Summer is coming and so are the teen programs!

Check out what Wood Library is offering to teens this summer:

Teen Summer Reading Program—Thursday, June 26—Friday, August 29
Read whatever you want this summer—books, magazines, graphic novels, manga, or even audiobooks—and win awesome prizes! For every 100 pages you read, get a ticket and enter it into the prize you want! Then all tickets will be included in the Grand Prize Drawing for a $100 Gift Card to the Eastview Mall. Buy what you want! See Main Desk for details. Kicks off at Teen Nite on June 26 where you can play Rock Band, DDR, and board games, then surf the web, and finally eat a bunch of snacks! And as a special treat...make-your-own sundaes! Celebrate the beginning of summer! At Teen Nite, get a chance to win 2 passes to Seabreeze Amusement Park just for signing up for summer reading! Prize drawings will take place on August 29 at the Pizza Taste-Off. You do not have to be present to win prizes. A special thanks to Eastview Mall for their generous donation.

Teen Theater Auditions—Thursday, July 10, 7-8:30 PM & Friday, July 11, 3:30-5:00 PM
Be a part of the fun! Whether you’re a seasoned actor and need to keep your acting skills sharp over the summer, or a novice performer who would like to have a taste of acting, Teen Theater is for you! Perform a play written by teens and work with Canandaigua Academy Drama Teacher Scott Schauman to bring it to life! Rehearsals take place from July 14-July 25. Must attend both performances on July 25 and July 26.

Anime Club—Thursday, July 17, 6-8 PM
Get out of the heat and into Wood Library! Sit back, relax, and watch a Japanese animated film or tv film in cool comfort with a bunch of munchies and cold drinks. Must be 13 years old and up. Prizes given away!

Books & Bites—Monday, July 21, 6 PM and Monday, August 18, 6 PM @ Various Eateries in Canandaigua
Do you like to read? Do you like sweets? Or an ice cold refreshing drink? Read two different books this summer and join the discussion with other teens over some delectable treats.

Teen Theater Performances—Friday, July 25, 7 PM @ All Things Art and Saturday, July 26, Noon @ Wood Library
Find out what teens have been working on all summer long—from writing to rehearsing to performing. Free admission. Support provided by the F.F. Thompson Foundation.

Comic Creation and Publishing Workshop—July 28-August 1, 10AM - 2PM
Join a fabulous team of comic writers and artists! Michael Churchill, professional writer, and Ken Wheaton, professional artist, will guide you through the process of writing, drawing, and inking your own comic strip! Then see your artwork published into a comic book! Registration required. Recommended for Grades 7 and up. This organization is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, which is administered locally by Phelps Historical Society & Phelps Arts Center. A “Touch the Arts Program.”

*Sandcastle Competition—Wednesday, August 6, 1 PM @ Kershaw Beach
How crafty are you with sand? It’s time to find out at Wood Library’s first ever Sandcastle Competition! Register yourself or with a team of friends as you try to win top prizes on the beach! Registration and permission slip required. Must have own transportation to Kershaw Park. A “Touch the Arts Program.”

*Make a Gock Sock Puppet—Monday, August 11, 7 PM
What's a gock puppet? Why, a goth sock puppet, of course! If a gock doesn't sound like your thing, you can make a regular sock puppet (or a punk sock puppet, or a puppet with big 80's hair, or whatever your imagination can dream up)! Supplies provided. Registration required.

*Mehndi Henna Tattoos—Tuesday, August 19, 1-3 PM
Wear something new this summer—like a temporary tattoo! Suzanne Masters will teach you the art of Henna tattoos and will then paint your chosen design on your body. Registration and permission slips required. This organization is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, which is administered locally by Phelps Historical Society & Phelps Arts Center. A “Touch the Arts Program.”

*The Recording Studio Experience—Saturday, August 23, 1-4 PM @ Finger Lakes Community College
Remember this summer with your song recorded on your very own CD! Take a tour of the state-of-the-art recording studio at Finger Lakes Community College, chow down on a pizza lunch, and then get ready to record a song! Registration and permission slip required. Must have own transportation to FLCC. Be prepared with two songs of your choice. This organization is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, which is administered locally by Phelps Historical Society & Phelps Arts Center. A “Touch the Arts Program.”

