Library Corner: July 22, 2010  |  Last Week 

The Origin of 'Skid Row'

A couple of weeks ago someone asked me what the origin of the phrase "skid row" was. We know its current meaning to be a neighborhood or area that is down and out and impoverished. That's not how it started, though.

It is an American expression, and originally came from the lumber industry. When trees were felled, the timber was hauled, or skid, to the river along a grassy track known as a skidway. This became known as the "Skid Road."

In other areas, such as swamps and bogs, felled trees were made into a road and then other trees were hauled over them to get to the river. The road was a corduroy road where logs were skid and also became known as a "skid road." The term was in wide use during the 1800s, particularly in the Northwest. It wasn't long before taverns and brothels established a presence, since loggers had money to spend during their time off.

Logging occurred all summer, but the winter weather was too harsh for logging. Loggers and others employed in the industry hung around the skid road trying to find work or begged when they ran out of money. Some even took to sleeping in the streets when they had nothing left.

It wasn't long before "skid road" became a popular expression referring to any area that had cheap bar-rooms and seedy hotels patronized by vagrants and alcoholics. In the mid-20th century, the phrase became corrupted to "skid row" and has stayed that way ever since.

Summer Reading

Children are reading lots of books this summer for our Summer Reading Book Club. If your children aren't already signed up, bring them to the library and start reading today. Kids earn a prize for every 10 books they read, or are read to them if they are pre-readers. Tweens and teens earn a prize for reading five books over 200 pages. There's also non-fiction bingo and many other special weekly activities to enter. Full details are available on our website at www.hmloneonta.org or by calling us at 432-1980.

Picture books

'Smile!'

by Leigh Hodgkinson

Sunny is a very happy girl, but she has lost one of her favorite things: her smile. Who could believe that? Where is it? Is it under the bed? Did someone take it? Where could it be? Find out in "Smile!" by Leigh Hodgkinson.

'LMNO Peas'

by Keith Baker

"LMNO Peas" is one of the greatest ABC books you'll ever run across. Keith Baker introduces us to the alphabet peas. They are the busiest group of peas you'll ever want to meet.

Acrobats, builders, clowns, dancers and more fill the pages, and you'll enjoy their fast-paced journey through the alphabet. Don't be surprised if you linger over each double-page spread to see every little thing that's happening. And be sure to look for the ladybug every time you turn the page.

'Herbert' by Robyn Belton

Herbert was a small dog who lived by the sea and was deeply loved by his boy owner, Tim. One day, Tim's father and two friends were going on their boat to a cottage, and Herbert leaped onto the boat with them.

While at sea, a terrible storm swept in. Herbert was pulled overboard and no one noticed. Author Robyn Belton describes what happened over the next 36 hours and how Herbert was found. This book is based on a true story.

'My Father is Taller Than a Tree' by Joseph Bruchac

Fathers are great guys and a little boy lets readers know just how much he loves his dad in "My Father is Taller Than a Tree."

Author Joseph Bruchac sets his book in a rhyming meter and with soft illustrations. It is a book perfect for a quiet time.

'Wishy' by Nancy Poydar

Charlie has a pet goldfish and he is certain Wishy can learn. When his class visits the aquarium, he takes Wishy along in a plastic bag in his backpack.

The fish are so interesting and the class is so excited that Charlie loses track of his backpack. Where is it and where is Wishy? Author Nancy Poydar will keep you guessing right up to the end.