Rock 'n Read this Christmas holiday
Kurth Library News

Lufkin… You might see Santa "rocking and reading" during the holidays! Keep an eye out for five incredibly hand-painted rockers circulating throughout Lufkin during the Christmas season. It's part of Kurth Memorial Library's Rock N' Read Auction.

Carpets by Curiosity donated five rocking chairs to the Library Board. The Board asked area artists to use the chairs as their canvas. The rockers will be auctioned on Saturday, January 26 at the Library Board's Annual Gala. This year's Gala salutes the 1950s with a "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK" theme. Library Board Chairman Sally Alvis says, "It was just natural to auction rocking chairs in conjunction with the Gala. Combining rocking and reading not only promotes literacy but serves as a reminder that the Kurth Memorial Library exists to serve everyone in the community." During December and January volunteers will 'read' from the rockers as the chairs travel around town. The first stop on December 1st was the Texas Forestry Museum. Santa heard holiday wishes from his perch in "The Cat's Meow" - the Lufkin Panther chair painted by Lisa Haglund's Lufkin High School art students. Coston Elementary's Principal Pablo Torres, a TFM Board Member, had his "Reeling and Rocking" chair on display as well. Starting December 10, Woodland Heights will showcase three rockers including Torres' and two created by Debbie Alexander. The retired nurse and lifelong painter, created the Rockin' Diva and Rockin' Hunter motifs in honor of her young grandchildren. Rounding out the rockers is Texas, My Texas by St. Cyprian's art teacher Jeannie Lowery. Lowery says, "I found a real funky vintage looking chair cushion and used it as my 'jumping off ' point for the Texas chair. Creating the unexpected is what I love to do!" Lowery's chair will be on display during the holidays by the fireplace at Crown Colony Country Club.

All five chairs will be reunited in the Gallery of the Angelina Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, December 16. When the Angelina Arts Alliance presents "The Canadian Brass" to the community, the Library rockers will "rock and roll" along with the musicians. Arts Alliance Executive Director Rick Schiller adds, "Cross promoting other cultural and non profit entities makes sense. We are delighted Angelina College can be a 'temporary' stopping place for these traveling works of 'rockable' art."

Although the rockers will go on the auction block at the KML Gala on Saturday, January 26, sealed bids will be accepted. To place a sealed bid contact Margie Brody at 936-637-1444 or email her at jbrody@consolidated.net. Sealed bids must be received by 5p.m. Friday, January 25.

Tickets for the KML Rock Around the Clock Gala are $30 each for cocktails, dinner and dancing. Tickets, for the event that will be held at the Library, go on sale the day after Christmas at the Library or by calling Lynn Torres at 936.630.4257 or by emailing her at ltorres@lufkinisd.org