on display through October 31.  The photos in the Display Gallery are on display through December 31.

This exhibit is sponsored by the Smyrna Museum and the Smyrna Public Library

Digital Media Pop-Up Sale

We are having a DIGITAL MEDIA Pop-Up Sale in the library lobby for the next week.  

Two for $1 !!!  Books on CD - Movie DVDs - Music CDs

Cash - Check - Venmo Accepted

First-Ever Summer Book Sale Very Successful

Our first-ever Summer Book Sale was a huge success.  We exceeded our stretch fundraising goal and we are thrilled to now be able to fund a first-ever collection of Wonderbooks by Playaway for the Youth Services Department.  Woo-hoo!!!

https://playaway.com/wonderbook/ 

An example “Wonderbook” is the top photo along with photos from 9:45 am yesterday and 4:15 pm today that illustrate all of the books that were organized by our dedicated volunteers and purchased by our Smyrna supporters.       

THANK YOU.

Congratulations, Adult Summer Reading Challenge Winners!

Congratulations to all of the Adult Summer Reading Challenge winners! 

The Friends of Smyrna Library sponsored prizes which included gift cards to Barnes & Noble and Starbucks. 

Pictured here are winners picking up their prizes: Hannah S., Jennifer N., and Bryanna L.

Joshua B., the grand prize winner in the Adult Summer Reading Challenge, was awarded a $50 gift certificate to Georgia Aquarium.

Tickets Now on Sale - Smyrna History on Wheels

Smyrna History on Wheels

Saturday, September 10, 2022
10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

This Tour is Designed, Written, and Narrated by the Smyrna Historical Society.

This historic driving tour will start at the Aline Wolfe Adult Recreation Center and will take approximately two hours to complete.

Riding in a Smyrna City bus, participants will receive a narrated tour of approximately ten historic Smyrna sites and a brief tour inside the Taylor-Brawner House on Atlanta Road.

Recommended age is 12 and up.
Tickets: $15 each (order online through Smyrna Parks & Recreation)

Participants may choose between the 10:30 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. tours.

A portion of the proceeds benefit Smyrna Museum’s acquisition fund. This event commemorates Smyrna’s sesquicentennial year (1872-2022).

Free Pollinator Census Kits Available

Smyrna Library has Pollinator Census kits! The Adult Services team put together packets with instructions, an insect identification guide, a sweet treat, and a craft (courtesy of Keep Smyrna Beautiful, thank you!). Pick up your free kit at the front desk on the first floor.

2022 Summer Reading Program Statistics Published

 

Artist Alan Vaughn Presents "Styles & Methods"

Wonderful turnout for the lecture by artist Alan Vaughn yesterday! Thank you for attending. If you haven't had a chance to view his exhibit of mosaic paintings, there is still time. His art and Stella Wissner's pottery are on display through the end of August on the upper level of Smyrna Library.

Speaker: Alan Vaughn

Alan Vaughn's mosaics are currently on display in Smyrna Library's upper-level gallery. Mr. Vaughn studied at Virginia Tech, Radford University, and Illinois State University. He exhibits widely in numerous one-person, invitational, and juried shows. His paintings and floorcloths have received many awards and are included in hundreds of private and corporate collections. When not in the studio, he serves as an art instructor for colleges and adult art centers. He lives in Atlanta.

The Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

August is Read A Romance Month

 For Read A Romance Month-August pick a few titles from the variety of choices and stories.

Remembering Stuart Woods

 

Summer Pop-Up Sales Conclude

Our series of Summer Pop-Up Sales ended yesterday and they were great fundraisers.

THANK YOU volunteers (Abigail, Andrea, Assata, Ben, Cam, Emmy, Fiona, Jesse, JJ, Kahlilah, Kalpana, Sahana, and Soke) for making the sales a success!!!

