July 2025 │ Vol. 9, Issue 7 THE BOSSARD BEACON The monthly newsletter of the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library ‘Dreams Take Flight’ The Gallipolis Living History Nights Committee will proudly present “Dreams Take Flight” with featured living history scholars on July 17, 18, and 19 at Bossard Memorial Library. Each evening during Living History Nights, a scholar will assume the role of a featured historical figure and perform a monologue based on the life of that individual. This year, audience members will step into the past during living history performances of Chuck Yeager, Katherine Johnson, and Neil Armstrong. Musical entertainment will begin at 6:15 p.m. with the living history performance to begin at 7 p.m. each night. A question-and-answer session will follow each performance. Attendees can address questions to both the featured historical figure and then the living history scholar who will answer questions out of character. On Thursday, July 17, Doug Mishler will bring the iconic aviator Chuck Yeager to life. A West Virginia native, Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager served as a World War II Fighter Ace, U.S. Air Force Officer, and was a legendary test pilot who was the first person to exceed the speed of sound during flight. Yeager passed away at the age of 97 on December 7, 2020. On Friday, July 18, Sherrie Tolliver will portray Katherine Johnson, NASA mathematician and scientist, whose complex calculations were integral to the success of America’s crewed spaceflights and moon landings. Johnson’s accomplishments were celebrated following the publication of the 2016 book Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly and through the subsequent film of the same name. Johnson was born in 1918 in West Virginia and passed away in 2020 at the age of 101 in Newport News, Virginia. Saturday, July 19, Terry Lynch will portray American astronaut Neil Armstrong. Armstrong, an Ohio native, is best known as the first person to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969. A pioneer of space exploration, Armstrong continued to contribute to aerospace technology and engineering throughout his life. Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012 at the age of 82. The Gallipolis Living History Nights Committee is comprised of a diverse group of community members with a shared love of history. For additional information about Living History Nights, please contact the Gallia County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau at 740.446.6882 or online at visitgallia.com. Katherine Johnson Friday, July 18 Chuck Yeager Thursday, July 17 Neil Armstrong Saturday, July 19
Evening Storytime Youth Services Programs Trivia Night Ages 13 and over Come out for Trivia Night and compete as an individual or play with your friends to test your knowledge of current events, history, pop culture, and more! Trivia Night is open to teens, adults, and families with children who are age 13 and over. The winning individual or team will receive a nominal prize and bragging rights! Light refreshments will be provided. Adult Programs Ages 3-6 Evening storytime on July 10 will feature a “firetruck” theme, while, on July 24, attendees will enjoy a reading of The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturgis, illustrated by Amy Walrod. Evening storytime is for children, ages 3-6, and their parents or caregivers. It is typically held twice per month at the library and is a repeat of the previous Monday morning storytime. Tween Book Club Ages 8-12 The Tween Book Club will meet in July for movie day featuring Inside Out (PG). The tweens are encouraged to read the Inside Out graphic novel. Copies of the book can be borrowed from the library. Light refreshments will be provided. The Tween Book Club meets every other month at the library and is for any interested reader, ages 8-12. Permission form required. In-B-Tween Club Ages 7-9 The first In-B-Tween Club meeting in July will feature a reading of Peter Spit a Seed at Sue by Jackie French Koller, illustrated by John Manders. Attendees will enjoy watermelon as a snack, will get to create a watermelon-themed craft, and enjoy sidewalk chalk art. The In-B-Tween Club is for any interested child, ages 7-9, and their parent and/ or caregiver. Ages 7-9 The second In-B-Tween Club meeting will feature a reading of Snarky Sharky by Bethan Clarke, illustrated by Nikolas Ilic. During this event, attendees will get to create “pet shark” jars and decorate shark-themed tote bags. For more information, contact Rachael at rbarker@bossardlibrary.org. In-B-Tween Club Storytime with a Firefighter Ages 3-6 Storytime on July 7 will feature special guest Firefighter Josh Staley of the Gallipolis Fire Department. Attendees will enjoy a reading of Fire Engine No. 9 by Mike Austin. Children, ages 3-6, and their parents or caregivers are encouraged to attend this special event.
