On Wednesday evening, December 6, from 6:00-8:00, the Friends of the Library will be hosting their Annual Wine and Cheese Fundraiser at the Harlem Public Library. The library, located at 37 First Street SE in Harlem, will be closed that day for event set up as organizers decorate the facility to match this year's theme: Silver Bells.

Friends of the Library Executive Board Member and Events Chair, Karolee Cronk shared details about the event, saying: "This is our big fundraiser for the year, and we schedule it around this time to kick off the holiday season. It should be a nice evening, and we invite everyone to come out and support the library while having some fun."

In addition to offering wine, cheese, and various savory and sweet appetizers, the event will feature both live and silent auctions, as well as a 50/50 raffle. Bob Sivertsen is the expected auctioneer. Additional entertainment will be provided by Louise Nissen, who will be singing the holiday classic Silver Bells.

Considered one of the most enduring Christmas songs, this Christmas classic was actually written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans for The Lemon Drop Kid, a Bob Hope comedy released in the spring of 1951. Since that time, "Silver Bells" has been a holiday hit for several singers-from Bing Crosby to Martina McBride. "Silver Bells" was originally sung by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the film. The following year, Bing Crosby, together with Carol Richards, sang the first recorded version.

Library Director Colleen Brommer not only explained that door prizes will be given away throughout the evening but also described several of the featured auction items. "We will have a number of themed baskets filled with items that match their theme. Some of those themes will be Movie Night, Montana, and Hawaiian. Another basket has a gnome theme with the slogan There's No Place like Gnome for the Holidays."

Tickets are available from any Friends of the Library member, and only 80 tickets will be sold. As of November 21, twenty-four of those 80 were already taken. Brommer clarified that the purchase of a ticket not only supports the library but earns the purchaser a chance to win a door prize while also "enjoying the food and festivities." Although tickets can be purchased at the door, they come with an additional $5.00 cost, so interested individuals are encouraged to buy a ticket in advance.