The FLF Park Team mounted a pop-up Storybook Walk in the Discovery Park with the support of County Parks Friends (CPF). Featuring Alison Farrell’s children’s book The Hike, the Storybook Walk will be in the park for families to enjoy until June 5. It premiered May 8 at the “Art Hike to Heal,” a CPF event for all fire survivors. The sidewalk along Gushee Street features an installation of photographs by Devi Pride, a fire survivor documenting the impacts of the CZU fires through art. Check it out!
At the May 4 meeting, the Leadership Team welcomed new member Moana Whipple. Moana has volunteered at the monthly park work parties, and now will join the FLF Park Team. See the May 4 meeting notes here.
Library News
The library staff looks forward to welcoming you back inside!
The Felton Branch opening is proceeding in phases as COVID-19 restrictions are eased, and we all look forward to the eventual full reopening. The book drop is now open 24/7. Beginning May 11, our library will be one of the first branches to offer active browsing of the collections with the following modifications: masks required, capacity limits as determined by the library staff, wi-fi available on patio, bathrooms open, no seating or laptop use inside, computer access of up to 45 minutes.
Beginning in June, the Modified Open plan will allow for inside seating.
For the latest SCPL news, including virtual programs, visit santacruzpl.org.
Meet Your FLF Leadership Team - Michele Mosher
Treasurer Michele Mosher, seen here celebrating opening day at the Felton Branch, was a founding member of FLF in 2005, and co-chaired the Events and Capital Campaign Teams. She says, “I’m so happy that our generous donors enabled FLF to create a legacy fund at the Community Foundation that will support ongoing programming and other needs. And now that the library and park are realities, thanks to the advocacy and support of the community, I’m enjoying working with the Park and Communications Teams on many projects, including editing this newsletter.” Michele looks forward to welcoming all interested Friends to FLF meetings at the library, and to beginning Community-Led Learning programs there. She is our chapter’s representative on the Friends of the Santa Cruz Libraries board.
A former early childhood educator and teacher trainer, Michele is especially interested in early literacy. She and her husband, Jim, raised their daughter, Maia, in Felton, and have both been active in the community for many years. She is an avid reader and gardener, and a seasoned traveler.
What's in a Name?
Retired SLV physician Andrew “Drew” Mihalik established The Carol Anicka Mihalik Fund for the San Lorenzo Valley at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County “to give to the community that has given so much. This Library fits that purpose well.” He named the Teen Room “Anicka’s Place” in memory of his daughter Anicka Mihalik. He says, “Anicka’s passions were varied. She’d been raised by her mother, so was teaching the 4-H dog class alone by the time she was in high school. She delighted in attending the Renaissance Fair and Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and performed with Lupin Productions in Santa Cruz. Her reading interests were eclectic. As a child, reading at bedtime involved old fairy tales and children’s poetry. She couldn’t wait to learn to read. Hopefully this room with her name will spark an enthusiasm for reading and life in those who pass through.” See more of a tribute to Anicka here.
Michael’s Courtyard at the Felton Branch Library was named by Andrew “Drew” Mihalik in honor of his son Michael. “Michael was raised in a valley that strongly supported public schools, public libraries, and community participation. That participation started at an early age in a stroller at candlelight vigils/protests and continued with his sharing in the care of a string of foster babies and animals. The outside area of the library resonates with Michael’s affection for the valley and for the notion of learning for learning’s sake. He adheres to another tradition: never go anywhere without a book. He prefers to read outside, usually history, preferably primary sources. That, cooking, photography, Sharks hockey, iconic cars, and (in a previous reality) snowboarding fill his days.” Read more about Michael here.
Discovery Park News
The park mitigation area shown here has now been weeded and mulched, thanks to volunteers who continue to care for park planting beds. The May work party group took a break to hear musicians from Tandy Beal’s “Keep on Truckin’” tour in the library parking lot. Join the list for invitations to garden work parties the first Saturday morning of the month -- email feltonlibraryfriends@gmail.com.
Park Plant of the Month
One of California’s loveliest native shrubs, the Bush Anemone is blooming now in front of the Felton Library on the Gushee street side of the building. Its dark green shiny leaves are similar to Camellias, with Anemone-like white petaled flowers and bright yellow stamens. It is the only member of the genus Carpenteria and is in the Hydrangea family. A rare plant, it is native to only seven sites in Fresno and Madera counties. I have two in my garden where they get dappled sun and good drainage in the loose sandy soil. Their flowers are loved by bumblebees and other pollinating insects. For more details visit Calscape: Bush Anemone, Carpenteria californica (calscape.org)
“Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future.” Ray Bradbury
