Book Fair Over for Year--Tomatoes Next

Thousands of books, videotapes, DVDs, and other audio tapes were sold at the annual Book Fair run by the Friends of the Pleasant Valley Library (April 30 to May 2).  Unsold items went to hospitals, schools, soldiers, and other sales of used books; only a few books--mostly paperbacks--had to be discarded. Also sold at the Fair were hundreds of perennials and some excellent baked goods.  All the plants, cookies, brownies, and cakes were donated, so all the proceeds went to the Friends to be used to pay for enhanced Library services and equipment. Another feature of this year's Book Fair was an opportunity for registered voters from Pleasant Valley to sign the petition that will put an increase in Library operating funds on the November ballot.  If there are sufficient signers and if the ballot measure passes, the Library will receive an increase calculated as $26 a year, enough to purchase a hardcover book, and less than a monthly large coffee would cost.  One final aspect of the Library Book Fair was the traditional 50/50 raffle, won this year by B. Hutchings of Pleasant Valley.  The Library's share of the raffle, $70, will be donated to the Building Fund.

The Book Fair is just slightly too early for tomatoes, but the Friends have started hundreds of tomatoes.  Given the unusually warm spring, these will go on sale at the Library starting next Saturday, May 8.  Unusual varieties of large red and yellow slicing tomatoes, a smaller early tomato,  cherry tomatoes, and paste tomatoes will be featured. Some of the varieties available are Brandywine (heritage), Super Lakota (large early slicer), Goldie (large yellow), San Marzano (Italian paste), yellow pear (eat off vine while gardening), Cosmonaut Volkov (large red famed for its flavor), Ruth's Perfect (smaller slicing  tomato resistant to diseases), and Myona (heirloom paste tomato).  Tomatoes are in individual containers and will sell for $1 per pot, set up in the Reading Room at the Library.  As a bonus, you will get one more chance to purchase some of the local perennials left over from the Book Fair.

Last year I planted some of the Library tomatoes on May 9 and they did as well or better than the Library tomatoes I planted Memorial Day, so it is not too early to start.