Friends of the Osterhout Library donate $32,000

Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Friends of the Osterhout Free Library recently donated $32,000 to the library. The Friends raised the majority of the funds via their annual Book Sale held in late June on the patio of the Osterhout Free Library, plus funds raised yearlong via the Friends Book Shop and book sales at the Circulation Desk.

The funds donated to the Osterhout provide materials and programs that the Library could not otherwise offer. In the last 42 years the Friends have donated over $502,000 to the Osterhout Library from funds raised just at the Annual Book Sale.

Membership in the Friends of the Library is available to anyone in the community. Please contact Friends President Irene Martin at imartin9647@gmail.com or visit www.osterhout.info  to learn more about the Friends group and what the Osterhout Free Library offers the community.

Attached photo of 2018 Check Presentation (left to right):

Rick Miller, Executive Director, Osterhout Free Library, Irene Martin, President, Friends of the Osterhout, Marie McCormick, Joan Kwarcinski, Barbara Ambrose, Renie John, Cynthia Bhagat Theresa Roebuck, Secretary, & Karen French

Havana, Cuba Trip Raffle is the Grand Prize at Osterhout Free Library Gala

Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Osterhout Free Library is excited to announce that Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services is once again sponsoring our trip raffle. This year’s trip is to Havana, Cuba, thus tying into the Night in Havana Gala theme. The Gala will be held on Friday, September 14th beginning at 6 p.m. at the Westmoreland Club with the raffle winner being picked that night. Raffle tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100 and are available at the Osterhout Main Library at 71 S. Franklin St or any of its three branches. The winner need not be present at the Gala but must be 21 years old.

The Raffle winner will receive a fabulous trip for two to Havana, Cuba. The trip includes roundtrip airfare for two persons, five nights’ accommodations and the tour details can be arranged at the time of booking. The trip has a value of $5,000 and can be redeemed for another vacation within one year.

All proceeds from the Havana, Cuba Trip Raffle and the gala support the Osterhout Free Library and its mission to provide free books, DVDs, CDs and educational programs to the residents of Wilkes-Barre and surrounding communities.

For additional information on the Trip Raffle or the Gala, contact Christopher Kelly at 570.823.0156 x 218 or ckelly@luzernelibraries.org.

Sponsors of the Trip Raffle photo:

From left: Mary Kolessar, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services, Traci Cross, Gala Co-Chair, Robert & Kim Mericle, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services, Lissa Bryan-Smith, Gala Co-Chair & Rick Miller, Executive Director, Osterhout Free library.

 

Osterhout Free Library Announces Rooftop Party Co-Chairs

Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Osterhout Free Library is hosting its 10th Annual Brewsterhout Rooftop Party atop the Intermodal Center on Friday, August 3rd from 5-8 PM.  The party is an over-21 event that’s open to the public and will feature adult beverages, food samples, basket raffles and music provided by DJ Josh Beatz.

The library is proud to announce Lisa Borchert, Leadership Wilkes-Barre & Jamie Johns, M&T Bank are the Co-Chairs for the 10th Annual Brewsterhout Rooftop Party.

This year’s goal is to raise $21,000 for the library. The expected crowd is 600 people with over 30 local food vendors plus various local beer distributors and breweries including Northeast Eagle Distributors, Benny Brewing Company, Susquehanna Brewing Company, Breaker Brewing Company, Nimble Hill and new this year: Wallenpaupack Brewing Company.

Tickets are $25 before and $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at any of the Osterhout branches or online at 2018brewsterhout.eventbrite.com. Thank you to our major sponsors: A Gift from Bobby & Rose, FNCB and M&T Bank. Our event Media Partners are WNEP-TV, The Citizens’ Voice, Jumpstart!, and Rock 107.

All funds raised go to support the Osterhout Free Library and its mission to provide free books, DVDs, Blu-rays, CD’s and educational programs to the residents of Wilkes-Barre and surrounding communities.

Visit www.osterhout.info to learn more about what the Osterhout Free Library offers the community, or find us on Facebook.

 

Photo:

Brewsterhout Rooftop Party Co-Chairs, Lisa Borchert & Jamie Johns.

42nd Annual Friends Book Sale set for June 15 – 23

Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Friends of the Osterhout Free Library are proud to announce that the 42nd Annual Book Sale will be held June 15 – 23 on the library patio at 71 S. Franklin Street. The Book Sale dates and times are as follows: 

Dates                                      Times
*Friday, June 15                   5pm – 7:30pm
Saturday, June 16                 9:30am – 4pm
Sunday, June 17                   CLOSED
Monday, June 18                  9:30am – 7pm
Tuesday, June 19                  9:30am – 7pm
Wednesday, June 20             9:30am – 7pm
Thursday, June 21                9:30am – 7pm
Friday, June 22                     9:30am – 5pm
**Saturday, June 23             9:30am – Noon

*Preview Night, Friday, June 15th from 5pm to 7:30pm, offers a sneak peek and the right to make purchases for a $10.00 donation.  It is the kick-off to the week-long sale.

