What's Happening at PML?

Week of Monday, February 21, 2022

Visit our Website

Read on to find:

For the record ...

At a Glance: This Week at PML

Coming Soon @ PML

What's a shell midden? History unfolding.

Legacy Letters

Time for another round of Chef's Challenge

Bringing Nature Home with Maine Audubon

Coffee Chats: Getting Involved

News from Youth Services

Lego Contest entries due this week

Bookopoly wraps up

Nature Explorers: March (Ice!)

In-person Chess? Yes!

Teen Leadership Council

Lit Loot: Book Subscription Boxes

Dungeons and Dragons update

Messages

Bookshelf Spotlight: On the Lighter Side

Bits & Bobs: Reminders and Such

Snow cancellations, tax forms,

book groups, passports,

book donations, and more

For the record ...

Did you know that recordings are available on our website for some of our past presentations?

We do not record every program that we offer. In some cases, the program works best in real-time. In other cases, the presenter prefers to protect their intellectual property, and we are very supportive of that decision.

However, when we can record, we do, and we have some great recordings to check out on our website.

In particular, Geri Vistein's Coyote presentation was informative and enjoyable. Even if you listen to nothing else, tune into 17:10 in the video to hear a raucous coyote howl. So fun.

Last week, we talked to Katrina Venhuizen, an educator with ecomaine, and we humbly think her presentation (A Trash and Recycling Primer) should be required viewing for anyone living in the ecomaine service area (and that's likely you, if you're reading this).

You can check out many of our past recordings here.

At a Glance:

This Week at PML

More information about these events can be found on our website: princememorial.org

All week (through Tuesday, March 1)

Lego Contest submissions due

Use your own Legos. No kits. Original work only. Size restriction: No larger than 15"-by-15" base. Grades K – 6.

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Wednesday, 3 p.m.

Book Group

Discussing Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. FMI about this book group, contact Elizabeth.

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Saturday, 2 – 3 p.m.

Teen Leadership Council

An introductory meeting for ages 12-19.

FMI and To Register

Coming Soon @ PML

What's a shell midden?

Archaeological storytelling on Maine's coasts

Thursday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m.

What is a shell midden? What do we know about them? What do they tell us about our past?

Thursday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m.

The middens of Casco Bay: An examination and discussion

shell midden Worked deer bone harpoons small.jpg

These worked deer bone harpoons, found in a shell midden, are archaeological finds that tell historians a story about the Indigenous people who lived on this land long ago. Shell middens are accumulations of shells, bones, and artifacts found along Maine's coasts, and they are rich with history. The stories middens tell give us a glimpse into life long ago.

Thomas Bennett is enthusiastic about shell middens and the history that can be found in them, and he is sharing this enthusiasm in a two-part virtual presentation offered in collaboration with Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust. Register for one or both.

Thomas first excavated a shell midden on Mosher Island in Freeport in 1986. He has worked on archaeological digs in Arizona, Maine, and Massachusetts, where he was field supervisor on the Boston Harbor/Spectacle Island shell midden dig, a component of the Big Dig.

Legacy Letters

Sharing Your Values with Loved Ones

Tuesday, March 8

1:30 – 3 p.m. via Zoom*

Registration is limited and required

A legacy letter (also called an “ethical will”) is a written document that allows you to share your life lessons, express your values, and transmit your blessings to future generations.

This workshop is designed to introduce the concept of legacy letters and to help you craft your own legacy letter. It includes discussion and a few brief writing exercises. Jay will offer advice to help you complete your legacy letter, share it with loved ones and preserve it for future generations.Jay will offer advice to help you complete your legacy letter, share it with loved ones and preserve it for future generations.

Jay Sherwin has practiced law, given away money for five charitable foundations and served as a hospital chaplain. Drawing on all those experiences, Jay created the Life Reflections Project to educate people about legacy letters and ethical wills. He now teaches classes and workshops on legacy writing and helps people create their own legacy documents.

