Reading...
By Abi Maxwell, January 30, 2012
My husband's grandmother lived a life in books, and by the time I met her, she had read virtually every book I could think of. Though literary fiction was her favorite, she read all sorts—nonfiction, mysteries, thrillers … really, anything that came her way. That meant that retirement, for her, offered endless hours to do what she loved best. And since none of her family lived in the same state she did, reading also offered welcome company. But when she reached her late 80s, her vision started to go. Briefly she worried what the rest of her life would look like—because if she couldn't read, what was she supposed to do with her time? Thankfully, a friend introduced her to large print books. This seemingly small change—a section of the library that so many of us skip right over—made the rest of her life livable.
February is National Low Vision Awareness Month, and while a library might seem like an unlikely candidate to highlight such a month, it turns out that publishers and libraries across the country have worked hard to make reading accessible to those with failing vision.
It was in 1990 that large print books first became popular. At that time, they were being published, but in small numbers, and they were sold only to libraries. But in 1990 Random House decided to do a large print test-run of one of its bestsellers, Robert Fulghum's ''It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It.'' The company was trying to decide whether or not to join in in publishing large print books. They printed 10,000 copies of the book; all but 700 were bought by bookstores. Since that time, Random House has become one of the leading producers of large print books.
Other companies quickly followed suit, and today thousands of large print titles are available. According to the NY Times, part of the reason the demand for these books rose in the 90s is that the Baby Boomers were getting older, which meant the number of visually impaired people in our country was on the rise. Today, more than 14 million people in the US are visually impaired, “the overwhelming majority of whom can read large print books.”
Another excellent resource for those with impaired vision is the audio book, which has become increasingly popular in the last decade, in part due to the ease of technology. These books offer a reader the chance to listen to a story while doing something else—driving, walking the dog, knitting—but they also offer those who have difficultly with the written word the chance to experience books. Right now the library has hundreds of books on CD, most of which are unabridged.
E-readers, like the Kindle and the Nook, also offer a great opportunity for the visually impaired, for the text size is adjustable. Currently, there are thousands of titles that are available for free download at the library, and if you want to download but don't know how, free help is available at our weekly Check Out An Expert program.
Finally, the NH State Library offers an excellent program, Talking Book Services, to “New Hampshire residents who are physically unable to see, handle or process printed material comfortably.” The program delivers audio books and magazines, and the tools on which to play them, to the homes of members. Currently they serve over 2,000 people, and lend over 90,000 books a year.
“There's a lot of support available,” says Gilford Library director Katherine Dormody. “That's because it's so important that those who are afflicted with this can still read.” If you'd like more information about any of these resources or services, just stop by or contact the library!
A Winter Open House
By Abi Maxwell, January 23, 2012
A few years ago, parents Tom and Mary LeMieux looked around and realized that their house was filled with instruments, and that all their children were becoming musicians. The LeMieuxs are a home-schooling family, so it occurred to Tom that they could invite other home-schooled musician kids over weekly, and in that way form something of a school band. That worked for a couple weeks, but the only steady attendees were the LeMieuxs themselves. Thus the family took it upon themselves to form their own band; today that band is called Kid Jazz. They play shows throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and on Saturday, January 28th, they'll play a free show at the Gilford Public Library's annual Open House.
Currently, the band members include the mother, Mary, as an occasional singer; the father, Tom, as the lead singer and guitarist; 17-year-old Michael, on the clarinet; 15-year-old Jacob, on the drums; and 12-year-old Adam, on the bass. Also in the family are 8-year-old Olivia and 3-year-old Grant, whom, their mother says, are currently groupies but will soon be members.
“We decided to play swing jazz because we all love it,” says Mary, “and also because we looked at the instruments that the kids play and knew that made the most sense.” Their songs include classics from greats like Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and Artie Shaw, along with a few originals.
Of how the family came to be so musical, Mary says that she and her husband both grew up surrounded by music; her parents ran the folk music group at their church, and his father played the tuba in a dixieland band. Now, as she looks at her children, she is just thrilled with their talent. In addition to jazz, Michael also plays classical clarinet, and he's “really quite good, really incredible,” and has won a few awards for his abilities. Jacob took a few years of lessons on the drums but eventually decided to teach himself jazz, and now his playing is “like clockwork.” As for Adam, his father taught him to play the bass, and he has that remarkable gift of being able to play by ear. “And Olivia will start piano next week!” says Mary.
In the two years that the band has been playing together as Kid Jazz, they've travelled to retirement homes, libraries, coffee shops, and even the Fox Run Mall at Christmas time. For the Gilford Library's Open House, Kid Jazz will play one set from 10:30 to 11:30 and another from 12:30 to 1:30. Refreshments will be provided, and dancing is encouraged, so stop by, see what's new at the library, and watch the show!
Notes on hobbies
By Abi Maxwell, January 16, 2012
Apparently, someone has recently designated January as National Hobby Month. There's still not too much information out there on where this came from or what the idea behind it is, and about the designation, my first thought was, Why? But then, as I began talking to people about their hobbies, I figured, Why not? For life is better, it seems, when we have something to do.
This week I spoke with a man who ties flies; two women who knit; a man who writes poems; a woman who makes mittens and headbands and other wearables out of old, shrunken sweaters; a couple that writes, plays, and records strange, eerie songs; and a woman who sews stuffed animals.
“It's satisfying,” said the fly-tyer, “to do something that has nothing to do with the rest of my life.” He said that he typically ties between two to four flies a week, though sometimes he lapses and goes a stretch without making any. “But it's good to keep up with it. I like to make something so small and precise out of these big materials, and for some reason I like to get really good at something that seems somewhat unnecessary.”
The other people I talked to had very similar things to say. None are professionals; for all of them, these hobbies are just something different to do. They offer a way to use a different skill than those the duties of their life typically demand, and though all of the projects are small, personal pursuits, they prove to be remarkably satisfying, no matter the end product.
“My stuffed animals are terrible,” said the young woman who has been sewing them for about three years. “People thought my dog was a unicorn.” But she continues to make them, and give them away, and people continue to love them. More important, the process is fulfilling to her. It's satisfying, after all, to create.
Right now it's cold out, and the ground is covered, and unless you're a skier or snowshoer, you likely feel cooped up inside. From what I gather, that's part of why the people who made National Hobby Month chose January. It's a good time to begin something, but it's also a time when people seem to need to begin something. And what better place to begin than the library? Fix your car, trace your ancestors, fold origami, run a marathon, make wallets out of duct-tape, knit or crochet or sew, build a terrarium—you'll find free instructions for nearly every hobby out there, some that you didn't even know existed. And if you'd rather start a hobby with other people, that's just what our clubs and special programs are for. There's photography, writing, knitting, mahjong, rug-hooking, book discussions, and much more. New members at the library and in the clubs are always welcome, so stop by and see what's going on!
Family History Program with Marianne Marcussen
By Abi Maxwell, January 9, 2012
Back in 1999, Marianne Marcussen received a phone call from a distant cousin whom she had never before met. This cousin was doing some genealogical research, and needed information on Marcussen's branch of the family. She agreed to look into things—beginning with notebooks, ancestor charts, and family group sheets that her father and grandmother had kept—and thus began a search that would become a lifelong hobby. On Saturday, January 21, Marcussen will be at the Gilford Public Library to lead a genealogy workshop, Using Ancestry.com to Research Family History.
“Genealogy is great for the past, present, and future,” says Marcussen, who points out that the search for ancestors works on three levels. First, perhaps the most obvious, is that it provides us with a link to the past. As we find out more about our family, we find out more about who we are and where we come from. Next, it's a great hobby for the present. It costs little to no money to get involved in, and it can be an exhilarating way to spend time. Finally, Marcussen points out that it's great for the future. And not just for the future of your own family—as she's discovered time and time again, tracking down and recording this sort of information is important for researchers, too.
Currently, Marcussen can trace most branches of her family back to about 1600. As for the most exciting discovery she's made in her research? “I found out that my great-great grandfather had a sister that no one knew about—as far as I know—for at least three generations back.” Once she encountered a piece of information that suggested this, she spent about a year trying to prove it. “The story was that my great-great grandfather came from England with his widowed mother when he was about ten. That was it. Come to find out, he had a younger sister!” As she researched this mystery, Marcussen traveled to a number of different states and tracked down several distant relatives. This, she says, was the most satisfying search so far in her ancestral journey.
As for the cousin who initially set her on the genealogical path, “We've now met a few times. We had a common ancestor in Kentucky, and we went there, went to the old church and cemetery, and we did some research there together.” This research—the kind that requires you to leave the comfort of your chair, is part of what Marcussen will be talking about at the library. “There's a misconception that it's all available on the Internet. It's not, and maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think it all will ever be.” What Marcussen hopes to teach people is how to use Ancestry.com effectively, and what sort of information is going to require you to look elsewhere.
The program will run like a workshop, with Marcussen moving around the room helping participants in their specific searches. It's the sort of thing she used to —prior to teaching genealogy courses, for nearly six years she also worked as a genealogist at a library, helping people one-on-one as they searched for family members. For the January 21 course, Marcussen asks that all participants come with a specific question, or a specific search that has stumped them.
The program will be held on Saturday, January 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. All who have at least some familiarity with searching on the computer are welcome to join. The cost is $10, and participants who own a laptop computer are asked to bring it along. Just call or stop by the library to sign up!
Quilting with Pam Horvath
By Abi Maxwell, January 5, 2012
In 1993, author and historian Jacqueline Tobin met African American quilter Ozella Williams, and this woman began to tell her about the various ways in which quilting patterns were used to guide slaves in their escape along the Underground Railroad. There were ten patterns in this secret language, and once sewn these quilts were hung out on clotheslines or fences to signal various messages. The Monkey Wrench pattern, for instance, told slaves that escape was coming soon, and it was time to collect tools for their journey. Other patterns indicated distance, direction, and God’s prayers.