2022 Summer Reading Pirate Show Finale Celebrates Summer Readers

 

Arrgh, Mateys!  The Summer Reading Program Finale was held today for kids between ages 3 and 12. Our swashbuckling pirate friends put on a fun show of story-telling, singing, dancing, games, popsicles, and prizes for the attendees. 

The 2022 Summer Reading Program was sponsored by Friends of Smyrna Library.

Mosaic Paintings by Alan Vaughn Opens at Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The July/August 2022 Art Gallery exhibit has opened – Mosaic Paintings by Alan Vaughn.  Mr. Vaughn’s exhibit is on display through August 30. The Art Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Public Library.

Art Gallery exhibits are organized by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement

I honor centuries-old concepts of utility, beauty and artistry but use modern materials to produce floorcloths of compelling visual interest and extraordinary durability.

My floorcloths are individually handcrafted canvas rugs. The imagery relies on contrasting colors and textures. Often reference is made to traditional and culturally significant designs. For instance, I will combine stylized Asian carpet motifs with Western cultural iconography to achieve a refreshed image. I use trompe l'oeil and the illusion of depth in a painterly way. I like to present the viewer with a lush image that continues to reveal details over time. The closer you look, the more you see and enjoy.

Artist Biography

Alan Vaughn studied at Virginia Tech, Radford University, and Illinois State University. He exhibits widely in numerous one-person, invitational, and juried shows. His paintings and floorcloths have received many awards and are included in hundreds of private and corporate collections. When not in the studio, he serves as an art instructor for colleges and adult art centers. He lives in Atlanta.

Clay Portraits by Stella Wissner Opens at Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

The July/August 2022 Display Gallery exhibit has opened – Clay Portraits by Stella Wissner.  Ms. Wissner’s exhibit is on display through August 30. The Display Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Public Library.

Display Gallery exhibits are organized by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement

Clay fascinates me. I love the feel of it in my hands and its infinite possibilities. It thrills me that I can take a lump of gray mud and create a thing of beauty.  There is no end to the possibilities of what can be created in clay, so many different clays, forms, glazes, firing techniques, ways of working, I never get tired of it.  When I am involved in a project it takes over my life and I am totally absorbed in it.

Artist Biography

Art in all its many forms has always been an important part of my life. My family were interested in the Arts, Music and Theatre and we had many original paintings and beautiful china in our house. I grew up in England and had the opportunity to visit and be inspired by art in some of the finest museums in the world.  However the chemistry of life also fascinated me and I have spent most of my life as a Research Scientist developing new products for the Food, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industries. I retired from this profession in 2000.

I first started working with clay in the late 70’s but was unable to devote much time to it because of my demanding career. Since retiring however, I have been able to spend significant time working with clay and it has become my passion.  Most of my clay experience has been as a student at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center but I have also taken a number of workshops from some of the world’s great potters, including Paul Soldner, Ron Myers, Michael Simon, Don Reitz, Rick Berman, Debra Fritz, Michael Sherrill, Lana Wilson and Susie Duncan.  These potters taught me new techniques and stimulated and inspired me, so that in June 2004 I felt ready to branch out on my own and explore my own ideas and thoughts.

I am a hand builder and most of my work is of a sculptural nature and influenced by the natural world. I am an avid gardener and many of my pieces are designed for a garden setting.

Summer Reading Program: Thank You, Smyrna Education Foundation

We had a great time learning more about the ocean with Out of The Box Education. We learned why the ocean is salty, how volcanos are formed, and compared a shark tooth with a megalodon tooth. It was awesome!

A very special thank you to Smyrna Education Foundation for their continued support of our local schools and the library. SEF volunteered to help with this event and distributed ice pops to all of the kiddos who attended. 

Please Donate Your Used Magazines

Our group relies on donations to support the Smyrna Public Library.  Did you know that you can donate and “recycle” your old magazines in our Friends of Smyrna Library Book Store?  We sell them for only 10-cents each and we sell everything that is donated very quickly. A patron today dropped off this big selection.  Drop off your donations at the Circulation Desk.  Thanks!

