WELCOME TO SEANCHAI LIBRARY: December 2011

The Week That Was: Dec. 26-28

After the busy pre-Christmas week, this week was a lot shorter...

Caledonia with My Father's Dragon (11-12-26)

Derry and Crap join forces for stories of Christmas gone awry (11-12-27)

Faerie finishes up Celia and the Fairies (11-12-28)

WEDNESDAY 28 December at 7pm: Stories with Faerie and Gina

Tonight Faerie Maven will finish "Celia and the Fairies" a charming tale of a young girl's magical powers; don't miss the exciting conclusion!
Then Gina Pralou will treat us to "Simeon's Gift" by Julia Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton
There once lived a humble musician named Simeon. Longing to be worthy of the beautiful Sorrel's love, he sets off on a quest for knowledge. His journey brings many discoveries, but the vast tapestry of sounds and ideas he encounters becomes overwhelming . . . and, dispirited, Simeon turns for home. Alone in the grace of nature, he experiences a series of wondrous events that lead him to the discovery of his true self and the glorious gift he has to offer. Stories offered in voice.

TUESDAY 27 December at 7pm: Crap Mariner and 100 Word Anti-Holiday Stories

Join Crap for his raucous, randy, ribald 100 word stories...the antidote to too much Christmas! Plus, a story from Derry about the difficulties of finding just the right gift. Stories in voice.

MONDAY, December 26th at 7pm: "My Father's Dragon"

A favorite of young readers since the 1940s and a Newbery honor book--Author Ruth Stiles Gannett's adventure captures the nonsensical logic of childhood in an amusingly deadpan fashion. The story begins when Elmer Elevator (the narrator's father as a boy) runs away with an old alley cat to rescue a flying baby dragon being exploited on a faraway island. With the help of two dozen pink lollipops, rubber bands, chewing gum, and a fine-toothed comb, Elmer disarms the fiercest of beasts on Wild Island.

Caledonia brings this lovely bit of whimsy for Boxing Day. Get out your Wellies and be prepared for a voyage to Wild Island. Presented Live in voice.

The week that was: Dec. 19 to 24

It has been a very busy week at Seanchai, with lots of stories and lots of friends.

Seanchai gathers for their traditional reading of A Christmas Carol

Derry steals away to the manger for quiet music and stories

Caledonia completes her reading of the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Shandon and Caledonia read the Grinch who stole Christmas.

Shandon reads from An Irish Country Christmas Feast

SATURDAY, December 24th - Christmas Eve @ Noon!

Caledonia brings a special Christmas Eve treat for those who loved L. Frank Baum's The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus with a short story of Baum's that often accompanies the larger book.

A Kidnapped Santa explores Baum's world of Santa, and what happens when the evil demons of Selfishness, Envy, Hatred, Malice and Repentance capture Santa on Christmas Eve, just as his annual visit to the children of the world begins. What will happen to Santa? And what about all the children he would be blessing with his gifts? Come settle for a moment with your favorite holiday beverage and find out.

Presented Live in voice.

FRIDAY 23 December at 7pm: The Night Before The Night Before Christmas

Join the Seanchai Library folks for their traditional Night Before the Night Before Christmas! Caledonia, Bear, Derry and others will bring their favorite versions of "The Night Before Christmas", and it is rumored that the Grinch will may make an appearance! Stories in voice for good boys and girls.

THURSDAY, December 22nd at 7:00pm

From one of Ireland's favorite writers and most popular storytellers, a Christmas delight for any season. John B. Keane plumbs the rich folk culture of Ireland as he portrays the holiday dreams and everyday shortcomings of ordinary country people during the Christmas season. Seanchai Shandon Loring brings this rich holiday tale to life. Presented live in voice.

And we've heard tell that it is just possible that someone Grinchy just might make an appearance courtesy of Shandon and Caledonia.

THURSDAY, December 22nd at 6:00pm: "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus" (Concludes)

Caledonia reads the last section of L. Frank Baum's ("The Wizard of Oz" books) history of the "Children's Saint."

We travel with Claus through his adult life and his devotion to making the children of the world happy, into his elder years and the effort made on his behalf by his immortal friends to grant him the cloak of immortality. Find out how Claus' good works are judged as The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus concludes.

Presented live in Voice.