“Quilts are such a comfort art, and the fact that they were used in this way just reinforces that,” says longtime quilter and Gilford resident Pam Horvath, who will teach a 4-week quilting course at the library beginning on January 27. “That quilts were used to help people find a home, find a place where they could be accepted and free, that is truly symbolic.” Pam points out that in addition to guiding slaves to freedom, quilts can offer a real, palpable look at our ancestors’ lives, they can commemorate the death of loved ones, and, of course, they can keep us warm for ages.
As for why she quilts, Pam says that it’s astonishing to take a piece of fabric, “something that has a life, and then cut it up and put it back together in a new, beautiful way.” She first began sewing as a little girl, when she received a Singer Easy Sew as a gift, and she’s been sewing ever since. In her numerous years as a quilter, she’s made at least a couple dozen quilts herself, and just this year has “finally” kept one for herself—all the rest have been given as gifts. An artist who enjoys traditional work, Pam is particularly drawn to quilting because it offers the chance to use her own creativity in an age-old form that also draws upon her attraction to a meticulous, symmetrical aesthetic. And, she loves that it’s a practical art. “I’ve given a lot of quilts,” she says. “And I hope that they’re all used.”
In the library’s quilting class, Pam will teach a nine-patch block quilt, which is a great beginner design that will make a small, table-sized quilt. The course will take place at 9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. from Friday, January 27 to Friday, February 17. By the end of the course, participants will have a completed quilt to take home, along with the skills to get started on another. Sewing machines are required for the class—though it’s fine if you’ve never even taken your machine out of the box before!—and there will be an optional field trip to a quilting store in the first week of the course. Sign up is required, along with a $25 donation to the Gilford Public Library.
Notes from the library
By Abi Maxwell, December 26, 2011
January gets its name from the Roman god Janus, a two-faced figure who looks both forward and back and is therefore thought of during periods of transition. It's no surprise, then, that as one year closes and the next opens, we look back and, based on what we see, we make a resolution to carry us forward.
Of all the millions of resolutions that have been made, those of Jonathan Edwards are perhaps the most enduring. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Edwards is “widely acknowledged to be America's most important and original philosophical theologian.” Born in Connecticut in 1703 to a Puritan evangelical family, Edwards went on to write, study, and preach his religion and philosophy. Also, as a young man he began to compile what became a list of 70 resolutions to guide his life. Listed below are a few of his famous resolutions—all of which could easily be applicable to our own lives—along with some book suggestions from our library to help achieve that resolution.
Early on in the list is: “Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.” This resolution works in two parts—the first, be mindful, don't waste time. Andrew Weil's new book, Spontaneous Happiness, might be a good choice for this sort of resolution, for it reminds us that if we're waiting for happiness to drop down upon us, we're wasting time; happiness, according to Weil, comes from within. The second part of the resolution—improve our time in the most profitable way possible—means, I think, to do what we mean to do. Memoirs and biographies are always a great inspiration on this front, and one recent one is Colin Thubron's To a Mountain in Tibet, in which he leaves his home in the wake of his mother's death to journey up a mountain believed to be sacred by one-fifth of the world's population. Another inspiring story to remind us to live the lives we mean to live is Alison Thompson's The Third Wave, which explores her time as a volunteer in Sri Lanka after a major tsunami.
To not waste time is certainly an incredible goal, but it seems that improving our physical health—exercising, eating less sugar, quitting smoking—is a more common resolution. Edwards' list contains a number of these, among them, “Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live,” and “Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.” The library owns many books to help with this sort of goal. One new, popular book that promises to get you in shape fast is Making the Cut, written by The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels. As for food and drink, there's an entire section of cookbooks devoted to healthy food. A recent one is Plenty: Vibrant Recipes from London's Ottolenghi, written by chef, restaurant owner, and columnist Yotam Ottolenghi, who has been named one of the most exciting new talents in the cooking world. The book is filled with healthy, delicious, and creative vegetarian recipes like herb-stuffed tomatoes, sweet winter slaw, and saffron cauliflower.
Among Edwards's other resolutions are “Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge,” “Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone,” and, “Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better.” His full list is available online; it's fun and helpful to look over while choosing a personal resolution. But a simple resolution to read more is always a good one, too!Notes from the library
By Abi Maxwell, December 5,, 2011
This week the top three NY Times fiction bestsellers are fixtures on the list: James Patterson, Sue Grafton, and Stephen King. These three writers are among the most prolific in the world. Patterson, for example, published an astonishing ten books in 2011 alone. So what's going on behind the scenes? How do these writers work?
According to NPR's Writer's Almanac, it's estimated that one out of every 17 hardcover books sold in the US is written by Patterson. A thriller writer who is the best-selling novelist in the world, Patterson makes no secret of the fact that his books are co-written. According to an interview with The Telegraph, Patterson writes an outline of roughly 30 pages, and then passes it on to the co-author, who drafts the manuscript. As for his fast-paced writing style, Patterson says he discovered it when he wrote a “barebones template for the plot” of an early novel. He had intended to go through the draft and lengthen it, but decided that he liked it the way it was. Since that time, that early draft has become the remarkably successful template for his work.
Sue Grafton is a mystery writer whose story is a little more typical—she writes her own books, after all. She's just released the 22nd installment in her best-selling Alphabet Series, this one titled V is for Vengeance. As for why she writes murder mysteries, she claims that “during an ugly and protracted divorce … she would lie awake at night fantasizing about ways to kill her ex-husband.” But of course she would never do that, so she focused her energies on fiction instead. Grafton begins a book with a lot of research, plus character and plot development. This portion of the process can take her upwards of one year, after which she begins an actual draft. While working on a book, she keeps copious notes to help her through what she describes as “frustration, backtracking, false starts, and bad moods.”
Perhaps the most well-known name on the list, Stephen King is the man who moved horror “out of deserted castles” and into “small towns and fast food restaurants and libraries.” Of his first novel, Carrie, he says he “witnessed the cruelty of teenagers” and let that idea intersect with the possibility of physic powers. But it's not ghosts and monsters that really compel King; what drives him is “an intrusion” of the inexplicable—whether it be cancer, a prank phone call, or a vampire—on our otherwise ordinary lives. This, he says, is the place fear comes from. As for his process, King writes the first draft within about three months. After that he rewrites, focusing on storytelling techniques as he moves toward a final draft.
Since part of the fascination of reading is finding out how the story developed, there's a wealth of information and interviews available on most writers. Sue Grafton, for example, shares pages from her notebooks on her website, and Stephen King has written two books on craft. So if there's a writer or book you love, you might enjoy finding out about its backstory. And if you need help finding it, just stop by the library!
Notes from the library
By Abi Maxwell, November 28, 2011
For me, reading is an incredibly private pursuit. The characters take their places in my imagination and there they remain, untouched by the outside world. And once a book is through, it's not only the book I remember but my experience reading it: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on one solitary Thanksgiving in the mountains; Swamplandia! on the couch for hours while outside the snow relentlessly fell. Oftentimes, if it's a book I love, I develop a fierce attachment to it, and become nervous about the prospect of talking about it to another reader. What if that person didn't like the book? How could I accept that?
I think a lot of readers must have similar feelings, which is why book discussions can be difficult. Invariably, there are differing opinions in the group. Just one example from this year's discussions includes “That's the best book I've read all year!” alongside “That book was so sick and that author is a despicable human being!” Yet those two readers, along with about 25 others, have continued to read the books we ask them to read, and to show up and participate in a discussion. Why?
“Cookies!” says one devoted attendee. But she goes on to point out that book discussions remain the only place where she talks to people whose backgrounds, values, and ages are different than her own. This, of course, means that she is introduced to a different perspective—one that she never would have thought of before—on the book. Other readers point out that even if they don't like the book, the discussions usually make them appreciate the book. And, a discussion has a way of illuminating a story—making it at once clearer and more complex.
So if you like to read and are interested in expanding your views, don't be shy! Our next book discussions will take place on Thursday, December 8, with one in the afternoon and one in the evening. The book to be discussed is Jamie Ford's Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, which explores the effects of Japanese internment camps during WWII. Happy reading!
fall Cooking...
By Abi Maxwell, November 14, 2011
In 1621, probably sometime in late September or early October, Plymouth Harbor governor William Bradford ordered four men to go out “fowling” for migrating birds. The Pilgrims had been in their settlement for nearly a year, and now it was time to “rejoice together” after they had “gathered the fruit” of their labors and endured—through much hardship—their first year in this country. Unexpectedly, roughly one hundred Pokanokets--showed up with five deer to add to the feast.
Today historians believe that the event was most likely held outdoors—as Pilgrim houses were too small to accommodate such a crowd—and that turkey might not have been eaten. Historians do know, however, that the Pokanoket guests brought five deer, and the English brought fowl. Other likely candidates on the first Thanksgiving table were pumpkin, corn, beans, and root vegetables, along with the “easy-to-gather local food” like clams, lobsters, cod, and leafy greens. There were no pies, and no cranberry sauce, and there weren't even forks yet—according to writer and historian Nathaniel Philbrick, these didn't arrive until the last part of the seventeenth century.
Now, 390 years after that first meal, Thanksgiving has transformed into a family affair and grand celebration of the food of fall, so if you're looking for a good addition to your Thanksgiving table, then you might check out some of the library's great new cookbooks.
Just released, Paula Deen's Southern Cooking Bible is what she calls her “proudest achievement so far.” It's a thick cookbook, with family recipes for all meals and seasons, and many of them are perfect for Thanksgiving. There's the intricate, like Pecan and Cream Cheese-stuffed Dates, and then there are the simple, stand-by recipes like Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary and Braised Greens. There's also an entire section dedicated to pies, cobblers, and crisps, so if you're looking for an inspiring all-around cookbook, this is a good one to try.
The Apple Lover's Cookbook, by Amy Traverso, is a beautiful new book that explores the history, flavors, and uses of all sorts of apples. The book includes stories from apple growers and cider makers around the country, and, of course, an array of recipes. Cider-Brined Turkey, Apple Squash Gratin, and Apple-Gingersnap Ice Cream are just a few of the recipes that would be perfect for the holiday.
