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Sledding on the Sledding Hill at the Town Gazebo
Photo by Eric Anderson
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The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
-Dr. Seuss
February is Library Lovers’ Month! Show your love for Baker Free Library by participating in our IditaREAD!—Winter Reading Challenge. Can you read for 1,000 minutes in just six weeks—between February 5 and March 15? Sign up for the challenge, and race your rider across the finish line! Track all the reading you complete to make your way across the famous Iditarod Trail. Reading of any kind counts: magazines, graphic novels, even audiobooks! Open to all ages. Participants who complete the challenge will receive a certificate and an exclusive Baker Free Library reading challenge tote bag. Finishers will also be able to enter a raffle ticket toward one of five grand prize baskets. Registration opens on February 5.
Mark your calendars for Meet the Candidates Night 2024. As Thomas Jefferson said: “We do not have government by majority. We have government by the majority who participate”. On Wednesday, February 21, starting at 6:30pm come participate at Baker Free Library as the candidates running for elected Town and School positions in Bow will be introducing themselves and answering questions.
Take some time in February to visit the Baker Free Library Art Gallery. Carolyn Sherman has a beautiful watercolor exhibit that is sure to chase the winter blues away. If you are counting the days until spring, you should drop by the library and pick up the Visions of Bow 2024 wall calendar (all proceeds go to supporting your public library). Visit our website in February to read our new 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. Read it a few times and count those minutes toward the IditaREAD. The more you read, the more you will know.
| -Martin Walters, Library Director | |
IditaREAD! Winter Reading Challenge
February 5th - March 15th
Can you read for 1,000 minutes in just six weeks? Sign up for the library’s IditaRead Winter Reading Challenge, and race your rider across the finish line! Between February 5 and March 15, track any and all reading you complete to make your way across the famous Iditarod Trail. Reading of any kind counts: magazines, graphic novels, even audiobooks! Open to all ages.
Registration will open beginning February 5.
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*Registration is required to reserve your child's space through our Online Calendar.
The winter session will run from January 16 - February 20, 2024.
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Preschool Storytime
Every Tuesday Morning | 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 songs, instrument play and movement activities, and ends with open play time, allowing children and their families to socialize. Recommended for Ages 3 - 5.
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Family Storytime
Every Thursday Morning | 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 and socialize. Select sessions will include craft and/or sensory activities. Recommended for Ages 18 Months - 3 Years; siblings welcome.
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*Registration is required to reserve your child's space through our Online Calendar. | |
"I Survived" Book Club
Thursday, Feb. 15th | 4:00pm
Learn about history's most incredible battles, man-made mishaps and natural disasters with books from the "I Survived" series, written by Lauren Tarshis. A new book will be selected for discussion each month, with copies provided by the library. Following each discussion, readers will explore each topic through STEAM-based activities and experiments. Recommended for readers in Grades 3-6, or children reading at those grade levels.
February's book selection is "I Survived the Children's Blizzard." Pick up your copy at the library to read along!
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School Vacation Week Special Events | |
All About Eclipses: Presented by the NH Astronomical Society
Tuesday, Feb. 27th | 6:00pm
This spring, New Hampshire will be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse. Want to learn more about them? A presenter from the New Hampshire Astronomical Society will help patrons of all ages to explore the science of solar eclipses, and offer tips about how to safely view the eclipse in April. Recommended for children aged 7 and up, as well as teens and adults. The library will distribute solar eclipse viewing glasses to all in attendance. Please register to reserve your space using our online calendar.
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Ruff Readers
Thursday, Feb. 29th | 11am-12pm
Children can gain confidence and improve literacy skills by reading aloud to a one-of-a-kind audience! Reserve a 15-minute time slot for your child to read to our canine volunteer, Inky the German Shepherd, certified through Therapy Dogs International. Readers of all abilities are welcome! Children 8 years and under should be accompanied by an adult for the duration of their visit.
Registration is required to reserve your 15-minute time slot.
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Leap Day! Featuring Wildlife Encounters
Thursday, Feb. 29th | 3pm
Wildlife Encounters returns to Bow for this special Leap Day event! An Outreach Ambassador will visit the library with live animals, allowing children and their families to meet and learn about each unique critter. In honor of Leap Day, all of this year’s featured animals will hop, jump and leap! Visiting critters may include frogs, toads, spiders, rabbits, chinchillas, and even a wallaby. The presentation is expected to last 45-60 minutes, and is recommended for children aged 4 and up in the company of a caregiver. Registration is not required.
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Meet the Candidates Night
Wednesday, Feb. 21st | 6:30pm
Meet the candidates running for elected town and school positions in Bow at Baker Free Library. Each candidate will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and talk about why they are running. Audience Q & A will follow.
Candidate Information Packets will be available on our website and in-person at the library by Feb 9th.
