By Arlene Miller, Friends of the Pennsauken Free Public Library

February: a month to celebrate presidents and precedents. And while Presidents’ Day gives many of us a well deserved day off, Valentine’s Day is a tried and true old standard for lovers everywhere. Last year, the Friends of the Free Public Library added what we hope will soon become a February precedent for Valentine’s Day aficionados: our second annual Valentine’s Day Cookie Sale. On Saturday, Feb. 11, starting at 11:00 a.m., we’ll fill up the tables in the Library’s lobby with home-baked cookies, just in time for gift giving to all those special someones on your list. And at just one dollar a bag, you can fill a basket full of cookies. Come early, though. We usually sell out fast; and once they’re gone, oh well…

Stress Reducing Seminar On February 11

While you’re at the Library for the cookie sale, you’ll want to stay for our free seminar, “Creative visualization and self-hypnosis to cancer patients and caregivers.” Held on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Community Room, Maggie Worthington, a licensed hypno-counselor and hypnotherapist, will teach techniques to reduce stress, the underlying cause of many illnesses and diseases, helping patients, caregivers and the general public as well to learn to live stress-free lives. You can check out her website at HypnosisForStressNJ.com.

Valentine’s Day Munch And A Movie

Another precedent, our monthly Munch and a Movie feature, falls coincidentally on Valentine’s Day itself, Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Library’s Community Room. Last month’s flick was “Wild,” the amazing adventures of a woman’s 1100-mile solo hike to help her recover from addiction and get her life in order, starring Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern. For February – although we can’t be sure – an upbeat romantic comedy would seem in order to celebrate. Come and be surprised, or call ahead to the circulation desk for what’s playing. Bring your lunch and we’ll supply snacks and beverages.

Museum Passes Available

You might want to shake off any bouts of cabin fever by taking advantage of our Museum Pass program. There are plenty of indoor places to visit, like the Academy of Natural Sciences; Air Victory Museum; Garden State Discovery Museum; National Liberty Museum; Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology; and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Or for you hardy souls who don’t mind the chill, consider a tour of the Battleship New Jersey; Morris Arboretum; Paws Farm Nature Center; or the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. Interested? Library members can reserve a pass one hour in advance and pick it up at the circulation desk. You can keep it for four days and take along a varying number of children and adults free of charge, depending on the location you choose. Find out all about the Museum Pass program, sponsored by the Friends of the Free Public Library, at PennsaukenLibrary.org/news.cfm.

Art Show Runs April 23-30

Lest you forget, the Friends’ annual Art Show is coming up April 23 – 30. Don’t forget that with Pennsauken celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, there are all sorts of additional ideas close to home you might want to consider. “Art Week” activities and workshops are coming together as well; we’ll have more definite information next month, so stay tuned and get busy creating!

In the meantime, grab your gloves, scarf and coat and come out to join us Wednesday, Feb. 8 in the Community Room for our next Friends meeting.