**Saturday, June 23rd is the traditional ‘Bag Day’ as book lovers are welcome to buy a bag for $1.00 or $5.00, or fill a box full of books for $10.00.

 

NOTE: The Book Sale always has new twists. This year includes a Children’s Day, Guest Baggers, and New Surprise Specials!

  • Wednesday, June 20th is Children’s Day. There is a special checkout counter in the children’s part of the tent and live entertainment and activities for the kiddos.
  • Local celebrities, including authors, radio hosts, mascots, television anchors, police officers, firefighters and many more will be bagging at the checkout area. Shoppers can have a different celebrity bag their purchases each day.
  • New Surprise Specials will happen throughout the week-long sale. Each day shoppers can benefit from a different special. Alerts will be posted on Facebook each morning.
  • The Friends will surpass the Half Million Dollar fundraising mark this year. A special thermometer showing the progress toward the $500,000 goal will be inside the tent so the public can follow along. A special ceremony will be held when the goal is hit.

CDs and DVDs will be sold during the preview night on June 15, and throughout the entire sale. Various other items are on sale, as well as thousands of gently-used adult & children’s books. Stop by all week as more books are added each day. You never know what you’ll find, but we know there is something that you will want to add to your personal library or give as a gift.

Questions about the Friends Book Sale can be directed to 570.823.0156 or by stopping by the Circulation desk at the Osterhout Library, 71 South Franklin St.

 The Book Sale is the featured fundraiser of the Friends of the Osterhout Library. Funds raised via the Book Sale are donated to the Osterhout to provide materials and programs that the Library could not otherwise offer. In the last 41 years the Friends have donated over $475,000 to the Osterhout Library from funds raised at the Annual Book Sale.

Membership in the Friends of the Library is available to anyone in the community.

Please contact Friends President Irene Martin at imartin9647@gmail.com or visit www.osterhout.info  to learn more about the Friends group and what the Osterhout Free Library offers the community.

 Volunteers for the Book Sale are needed. Please contact Irene Martin at imartin9647@gmail.com for information and volunteer times and duties.

 

Photo of 2018 Book Sale Chairs and Honorary Chairs (left to right):
Chairperson Irene Martin, Honorary Chair, Ronnie Buzinkai, Chairperson Diane Krokos and Honorary Chair, Diane Martindale

Osterhout Free Library Presents the Evergreen Award to Rose Marie & Joseph Panzitta

Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Osterhout Free Library recently presented Rose Marie & Joseph Panzitta with the inaugural Evergreen Award. The award recognizes them for their volunteer service and longtime support of the Library.

The award was presented by the Osterhout Free Library’s Gala Committee at the Sips Among the Stacks sponsor reception on May 9th. The reception at the Library kicked off the planning for the Night in Havana Gala, to be held Friday, September 14th at the Westmoreland Club.

All proceeds from the gala support the Osterhout Free Library and its mission to provide free books, DVDs, CDs and educational programs to the residents of Wilkes-Barre and surrounding communities. Visit www.osterhout.info to learn more about the Night in Havana Gala and what the Osterhout Free Library offers the community.

Attached photo (L to R):

Lissa Bryan-Smith, Gala Co-Chair, Rose Marie & Joseph Panzitta, Evergreen Honorees and Traci Cross, Gala Co-Chair

Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre donates $8,200 to the Osterhout Free Library

Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre is proud to announce a donation of $8,200 was recently made to the Osterhout Free Library. The funds were raised via the inaugural All “Fore” Books Mini Golf Classic, held March 18th at the Osterhout Free Library. 170 mini-golfers came out for a fun-filled afternoon to play 18 unique miniature golf holes that zig-zagged through, over, under and around the book stacks of the library. The donation will benefit children’s programs held throughout the year at the Osterhout Library and its three branches.

The mini golf classic media partners were The Times Leader and WBRE-TV.

The Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre originated in Northeast Pennsylvania in 1916 and is one of the longest running clubs in the Wyoming Valley, celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2016.

 

Golf Classic Check Presentation Photo:

(L to R) Rick Miller, Executive Director, Osterhout Free Library, Elaine Rash, Youth Services Coordinator, Osterhout Free Library, Elizabeth Doherty, Secretary, Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre & Lars Anderson, President, Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre.

The Books, Baskets & Bake Sale is Back

Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Friends of the Osterhout Free Library North Branch will hold their annual event on Saturday, April 28th from 12-4 PM. The Books, Baskets & Bake Sale will be held in the library’s Community Room, located at 28 Oliver Street in the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre. The event is free to the public and refreshments will be available.

