Library News

Jacob Edwards Library

September 2022

Library Hours

Monday & Thursday 9 am - 8 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9 am - 5 pm

Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm

Curbside pickup is available during library hours!

"The Horse and Friends" by Audrey Helen Weber, based on her debut picture book, On the Day the Horse Got Out, hanging in the Children's Room, was made possible by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.



Take Libby on the road!

You spend enough on gas. Save with free audiobooks from JEL!

Start listening with CarPlay: https://bddy.me/3z79aCy

Start listening with Android Auto: https://bddy.me/3aGfsQl

September Art Exhibit

The Art of Sam Cloutier

Reception

Thursday, September 1st

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

The Library is pleased to present an exhibit of the work of Sam Cloutier.

From the artist:

Hi! My name is Sam Cloutier, I'm 23 years old and I grew up in Sturbridge Massachusetts. I have been interested in ink drawing with pens and many other creative media that stem from it for a large part of my life now. My consistent experience in the sign and screen printing industry has been a large factor that shaped the way that I create my art. I am happy to present a choice selection of many of my favorite pieces of artwork. To view some of Sam's work, please click Sam Cloutier or on Instagram:  samcloutierart

Sam Cloutier is an Abstract Contemporary artist specializing in hand drawn mazelike linework with many hidden features transformed into small and large scale, symmetrical, multilayered, light reactive vinyl pieces.

Quintessential Brass

Thursday, September 8th

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host a concert presented by Quintessential Brass who will be celebrating the 90th birthday of John Williams with many of his beloved movie themes and famous fanfares and marches, with music from Star Wars, Superman, ET, Jaws, Schindler’s List and others. Program will also include music from the movies Psycho, The Big Country, the Wizard of Oz, Blazing Saddles, Willy Wonka and TV shows such as Star Trek, the Thunderbirds, Peter Gunn and some of the greatest music ever written that just happens to be from TV and movies.

Mike Peipman, trumpet Adam Mejaour, trumpet Robin Milinazzo, horn David Lindsey, trombone Leslie Havens, bass trombone and tuba

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

Presentation on Addiction Recovery

Wednesday, September 14th

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

In honor of Addiction Recovery Month, the Library is pleased to host a presentation on services available in our area.

UMASS at Harrington offers a continuum of care to serve the community for those who have either a substance use disorder or mental health diagnosis. The Navigator for the Addiction Immediate Care (AIC) program will present information about the services offered by Harrington, at both the Southbridge and Webster locations, along with a brief overview of our inpatient units. These services include outpatient programs such as the AIC, PHP, and IOP.  

Book Talk with Dr. Robert T. McMaster

Thursday, September 15th

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Dr. Robert (Bob) T. McMaster has just published a biography of one of this state’s most illustrious native sons, Edward Hitchcock, entitled All the Light Here Comes from Above: The Life and Legacy of Edward Hitchcock

Raised among the wheat and rye fields of Deerfield, Massachusetts, Edward Hitchcock (1793-1864) was expected to pursue a farmer's life, but early on he developed a "strong relish" for science. He went on to become one of the most influential American scientists of the nineteenth century, gaining international acclaim for his pioneering research on the dinosaur footprints of the Connecticut Valley. He was appointed the first State Geologist of Massachusetts and is recognized as one of the first American geologists to embrace the theory of continental glaciation.  

Like many scientists of his day, Hitchcock was also an ordained Christian minister. But his scientific impulses could never be denied nor his spiritual life deflect him from the pursuit of scientific truth. In that respect he was perhaps unique for his time–and for today–for he saw no conflict between science and religion. "When rightly interpreted and understood," he wrote, "they will appear in perfect unison."

Professor Hitchcock was much beloved and admired at Amherst College where he taught for nearly forty years. He was appointed president of Amherst in 1845 when the college was on the brink of bankruptcy and is credited with saving that venerable institution from dissolution during his nine-year presidency.

All the Light Here Comes from Above: The Life and Legacy of Edward Hitchcock, the first biography ever written of Edward Hitchcock, relies largely on his own words from his letters, notes, and other unpublished manuscripts. It provides an intimate view of  the man, his scientific achievements, his theological writings, as well as his battles with powerful personal demons that confronted him at every turn.

For more information visit  www.EdwardHitchcock.com

Composting Demonstration

Monday, September 19th

10:00 am - 11:00 am



Anna Smith, Interim Recycling Educator for the Town of Southbridge, and longtime avid gardener, will present a demonstration about composting leaf and yard waste. The presentation will offer simple instructions on home composting. Audience participation is welcomed and encouraged.

This program is supported in part by a

MADEP Recycling Dividends Program Grant.

