Friends and fans of local author Father Douglas E. Neel will be pleased to know that his latest book titled “The Food and Feasts of the Apostle Paul” has just been published, and it is a remarkable sequel to “The Food and Feasts of Jesus” that was such a hit when it came out in 2012.
This new book again displays Neel’s talent for bringing extensive research, personal travel experiences, biblical history and love of good food to life in a hugely readable, personable and inviting way.
For a start, the author’s skill with words makes his readers greatly enjoy learning about the culture and traditions of the first century, a topic that might at first seem dull to some. This positive experience will come as no surprise to admirers of Neel’s sermons and homilies from when he was rector at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church here in Pagosa Springs for 12 years until his retirement in 2020.
You’ll also learn myriad interesting facts such as how purple became the color of choice for emperors and kings, and how a marine snail is essential to making it happen.
This pleasant learning experience is amplified by the author’s inclusion of so many menus and recipes in every chapter that you will be tempted to start cooking right away. I confess that I made both his one-pot chicken and the roasted onions even before I finished reading the book.
As he weaves historical tales together with interesting discussions of food, Neel points out that worship in many early Christian communities included a full meal and Jesus’ parables were filled with images of food and feasts.
The recipes in the book come from the banquets of very wealthy people with access to meat, game, poultry, fish, vegetables, sauces, fruits, and multiple herbs and spices. They also showcase less elaborate but equally delicious meals of workers and farmers enjoying grains, legumes and soups with their families.
The recipes are authentic, sometimes with variations on ancient cooking techniques and the author’s own creative cooking ideas resulting from his lifetime love of food and fellowship with family and friends. Best of all, they are clearly explained, making them easy for you to cook at home.
The book is dedicated to Neel’s late wife, Sally, who died in 2023 while the author was making edits to the final manuscript.
“Her fingerprints are on every page of this book,” he said.
As well, her memory still is very much alive among her many Pagosa admirers for her skills as music and choir director at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church and as a volunteer in many community activities.
Readers will not be surprised to know that the author’s acknowledgments include the parishioners at St. Patrick’s for their help in testing his recipes.
Both of Neel’s books are available for your reading pleasure in the Local Authors section of your library.
Save the date for new Friends book club
The inaugural meeting of the Just Friends Book Club will take place Monday, Jan. 13, at noon at the library when the Friends of the Library group will discuss “Lost Birds” by Anne Hillerman and choose books to read the rest of the year. Copies are available at the library. Please feel free to bring a brown bag lunch for yourself.
If you have questions, email DonnaMosher@icloud.com, president of the Friends of the Library.
Cookie decorating
All ages are invited to join us for tasty fun at a free cookie decorating event tomorrow Friday, Jan. 3, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sugar cookies and standard frosting will be provided.
Murder mystery fun
Teens and tweens are invited to solve the mystery of who the real murderer is tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 3, from 3 to 5 p.m. Everyone is a suspect at this free event.
Registration required as we are providing food and want to ensure adequate amounts for all participants.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Knitting and crochet
lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, Jan. 6, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies will be provided.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. For information, contact Susan at (970) 946-3396.
High school math tutoring
Free high school math tutoring for ages 14 and up takes place Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for free tutoring. Registration is required.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Jan. 7, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. There is no minimum skill level needed.
Note this group now meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Elementary tutoring sessions
Children ages 6-11 are welcome at these free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Preregistration is required.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Thursday, Jan. 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons and Dragons game free for teens and young adults. Preregistration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
Writers Guild
Every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m., the Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with 4 to 5 p.m. reserved for beginners, 5 to 6 p.m. for intermediate and 6 to 7 p.m. for advanced students. Please help us share the word about these classes.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy helps you with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets, and also provides assistance in accessing the library’s online resources.
No appointment is needed for these drop-in sessions, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
Join Mark or Sally for free PALS sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. No appointment is necessary.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly events calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free activities available to you and your family.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages. To access this free digital collection, download the cloudLibrary app, answer a few simple questions, select AspenCat Union Catalog for the name of your library, then enter your library card number and four-digit PIN. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.
Nonfiction books on CD
“Four Thousand Paws” by trail veterinarian Lee Morgan tells about the iconic Iditarod sled race dogs and how they are cared for. “A World on the Wing” by Scott Weidensaul explores the miracle of birds’ migrations. “A Walk in the Park” by Kevin Fedarko is the true story of a spectacular misadventure in the Grand Canyon.
Novels on CD
“Desolation Code” by Graham Brown is a Clive Cussler Numa Files adventure. “A Tempest of Desire” by Lorraine Heath is the latest in the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James romance series. “A Monsoon Rising” by Thea Guanzon is a Southeast Asian-inspired fantasy romance. “The French Winemaker’s Daughter” by Loretta Ellsworth follows a valuable bottle of wine across several generations. “Pick-up” by Nora Dahlia is a rom-com. “The Shadowed Land” by Signe Pike is an Arthurian saga set in early medieval Scotland.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Murder Island” by James Patterson and Brian Sitts features professor turned crime fighter Doc Savage. “Tom Clancy Defense Protocol” by Andrews B. Wilson is a Jack Ryan adventure. “The Waiting” by Michael Connelly is a Ballard and Bosch mystery. “Truth and Claw” by Craig Johnson is a Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear mystery.
Other novels
“A Christmas Duet” by Debbie Macomber is a romance. “Behind You is the Sea” by Susan Muaddi Darraj gives voice to the diverse residents of a Palestine American community in Baltimore. “Prophet Song” by Paul Lynch, winner of the 2023 Brooker Prize, explores the horror of Ireland’s secret police from a mother’s point of view. “Medicine Walk” by Richard Wagamese brings an estranged father and son together after many years of absence and neglect. “Water Finds a Way” by Meghan Perry follows a woman released from prison who returns to the only town where she felt safe.
Material donations
Thanks to George Neill, Nancy Cole, and Joanne and Victor Lucariello for their generous monetary donations. Thanks to everyone who donated to the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation this month through the Colorado Gives campaign. And, thanks to our anonymous donors for their donations of high-quality used books.
When we are open, material donations are accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk — not down the outside returns slot at the library or the drop box at City Market, please.
Guidelines for donations: Yes to popular fiction books published in 2013 or later, nonfiction books published 2018 or later, and children’s and young adult books — all in excellent condition, please. No to CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, VHS or cassette tapes; textbooks, outdated travel books or reference books because they do not sell. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints.
Quotable quote
“This year, be structured enough for success and achievement and flexible enough for creativity and fun.” — Taylor Duvall, writer, poet, editor, musician and book publisher.
Website
For more information on library books, services and programs — and to reserve books, e-books, books on CD and DVDs from the comfort of your home — please visit our website at https://pagosalibrary.org.
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