How did Valentine's Day originate? Who is this patron saint of lovers, of whom actually very little is known? According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, three different Valentines were actually martyred during the early days of the Christian Church, but very little is known about any of them. For more information, see this Catholic Online link. You can also view a list of Canton Library's books, programs and DVDs about valentines, like one with historic pictures of awesome valentines:

Greetings with love: the book of valentines by Michele Karl

Valentine's Day is coming up and it's a great time to share your creativity and love for your family. Create your own valentine card for those you love or make a yummy treat with your parents. Special creations are a great way to say "I Love You." Don't forget to check out some books on love at the library too.

When we think of Valentine's Day, we often think of red roses, candy in heart-shaped boxes, mushy valentines, and winged cherubs flying about shooting starry-eyed lovers with arrows.

But did you know that the origin of Valentine's Day, or Saint Valentine's Day, comes from the life and death of a Christian martyr? According to author Martha Zimmerman, the date traditionally celebrated as St. Valentine's Day finds it origin in the Roman festival of romance called Lupercalia, when the gods Juno and Pan were honored. It was a fertility festival or a lover's holiday looking forward to the return of Spring. In the fifth century, in an attempt to abolish the pagan festival, Pope Gelasius changed Lupercalia and its February 15 date to February 14 and called it Saint Valentine's Day. Even though the names and the date were changed, the emphasis continued to be on love.

Happy Valentine's Day! Here are a few romantic suggestions for reading enjoyment. Cozy up in a blanket, stay warm, and enjoy one of these with a hot cup of cocoa!

• Be My Valentine
• Bitten By Cupid (Short Stories)
• Hating Valentine's Day
• The Trouble with Valentine's Day
• Valentine's Day is Killing Me

Valentine's Day will be here soon!  Here are some fun and helpful sites to use to celebrate Valentine's Day with your family.

• Cards and Crafts for Valentine's Day
  Craft projects fro preschool, kindergarten and elementary school children.
• Funschool Valentine’s Day Activity Center
  You'll find games, crafts, jokes and e-cards at this site from the Kaboose network.
• Lil' Valentine

Heart shaped bathtubs, long walks near the falls, the sights of Clifton Hill on a "starkly beautiful" winter day in the Niagara Region. What could be more appealing on Valentine's Day which is fast approaching.

In honor of Valentine’s Day (by the way, have you seen my nifty Cupid costume yet?) I thought I’d share this conversation I overheard in the Children’s DVD section.

Boy 1 (picks up Free Willy 3):  Let’s get this one.
Boy 2:  No! Not that one.  They kiss!
Boy 1 (shocked): They kiss the whale?
Boy 2: No!  The boy kisses the girl!
Boy 1: Ew! Gross!  Let’s get something else.