Request: Please cut off any address labels before you donate your magazines.

Summer Reading Program: Georgia's Wild Wetlands

Ms. Kitty from Chattahoochee Nature Center visited the library on Tuesday, June 21st, talk about Georgia's Wild Wetlands. The kids learned that the Chattahoochee supplies our drinking water, how to keep our water system clean, and what animals call our local wetlands home like the eastern box turtle. 🐢 The kiddos thought the turtle was the definite highlight of the program. 

Congratulations to Youth Services Associate, Amy Cuzzort

Congratulations to Youth Services Associate, Amy Cuzzort. Miss Amy has worked at Smyrna Library for 5 years and recently received her certificate and pin.

Summer Reading Program: Thank You, Cobb County Water System

Ms. Aminta from the Cobb County Water System visited Smyrna Library on Tuesday, June 14th, to present a special story time, “Ride the Water Cycle.” They read Water! By Antoinette Portis, learned about the water cycle, sang the Water Boogie song, and crafted a water cycle bracelet to take home.

FOSL Sponsors Library Staff Visit to Braves Game

Last night the Friends of Smyrna Library treated the Smyrna Public Library Librarians who are baseball fans to a Braves Game. The Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3 to 1.

Library Staff - Thanks for everything that you do!

Proclamation Awarded to Retired FOSL Board Members Marvin Patterson and Anne Borders-Patterson

At the Monday, June 6, 2022 Smyrna City Council Meeting, a proclamation was presented in recognition of Marvin Patterson and Anne Borders-Patterson, who have enriched Smyrna and the Smyrna Public Library experience and success through their talents and service. Pictured from L-R: Councilperson Susan Wilkinson, Mayor Derek Norton, Anne Borders-Patterson, Marvin Patterson, Board Chair Charlie Stannard, and Library Director Mary Moore.

First Sunday Lecture - Sarah Freeman Clarke: Cobb County's Renaissance Woman

Thank you, Dr. Marchione, for the great lecture yesterday about Sarah Freeman Clarke, the  Renaissance Woman of Cobb County. And thanks go to all the attendees for coming out and joining us!

Sarah Freeman Clarke; Cobb County's Renaissance Woman
Sunday, June 5, 2022
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Smyrna Public Library, Meeting Room

This lecture provided an account of the fascinating life and career of the painter, illustrator, author, New England transcendentalist, and world traveler who, Sarah Freeman Clarke. In 1893, in the latter years of her eventful life, after retiring to Marietta, Ms Clarke founded that city's Clarke Library, the first purpose-built public library established in this area, and the cradle of the Cobb County Library system.

The Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Summer Reading Program: Chattahoochee Nature Center Visit to Smyrna Public Library

Thank you to everyone who came out yesterday for our first Summer Reading event. The Chattahoochee Nature Center taught us about opossum, black rat snakes, and the eastern screech owl. 

The Friends of Smyrna Library sponsored this great event with your donations.

Summer Reading Program: Link Cobb County School & Smyrna Public Library Beanstalk Accounts

Great news Summer Readers! If you are a Cobb County student you can now link your school beanstack account to Smyrna Library. Now, when you log your minutes they will be included in the totals for both the library AND your school. You no longer have to switch accounts and log your minutes twice.

How do you link your accounts? What if you have a library account but don't know your school account? What if you use your school account and don't have a library account? Worry not! Click the cheat sheet below to see how easy it is to tandem your accounts. And if you still need help, stop by the library with your device and Mrs. Rebecca will be happy to help!

Celebrating the Volunteer Service of Miriam Anne Van Loan

We are very saddened to announce that our oldest volunteer, Miriam Anne Van Loan, died peacefully on May 7, 2022 at the age of 98.  Miriam began volunteering at the library in 1996 and was honored as our volunteer of the year in 2016.   She inspired us all with her volunteer spirit and contributions. 

