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Thanks to the Bow Garden Club, the flowers at Rotary Park will be blooming soon.
Photo and Caption by Eric Anderson
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Greetings Baker Free Community!!! Are you feeling like the proverbial bear coming out of hibernation!!? I have really been enjoying the extra minutes of daylight we have been getting each day, the NH maple syrup, the start of Spring yard cleanup, and starting to plan those Spring projects.
The library is only slightly different from your own home, as we plan some Spring cleanup, discuss the birds coming back for our littlest patrons to observe in the children’s area, and start making some plans for our seed library! Come in and enjoy all these signs of the shifting season with us …and if we make small talk with you at the circulation desk about the weather, just know that we are all actually, genuinely, excited about the few extra degrees and extra sunlight we are getting…it’s not that we are at a loss of things to talk about with you!
While you get out and about and make plans for your Spring, take a peek at what the Baker Free Library has going on. Our staff has been busy planning some great programs for you. A couple of programs I encourage you to learn more about are: What's Wild: A Half Century of Wisdom from the Woods and Rivers of New England presented by retired Fish and Game biologist, Eric Orff; pop-up crafts, and Life Size Candyland!!!
Don’t forget to grab a nice Springtime read either. Anyone else ready for the first beach read of the year?! No…am I jumping ahead toooo far?
Joyful director of Baker Free,
| | Kaitlin Camidge, Library Director | | |
Executive Order Reducing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
and Its Impact on New Hampshire Library Users
An executive order issued Friday, March 14th, 2025 calls for the reduction and elimination of functions of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which is an independent federal agency that supports libraries and museums in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
This decision could/will greatly impact Baker Free Library patrons and Granite Staters.
In our state, the New Hampshire State Library receives $1.3- $1.5 million of IMLS money to fund its interlibrary loan program (ILL), as well as the online catalog & van service to support it.
In 2024, The Library loaned out 724 items to other libraries using the ILL service, and borrowed 2,463 items from other libraries to support the needs of our patrons.
The State Library also uses IMLS money to provide you with Talking Book services, and the platform for Libby, the eBook, eAudio and digital magazine platform, and staff that support these services.
What does this mean for you?
This funding, if not available, will dramatically affect the above mentioned services that we currently provide to our patrons. If these funds are cut these services could be impacted.
We want to continue to provide our patrons with the resources they ask for and need. However, we wanted to make you aware that our ability to offer all these services may be impacted in the coming months.
If you object to the elimination of these funds and functions of IMLS, we encourage you to contact your Congressional Delegation expressing why IMLS and the funds they provide are critical.
Thank you for supporting the power of libraries and as we learn more we will keep you posted with updates!
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Seasons of Reading
A Year-Long Reading Challenge for Teens and Adults!
Sign up at the library to receive your challenge, and work your way through a new set of reading prompts each season. Keep an eye on our Events & Programs Calendar throughout the year for meet-ups and events relating to the challenge. Learn more on our website!
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100 Acres More or Less by David Bundy
Purchase today for $20!
Baker Free Library was established in 1914... but did you know that was almost 200 years after the Town of Bow was first founded?
Back in the 60s, David Bundy published a book titled '100 Acres More or Less' as a way to share the Town's rich history and backstory, and we are so excited to announce that this book is now available for purchase at Baker Free Library! All proceeds will directly benefit the Bow Heritage Commission, and support them in their mission of preserving Bow's past.
For more information, visit the library's circulation desk. Books are only available while supplies last.
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Life-Sized Candy Land
April 29 - May 1
Play a life-sized version of the classic board game with family and friends! Reserve a time for your group to play through the game, and see who reaches the finish line first. Candy will be awarded to all participants.
Before You Play:
- Registration is required in order to reserve your time slot.
- Groups of 3-6 players are permitted. If you have a larger group, please contact juliana@bakerfreelib.org to ask about setting up a special session.
- Children must be 5 years or older to play. Teens and adults of all ages are also welcome to participate.
