‘Lombardi’ book borrowed in 1973 is returned to Titusville library

TITUSVILLE — An overdue library book recently returned to Titusville’s Benson Memorial Library isn’t being offered for loan again.It’s on display instead in the office of the library at 213 N. Franklin St.”Lombardi: Winning is the Only Thing” was last checked out in 1973 and was due to be returned on July 26 of that year. Instead it was returned this fall, 51 years later, along with a donation to cover the fine — if there was one — plus interest.”It was a huge surprise,” said library Executive Director Jessica Hilburn, who was not working when the reader brought the book and donation to the library. “The staff texted me to let me know. We were all floored by it.”The long-ago Benson Library patron no longer lives in the area but stopped in during a visit several weeks ago, Hilburn said.”Out of the goodness of his heart, he brought the book back after he found it while going through some things,” she said.The library is not releasing the man’s name or the amount of his donation, to protect his privacy, Hilburn said. In a similar case, a book checked out in May 1973 from the Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts was returned this summer. That book would have cost the borrower almost $2,000 if that library still collected fines, according to CNN.Benson Memorial Library did share news of the “Lombardi” return on Facebook, describing it as “a wonderful delight we never could have anticipated and a story we’ll remember forever.”It “brought us so much joy,” Hilburn said.How much are Benson Memorial Library overdue book fines?The borrower could simply have discarded the book and ignored the fine. The statute of limitations on the return, if one existed, would have been long past. And in fact Benson Memorial Library, along with the entire Crawford County Federated Library System, has not been charging fines for overdue books since 2021.The donation given with the book, like any donation, will help the library pay operating costs, including buying materials and subscriptions, Hilburn said.The man’s kindness may do more in boosting and promoting the library.”It’s been so nice to share his love of the library,” Hilburn said. “Even 51 years after he last checked out his last book, he still remembers the library and appreciates the services we provide.””Lombardi: Winning is the Only Thing,” edited by Jerry Kramer, is about football coaching great Vince Lombardi.In Erie County:Blasco receives nearly $1 million state grant for children’s libraryContact Valerie Myers at [email protected].

5 Must-Read Books Of 2024 – 2025

Books have an unmatched ability to inspire, entertain, and broaden our horizons, and every year brings new gems to the literary world. As we step into 2024 and look ahead to 2025, the publishing world has gifted us a wealth of compelling stories, insightful non-fiction, and groundbreaking ideas. From tales of resilience to cutting-edge explorations of modern issues, these books have already captured readers’ hearts and minds. In this article, we’ll dive into the top five must-read books of 2024-2025 – each a masterpiece in its own right, offering something unique for every reader to cherish and enjoy.

1. Hidden Agendas

Mumbai, India — In an era where the Indian film industry has been searching for high-quality, original Indian narratives, celebrated authors Ajit Menon and Anil Verma have stepped in with a bold solution. Introducing True Vision Stories, a six-volume anthology series uniquely crafted to be “shoot-ready,” each volume offers authentic, cinematic stories that capture Indian life, culture, and true events. With each story visualized to evoke a film-like experience on the page, the series promises a fresh, Indigenous content pipeline for Indian cinema.

Both Ajit Menon ranked among India’s top 10 inspiring writers, and Anil Verma, a renowned lyricist and storyteller, bring a wealth of experience and creative vision to this venture. Their commitment to India’s cinematic landscape is clear: with each volume focusing on a distinct genre, the series will release one volume per year, ensuring a steady stream of new, adaptable screenplays for the industry. The first release, Hidden Agendas, delves into the thriller genre with four gripping stories inspired by real-life events. Menon and Verma envision True Vision Stories as a cultural resource, set to provide the film industry with 24 unique storylines over six years. “These stories are crafted not only to be engaging reads but to offer visual storytelling that brings every page to life. Readers, and especially filmmakers, will feel like they’re watching a movie unfold,” says Ajit Menon. Anil Verma adds, “We aim to create high-quality, film-ready content that speaks to Indian audiences and reflects the realities and vibrancy of our culture.”

The Indian film industry, with True Vision Stories, now has a powerful ally in its journey toward world-class, homegrown storytelling.