If you want to try some of these new recipes are leery about your skills in the kitchen, The Kitchen Counter Cooking School is the book to help you gain confidence. Written by Le Cordon Bleu graduate Kathleen Flinn, Kitchen Counter visits the homes of nine novice cooks to give cooking lessons that include knife technique and money-saving strategies. “Ibelieve in the power of home cooking and one of my life's missions is to help people find their way off the couch and into the kitchen,” says Flinn.
Of course, there's always those good old cookbooks to check out, too. Some
of our local favorites include The High Maples Farm Cookbook, Hometown Cooking in New England, and New Hampshire: From Farm to Kitchen. So if you're in the mood to try some new recipes, come browse our wide array of cookbooks!
Tales for Tails
By Abi Maxwell, November 7, 2011
Many of us know the comfort a pet can bring—company, laughter, and, sometimes, something that certainly feels like understanding. As Jane Goodall points out, “There is scientific evidence that proves, beyond doubt,” that a “friendly, gentle animal” can lower blood pressure, help a stroke victim to move semi-paralyzed limbs, decrease sickness, lengthen life, and help autistic children overcome various obstacles in communication and social interaction.
It's no surprise, then, that the presence of such an animal can also help people make great strides in their reading abilities. Here at the Gilford Library, we're lucky enough to have two therapy dogs visit weekly for Tales for Tails. Their job? To sit and listen to a story from a new or ‘reluctant' reader.
“The dogs aren't judgmental,” says Children's Librarian Jessie Tanner. “They're friendly, and not at all critical of the readers.” This, she says, encourages those who have trouble reading to practice, and even gets those who think they do not like to read to give it a try in order to be close to the dog.
According to doctor Aubrey H. Fine, a psychotherapist and professor at the California State Polytechnic University, the approach of animals in therapy has “a tremendous impact in teaching because it helps to change how we relate to other beings.” In reading, the calm dog abates the nervousness of a child, and the dog's friendly demeanor encourages the reader to go on.
Brady and Sam are the dogs that help readers here at the Gilford Library. Both dogs have earned their Canine Good Citizenship certification, and have gone through extensive training in order to become Tales for Tails dogs. Of Brady, owner Claire Hebert says, “I knew right away that he would be a therapy dog.” A Cockapoo with a bit of Shih Tzu mixed in, Brady is a small, quiet four-year-old dog who attends doggy day care three days a week to socialize with other dogs, and who comes to the library on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.
Sam, who listens to stories on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, is a Bernese Mountain Dog who weighs about 80 pounds. Historically, Sam's breed was meant to pull milk carts, and today many Bernese Mountain Dogs continue this pursuit, though the carts usually don't have milk on them anymore; Sam's pulling takes the form of skijoring. Her size shouldn't fool people though—she too is known for her quiet, gentle demeanor. “People just love her,” says owner Nancy Hoffman, who recalls an afternoon at Golden View Health Care Center, when Sam jumped up onto the bed to cheer up a patient suffering from MS. “It's the emotional support that this sort of therapy dog provides.” With reading, “scores go up as self confidence in reading rises.”
If you have a young, new, or reluctant reader in the family, Tales for Tails is an excellent way to offer fun and productive practice. The dogs are here every Thursday from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m., and they're always eager to have a story read to them!
Notes from the library
By Abi Maxwell, October 31, 2011
No Plot? No Problem! That's a catchphrase of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which takes place every November and challenges its participants to write 50,000 words—roughly 175 pages—in just thirty days. Founded in 1999 by writer Chris Baty, the event had just 21 participants that first year, but by 2010 it had grown to an astonishing 200,000 participants from all over the world.
“Quantity, not quality,” is a phrase you'll find over and over again if you look into NaNoWriMo. For those of us who are accustomed to reading—and critiquing—novel after novel, this can seem like a troublesome endeavor; as a reader, quality does matter. So does plot. But what we as readers often forget is that novels are not born into the lovely form that we find them in. Novels—and perhaps every single first novel—have at least one (if not several) murky, messy, embarrassingly awful incarnations before they finally became those edifying books that we find on the shelves of the library.
But as a writer, those first drafts of a book can be the hardest to get down. Never mind finding the time—in those early days of becoming a writer, faith is hard to come by, too. When I first decided to put other ambitions aside in order to pursue fiction, I could not get beyond a paragraph; I was cursed with comparing what I wrote to what I had read and loved. Of course my own words did not measure up, so I would throw them away and try again. The process got me nowhere, but eventually, thankfully, I learned to do what these NaNoWriMos do—just write, page after page after terrible page. The method doesn't work for everyone, but it is the way most of my writer friends learned to write well.
“How can I know what I think until I see what I say?” asked novelist E.M. Forster. His words are just one argument for attempting to learn to write in this sprawling NaNoWriMo way; you can't cut and shape and grow your story until you get the story out. Another argument is just for practice—the more we write, the better we write. But perhaps one of the largest benefits of doing something like NaNoWriMo is that it forces you to turn off your inner critic, stop trying to sound good, and just get words on the page. After all, you can't write a novel unless you write some words to work with.
Many NaNoWriMo participants have gone on to publish novels, Sara Gruen (Water for Elephants) and Erin Morgenstern (The Night Circus) among them. In her acknowledgements, Morgenstern thanks her agent for believing in a manuscript that was “once a truly god-awful mess.” That book—after countless revisions—is currently # 6 on the NY Times Bestseller list, and it is a stunning read.
To join NaNoWriMo, you just need to visit their website, http://www.nanowrimo.org/. From there you'll be ushered into a community that offers writing tips, weekly pep talks from well-known authors, and the opportunity to connect with others in our own area who have signed up for the very same endeavor. Counting today, there are still 28 days left in the novel-writing challenge—so get writing!
Fall into a good book...
By Abi Maxwell, October 24, 2011
In fall the bursting colors of the trees make our corner of the world look like a storybook. Add to that the images of the dead that we line our porches and front steps with, and with a little imagination it really can seem like our streets suddenly belong to some other world. Traditions that celebrated the link between the living and the dead—and that later became known as Halloween—are said to date back at least 2,000 years, and by now it seems clear that at this time of year we are looking to be scared, or at least dazzled, by stories and images that call into question our daily reality. As always, reading is a good way to do that.
Slated as ‘horror' by some reviewers, ‘psychological thriller' by others, and ‘genre-defying' by still more, New England writer Chris Bohjalian's new book, The Night Strangers, is a terrifying ghost story that explores what happens when a cellar door in an old New Hampshire house is opened after years and years of being bolted shut. So if you're one who wants to be scared this season, this book will do the trick.
If magic is what you seek at this time of the year, Erin Morgenstern's bestselling debut The Night Circus is just the book. Dark, mysterious, and enchanting, this new novel takes place in the midst of a circus held only at night, and centers on a duel between two young magicians who have been trained since birth for the event. An instant success, already at # 5 on the bestseller list, this young author's debut is simply captivating.
Yet sometimes the scariest and most thrilling stories are those in which the events actually seem within our realm of possibility, and Deon Meyer's Trackers is such a book. Set in his native South Africa, this thriller follows the life of a retired bodyguard who soon gets drawn back in to the world of a missing-person investigation. Currently the #1 bestseller in South Africa, Meyer's work offers thrill and mystery page after page.
Of course, for many of us the real draw of the Halloween season is the fun it provides for children. Here at the library, all children are invited to put on a costume and join the annual Costume Party and Parade on Friday, October 28 from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. The event will include activities led by Music with Mar, trick-or-treating, crafts, and a parade around the library. So no matter your age, be sure to stop by the library to celebrate the season!
Economics Club at the Library
By Abi Maxwell, October 17, 2011
“If you pay a mortgage, if you're considering going to college, then economics touches you every single day,” says library patron Barry Dame, who has recently formed an Economics Club at the Gilford Public Library. A devoted member of the library's Philosophy Club, which met weekly from January through August to discuss unanswerable questions such as the existence of altruism and the role of morality, Dame says that the Economics Club will continue in that same spirit.
“We're not interested in who's a Democrat and who's a Republican. I'm not going to talk about what's good and what's bad.” Instead, the club will discuss economic ideas. Sample topics include whether or not free markets are always stable, and if free trade always works to one's advantage. If those topics sound like they're beyond your understanding, don't fret—part of the club's mission is to introduce you to these concepts and their history.
With a professional background as both an economics instructor and an engineer, Dame brings a fascinating perspective to the club. “Economists develop theories and become enamored of them,” he says, but he points out that those theories do not always function in the real world. That's where Dame's engineering mind comes in—he likes to take these economic theories and examine them, trying to decipher what works and how to fix what doesn't. “You're not a computer,” he says earnestly. “What factors into your decision making cannot always be graphed.”
Again, if you have no background in economics, don't let that deter you; the group aims to follow in the footsteps of the Philosophy Club, whose members were among the most diverse of any club the library has seen. All who are interested in trying out something new are encouraged to join the Economics Club, which meets every Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and promises to be a supportive, friendly environment.
Get Booked with Author Carole Anderson
By Abi Maxwell, October 10, 2011
“I’m not even a skier,” says writer and historian Carol Lee Anderson, who will be at the Gilford Public Library next Tuesday, October 18, to discuss her new book, Skiing on Gunstock: The Lakes Region’s Legacy of Excellence. “The story is just so good—I knew it needed to be told.”
Initially, Carol had no intention of writing a book about Gunstock. But when her teenage daughter, Sarah, undertook the project of preserving the old Outing Club building, Carol’s interest grew. She began a search for information about the history of skiing in the area, and quickly found that it had never before been documented in one place.
“I knew that if I didn’t do this,”
Research also led
Carol Anderson will be at the Gilford Public Library on Tuesday, October 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss the journey of writing her book and the stories that she discovered in the process, and to show a slideshow of old Gunstock photos. This program is free; contact the library for more details.
Notes from the library
By Abi Maxwell, September 26, 2011
Libraries are peaceful places, so you might be surprised to learn that in the library world, there's quite the debate about that old Dewey Decimal System. In part that's because in 2007, one library in Arizona decided to transition its nonfiction out of Dewey and into a more browser-friendly system. This was truly groundbreaking, and it gave that small library branch press in The Washington Post and The New York Times. Now, a relatively small number of public libraries across the country—Gilford Library included—have converted portions (or, in some cases, all) of their nonfiction collection into this new system that's commonly referred to as the ‘bookstore model.'
