I’ve been thinking about Mr. Rogers quite a bit lately.  He’s at the top of my all-time personal heroes list.  He wouldn’t consider himself one, though.

March happens to be his birthday month. He was born March 20, 1928. In honor of his life and legacy, we’ve made March 20, 2023, Good Neighbor Day here at the New Albany/Floyd County Library. There are lots of fun activities planned for all ages throughout the day.

Before I list all those great activities, I want to share with you what Mr. Rogers means to me. It’s a common story, I’m sure, for most of us who grew up with Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. One you may relate to yourself.

I remember my brother and I watching Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood every day on our local PBS channel, near Grand Rapids, MI. This was waaaaaay back in the 1970’s. Yes, I just dated myself!

I remember being drawn to his gentle and affirming approach. It resonated with me as a child. Especially, when my own household growing up was not so calm and affirming. Mr. Rogers told me, “You are special by just your being you”.

I was also fascinated with the Land of Make-Believe and remember that Mr. Rogers had little replicas of King Friday’s castle, Daniel Tiger’s clock, and X the Owl and Hnrietta  Pussy Cat’s treehouse. My favorite was the cute little trolley. I wanted to have toys like those replicas so I could play the “Land of Make-Believe”!

As an adult, Mr. Rogers’ work and words are even more meaningful to me. As I look at the conflict I see everywhere, here in our own community, in our own county, and around the world, the message Fred Rogers spent the better part of his life communicating is an important and vital one.

Compassion, kindness, acceptance of each others’ differences, helping each other, just being a good neighbor. Recognizing that everyone is essentially our neighbor.

The message that humanity will thrive only as we work together to build a better world that works for all of us. That we must learn to “steer the ship” together or we won’t survive the current “storms” we are facing globally, nationally, and in our communities. We are so interconnected with each other that we will sail together or sink together. It’s up to us to decide which it will be.

The good news is that every little action of kindness, compassion, generosity we do does make a difference. All those lovely acts of kindness and goodwill add up. They help create that more beautiful world we all desire to live in.

Where everyone is special just the way they are.  Just as Mr. Rogers told us over and over again.

As I said, March 20, 2023 is Good Neighbor Day at the New Albany/Floyd County Library. Here’s a list of the fun we have planned:

  • Crafts and stories all throughout the day in the Children’s Area
  • Make Your Own Puppet craft in both the Children’s and Teen areas at 3:00 pm
  • Madcap Puppet Show – When You Wish Upon a Fish – Upper Level 4:30 pm
  • Won’t You Be My Neighbor documentary with popcorn – Auditorium at 6:00 pm
  • Free bookmarks and book give away while supplies last!
  • Good Neighbor Kindness Challenge kick-off! Register on Beanstack! Pre-registration open on Monday, March 13. Challenge starts Mar 20 – ends Apr 23. Open to ages 0-18
  • Food Drive for the Library Food Pantry
  • Special book displays and Mr. Rogers trivia
  • Adult Book Discussion- The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King – Pick up a copy of the book at the Upper Circulation Desk starting March 1st at the New Albany Library and join us for the discussion on Monday, April 3 at 6:00 pm
  • Wear your favorite cardigan!

WOW!  Sounds like a super fun day! I can’t wait for it to get here, myself!

A day focused on how we can be a better neighbor to those we encounter each day.

A reminder of how our little acts of neighborly kindness add to up to a healthier community and ultimately a more  beautiful world.

A reminder that we are all special just as we are.

Just as Mr. Rogers told us over and over again.  Every day.  For decades.

 

Happy 95th Birthday, Mr. Rogers!