- Each group must contain at least one teen or one adult that can assist in game play, if needed (instructions will be given at event).
- All active players will be required to remove their shoes during the game, so please wear a warm pair of socks.
- Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled time slot to check-in and receive instructions.
Online registration is NOT available for this event.
Please visit the library or call (603) 224-7113 to reserve your time slot.
Registration will open to Bow residents on April 14, 2025, and to neighboring towns on April 21.
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After School Programs
Art • Lab
Every Other Wednesday | 3:30pm
A bi-weekly art program for artists and creators in Grades 3-6. Take part in sensory, process art, and engineering activities designed to inspire our creativity and expand our knowledge of celebrated artists and their techniques. Activities may include mixed media projects and painting, so come prepared to get messy. Recommended for students in Grades 3-6. Registration is required for each session you plan to attend.
Please register for each session.
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Ready Readers
Every Other Monday | 3:00pm
This bi-weekly program is a "Big Kid" storytime, designed for storytime graduates and emerging or independent readers in Grades K-2. Explore new books with a specially chosen read-aloud at each meeting, followed by activities designed to spark creativity and build early literacy skills. Recommended for Grades K-2, in the company of a parent or caregiver. Please register for every session you plan to attend.
Please register for each session.
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Little Makers
Every Other Thursday | 3:00pm
A bi-weekly program for our youngest messy makers! Take part in sensory and process art activities designed to inspire your little one's creativity and curiosity. Activities may include mixed media projects and painting, so come prepared to get messy. Recommended for children in Pre-K through Grade 2, in the company of a parent or caregiver. Registration is required to reserve your child's place. Please register for every session you wish to attend.
Please register for each session.
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Storytimes
Preschool Storytime
Every Tuesday, starting March 11 | 10:30am
Encourage school readiness with a storytime for active bodies and minds! Explore interactive stories, songs, and activities that help to promote early literacy learning while addressing attention, coordination and motor development. Each storytime includes stories, songs and movement activities and ends with open play time, allowing children and their families to socialize. Recommended for Ages 3 - 5.
*Registration is required to reserve your child's space. The spring session will run from March 11 - April 22, 2025.
Register Here.
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Family Storytime
Every Wednesday, starting March 12 | 10:30am
This multi-age storytime is perfect for families & siblings. Explore stories, songs, and activities that help to promote early literacy learning while addressing attention and motor development for both toddler and preschool aged children. Each storytime ends with open play time, allowing children and their families to meet and socialize. Recommended for Ages 2 - 5.
*Registration is required to reserve your child's space. The spring session will run from March 12 - April 23, 2025.
Register Here.
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Toddler Storytime
Every Thursday, starting March 13 | 10:30am
Explore a new topic each week with stories, songs and rhymes designed to spark your child’s imagination and create the foundations for early literacy. Each storytime ends with open play time, allowing families to meet, play and socialize. Select sessions will include craft and/or sensory activities. Recommended for Ages 18 Months - 3 Years; siblings welcome.
*Registration is required to reserve your child's space. The spring session will run from March 13 - April 24, 2025.
Register Here.
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Tech Time with Liesl!
Every Monday | 4-6pm
Every Monday from 4-6pm, get help with: Libby/Overdrive, Hoopla, Kanopy, EBSCOhost, HeritageQuest, Ancestry.com, Kindle, email, Google Drive, Microsoft Office, using our library catalog, and more!
Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are strongly encouraged!
To make an appointment please email liesl@bakerfreelib.org or give us a call!
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Board Game Night
Wednesday, April 2 | 5:30pm
Join us on the first Wednesday of every month to celebrate the library’s new assortment of board games! Drop by for some snacks and socializing while exploring the library’s new collection. Feel free to bring your own favorites or check out one of ours!
Register here.
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Gallery Opening Night:
Images of Life In Sharp Focus by Barbara Morse
Thursday, April 3 | 6:30pm
In April, the gallery will feature the artwork of the late artist, Barbara Morse. The pieces mostly feature graphite with a hint of color.
