Portraits of Service is a moving, emotional book by local author Robert H. Miller.  It is also an award-winning record of the stories and faces of veterans of many different wars.  In 2012, it was awarded the Outstanding Book of the Year.  Miller is currently traveling the country and the world as his book is creating a stir worldwide.  Join us to celebrate our local veterans (some of whom are included in the book) on November 15 at 7:00 PM in the library's Community Room.  Bring your American pride and a hanky. 

According to the NOAA National Climatic Data Center's State of the Climate: National Overview June 2012 Report the last 12 months have been the warmest on record for the mainland United States. Although alarming, this does not come as a surprise to most people with the extremely high temperatures experienced over the last several weeks. But what is going on? To help you understand this crazy weather, you may want to check out CPL resources on climate change and in particular:

Waking the giant: how a changing climate triggers earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes by Bill McGuire

Actor Andrew Samuel 'Andy' Griffith (June 1, 1926-July 3, 2012) died today at his Dare County, North Carolina home. Most fans will remember him as television icon, Sheriff Andy Taylor in The Andy Griffith Show or lawyer Ben Matlock in Matlock. Before television, though, there were screen performances such as his chilling performance in A Face in the Crowd as malevolent drifter 'Lonesome' Rhodes, a country singer who rises to fame as a television performer/singer. In 1997, Griffith won a Grammy for Best Southern Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Album, and in 2007 was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Turner Classic Movies will feature Andy Griffith films throughout Wednesday, July 18.

Leo Dillon, award-winning illustrator, has passed away at the age of 79. Working in collaboration with his wife Diane, Dillon illustrated numerous picture books for children, including the Caldecott Medal winners Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People's Ears and Ashanti To Zulu: African Traditions. The Dillons also created illustrations for the Madeleine L'Engle novels A Wrinkle In Time and A Swiftly Tilting Planet.

Leo and Diane Dillon were also famous for their cover artwork for adult science fiction novels, winning the Hugo Award in 1971 for Best Professional Artist.

Maurice Sendak, children's book author and illustrator, has passed away at the age of 83. Best known for his Caldecott Medal-winning book Where The Wild Things Are, which was also adapted into a major motion picture in 2009, Sendak wrote and illustrated many other well-known books in his 60-year career, including Outside Over There and In The Night Kitchen.

May is Older Americans Month and this year's theme is Never Too Old to Play. Canton Public Library offers several opportunities to play in May. On Thursday, May 3 view the new documentary Honor Flight Michigan. Travel with a group of Michigan's World War II veterans to Washington, DC, visit the National World War II Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and catch up with old war buddies. The Canton Seniors Book Group meets on Wednesday, May 23 to discuss the 2012 Everyone's Reading selection, Lethal by Sandra Brown and on Thursday, May 24 sing along with former New Christy Minstrels member, Jackie Davidson and her partner, Gary Brandt as they sing the good old songs again.

American icon Dick Clark died Wednesday from a massive heart attack.  Nicknamed "America's oldest teenager", Clark was best known for hosting American Bandstand. His successful production company was responsible for many other famous television shows like $25,000 Pyramid and TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes. Dick Clark was the most famous host of the annual New Year's Rockin Eve program with millions tuning in each December 31st to watch him ring in the new year.

On Friday, August 19th, 2011, while vacationing in Martha's Vineyard President Obama and his daughters made an impromptu stop at the island bookstore. Of the books purchased by the president were two new books: The Bayou Trilogy by Daniel Woodrell and:

Rodin's debutante: a novel by Ward Just

The President also brought along three other books with him:

Cutting for stone : a novel by Abraham Verghese

To the end of the land by David Grossman ; translated from the Hebrew by Jessica Cohen

The warmth of other suns : the epic story of America's great migration by Isabel Wilkerson

Author J.K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame just penned a deal with Little, Brown publishing house to pen her first adult novel. The title, release date and details about the novel were not released. Rowling is quoted as saying, "Although I've enjoyed writing it every bit as much, my next book will be very different to the Harry Potter series." We'll all be on pins and needles until we get our hands on Rowling's newest book.

Veteran Irish actor David Kelly has passed away at the age of 82. Kelly was a familiar face in British television, as well as on the Irish stage. American audiences would most likely recognize him as Grandpa Joe in Tim Burton's adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or from his role in the Irish comedy Waking Ned Devine. For more films featuring David Kelly try one of these from the library's collection:

Greenfingers [videodisc]

Into the West [videodisc]

The Italian job [videodisc]

Stardust [videodisc]