WEDS 21 December at 7pm: Away in a Manger with Derry

Join Derry McMahon for a quiet time at the manger. We'll listen to some of the older traditional carols, and hear a bit about the traditions of the manger. Good chance to take a break, sip a cup of cocoa or glass of wine and relax.

Our manger is next to the chapel on the Seanchai Library grounds, bundle up, it gets cold there. Music will be on the stream, readings will be in voice.

TUESDAY 20 December at 7pm: Hanukkah!

"We light these lights for the miracles and the wonders, for the redemption and the battles that you made for our forefathers, in those days at this season, through your holy priests. During all eight days of Hanukkah these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make ordinary use of them except for to look at them in order to express thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, Your wonders and Your salvations." Join Re*, Caledonia and Derry for serious and sentimental stories from Isaac Bashevis Singer, as well as humorous stories from Eric Kimmel about the the foolish townspeople of Chelm. Something for everyone, with plenty of latkes and other Hannukkah goodies to go around, so come hungry!! Stories in voice.

MONDAY 19 December at 7pm: Selections from "A Christmas Carol"

Join the Seanchai Library team for selections from the beloved tale: "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Bear Silvershade, Caledonia Skytower, Shandon Loring, Faerie Maven and Derry McMahon will bring you favorite selections featuring Scrooge, Marley, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, and of course Tiny Tim! Readings in voice.

SUNDAY 18 December at Noon: Quirky Christmas Stories

Join the Seanchai Crowd at Fruit Islands Winterland for quirky Christmas stories. Bear brings the story of Sandy Claws and Christmas on Ganymede, Dubhna reads the Richard Burton Christmas Story (yes, that Richard Burton, the actor), and Derry tells what happens in the toy store after hours. Stories in voice.

THURSDAY, December 15th at 7pm: "A Christmas Memory"

Tonight's story, "A Christmas Memory" is a largely autobiographical story, which takes place in the 1930s, and describes a period in the lives of the seven-year-old narrator and an elderly woman who is his distant cousin and best friend. The evocative narrative focuses on country life, friendship, and the joy of giving during the Christmas season, and it also gently yet poignantly touches on loneliness and loss.

Truman Capote --- the controversial and tiny, child-voiced man of a mega-writer who needs no introduction. His work still resonates with the deadly Southern charm of making love to a sexy stranger during a sudden summer downpour.

A reader must make his or her own way in these lonely Alabama and Louisiana evenings, accompanied by diamond guitars, lost ladies, childhood bullies, soda shops, society types, bad parents, great Christmases, fearful hidings, identity issues, and American dreams both broken and realized.

The evening will be rounded out with stories from John B. Keane's "An Irish Christmas Feast," all presented live in voice by Shandon Loring.

Donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Yay for the Seanchai audience! You generous donations helped raise $180 for Susan G. Komen for the cure!

WEDS 14 December at 7pm: "A Child's Christmas in Wales" with Aoife Lorefield

"...I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and six nights when I was twelve or whether it snowed for twelve days and twelve nights when I was six." Join Aoife as she reads Dylan Thomas' remembrance of his childhood Christmases on the Welsh coast. Written and revised for radio and print between 1942 and 1952, this prose poem has become one of Thomas' most popular works and a holiday favorite. Live reading in voice––all are welcome!

TUESDAY 13 Dec at 7pm: "Celia and the Fairies" (pt 2) with Faerie Maven

When Celia Lovejoy's parents announce that her grandmother is coming to live with them, Celia is delighted. Now while her parents work at their toy company, she can spend time with Grammy instead of going to bossy Paul's house. When her grandmother tells stories about the fairies living in the woods behind Celia's house, her parents are quick to dismiss it. "Just a lot of nonsense," says her father with a wave of his hand. Her mother reminds her that a ten-year-old girl is too old to believe in magic. But if there are no fairies, how to explain the glimmers of light she sees from her balcony at night? And why does she dream of a fairy girl begging for help? All of the answers are in the woods, if only Celia is brave enough to find out. Story in voice.

MONDAY, December 12th at 7:00pm: More from "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus"

There is a battle brewing between the forces of good and evil, and the man "Claus" is at the very center of it. There are always those forces, inexplicably, who make it their objective to destroy joy and happiness. Even this early in his work, Claus has become a representative of joy, kindness, and love. Find out what happens, and how the toymaker from Burzee fits into this epic struggle.

