Winter Sports @ your library

By Kevin Kocur, Reference Librarian

November 29, 2006

“They’re predicting eighty mph winds today,” a co-worker just told me.  That is enough to make this Ohio native cringe.  Oh, I have seen my share of bad winters, but I have yet to experience one in the west. 

Fortunately, the Casper area offers many winter activities that can make the season enjoyable despite the wind and cold.  Your Natrona County Public Library has a wide variety of resources that complement the winter activities that our community offers. 

If your winter plans include heading to Hogadon to do some skiing, Casper Mountain for snowmobiling, the Rec. Center to play hockey, or Lake Alcova for ice fishing, stop by the library first to make your adventure more enjoyable.  Here are some great titles to help you enjoy your favorite winter sport: 

“Cross-Country Skiing” by Ned Gillette is a classic that explains how to get started, getting the kids involved, mastering turns, and developing a racing strategy. 

If you are going out of town for the holidays, you may be able to bring your skis with you.  Clive Hobson’s “Skiing USA” gives detailed descriptions of where to go for snowboarding, downhill and cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in each state.  The book also includes descriptions of other local attractions, and even favorite restaurants to visit while you’re enjoying the winter.

Brian Daccord’s “Hockey Goaltending” is a guide for protecting the posts.  He concludes by helping the reader get in the mindset for an overtime shootout.  He also gives a program for setting short and long-term goals for an emerging hockey star.  

“Curling for Dummies” covers the basics of the popular Olympic sport.  Adults and children alike will enjoy learning about the game often called “chess on ice,” for the level of precision and strategic thinking required to win.

For more fun on the ice check out Utah native Jim Zumbo’s “Icefishing: East and West.” This classic book covers everything from the appropriate lures to staying comfortable while you are out on the lake.   

If you need a good fireside read, “Figure Skating: A History” by James R. Hines is the most comprehensive look at the sport.  From its birthplace in England to Tanya Harding and beyond, this book covers it all. 

The children’s department has additional selections for youngsters interested in winter activities, including books on snowboarding, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. 

If it gets too cold or windy for your outdoor activities, take a Sunday out of the weather with NCPL’s “Holiday Family Flicks.”  Warm up with hot cocoa, cookies, and fun holiday films at 1:00pm on the three Sundays before Christmas. Adults can enjoy another indoor day making their own greeting cards on December 2nd .  There are many events for teens and children as well, including movie days and activities to keep students occupied during winter break.

We hope you will enjoy the many resources at your library, as well as the fun sports and activities the winter months have to offer.  For further information, please contact the library at 237-4935 x120 or check out our events calendar at www.natronacountylibrary.org . 

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