This geisha doll (ningyo) is the newest addition to Folk Arts All Around Us, an evolving exhibition at Crandall Public Library. It is 11.5 inches tall and was a gift from a Japanese friend, and is part of our Saga City, Japan, Sister City Collection. She represents the female entertainers who perform various traditional Japanese arts as a way to entertain men in public places. These dolls wear beautiful kimono, with an instrument in hand, and tend to have an exaggerated eleg

April is National Poetry Month, so I thought I'd share a poem I found quite recently, along with a bit of family history. “He’s The First Man That You Meet When You Go Into A Town” – Sergt. Miles Borden He’s the first man that you meet When you go into a town: And you’re apt to long remember His ready smile or frown… If you hear a screeching siren Just behind you… as you ride There a taut and ghastly patter That goes on in you inside… And you “hope he has a ticket” (To some g

In celebration of National Poetry Month... Neighbors of Yesterday by Jeanne Robert Foster When I go the see her, I look about the room Where she sits placidly knitting — knitting. It has the curious musty odor Of our grandmother's parlors. The old things One remembers are all around her: The hair-cloth furniture; the kaleidoscope On the "What-not", the wax flowers under glass, The cardboard motto on the walls, saying "God Bless Our Home" with flourishes And sprays of rosebuds