Welcome to National Adoption Week, National Bible Week, National Family Caregivers Week, and National Game and Puzzle Week. Today is the anniversary of the November 25, 1835, birth of Andrew Carnegie, financier, philanthropist, and benefactor of more than 2,500 libraries, including the Roswell Public Library. Carnegie wrote, "Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community. . . The man who dies . . . rich dies disgraced."

Wednesday is "What Do You Love About America" Day, a day to talk about what’s great about our country and its people. In the midst of cynicism, let’s spend at least one day talking to each other about what we love.

Friday is SINKIE Day. SINKIES (people who occasionally dine over the kitchen sink) are encouraged to participate in and celebrate this time-honored, casual-yet-tasteful cuisine culture. This is a particularly appropriate day to become acquainted with the SINKIE style of dining since Christmas shopping and Thanksgiving leftovers provide the perfect reasons to enjoy a quick meal!

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Wednesday’s 10:00 a.m. storytime is devoted to Thanksgiving stories and activities. There will be no Wednesday afternoon storytime this week. The Library will be closed on November 27 and 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday and will reopen at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29. The entire staff of the Roswell Public Library wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving.

BOOK TALK

Librarian Mary Beth Wright provides this week’s book discussion. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, and if you want to sing about it, your Roswell Public Library is the place to visit. Music abounds in the library, with CDs, audiocassettes, books with sheet music, and videos all available for your use. You’ll find a wide variety of religious as well as popular music. Some of the selections include Mariah Carey’s "Merry Christmas," John Denver’s "Christmas Like a Lullaby," Jody Wheeler’s "The First Noel," and Bill Comau’s "Christmas Time for Teddy Bears."

If you have trouble remembering Website addresses for the Internet, just type in Tim’s Christmas page for lyrics to your favorite Christmas carols. Another title for accessing Christmas music on the Internet is found by typing Holidays-Christmas music. To help you make your Christmas season more harmonious and melodic, check out the Roswell Public Library!

DID YOU KNOW?

Here’s some hints for easy ways to decorate cookies for the holidays (or any time) without buying special utensils. According to "Cook’s Illustrated," you can make a floral design by pressing a glass with a decorative bottom onto flattened cookie dough, or you can use a turkey baster to cut out small circles in the dough. For a scaled effect, press the dough with the coarse-grating side of a box grater. Get a quilted look by lightly running a fluted pastry wheel over the dough’s surface.

You can find other holiday recipe ideas in "Gingerbread Book," edited by Allen Bragdon, and Martha Stewart’s "Holidays: Recipes, Gifts, and Decorations," as well as the many other holiday cookbooks at the library!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

"Knowledge is free at the library. Just bring your own container." (anonymous)