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5 ways to get into the holiday spirit

The holidays are upon us!

ibiblio hosts a number of offerings that can help get you in the mood to celebrate:

1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Of course, why not start with the ultimate classic? Who else could turn a ghost story into a timeless Christmas tale?

2. A Hannukah Poem  (in Yiddish)

This speaks for itself:

‘Twas the night before Chanukah, boichiks and maidels

Not a sound could be heard, not even the dreidels

The menorah was set by the chimney alight

In the kitchen, the Bobba was chopping a bite

Salami, Pastrami, a glezzele tay

And zoyere pickles mit bagels — Oy vay!

3. The Holly and the Ivy

Sheet music and a midi track can be found for this holiday choral classic at the Mutopia Project (a sort of Project Gutenberg for sheet music). If the midi doesn’t quite do it for you, a nice arrangement can be heard here.

4. The Chinese New Year

So it’s another couple of months out, but what better way to extend the American holiday season than by allowing the Chinese New year this February to round things out? There’s a ton of information, history and resources at ibiblio.org/chinesehistory.

5. Eatmore Cranberries

Meeting all your cranberry needs since 1953. This e-recipe book includes ideas for Christmas decorating, as well as sure-winner recipes like “10-minute cranberry sauce” and “cranberry sherbet.” 

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The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

Photo from ibiblio.org/sncc

On February 1, 1960 in Greensboro NC, just two counties over from ibiblio’s home in Chapel Hill, a group of black college students refused to leave a Woolworth’s lunch counter. This and other protests led to the formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

in 1963, facing violence, threats, and intense voter suppression tactics, the SNCC organized the Freedom Ballot in Mississippi to show that if given the opportunity, blacks would vote, and could have an influence on an election. The Freedom Ballot was a success, and 80,000 blacks came out to vote in Mississipi, four times the number of registered black voters.

Today we see a continuation of what the SNCC helped to start. Minority voters had a significant influence in this election, turning out in unexpectedly high numbers.

America’s demographics are changing according to this Pew Report. As the SNCC showed in 1963, and as minority voters showed last night, that change matters.

 

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5 Things to Help You Remember, Remember the 5th of November

On November 5th, 1605, Guy Fawkes was arrested with 36 barrels of gunpowder meant to destroy the House of Lords in London.

Today in many parts of the Commonwealth people celebrate the failure of the plot with the burning of a Fawkes-like effigy.

Below are 4 books  featured at Project Gutenberg to help you remember (or learn) about the plot that nearly toppled a government, plus an additional reminder about upcoming election day!

1. Guy Fawkes; or, A Complete History of the Gunpowder Treason by Thomas Lathbury

2. The 5th of November by Charles Bentley and Kimball Scribner

3. The Gunpowder Plot and Lord Mounteagle’s Letter by Henry Hawkes Spink Jr.

4. The Gunpowder Treason: An Historical Romance by William Harrison Ainsworth

5. History of Woman Suffrage by Anthony, Gage, and Stanton

This last one is to remind you of your civic duty. These days we don’t transfer power through violent acts, so REMEMBER REMEMBER to VOTE this November!

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