The art displayed will be provided by Barbara’s husband, Alan Morse, who will be offering an informal conversation with the audience about his late wife's body of work.
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What's Wild: A Half Century of Wisdom
from the Woods and Rivers of New England
Monday, April 14 | 6pm
Wildlife Biologist Eric Orff will be talking about a half century of living on the wild side of New Hampshire. Eric was the state's first bear biologist in the 1970s and began a 50 year career as a "forest ranger who works with animals." These animals include bears, moose, and even snakes and eels.
As a respected wildlife biologist with more than thirty-one years at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and fifteen years with the National Wildlife Federation, Eric still publishes a video blog called "What's Wild in New Hampshire". Eric's book, "What's Wild: A Half Century of Wisdom from the Woods and Rivers of New England" will be for sale at the presentation.
Refreshments will be available starting at 6pm, and the presentation will begin at 6:30pm. You must be registered in advance as seats are limited.
This event is made possible by the Bow Garden Club and the Baker Free Library.
Register here.
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Craft Club
Tuesday, April 15 | 6pm
Craft Club is back! Meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of every month in the Merrimack County Savings Bank Room. You must be registered ahead of time to attend, as space and supplies are limited.
For this session, we will be needle felting! Be advised that this craft will include the use of real wool.
Register here.
Tuesday, May 20 | 6pm
You must be registered ahead of time to attend, as space and supplies are limited. May's session will be hosted by the Bow Garden Club, and we will be making Spring Flower and Herb Arrangements.
Registration for this session will open on Wednesday, April 16th at 10am,
and will be available here.
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Seasons of Reading Meet-Up
Wednesday, April 16 | 6pm
Connect with other readers in the Seasons of Reading Year-Long Reading Challenge, and share recommendations at in-person gatherings hosted by the library. At least once per season, we'll gather to swap suggestions and discuss which books we've read. Visit our online calendar to learn about the next meeting date, and please register to reserve your space!
Register here.
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Fraud Watch Basics with AARP
Wednesday, April 23 | 5:30pm
Have you ever been approached with a fraudulent offer or been a victim of identity theft? AARP NH is working to empower you in the fight, with proven resources and tools to help you spot and avoid identity theft and fraud. By taking a few practical steps, you have the power to fight back against fraud. This session will arm you with the latest data on fraud trends and provide tips and resources to protect yourself and your family.
Register here.
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Book Talk at BFL
Tuesday, April 8
12:30PM & 6:30PM
Book Talk is BFL's long-running monthly book club. If you love to read, enjoy talking about books, and are willing to read outside your comfort zone, join us! Two meetings are offered each month for your convenience.
April Selection:
Yellowface by
R. F. Kuang
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White Rock Book Group
Tuesday, April 15
1:00PM
Enjoy great books and even better conversations with this extension of the Book Talk book club, offered each month at White Rock Senior Living Center. This group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at White Rock.
April Selection:
Yellowface by
R. F. Kuang
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Whodunits
Tuesday, May 6
1:00PM
Love mysteries? Join the Whodunits to sleuth through a new one every month! This mystery-exclusive book club meets at White Rock Senior Living on the first Tuesday of every month. Members select the next book.
May Selection:
The Guards by
Ken Bruen
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Copies of Book Club books are available at the Circulation Desk at the Library.
For more information about joining one of the book groups, contact
Amy Bain at amy@bakerfreelib.org.
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Hazel is given a one-two punch when she's forced to move out of her Upper East Side apartment and is given a final warning from her publisher.
If she doesn't turn in a book by her next deadline, they're cutting her loose.
Hazel rashly decides to leave what's left of her city life behind and impulse buys a house in rural Pennsylvania sight unseen. How better to entertain the loyal readers she still has and rediscover her writing mojo than immersing herself in small-town life?
