Participants sample a wide variety of skills and knowledge
by Jennifer Yos
LANSING, Ill. (September 16, 2018) – The Lansing Public Library hosted their very first How-To Festival on Saturday, September 15. Several local presenters shared their expertise and passions in a well-organized rotation of mini how-to lessons within the library rooms and spaces. Festival attendees learned a variety of skills and fun facts throughout the morning and early afternoon, as shown in the photos below.Hygge (pronounced /hue-guh/) is a Danish and Norwegian word connoting cozy contentment in a simplified way of life. Practicing hygge means focusing on feelings, perhaps through journaling; appreciating the comfortable and sensory experiences of life; living in the moment with less focus on material things and more focus on belonging and making a difference. The photo above shows presenter Marija Stancov’s attractive display of hygge comfort, such as leg warmers, a soft covered journal, scented candles, warm food and drink, etc. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Model hobbiest Steven Czerniak explains how creating wet palettes keeps paints usable for longer periods of time, thereby saving the painter money on expensive model paints. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Ukulele enthusiast Karen Adams teaches her students the first of four chords that, once mastered, will lead to their ability to play over a hundred songs. The ukulele, she explains, was originally a Portuguese instrument that was brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Although a variety of crepe batter recipes are available, presenter Marija Stancov points out, a very important step is sometimes missing from the recipes—letting the batter rest for at least 30 minutes after mixing it. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Illustrator and Concept Artist Manuel Cord-Cruz demonstrates his illustration skills using the software ProCreate® for Apple. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Laura Betancourt, a representative for Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness, explains how to take advantage of the health care assistance they provide, including sliding scale medical and dental insurance and free pap smears, mammograms, and birth control for women. Aunt Martha’s can be reached at 708-747-7444 or www.auntmarthas.org. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Dress SMART presenter Rosalee Lester demonstrates the versatility of a neck scarf, which she twists and turns into a decorative rosette for volunteer Patrice. Lester also turns various scarves into belts, jackets, shawls, and headbands. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Ramona Baptiste shares her talent at making No-Sew Blankets. She prefers using fleece that stretches, and combining patterns with solids to create attractive blankets. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Self-taught hair braider Martha Montiel demonstrates her artistry on her daughter’s hair. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Montiel brought a picture board of the various braids she learned by watching YouTube videos, practicing, and adding her own creativity. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)The Rule of Thirds in photography, explains presenter Dan Cuthbert, is placing the focal point in either the right-hand or left-hand third of the picture frame to create interest or a sense of movement. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Cuthbert also suggests thinking outside the box when taking a photo. On the left is his creative shot of Lansing’s Clock Tower, which he snapped standing below, at the base, and pointing his cellphone camera lens upwards at the underside of the clock. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Presenter Loraine Tiedemann demonstrates how to make a Monster Bookmark—just in time for Halloween! (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Presenter Tomara (Oney) Pollard demonstrates how to make miniature books to be used in dollhouses and shadowboxes, or as jewelry, to name just a few ideas. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Kelly Dienes proudly shares the start of her miniature Cat in the Hat book. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Retired art teacher Paul Orich (left) teaches Jami Thompson and Asuri Akbar how to build miniature 3D Lansing houses using cardboard and colored paper. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)A miniature neighborhood begins to take shape. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Presenter Jami Thompson (right) teaches Keanue and Asuri Akbar how to make paper bead jewelry. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Keanue Akbar shows off the beads she has learned how to make. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)Renae Fentress, owner of Troost Coffee &Tea, explains the distinctions between coffee beans and their origins, brewing techniques, and coffee menu choices. What’s the difference between a latte and a cappuccino? The latte combines espresso and steamed milk with a little more milk than espresso and with a very little foam on top; the cappuccino has 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 foam. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)How-To Festival attendees were treated to complimentary Troost coffee and cookies. (Photo: Jennifer Yos)
Library Director Debbie Albrecht was so pleased with the guest speakers and their presentations that she is already planning a second How-To Festival for Saturday, February 9, 2019. “It will be the weekend after Super Bowl Sunday,” she emphasizes, “in the winter when everyone will be asking, ‘Now what can we do?’”
All classes are free of charge to attendees, and no registration is necessary.
Jennifer Yos grew up on Walter Street in Lansing with nine siblings. She attended St. Ann’s School and T.F. South, and she earned a BA in the Teaching of English from the University of Illinois, Chicago, and a MS in Education: Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Francis, Joliet. For 34 years she taught English, as well as Creative Writing and Drama, at Lincoln-Way High School. She dabbled in freelance journalism for the Joliet Herald News Living section. Now retired, Jennifer appreciates the opportunity to write for The Lansing Journal and is uplifted by the variety of positive people she has already met who are making a difference in Lansing.
Looks like there were lots of options — looking forward to February!!
Interesting variety of topics; looking forward to what will be offered in February, 2019.
Do you have a skill, hobby, or information to share? Be a presenter at the 2019 How-To Festival! Sign-up now!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/howto2019