*Magic of Clay—Tuesday, August 26, 1-2:30 PM, 3-4:30 PM and Thursday, August 28, 1-2:30 PM, 3-4:30 PM
Learn what you can create with your hands with Helene Oldweiler as she shows you the five traditional methods of clay - pinch, slab, and coil. Carefully shape your own modeling figure or animal. Express yourself with clay! Registration required. Participants must attend both morning sessions or afternoon sessions on Tuesday and Thursday. This organization is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, which is administered locally by Phelps Historical Society & Phelps Arts Center. A “Touch the Arts Program.”

*Library Fear Factor—Wednesday, August 27, 7 PM
How brave are you? Wood Library is taking the picky eater title to the next level. You are invited to try and eat six different “interesting” foods and win awesome prizes for succeeding! Victory will have never tasted so sweet! Registration and permission slip required.

Pizza Taste-Off and Summer Reading Chinese Auction—Friday, August 29, 3 PM
Think you know who has the best pizza in town? Make your vote count as you decide in a blind taste-test which one has the best crust, sauce, cheese, and overall taste in Canandaigna. Don’t forget to bring in the tickets you earned from the Teen Summer Reading Program so you can try to win great prizes for participating.

* Registration is required. For more information or to register for programs, contact Jenny Goodemote, YA Librarian, at 394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org.

Teen Poetry Winners!

Congratulations to the top winners of Wood Library's 14th Annual Teen Poetry Contest. Wood Library received over eighty poems and all of them were of very high caliber. A special thank you to all those who entered. Unfortunately, the peer judges could only choose eight that they felt were top quality, so continue on to find out who this year's winners are!

High Schoool Category:

Emotions
1st Place
David Derby, 9th Grade

Bloomfield Central

Into the arms of sorrow
I sit and wallow
Thinking of all my fears
And with what tears
I must face another day
Telling myself there is another way

Listening to what is said
I simply lay my head
Looking at what I’ve done
Knowing I am the only one
To change my actions
And to follow my passion

Poems help me vent
Where all my thinking is spent
So to sit and cry
Thinking I want to die
To just feel pity among myself
It’s not good for my health

To help someone out
Rather than pout
May your feelings show in certainty?
To not show your feelings aggressively
With some happiness inside
We all go on a reality ride

This is a ballad portraying the novel The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway. There is no punctuation used in this poem, to help the reader develop their own rhythm and to provoke differing and unique emotions in each person.
2nd Place

Nikole Blowers, 9th Grade
Canandaigua Academy

Once there was a stark old man
Who lived in a mite city
He thrived alone out in his home
And received human pity

Also in Havana was
A helpless village boy
The man taught him to live and fish
But in it he found no joy

The man was old the luck was gone
There had been no fish
At eighty four days the boy turned away
He left against his wish

Life life you give them strife
Oh why are you so mean
Can’t you give this poor boy food
He’s looking oh so lean

The little child was forced to leave
The old man to himself
He had to feed his family
And put food on the shelf

So all alone the man set sail
Out on his wooden skiff
He moved into unbending danger
And knew he would not live

Sea sea oh bountiful sea
Strong is your water’s roar
But high above the crashing waves
Delicate birds soar

By high noon the sun was out
A fish had bit the line
The war was on the stakes were high
But the sky provided no time

Three days after the fish was hooked
The team was growing weak
The man was injured his hands were raw
And land he needed to seek

The journey however gave no relief
Sharks stole the fish as their plunder
And when the shore in nigh sight
The marlin had been pulled under

So in the end this story tells
That pride makes us insane
When you take on way too muchLife becomes inane

Fear
3rd Place
Jackie Corbett, 9th Grade
Canandaigua Academy

Fear:

Heart Racing

The way you feel when you’re down to one, two seconds left in the game.
If I miss this shot, will I be to blame?

Stomach Churning

Presentation today
Am I the only one that feels this way?

Knees Shaking

The power goes out when I’m home alone.
My eyes widen, where do I go?

Palms Sweating

Up in the air, flying over the ground 30,000 feet.
I look out the window and my heart skips a beat.

Hands Trembling

First day at a new school.
Will people talk to me or think I’m cool?

Teeth Chattering

The roads are icy and the snow is falling.
I am holding on as the car keeps stalling.