Guests can purchase new and used books, take a chance on over 30 raffle baskets, and enjoy a bake sale with homemade baked goods. Basket raffle tickets are: $2.00 each, 3 for $5.00, 7 for $10.00 or an arm’s length for $20.

The event also features a 50/50 raffle drawing. Tickets are now on sale via Friends members or at the North Branch during library hours. Tickets are also for sale the day of the event, with the 50/50 winner picked at 3:45pm. The winner does not need to be present to win. For more information, please call Joanne Austin at the North Branch at 570.822.4660.

All proceeds benefit the Osterhout Free Library North Branch

Visit www.osterhout.info or call 570.822.4660 to learn more about the Friends of the North Branch and what the Osterhout Free Library offers the community, or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Photo (left to right): Seated: Carol Caravaggio & Peggie Phillips. Standing: Mary Joan Meehan, Marguerite Latinski, Todd Serafin, Linda Urban, Joanne Austin – North Branch Supervisor & Helen Zalora

Hole-in-One Winner of the All “FORE” Books Mini Golf Classic

Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre and the Osterhout Free Library are proud to announce the winner of the inaugural All “Fore” Books Mini Golf Classic hole-in-one raffle. The $500 winner is Joseph Orhin of Bear Creek. The Mini Golf Classic was held March 18th inside the library.

Funds raised from the Mini Golf Classic benefit year-round children’s programs held at the Osterhout Free Library and its three branches throughout the city.

Visit www.osterhout.info to learn more about what the Osterhout Free Library offers the community.

PHOTO (L – R): Lars Anderson, President, Rotary of Wilkes-Barre, Joseph Orhin, Hole in One winner, and Gus Genetti, Hole in One Contest Sponsor.

Rotary Club to Host New All “FORE” Books Mini Golf Event in the Library

Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre created a NEW All ‘FORE’ Books Mini Golf event to benefit the Osterhout Free Library. The event will be held Sunday, March 18th at the Osterhout Free Library from Noon – 4 pm.

Funds raised from the Golf Classic benefit year-round children’s programs held at the Osterhout Library and its three branches throughout the city.

The cost is $10 per adult and $5 for children 12 and under. This includes the opportunity to play mini golf IN the library. Balls and putter are provided. People can enjoy 18 very fun and unique holes within, through and around the library stacks.

Every player that gets a hole-in-one on the 18th hole, will be entered in a chance to win a $500 cash prize

Tickets are available now at any library location, at the door on the day of, and via any Rotary member.

There are many sponsorship opportunities available from $100 to $3,000.  To become a sponsor, or donate a prize, contact Rotary President, Lars Anderson at 570-287-3000 x 1110.

Visit www.osterhout.info to learn more about the mini golf event and what the Osterhout Free Library offers the community.

 

PHOTO (left to right): Elizabeth Doherty, Secretary, Rotary of Wilkes-Barre, Lars Anderson, President, Rotary of Wilkes-Barre, Richard Miller, Executive Director, Osterhout Free Library, Elaine Rash, Youth Services Coordinator, Osterhout Free Library

ROTARY CLUB AND WILKES UNIVERSITY TO COHOST GEORGE RALSTON GOLF CLASSIC

Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre and Wilkes University will again partner to host the George Ralston Golf Classic to benefit the Osterhout Free Library. The tournament will be held Friday, September 30th at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountain Top.  Registration begins at 9 AM with a shotgun start at 10 AM.

Funds raised from the Golf Classic benefit year-round children’s programs held at the Osterhout Library and its three branches throughout the city.

The cost is $100 per person which includes breakfast, 18 holes of golf, golf cart, cocktail hour and various individual and team prizes. There are many sponsorship opportunities available from $100 to $2,000.  To register to play, be a sponsor or donate a prize, contact Chris Kelly at the library at 570.823.0156 x 218 or ckelly@luzernelibraries.org.

The 32nd annual tournament is named after the late George Ralston, a proud Rotarian who is well-known for his 50 years spent at Wilkes College (now Wilkes University) as a teacher, dean of students and a football, basketball and baseball coach. As a beloved member of both communities, in 2014, the Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre and Wilkes University agreed to partner and cohost the tournament to honor Mr. Ralston’s memory.

The Honorary Chairperson for 2016 is Charles ‘Charlie’ Davis, Ph. D., Chancellor of Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Dr. Davis is retiring this year after 10 years at the campus and is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre.

Rotary photo_2016

PHOTO (left to right): Chris Kelly, Director of Development, Osterhout Free Library,
Jacki Lukas, Communications & Events Manager, Alumni Relations, Wilkes University,
Mary Simmons, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, Wilkes University,
Charles Davis, Ph.D., Golf Classic Honorary Chairperson and
Brian Whitman, President, Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre