Saxonburg library holds Lego event
SAXONBURG -- Local Lego builder Leonard McGuire wowed those who attended the Legos By Lenny event Saturday, Nov. 16, at the South Butler Community Library.
Legos by Lenny showcased multiple Lego kits that McGuire has created since he started working with the popular plastic product.
“Lenny is a recent builder and has built for a year,” said Michelle Lesniak, library director. “He’s displayed all the things he’s done, which really showcases things that move, that have lights, that are animated.”
Displays included a Lego model of the Notre Dame Cathedral, a model of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs home and a Formula One racecar.
The library features Lego events throughout the year.
“We do Lego builds with the kids all the time. We had two Lego events last year,” said Lesniak.
McGuire, of Saxonburg, retired from Harsco in January after more than 40 years and began building Lego kits to occupy his time.
“It was a rainy day and I wanted something to do while waiting for the football game to come on,” said McGuire.
The largest build for McGuire so far has been the Notre Dame Cathedral, which has more than 4,000 pieces. A build like that isn’t completed in one sitting.
“It took me three or four days,” said McGuire.
McGuire worked with Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market to create the event.
“I wanted to do something at the store, close to Christmas. I spoke to Doug Sprankle about donating a build to raise money, and Doug suggested the library and the museum,” he said, “so we worked with Michelle and here we are.”
During the event, a raffle was held for three items. For a $5 per ticket, those in attendance had the chance to win either a prebuilt McGuire helicopter or train kit that moves and has lights, or a boxed Formula One racecar that the winner could build on their own.
Money raised through the raffle will benefit both the library and the rebuilding of the John Roebling Wire Rope Workshop, also located in Saxonburg.
By noon, over 100 people had attended the event, with no signs of slowing down.
“Legos are such a great event for the library,” said Lesniak. “It really brings in all generations. You get the kids, you get the grandmas. It just brings everyone together and that’s why we like it. It’s important to the library.”
To find more information on upcoming events at the South Butler Community Library, including Lego events, go to www.southbutlerlibrary.org.