Book Talk with Andrew Noone

Thursday, September 22nd

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

What possessed a woman from the elite of eighteenth-century New England society to conspire with American and British soldiers to murder her husband at the midpoint of the American Revolution? The story of Bathsheba Spooner has alternately fascinated and baffled residents of Worcester County for centuries. Beyond Central Massachusetts, the tale is largely unknown. Many, when first hearing of the tale, assume it to be the stuff of legend. It was, in fact, the most sensational “true crime” tragedy of the American 1700’s. Early American marriage and divorce, its political and military background, the social strata, its legal and retributive approach to justice---these contexts serve to frame an amateurly-conceived crime whose circumstances were uniquely suited to provoke a scandal which in its time was as gripping as that of Lizzie Borden’s over a century later.

Andrew Noone is an independent scholar, beginning this book’s journey after a dinner guest reminded him that Bathsheba Spooner and unborn son were buried in the park opposite his family’s new home. At the time, no serious, in-depth work had ever appeared on the topic.

Prior to his current teaching position as music specialist with the Worcester Public Schools, he taught dozens of college courses, many in art history and music, throughout eastern/central Massachusetts, but primarily ESL at Clark University, where he received a graduate certificate in TESOL. Later, he completed three years of study in the Keepers of the Republic program (in American history) hosted by the American Antiquarian Society. He has published with Worldwide Books and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

His lifelong love of early American history continues, especially through the lens of eighteenth-century Worcester, the little village which played an outsized role during the American Revolution. Previously a member of the Worcester Historical Commission, he is currently a docent for Preservation Worcester.

When not preparing classes or writing, he enjoys painting watercolors, learning guitar, playing piano, language study, and hiking. He and his wife live on Green Hill Park, resting place of Bathsheba Spooner and her unborn son. He has two adult children.

Sponsored by Friends of Jacob Edwards Library.

Flamenco Boston

Thursday, September 29th

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, the Library is pleased to welcome back Flamenco Boston, who gave an outstanding performance on their last visit!

Antonio "Tiriti" Tran is an upcoming flamenco guitarist in the New England scene and has worked with Flamenco Boston since 2009. Antonio has studied music since the age of 12 and has studied in Spain in Granada, Jerez, Sevilla, Malaga, and Alhaurina El Grande. Antonio has also worked with modern dancers from the Boston area, and he was featured in Dave Glista's film, Revealing Space. Antonio has been featured regularly on television programs such as the Steve Katsos Show and All About the Arts. He is currently working on his first full length album.

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

Olga Dies Dreaming

Xochitl Gonzalez

"It's 2017, and Olga and her brother, Pedro “Prieto” Acevedo, are boldfaced names in their hometown of New York. Prieto is a popular congressman representing their neighborhood in Brooklyn, while Olga is the tony wedding planner for Manhattan’s power brokers.

Despite their alluring public lives, behind closed doors things are far less rosy. Sure, Olga can orchestrate the love stories of the 1%,  but she can’t seem to find her own - until she meets Matteo, who forces her to confront the effects of long-held family secrets.

Set against the backdrop of New York City in the months surrounding the most devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico’s history, this is a story that examines political corruption, familial strife, and the very notion of the American dream - all while asking what it really means to weather a storm." - from publisher

World Book Online helps information seekers of all ages find the content they need at the correct reading level. This trusted encyclopedia contains thousands of informational articles with stunning illustrations, videos, interactive maps, research help, and activities.

The Jacob Edwards Library subscribes to multiple online databases which can help you with everything from schoolwork, finding up-to-date health information, to learning a new language, or preparing for your driving test. Check them out here!

TAG

Tuesday, September 20th

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Do you love the library?

Join our Teen Advisory Group (TAG) and help us improve our library services to teens. At monthly TAG meetings, you will weigh in on library programs, services, and materials, earn volunteer hours, make new friends, and build your leadership skills. Open to Southbridge residents ages 12-18.

Welcome to the Children's Page

September 2022

International Dot Day

Friday Sept. 16, 2022 

    All Day

Observed annually on September "15thish" since 2009, International Dot Day is a holiday in which people of all ages are encouraged to harness their own creativity and embrace their own confidence as they make their mark on the world. On this day, people are encouraged to embrace their talents – regardless of whether it’s writing, painting, drawing or some other creative medium and share their Dot Day inspiration with others. It doesn’t matter if you’re an educator or student, or a parent or child, we all have a creative spark that we can ignite with just a little bit of bravery and encouragement. And each year, the inspiration continues as people uncover the hidden power of their own creativity.

Children's Library Open House

Saturday  September  17, 2022

10:30am-11:30am