Evans City Library plans art-and-wine fundraiser
EVANS CITY — Visitors to the Evans City Public Library will be able to check out more than books this summer.
The library, at 207 S. Jackson St., has slated a series of concerts, a musical theater production, a sea turtle program, a visit from Mad Science of Pittsburgh and an art-and-wine fundraiser in addition to summer reading programs.
An “Art, Music & Wine Fundraiser Night” is set for 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday featuring the artwork of local artist Barry Spithaler paired with wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres.
“It’s going to be a valuable fundraiser,” library director Curt Friehs said. “It’s good to support the community, the library. It’s a good way to get the word out about the library.”
“Volunteers are furnishing the hors d’oeuvres. Maria Barron, a library board member is the organizer,” Phyllis Walker, treasurer of the library board said. She said tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets are available by phone at 724-538-8695 or at the library’s website evanscitylibrary.org.
Spithaler will have artwork on display and for sale, she said.
“He does everything from murals to smaller works. He does local landmarks, like the demolished railway station in Evans City. It was in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the only railway station built over water,” Walker said.
She said this event and similar fundraisers help support the library’s operating budget and special programming.
“In the past, these events have been a lot of fun. It’s just a nice community get-together,” Walker said.
“Libraries are constantly evolving. Some think books are passé. But the library offers a lot of services like free internet usage for its patrons and the summer reading program for children,” she said.
The summer reading program, Oceans of Possibilities, kicked off Tuesday.
“Pirates From Grammar Island,” a musical theater adventure featuring a cast of children ages 7 through 12, will run from 10 a.m. to noon June 20 through June 24 under the direction of Melissa Bonicky, an elementary school teacher and counselor.
Mad Science of Pittsburgh will present a life in the sea program at the library for children ages 5 to 10 from noon to 1 p.m. July 9.
And the library has scheduled a series of musical concerts:
— Noon to 1 p.m. Saturday: an all-ages event with Ronni Weiss playing music from the 1960s and 1970s. “She plays everything from Patsy Cline to Carole King,” Friehs said
— Noon to 1 p.m. June 25: an all-ages bluegrass concert with the Better Late Bluegrass Band
— 2 to 3 p.m. June 27: an all-ages classical music concert with Cassandra Eisenreich on cello and Paige Riggs on flute from the Butler County Symphony Orchestra and Slippery Rock University
— Noon to 1 p.m. June 28: Ocean in a Bottle for preschoolers and kindergarteners with cantor Rena Shapiro from Beth Samuel in Ambridge singing and telling stories
— Noon to 1 p.m. July 16: Paz and Ukulele Eddie, all-ages show featuring music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, as well as original tunes
Other fundraisers include raffles and trivia nights.
“It’s gets rather loud in the library,” Walker said of the trivia nights. “People get a kick out of being loud in the library.”
