Birmingham Public Library Blog

It isn't surprising that Birmingham's metropolitan area is number 3 in the amount of charitable giving since Birmingham has a rich history of generosity.

As an example of that generosity, one of my favorite heroines, Roberta Morgan, was a woman who contributed greatly to Birmingham's charity community in the early twentieth century. She worked with the local and national Red Cross, helped establish Birmingham's Community Chest (United Way), and was involved in several social work projects during the Great Depression. In 1928, Morgan took part in the Birmingham Association of Social Workers Confidential Exchange. This group set up a Christmas Exchange Committee to coordinate several organizational groups efforts to provide Christmas presents for those who had no means to have a Christmas otherwise.

A brochure detailing Christmas needs in 1928 is available to view as part of the library's online digital collection. Take a look at the coordination and detail put tog…

Warm Up America is an organization that pairs America’s knitters and crocheters with people who need warm blankets or accessories during the cold months of the year.

The Coffee, Conversation and Crafts group at the Springville Road Library will be working together to crochet and knit caps, afghans, scarves, etc., for local charities to pass along to people in need.

We’ll begin by stitching 7” x 9” blocks, which we’ll then join to form complete afghans. There will be written patterns available, as well as instructions and templates. If you already crochet or knit, please join us! If you don’t know how, but would like to learn, we invite you to come and we’ll teach you. Hands on instruction will be provided free, as well as yarn, crochet hooks, and needles. If you have your own scraps and notions, you are welcome to bring them along, too. It’s a great way to use up scraps of yarn left over from previous projects, and making the blocks is excellent practice for the beginning …

Christmas With the Washingtons:
Being a Special Account of Traditional Rites Observed in Virginia . . .
Olive Bailey, with drawings by Worth Bailey

Not many modern readers would associate George Washington with Christmas. If we think of Washington in winter, we’re more likely to remember the painting of the General praying in the snow at Valley Forge. But Olive Bailey’s delightful Christmas with the Washingtons gives us a look at the Christmas season of the late 18th century in America and how it would have been celebrated by the upper classes at such manors as Belvoir, Westover, and—of course—Mount Vernon.

Far from limiting herself to Washington the President and Founding Father, Bailey starts with young George and tracks him through various Christmases, explaining as much as the historical record allows of where and how he spent them. As a young man in 1751, Washington was on the deck of the ship Industry in the seas around the Barbadoes and his Christmas dinner consisted of “Irish…

Food Network Star finalist Martie Duncan, Arden Photography, and Chanda Temple will sign copies of the new Birmingham's Best Bites cookbook during a wine and cheese tasting event at Primeaux Cheese & Vino at the Summit on Monday, December 22, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Primeaux is located next to Pottery Barn Kids.

Duncan says Monday's event is not only a good time to get a copy of the book, but to also learn about which wine and cheese pairings are ideal for those last-minute holiday gatherings. Paul and Deborah Primeaux, owners of the Primeaux and Dixie Fish Co., said they are excited about the book, Monday's event and supporting the library. Book proceeds benefit the library.

"We really are proud to be a part of the Birmingham restaurant community and anything that can do to bring attention to the quality of food purveyors in the city,'' says Paul Primeaux. "I think any great city has to have a great library.''

The book, which is a Birmingham P…

As you read the title of this blog post, you may have exclaimed, “What does Birmingham have to do with the song, 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' and Judy Garland?” This song made its debut in the 1944 classic musical, Meet Me in St. Louis, which starred Judy Garland and contained several songs written by Birmingham native, Hugh Martin. The song, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", went on to become a hit and a Christmas favorite. What you might not know is that the lyrics were changed as Judy Garland deemed them too sad.


The original lyrics were: 
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last, 
Next year we may all be living in the past. 
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, pop that champagne cork, 
Next year we will all be living in New York. 
No good times like the olden days, happen golden days of yore, 
Faithful friends who were dear to us, will be near to us no more." 

After a lot of convincing and realizing it was probably…

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge (also known as the Battle of the Ardennes). Fought December 16, 1944-January 16, 1945, this was the last significant German assault against the Allies in World War II.

Hitler’s plan had two objectives: to capture the port city of Antwerp, Belgium, and in doing so split in half General Dwight Eisenhower’s forces; and to destroy four Allied armies located between Bastogne, Brussels, and Antwerp.

Early in the morning of December 16, 1944, the Germans surprised the Allies in the fog, cold, and snow along a 75-mile front in the Ardennes Forest. The surge of German forces created the “bulge” in the front line as the three Allied divisions positioned there pulled back.

From December 17-22, the allies held back the Germans while reinforcements arrived. December 23 brought good weather, and the Allies began attacking by air. Some American troops were surrounded in the city of Bastogne until December 26 when it was relieved b…

The countdown continues—only a few more days until the jolly man in red comes around. But guests will be popping in your home many times before the big day. (By guests I mean the human kind, not those spunky jingle-bell elves.). Does your home say “HoHoHo” or “Bah, Humbug”?
No one wants to be a Scrooge around the holidays. Check out these featured items in the Arts, Literature, & Sports Department so your home and everyone in it will be feeling the festivities.


ENTERTAINING & DECOR Christmas with Southern Living 2012 Have Yourself A Very Vintage Christmas: Crafts, Decorating Tips,and Recipes, 1920s-1960s  Holiday Theme Parties: Entertaining Ideas, Decorating, and Recipes for Nine Unique Parties Christmas with Mary Engelbreit: Here Comes Santa Claus Christmas Trees: Fun and Festive Ideas The Farm Chicks Christmas
GIFTING & CRAFTS Deck the Halls: Christmas Notecards, Labels, Ornaments, and OtherFestive & Fun Projects The Gift Wrapping Book: Over 150 Ideas forAll Occasions Holiday Cr…