For fiction, organization is simple in public libraries: it's arranged by author. Nonfiction is another issue entirely; we need these organized by topic—health together, travel together, etc. Thus the Dewey Decimal System, which, in our country, has been the classification system for public libraries (academic libraries typically use the Library of Congress System) since its introduction in 1876. Today, Dewey is in use in over 200,000 libraries in 138 countries. In essence, the Dewey number on the spine of a nonfiction book tells us exactly where that book will be, and thus allows us to find a particular book quickly and efficiently.
Yet there are problems with the Dewey Decimal System. Perhaps the most applicable here is that studies show that 80% of patrons come to a public library to browse—not research—which means they want to go to a particular section, on, say, birds, and see what's there. With Dewey, that requires the patron to first know the number, which requires either looking it up in the card catalog or asking a librarian. Lots of browsers would prefer to skip this step.
Another problem with Dewey is that its categories were established in a time gone by. Take the 600s, for example. The broad category here is ‘Technology.' This includes everything from engineering to metalworking, but does not include information on computers. Or, in the 640s, devoted to ‘Home Economics,' you'll find the expected: sewing books, cookbooks—but you'll also find books about dating and ‘harmonious family relations.' These days, lots of patrons would prefer a more intuitive system.
But that doesn't mean that the Dewey Decimal System doesn't have its place. Rather than being designed to help patrons browse, Dewey (and the Library of Congress System) is meant to track down a particular book; the number dictates the exact place where the book will be. That is something that research libraries just cannot do without.
Yet a public, community library is a very different case. Here in Gilford, patrons like to browse through an entire section on, for example, gluten-free cooking, or explorers and adventurers. And now they can, for all cookbooks and biographies have been transitioned out of Dewey and into the ‘bookstore model.'
The results have been astounding. Biographies were the first to be re-catalogued, and within just one month their checkout rate increased by as much as 100%. In the year that's followed, biographies have remained at a steady 40% to 50 % checkout increase. That's as clear evidence as there could be that for this small library, moving out of Dewey is a positive step.
As the director of one of just a handful of libraries throughout the state who has begun to move out of Dewey, Katherine Dormody will speak about the change during October's NH Library Association conference.
When asked how she feels about the change, Dormody's response is very clear and concise. “The statistics show that more people are checking out more books,” she says. “Isn't that the library's mission?”
Gilford Write Now Writers' Group
By Abi Maxwell, September 19, 2011
If a book is incredible, or even if it is just really good, the reader can get the feeling that some magic wand has been waved to make the words appear on the page; it all falls together into a story that effortlessly. But in truth a good book—even a good short story—is most often born of hours upon hours of hard labor. Alice Munro, who is widely considered the best short story writer of our time, attests to this: “I went through about a year … when I couldn't finish a sentence. It was a time of terrible depression, about what I could do measured against what I wanted to do.” She says that she is sometimes able to finish one story in two months, but that is rare; usually one complete story takes about eight months to complete. There are a lot of false starts and wrong turns and re-dos along the way. That's helpful to know, I think, for those of us who try to write our own stories.
It's also helpful to have others around who are also grinding away through what can sometimes feel like a dark and endless tunnel. That's the idea of Write Now, the recently formed writer's group at the Gilford Public Library. So far, the group is made up of about 9 core members (and always welcomes new people to the table). It's a diverse group: a few interested in memoir for the sake of family legacy; one who aspires to complete a children's book; one “prolific humorist”; one essayist hoping to publish; and a handful of humble people just trying their hand at writing. “What we all share,” says co-facilitator Bonnie Carnivale, is “the desire to improve our craft with a little help from our friends.”
Write Now began at the close of a memoir-writing workshop taught at the Gilford Library; after that course, two of the writers wanted to continue writing, and felt that a writing community was vital to the process. To that end, Write Now members meet twice a month to share their writing; read and discuss work they admire; write using prompts; and critique each other's work.
“There are two huge benefits to the group,” says Bonnie. “We all get an audience, and we are all encouraged to keep writing.” She remarks that though the there is no set amount of pages that group members are expected to write outside of class, they all find themselves writing “more than they otherwise might.” And, their audience has recently expanded: every other Thursday, you can now read a piece from a group member in Gilford Steamer's new column, Writer's Nook.
Write Now meets from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of every month. For more information, contact the library or just come and join the group!
Author visit with Jenna Blum at the Library!
By Abi Maxwell, September 12, 2011
“My writing life is kind of like crop rotation,” says New York Times bestselling novelist Jenna Blum, who is the next author in the Gilford Public Library's Get Booked series. “When I'm working on a book, I'm in the Writers' Protection Program. My family and friends know I'm in lockdown and sometimes will literally leave food for me outside the door. I do this because I can't concentrate on the real world and the fictional world at the same time; it's like listening to two competing radio stations at once.”
That sort of arrangement seems to have worked for her; when Jenna was just 16, she published her first short story, which won first prize in Seventeen Magazine's National Fiction Contest. Since that time, Jenna has published two bestselling novels, in addition to a number of stories in literary journals.
Of her first book, Those Who Save Us, which tells the story of a woman who is liberated from Nazi Germany, Jenna says, “I baked everything that appears in the novel.” And she didn't only bake—Jenna “read everything” she could get her hands on about the Third Reich; she watched German films; listened to German music; took German classes; interviewed Holocaust survivors; and even dressed, for a short period of time, as the heroine of her novel would have dressed.
That sort of research—which Jenna herself jokingly refers to as “insanity”— is also what makes her novels so compelling. Her second novel was also born of remarkable research. Interested in tornados since she was a girl who loved The Wizard of Oz and herself experienced a tornado, Jenna spent years in Minnesota trying to track down storms, and eventually joined with a professional group to actually chase tornados. The result of that research, the widely praised The Stormchasers, also explores the life of a man with bipolar disorder and his twin sister. The novel could not have been written without her five years of storm-chasing experience.
“Like my characters, I'm still trying to understand the mysterious, majestic machinery behind big weather: how something as powerful and destructive as a tornado can happen so quickly, seemingly from a clear blue sky. And as a writer I've always been interested in how people put their lives back together after they've been devastated by huge forces beyond their control,” Jenna says of that book.
Currently, Jenna divides her time between Boston—where she teaches master novel workshops at Grub Street Writers—and her mother and grandmother's rural Minnesota hometown. She will be at the library on Tuesday, April 20, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. All are welcome and encouraged to come hear what this fascinating and talented writer has to say!
Notes from the library
By Abi Maxwell, September 5, 2011
For the duration of summer, we kept a small stamp here at the library's front desk, and when a patron read a book, we'd stamp a picture of a compass onto their Summer Reading playing card. There were a total of 300 participants who played the game, some who came in for one or two stamps, and others who filled their entire cards.
“Does the game really make you read more?” I finally began asking the patrons who came in day after day for one more stamp. The answers were all the same: an overwhelming yes. And it didn't matter their age—playing the game encouraged kids, teens, and adults not only to read more, but also to read a different kind of book than they were accustomed to.
“I like romances,” said one library patron who completed her playing card and reported that this summer she read about “the Congo, the science of brains, and life on a raft in the middle of the ocean.”
The Summer Reading game lasted seven weeks, and thanks to the Friends of the Library, those patrons who read themselves all the way to the finish line had their names added to a raffle to win a grand prize. For children, the winners were Sean Ellis and Kayla Loureiro, who each read either 18 or more chapter books or 60 or more easy reader books, depending on their age and reading level. Sean and Kayla each took home tickets to Storyland along with a Summer Reading t-shirt and tote bag.
For teens, the grand-prize winner and runner up each read seven books from seven different countries in seven weeks. The winner was Jessica Freeman, who won an iPod shuffle, in addition to a Summer Reading t-shirt, water bottle, and tote bag. Sally Tinkham won the runner-up prize, which was two tickets to the miniature golf course, plus a Summer Reading t-shirt, water bottle, and tote bag.
As for the adults, the grand-prize winner, Jackie Belanger, and two runners up—Marilyn Goodwin and Denise Martin—read a total of more than sixty books in just seven weeks. Jackie received a $50 gift certificate to Innisfree Bookshop in Meredith, Marilyn won a $25 gift certificate to Kitchen Cravings, and Denise won a $25 gift certificate to Sawyer's Dairy Bar.
Now that Summer Reading is finished it's time for National Library Card Sign-up month. That means that if you sign up for a GPL card this month, or if you refer someone else to sign up for one, your name will be added to a drawing to win one of four gift baskets donated by the Friends of the Gilford Library.
September is Library Card Sign Up Month
By Abi Maxwell, August 29, 2011
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when libraries across the country focus on encouraging people—particularly parents and their children—to sign up for the “smartest card.” The campaign began in 1987, when the American Library Association set the goal of getting a library card to every youth in the country. But in today's world, with so much available and so much to do on the internet, people are asking whether or not books will stick around. And, a lot of kids are asking how important reading really is, anyway.
In answer to this sort of question, the American publishing house McSweeney's sent out a number of researchers to discover and report upon the state of literacy, public libraries, and the publishing world. Their findings were clear: reading and all that goes with it is alive and well.
Reading, it turns out, is still the best thing you can do for a population. Time after time, studies have shown the “far-reaching benefits of literacy,” including “better health, greater social equality, increased economic prosperity,” along with increased “social, gender, education, and ethnic equality.” And these benefits actually go hand in hand with technological advances, for they help deliver more reading material to more people. Right now, in fact, literacy rates are the highest they have ever been, and more books and new writers are being published than ever before. And, these numbers are still rising.
As for the importance of libraries, many of the 5,306 GPL cardholders can attest to the fact that the library is the place for community activity. What else brings free music shows, a photography club, book discussion groups, a knitting group, a mahjong club, and weekly programs for children and teens to our small town? The library is also the number one resource for free internet access not only in our town but across the country, which means it's the place for many to study or apply for a job. And, while the internet offers a wealth of information, a library and its books and online databases offer what the general internet cannot: access to and guidance in finding a wealth of good, reliable information. In fact, according to the ALA, reference librarians answer nearly 5.7 million questions weekly. Put into a single-file line, those questioners would stretch from Long Island, New York, to Juneau, Alaska.
