There is a forest of possibilities at Ponoka’s Jubilee Library.
In addition to the usual assortment of fiction and non-fiction books, the library currently also has Christmas baking and copies of The Night Before Christmas with the library’s and the Town of Ponoka’s logos hidden within the pages.
Outside, in the lobby of the Ponoka Civic Building, is the Giving Forest.
Running for its second year, residents of Ponoka will be able to wander through the Christmas trees decorated by the volunteers from the Festival of Trees committee until Dec. 23, 2021.
The library is running the Giving Forest as a food-drive for the month of December, with the library accepting donations of non-perishable food items or cash for the Ponoka Food Bank.
“Cash can be left at the circulation desk,” said library manager Dan Galaway.
“The funds will be split between the library and the food bank.”
Elsewhere in the forest is a ‘heart tree.’
Community members are welcome to write a message on a heart to a loved one and place it on the tree.
Back in the library, the staff are approaching the end of their giveaways.
Partnering with Campus Alberta Central and Ponoka Adult Learning, the giveaways have included pine cone wreaths, swag from the partner agencies, and even hot chocolate.
The Ponoka Jubilee Library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Open until Dec. 23, the library will close for its winter break Dec. 24, 2021, and reopen to regular hours Jan. 5, 2022.