Heart Pumping

I walk into the dark basement and see the curtains rustle.
Then I run up the stairs in a quick panicked hustle.

Fear is something that we all go through.
But how we react to it shows something about us too.

Honorable Mention
Meaghan McCarthy, 9th Grade
Canandaigua Academy

Sam was only twelve years of age,
And Charlie was fifteen.
Life was just a game of baseball,
Till then that’s how it seemed.

Charlie thought it was a good idea,
He wanted to have some fun.
On the ride home they raced the moon,
Not knowing Sam’s life would be done.

Charlie didn’t want Sam to die,
He made a big mistake.
By taking Mrs. Pung’s car that night,
It was Sam’s life he’d take.

Charlie had kept his word to Sam,
Through all these thirteen years.
To come and play ball in the woods,
Keeping himself from his peers.

Charlie and Sam stayed best of friends,
Until Tess came along.
He couldn’t help but fall for her,
Their love was just like a song.

The sea was angry and Tess was stranded,
She needed Charlie’s aid.
She was lost at sea broken and hurt,
And then she started to fade.

Charlie found out that Tess became weak,
He needed to save her life.
“Come find me Charlie” Tess had said,
But Sam was his price.

Charlie didn’t want Sam to die,
He made a big mistake.
By taking Mrs. Pung’s car that night,
It was Sam’s life he’d take.

Middle School Category

Majestic Stars in a Dark Night
1st Place
Brittany Turner, 6th Grade

Victor Intermediate School

A dark night
Trees whispering long ago tales
Frogs croaking
Grass softly rustling
Wind gently, gracefully blows
Leaves twirling and whirling
Dancing elegantly across the black starless night
Trees calmly swaying
Blissfully, knowingly, wondering
Suddenly, bright, blazing stars appear
‘Till twilight when they disappear
Glistening, twinkling, whispering, wondering
Bright beautiful wonders of heaven
Majestic stars in a dark night
Casting shadows and brilliant light
Exquisitely streaming across the dark quiet sky
Amazing colors to the eye
Leaves daintily falling to the ground
Peaceful calmness all around
Glorious silence awaits

Believe & Forgive
2nd Place
Sadie Burgess, 8th Grade

I forgive you for never believing in perseverance.
I forgive you for not believing in me and what I am able to accomplish.
I forgive because I am not a person until I forgive another.
I believe in myself.
I’m the one who has put stride into myself and pushed to a new level that has made me the person I am today.
I created my one destiny, my own future.

I Love...
3rd Place

Anthony Robarge, 8th Grade
Marcus Whitman Middle School

Wrestling,
the second the whistle shatters my ear
The adrenaline rushes,
I go for a shot,
he rebels counters my move
I get back up
with confidence
and take a better shot
this time, I succeed and take him right to his back,
the minute the whistle screeches,
and a slam on the mat.
I am relieved
The adrenaline surges stronger
as the crowd cheers with excitement
the referee raises
my hand.
I knew it was my sport
from the beginning
Wrestling is
not just a hobby,
it’s my life!!!!!

Bitter Sweet Soul
Honorable Mention
Mallory Lafler, 8th Grade
Marcus Whitman Middle School

A bitter sweet soul singing from the heart
Such a sour song being sung
Clearly not being heard from a heavenly harp

She’s ready to slip right out of there

She’s got one eye on the door
one hand on the railing
and one foot on the floor

Just to hide away somewhere, anywhere

She is depressed and she is dying
She’s crying
The walls are closing in
on her intensely depleting vim

Her soul is bitter sweet
she’s down and she’s beat

The gleam in her eyes has gone
and it has left her
She is all alone singing her song

Beneath the falling snow
she wants to hide away
but has no where to go

She sneaks in through the front door
Creeps her way up the stairs
and across the creaky floor

Into the bathroom she goes
and what she found staring back from the mirror
scared her till she froze

Reflected in the mirror she saw
A sickly looking angel
With too many flaws

Smash!
The shards shattered into a million pieces
And she threw away the memories into the trash.

She lay down on the bed and cried herself to sleep

Don't forget, if you want to meet the poets and hear their poems live, stop by Phoenix Coffee in Canandaigua on Wednesday, April 30 at 7 PM for the Teen Poetry Award Ceremony and Open Mike Night. Contact Jenny Goodemote at 394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org for more information.

