Hello and welcome to the 11/29/23 edition of the library's weekly events newsletter. | |
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With Thanksgiving behind us and December around the corner, it's the time of year when many of us think about year-end giving. BHPL is a well-loved and well-used community resource for everyone because of your support! Donations from fundraising comprise 35% of the library’s annual operating budget.
As of today we still have $88,000 more left to raise by 12/31 to cover our 2023 budget. Can we do it? Sure we can, if we are fortunate to attract the same level of support as we have in recent years. But that’s going to take you joining me and making a contribution ASAP.
If you are in a position to help and have not yet done so, please consider making a year-end gift to BHPL today, whether by reply to our recently-sent mailing or by donating on our website right now.
With your help we will close out the year on a positive note. Every donation, no matter the amount, helps us achieve our mission of "opening doors to information, culture, community, and the world." Thank you!
See you at the library,
Rich Boulet, Library Director
Photo: Oliver Messenger checked books out from Olivia Zubrowski recently.
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Tomorrow: Riding Off Road in Wyoming with Rich Boulet | |
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Join us tomorrow, Thursday, November 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the library for a slideshow featuring images from a Wyoming dual-sport motorcycle adventure with Library Director Rich Boulet.
Rich and two pals spent a couple of weeks, this fall, riding and camping out West, traversing the entire length of the Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route, a 950-mile, primarily off-road route that meanders through the state. Along the way they encountered a variety of weather, many obstacles, lots of wildlife and incredible scenery. Rich will share selected photos from the trip and tell tales from the road. Some of them will even be true.
For more information, please email Assistant Director Kayleigh Thomas at kayleigh.thomas@bhpl.net, or call the library at 374-5515.
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Japanese Scroll Paintings by Frederica Marshall | |
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Master Brush Painter Frederica Marshall will display Japanese scroll paintings in the library’s Howard Room Cases during the month of December. The works are Sumi-e and watercolor paintings created with traditional and experimental techniques.
Deer Isle Artist Frederica Marshall lived 28 years of her life in Japan, studying Asian brush painting for ten of those years. She has been a professional artist for forty-seven years, a teacher for most of that time, and has taught more than 23,000 students. She shares a gallery with her husband, Herman Kidder, who carves Asian name seals and makes Japanese- and Scandinavian-style knives.
The exhibit will be available for viewing starting December 4 in the library’s Roland Howard Room, subject to the meeting room schedule. For more information, call the library at 374-5515, or check fredericamarshall.com.
At right: Tokashiki Memory by Frederica Marshall
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Island by Frederica Marshall | |
Holly Bertrand: Nature-Based Sculptures, Prints, and Dioramas | |
For the months of December through March visitors can view a new display in the Larchwood children's room by local artist Holly Bertrand. On display are sculptures of woodland creatures, handmade books, relief prints, and dioramas. | |
Porcupine by Holly Bertrand | |
After retiring from a forty-year art teaching career, Holly spends her days hiking the Blue Hill Peninsula collecting natural objects to incorporate into her sculpture projects. While the bases of her sculptures consist of recycled materials and paper-mâché, the surface textures consist of natural materials such as tree lichen, feathers, pine cone pieces and seed pods.
The exhibit will be available for viewing starting December 1.
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A handmade book and print by Holly Bertrand | |
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Wingspan Wednesdays with Downeast Audubon
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Hey bird and board-game enthusiasts! Join Downeast Audubon and the library for a series of fun-filled game nights featuring the popular board game, Wingspan, at the library. Wingspan Wednesdays will continue on the following dates: December 6 & 13, and January 3, 10 & 17.
Wingspan is a bird-themed board game where players compete to attract birds to their wildlife reserves. It boasts beautifully-crafted (and scientifically-accurate) cards for over 150 bird species, paired with gentle yet strategic gameplay.
Downeast Audubon board member James Longo will be on hand to give a tutorial and go over the gameplay, ensuring that everyone gets off to a flying start. Drinks and snacks provided. The program is free and open to all. For more information, email kayleigh.thomas@bhpl.net, or call the library at 374-5515.
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Author Event with Kristie Billings | |
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Poet, photographer, year-round swimmer, and native Mainer Kristie Billings will read from her new book Sea Witch: Photographs, Poems and Forget-Me-Nots from a Mainer Growing Up on Thursday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the library. The event is co-sponsored by the library and Blue Hill Books.