French City Writers’ Guild Ages 18 and over Both new and experienced writers are encouraged to stop by the library to attend the monthly meeting of the French City Writers’ Guild. Writers are encouraged to discuss their original works of various genres, including nonfiction, poetry, and genre fiction. Guild meetings are only for those age 18 and over. ‘Color Me Happy’ Adult Coloring Ages 18 and over Stop by the library to enjoy an adults-only coloring session. Coloring sheets and coloring gel pens/pencils will be provided or you can bring your own. Bring a friend and enjoy a relaxing coloring session and genial conversation. “Color Me Happy” is only for adults ages 18 and over. No children are permitted. Weekly Programs Storytime Ages 3-6 Join us each Monday morning for storytime. Each program features stories, songs, and crafts with an engaging theme for children. There will be no storytime on Monday, July 21. Families are encouraged to bring their children to Mr. Puppet’s Comedy Show. Yoga Ages 16 and over An hour-long Yoga session is held each Monday evening in the Riverside Room with a certified Yoga instructor. Please bring your own Yoga mat or beach towel and wear comfortable clothing. Waiver form required. Pat-a-Cake Lapsit Ages birth-3 The library presents stories, rhymes, and songs with fun and engaging themes for the youngest of readers and their parents or caregivers each Wednesday morning. Needlework Circle Ages 12 and over Anyone with an interest in fiber art is welcome and encouraged to attend Needlework Circle each Wednesday afternoon at the library. Anyone with an interest in learning to knit, crochet, or complete other fiber art is also encouraged to attend. ‘Game on!’ Game Day Saturday Ages 12 and over (under 12 with an adult) Bring a friend and stop by the library for Game Day. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own games or select a game from the library’s board game collection. Adult Book Club The Adult Book Club will discuss Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation by Cokie Roberts in July. Copies of the book can be borrowed from the library. The eBook and audiobook are instantly available on hoopla. All interested readers are welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information or to sign-up, contact Lynn at 740.446.7323 x 229.
Library’s Summer Reading Program continues Mr. Puppet’s comedy show Mr. Puppet, also known as Bob Abdou, returns with his comedy reading show beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 21 in the library’s Riverside Room. A frequent performer at Bossard Library, Mr. Puppet’s shows feature ventriloquism with a large cast of puppet characters, as well as audience participation. This free event is open to all ages and is supported by the State Library of Ohio with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Over 350 children, tweens, and teens have already registered for this year’s Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is “Color Our World.” Participants can earn prizes for reading throughout the summer. Children, from birth to 7 years old, are encouraged to read 30 books (or have these books read to them), while tweens, ages 8-12, and teens, ages 13-19, should read 10 books to complete this year’s program. Books and audiobooks borrowed from Bossard Library or through the library’s digital services (hoopla or Libby) count toward the Summer Reading Program. To register, please visit bossardlibrary.org and click on the link to the “Color Our World” Summer Reading Program at the center of the page. Parents or caregivers can also register their children by stopping by the library. Bossard’s Cookbook Club to explore ‘Baking Yesteryear’ Bossard Library’s “Food for Thought” Cookbook Club will hold its next meeting beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 19 in the library’s Switzer Room. The featured cookbook is Baking Yesteryear: The Best Recipes from the 1900s to the 1980s by B. Dylan Hollis. In this bestselling cookbook, Hollis highlights recipes from the 20th century⎯decade by decade. Attendees are encouraged to review the book and try out one of its retro recipes prior to the meeting. Copies of the book will be available to borrow from the library, while digital copies can be found on hoopla or the Ohio Digital Library (via the Libby app). During the event, attendees will enjoy a discussion of the cookbook and its recipes, and will get to sample baked goods made from three vintage recipes from Baking Yesteryear. One featured recipe will be from the early 1900s, one from the mid-century, and one from the 1980s. This program is for any adult with an interest. For more information, please visit bossardlibrary.org or call 740.446.7323. StoryWalk at the French Art Colony The StoryWalk title for July is The Baby-Changing Station by Rhett Miller, illustrated by Dan Santat. StoryWalk is located on the grounds of the French Art Colony, 530 First Avenue. StoryWalk is a great way for both children and adults to enjoy the great outdoors and great children’s books! A repeat performer at the library, Mr. Puppet is pictured speaking to a crowd of children during a previous show.
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