Wisconsin

It’s the Big Read – a statewide celebration of Money Smart Week just for kids. From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21, the Fond du Lac Public Library will feature stories and activities for children in kindergarten through third grade that focus on teaching kids how to be smart consumers.

Dannelle Gay was just your average mom with an active household in Madison. When the family decided they wanted a new house, Gay decided to get serious about saving money. Very serious.

Open Door Artists will present Figuratively Speaking, their fourth annual theme show, April 4 to May 2 in the Fond du Lac Public Library Langdon Divers Gallery.

Kids love to color and they love frozen custard, so this is a win-win. Kids ages 11 and younger can pick up a special coloring sheet at the Fond du Lac Public Library Children’s Desk throughout April. All they have to do is draw a picture about their favorite book, turn the picture in to the library and they get a coupon for a free scoop of custard. The coupon is redeemable at any neighborhood Culvers.

The free custard promotion is taking place in recognition of National Library Week, April 8-14. The library is holding a number of activities during the week and month.

You probably know that the Fond du Lac Public Library offers more than just books. You can borrow e-readers, audio books, DVDs, CDs and a lot more. But these options just scratch the surface of what’s to come at the public library of the future.

From 3D printers to tablet PCs, robotics to custom professional cake pans, the technology world is helping to transform 21st Century libraries into vibrant, creative community spaces, rich with opportunities to make, share and collaborate.

First there was 47. Then there were six. Then there were two. The 12th annual Fond du Lac Literacy Services Team Trivia 2012 drew a total of 47 teams of four players over two nights of tough questioning on March 6 and March 8 at Whispering Springs Golf Club.

On March 6, the winning team was the Schraufiderios: Jeanine Schraufnagel, Shawn Schraufnagel, Sarah Desiderio and Joe Desiderio. On March 8, the winners were The Operators: Anthony Strigenz, John Moen, Linda Englehardt and Tammi Flaherty.

Canada’s paper money comes in five different colors. The Euro is likewise a rainbow. Put the U.S. dollar up against other countries’ currencies, and it seems a bit drab.

I am very excited about the recently published novel One Hundred and One Nights by former Brandon resident Benjamin Buchholz. This is his first novel, although he already has published a book of poems and is the author of Private Soldiers, which tells of his deployment in Iraq with the Wisconsin National Guard.

It can be hard to toss a stack of papers you just might need or that snappy jacket waiting to come back in style. But clutter is the nemesis of the devoted spring cleaner.

Time to get organized. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, the Fond du Lac Public Library is offering, “Organizing Your Home, Mind and Spirit Through De-cluttering.”

It’s mad! The BookCellar’s Dial M for March sale March 10 through March 17 is offering hardcover books by authors whose last name begins with M for just 50 cents.