All of that accounts for the fact that library usage is currently as high as it's ever been. Today, according to the research company Harris Interactive, 62% of Americans are library cardholders. That's a high number, but considering that there are more public libraries in the US than there are McDonald's restaurants, the number can also seem low.
If you don't have a library card, September is the time to get one. Not only is joining the library a good thing to do for yourself, but it's also good for the town and the greater world. As an extra incentive, if you sign up for a GPL card this month, or if you refer someone else to sign up for one, your name will be added to a drawing to win one of four gift baskets donated by the Friends of the Gilford Library. Happy reading!
Old Home Day
By Abi Maxwell, August 22, 2011
Our summer days are numbered—already the nights are cooler, and while just a few weeks ago we prayed for a break in the heat, now we're trying to soak up as much sun as possible before we retreat inside for winter. But there still is time—time enough to take a few last small summer trips, and enough to read at least one more perfect summer book. So here are a few New Hampshire destinations, along with the books to accompany them:
One of the most beloved writers of the 20th century, Pulitzer Prize winner Willa Cather spent a handful of her writing years in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, and she felt such a kinship with the Monadnock region that she decided to be buried in the Old Burying Ground of her NH village. Upon visiting her grave, you'll notice that the cemetery is filled with the stones of early settlers, and that Cather's grave is off to the side, as though there wasn't room for her—and in fact there wasn't. But the townspeople of Jaffrey, so honored by Cather's request, found space for the writer. Her gravestone reads: “That is happiness; to be dissolved into something complete and great.” The quote is taken from My Ántonia, the novel that is frequently considered her masterpiece. A quietly boiling story of immigrants to the Nebraska prairie, reading My Ántonia is a lovely way to spend a few final days of summer.
No great books have been written aboard the Sophie C. Mailboat, but that Lakes Region relic—which is the oldest floating post office in the US (in fact, there's only one other of the sort)—is worth a stop on any literary tour of our state, for there's just something so old-world and romantic about sending mail to and from an island. But a ride around the lake on this nostalgic cruise is also a great entry into the history and folklore of our lake, and the New Hampshire Room is filled with old reference books documenting life on the lake. Try Winnipesaukee Whoppers; Fabulous Legends of the Lake Once Called Winnipiseogee to hear the lake's enduring myths, or Three Centuries on Lake Winnipesaukee to learn the fascinating stories of the boats that have graced the lake, including one steamboat that is sunk in Gilford's own Smith Cove, and the horse boats that were equipped with real horses to turn the propellers.
Currently the #1 bestselling history book, Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, by David McCullough, spends much of its time detailing the Parisian life of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who summered and eventually made his full-time home in Cornish, New Hampshire, until his death in 1907. As one of the country's most renowned sculptors, Saint-Gaudens's Cornish home is now a National Historic Site filled with gardens, sculptures, and information about the artist and his life. Of the experience of reading Greater Journey and then visiting the Saint-Gauden home, one library patron says, “It was incredible. McCullough brought that time period to life, and actually seeing the art after reading the book felt like stepping into history.”
Summer and the reading that goes with it isn't over yet, so for other great book suggestions, or for passes to New Hampshire museums, be sure to stop by the library on Old Home Day!
Gilford Old Home Day
By Abi Maxwell, August 15, 2011
Next week brings the 92nd annual Gilford Old Home Day, and if you've spent your entire life in New Hampshire, you might not realize that this celebration exists only in our state. It began as Old Home Week in 1899, after NH Governor Frank West Rollins spent years lamenting the abandoned farms of our state. Eager to have people return to their home, he saw Old Home Week as an invitation for former residents to visit and, hopefully, buy an old farm.
“Come back, come back!” Rollins wrote, “Sons and daughters of New Hampshire, wherever you are, listen to the call of the old Granite State! Come back, come back. Do you not hear the call? What has become of the old home where you were born? Is it still in your family? If not, why not? Why do you not go and buy it this summer? Is there any spot more sacred to you than the place where you were born? No matter how far you have wandered, no matter how prosperous you have been, no matter what luxurious surroundings you now have, there is no place quite like the place of your nativity. The memories of childhood, the friendships of youth, the love of father and mother cling about it and make it sacred. Do you not remember it, the old farm back among the hills with its rambling buildings, its well-sweep casting, its long shadows, the row of stiff poplar trees, the lilacs and the willows? I wish that in the ear of every son and daughter of New Hampshire in the summer days might be heard whispered the persuasive words: Come back, come back!”
There's something that seems inarguably true about elements of his call, though today it's hard to know what effect Old Home Day has on the population of our state. For while the day itself probably doesn't bring people back to settle, it certainly is one of a handful of New Hampshire traditions that transforms our small and private towns into communities, and that—community—is perhaps the largest reason people return to the place they're from.
Here at the library, we'll celebrate Old Home Day with our annual Friends of the Gilford Library Book, Pie & Ice Cream Sale that begins on Friday, August 26, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and resumes on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. New volunteers for this fundraiser are always welcome; stop by the library to sign up to make a pie or pick up a volunteer application.
Dog Days of Summer
By Abi Maxwell, August 8, 2011
We’re well into the dog days of summer, that hot and sticky stretch of July and August when just the act of walking across the room for a drink of water can seem insurmountable. It is because of the ancient Greeks that we call this period dog days, for it is in these months that the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, or “the scorcher,” rises at the same time as the sun. This star is a member of the constellation Canis Major—the Great Dog—which is one of Orion’s two hunting dogs (the other is Canis Minor). The Greeks believed that positioned as it was, this star added to the sun’s heat, and in addition to making them hot and tired, the weather also made the dogs go wild.
Today, while the heat is hard to stand, it is also one of the best times to escape the world with a big pile of good books. Here’s a look at some great new picks at the library:
For a different sort of thriller, check out The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino. A bestselling crime novelist in
Summer is a good time to get swept up in an epic tale, and Esmeralda Santiago’s bestselling Conquistadora has everything—love, war, adventure, family history and family curses—that a reader could want in a good saga.
If it’s romance you’re looking for, check out Vaclav & Lena, by debut writer Haley Tanner. This wonderful and wrenching book tells the story of two Russian immigrants who are destined for each other from the first moment they meet as young children.
If you’re one of the many who’s been enchanted by such historical television series as Upstairs Downstairs and Downton Abbey, then American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin is for you. Set in the 1890s, the novel tells the story of a woman sent from
There’s also our bestsellers shelf, with new books like James Patterson’s Now You See Her, Chevy Stevens’s Never Knowing, and Elin Hilderbrand’s Silver Girl. So if you need to escape these last dog days, getting a pile of books at the library is a great way to do it!
Fiddling with Ellen Carlson
By Abi Maxwell, August 1, 2011
Back in April, fiddler Ellen Carlson graced the library with an extraordinary show in which she fiddled her way through time and across cultures. Her music began in
A retired math teacher, Ellen now offers music lessons to all ages and levels. As for why she chose the fiddle, “By the time it was my turn, the pickings in my father’s closet were slim”—and she’s not entirely kidding, either. Ellen comes from a remarkably musical family, for not only do her five siblings play music, but her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were all musicians as well. Ellen learned to play the fiddle by ear at square dances, and now she says she is drawn to that instrument because of the range it offers—the most similar to the human voice, she points out, of all the instruments.
Fiddle, Folk, and Fun from Around the World is a show similar to the last she offered yet with particular highlights for children. In addition to music from a variety of cultures, the performance will include hands-on activities like dancing limber-jack toys, Canadian ‘foot-stepping’ dances, and more hamboning. The show is on Wednesday, August 10, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Children and adults are invited to join in, for as Ellen reminds us, “Play music, listen to music, engage in music with others. It will cure what ails you.”
Novel Destinations: Ghana
By Abi Maxwell, July 25, 2011
In the early 90s, Gilford residents Don and Barbara Carey spent five years in the West Africa country of Togo, where they worked as the regional physician and nurse for Peace Corps volunteers. Recently the couple returned to western Africa for one month—this time to Ghana—to visit their son, who works as an agricultural scientist promoting orange sweet potatoes for their extraordinary health benefits. To give us a glimpse of what life is like in what they call their “favorite country in Africa,” Don and Barbara will be at the library on Thursday, August 4, to present Novel Destinations: Ghana.
“We spent some time in the bush,” says Don of the trip to visit his son, but he points out that this trip was quite different from their time in Africa more than twenty years ago, for back then they would travel “top to bottom, side to side” through rural West Africa with mosquito nets and gurneys. Though that wild, undeveloped landscape still exists, Don says that today his son lives a fairly westernized life in Kumasi.
In addition to a discussion, the Careys' program will include photos of “the bush,” their son's neighborhood in Kumasi, the beach, and snapshots of daily life in Ghana. Novel Destinations: Ghana will be held on Thursday, August 4, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Summer Reading
By Abi Maxwell, July 18, 2011
This year’s Summer Reading theme—which aims to open our eyes to the many stories around the world—seems of particular importance. For at its best, reading can be like travel, transporting us to a time, place, and way of being so very different from our own. In part this is just interesting—the mind is voracious, and stories feed us. But it can’t be as simple as that. Couldn’t these books that deal with ideas, beliefs, and lifestyles foreign to our own make us not only see another world, but see our own world more clearly? And sometimes, if one of these books is good enough, couldn’t it change our decisions, habits, and beliefs just a little bit?
That—a mind that is a little more open, a little more aware of other cultures—seems something to nourish, and that is what this summer’s reading programs aim to do. In the coming weeks, the library has numerous activities for children, teens, and adults to help expand our horizons and celebrate the stories around the world.
Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
One World, Many Stories brings us Music with Mar on Thursday, July 28, when Julie Wirth will lead children ages 0 to 8 in an interactive exploration of stories and music from around the world.
