The Southbridge Patent Exhibit highlights a number of the many patents related to Southbridge, MA, as well as a brief history of the patenting process. There have been many inventions by Southbridge residents and employees of businesses located in Southbridge. A number of the patents will be featured with the hope that the exhibit will spark interest in the rich industrial history of the town.

As a member of the Gordon Library Exhibits Committee at

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Jackie Mushinsky has curated many small to medium sized exhibits in the library and co-curated several large exhibits.  She has curated two previous exhibits at Jacob Edwards Library, one on the Native American Code Talkers of WWI and WWII and one on the history of hot air balloons and airships.

The book club will meet to discuss Twelve Drummers Drumming by C.C. Bension in the Reading Room. New members are welcome! If you need a copy of the book, just ask at the Information Desk.

"The Reverend Tom "Father" Christmas, the newest vicar of Thornford Regis, an idyllic rural town in England, turns detective when one of his parishioners turns up dead in a drum, and everyone in town seems to have something to confess. 

Tom Christmas came to picturesque Thornford Regis with his young daughter to escape the terrible experience of losing his wife in the city. Her murder sent him packing to the bucolic and charming town, where violent crime isn't supposed to happen and the greatest sin is supposed to be nothing a member of the clergy can't handle. Then, at the town fair, a woman is found murdered. Tom soon learns that everyone in Thornford Regis has a secret to hide--infidelity, theft, even past murders. Twelve Drummers Drumming showcases a lovely place to live and/or die, and marks the debut of a planned twelve-book mystery series featuring the brilliant Father Christmas."

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host this genealogy program as it is a frequently researched topic at the library. We hope that attendees will be inspired to taking advantage of some of the resources that are available at the library and start filling out those empty sections of the family tree.

Charlene Key Sokal, MSLS, AB, is a Professional Genealogist with more than 20 years' research experience in Genealogy and Local History. She specializes in immigration genealogy and all types of genealogical research in New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Massachusetts. She has so far traced her German ancestors back to 1655. She is a retired Reference Supervisor of Worcester Public Library. 

Elizabeth Harmell Clements started taking voice lessons at the age of 12. Although her first foray in the performing arts was in musical theater (she had leading roles in Annie Get Your Gun, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, and Guys and Dolls), she quickly developed a passion for the classical repertoire, participating in

 many choral and solo competitions in her home state of California. She attended the Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Program for Vocal Performance and as her high school career came to an end, she auditioned at conservatories from coast to coast. Ultimately, Ms. Clements matriculated at the Boston University of Fine Arts as a Vocal Performance Major where she studied with Carole Haber. These days, Ms. Clements performs locally in her community as well as to her 7 and 5 year old boys, Ben and James, and her husband John. She also volunteers with the Grafton Farmers Market and the Grafton Public Schools.

Tom Kosakowski was born and raised in Southbridge. His parents were Thaddeus and Nellie (Rewinski). Music was a vital part of his family heritage. He fondly remembers how his mother literally sat by him during his childhood practicing sessions. His first piano teacher, Joseph Swiacki, not only taught him the standard solo repertoire, but also set the foundation for developing his sight reading. At Mary E. Wells Junior High School, music teacher Mrs. Rubinstein launched his accompanying career. Tom continued accompanying at Southbridge High School, Bowdoin College, and Occidental College (Los Angeles), where he received his M.A. He met his wife and musical partner Cheryl in 1979 at L.A. City College, where Tom was Staff Accompanist; they have been a director-accompanist team ever since. Besides accompanying, Toms other music passion is playing the piano in small church settings. He has certainly played in different parts of the country: Pasadena, CA, Miller, SD, and at Charlton City United Methodist Church. Tom and Cheryl have one son, Philip, and one daughter, Rachel, and one granddaughter, Avery Lynn.

Have you lived with the same plantings for many years and now found they don't fit the way you want to live anymore? Has your garden become a burden instead of a joy? Reconfiguring your garden for new uses as your family grows and your life and interests change, makes sense and may be less work than you thought. 

Betty Sanders is a Lifetime Master Gardener with the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association. Her website Betty On Gardening is chock full of ideas for ones garden and she shares her experience and expertise. She is nationally accredited flower show judge and has studied gardening everywhere from Arnold Arboretum to the New York Botanical Garden and the New England Wildflower Society. She is also a scientist, with a degree in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

Pajama Story Time & Movie

Monday nights at 6:30 p.m.

Listen to some stories, sing some songs, and watch a short film.

Pajamas optional!  Geared towards ages 4-8, but all ages welcome. 

Crafty Wednesdays

All day, every Wednesday all year long!

For the Under 12's.  Drop by and make a special craft!  Display of future crafts to make on view.

SuperKids

Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Stories and songs aimed at the preschool crowd, but all ages welcome!

LEGO Club

Thursdays 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - Noon

We'll bring the LEGO bricks - you bring the skills and ideas!  Best for builders 5 years and older. Work on your own project or work as a team!

Babytime Playgroup

Fridays from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Designed for children under three, this is a time for babies and their families to get together and play in the library. This is a 'drop in and leave' program, you are welcome anytime between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.