A wearer of many hats, Kristie is a long-time DJ for 'Daydream Nation' on the Community Radio WERU 89.9 FM in Orland, Maine. From small-town grocery clerk to working the fish market, owning her own shoe store, being an Arts Educator at a local theater, a lobster fisher, and an antiques seller, Kristie has done it all.
Rich Boulet, Library Director, said “chances are, if you’ve just met Kristie, you know and like Kristie. Please join us as we celebrate her latest accomplishment.”
Most of all, Kristie is a collector. Of stories, of emotions, of dolls, of feelings, wigs, mannequin parts, record albums, memories, beauty, laughter, vintage clothing, scallop shells, barnacles, and hermit crabs. She is an observer, as well. She has been writing poetry since childhood and taking pictures forever with her old Nikon and other cameras she's amassed over the years. Copies of the book will be available at the event for purchase from Blue Hill Books. For more information, please call 374-5515 or email kayleigh.thomas@bhpl.net.
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Kids are invited to sign up for a wreath making workshop at the library, on Wednesday, December 13 at 3:30 p.m. Join Merrin Brache from Blue Hill Heritage Trust and Claire Malina from the library to learn how to make a wreath using local plant materials such as balsam, cedar, pine, and spruce along with winter berries and pine cones.
Space is limited so registration is required, which can be done on the library’s web calendar, or by calling 374-5515. Please register each child who will be participating. The program is free. For more information, email claire.malina@bhpl.net.
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Save the Date: Annual Friends of the Library Holiday Party! | |
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Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating the season at the annual Community Holiday Party sponsored by Friends of the Library! Join us on Saturday, December 16th, 2:00 - 5:30 p.m.
There will be entertainment for the entire family including: Noel Paul Stookey, GSA Jazz Band, Andrew Silver's Silver Circus, Misty Mountain Signers, and carols around the piano with Paul Kelly. In addition, there will be holiday craft for the kids throughout the afternoon.
As in past years, we welcome donations of refreshments -- sweet or savory-- and a wrapped gift for a child. Please label the wrapped gift with what is in the package to help make distribution as easy as possible. Gifts can be dropped off at the library anytime through the day of the party, and will be donated to the Emmaus Homeless Shelter for families in need. If bringing a refreshment, please put your name on the dish so that it can be returned.
The entire community is welcome -- so pull out your favorite cookie recipe, get ready to sing your favorite carols, and we will see you at the library!
Upper right: Noel Paul Stookey at last year's holiday party.
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(Left to Right): Amelio Giordano, Caspian Gawler, and Mica Gawler watch and listen intently as Jenny Jacques reads them a story recently in the library's Children's Larchwood Room. | |
Current Exhibits at the Library | |
Britton Gallery: Nature from Within | |
Françoise Gervais's show Nature from Within will be available for viewing in the library’s Britton Gallery and Roland Howard Meeting Room throughout the month of December. Subject to the meeting room schedule. For more information, call the library at 374-5515. | |
More than Before by Françoise Gervais | |
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Preschool Storytime- in the Larchwood Children's Room - Tuesdays 10:30 -11:00 AM
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Magic the Gathering Club for teens & tweens - Tuesdays 3:30-5 PM
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Playgroup- for toddlers at the Blue Hill Town Park - Wednesdays 10:30 AM -Noon
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Youth Chess Club- all ages welcome, Thursdays 3:30-4:30 PM
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Anime Club for kids 10+ -Fridays 3:30-5 PM
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Beyond Labels Discussion Group (In-Person & Online)- current events discussion; for topics check here - Mondays, 10 AM -12 PM
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Salut!-- Online French conversation group Nov. 20, 2:30 PM and then on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month starting Dec 11. Get the Zoom link here.
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Blue Hill Chess Enthusiasts- all levels and ages welcome - Thursdays, 5-8 PM
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Knitting Group- bring any kind of needlework project- Thursdays, 6-8 PM
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Amigos del Mundo- Spanish conversation group, 3rd or 4th Friday, 1-2 PM
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Fixit Clinic- get help repairing items, first Saturday of the month, 3 PM
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Quick Links: What Would You Like to Do? | | | | |