* If you would prefer to share a Zoom screen at PML, email Kelly or call the library at 829-2215.

Time for another round of

Chef's Challenge

Saturday, March 12

3 p.m. via Zoom*

Registration is limited and required

Who can make the most creative dish using a surprise food? Each registered team gets two or three identical, random ingredients. (Pick them up at the library before the event, but don't peek!)

Get your kitchen ready for the virtual competition (via Zoom), when we'll reveal your secret ingredient, then get cooking! Using pantry items from your kitchen and the provided surprise ingredient, individuals or teams create something amazing (or not!) in just 45 minutes.

Small prizes will be awarded for presentation, creativity, and sportsmanship.

Limited to five teams.

Children under 12 must have an adult present.

Bringing Nature Home

with Maine Audubon

Wednesday, March 16

6:30 p.m. (Virtual)

Registration required.

Wherever you are in Maine, the smallest planting and maintenance choices you make can have a profound impact on your local food web. Our yards and local green spaces are refuges for species of plants and trees facing real challenges across broader landscapes.

Eric Topper, Maine Audubon’s Director of Education, will talk about the plants, practices, and perks of restoring ecology in our gardens, yards, and communities.

Coffee Chats

On serving the community and running for local office

Thursdays, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

March 3, March 10

Attend LIVE at PML or attend remotely via Zoom. Refreshments served, for those who attend live.

Learn more about becoming an elected official and/or serving our community. Representatives from Cumberland, North Yarmouth, and MSAD51 will be on hand to answer questions and talk about their experiences as elected officials.

We are offering a few installments to this series. It is not necessary to attend all. Each session will include conversations with different elected officials within the school district and two towns.

FMI and Zoom Links

News from

Youth Services

Kids (through Age 11)

You can find information about all our teen programs on the PML Kids page of our website.

Submissions due this week! (through Tuesday, Mar 1)

Grades K-6

It's back! And we are so excited to see what kids build this year.

Here are the rules:

Original work only. No kits. Use your own Legos. New this year: Builds must not exceed a 15" by 15" base.

Voting:

Wednesday, March 2 to Saturday, March 12

Lego creations will be on display in the Children's Room, and ballots will be available for the public to vote.

A small prize will be awarded to the 2 favorites in each age category: Gr. K-1; Gr. 2-3; Gr. 4-6.

Bookopoly update

(11 years and younger)

This is the last full week to earn and spend book bucks! Bookopoly runs through February, so come in soon to the library to redeem fun prizes!

Ice, Ice, Baby!

A Nature Explorer workshop for kids who are curious about nature

Thursday, March 3 — 4 to 5:30 p.m. — Knight's Pond Preserve

Grades 2-5

Why are snow and ice so important? Come learn how animals adapt to the many challenges of winter.

Karen Bruder, a Maine master naturalist, takes kids on a discovery walk at Knight's Pond, a CCLT property off

Greely Road Extension, Cumberland.

This workshop is offered in collaboration with Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust (CCLT).

Registration is limited and required.

Chess Club (It's in-person!)

Tuesdays in March

4 to 5 p.m.

Ages 8 to 11. Masks required.

New to chess, or looking to sharpen your skills? Join us!

Contact Jennifer if you have a player who prefers to participate virtually, and we will accommodate.

Registration is limited to 6 kids.

Teens (Ages 12 – 19)

You can find information about all our teen programs on the teen page of our website.

Teen Leadership Council

Saturday, February 26, 2 – 3 p.m.

Virtual. Registration is required, so we can send you the Zoom link.

The introductory meeting of our new Teen Leadership Council is this Saturday, February 26.

There is still time for teens ages 12 - 19 to register online for this virtual meeting. Snack bags will be set aside on our Grab-n-Go shelves for teens who have signed up to join us.

You've got questions. We've got answers.

