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August 2002 LIBRARY NEWS Library to RECEIVE A LARGE BEQUEST The West Vancouver Memorial Library is the recipient of a remarkably generous bequest which will total slightly over one million dollars from the estate of long-time resident Anna Patrick. Mrs. Patrick, who passed away in June of2001, has left the money to the Library in memory of her husband. Bill. This bequest is the largest in the Library *s 50-year history. Anna Patrick’s generosity will allow the Library to play an even greater role in the life of the community. The Library’s Long Range Plan is being reviewed. Con- sideration of the best use of the Patrick estate funds will be an important part of this review process. Also part of the process will be a needs assessment study over the next year whose purpose will be to ensure that the Library is meeting the needs of the entire community. The West Vancouver Memorial Library has always enjoyed very special support from its patrons. A significant portion of the costs for the new wing of the building completed in 1993 were donated by the community and every year, the community gives to the West Vancouver Memorial Library Foundation for special projects. It is support like this and the generosity of patrons like Anna Patrick that make this Library the special place it is. WEST VANCOUVER MEMORIAL LIBRARY 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC,V7V 1J8 Tel: (604) 925-7400 Library Hours: (604) 925-7401 Fax; (604) 925-5933 Website: www.westvanlib.org REFERENCE SERVICES Strayed by Hollywood’s popular culture, a younger generation may believe that St. Elmo s Fire is merely a 1985 movie about seven Georgetown University graduates coming of adulthood. In the movie, the fire refers to a bar named St. Elmo’s. But, to seafarers, St. Elmo’s Fire meant a gathering storm. The latter was originally named after Saint Erasmus* (based on a Syrian bishop known as Erasmus of Antioch, d. 303), the patron saint of Mediterranean sailors. The legend describes Erasmus (Elmo) preaching undeterred by a thunderbolt that struck close to him during a thunderstorm. However, another legend has St. Erasmus as a 4*-century Italian bishop who was rescued from drowning by a sailor, resulting in Erasmus promising forever to beacon a signal warning of approaching storms to sailors. Notwithstanding leg- endary departures, Elmo was subsequently designated the patron of sailors, who have grounds to fear the sudden onset of thunder- storms, with the windlass being chosen as the patron’s emblem. The Fire itself is the eerie bluish halo glow that sailors observe running along the surfaces and mastheads of their ships before an impending storm. This glow or “fire” serves as a warning of a storm’s approach; such a glow can also be seen on aircraft wings, church steeples, mountaintops, grass blades, etc. The electrical charge is harmless, producing little more than a tingling sensation. In times of Roman mythology, St. Elmo’s Fire was called Castor and Pollux, after Zeus’ twin sons. A single burst of glow was known as Helen, the twins’ sister. Castor and Pollux represented two lights foretell- ing the end of a storm, while “a Helen,” a single light, indicated the worst was yet to come. Some authorities regard “Elmo” to be a corruption of “Helen,” and 5/. Elmo’s Fire is sometimes referred to as St. Helen’s Fire. * The variant Elmo is said to be the Italian corruption of Erasmus. But the sources did not clarity the transition from one spelling to the other in a convincing way. Erasmus derives from the Greek eran, meaning “to love,” while Elmo is from the Italian elmo, meaning “helmut,” (the Germanic meaning being “protection”). St. Elmo is also thought to be variously modified from Sant Ermo, San Telmo, Sant Helmo and St. Anselmo. Sources: David Hugh Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints; Peter Kemp, The Oxford Companion to Ships & the Sea; James Randi, An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural; Robert Hendrickson, The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word Phrase Origins ADULT SERVICES IN THE GALLERY ... In celebration of West Vancouver’s Harmony Arts Festival, the Gallery at the Library is featuring a special group show for the month of August. Our exhibiting artists and their show titles are: Sueda Akkor - My Garden, Gina Charles - A Plateau, Joan Fraser - Line and Colour, Carolyn Hadfield - Gymnast Dancers, Mary Pifer - Tropicals, Claire Stewart - Along the Garden Path. The group show is summer - flowers, gardens, warm oceans, soft hued colours, and subtle lines, all displayed with a hint of whimsy and festivity. True to this theme the six exhibiting artists are working in their current chosen mediums - pastels, pencil sketches, pen and ink, and watercolours. The Gallery and the exhibiting artists will host a reception, Friday, August 2"** 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. We hope you will find the time to attend and extend us the opportu- nity to introduce you to The Gallery and the artists. AUTHOR VISIT *** VANCOUVER READS*** Author Visit ***WAYSON CHOY*** Here’s a special author event that we are very excited about! ...And we are inviting you to take part by reading Wayson Choy’s Jade Peony, chosen as the book for Vancouverites to read this year. Then join us on Friday evening, September 27“* for a gala author reading in The Gallery at the Library. This is a free event but registration will be required. Look for more details in the September issue of the Library News. August...bright and breezy days and the last few weeks of holiday are ideal for leisurely pursuits. We offer a few suggestions for family fun and recreation. The new gardening for wildlife: a guide for nature lovers by Bill Merilees. Make your garden a sanctuary for the bird and wildlife you prefer and discourage the unfnendly furry or feathered creatures you would rather not see.