April Events in the Jack Knight Cafe

Celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day, and National Poetry Month in the JKC!

Design a "Save the Earth" poster-grades 6-12-posters will be accepted until April
30, and will be displayed in the library. Two will be chosen to be displayed on the Buchanan District Library's website.

Plant a flower, write a poem, make a litter bug, or a wind dragon! All in April in the JKC!

Book Review by Samantha Dehring

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle, by Major Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery

When the story begins, Nubs is just a nameless dog-of-war living in Iraq. No human, no name, no belly rubs and no love. This is when Major Brian Dennis befriends a stray dog and names him Nubs, because his ears had been cut off to signify that he was an Iraqi dog-of-war. Later Major Dennis has to leave the fort where Nubs lives. When Major Dennis comes back to the fort, Nubs greets him with a giant gash in his side! The team medic cleans Nubs and Major Dennis nurses Nubs back to health. Keeping Nub was a very touchy situation because soldiers are forbidden by Army rules to keep pets. Each time Major Dennis’ team left the fort Nubs chased after the caravan but he could not keep up and was always left behind. One time when Major Dennis left, Nubs chased the caravan and as usual he fell behind. Only this time, instead of returning to the outpost, he continued on. He crossed 70 miles of hostile desert to get to Major Dennis! Nubs found him at a fort on the Jordanian Border. There the soldiers made him a dog house and gave him a blanket and a collar. Best of all he got belly rubs everyday. Now, two soldiers from outside the team reported Nubs. The team was given just four days to get rid of Nubs. Major Dennis and his team collected money and enlisted the help of family and friends to send Nubs to Los Angeles. Nubs waited there for Major Dennis to return home. Now Nubs has a name, a human, belly rubs, a home and most importantly, love.

I think that my favorite part is the love and how Nubs touched so many lives. This really proves the old saying, “dogs are man’s best friend.” All you do is give them your heart and they give you theirs. Simple as that! They will always believe the best in you. Nubs believed that Major Dennis would find a way to keep him safe, just like Penny, my dog knows I will take care of her.

Review written by Samantha Dehring

Pet Photo Contest for Teens Only

Do you have the cutest pet ever? Do you think your pet is the most unique? Enter your pet in the BDL/JKC Pet Photo Contest!

Bring in a photo of your pet (8" x 10" or smaller please).

Be sure to include your name and phone number, and your pet's name on the back of the photo.

Categories are:
Cutest Pet
Most Unique Pet

Entries will be accepted March 1-March 29.

Judging will take place on April 1.

March is Pet Month in the Jack Knight Cafe

March is Pet Month in the cafe. We Need Your Help! The JKC teens are trying to make a difference for abandoned pets. We will be making homemade dog treats, and collecting old blankets, bed spreads, and towels to help the Berrien County Animal Shelter care for their pets. We are also asking patrons for donations of cat and dog food for the shelter.

Will you help by donating any of the following items:
Old blankets or bed spreads
Old bath towels
Canned or dry dog food
Canned or dry cat food

Thank you for your help!

February Fun in the Jack Knight Cafe!

February 3-13, 2010-Valentine's Day Card Contest-Ages 10-17

February 15-26, 2010-Make a Duct Tape Bracelet-Ages 10-17

Feature Story for November by Alexandra Moore

My Personal Michigan Hero by Alexandra Moore

My hero is smart, unique, and caring. Most people think a hero is someone with super powers. I think a hero is someone who people look up to. And today my hero is my Uncle Dave, known as David Ferguson. (To read the rest of the story, stop by the Jack Knight Cafe, Wednesdays and Fridays, 2:30-4:30 p.m.)

Runners-up for November are:

Mary Barnes-Thank you, God
Dalton Barker-Cousin Travis who fought in the Iraq War
Michael Reybuck-Thanks, Mom

Guys Lock-in-A Noisy Affair!

The guys' only lock-in held at the Buchanan District Library on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. was a great time! 17 guys attended, and they had a blast.

The Wii was available, and Link's Crossbow Training was the big game of the night. The guys had fun testing out the new skeeball game, and playing Fact or Crap. Tag was also a hit. They even held an impromptu hotdog eating contest!

It was crazy, it was noisy, and it was all at the Buchanan District Library!

Girls Lock-in Well Attended!

The girls' only lock-in at the Buchanan District Library, held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. was a big success! 21 girls attended, along with Emma the dog, and Templeton the rat!

The Wii was available and the place was rocking with Guitar Hero. The girls worked on Teen Artist Trading cards to be traded with another library, and were playing hide-and-seek by the end of the night.

The guys' only lock-in will be on Saturday, November 21. Make sure to be here for the fun, Guys!