Check out the book: Hidden Agendas: A True Vision Novel | Inspired by Real-Life Incidents of Crime and Murder https://amzn.in/d/0EI9Rz3

2. Beethoven’s Last Symphony

Oblivious to the impending coronavirus pandemic, it is business as usual for the inhabitants of the Malay peninsula amidst the hustle and bustle of Chinese New Year preparations. On hearing about her aunt’s sickness, Zoey is confronted with the absurdity of human finitude, and she spirals into angst. Respite appears in the form of an incomplete though long-neglected manuscript presumably authored by her great-grandfather. Intrigued by its existential theme and keen on exploring the human condition, angst-ridden Zoey plunges into a journey of love, loss and resilience dating back to the Neolithic Era. Zoey’s poignant quest for meaning culminates with a soul-stirring epiphany and an astounding discovery about her family’s past. Read this book by Sudanand.

Check out the book: Beethoven’s Last Symphony https://amzn.in/d/gbYkHCt

3. Lucky’s Life Book

‘Lucky’s Life Book’ by Lucky is a profound exploration of life’s trials and triumphs. Like relentless waves crashing against rocks, life’s experiences shape us, eroding some parts while moulding others. Each challenge leaves its mark, robbing us of certain comforts but gifting us wisdom and transformation in return. The book emphasizes embracing life’s lessons with resilience and faith, staying open to miracles and God’s mysterious ways. Lucky shares how enduring pain and facing challenges head-on can provide a mental edge, empowering us to overcome adversity. The narrative is a testament to human strength and the power of hope. As long as we breathe, we have the chance to rewrite our stories, transform our circumstances, and recreate our lives. Lucky’s Life Book inspires readers to see every struggle as an opportunity for growth, reminding us that miracles happen when we persevere with courage and an open heart.

Check out the book: https://amzn.in/d/iz50YbR

4. I Wish Someone Told Me This Before My First Job

‘I Wish Someone Told Me This Before My First Job’ by Sushant Rajput is a comprehensive guidebook for navigating the corporate world, focusing on essential professional skills often overlooked in traditional education. Drawing on real-life examples and anecdotes, it equips management students and beginners across industries with the tools to succeed in interviews, presentations, and throughout their careers. From mastering communication and leadership to building resilience and networking effectively, this book serves as a practical roadmap for thriving in the corporate environment. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to bolster their skill set beyond their academic qualifications.

5. Butterflies In My Mind

‘Butterflies In My Mind’ is a radiant tapestry of poetry, gracefully unravelling the intricate dance of emotions and mental health. With ethereal elegance, these poems capture the fleeting beauty of joy and the profound depths of sorrow, illuminating the complex contours of the human spirit. Each verse is a meditation on love, loss, healing, and hope, offering a sanctuary of solace for those navigating their inner landscapes. The delicate flutter of a butterfly’s wings – a metaphor for the fragile yet potent nature of our thoughts – echoes throughout, embodying a dance of vulnerability and strength. In this exquisite haven of reflection, Butterflies In My Mind murmurs the timeless truths of our shared humanity, casting light on the path to inner peace and profound understanding. It is a refuge where the soul finds solace in the gentle cadence of poetry, and the mind can embrace the quiet power of resilience.

 

 

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lt’s sponsored feature, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)

I Was a Washington Monthly Whippersnapper

In August 2023, I was stressed. I had graduated from college in New England in June and moved to Washington, D.C., a week later for a summer internship at Politico with their magazine team. In a leap of faith, I had signed a one-year lease on a rowhouse with a couple of buddies, far from my home in Los Angeles.

I had a folder of Chrome bookmarks labeled “Jobs” containing the career page for every publication where I wanted to work. I’d log on daily and peruse mostly blank pages or jobs for mid-career journalists. Due mainly to Big Tech’s monopolization of ad revenue (which Phil Longman has written about in the Washington Monthly), the print-media industry is famously declining, as is pretty much all written-word media, and the job market for young up-and-comers is brutal as a result.

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But I found another internship soon after, this time at the Washington Monthly, funded not by trying to squeeze every penny out of a monopolized online advertising industry but by generous donors like you.

I was sold on the Monthly’s compelling, original journalism that combined deep reporting with productive solutions. The prose was snappy, sharp, and smart, the kind that you look forward to reading, not the kind where you look forward to having read it. I was also sold on their illustrious list of alums. The intern alumni include Ezra Klein of The New York Times, Isaac Chotiner of The New Yorker, John Harris, the co-founder and Global Editor-in-Chief of Politico, not to mention Paul Glastris, the Monthly’s editor-in-chief, and Matthew Cooper, its executive editor–digital.