Obituary:

Miriam was born on February 20, 1924 in New York City, where she attended Catholic schools throughout her youth, culminating in high school at the School of the Blessed Sacrament on an academic scholarship. Her strong Catholic faith was her guiding light throughout her long life. Upon graduation from Hunter College in 1946 with a degree in English, Miriam worked as a preschool teacher and also taught at the New York School for the Deaf.

After Miriam's first child was born, she was able to fulfill her desire to stay home to raise her four children. She moved from Cornwall, New York, to Atlanta in 1982 to live closer to her daughter and family, and was a loving and supportive influence on the lives of all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Miriam's love of children was enduring. After raising her own family, she worked for 30 years caring for infants and toddlers in the nursery at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, in Atlanta. Her love of reading led her to volunteer with the Smyrna Library for over 20 years, and she was honored for her service by the Friends of Smyrna Library. Her other hobbies and interests included classical music, gardening, and cooking for family and for those in need. Miriam leaves behind three children: Bob Van Loan (Diane), Dr. Linda Anthony (Hank), and Jim Van Loan (Susan), nine grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Thank You, Spring Book Sale Volunteers

Thank you, Bill, Mary Ann, Charlie, Ellie, Mickie, Len, Kahlillah, Kielle, Jesse, Gavin, Pamela, Karen, Dorothy, Sellers, James, Christina, Ashia, Nancy, Sathwika, Mary, Lawrence, and JJ for volunteering last week to make our Spring Book Sale such a big success!

The Friends of Smyrna Library Announce Seven Summer Pop-Up Sales

The Friends of Smyrna Library are having seven Pop-Up Book Sales this summer.  The sales will take place in the Smyrna Public Library lobby off of the parking lot.  The merchandise and sale dates follow.

$1 Cookbook Sale
May 23 to May 31

$1 Movie DVD Sale
June 1 to June 7

$1 Books on CD Sale
June 8 to June 14

Super Discount Music CD Sale
June 15 to June to June 21

50-Cent Fiction
June 22 to June 28

50-Cent Nonfiction
July 5 to July 12

Incredible 25-Cent Clearance Sale
July 13 to July 23  

If we sell out during any pop-up sale and the sale ends early, we'll post an update to our social media channels.

First Book Sale Since Pandemic Very Successful

THANK YOU, Smyrna!  Our Spring Book Sale this weekend was a TREMENDOUS success.  Our last sale was in Fall 2019 before the pandemic started.  We raised record proceeds which will be used to fund the Summer Reading Program. 

Teen Volunteer Program Resumes After 2-Year Pandemic-Related Hiatus

We have great news to share! The Friends of Smyrna Library Teen Volunteer Program is restarting after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The first meeting is next Wednesday, May 18 from 5 pm to 6:45 pm at library in the downstairs meeting room. Teens who are age 15 and up are eligible. We'll consider younger volunteers in the future. After a short meeting we will start getting the Spring Book Sale setup.

Monthly meetings will soon be scheduled for the remainder of the year so you can sign-up then if unavailable next week.

Please eMail FOSLvols@gmail.com or message our Facebook page if you are going to attend or if you have any questions.

Meet New Members of the Friends of Smyrna Library Board of Directors

Welcome the 5 new members who were elected to our Board of Directors tonight.  From left to right: Kahlillah Dotson Mosley. Jesse Fishman, Mickie Higgins, Kelsey Scott, and Mary Beth LaHatte Beebe.

THANK YOU for signing up and the enthusiasm and fresh ideas that you’ll bring to serve the Smyrna Public Library and its patrons.  We are excited to have you on the team!

Paper Collage by Karin Abramowsky Opens at Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The May/June 2022 Art Gallery exhibit has opened – Paper Collage by Karin Abramowsky.  Ms. Abramowsky’s exhibit is on display through June 30. The Art Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Public Library.

Art Gallery exhibits are organized by the Friends of Smyrna Library. 

