October is a beautiful month. The leaves start falling, temperatures get cooler, Rochelle Hubs football is in full swing and hoodies are the norm.  This year we have had a warm, dry fall. Our Hay Bale is up and decorated like “Mother Bruce”. “Bruce the bear likes to keep to himself. That, and eat eggs. But when his hard-boiled goose eggs turn out to be real, live goslings, he starts to lose his appetite. Even worse, the goslings are convinced he's their mother. Bruce tries to get the geese to go south, but he can't seem to rid himself of his new companions. What's a bear to do?” (https://clubs.scholastic.com/mother-bruce/9781338101157-rco-us.html)  Make sure you drive by the library and all of the other hay bale locations to see the creative imaginations working in our community. 

Fall is a time to get things ready for hibernation and get seeds ready for spring. The Master Gardeners are working to sort the seeds to get them prepared to go into our Seed Library. The Seed Library has been cleaned and is ready to be replenished. They were able to get seeds donated to fill our Seed Library.  The seeds were sorted into groups.  We will use them to replenish our supply but will send some to Haiti to help the people grow fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Ed and Ann Rice are involved with Three Angels Haiti. They help children and at risk families. The Rice family has the contacts to get the seeds to the right place.  At this point, seeds are hard to get in Haiti. Ann sent me an email stating, “I picked up the seeds today and sent pictures to the Haiti staff at the farm. They are beyond thrilled …what a blessing and I just mail them to Florida and we have a system of getting them to Haiti from there so thank you.” We are doing great things at the library.  Communities helping communities.  That is what being a good friend and neighbor is all about, helping others.  I am so proud of our little Seed Library and all it has accomplished.  On Nov. 14 at 6 p.m., the Master Gardeners will present a workshop on Native Plant Seed Saving.  Sign up in advance at the library for this workshop.

Pumpkins are grown in the garden and are popular throughout this time of year.  We love pumpkin pie and all of the delicious pumpkin desserts and coffees. The fall is a time to decorate with unique gourds and pumpkins.  Come to the library to see all of our books about seeds, vegetables and gardening. Learn about gardening and bulbs you can plant in the fall.  We have something for everyone.  Our programs continue through December.   Come visit us at the library and “Fall Into a Good Book!”  

Sarah Flanagan is the director of the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library District.