I started by fact-checking, like all magazine interns (at least at the ones that still have internships). But quickly, I was assigned two stories to report and write. The first was about the unlikely event that a presidential candidate drops out (or is forced to drop out) after the primaries. The second was about the vicious fight between ultra-MAGA state legislators and their medium-MAGA colleagues, who were choosing to fight mostly about their allegiance to Donald Trump and less about the new policy ideas the populist wing of the GOP wanted to bring in.

The first piece turned out to be more prophecy than contingency. The second previewed the intra-MAGA squabbling that could be the second Trump presidency’s hallmark, unless all Republicans bend the knee. Similar to some state legislators, Representative Matt Gaetz, I noted, spends far too much of his time fighting Trump’s battles (and perhaps breaking the law) when he ought to spend more time on his policy ideas that are uncommon in the Republican Party, like his distaste for omnibus budget bills that obstruct the workings of government. Gaetz is also a staunch anti-monopolist who calls himself a Khanservative (because of his alignment with Lina Khan, who wrote early important pieces on antitrust for the Monthly as a young lawyer before her fame as the Federal Trade Commission chair.). Now, Gaetz is Trump’s pick for Attorney General, and the ultra-MAGA vs. medium-MAGA feud has boiled over into the Republican-run Senate over confirming him.

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I had gone from admiring the Monthly’s prescient ideas to doing my small part to keep the tradition going.

While I was working on that piece, Charlie Peters, the founder of the Washington Monthly, died at age 96.

Monthly alumni called in from their esteemed perches—The Atlantic, The New York Times, The New Yorker—to tell us (and write for us about) how much the John F. Kennedy appointee and the magazine’s long-time editor had meant to them. At his memorial, I met alums of the Monthly who were accomplished in journalism and had the Monthly to thank for helping them get their start. I was in a room full of role models, and we had this magazine in common.

In January, I was promoted to associate editor. Over the past year, with the help of terrific colleagues, I’ve written pieces on the scandal of overpriced master’s degrees, which rely on government inaction to scam thousands. I’ve learned how to commission, edit, and write stories in that classic Monthly style—how to find ideas where nobody else is looking, anchor the story in deep, interesting reporting, and look towards solutions that can make our country better.

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None of this would be possible without the generous support of Washington Monthly donors like you. The media has dramatically changed since 1969, and the pipeline for young journalists has shrunk tremendously. But the Monthly is still kicking and screaming, picking up young whippersnappers who can aid in the same mission we’ve always had.

I’m proud to be one of those young whippersnappers, and if you want our lineage to continue, we hope you’ll consider donating to the Monthly today. Please do it now. A $50 donation gets you a free subscription to the print magazine and ensures that we can continue being a beacon of ideas no matter how dark the world seems.

Scientists may have cracked puzzle of what came first: chicken or egg

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreA fossilised prehistoric organism discovered in 2017 has led scientists to conclude that eggs emerged long before the first animals evolved, implying that they came before chicken.Chromosphaera perkinsii, a unicellular organism found in Hawaii, first appeared at least one billion years ago and underwent cell division to produce what resembled a precursor to eggs.Scientists from the University of Geneva found that this organism formed multicellular structures bearing striking similarities to animal embryos.The findings, published in the journal Nature, indicate that eggs existed long before the appearance of the first animals. “Though Chromosphaera perkinsii is a unicellular species, this behaviour shows that multicellular coordination and differentiation processes are already present in the species, well before the first animals appeared on Earth,” study lead author Omaya Dudin said.Multicellular development of Chromosphaera perkinsii

Scientists may have cracked puzzle of what came first: chicken or egg

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreA fossilised prehistoric organism discovered in 2017 has led scientists to conclude that eggs emerged long before the first animals evolved, implying that they came before chicken.Chromosphaera perkinsii, a unicellular organism found in Hawaii, first appeared at least one billion years ago and underwent cell division to produce what resembled a precursor to eggs.Scientists from the University of Geneva found that this organism formed multicellular structures bearing striking similarities to animal embryos.The findings, published in the journal Nature, indicate that eggs existed long before the appearance of the first animals. “Though Chromosphaera perkinsii is a unicellular species, this behaviour shows that multicellular coordination and differentiation processes are already present in the species, well before the first animals appeared on Earth,” study lead author Omaya Dudin said.Multicellular development of Chromosphaera perkinsii