Thursday is Rat Catchers Day, which is celebrated on the supposed anniversary of the day the Pied Piper of Hamelin ridded that town of rats in either 1376 (traditional) or 1284 (modern historians). When refused payment for his work, the piper then piped the children out of town and into a hole in a hill, never to be seen again!

Friday is the anniversary of the opening of the First US Swimming School in Boston in 1827. Its pupils included John Quincy Adams and James Audubon.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

Wednesday's 10:00 a.m. storytime is calling all pirates. Participants will wear an eyepatch, wield a sword, walk the plank, and hear pirate yarns. At Wednesday afternoon's 3:30 storytime, "Scarlett," a live bird of prey, and her handler Steve Patterson, from Bottomless Lakes State Park, will show and tell information about raptors. Pizza, pasta, and things Italian will be featured in stories, demonstrations, displays, and crafts at Saturday morning's 10:00 storytime

BOOK TALK

Librarian Lorena Blanco provides this week's book information. Travelling this summer? Planning a vacation shouldn't make you need one, so before you start packing, head over to your Roswell Public Library for ideas for great vacations.

If your vacation budget isn't what you'd like it to be, check out "Travel Bargains: How to Pay Less and Travel More," by Art Evans. This book offers some terrific ideas on getting the most vacation for your money. Of take a look at "Air Courier Bargains: How to Travel World-Wide for Next to Nothing," by Kelly Monaghan, for some creative ideas on getting to see the world at bargain prices.

Now that you've planned your vacation, it's time to pack. Before you sit on your suitcase to close it, check out "The Packing Book: Secrets of Carry-On Travelers" by Judith Gilford. It will make light work of your luggage as you trek through the airport.

And if you just can't get away, take your mind on a journey as the sights of exotic locations come to you. If you dream of sandy beaches or sightseeing at some of the world's treasures, the library has just what you need to plan your imagination's vacation. You can get lost in "Ancient Mexico: The History and Culture of the Maya, Aztecs, and Other Pre-Columbian Peoples." It's pictures and detailed descriptions will make you feel transported to places and times far, far away.

If a voyage to the rain forest is more your speed, check out "Borneo Rain Forest" by Mattias Clum. This oversized book with amazing photography and description will make the southeastern New Mexico desert seem like a distant memory as you admire the lush green scenery.

Remember that summertime is a state of mind, and with help from your Roswell Public Library, you can leave it all behind - even if you never leave your front porch!

DID YOU KNOW?

Oops - Wrong Way Corrigan must have gotten the best of me. In last week's column, the date of his flight was mistakenly reported as 1983. As many of you probably guessed, the correct date was 1938. Sorry for the confusion!