Books & Bites

Monday, May 19

6 PM

Starbucks Coffee

The days are getting hotter so come to Starbucks Coffee in Canandaigua on Monday, May 19 at 6 PM and discuss City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau with other teens over a cool, refreshing drink. There's no better way to enjoy a book! Become a part of Wood Library's Teen Discussion Group and find out what it's all about! Contact Jenny Goodemote at 394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org for details.

Anime Club

Thursday, May 15

6-8 PM

Death Note! Need I say more? Come on by Wood Library on Thursday, May 15 from 6-8 PM and watch Death Note Vol. 1. How can you beat watching an awesome Anime TV show, winning prizes, and snacking all night? Don't forget to bring your favorite Manga or what you're currently reading to share with the group afterwards. Meet other teens who love Anime and Manga just as much as you do (or more!). Contact Jenny Goodemote at 394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org for more information. Recommended for ages 13 and up.

Teen Nite

Thursday, May 8

7 PM

Come check out the latest in video games at Wood Library's next Teen Nite on Thursday, May 8 from 7-8 PM. Try out Rock Band where you can sing or play the drums or guitar or dance to the music in Dance Dance Revolution - or you can do both! And don't forget about the food, drinks, board games, and wireless laptops! Contact Jenny Goodemote at 394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org for more information.

Teen Poetry Award Ceremony & Open Mike Night

Wednesday, April 30

7 PM

Phoenix Coffee

The poems are in! Find out who the judges voted as the top three poems of Wood Library's 14th Annual Teen Poetry Contest! Meet and hear the winners read their prized poems at a special after-hours event at Phoenix Coffee on Wednesday, April 30 at 7 PM. Friends and family are encouraged to attend. All ages are welcome to read a favorite poem of their own too! A fantastic pairing - poetry and coffee. Phoenix Coffee is located at 325 N. Main St. in Canandaigua. For more information, contact Jenny Goodemote at 394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org.

Books & Bites

Monday, April 21

6 PM

Read Margaret Peterson Haddix's Uprising and then discuss it with Wood Library's Teen Book Discussion Group on Monday, April 21 at Panera in Canandaigua. What's the book about? Bella, newly arrived in New York from Italy, gets a job at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. There, along with hundreds of other immigrants, she works long hours at a grueling job under terrible conditions. Yetta, a coworker from Russia, has been crusading for a union, and when factory conditions worsen, she helps workers rise up in a strike. Wealthy Jane learns of the plight of the workers and becomes involved with their cause.
Bella and Yetta are at work -- and Jane is visiting the factory -- on March 25, 1911, when a spark ignites some cloth and the building is engulfed in fire, leading to one of the worst workplace disasters ever. For more information about the program, contact Jenny Goodemote at 585-394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org.

Teen Nite

Thursday, April 3

7-8 PM

If you missed the unveiling of Rock Band at the last Teen Nite, now is your chance to get to Wood Library and rock out! On Thursday, April 3 from 7-8 PM, try your skills at drumming, strumming, or singing - or all! Waiting to play Rock Band? We got you covered - board games, wifi laptops, food and drinks. For more information, contact Jenny Goodemote at 585-394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org.

Let the Writing Begin!

The 14th Annual Teen Poetry Contest has officially begun! Hurry and grab a pen, a piece of paper, and a seat and let your feelings flow because the deadline is Friday, April 11! Cash prizes await! Here's a little something to inspire you:

"How Doth The Little Crocodile"

Lewis Carroll

How doth the little crocodile

Improve his shining tail,

And pour the waters of the Nile

On every golden scale!

How cheerfully he seems to grin,

How neatly spread his claws,

And welcome little fishes in

With gently smiling jaws!

Remember the rules:

Middle School Category: Grades 6 – 8.

High School Category: Grades 9 - 12.

The poem must be the poet’s original work and TYPED on 8 ½” x 11” paper.

5 copies of the poem must be submitted.

Name, address, phone number, grade, and school should be listed on an index card accompanying the poem. This information must NOT appear on your poem.

Wood Library employees & contest peer judges are not eligible to participate. Participants are permitted to submit only one poem.

