Halloween is right around the corner, and St. John the Baptist Parish libraries have a couple of programs lined up to celebrate.

The Central Library will host “Tie Dye Coffee Filter Monsters” at 4 p.m. Monday for children of all ages.  Tweens and teens are also invited to the Central Library at 6 p.m. Monday to make “Day of the Dead Sugar Skulls.”

The Edgard Library will host a “Halloween Crossword Puzzle,” on Halloween at 3:30 p.m. for children ages 6 and up. The Garyville Library will be making “Mummy Mason Jars,” on Halloween at 4 p.m. also for children ages 6 and up.

It’s that time of year again, where we plan to sit down to eat with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. A time when the world gets to see just how blessed we really are.

The emphasis is not on giving or buying, but on being thankful and expressing that appreciation to one another. I’ve heard many people say that Thanksgiving is their favorite holiday. Is that surprising?

Though it’s a holiday sandwiched between the increasingly popular Halloween and the overwhelmingly merchandised Christmas, Thanksgiving remains the holiday of “coming home.” Our national observance of Thanksgiving is unique. It is a holiday for celebrating faith, family and freedom.

St. John the Baptist Parish Library System will be celebrating Thanksgiving with a variety of programs.

The Central Library will host a “Recipe Swap” at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14, when patrons are encouraged to bring in an original recipe printed and a sample of the dish to share with others. All recipes will be collected and turned into a book for others to view.

This program is limited to 25 patrons so please stop by the Central Library to sign up or call 985-652-6857 for more information.

Tweens and teens are invited to come out at 6 p.m. Nov. 27 to make “Holiday Origami.” Turkeys, fall leaves, cornucopias and more can be made in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday. Also Christmas trees, snowmen and snowflakes can be made to celebrate Christmas.

The Reserve Library’s “November Make Shoppe” will celebrate Thanksgiving by making a floral burlap door knob piece at 6 p.m. Nov. 13.

Children, ages 3 to 10, are invited to come out and make “Thanksgiving Placemats,” at 6 p.m. Nov. 16.

“Simply Paint” will be hosted at the Garyville Library at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 6. Children, ages 6 and up will paint a Thanksgiving drawing to commemorate the holiday. Children, ages 5 and up are invited to the Garyville Library at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 16 to make “Pilgrim Hat Crayon Cups.”

The Edgard Library will host a Thanksgiving craft at 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday for children 6 and up.  Tweens and teens are invited to make “Paper Plate Pilgrims” at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

There will be a multitude of programs at each library branch in November. For a full list, please refer to our online calendar at stjohn.lib.la.us, Facebook (St. John the Baptist Parish Library) or pick up a newsletter at any of our four branches.

I hope you all can attend some of the spectacular programs offered at St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries.

Also, don’t forget that St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries now have a Twitter and Instagram account. Please follow us and like us!

Kearston Poche’ is the administrative services coordinator for St. John the Baptist Parish Library. She can be reached at 985-652-6587.