Healing Oils of the Bible

On Thursday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m. A program on “Healing Oils of the Bible” will be presented by Susie Weiss at the Mary H. Weir Public Library. Essential oils have been used around the world for health and healing for thousands of years and were even brought to the Christ child in Bethlehem. The Bible is filled with references to healing plants and oils.  Today we are rediscovering their healing properties.  Come learn how plants, especially in the form of therapeutic grade essential oils, are being used to treat colds and infections, improve inflammation and reduce pain, provide chemical free options for healing and cleaning and are even being studied for their effectiveness in killing cancer cells.  Anyone interested in alternative health options will find this presentation fascinating.

History Alive! - Stonewall Jackson

 

The Civil War general Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson will be portrayed by Doug Riley of Tunnelton at The Mary H. Weir Public Library  on  Tuesday, December 10 at  6:00.  The presentation is possible through the History Alive! program of the West Virginia Humanities Council.

Born in Clarksburg, Jackson was an orphan who became one of the most revered names in military history. He is regarded by experts as a tactical genius and a relentless battlefield commander of unsurpassed ability. The men of the “Stonewall Brigade” were fiercely loyal to their leader. General Jackson was a devoutly religious man whose death by friendly fire was a crushing blow to Confederate hopes for ultimate victory.

Jackson is one of the many available character presentations offered through the West Virginia Humanities Council’s History Alive! program as a means of exploring history by interacting  with noteworthy historical figures.  These programs provide audiences with the opportunity to question those who have shaped our history.

Humanities scholars have carefully researched the writings, speeches and biographies of the characters that they portray and whenever possible, use their original words. Mr. Riley, a retired history teacher and U.S. Army Reserves Officer, was lead to participate in the “History Alive Program” by his love of history and his respect for the character Thomas J. Jackson.

The West Virginia Humanities Council is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing educational programs in the humanities for all West Virginians.  For over thirty years, the Council has been providing educational programs in the humanities across the state.

 

Fine Free Week

Overdue materials returned in good condition between today and the end of November will have all fines removed. If a fine exists on previously returned items, patrons may bring their cards into the circulation desk and request to have the fine removed. This is for late fees only. All charges for damaged and lost items still apply.

Thinking About that Special Christmas Gift?

The library has available a collection of books of local interest available for sale. 

We have recently acquired a few additional copies of "The History of Weirton" by David Javersak, published in 1999. We had been under the impression that all of the copies available had been sold, but one more box turned up. Those few remaining copies have been divided between the library and the museum for sale.

In addition, we have the following books available:

• Images of America: Rock Springs Park - Joseph A. Comm
• Images of America: Hancock County - George B. Hines and Lou Martin
• Favorite Recipes: West Virginia Libraries Present Their Kitchen Favorites
• Hillside Fields: A History of Sports in West Virginia
• A Penowa O - Frank P. Muzopappa

By agreement with the authors or publishers, the library will receive a portion of the sale price of each title.

We also have a collection of publications from the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center available for a donation to the museum. These include:

• Memoirs of North Weirton: 1920 through the 1930s - John George Pandelios
• Weirton: A Pageant of Nations - Dennis Jones
• Rediscovering Holliday's Cove 2014 Picture Calendar
• Fill 'er Up with History 2014 Picture Calendar
• Rediscovering Holliday's Cove DVD

The library also makes available for purchase items such as Tote Bags, USB Drives, and Ear Buds for the convenience of our patrons.

Rediscovering Holliday's Cove

We were thrilled by the large attendance for the premier of Rediscovering Holliday's Cove presented by the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center. However, we are aware that many could not attend that evening. We have scheduled a Saturday afternoon showing of the film on Thanksgiving weekend. The film will begin at 2 p.m. on November 23rd in the library's Activity Room on the lower level. (Enter through Walnut Street doors if you want to avoid the stairs) Popcorn will be provided. The film lasts a little more than one hour, which will allow time to get an early meal, visit the museum, or to view the Christmas trees at the Community Center before the Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m. The Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center has made copies of the film available for a $20 donation to the museum.

Book Discussion Group

Our Saturday book discussion group will meet this month on the 23rd at 1:30. This month's book is "The Language of Flowers" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. The group is open to anyone who is interested. Copies are still available in the Assistant Director's office.

Author Visit

Dr. David Craig will present his contemporary religious poetry at the Mary H. Weir Public Library on Thursday, November 14 at 6:00.  Dr. Craig is the author of several works of fiction and poetry and has been widely published.  His latest books of poems are St. Francis Poems and Whose Saints We Are, both released in 2013. Craig holds a Ph.D. in English from Bowling Green University and is a Professor at Franciscan University where he teaches Creative Writing. Dr. Craig resides in Weirton.

The library will be closed Monday, November 11th in honor of Veterans Day.

Author Visit Saturday

Dr. Frank Muzopappa, Professor Emeritus from Kutztown University, will visit the Mary H. Weir Library on Saturday, November 9^th to discuss life in the southwestern Pennsylvania coal mining town of Penowa during the 1930s and 1940s. Penowa was located along Cross Creek and the Wabash Railroad Line just over the state line from Cliftonville and Virginville. Dr. Muzopappa, who grew up in Penowa, has gathered photographs and memories of the town to create a 288 page book, A Penowa O. The program will begin at 2:00 in the library’s activity room.