Upcoming Events at HPL

The Listening Room-Ray Kamalay's Musical Flea Market The Listening Room  Rescheduled to March 24! 6 pm, Monday, January 27: Ray Kamalay’s Musical Flea Market: Trifles and Treasures from our Melodious Past From the time Ray Kamalay picked up the guitar so many years ago, he was looking towards the past. While his young colleagues screeched with distortion and feedback on their new electric guitars, Ray learned sweet chords on his acoustic. Instead of listening to the radio for songs to learn, Ray proceeded to the dusty archives in libraries and antique stores. By the time he was in high school, Ray was endlessly fascinated by old and even ancient music. That fascination continues. Whether its Delta blues or J. S. Bach, the music of Ireland or the music of Brazil, Ray has built a remarkably diverse and historic repertoire of music that is familiar, intriguing and fun. His beautiful voice and wry humor are matched by his fine mastery of the guitar. It is remarkable that anyone can play so many different styles of music so well. But Ray doesn’t leave it at that. Besides the occasional joke (all “family” material, of course), Ray often tells the stories of the songs themselves, drawing the audience closer. All of which exposes not only his fine talent, but his great love of the music itself. Ray calls it “The Musical Flea Market: Trifles and Treasures From Our Melodious Past”. Brought to you through the generosity of the Friends of Hackley Library. “Kamalay’s purely acoustic guitar is an accomplished musical conception...but his main purpose is to sing great songs.” -Lazaro Vega, WBLV-FM “Ray wraps himself around the music in a manner that is not only stylistically but technically faultless.” -Kalamazoo Gazette “...and I thought I’d gone to heaven when Ray Kamalay and Joel Mabus rode high, hard and handsome duelling their swing guitars.” -Village Voice (review of the Philadelphia Folk Festival) “Ray has put together a collection of songs that deserves to be reviewed over and over again.” -Hazen Schumacher, NPR’s Jazz Revisited Ray Kamalay is a Detroit native who has been a professional musician since 1974. He has performed at some of the most prestigious venues including the Edinburgh Festival, Interlochen and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. In 1998, his work with Howard and Ralphe Armstrong was nominated for the W. C. Handy Award.

WINTER PLAYDATE & STORY FUN (MONDAY EVENING SESSION) 6:45 PM MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 FUN FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-7. Storytelling, picture books, finger plays, holiday tales and special fun. The session will end with a craft project. SIGN UP IS REQUIRED--Call 231-722-7276 Ext. 230 to register.

The Shocking Case of Helmuth Schmidt, Michigan's Original Lonely Hearts Killer. 6:00 PM Tuesday, January 28: The Shocking Case of Helmuth Schmidt, Michigan's Original Lonely Hearts Killer. A wild story about the search for a missing New Yorker in Detroit that turned into a bizarre case involving a man who used personals to dupe lonely widows, and a fascinating glimpse into the world of law and order in Detroit circa 1917-1918, where Detroit's three-man (yes, only three men back then) Homicide Bureau hunted the city's worst criminals. The book was written by Jenison-based author Tobin T. Buhk, a historical crime novelist and English teacher at Forest Hills Central Middle School. Buhk’s past work includes “True Crime in the Civil War,” “True Crime in Michigan: the State’s Most Notorious Criminal Cases,” “Cause of Death” and sequel “Skeletons in the Closet,” co-authored with Grand Rapids medical examiner Stephen Cohle. Brought to you through the generosity of the Friends of Hackley Library.

Tech Wednesdays-Updates to Facebook 3:00 pm, Wednesday, January 29: Tech Wednesdays-Updates to Facebook Tech Wednesdays are 30-60 minute long mini watch-and-learn classes on technical topics. They are held in the Julia Hackley Room twice a month at 3:00 pm and are free and open to the public. Feel free to bring your own laptop and follow along.

WINTER PLAYDATE & STORY FUN (THURSDAY MORNING SESSIONS) 11:00 AM THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 FUN FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-7. Storytelling, picture books, finger plays, holiday tales and special fun. The session will end with a craft project. SIGN UP IS REQUIRED--Call 231-722-7276 Ext. 230 to register.

Scrapbooking 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 1 Learn the basics of scrapbooking! Hear tips and get assistance in creating memorable scrapbooks, collages, and other gifts for your loved ones. They make great gifts for birthdays, graduations, and other special occasions. Scrapbooking materials and tools will be provided including paper, scissors, stickers, embellishments, letters, stencils, a Cricut die-cut machine, and much more! Lead by Jacqui Bernhardt.