You Are Here—the teen Summer Reading program—offers teens a chance to express their place in the world on Friday, July 22, at SPOKEN, the library’s second open mic for teens. And on Wednesday, July 27, teens will have a chance to explore a slice of Mexican culture at the Piñata Party, where they’ll make piñatas, cook up a traditional Mexican snack, and explore Mexican music.
For adults, Novel Destinations will continue the Get Booked series, this time with bestselling novelist Randy Susan Meyers, who will read from her novel The Murderer’s Daughters and discuss what it that compels her to write, and where her stories come from.
For more events, be sure to check out the calendar below, and don’t forget to come in to play our Summer Reading games!
Get Booked with Author Fraser Houston
By Abi Maxwell, July 11, 2011
With old stonewalls and town pounds and antique homes spread across our state, many of us are compelled to imagine what New Hampshire life must have been like for those people who built our towns hundreds of years ago. That makes primary documents from this time—letters, diaries, newspaper reports—pure treasures, but those documents are also rare to come by, especially when the search is specific to New Hampshire.
Historian and writer Alan Fraser Houston is one of the few to have come across a wealth of primary documents from New Hampshire, and on Tuesday, July 19, from 6:30 to 7:30, he will be at the library to lead a discussion on his historical book, Keep Up Good Courage: A Yankee Family and the Civil War.
It was a “fortuitous chain of events,” says Houston of the research that led to his book. After reading an article in a 2002 Sandwich Historical Society bulletin that referenced letters from Civil War Corporal Lewis Q. Smith, Houston also discovered that a distant relative had the diary of this very same Lewis Smith.
Lewis Q. Smith lived on a family farm in Sandwich, and in 1862 he was one of more than half of the 340 eligible men of his town to answer President Lincoln's call for duty. During his time at war, Smith and his family wrote many letters back and forth, and they remarkably survived “under conditions of rain, sleet, snow, and mud.” After reading the family correspondence alongside the diary and old newspaper articles, Alan Houston discovered that these family letters now had unprecedented context, and ought to be published.
Keep Up Good Courage: A Yankee Family and the Civil War includes more than 125 letters, in addition to Houston's research and writings to provide insight into the time and place. The book documents life as a Civil War soldier and also the life of those at home on a farm in New Hampshire during the Civil War, which, says Houston, “was not much better than Lewis's,” for they faced “disease, epidemics, financial straits, uncertain politics, rumors, and, at times, unreliable war news. They anxiously awaited an end to the conflict, an end that always lay just over the horizon.” Keep up good courage was the refrain of these letters, and as this family faced the first draft the United States ever saw, the letters attest to the fact that they certainly did keep that courage up, both at home and on the battlefield.
Alan Fraser Houston's talk will be held at the Gilford Library on July 19, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the public.
Notes on writing...
By Abi Maxwell, July 4, 2011
“Fiction is a willfulness, a deliberate effort to reconceive, to rearrange, to reconstitute nothing short of reality itself,” writes Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri in her short essay Trading Stories. “Even among the most reluctant and doubtful writers, this willfulness must emerge. Being a writer means taking the leap from listening to saying, ‘Listen to me.'”
Perhaps it's that—the opportunity to have their thoughts and opinions listened to and taken seriously—that compels so many teens to write. Though when I was a teen, I don't think I could have identified my draw to writing as anything so concrete. I remember being enthralled with the act of filling the pages, front and back, until each one was so intricately indented it felt like brail. Those pages—though only a select few ever saw them—were a place to be alone and brave and honest and a place to feel alive. At least for me, that kind of personal freedom and power felt rare and thrilling, and it ended up being paramount to the decision of what sort of person I would become.
Beginning July 11, Gilford youth grades 5 and up will have the opportunity to explore their own writing worlds at Lani Voivod's week-long YOU ARE HERE Teen Writing Camp.
“That whole week, I'm in the zone,” says Catherine McLaughlin, a young aspiring fiction writer for whom the camp has been invaluable. About to enter her third year of the camp, Catherine points out that during the school year, she does not get this sort of opportunity to really immerse herself in the world of fiction, so the camp can feel like a lifesaver to her. Not only has this camp given her the time to write, but it's also helped her to turn her ideas into stories through techniques of plot and tension, and it's given her a forum to share her work and receive feedback.
“Writing can sometimes feel like reading the perfect story,” says Catherine, who loves to read but enjoys writing in part for the opportunity it gives her to enter a world of her own making. To help students get to that place, camp leader Lani Voivod will lead activities to spark imaginations, she'll offer tips and techniques to strengthen stories, and she'll introduce students to writing from other countries and cultures and then ask them to write from their own unique place in the world.
All students entering grades 5 and up are encouraged to join. The camp is held at the Gilford Library from Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15, at 9 to noon each day. The cost is $75 and scholarships are available. Please contact the library to sign up.
Notes from the library
By Abi Maxwell, June 27, 2011
July 4th marks the official adaptation of the final version of the Declaration of Independence, and with its anniversary will come parades and picnics and fireworks galore. But one quick look at the Writer's Almanac reveals that this day has shaped the culture of our country in even more ways than are initially apparent, for it also marks the anniversary of some of the greatest strides in American literature, which has—whether or not we fully realize it—influenced so many of our thoughts and beliefs.
July 4th is the birthday of Nathanial Hawthorne, who, in his enduring novel The Scarlet Letter, called into question the rigidity of the Puritans. It's the day that Henry David Thoreau moved to a cabin near Walden Pond to plant trees and beans and keep a journal—eventually the classic Walden—of his thoughts of life in the woods; during his stay, it was he who coined the word spend in relation to one's time. And, July 4th is also the day that Walt Whitman published Leaves of Grass, one of the most influential works of the Western canon. In that small volume was the poem I Hear America Singing, which has become a classic July 4th poem:
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
That poem seems to speak to the diversity, achievement, and independence of the people of our country, and it's quite possible that it—along with the works of so many American writers who express our country's particular worldview—would never have existed if not for that first momentous July 4th of 1776. So this year, as you gather with friends and family to sing songs and watch fireworks, you can think of all the stories that were made possible because of our country's Declaration of Independence.
Summer means Summer Reading!
By Abi Maxwell, June 20, 2011
It's time for Summer Reading! This year's national themes are designed to encourage readers to expand their world by exploring life in other places and cultures. The programs—One World, Many Stories for children, You are Here for teens, and Novel Destinations for adults—offer games, programs, and prizes to encourage reading during the summer months. And reading is fun, it's informative, it's a great escape, and sometimes, with some books, reading can change what we think and who we are. That's great for those of us who already love to read, but why do libraries across the country spend the summer months focusing so much time and energy on encouraging more people to read more?
One large reason is children. Researchers agree that in the summer months, students experience the ‘summer slide'—a time in which they lose an average of one entire month of what they've already learned; and the burden of this ‘summer slide' falls most heavily on students from less affluent families. But researchers also agree on the direct correlation between reading success and school success. Thus Summer Reading—get the kids in here in the summer, and they'll do better in school and in life.
That doesn't mean that Summer Reading is just for kids. Highlights from the adult program include a Bingo game to track your reading, plus visits from authors in our Get Booked series. Teens can also track their reading to win prizes, and attend a number of You are Here events from around the world, including henna tattoos, beaded necklaces from Bhutan, and a piñata party. Celebrations for children include special programs such as Reptiles on the Move, a Summer Reading Storywalk at the Ramblin' Vewe Farm, and a visit from storyteller Odds Bodkin.
Summer Reading sign-up begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 27, with refreshments and music by Paul Warnick from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. For a complete schedule of Summer Reading weekly events, check out our online calendar or stop by the library.
GPS class at the Library
By Abi Maxwell, June 16, 2011
For map aficionados, midnight of May 2, 2000, was a night to celebrate. This was the moment when the GPS devices in their hands received an upgrade that allowed them to “precisely pinpoint their location or the location of items left behind for later recovery.” In other words, instead of knowing that you're somewhere in the field, you could now know that you're next to the goal post at the southeast end of that field. In addition to helping people find their way, this change in accuracy immediately marked the creation of a new, popular game: geocaching.
The following day, GPS enthusiast Dave Ulmer became the first geocacher with what he called the “Great American GPS Stash Hunt.” The idea was simple—hide something in the woods, give the coordinates, and see if others can find that something. People did, and within a few months geocaching was born: a game in which players use coordinates and a GPS to find a cache that's typically filled with trinkets and a notepad. Players can write in the notepad and take a souvenir from the cache as long as they leave something in its place. Today, there are more than 1,413,284 active geocaches around the world, and thousands of people trekking about in the woods on a treasure hunt.
Gilford resident and library volunteer Mike Marshall is one of these GPS treasurer hunters, and if you have a library card, you can sign up to go on a geocache with him this summer. You'll go for a walk in the Belknap Range, learn how to use a GPS, see what this game is all about, and after that you can even check out the library's GPS for one week. Geocaching at the Library runs every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. from June 29 through August 24 and is open to all library cardholders. Sign up is required, as space is limited to four participants per week.
A bike trip through the Americas
By Abi Maxwell, June 9, 2011
There's something so alluring and indelibly American about packing up and hitting the road to wander across our continent. Walt Whitman and Jack Kerouac, the 1969 film Easy Rider, Steinbeck's Travels with Charley, Pirsig's bestselling Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance—our country seems to have an insatiable thirst for these stories of man alone and free on the open road.
What is it that's so compelling about these trips, anyway? Perhaps it's just those images that such a journey conjures—impromptu picnics along Western rivers, wind in your hair and miles of seemingly untouched road ahead.
“For me, I just wanted an adventure,” says NH resident Ben Slavin, who will be at the Gilford Public Library on June 14 to present A Few More Miles: A Bike Trip Through the Americas. Slavin, determined to see the world while he's still young and healthy, is one of the few who took the romantic notion of the road and made it a reality.
“Watching TV isn't my idea of entertainment,” he says, and instead he hopped on his Kawasaki and rode south, ending in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. This journey—which totaled six months and 23,000 miles—allowed him to see the daily life and the phenomenal landscape of fifteen different countries. Slavin will present A Few More Miles on Tuesday, June 14, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. This program is free and open to the public; all are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Museums!
