November 2025 │ Vol. 9, Issue 11 THE BOSSARD BEACON The monthly newsletter of the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library Santa’s Reindeer return for Tree Lighting Santa’s Reindeer will once again land in Gallipolis on Wednesday, November 26 for the Gallipolis in Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony. To view two live reindeer, visit the Gallipolis City Park between approximately 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the treat lighting event. The reindeer cannot be touched or petted, but visitors are encouraged to take pictures with the reindeer. Bossard Library has sponsored live reindeer from Pine Acres Reindeer Farm at the annual tree lighting ceremony since 2019. The Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. with the official tree lighting starting at approximately 7 p.m. at the Bandstand. The Gallipolis in Lights holiday display at the Gallipolis City Park is created each year by a dedicated group of community volunteers. The light display will continue from dusk until dawn each night until January 1, 2026. For more information about the Tree Lighting Ceremony, please visit the Gallipolis in Lights organization’s Facebook page. LIBRARY CLOSURES Veterans Day Tuesday, November 11 Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 27 LIBRARY HOURS Monday - Friday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM BOSSARD LIBRARY 740.446.7323 bossardlibrary.org 7 Spruce Street Gallipolis, Ohio 45631 Bossard Library’s Cookbook Club will meet beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 29 to discuss The Christmas Movie Cookbook by Julia Rutland. This book is comprised of recipes inspired by popular Christmas films, including the recipe Garlicand-Herb Crusted Roast Beef based on the “roast beast” in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rotisserie Chicken from the dinner scene in It’s a Wonderful Life, and “Peanuts” Butter Cookies inspired by A Charlie Brown Christmas. Attendees are encouraged to review the book prior to the meeting and try out a recipe from their favorite holiday film. Copies of the book are available to borrow from the library. During the meeting, attendees will enjoy a discussion of the cookbook, sample Really Rich Hot Chocolate based on the “Hot Chocolate” song from The Polar Express, and enjoy ChocolatePecan Snowballs inspired by the film Jingle Jangle.
French City Writers’ Guild Ages 18 and over Both new and experienced writers are encouraged to stop by the library to attend the monthly meeting of the French City Writers’ Guild. Writers are encouraged to discuss their original works of various genres, including nonfiction, poetry, and genre fiction. Guild meetings are only for those age 18 and over. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Randall at rfulks@bossardlibrary.org. Youth Services Programs Trivia Night Ages 13 and over Come out for Trivia Night and compete as an individual or play with your friends to test your knowledge of current events, history, pop culture, and more! Trivia Night is open to teens, adults, and families with children who are age 13 and over. The winning individual or team will receive a nominal prize and bragging rights. Light refreshments will be served. Adult Programs Evening Storytime Ages 3-6 On November 6, evening storytime attendees will enjoy a reading of The Not-So-Scary Scarecrow by Mamie Tauk, illustrated by Arielle Shira. On November 20, the featured theme will be “Happy Thanksgiving.” Evening storytime is typically held twice per month at the library. Ages 7-9 In-B-Tween Club will enjoy a reading of Hopefully the Scarecrow by Michelle Houts, illustrated by Sara Palacios in November. Attendees will enjoy creating their own scarecrow craft, as well as snacks and games with a fall theme. For more information about the library’s In-B-Tween Club, please contact Rachael via email at rbarker@bossardlibrary.org or call 740.446.7323. In-B-Tween Club Tween Book Club Ages 8-12 The Tween Book Club will meet in November to discuss Growing Home by Beth Ferry, illustrated by the Fan Brothers. The tweens will enjoy cheese puffs, and gold fish snacks, as well as a flower pot craft. Copies of the book are available to borrow from the library. The eBook can be found on the hoopla app. Permission form required. Ages 3-6 Basketball-themed storytime will be held at the Gallia Academy High School library, 2855 Centenary Road, in November. This special program featuring the GAHS basketball team will include a reading of Basketball Dreams by Chris Paul, illustrated by Courtney Lovett, and Dino-Basketball by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Barry Gott. Storytime at GAHS
