Calling all cycling enthusiasts
The beautiful Niagara peninsula boasts nine recreational bicycling trails, covering over 400 kilometres, including the Great Circle Route and a wine route. There are at least nine groups dedicated to cycling in our region, and more than 10,000 people interested in touring the area by bicycle, or in mountain biking. On Wednesday, May 24, starting at 7 p.m. at the Centennial branch of the library, we will host avid cyclists who will talk about some of the cycling groups available in our area, and how to contact them; the trails we can access, and the first steps a cyclist should take if they want to participate in a group ride or find a compatible group to accompany. Our guest speakers will include Steven Rivers of the Freewheelers and Wally Tykoliz of the St. Catharines Cycling Club. Other groups are invited to send representatives, as well. We will also show websites of interest to people who want to cycle in Niagara. And there is cycling swag, too, including a detailed, waterproof map of routes and trails. This evening will be a great way to start planning summer rides. The library collection includes books on bicycle maintenance and mountain bike repair and maintenance, as well as books on bike routes in southern Ontario. Ask at any branch.
Tomorrow (May 19) is a PD Day for the schools in our area, and the Centennial branch will be hosting a PD Day Paint Party for ages 7 to 15 from
11 a.m. to noon. Local artist and art teacher Ben Featherston will be your guide in learning to paint an alien landscape step by step. Ask if there is still ‘space’ for you to enjoy this activity. Preregistration is required, and the cost is $5.
Beauty and the Beast, the Disney animated feature of 1991, has inspired spin-offs, a live Broadway show, now a liveaction film and dress-up costumes for countless little girls. On Saturday, all ages who love Belle and her Beast are welcome to the Centennial branch at 2 p.m. for a screening of the original Disney feature. Are you part of a book group? Do you have a Fort Erie Public Library card? If so, you may borrow sets of books for your group to read and discuss, at no charge. Visit our website and put “book club kit” in the search bar, for a listing of titles available. The loan period is tailored to a book club’s needs. To place a hold on a kit, email lrudynski@fepl.ca.
All branches of the library will be closed on Monday, May 22 for the Victoria Day holiday. The website, www.fepl.ca, is always open for browsing the collection and placing holds, for downloading books, music, movies and magazines, and for checking on upcoming events for all ages.