Too bad this town looks to be on its last legs. At least she's finding swoon-worthy inspiration from her hot, grumpy contractor Cam and his animal-rescuing, community-involved family. It's all just research. What could go wrong?
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Florence Grimes, age thirty-one, always takes the easy way out. Single, broke and unfulfilled after the humiliating end to her girl-band career, she has only one reason to get out of bed each day: her ten-year-old son Dylan. But then Alfie Risby, her son’s bully and the heir to a vast frozen-food empire, mysteriously vanishes during a class trip, and Dylan becomes the prime suspect.
Florence, for once, is faced with a task she can’t quit: She’s got to find Alfie and clear her son’s name or risk losing Dylan forever—never mind that she has no useful skills (let alone investigative ones) and that all the other school moms hate her. Oh, and she has a reason to suspect Dylan might not be as innocent as she’d like to believe.
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Beckett,
If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.
I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.
My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.
And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.
So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.
Please don’t make her go through it alone.
Ryan
| | Inclined by Barbara Morse | |
April Exhibit:
Images of Life in Sharp Focus
by Barbara Morse
By isolating a portion of a scene, an object, or a person; developing a mood, and avoiding elements of realism; I create my image in Sharp Focus. Light and texture is to be as much the subject as the objects themselves, while a fragmented view should provoke thoughts of the whole. The ordinary should become the unexpected when viewed from an unusual setting or perspective. Stimulating the viewer’s thought process to extend beyond the natural order of things should suggest a range of emotions from humor to hope, thus allowing the work to transform to the level of fine art.
Working in graphite and sometimes adding a hint of color to attract attention to an area enhancing the entire image, no matter the level of labor intensity, I find joy and satisfaction watching a piece come to life before me. My reward, though, is not having the viewer see the work through my eyes, but their own; creating a personal and long-lasting image to be timelessly viewed and shared.
As an artist this is what I challenge myself with on every new piece of work.
About Barbara:
A Connecticut native receiving her formal art training at The Paire College of Art in New Haven, Barbara is now a long-time resident of New Hampshire. Beginning her career as an illustrator, she worked for many of the top publishing houses and national publications, like Houghton-Mifflin and Yankee Magazine. She had a vision that her drawings could be more dynamic when created as works of fine arts; and she could pursue her passion of working primarily in graphite, while developing a style, she considered unique and challenging, In Sharp Focus. With time the work has become more refined adding hints of color in acrylics to bring attention to a portion that enhances the entire image.
As her work became established, she was extended membership in the Salmagundi Club in NYC, the New Hampshire Art Association, and the Copley Society in Boston when she has achieved the level of Copley Artist. She is also a member of the Hollis Art Assn., Two Villages Art Society, WREN, and the NH Business Committee for the Arts.
She has been represented by galleries throughout New England including the Granary on Martha’s Vineyard and the Whitney Galleries in Maine. Her work is currently represented at the Galleries at 30 Main in Meredith. She continues to have exhibits of her work throughout the region at many of the major galleries from Portsmouth and Dover to Manchester and Concord, to Meredith and Bethlehem, and to Jaffrey and Keene. Her work is included in many private collections both in the US and in Europe.
From her home in Amherst, she continues to draw and exhibit new works with her unique and unmistakable detail, that challenge the viewer’s senses and emotions while further allowing them to find their own personal meaning in the work for long lasting enjoyment.She was married with two children and one granddaughter all living in the area.
Access Barbara's website here.
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As the ice at the Town Pond thins, Spring must be coming soon.
Photo and Caption by Eric Anderson.
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Bow High School senior Albushies wins first place in 4-Way Test Speech Contest
Bow Rotary held its annual 4-Way Speech Contest on March 19 at the Baker Free Library. A total of seven contestants from Bow High School participated.
All contestants spoke about personal experiences in various subjects.
