Winner of two Newbery medals, E. L. Konigsburg died on Friday, April 19, 2013 after suffering a stroke. Her writing career spanned over thirty years and she authored twenty books. In addition to the literary arts, Konigsburg was well known for her contributions to the visual arts. Konigsburg is survived by three children and five grandchildren.

From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by written and illustrated by E. L. Konigsburg  (1968 Newbury Award)

The view from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg  (1997 Newbury Award)

Poetry can be celebrated the year-round, but especially so in April. Established in April 1996, National Poetry Month brings together poets and booksellers, literary organizations and publishers to celebrate the importance of poetry and its vital place in American culture. We at the Canton Public Library would like to participate by showcasing our many poetry resources in this Special Collection.

Award Winners

The wild iris by Louise Gluck — 1993 — Gluck's sixth collection presents a series of spare, somber lyrics that has always invested his best work.

Neon vernacular: new and selected poems by Yusef Komunyakaa — 1994 — A collection of poems from the author's earlier books combined with a dozen new poems.

Richard Griffiths (July 31, 1947-March 29, 2013) the versatile British actor who played Harry Potter's unsympathetic Uncle Vernon in the "Harry Potter" movies, has died. He was 65.  Griffiths was well-known to theater-goers as well as movie-goers. He played Uncle Monty in the popular British series, Withnail and I won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Douglas Hector, an English teacher in Alan Bennet's The History Boys
and DI Henry Crabbe in Pie in the Sky.

The Library of Congress has recently announced the selection of 25 new titles to be added to the National Recording Registry. Included in this year's selections are two historic broadcasts - George Hicks' 1944 radio reports during the D-Day invasion of Europe, and Dwight Eisenhower's prerecorded presidential message relayed from an Atlas satellite in 1958.

British rock guitarist Alvin Lee, founder of the band Ten Years After who burst to stardom with his memorable Woodstock performance of I'm Going Home, has died. He was 68.  Detroiters will remember his electrifying guitar solo at the Grande Ballroom in the late 60s. 



(Photo: AP Images)

Canton Seniors, residents over the age of 55, might be eligible for free assistance preparing their 2012 tax forms at http://www.canton-mi.org/webevent/scripts/webevent.plx?cmd=showevent;token=guest;eventID=12935.  Call 734-394-5485 to make an appointment.  Tax preparation will begin on February 5.

The reality of our planet is we are an aging society. Soon over half the global population will be over the age of 50. This is unprecedented in human history. What will this mean to society? A new PBS documentary is in the works, Coming of Age in America. It will look at where we live, how we work, and what impact will this have on the world. Watch your local PBS station for broadcast times.

You have made your commitment to Canton Township's 100 Days to Health. Biggest Loser Contestant, Buddy Shuh shares the triumph of losing 163 pounds while overcoming the grief of losing his baby daughter. Buddy's spiritual journey is told in his book, The Story of Bella. Buddy will be speaking as well as selling and signing copies on Thursday, January 17th at 7:00 PM.

Former First Lady of Michigan, Helen Wallbank Milliken died today. Wife of Michigan's longest-serving governor, William Milliken, Helen Milliken was a strong advocate of women's rights and environmental issues. In a 2006 interview by the Associated Press she said, "Nobody ever saw anybody burn a bra; they're too expensive, but the myth has survived. There have been excesses, but the goal has always remained the same: equal opportunity for women." Ms. Milliken is survived by her husband, William and son, William, Jr.

The Metro Detroit area lost a legend this morning with the passing of 91 year old Sonny Eliot (born Marvin Schlossberg). Sonny began his broadcast career an incredible 60 years ago with his weekly "At the Zoo" program. He went on to become a staple in our homes doing his nightly weather forecasts, which were sprinkled with much humor. We all remember phrases like "ha ho hum" weather meaning hazy, hot and humid.

'Tis the season of good will, families, shopping and scam artists!  Sergeant Pat Sullivan of the Canton Public Safety Department, will share ways to avoid identity theft, especially during this busy holiday shopping season.  He will also discuss how to "Take Charge" if it does happen to you.
Join us for this important evening on Thursday, December 6th at 7:00 PM.

