On Saturday, December 11 from 10am – noon, Dr. Ruth Lambert will share results from the recent cemetery research project conducted at the original Pagosa Springs cemetery, known as the Pioneer Cemetery and Old Fort Lewis Cemetery, at a free in-person event at your library.
During the summer of 2021, the Town of Pagosa Springs partnered with volunteers from the Archuleta County Genealogical Society and Dr. Lambert to conduct an archaeological assessment of the cemetery. Using a variety of non-invasive instruments, scans of the cemetery were taken to accurately survey the ground. At the same time, volunteers conducted extensive research to uncover scarce records and learn more about Pagosa’s past to give us a better understanding of the historical significance of this old cemetery.
We hope you’ll join us to learn more about our local history at this important event.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: You can download the full 200-page report here.]
Save the date for Hot Chocolate Hullabaloo
The hot chocolate is ready, so we hope you’ll come to your library next Thursday, December 16 from 4-6pm to celebrate winter with us. While you sip, join in the fun with seasonal crafts.
Public health sessions
The next free public health session with representatives from San Juan Basin Public Health will be at the library from noon-1pm next Thursday, December 16 to discuss the dangers of radon gas in your home and distribute free radon test kits. The geology of Southwest Colorado leads to an increased risk of radon gas here so this is an important topic for us to understand. In fact, radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer, even in people who have never smoked. Take advantage of the expertise of the staff at SJBPH to attend this latest event in their public health series at your library.
Special science family storytime
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join us for free in-person children’s stories, games and plenty of reasons to get up and move. Wednesday, December 15 is STEM with Jessica Walker where we’ll enjoy an experiment or two. Saturday’s all-ages Discovery Times continue on Facebook at 2:30pm with games, art ideas, science experiments, history and more.
Legal clinic tomorrow
The free legal clinic this month is happening by appointment tomorrow, Friday, December 10 from 2 – 3pm. The volunteer attorney can phone you at home, or you can come into the library and meet privately via Zoom. To schedule an appointment, at the beginning of the month send an email titled “Sign-up for Free Legal Clinic,” with your first name and phone number to ruby@pagosalibrary.org, or phone or stop by the library. The volunteer attorney’s time is limited so it’s first-come first-served. This clinic takes place on the second Friday of every month. Visit http://checkerboard.co/ anytime to find many legal forms and other legal information.
Spanish conversation
Next Monday, December 13 from 4-5 p.m. we will gather in person at the library to practice speaking and listening skills together. There is no minimum skill level required to attend. As an alternative, you can learn Spanish and many other languages using the Transparent Language Learning database available at https:pagosalibrary.org/online-resources/
Baby brain gym
Next Wednesday, December 15 from 2:30-3 p.m. families with babies to toddlers aged three and under are invited to bring them to the library for hands-on sensory activities designed just for them to help their brains grow. This is an important session when you consider that their brains are forming millions of connections each second.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge was posted December 6 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free all-ages activity.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-7 p.m. Beginning students attend from 4-5 p.m., intermediate students from 5-6 p.m. and advanced students from 7-8 p.m. Please help us spread the word about these classes to others in our community who would be interested, and contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.
Las clases de ESL
Las clases nocturnas gratuitas en persona se llevan a cabo los martes y jueves de 4 a 7 p.m. Los estudiantes principiantes asisten de 4 a 5 p.m., estudiantes intermedios de 5-6 p.m. y estudiantes avanzados de 7-8 p.m. Por favor, ayúdenos a correr la voz sobre estas clases a otras personas en nuestra comunidad que estén interesadas, y contáctenos por teléfono o correo electrónico si tiene alguna pregunta.
Novels
“The Lacemaker,” “Tidewater Bride” and “An Uncommon Woman” by Laura Frantz are romances set in 18th century Virginia Colony. “A Bound Heart,” also by Laura Frantz, focuses on a couple sent across the Atlantic as indentured servants. “Holding the Fort,” “The Lieutenant’s Bargain” and “The Major’s Daughter” are three books in the Fort Reno romance series set in Indian Territory.
Large print
“Clive Cussler’s The Devil’s Sea” by Dirk Cussler is a Dirk Pitt adventure. “A MacCallister Chjristmas” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is a western. “Every Mother’s Son,” also by William W. and J.A. Johnstone, is the latest in the Jackals western series. “The Joy and Light Bus Company” by Alexander McCall Smith is a No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency mystery.
Nonfiction
“All American Christmas” by Rachel Campos-Duffy and Sean Duffy traces holiday traditions a cross the U.S. as told by Fox News hosts. “Atlas Invisible” by the geographer/designer team of James Cheshire and Oliver Uberti offers a look information that cannot be conveyed by text and numbers alone. “Hear Yourself” by Prem Rawat provides steps to help you find peace in a noisy world.
DVDs
“Navajo Code Talkers of World War II” provides personal insights from a group of Native American veterans regarding their service as secret code war heroes. “Free Guy” is an action-packed comedy.
Donations
Many thanks to our anonymous donors for their materials donations. Please put your materials donations into the dropbox at the library – not at City Market, which is reserved for returns.
Library foundation
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation to support and enhance your library by raising funds for information resources, programs, services and facilities. Mail checks to P.O. Box 2045, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 or call Cindi Galabota at 970-264-2209.
Quotable Quote
“An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.” – Chinese proverb
Website
For more information on library books, services and programs – and to reserve books, e-books, books on CD and DVDs from the comfort of your home – please visit our website at https://pagosalibrary.org.
The Ruby Sisson Memorial Library has been located at 811 San Juan Street (corner of S. 8th and Hwy 160) since 1989. The library is overseen by the Upper San Juan Library District, a tax-funded special district in Archuleta County.