Kent Library’s 1st Annual Battle of the Bands

“Event Horizon” won the Kent Public Library’s first annual Battle of the Bands held on Saturday, July 10. Eight local high school and college bands competed for the title of best band and a $300 gift certificate.

“Event Horizon” is a progressive rock band from Mahopac. Band members Craig Podell (bass), John Clark (vocals, guitar), Parke O’Leary (drums), Dave Santini (vocals, guitar), and Mario Polito (guitar) were thrilled with the win. Competing bands included, “Adrenaline Rush,” “The Parthenon,” “Megazord Theory,” “Pray for Dawn,” “Ascendancy,” “Event Horizon,” “Kid Jerusalem” and “To Know Avail.”

Over 200 people attended the Battle and enjoyed a day of great music. Children’s Librarian Gina Loprinzo said the day “was a major success and met the events goal of bringing teenagers into the Library. The music was great and all the bands did a fantastic job.”

When the plan was first hatched to conduct a Battle of the Bands; Gina, Library Director, Frank Rees and Assistant Director, Katie Ventura reached out to the community for sponsors and support. Donations came in many different avenues, The Town of Kent supplied the location and electicity, Cartwright & Daughters Tent & Party Rentals supplied the tent and the Friends of the Kent Public Library provided refreshments. All in all creating a successful event and day that was enjoyed by everyone who attended.

When asked about plans for future battles Frank Rees commented "With this much success and community support The Kent Public Library Battle of the Bands is going to become an annual event".

Butterfield Library Brews A Partnership

Last year, The Butterfield Library in Cold Spring, NY decided to offer coffee as one of the services to their patrons. As the idea caught on and word began to spread throughout the small community, local shopkeeper Cecilia Dinio-Durkin made a suggestion. As the owner of Women’s Work, a store featuring Fair Trade products, Dinio-Durkin sells coffee from Equal Exchange, a worker-owned co-operative that trades directly with democratically organized small farmer co-operatives around the world. She gave the Library the contact information for the company with the idea that if the Library decides to serve the coffee, they could have a sign directing patrons to her shop to purchase the coffee for themselves. She, in turn, would direct shoppers who possibly wanted to sample before purchasing to the Library in the hope that they might also become Library patrons.

After researching and comparing costs, the Library staff decided to use Equal Exchange--especially after they threw in bio-degradable cups at no additional cost.
Today, the Library is filled with the aroma of “Love Buzz,” a robust organic blend that is loved by staff and patrons alike. Dinio-Durkin reports that a number of people have come to her shop to buy the coffee after drinking it at the Library.

All together, this community connection has benefits that are far reaching; from the environment to small communities and farmers around the world. But most importantly, the local business, Women's Work and the Butterfield Memorial Library have created a setting and partnership that the entire community of Cold Spring is able to enjoy.

Click here for more information about Fair Trade Products & Equal Exchange