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Adult Craft Club
Tuesday, Feb. 6th | 6:00pm
Enjoy creating a new craft every month in the BFL Adult Craft Club. All materials are provided. Registration is required.
February 6th FULL
March 5th Registration Opens Feb. 6th
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Book Talk at BFL
Tues. Feb. 13th | 12:30pm & 6:30pm
Do you love to read? Are you willing to try books outside your comfort zone? Do you enjoy talking about books with others? Then our monthly Book Group is for you!
February 13th Book Discussion:
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
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White Rock Book Group
Tues. Feb. 20th | 1:00pm
Do you want to read outside of your comfort zone? Do you enjoy talking about books with others? Then our monthly Book Talk at White Rock Senior Center is for you!
February 20th Book Discussion:
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
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Whodunits
Tues. March 5th | 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 Center on the first Tuesday of every month.
March Book Discussion:
The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey
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Copies of Book Talk books are available at the Circulation Desk at the Library. For more information on joining one of the Book Talk groups, contact Amy Bain at [email protected]. | |
Peaceful Pages: A Mind, Body & Soul Book Club
Thursday, February 15th | 6:00pm
Introducing the newest addition to Baker Free Library's Book Club lineup, Peaceful Pages. Guided by owner and founder of Yogistrong, Josephine Fanelli, discover new ways to nurture your mind, body, and soul through the power of literature and mindfulness every month.
Whether you’re an avid reader or simply looking for a new way to explore personal growth, Peaceful Pages offers a unique and engaging experience. Each month, Josephine will lead the group in a discussion of a different book that focuses on themes of mindfulness, self-care, and inner peace. Alongside the book discussion, participants will also engage in meditation and movement exercises designed to deepen their understanding of the book’s messages and cultivate a sense of calm and centeredness.
February's Book Discussion
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
Books available to pick-up at the Circulation Desk today!
For more information, visit our Online Calendar
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2024 Visions of Bow Calendars
Pickup at the Library | $15ea.
Baker Free Library is excited to announce our first annual calendar fundraiser!
Help support the library by purchasing a ‘Visions of Bow, NH’ 2024 Calendar highlighting local scenic views photographed by Town Photographer, Eric Anderson. Purchase a calendar today by visiting the library or by phone (603) 224-7113. Calendars are $15 each. All proceeds support the library’s services and programs.
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The Library will be CLOSED:
Monday, February 19th for Presidents' Day
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Winter Exhibit - Carolyn Sherman
January 27th - March 1st
'Watercolors by Carolyn Sherman'
I have been painting under the guidance of Sylvia Brofos since 2000. Inspiration stems from a variety of subjects which catch my eye , or challenge me for one reason or another. My enjoyment of the water color medium comes from the versatility of the paint, the movement of the paint in water and on paper, the varying degrees of color intensity and the challenge in using the medium itself. I often encorporate the use of pen and ink as outline to make a subject pop or give emphasis.
It gives me pleasure to show my paintings in Concord and its surrounding communities.
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If you are interested in being a Featured Artist in the Gallery in 2024, contact Amelia at [email protected] | |
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Baker Free Library
509 South Street
Bow, NH 03304
(603) 224-7113
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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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Bow Rotary Club
Student Speakers: Apply by March 8th!
Bow Rotary’s annual public speaking contest for high school students will be held in person at the Baker Free Library on March 20th at 6:00pm.
Applications are due by 3 pm on Friday, March 8th, so don’t delay. The top three speakers will split $1,000 in prize money and the winner will go on to compete for a Rotary District prize as well.
The contest challenges youth to use Rotary’s Four-Way Test to analyze their decision making. All four tests are to be included in the topic of their speeches.
Contest details and an application form can be found at bowrotary.org and at the BHS Superintendent’s office.
New Summer Campership Form & Deadline
This Year’s Campership Applications are now available through Bow Rec or the Bow Rotary website, Campership Application Form
The form is now a fillable PDF and the deadline for submission is February 15th.
Due to increased demand and limited resources, some requests may only receive limited funding.
If received by February 15th, families can expect to hear from our committee by March 1st. After February 15th, families needing support can petition our club using our Grant request form found on our website.
Note: Immediate family members of Bow Rotarians are not eligible for camperships.
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Bow Young at Heart
Bow Young at Heart is a social club open to all residents 55 and older. The public is always welcome to attend any meeting or event. Meetings begin at 11:30 am with a social hour, followed by a speaker at 12:30 pm. Bring your own lunch, dessert is provided. Held at the Old Town Hall 91 Bow Center Road
February 14, 2024. 11:30 AM
Matt Dodge will offer a discussion of the Rotary and community programs in Bow
February 28, 2024. 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
No program is scheduled for February 28th. Everyone is welcome to come to our social hour at 11:30 for interesting chat with old and new friends.
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