Fall ready to spring at FM public library

Posted

By SARAH CLENDINENG
FM Public Library Director

Spend some time outdoors this fall
This month’s Take and Make is a luminary incorporating leaves and flowers found in nature. The first step in this project is to go outside, take and walk, and see what pretty leaves, flowers and grasses you can find, the flatter, the better. I was lucky and, in addition to some late fall zinnias, I found a Hawk Moth that I incorporated into my project. I didn’t kill it but I think it had an unfortunate run-in with a car.

There are many great places to walk outside in Fort Madison and Lee County. First, don’t forget your neighborhood. The neighbors across the street from me have the most beautiful maple, whose leaves are just starting to turn and fall off. A block down, from me there is an evergreen tree with the most picture perfect little pinecones. If you want to step outside of your neighborhood, take a walk along the Port Trail (PORT trail (https://www.fortmadison.com/visit-us/what-to-do/port-promoting-outdoor-recreational-trails/). Currently, the trail runs from Ivanhoe Park to Baxter Sports Complex around the middle school but extensions are planned, and under progress, to take it out west to the hospital and east past the High School up to Rodeo Park. Speaking of Rodeo Park, this is another beautiful area to take a walk. Stick to the concrete sidewalk or take a dirt trail shortcut. The trees and bushes are beautiful.

If you are feeling even more adventurous and venture outside the Fort Madison city limits, Lee County has several parks with fabulous walking trails (https://leecounty.org/facility.aspx?id=20901&catid=25). My favorite is Wilson Lake with a trail that goes all the way around the lake and, just a little way past the RV camping area, is a place I have named “Turtle Point” because it’s a wonderful spot to sit and watch turtles bask on their logs. You have to be very quiet, though, or you’ll scare them away. Heron Bend has a very nice, circular walking trail, a little more than a half mile long. Finally, but certainly not least, Pollmiller is a beautiful lake to walk around, though the trail is not a complete circle.

If you’re interested in exploring nature further, the library has some books with ideas for crafts and suggestions for the beginning naturalist:
The Amateur Naturalist by Gerald Durrell (574 DUR)
Enjoying Nature with Your Family by Michael Chinery (574.028 CHI)
Wreaths and Other Nature Crafts by Better Homes and Gardens (745.926 BET)
The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook by Clare Walker Leslie (508 LES)
The Practical Naturalist: Explore the Wonders of the Natural World by Audubon (508 HAM)
Make it Wild! 101 Things to Make and Do Outdoors by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield (790.1922 DAN)
Toad Cottages and Shooting Stars: Grandma’s Bag of Tricks by Sharon Lovejoy (790.1922 LOV)
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson (917.404 BRY)

Upcoming Events at the Fort Madison Public Library –
Library Closed – The Library will be closed on Monday, October 12 for employee training.
Minecraft –4:00-5:30 on Monday October 5 and 19. Space is limited and we are not taking reservations.
Hang Teen – Tuesday, October 6 and 20, 3:30-5:00, for ages 12-18.
Pre-School/Toddler Story Hour –Wednesday morning at 10:30 for toddlers and pre-school age children.
Wacky Wednesday – Craft day October 7, 21 and 28, 2:00-4:00 pm. STEM with Lee County Extension
Munching Mysteries from 2:00-2:45 October 14. Wacky Wednesday Encore from 11:00-12:00 on Saturday October 3, 17 and 31.
Thursday Crafternoon –Thursday, 3:30-5:00, for ages 12 and older, including adults. This program involves a month long activity so we recommend joining at the beginning of the month in order to have time to finish the project.
All Booked Up! - The library's book discussion group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. On Thursday, October 1, we will be discussing "Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout. Copies of the book are available at the library for check out. Join us for a lively discussion. On November 5, we will be discussing “Sacred Hearts” by Sarah Dunant.

activities, autumn, fall programming, fort madison, Library, Pen City Current, read, sarah clendineng, Trails

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