|
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. |