Everyone in Howell loves to celebrate our past, and this year we are doing it in a big way!

The Literary Horse: When Legends Come to Life Exhibit
May 1 - May 31, displayed throughout the Main Floor of the library.
Sponsored by Samuel Daniels, D.D.S., M.S., P.L.L.C
The Literary Horse provides visitors with a real-life tour of horse-lovers' favorite classics, such as The Iliad, Richard III, and Don Quixote, as well as beloved children's tales, such as Cinderella, The Arabian Nights, and King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The exhibit, though, extends beyond its images. Because it is housed at the Howell Carnegie District library, after touring the scenes of heroic horses and horse-people, visitors can trot on over to the shelves and jump into the books that follow their adventures. And because it features regional equine and equestrian programs, visitors can contact the programs' organizers and become riders, supporters, or volunteers.

Carnegie Read!
Join us in reading March by Geraldine Brooks
May 1 - May 31
From Louisa May Alcott's beloved classic Little Women, Geraldine Brooks has taken the character of the absent father, March, who has gone off to the American Civil War. To evoke him, Brooks turned to the journals and letters of Bronson Alcott, Louisa May's father, a friend and confidant of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. In Brooks' telling, March emerges as an idealistic chaplain in the little known backwaters of a war that will test his faith in himself and in the Union cause as he learns that his side, too, is capable of acts of barbarism and racism. As he recovers from a near mortal illness, he must reassemble his shattered mind and body, and find a way to reconnect with a wife and daughters who have no idea of the ordeals he has been through. Check our Catalog or borrow a copy via MeLCat.

Troubled Waters: The Great Lakes Frontier on the Eve of the War of 1812
Tuesday, May 8 at 7pm in the Meabon Room
Brian Dunnigan, Associate Director and Curator, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan, presents an introduction to the Upper Great Lakes frontier at the outbreak of the War of 1812 and discusses the ways in which this conflict affected our state. Illustrated with contemporary maps and images.

9th Annual Howell History Days Celebration
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Fun for the whole family in downtown Howell, at the Depot Museum, and at the Howell Carnegie Library!
Click here for more information.

"Cooking With Kids" Workshops with Chef Renee Chodkowski, The Great Foodini
Saturday, May 19 starting at 10am on the Library Lawn
Sponsored by Samuel Daniels D.D.S., M.S., P.L.L.C
 Celebrate Howell History Days with Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcakes, and Painted Toast!

"Draw with Me" Kids Art Workshops with Rick Schlaack
Saturday, May 19 starting at 10:30 on the Library Lawn
Sponsored by Samuel Daniels D.D.S., M.S., P.L.L.C.
Learn to draw Down on the Farm. Rick Schlaack is a talented local artist and published comic book author/illustrator.

Neil Woodward, Michigan's Troubadour
Saturday, May 19 at 11:30am under the tent at Center & Clinton Streets
Sponsored by Samuel Daniels D.D.S., M.S., P.L.L.C.
Neil Woodward is Michigan's Troubadour. For over thirty years he has shared folk music's warmth and wisdom with Great Lakes audiences. In 2003 the Legislature of the State of Michigan officially named Neil Woodward as Michigan's Troubadour in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the preservation of Great Lakes folk music and culture.

Fiddlers ReStrung
Saturday, May 19 at 2:00pm under the tent at Center & Clinton Streets
Sponsored by Samuel Daniels D.D.S., M.S., P.L.L.C.
Fiddlers ReStrung from Saline, Michigan is one of the best high school fiddle ensembles in the nation, promising a diverse repertoire that engages the audience with energy and witty charm. American Bluegrass, Celtic fiddle, popular fold, Appalachian Step-dancing, Progressive Acoustic, and more are all brought forward with a crisp, enterprising flair.

Sixteen Summer Days: General Custer Meets the Wolverines June 28 - July 14, 1863
Tuesday, May 22 at 7pm in the Meabon Room
Presented by Dave Finney. On June 29, 1863 twenty-three year old George Armstrong Custer was promoted to brigadier general and assigned to command the Michigan Cavalry Brigade. These Michiganders were engaged in constant and severe fighting during the Gettysburg campaign. They suffered more than 500 casualties from the battlefield at Hanover, PA to the concluding fight at Falling Waters. Historian Dave Finney will provide insight into the reactions of the enlisted men and officers toward the leadership qualities of young Custer during his initial introduction to and command of the famous Michigan Cavalry Brigade.

Genealogy Lock-In
Sunday, June 3, 1:00-5:00pm.
Enjoy this after-hours event to research your family tree. Explore genealogy databases (such as Ancestry Library Edition) and the Howell Area Archives. Learn how to use the microfilm reader/scanner/printer. Bring your own laptop to use our WiFi, or use one of our computers for the entire afternoon. Space is limited. Registration is required and begins on Monday, May 14. Call the Reference Desk at 517-546-0720, x106 to reserve your spot. Cost is $10 per person, includes up to 50 pages of printing, and must be paid upon registration.