‘Color Me Happy’ Adult Coloring Ages 18 and over Stop by the library to enjoy a relaxing coloring session. Coloring sheets and coloring gel pens/pencils will be provided or you can bring your own. Bring a friend and enjoy creative coloring and genial conversation. “Color Me Happy” is only for adults ages 18 and over. No children are permitted. Weekly Programs Storytime Ages 3-6 Join us each Monday morning for storytime. Each program features stories, songs, and crafts with an engaging theme for children. Yoga Ages 16 and over An hour-long Yoga session is held each Monday evening in the Riverside Room with a certified Yoga instructor. Attendees should wear comfortable clothing and bring a Yoga mat or beach towel. A limited number of Yoga mats are available on site. Waiver form required. Pat-a-Cake Lapsit Ages birth-3 The library presents stories, rhymes, and songs with fun and engaging themes each week for the youngest of readers and their parents or caregivers. Needlework Circle Ages 12 and over Anyone with an interest in fiber art is welcome and encouraged to stop by the library each Wednesday afternoon for Needlework Circle and share their love of fiber art with like-minded community members. Anyone with an interest in learning to knit, crochet, or complete other fiber art is also encouraged to attend. ‘Game on!’ Game Day Saturday Ages 12 and over (under 12 with an adult) Bring a friend and stop by the library for Game Day. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your favorite tabletop RPG, board, or card game or select a game from the library’s board game collection. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. Adult Book Club Ages 18 and over The Adult Book Club will discuss The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, a holiday-themed romance-mystery novel by Ally Carter, during its combined November/December meeting on December 6. Copies of the book can be borrowed from the library. The eBook and audiobook are available on the hoopla app or through the Ohio Digital Library via the Libby app. All interested readers are welcome and encouraged to participate. The Adult Book Club typically meets once per month at the library. Featured books are chosen based on the interests of the group and can include nonfiction, bestsellers, classics, and genre fiction. For more information or to sign up, please contact Lynn at lpauley@bossardlibrary.org or call 740.446.7323 x 229.
The StoryWalk title for November is Snow on the Mountains by Rebekah Eyre, illustrated by Bethany Bartholomew. StoryWalk is located on the grounds of the French Art Colony, 530 First Avenue. StoryWalk is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors and great children’s books! Civil War Book Club examine ‘Shiloh, 1862’ The Civil War Book Club will meet beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 15 to discuss one of the most consequential early battles of the Civil War ⎯ the Battle of Shiloh. Civil War Book Club members are encouraged to read Shiloh, 1862 by Winston Groom prior to the meeting. Copies of the book can be borrowed from the library. In this work, Groom discusses the first “great and terrible” battle of the Civil War ⎯ a battle that cost nearly 24,000 lives. Also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing and fought in southwestern Tennessee on April 6-7, 1862, Shiloh was a showdown between Union Army Commander Ulysses S. Grant and Confederate Commander Albert Sidney Johnston. As Groom recounts, there were more casualties at Shiloh in a single day than all other previous American wars combined, including the American Revolution. Groom, who passed away in 2020, served as an officer in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1966-1967 and is best known as the author of Forrest Gump (1986), which was subsequently made into a movie of the same name. His book Conversations with the Enemy (1982) was a 1984 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Bossard Library’s Civil War Book Club meets quarterly at the library and is moderated by Gene Huffman of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Cadot-Blessing Camp No. 126. Anyone with an interest in the history of the Civil War is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Lynn by calling 740.446.7323 x 229. Local author fair to be held on November 16 The library will host a local author fair beginning at 1 p.m. and continuing until 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 16 in the Riverside Room. Stop by the library to meet several local and regional authors, ask questions about their writing process, and discuss their books. Local authors slated to appear include: Jake Bapst, co-author of several books of history written with the late Ivan Tribe, including Beryl Halley: The Life and Follies of a Ziegfeld Beauty, 1897-1988; Anna Jinja, host of the Anna Jinja Show and author of the novel Adopting Grace; Patrick O’Donnell, Christian educator and author of The Tapestry of Life: God’s Grace in the Midst of Suffering; and Michelle Miller, a local journalist who now writes women’s fiction. Miller is the author of The Evelyn Series. Local artist Bethany Bartholomew, illustrator of Snow on the Mountains by Rebekah Eyre, will also be available to discuss her creative process. Many other authors are also slated to appear. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of books by local authors in attendance. Those who plan to purchase books should also note that many local authors can only accept cash payments. This event is free and open to anyone with an interest. For more information, including a full list of authors scheduled to appear, please visit bossardlibrary.org.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDQ4NTQ1