By Abi Maxwell, June 2, 2011
As a tourist, I always check out the museums of the places I'm visiting. No matter if it's paintings or gardens or historic buildings—I go. Last summer I even went to a scarecrow museum in Nova Scotia just because it was there and I was there and it seemed like something interesting to see. But here in my home state, I haven't been to a museum since the days of school field trips. And I think that's a common occurrence—while the tourists frequent our state's attractions, many of us either take them for granted or don't even know about them.
But there are so many museums in our little state! And even better, thanks to the Friends of the Gilford Library, with a library card we can get passes to visit these museums for free. So whether it's the 17th century or outer space that you want to visit, you can do it this summer without even leaving New Hampshire.
The Gilford Library's museum passes, sponsored by the Friends, include Strawberry Banke, Libby Museum, Squam Lakes Science Center, Canterbury Shaker Village, Currier Museum, Wright Museum, the Children's Museum of NH, the NH Historical Society Museum, and the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.
Longer days and warmer weather make summer the perfect time to get out and about, so stop by the library to check out a museum pass (and call first to reserve the pass if you like). And remember that Summer Reading begins on June 27, and this year's theme will take us around the world. For the children, it's One World, Many Stories, for teens it's You Are Here, and for the adults the Summer Reading theme is Novel Destinations.
Gilford Write Now Writers' Group
By Abi Maxwell, May 23, 2011
Last October, the library offered a one-month memoir-writing workshop, and because of the popularity of that program, two more were offered in January. In total, there were about 25 different library patrons who spent a month or two focused on writing their stories. Some of these people had been working away at a book for years, and others hadn't sat down to write much more than a list since high school. But in this workshop they all wrote, and remembered, and wrote more, and they even had the courage to show their work and receive feedback. And at the end of their time in the course, nearly everyone was saying they wanted to continue—writing their stories, yes, but also being a part of a writing community. And that's how Write Now formed; it's an ongoing writers' group that meets on Wednesday afternoons at the Gilford Public Library, and participants read, write, and share their work.
“It left us wanting more,” say Bonnie Carnivale and Chris Roderick, who were both members of the memoir workshop. “The group provided energy, inspiration, and motivation. After each class we'd rush home to write. We learned to appreciate the art of critique and came to respect the feedback of our peers.” Of Write Now, which together they will facilitate, they say their mission is “to share ideas, develop ourselves as writers, and broaden our writing capabilities.”
Writers of all levels, interests, and genres are encouraged to join this ongoing group. Just sign up at the circulation desk, and arrive for the group ready to write. The group meets in the library meeting room every Wednesday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Art display at the Library.
By Abi Maxwell, May 16, 2011
A grotesque bug born of old soda cans, a series of feet in their strange shoes, a startlingly yellow sliced lemon, a cow lounging in his bucolic home—these are the things that the teenagers have decorated the walls of the library with, along with still-life drawings of tabletop objects, ceramics both abstract and utilitarian, provocative photographs of themselves and their friends, and computer-generated mixed-media collages. This year's high school art exhibit is bright, it's diverse, and it offers us the occasion to glimpse the interior lives of this next generation.
“Art defines me as an individual,” said Beth Gilson, when asked what it is art means to her. Another student, Heather Lakin, now a senior, added that art “keeps me going.” These are bold statements to make—and they beg that age-old question … when it really comes down to it, what is it that art gives us?
Consider that Oliver Messiaen, one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, composed his masterpiece while in a concentration camp and performed it for four thousand prisoners and guards, and it seems that art really can be not only a way to enrich life but also—as Heather remarked—a way to keep going. Because Messiaen is not an anomaly; never mind the creators themselves—thousands of viewers have risked their lives to print and distribute literature, to listen to music, to carry with them a piece of art deemed illegal by a regime. There is something in art, these stories argue, that is vital to life.
So if you haven't already seen the show, come by the library to view the works of Gilford teens. There's a tin can motorcycle that took Andrew Marceau “forever” to make and that taught him how much time and effort details require—a “great life lesson,” he says. Martha Hempel, who defines art as “freedom of expression” has stunning photographs displayed, one of which won a Scholastic Arts Gold Key award. There are photographs of shoes that made Kyle Middleton realize that each piece of art, like each person, requires “a unique solution,” and there is piece after piece that, as many teenagers remarked, just makes them feel good—accomplished and proud. That is reason enough to come by and take a look. The high school art show will be up until Monday, May 30.
Dr. Sam Aldridge will speak at the Library.
By Abi Maxwell, May 12, 2011
It is difficult for many of us to imagine what life is like in a foreign and remote place, especially one that suffers from abject poverty. Add war to that, and, at least for me, daily life becomes virtually impossible to conceive of. But I know that to glimpse the life of others so far away can have a profound impact on my own life—it can change my political opinions and perceived needs; it can make me look at my own life with a newfound gratitude, confusion, and sometimes shame; it can alter my goals and even the trajectory of my life. And if none of that happens, in the least a look at how others live will simply open my eyes to a larger world.
But travel to such distant lands is rare, especially in a time of war. Maybe that's why books and movies and discussions about those who live in warzones are so popular and compelling; stories of these people and places make our news human, and thus understandable. So in an effort to offer such an experience to our community, LRGH vascular surgeon and Army Reserves Medical Corps member Dr. Sam Aldridge will be at the library on Tuesday, May 17, to present a talk on his experiences as a trauma surgeon in Afghanistan.
His third deployment since 9/11, Dr. Aldridge was most recently stationed for six months in Logar, an eastern province of Afghanistan that's situated against the mountains of Pakistan. There Aldridge lived among soldiers on a Forward Operating Base—a base that puts surgeons on the ground with soldiers, and therefore cuts down travel time for the injured, and allows doctors to operate in what's known as the ‘golden hour' of injury, when transportation to another location would cost their lives.
In this remote area, Aldridge lived his daily life, performed surgery as needed, and, by sending home a small request for socks for the Afghan soldiers and school supplies for the orphaned children, Aldridge also inspired a movement that brought hundreds of boxes of donations to those in need.
At When Surgery Intersects With War, Dr. Aldridge will use photographs and stories to explore the development of trauma surgery, his experiences in Afghanistan, and the support that he received from an extended community both onsite and home in New Hampshire. This program is on Tuesday, May 17, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., and is free and open to the public. Note that this program includes photographs of wartime surgery and is not suitable for children.
Library Notes
By Abi Maxwell, May 2, 2011
Each spring when the chirps and calls return I imagine that those birds have finally woken up from a great slumber. But of course the truth—both obvious and astonishing—is that most of our birds have just returned from a winter abroad. Here in New Hampshire, some of the most common birds have endured nonstop flights of more than 2,500 miles in order to return to their breeding grounds. That makes spring in New Hampshire an extraordinary time for bird-watching, so on Saturday, April 14, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., bird watcher Mike Coskren will lead a spring bird walk in the Weeks Woods.
“They flutter around,” says Coskren of the warblers, which are some of the most beautiful birds of North America, and which will be the focus of the walk in Weeks Woods. Many of these brightly colored, insect-eating songbirds are only here for a short visit on their way farther north, and others, like the black-throated green and the black-throated blue warbler, will make their nests here for the season. By identifying the warblers through sight and sound, the bird walk will be a chance to glimpse life in the woods.
In addition to warblers, Coskren will help spot and identify wrens, bluebirds, and other spring birds. To prepare for the hike, stop by the library and pick up a book about birds and bird identification, and then pack your binoculars and show up in the Gilford Department of Public Works parking lot on Saturday at 8:00 a.m.—rain or shine—and be prepared to hike. The bird walk is free and open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend.
Notes from the library
By Abi Maxwell, April 25, 2011
In a town this size, there's no rush and scarcely any traffic; you can check out a book at the library even if you forgot your library card; and there's natural beauty—here it's the rolling mountains, the lake, the old stone walls that line the land. Life moves slowly here, and that's what makes it such a good place to be. But it's also what can make it hard—on those rare occasions when I actually want to do something, what is there to do?
Because it's good, now and then, to get out and experience something different, to talk to new people and hear new ideas, to see something that will make me think in a surprising way. So I consider us incredibly fortunate, here in Gilford, to have a library that's able to provide not only media but activities, too. Artists and musicians, philosophers, old people and young people and in-between people, readers and movie-watchers—under this roof, there's a way for any sort of person to get involved in a welcoming community. So as spring approaches and you find yourself restless for something new, you might think about joining one of the library's community groups. Here's a look at some of the recent ones:
· Begun in the first week of January, the Philosophy Club has been going strong week after week, with a different discussion topic for each meeting. The group meets on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30.
· In its first week, Lifelines Poetry Workshop is four-week course led by Gilford poet Kelley White. Designed for poets of all levels and interests, this course is a great way to learn about and practice the craft in a challenging but supportive environment. The group meets on Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
· Crafter's Corner is a fun, relaxed way to work on your needlework projects and learn new techniques. Led by artist Dawn Lemay, the group meets on Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 7:30.
· Beginning in June and running through August, all interested in learning to navigate the woods with a GPS will have a chance to learn for free with Weekly Geocache courses. The group will meet on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 – 11:00, and is led by Mike Marshall.
· Anyone interested in painting is invited to sign up for Watercolor Classes with Mary Lou John. The course begins in June, runs for six weeks, and costs $36 plus supplies. Space is limited, so sign up early!
In addition to these new groups, the library also has many ongoing groups, including monthly book discussions, Knit Wits knitting, mahjong, Gilford Clickers photography club, drop-in rug hooking, a teen PageTurners group, and Storytime groups for children of all ages. Drop by the library or call for more details on the groups that interest you!
Notes from the library
By Abi Maxwell, April 18, 2011
“It's funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women,” remarks Emmy Award winning comedian Paula Poundstone, whose voice you may have heard on NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. “The truth,” she goes on to say, “is that libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community.” She points out that libraries are places for injustice to be countered, for noisy toddlers to be heard, and for illiterate adults to be helped. “Libraries,” she reminds us, “can never be shushed.”