Contact Jenny Goodemote at 585-394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org for more information.

Ukrainian Easter Eggs Postponed!
The workshop on Ukrainian Easter Eggs has been postponed until April 24 at 7 PM. If you haven't signed up yet to design and create your own Easter masterpiece, register now before it's too late! It's the perfect program to celebrate Easter and Passover! Contact Jenny Goodemote at 585-394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org to register or for more details.

Books & Bites

Monday, March 10

6 PM

Panera Bread

On Monday, March 10 at 6 PM at Panera Bread, discuss with other teens Mitch Albom's book, One More Day. Enjoy a feel good book with a feel good dessert or beverage. Panera is located at 4221 Recreation Drive in Canandaigua. For more information, contact Jenny Goodemote at 394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org.

Anime Club

Thursday, April 17

6-8 PM

Although it pains me to say it, Anime Club for March has been cancelled. But, it will be back and better than ever on Thursday, April 17 from 6-8 PM at Wood Library. You have a little over a month to prepare yourself for Le Chevalier d'Eon: Pslam of Vengence. D'Eon de Beaumont is devastated when his sister Lia is found murdered. He swears vengeance, and the trail of revenge leads him into a complex plot involving alchemy, the Duc d'Orléans, the Russian Imperial court, Mme. de Pompadour, and much more! There is one twist...when D'Eon engages in mortal combat, his sister's soul possesses his body and sword! Recommended for ages 13 and up. Snacks, drinks, and prizes will be there as long as you are! Contact Jenny Goodemote at 394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org for more information.

Teen Nite

Thursday, March 6

7-8 PM

Rock Band Wanted! Looking for talented guitarists, drummers, bassists, and vocalists to play in hard-core rock band. Must be dedicated, amibitious, and motivated band members who are ready to rock hard and tour the world. Interested musicians should stop by Teen Nite at Wood Library on Thursday, March 6 from 7-8 PM. While you're waiting to show your stuff, hop on a wi-fi laptop, enjoy some food and drinks, try out DDR if it's your thing, or play some board games. Contact band manager Jenny Goodemote at 394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org for more information.

14th Annual Teen Poetry Contest
March 10-April 11
It's that time of year again! Wood Library's Teen Poetry Contest is back for another year, making this year its 14th! Beginning March 10, teens are encouraged to showcase their writing talents by submitting poems to Wood Library. The deadline for the contest is April 11, 2008 at 5 PM. No exceptions. Students in grades 6 – 12 should submit their typed poems with contact information (name, address, phone number, grade, and school) to Wood Library, 134 North Main Street, Canandaigua or email them to jgoodemote@pls-net.org. Home-schooled children are welcome to submit. Cash prizes are provided by the Friends of Wood Library: 1st place $50, 2nd Place $40, 3rd Place $30.

Rules and guidelines are as follows:

Middle School Category: Grades 6 – 8.
High School Category: Grades 9 - 12.
The poem must be the poet’s original work and TYPED on 8 ½” x 11” paper.
5 copies of the poem must be submitted.
Name, address, phone number, grade, and school should be listed on an index card accompanying the poem. This information must NOT appear on your poem.
Wood Library employees & contest peer judges are not eligible to participate. Participants are permitted to submit only one poem.

If you are interested in participating as a peer judge in this year's contest, please contact me at jgoodemote@pls-net.org or 394-1381. Remember, judges are excluded from the competition.
The Poetry Contest Award Ceremony in conjunction with an all ages Poetry Open Mike Night on Wednesday, April 30 at 7 PM at the Phoenix Coffee Shop. It is located at 325 N. Main St. in Canandaigua. For more information, contact Jenny Goodemote at 394-1381 or email jgoodemote@pls-net.org.

Ukrainian Easter Eggs

Thursday, March 13

7 PM

Helen Steciak, a creator and admirer of Ukrainian Easter Eggs for many years, will teach teens the intricate art of the holiday’s greatest symbol—the Easter Egg - on Thursday, March 13 at 7 PM at Wood Library. Learn the basics on how to prepare and decorate your very own Ukrainian Easter Egg. Check out Helen's beautiful talent in the Ground Floor Display Case of the library. Registration is required. Contact Jenny Goodemote at 394-1381 or jgoodemote@pls-net.org for more information or to register.