Lit Loot: A book subscription box for teens

Lit Loot registration for the month of March closes at the end of the day on Monday, February 21. There are still a few spots available for teens 12 - 19 to sign up for a book box. Miss the deadline to register? Don't worry! We'll be opening registration for the month of April soon!

More information? You bet!

Dungeons & Dragons for Novice and Experienced Players

Experienced players:

Saturday, March 5, 12, 19, & 26

1 – 3 p.m.

We are excited for two D&D groups to meet in March!

The group for new players is full for March, but there are still spots available for the group for teens that know at least the basics of play.

Need more information? We thought so.

Experienced Player Registration

Messages

Bookshelf Spotlight:

Sometimes you just need something a little lighter

Looking for something a little lighter? Try these:

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Did you know? You can find all sorts of reading lists on our website. Check them out.

Correction: Last week, we mentioned that The Friends of the Library donated books to the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine. In fact, they made the donation to the Maine Immigration Rights Coalition.

Bits & Bobs: Reminders and Such

In case of inclement weather

It's snowy season, and that means the library may close because of tricky conditions. Before you head to the library in inclement weather, check our website to be sure that we are open. Alternatively, Facebook users can check our Facebook page for updates.

Ah, taxes!!

While PML no longer gets tax forms mailed to us, we (librarians) can access forms and instructions online, and we are happy to print them out when needed. We do not print the entire 114-page instruction book, but we will do individual worksheets, tables, etc.

Seniors, each year AARP offers tax prep assistance for seniors (usually at a larger public library. In the past it has been Portland's main branch and Lewiston). They have not yet populated the location finder, but seniors can go to this site to learn more:

https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/

PML's Thursday Afternoon Book Group meets monthly at 3 p.m. (fourth Thursday of the month). FMI, contact Elizabeth. Next up: The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (February 24).

The Race-in-Fiction Book Group explores ... well ... race in YA and adult fiction (and some non-fiction here and there). Second Wednesday of the month. Next up: Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue. February 9, 6:30 to 8 p.m. New members welcome. Register here. Or, FMI, contact Kelly.

Images of America: Cumberland is available at the library for $23.20 (includes tax) Cash or checks (payable to Town of Cumberland) are acceptable. All proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the renovation of the Cumberland Historical Society building at its new location next to our library.

We have PML bag tags to put on your CLYNK Bags. Ask at the circulation desk. All proceeds from donated bottles benefit the Friends of PML. Thank you!

We have State Park Passes and Museum Passes, courtesy of the Friends of PML. Ask at the circulation desk or visit our website for more information.

PML is a Passport Acceptance Facility

Email us at: passports@cumberlandmaine.com or call (207) 464-4493, our designated passport appointment line, to leave contact information for an appointment or to ask a question. For more information about the passport process, visit our website.

Check out the ongoing book sale at PML

The Friends of Prince Memorial Library holds a book sale all year in the hallway to the right of the circulation desk. Great books (like new!) and puzzles for super low prices. We are always restocking the shelves, so stop by frequently. Proceeds benefit programming at Prince Memorial Library.

For more ways to support The Friends of PML, check out their website.

Accepting donations of books, DVDs, and puzzles

The Friends of PML gladly accepts donations of gently used books, DVDs, CDs and puzzles (up to 2 small boxes or 2 shopping bags at a time), which are in good to excellent condition. Items for all ages are welcome.

The following are not accepted: Encyclopedias, magazines, textbooks, Bibles, VHS Tapes, outdated self-help or medical advice books, reference, technology or computer books, books which are written in, torn, moldy, musty, water or smoke damaged.

Please do not place donations in the Book Drop as space is limited for patrons' items. Bring donations into the library.

Thank you!

Masks are required in the library.

The Town of Cumberland requires masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, in accordance with U.S. and Maine CDC guidelines. Please wear a mask when visiting Town Hall, Prince Memorial Library, and Public Safety buildings.

Group meetings are temporarily prohibited at the library.