From the book by L.Frank Baum, of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz fame. Presented live in voice.

The week that was: Dec. 5 to Dec. 9

Caledonia continues The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (11-12-05)

Faerie Maven reads Celia and the Fairies (11-12-06)

Christmas Chick Lit with Derry (11-12-07)

Shandon shares an Irish Country Christmas (11-12-08)

Bear, Derry and Crap read The Price of Light, a Brother Cadfael mystery (11-12-09)

FRIDAY 9 Dec at 8pm: "The Price of Light" a Brother Cadfael Christmas Mystery

"The Price of Light" a Christmas mystery with Brother Cadfael, by Ellis Peters
Cadfael is a skillful observer of human nature, inquisitive by nature, energetic, a talented herbalist (work he learned in the Holy Lands), and has an innate, although modern, sense of justice and fair-play. Abbots call upon him as a medical examiner, detective, doctor, and diplomat. Join Derry, Bear and Crap Mariner who discover who absconded with the new candlesticks. Story in voice. **Note the time: 8pm, bit later than our usual!**

THURSDAY, December 8th at 7:00pm: An Irish Country Christmas

Barry Laverty, MD, is looking forward to his first Christmas in the cozy village of Ballybucklebo. Along with his senior partner, Dr. O'Reilly, they have their hands full dealing with seasonal coughs and colds, and bringing tidings of comfort and joy to their patients and the town. They even find time to play Santa Claus to a struggling single mother with a sick child and not enough money in the bank. Snow is rare in Ulster, and so are miracles, but that doesn't mean they never happen!

Presented live in voice by Shandon Loring.

WEDS 7 December at 7pm: Christmas Chick Lit with Derry McMaho

Chick Lit!
What better time of year for stories about the things women like?!
Stories about our favorite things: shopping and shoes and cupcakes and cocktails and wine and family issues and holiday cheer!!

Some stories from Lisa Scottoline, some from Marian Keyes, and some surprises.

Join us for lots of giggles!

TUESDAY 6 December at 7pm: "Celia and the Faires" with Faerie Maven

MONDAY, December 5th at 7pm: More from "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus"

More from L. Frank Baum's history of the man in the red suit, written in 1902. Tonight, we rejoin Claus' story as he becomes a grown man, trades wits with Jack Frost, makes his first toy, and embraces his destiny.

Learn more about the book, and various adaptations of it by checking out the Wikipedia page.

All the adventures are full of the same inventive whimsy that made Baum's Oz Books popular, with a special reverence for Claus and his unique relationship with children.

Presented Live in Voice by Caledonia Skytower

Welcome to Imagination Island! Join us for great stories!

"We bring stories of all kinds to life, in Second Life."

Events in the Seanchai Library this week - all stories told in open voice, all times SLT:

Monday, December 5 at 7 p.m. - The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (pt 2) with Caledonia Skytower.

Tuesday, December 6 at 7 p.m. - Celia and the Fairies with Faerie Maven.

Wednesday, December 7 at 7 p.m. - Simeon's Gift with Gina Pralou.

Thursday, December 8 at 7 p.m. - An Irish County Christmas with Shandon Loring.

And join us at these 'off campus' events too!

Friday, December 9 at 8 p.m. - The Price of Light. a Brother Cadfael Christmas Mystery, with Bear Silvershade, Crap Mariner and Derry McMahon at Mystery Manor.

(http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/201/171/999)

Sunday, December 11 at 6 p.m. - The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus with Caledonia at MagicLand

(http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bracket/182/56/31)

All stories in voice and take place in Seanchai Libray on Imagination Island, unless otherwise noted. In November and December we will be collecting for the charity Toys for Tots Have questions? IM or notecard Derry McMahon, Librarian.

Feel free to join the Seanchai or Stories Unlimited! subscribos. They are located in the Library, just run in and touch them; or join our group, the Seanchai Library.

The week that was: Nov. 27 to Dec. 1

Caledonia begins The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (11-11-28)

Lillia, Bear and Derry join forces to share some Native American legends (11-11-29)

Kayden O'Connell and Caledonia Skytower read scenes from Shakespeare's MacBeth (11-11-30)

Shandon "Elk" Loring kicks December off with a reading of The Homecoming (11-12-01)

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