View From a Prairie Home

by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist

I hope none of you are in the midst of deep grief or major depression, but most of you will have everyday worries and concerns. Maybe your kids are not reaching out to you or behaving like they should. Maybe you feel lonely. Or tired. Or just dreading winter and the everyday chore of getting up, going to work, doing laundry and cooking supper. You need a break, some distraction from the doldrums of the ordinariness of the everyday life you lead.

What can you do? I presume most of you live in or near a small town. And even though small towns are great, they may not offer much to distract or inspire…but wait…, life is good here! People know you and greet you. Life is not throngs of people hurrying to and fro. There are no traffic snarls. And there is, indeed, much to do when you need to get out of the house and forget your problems for a while.

There are the local sports teams and their meets and matches. Here, you can visit with people you know and cheer together for the home team. And then, there are the cultural events. The concerts. The plays and musicals. It all happens right here, in your town, in your community. There are the events too. The quilt shows. The farmers’ markets. The art exhibits. The church suppers. And the library events.

Most small towns have their very own library. And the local library has their events too. They have authors’ visits. They have craft workshops. Genealogy classes. And after-school programs for both children and teenagers. There are the summer reading programs for kids. There are also the story times for preschoolers throughout the year. Coloring clubs, book clubs and more.

Most of what the local libraries do is focused on books and reading. Most of you know that being able to read with ease is important not only because it makes learning easier, but it also fosters imagination, creativity and curiosity. Therefore the libraries also sponsor the “1000 Books before Kindergarten” program. And to make the libraries a place where people want to linger, there are cozy and safe spaces within for kids and adults; easy chairs and reading corners, game and puzzle tables, newspapers and computers, Lego tables and other toys and games for children.

And all is free! You might wonder how. Is it all tax payers? No. most libraries have a group called “Friends of the Library” and they pay for many of the events and toys and cozy places you see when you visit your public library.  This group has events to raise funds for the library and these fund raisers are in themselves fun.

This Saturday, Oct. 14, I want you all to head to Benson to our library. We, the Friends, have a major fundraiser which will make your spirit soar and let you forget why you are so down in the dumps. For kids, we have pumpkin and face paintings. And the pumpkins are the tiny ones you can put inside afterwards. We also have removable tattoos for kids. All is free. You can buy caramels and apples and make your own caramel apples.

And in the parking lot, there are the trunk treasures. There will be 12 cars where people sell new and used treasures out of their trunks. Like 12 tiny country stores in one location. You can also buy plants and produce.

Inside the library, we will have tours and scavenger hunts for both children and adults. Groups of four or less can sign up for puzzle races to see which team will complete a puzzle first. There also will be a bake and book sale.

Why stay home and do laundry when you come to Benson and have a lot of fun! It will all happen between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14! We are looking forward to seeing you all there.