The book club will meet to discuss Hawthorn & Child by Keith Ridgway in the Reading Room. New members are welcome! If you need a copy of the book, just ask at the Information Desk.

"Hawthorn and his partner, Child, are called to the scene of a mysterious shooting in North London. The only witness is unreliable, the clues are scarce, and the victim, a young man who lives nearby, swears he was shot by a ghost car. 

While Hawthorn battles with fatigue and strange dreams, the crime and the narrative slip from his grasp and the stories of other Londoners take over: a young pickpocket on the run from his boss; an editor in possession of a disturbing manuscript; a teenage girl who spends her days at the Tate Modern; and a madman who has been infected by former Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Haunting these disparate lives is the shadowy figure of Mishazzo, an elusive crime magnate who may be running the city, or may not exist at all."

The Book Club will be taking a break in July, and will resume their meetings in August to discuss The Brooklyn Follies by Paul Auster.

Local artists and businesses have donated artwork of all mediums and styles, gift certificates and gift baskets, and so much more! 

Please join us for the reception on Thursday, June 5th at 6:30 p.m. Be one of the first to browse the items available and get your raffle tickets in early!  

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase throughout the month, $5.00 for 26 chances. Proceeds from the raffle will support the Friends of Jacob Edwards Library programs, such as museum passes, summer reading club programs, receptions, speakers and library equipment.

Folk duo Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards will perform throughout the reception, beginning at 6:30 p.m. 

Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards are a folk duo from Massachusetts whose songs resonate with the lover of Americana and old country music, commanding familiar traditional melodies and poignant, introspective lyrics, and backing them with delicate arrangements on ukulele, clarinet, guitar and banjo. They began in the basements, coffee shops and art spaces of New England, and have since tested the stages of more traditional folk music venues, colleges, living rooms and bar rooms from Boston to Austin, Denver to Nashville, Asheville to Portland, and back 'round again.

The drawing will be held on Thursday, June 26th at 7:30 p.m. (see below for info on performer Dale LePage, beginning at at 6:30!), and entrants need not be present to win.

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to present Jumpin' Juba!

Jumpin' Juba mixes regional blues from Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans together with roots-y rock & roll, jazz, calypso, and Latin flavors. This trio (guitar, piano, drums) features Steve Hurl (guitars, vocal), whose playing draws from the great acoustic blues fingerpickers, and from the blues-y string benders of the 1950s. Bruce Ward's burly piano work recalls such greats as Prof. Longhair, Otis Spann, and Albert Ammons. 

The band's two CD releases ( Bumpity Bump and Slap Happy) have received regional and overseas airplay, and have garnered many favorable reviews in MA papers and on the internet.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Southbridge Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Dale LePage, named Central MA Entertainer of the Year by Worcester Living Magazine, and Celebrity Pianist James Dower will perform for the 9th Annual Pride in Southbridge! Please join us in welcoming them to Southbridge.

Songs include: Close To you, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, I Say A Little Prayer, Walk On By, Anyone Who Had A Heart, The Look Of Love, I'll Never Fall In Love Again, This Guys In Love With You, Alfie, What The World Needs Now, Do You Know The Way To San Jose, Always Something There to Remind Me, A House Is Not A Home, Thats What Friends Are For.

Following the performance, the Artful Friends raffle drawing will take place at 7:30 p.m. Entrants need not be present to win, but we hope you'll still join us!

Thanks to an opportunity provided by Vienna Restaurant and Historic Inn, there will be a book signing event at the well-known restaurant.

Children's book author Kevin M. Donovan will be signing copies of his German American "Opa & Me" series at the Vienna Inn & Restaurant. Kevin was invited to sign his books at the largest gathering of Germans in the United States in Milwaukee during a 4-day German fest and interviewed by local radio station, ate bratwurst, signed books and drank more beer. Prost! 

We invite you to join us at this off-site event where complimentary hors d'oeuvres created by Chef Krach will be served between 2 pm and 4 pm. 

A cultural experience not to be missed! Hoping to see you there!

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.

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.