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Library Programs: More Than Just Books
Trivia: The first successful human organ transplant (with long-term survival) was performed in 1954 and involved which organ?
RetireHub
August 31, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Sunday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on library programs: more than just books, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
👜 20% OFF – TRIPPED Travel Gear Ultralight Compression Packing Cubes (7‑Piece Set, Green & Brown)
Maximize your luggage space with this lightweight, expandable compression cube set that helps you pack smarter. Whether you’re organizing clothes, electronics, or laundry, the combination of cubes and storage bags keeps everything neat, compact, and ready for your next escape.
🔥 35% OFF – Coleman Portable Propane Grill with Push-Button Ignition
Fire up flavor on the go with this matchless propane grill that’s perfect for tailgates, picnics, or patio nights. With adjustable temperature control and a spacious cooking surface, it’s rugged enough for the outdoors yet easy to use anywhere.
🥕 41% OFF – Electric Mini Food Processor & Chopper (2-Cup Capacity)
Make meal prep a breeze with this compact electric chopper, ideal for chopping veggies, grinding nuts, or whipping up salsa in seconds. Simple one-touch operation and easy-to-clean parts make it a kitchen helper you'll reach for again and again.
What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Sheila Lowe "Dynamite!" Publishers Weekly starred review When handwriting expert Claudia Rose is asked to authenticate a celebrity talent agent’s shocking suicide note, she doesn’t buy the story behind it. The deeper she digs, the more she uncovers about Lindsey Alexander. Friends turn into suspects, powerful enemies close ranks, and danger stalks her. |
On this day in 1886, a powerful earthquake—estimated at magnitude 7.0—struck Charleston, South Carolina. The tremor devastated the region, claiming the lives of at least 60 people and causing extensive structural damage, marking one of the most destructive natural disasters in the Southeastern United States at the time.
Library Programs: More Than Just Books
If the last time you visited the library was to check out a paperback or pay an overdue fine, it’s time for a second look. Today’s libraries have transformed into lively community hubs that offer far more than shelves of books. From art classes and film nights to tech help and health workshops, library programs are enriching lives in unexpected ways—often for free.
A Place to Learn, Share, and Connect
Modern libraries cater to curiosity at every stage of life. Want to learn watercolor painting? There’s a workshop for that. Curious about local history, financial planning, or how to trace your family tree? Libraries often host expert-led talks and interactive sessions that bring people together around shared interests. And yes, there are still book clubs—but many now meet in person and online, offering flexible ways to join the conversation.
Tech Help Without the Intimidation
Struggling with a new phone or curious about how to use Zoom? Many libraries offer “Tech Help Tuesdays” or one-on-one sessions with staff or volunteers who can walk you through everything from downloading apps to setting up a digital photo album. These programs are especially helpful for older adults navigating an increasingly digital world.
Entertainment Close to Home
Can’t make it to the movie theater? Check your library’s calendar. Many host free film screenings, concerts, storytelling nights, or even travel slide shows from globe-trotting neighbors. It’s entertainment with no lines, no tickets, and no parking hassles.
Health, Wellness, and Practical Support
Libraries are also stepping up as wellness partners. Look for free yoga or tai chi classes, hearing aid clinics, Medicare workshops, or drop-in sessions with social workers or community advocates. Some even offer seed libraries for gardening enthusiasts or lend out items like blood pressure monitors and home energy kits.
A Community Within Reach
The best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard, a student, or even an avid reader to belong. Library programs are designed for everyone—often shaped by what the community asks for. And with many offering virtual options, you can join from home if getting there is a challenge.
So if you haven’t visited your local library in a while, stop by or check their website. You might find it’s the most welcoming, enriching spot in town—no library card required (but it doesn’t hurt to have one!).
When’s the Last Time You Used Your Local Library? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: Have You Ever Recorded Your Own Music?
While a few adventurous folks have dabbled in home recording—or dream of doing so—an overwhelming 73% say they’re happy to stay behind the speakers and enjoy the music made by others. A small but mighty group has their own home setups, while others have captured a moment or two on their phones or during jam sessions. Whether you’re composing in your living room or just humming along, it’s clear that the love of music runs deep—even if the mic stays off.
TOP COMMENTS
“When I was much younger, I would play cassettes very lowly, so I could hear the music then I'd sing the songs to a cassette recorder. I wasn't bad if I do say so myself. :)”
“I did this a lot in my younger years. I actually recorded on to cassette tapes, off of 8 track tapes, in my uncle's car, because he had music I wanted but couldn't afford to buy.”
“That would be a hard no. I don't like listening to others either.”
Kindness Begins Within: Five Gentle Practices to Cultivate Self-Compassion
As we walk into our later years, nurturing ourselves with the same tender care we show others becomes both beautiful and necessary. This thoughtful guide introduces five daily self-compassion rituals designed to gently shift us from self-judgment to self-kindness:
Mindful Breathing with Gentle Mantras – A simple pause in your day: take a slow breath, and on the exhale softly say, “I am here” or “I deserve kindness,” creating a soothing habit of inner warmth.
The Self-Hug Ritual – When stress or doubt arises, wrap your arms around yourself for twenty comforting seconds. This small act releases oxytocin—sometimes called the “cuddle hormone”—and signals to your brain that you’re worthy of your own care.
Compassion Breaks – Set quiet reminders to pause several times a day. Ask yourself, “What am I feeling right now?” and respond with, “May I be kind to myself.” These micro-moments interrupt negative thought patterns and reinforce kindness over criticism.
Gratitude Mapping – Each evening, jot down three small things that brought you joy—a bird’s song, a friendly call, or a delicious cup of tea. This practice trains your mind to notice little moments of delight, guiding your heart to a gentler view of daily life.
Trusting the Journey – These simple rituals can slowly nurture a deeper relationship with yourself, turning a habitual inner critic into a kind companion—one breath, one hug, one note of gratitude at a time.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Joy jolt
Meaning: A sudden burst of happiness, delight, or emotional uplift—often sparked by something small but meaningful, like a favorite song, a surprise call from a loved one, or a warm cup of coffee in the sunshine.
In a sentence: “I got the sweetest card in the mail from my granddaughter today—what a joy jolt!”
Good News of the Day
Hope Takes Flight Again: Eight Rare Dove Chicks Hatch in Global Conservation Win
In a hopeful step for conservation, eight Socorro dove chicks have hatched at Chester Zoo—marking a major milestone for a species that has been extinct in the wild since the 1970s. Once native to Socorro Island off the coast of Mexico, these doves vanished due to habitat destruction and invasive predators.
With only around 200 left in zoos worldwide, every new chick is vital. These recent hatchlings are part of a carefully coordinated effort to preserve the species, with hopes of one day reintroducing them to their natural habitat.
Known for their quiet, pair-bonded lifestyle and surprisingly bold personalities, Socorro doves also have a unique parenting style: mothers raise the youngest while fathers care for older chicks. Conservationists see these birds not just as symbols of survival, but as a reminder of what’s possible when global cooperation meets patience and care.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
The first successful human organ transplant (with long-term survival) was performed in 1954 and involved which organ? |
Which country first issued polymer banknotes for circulation (a commemorative $10 in 1988)? |
Recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating degree-granting university, founded in 859, which institution is it? |
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- Jay
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