Thing 1 and Thing 2

Thing 1:
 
First the dead...
 
Monday I had the privilege of being a part of something special. Both the Coachella Library and the Coachella Library chapter of “Un Libro, Mil Mundos” participated in the first ever “Día de los Muertos” at the La Quinta Library. There were sugar skulls, candles, photos and of course, books! There was even pan de muertos, horchata and oh yes, altars! How could I forget the most important aspect of this celebration?
 
Four businesses participated (they hope to have more participation next year??), all lined along the glass wall of the La Quinta Library: my library, Coachella, its teen book club, the Gerald R. Ford Boys ‘n Girls Club of La Quinta and Millan Photography each did an altar in celebration of the life of an author who has died. Those represented this year were Omar S. Castaneda, Tomas Rivera, Dr. Seuss and Lewis Carroll respectfully.
 
All were beautiful!! Each had papel picado and a layered display with a white table cloth, showing a representation of who - and what - the author was when he was alive. The Mariachi Orgullo Azteca played a set of Mexican selections that had everyone clapping and cheering. There was a rendition of “Las Mañanitas” for those that had a birthday (which included our Miss Sandra) around the time of “Día”. A representative from the State Assembly handed out certificates of recognition to everyone who partook of this special event.
 
I must admit, in my family, we never celebrated Día de los Muertos.  Not that it’s a bad thing, but it just wasn’t our thinking to celebrate (with so many relatives, death is more a reality than celebration actually). But not to say I did not enjoy participating. From it, I now understand how one respects the dead for the people that they were and what they represented to the living. It gives a warm feeling to know that this special person was in your life and to honor their memory with fine thoughts and good food.
 
Yah, good thing number 1.
 
Thing 2:
 
Then the living...
 
COSPLAY!
 
We had a final GRAND celebration of one of the most beloved teen programs ever. Because the hours changed, we decided to hold our last teen program on our first 12 - 8 pm day, with full expectations that it would go out with a bang. And it did!
 
The teens gathered where they normally could not, wanting to show off their skills at dressing up like the real conventions do. We had over 22 teens and adults participate. Amongst them were the Mad Hatter, Alice, Jack Skellington, Roxas (Kingdom Hearts 2), a librarian from Bleach (me!), a pirate (Miss Veronica) and late comers Abby (from NCIS), Kim Pines (from “Scott Pilgrim vs the World) and the “Bee” Twins. We took action pose pictures (these will be available on our website later), had balloon animals with Cris Romero (she dressed like Pocahontas) and shared Oreo cookies afterwards.  
 
Our grand prize winner was Delton Mills, who sewed his costume BY HAND, as Roxas! He dethroned Miss Roxy, who after 3 years was our reining cosplay champ. Way to go, Del!  
 
A whole lot of fun was to be had and they enjoyed themselves immensely. 
 
So glad of that.  
 
~Miss Sue