Portraits of Service is a moving, emotional book by local author Robert H. Miller.  It is also an award-winning record of the stories and faces of veterans of many different wars.  In 2012, it was awarded the Outstanding Book of the Year.  Miller is currently traveling the country and the world as his book is creating a stir worldwide.  Join us to celebrate our local veterans (some of whom are included in the book) on November 15 at 7:00 PM in the library's Community Room.  Bring your American pride and a hanky. 

Merrill is best known for two popular children's books, The Pushcart War (1972) and The Toothpaste Millionaire (1972), but wrote more than 30 books and twelve movie scripts for animated adaptations of her work. A common theme in her stories is that of an underdog overcoming the constraints of the established social and economic order. Merrill grew up on a farm in upstate New York and preferred outdoor activities, such as building forts, sledding, collecting fossils, and climbing silos, to playing inside with manufactured toys and being watched by adults. She died of cancer at her home in Vermont on August 2, 2012.

The pushcart war by Jean Merrill ; with illustrations by Ronni Solbert

Ron Palillo, an actor whose signature role was Arnold Horshack in the 1970s TV sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter,” died at 63. Palillo died of a heart attack in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. His work also includes a performance as the voice of the Ordinary Guy in the children's animated film Darkwing duck.
[Photo courtesy of AP Images]

David Rakoff passed away Thursday at the age of 47 after a long illness. The Canadian born writer was a journalist, actor, and broadcast talent for public radio. However, he is perhaps best known for his humorous essays. During his too-short career he wrote for Newsweek and The New York Times in addition to publishing several books including Don’t Get Too Comfortable and Half Empty. Doubleday plans to publish his final work next year, Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die; Cherish, Perish.

Sally Kristen Ride was a physicist and a former NASA astronaut. In 1983, Ride became the first American woman to enter space as a crew member on space shuttle Challenger for STS-7. Her second space flight was in 1984, also on board the Challenger. Her post-NASA years were spent at Stanford University and University of California, San Diego. She holds the distinction of being the only person on both the Challenger and Columbia disaster commissions. She founded Sally Ride Science, a company that creates entertaining science programs and publications for upper elementary and middle school students. Ride authored many books on space aimed at children. Sally Ride died on July 23, 2012 at the age of 61.

Author Dr. Stephen R. Covey has passed away at the age of 79. His most well-known book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, has sold over 20 million copies, spawned a number of related books and has been named “the Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century”. The management expert and cofounder of FranklinCovey was one of Time Magazine’s “25 Most Influential Americans” in 1996. His most recent book, The 3rd Alternative: Solving Life's Most Difficult Problems, outlines effective methods for conflict resolution at work, in school, or elsewhere in society.

According to the NOAA National Climatic Data Center's State of the Climate: National Overview June 2012 Report the last 12 months have been the warmest on record for the mainland United States. Although alarming, this does not come as a surprise to most people with the extremely high temperatures experienced over the last several weeks. But what is going on? To help you understand this crazy weather, you may want to check out CPL resources on climate change and in particular:

Waking the giant: how a changing climate triggers earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes by Bill McGuire

Actor Andrew Samuel 'Andy' Griffith (June 1, 1926-July 3, 2012) died today at his Dare County, North Carolina home. Most fans will remember him as television icon, Sheriff Andy Taylor in The Andy Griffith Show or lawyer Ben Matlock in Matlock. Before television, though, there were screen performances such as his chilling performance in A Face in the Crowd as malevolent drifter 'Lonesome' Rhodes, a country singer who rises to fame as a television performer/singer. In 1997, Griffith won a Grammy for Best Southern Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Album, and in 2007 was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

According to a statement by the Galapagos National Park Service, the last surviving Pinta Giant Tortoise has passed away, making the subspecies extinct.  The age of "Lonesome George" was estimated at least 100 years.   The cause of George's death is unknown, though advanced age is not likely: the 5-foot, 200-lb tortoise was expected to live well over 200 years.