CONTEST CLOSES FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH CALENDAR CONTEST SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2014

Hackley Handy Crafts 6:00 PM, Monday, February 3 Join craft maven Nancy Harman on the first Monday of each month. Learn a new craft or practice one you already know. These are geared towards older teens and grownups. Call HPL for the craft of the month and supply lists (most of the time supplies are provided). These are free, and open to the public. Brought to you through the generosity of the Friends of Hackley Library.

WINTER PLAYDATE & STORY FUN (MONDAY EVENING SESSION) 6:45 PM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2014 FUN FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-7. Storytelling, picture books, finger plays, holiday tales and special fun. The session will end with a craft project. SIGN UP IS REQUIRED--Call 231-722-7276 Ext. 230 to register.

The New Health Care Law: What it Means for You 6:00 PM, Tuesday, Feburary 4 An explanation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and how it will affect consumer and senior health coverage today and in the future, including information of the Health Insurance Marketplace. Presented by a DIFS representative. Please call HPL to reserve your place.

WINTER PLAYDATE & STORY FUN (THURSDAY MORNING SESSIONS) 11:00 PM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014 FUN FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-7. Storytelling, picture books, finger plays, holiday tales and special fun. The session will end with a craft project. SIGN UP IS REQUIRED--Call 231-722-7276 Ext. 230 to register.

VALENTINE'S DAY CRAFTS 2:00 PM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2014 Just for little kids ages 3 - 7! Miss Cassandra leads special playtime fun with picture books, finger games, holiday storytelling and a craft project. SIGN UP REQUIRED! Phone 231-722-7276 Ext. 230 to sign up for this popular program.

The Listening Room-Kwame James 6:00 PM, Monday, February 10: Kwame James Local musician Kwame James graces the stage at Hackley Library in February. James plays mostly acoustic guitar, but includes some electronic keyboards as well, in his soul/folk style music. James says his music is mostly about how we are ourselves. Brave the cold and attend the Listening Room concert to hear Kwame James.

WINTER PLAYDATE & STORY FUN (MONDAY EVENING SESSION) 6:45 PM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2014 FUN FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-7. Storytelling, picture books, finger plays, holiday tales and special fun. The session will end with a craft project. SIGN UP IS REQUIRED--Call 231-722-7276 Ext. 230 to register.

Whatever Happened to Idlewild 6:00 PM, Tuesday February 11 Coy Davis will show and discuss his film, “Whatever Happened to Idlewild.” Idlewild was a well-known vacation spot near Baldwin, in Lake County. "People came from all over the country to enjoy themselves. It was truly a Las Vegas style resort", says 61-year old Coy Davis. He remembers it well. He started going to Idlewild as a child in 1951. "And my family built a place there in 1956." Davis made a documentary called "Whatever Happened to Idlewild. The resort was considered a mecca of black success. "Dr. Daniel Williams, who performed the first open heart surgery had property there. Madam Walker, the first female millionaire had property there." The "who's who" of the African American community came to Idlewild because of segregation. They couldn't frequent white establishments. The primarily black-owned resort had hotels, restaurants, and lots of entertainment. "They had two Las Vegas style night clubs, both on lakes. They staggered shows so you could go to both shows." The resort was popular for many years. Then, in 1964, the integration bill was passed. Suddenly, African Americans could go anywhere. Davis moved out of Michigan to pursue a career in broadcasting. "When I came back 20 years later, Idlewild was like a ghostown." To this day, Idlewild has never been same. The clubs are closed and the crowds are gone. The beautiful lakes remain. Idlewild is now considered a mecca of African American history. Davis hopes it will be visited by many generations to come. Free and open to the public. Brought to you through the generosity of the Friends of Hackley Library.

Tech Wednesday-Publisher 3:00 pm, Wednesday, February 12 Tech Wednesdays are 30-60 minute long mini watch-and-learn classes on technical topics. They are held in the Julia Hackley Room twice a month at 3:00 pm and are free and open to the public. Feel free to bring your own laptop and follow along. February 12 Creating Cards in Publisher

WINTER PLAYDATE & STORY FUN (THURSDAY MORNING SESSIONS) 11:00 AM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 FUN FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-7. Storytelling, picture books, finger plays, holiday tales and special fun. The session will end with a craft project. SIGN UP IS REQUIRED--Call 231-722-7276 Ext. 230 to register.

FAMILY LEGO MANIA 2:00 PM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2014 Kids, join us for a lego-building good time as we use our imaginations to come up with cool constructions. Remember, we'll supply the Legos, you supply the ideas.