Artist Statement

I'm Karin, Karin Abramowsky. I am interested in art, culture, nature, travel and people. And I've been taking pictures ever since I got my AGFAMATIC "Ritsch-Ratsch-Klick" camera for communion.

I lived in Johannesburg for four years and learned a lot about the city and South Africa and how to take pictures with a “real camera”.

I returned to Germany in June 2017 and after 2 1/2 years of ups and downs of emotions, I had settled in well again. In January 2020 I was allowed to open my first photo exhibition .

Since March 2020 I have another location in addition to Germany and South Africa: Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

I present my photos on this page. In the Art Projects section there are my artistic works and in the Gallery there are photos from my travels.

I write blogs about art and artists, about visiting exhibitions in Germany, South Africa and the USA and I like to present my respective homes. With insider tips for those interested in art and culture, of course.

And who knows what else might come along.

I don't know yet and remain curious.

 

Model Car Collection by Linda Evans Opens at Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

Former Friends of Smyrna Library President, Linda Evans, is exhibiting her fun collection of model cars in the Display Gallery on the 2nd Floor until June 30, 2022.

Linda Evans thanks the Friends of Smyrna Library for the opportunity to exhibit her late husband Bill's model car/die cast cars collection. Bill and their grandson Austin Miller first exhibited the cars at the library 17 yrs ago. Bill was a car enthusiast from his first car at age 13. He owned a 50, 40 and 39 Ford, a Pontiac, a 57 Ford Convertible, 64 Malibu, and we still have our 69 442 Oldsmobile. Because of his love for cars he began collecting models of his favorites. He particularly loved the Porsche. A few of his models he had since childhood. Bill also loved NASCAR racing and collected replicas of some of the winners. The matchbox cars became a challenge to find just the one. We always wondered why the matchbox's are placed strategically near the checkout counter. Bill took pleasure in his collection and was always looking for the next special one.
Most of his collection, of which this is only part, is for sale.

First Sunday Lecture: Double Quick and Bayonets Fixed: The Archaeology of the 1864 Battle of Ruff's Mill

Many thanks to Rita Elliott of The LAMAR Institute, Inc. for the fascinating film and lecture about the recent archaeological survey of Ruff's Mill. The Smyrna Historical Society and the Friends of the Concord Covered Bridge Historic District were also instrumental in getting the word out about this fabulous event. Thanks for coming, everybody!

First Sunday Lecture Description

“Double Quick and Bayonets Fixed: The Archaeology of the 1864 Battle of Ruff's Mill”

Sunday, May 1, 2022

3:00-4:00 p.m.

Smyrna Public Library, Meeting Room

Speaker: Rita Elliott, The LAMAR Institute

May is Georgia Archaeology Month. Be the first to see the film premiere about the 1864 Battle of Ruff's Mill, a linchpin Civil War battle in the fall of Atlanta. Learn about how archaeologists located the battlefield in Cobb County in a presentation following the film. Ask panelists questions about the film and archaeological project. [The views and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the National Park Service.]

Rita Elliott is the Education Coordinator and a Research Associate with The LAMAR Institute. She holds an M.A. in Maritime History and Underwater Research. She is an archaeologist and outreach specialist with over 30 years of archaeological experience in 14 states, 3 U.S. territories, and several countries.

Free admission. Light refreshments will be served.

The Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Smyrna Historical Society and the Concord Covered Bridge Historic District.

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! Every April, Smyrna Library hosts a water barrel workshop. The event is co-sponsored by Cobb County Watershed Stewardship Program, Smyrna Library, and Keep Smyrna Beautiful. The waiting list was so long this year that Cobb Watershed agreed to come again in the fall for an additional workshop! Watch for details this fall. Here are some pictures from the April 8 workshop. Enjoy!

Additional Erica Armstrong Dunbar Books Added to Library Collection

The City of Smyrna is hosting author Erica Armstrong Dunbar for a Juneteenth Dinner & Lecture on June 17! The library is ready with lots of copies of her book to check out. The eBook and eAudiobook are also available.