Joseph Albushies, who won first place, spoke about the need for community center in Bow and how it would create a hub and a place for community and build more meaningful relationships. Second place went to Matthew Kropp who talked about homelessness and how kindness and volunteering could build more goodwill to those less fortunate. Emily Fauteux came in third place and spoke about family hardship when her aunt had cancer and how it took a village to step in to help raise the children when her aunt was in the hospital.
Prizes were awarded to the winners in the amounts of $500, $300 and $200 respectively.
The four other participants included Liam Miller who spoke about community service, Annabelle Cattabriga who spoke about the ways that learning another language expands cultural understanding, Hannah Miller who spoke about the positive impact of unified sports and Carter Monroe who spoke about how esports is all inclusive and provides opportunities to make friends and grow through experience.
Congratulations to all the participants for taking the time to write speeches and present to the more than 30 attendees.
Thank you to the judges: Judy Goodnow, Ian Flanagan, Duane Ford, Matt Poulin and Mary Ann Wells.
Albushies will go on to compete in the Rotary District semifinals at the Henniker Community Center on April 6 at 1 p.m.
More than 30 people in addition to judges and contestants attended.
| | From left, contestants Hannah Miller, Annabelle Cattabriga, Joseph Albushies, Carter Monroe, Liam Miller, Matthew Kropp and Emily Fauteux with Rotarian Ben Kiniry who emceed the event. | | First place winner Joseph Albushies, second place winner Matthew Kropp and third place winner Emily Fauteux speak with Rotarian Ben Kiniry. | | Both photos by Eric Anderson. | | |
2025 Bow Rotary Club Foundation Scholarship Program
The Rotary Club of Bow annual Foundation Scholarship Applications are now available. The Foundation will be awarding a total of $23,000 in post-secondary scholarships and $5,000 in camperships in 2025.
The scholarship program is for graduating high school seniors who either attended Bow High School or who are Bow or Dunbarton students who attended other area high schools. Bow High School tuition students must be from a town/city either without a Rotary club or with a Rotary club that doesn’t offer college scholarships.
There are three different types of scholarships available: Traditional for students who are currently a graduating high school or homeschooled senior or have been a student attending college within the last four years; vocational school or certificate program scholarships for students who wish to attend a technical/vocational school two-year program or wish to attend a certificate program; and and adult scholarship for older adults, who have not attended school in the last four or more years.
The applications are available in Fillable PDF format for download from the Bow Rotary website under the Scholarships/Grants menu. The deadline is 3 p.m. April 7.
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Registration open for Bow Rotary Car Show
Bow Rotary will hold its 14th annual car show on May 17.
The show has 19 vehicle classes with 21 trophies awarded. Classes include early to 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and newer, Camaro, Corvette, Imports, Mopar, Mustang, Rods and Custom pre-1949, Survivor (most original), Trucks, Motorcycles, British and Muscle Cars.
Registration is $15 before May 1 and $20 May 1 and after. Car clubs who pre-register six or more cars, pay $10 per vehicle. Registration information can be found at bowrotarycarshow.com.
The car show will run from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at 508 South Street, Bow. Entrance fee is $3.
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Bow Young at Heart
Bring your own lunch at 11:30 with the club providing dessert. Presentations begin at 12:30. For more information about the club and joining us for our meetings or how to become a member contact Peter Cherici at (603) 774-7682 or email at fairfield_a@hotmail.com
April 9, 2025 | 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Alan Hoffman will discuss Lafayette’s Farwell Tour of the United States in 1824 and Lafayette’s role in the American Revolution impacted the United States and New Hampshire.
April 23, 2025 | 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Rob Ricard will be presenting stories and pictures from his 2022 trip on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR). The GDMBR is a 3,100mile mountain bike route that follows the western Continental Divide from Antelope Wells, New Mexico to Jasper, Alberta Canada.
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Town Updates
The Town of Bow has worked diligently in providing up to the minute notification of all that is happening in the community. In order to stay informed, visit the website Town of Bow or follow on Facebook @bownewhampshire.
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Baker Free Library
509 South Street
Bow, NH 03304
(603) 224-7113
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