Yet our library—and so many more around the country—would be inestimably poorer without a Friends Group, that hard-working nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to raising money for and public awareness about the library. Here in Gilford, the Friends began in the 1970s and revitalized in the 1990s, and has seen a steady membership of more that 200 people for the last 20-plus years.
If you've ever been to the library's bookstore, if you've browsed the summer book sale or enjoyed dessert at the annual pie and ice cream social, if you've picked up a Bingo Card to play our summer reading game or checked out a museum pass, if you've read a newsletter, sat in a recently replaced chair or even if you've just set foot in the new library building, you—and all of us who are a part of the library—have the Friends of the Gilford Library to thank.
So as we prepare for summer, the season when the Friends are the busiest, we'd like to take a minute to thank these tireless volunteers and to encourage newcomers to join. Currently the Friends group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. If you'd like to become a member—in any capacity, no matter if you'd want to attend each meeting or just help out with the book sale in the summer—stop by the library or call for more details.
National Volunteer Week at the Library!
By Abi Maxwell, April 11, 2011
Next week brings the Gilford Public Library's annual Volunteer Tea, which is a little party to give thanks for hours upon hours of donated work. There will be cookies and fruit, tea and coffee, and there will be a lot of smiling faces. And it's that last part that is so intriguing—unpaid workers would of course be disgruntled, but our happy volunteers are here for free, and they're here a lot. In fact, in 2010 4,729 volunteer hours were donated to the library. Play with that number a little bit and you'll realize that more than a year and half of full-time employment was donated to our town library.
So why do people feel compelled to volunteer?
“So I don't have to stay at home and clean my house!” says Dorothy Piquado, who contributed more than 550 hours to the library last year alone, and who also remarks that her house would only get dirtier if she stayed there.
“People at the library are always happy to see me, unlike my teenagers at home!” notes another frequent and dedicated volunteer.
So our volunteers are funny, and that's part of why they keep coming back—because being here offers a good community to laugh with. But daily, hour upon hour?
Of course working for free is intrinsically related to supporting a community organization you believe in; you probably won't, after all, volunteer at a fast food chain. But apart from knowing that we like the organization, many of us don't have any idea why we wander in to a place and sign up to work without pay. I, for example, first volunteered because I was unsure of what else to do with myself. Yet I continued to volunteer for years, in part because of what I got out of it—a free t-shirt at a bicycle rally, free snacks at the library, and always a solid and invaluable look inside what it is that makes my community run. But the real reason I've stuck with volunteering is because I know no other way to enact Mahatma Gandhi's legendary quote: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” I don't think that's an altruistic reason, but I do think it's a good one.
So no matter what brings you in here, if you're a library volunteer be sure to attend the Volunteer Tea on Tuesday, April 19, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., and if you've never volunteered before, stop by the library to find out how to sign up. And, if you're a reader without time to give, you might think about signing up for our Book Buddies program, which is a simple way to bring more of the books you love to our library's shelves; just inquire at the circulation desk for more details.Celebrate National Library Week
By Abi Maxwell, April 4, 2011
Next week is National Library Week, a time when people across the country celebrate the role that libraries play in their communities. And a library—a place that provides its residents with free and unlimited access to knowledge and education—is indeed a place to celebrate. This year's national theme is Create Your Story @ Your Library, and here at the Gilford Public Library we'll have many opportunities to do just that. Here's a glance at what's ahead; see the calendar below for dates and times.
· Come stomp your feet and clap your hands for one of our most exciting programs of the year: Fiddlin' Fun with Ellen Carlson. Ellen has been playing, recording, and teaching fiddling for over 35 years, and her tastes range from Irish to Cajun to bluegrass. Ellen's performance at the library will explore her family story through music, and she'll invite all guests to share their own stories, too.
· National Library Week's theme is Create Your Story … so what is your story? Is it a list of events, an image of the home you grew up in, a description of the people you love? If you had to boil your story down to one page, what would you say? All are invited to an hour-long writing workshop What's Your Story? to explore this question and attempt to write it in a page or less.
· Whether through music, creative writing, or speech, teens will have an opportunity to create and share their stories at SPOKEN: A Teen Open Mic Night.
· With a Special Storytime each day throughout the week, children will have a chance to explore stories in their own town by peeking into and meeting the drivers of a police car, a marine patrol boat, a fire truck, a sweeper truck, and a school bus.
Notes from the library
By Abi Maxwell, March 28, 2011
When I was in elementary school, I had to memorize a poem:
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
Back then I didn't memorize the whole thing, and nor did I think about what the poem meant, but I certainly did repeat stanzas from Frost's poem over and over again. Like a chant that poem came to me when I couldn't fall asleep; it calmed my childhood mind when I was nervous or afraid.
So if a poem can bring peace to a child, why is it that so many adults have a negative impression of poetry? It seems to me that somewhere along the way, poetry began to seem like a frustrating and unsolvable math problem, or a private club that only members could make sense of. Yet my childhood experience with poetry tells me otherwise; it reminds me that poetry is like music—that I don't have to love all of it, and that understanding it does not always occur in a rational way, but rather as a physical force.
April is National Poetry Month, so here at the Gilford Public Library we'll spend the coming weeks celebrating poetry—an art form that predates the written word itself. From poetry workshops to a ‘Poet Tree,' there's something for everyone to get involved in. Just check out our calendar for more details, and come by the library to find yourself a good poem!
Notes from the library
By Abi Maxwell, March 21, 2011
I've had a library card—and thus unlimited access to thousands of books—for as far back as I can remember. Because of that, it's not often that I stop to consider just what it is that literature does for me; instead, I take for granted the invaluable role that books have played in my life. But what if all the books in our libraries were banned? And perhaps worse—what if they were banned in those coming-of-age years when I began to discover who I was and what I cared about? My ideas of love and faith, of justice, of goodness and even then of God—it's troubling to imagine how different these foundations might have been had I not been allowed to read.
This month's Gilford Library Book Discussion pick is itself a testament to the power of the written word and a reminder of the profound effect literature has on our perceptions of ourselves, our capabilities, and our greater world. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, by bestselling author Dai Sijie, is set in a remote mountain village during China's Cultural Revolution, which began in 1966 and lasted a decade. The novel tells the story of two educated men who are among the millions sent to the country in an effort to stamp out the educated class with a forced “reeducation” by the “virtuous peasantry.” All books are banned from their village, and when the men get their hands on works of classic Western literature they themselves undergo a revolutionary change. At once autobiographical and fable-like, this book is not only a good read but a great topic for discussion.
All are welcome and encouraged to stop by the library to check out a copy of Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress and join a discussion on Thursday, March 31. The afternoon discussion runs from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. (bring your lunch and we'll provide the dessert) and the evening discussion runs from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. No sign up necessary.
Gilford's own CSI
By Abi Maxwell, March 14, 2011
A good mystery is always thrilling; for the length of the story, you are entirely engrossed in a world of intrigue, and you get to pretend that your own mission is to search for clues. But story is the key word. A real crime—say theft or abuse or murder—might make a good story some day, but it is in truth a tragedy. And that means that the behind-the-scenes investigation process that we read about in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, or watch in Law & Order, is a far cry from what the police department really encounters.
So what is the real story of a real-life mystery? In the wake of a crime, what trails are there to follow? And what does it feel like to be on the search?
To answer those questions, officers of the Gilford Police Department will come to the Gilford Public Library for a two-part program titled CSI with the Gilford Police. They'll present upon the history and practice of fingerprinting; the skills involved in finding and documenting tire and foot impressions; the science of DNA-based evidence; and the use modern electronic devices to solve crimes.
Session One of CSI with the Gilford Police will take place on Wednesday, March 23, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., and Session Two will run the following Wednesday, March 30, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. The program is free and open to the public, and all are welcome and encouraged to join one or both sessions.
Spring into a new book
By Abi Maxwell, March 7, 2011
The days are getting longer, which is a perfect excuse to spend more time reading! The Gilford Public Library's New Books section is overflowing with great new reads, so as you wait for the snow to melt, come on over to the library and check out a few great stories. Here are some suggestions:
Whether you're a long-time fan or you've never read a book by her, New Hampshire author Jodi Picoult's new novel, Sing You Home, will open your eyes up to a new understanding of love. Hailed by Stephan King as a writer with “unassuming brilliance,” in this book Picoult tells a story of love and heartbreak, identity, and what happens when the outside world calls into question your own private idea of family.
The most recent National Book Award Winner was a surprise—the prize was given to a little-known author, Jaimy Gordon, for The Lord of Misrule, which she worked on for more than ten years. Set at a West Virginia horse race track that is “the last stop and the lowliest venue,” this novel explores the lives and loses of a small community. If you like the sort of book that will absorb you into a new and strange world, then this is a great read.
For those of you who love memoir, artist and writer Mira Bartok's The Memory Palace is an astonishing story about growing up with a mother who is sick with schizophrenia. Using the mnemonic device of a ‘memory palace,' Bartok moves from room to room through her history, exploring family, love, and forgiveness.
Chosen by the New Yorker as one of the top twenty writers under the age of forty, Karen Russell's first novel, Swamplandia, is a dazzling story. Set deep in the Everglades, with a family of alligator wrestler performers, Swamplandia is a remarkably imaginative coming-of-age story about thirteen year old Ava and her quest to find her sister, who disappears after falling in love with a ghost. It's an enchanting story not to be missed!
Other great new books include The Illumination by Kevin Brockmeier, The Night Season by Chelsea Cain, The Fates Will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard, The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, and A Widow's Story by Joyce Carol Oates.
Butterflies, birds and blooms in your backyard
By Abi Maxwell, February 28, 2011
What a joy it is to wake up to the call of a chickadee, to watch a hummingbird hover at a zinnia, or to have a monarch rest for a moment on the back of your hand. And while witnessing these lovely feats of nature involves a mix of patience and luck, there's also a craft to attracting wildlife to your garden. You'll have a chance to learn about that craft next Thursday, March 10, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., when wildlife educator Marilyn Wyzga will be at the Gilford Public Library for an interactive presentation.
No matter the size or condition of your yard, Landscaping for Wildlife will teach you the ways any outdoor space can be transformed into a haven for the various critters whose sights and sounds you enjoy. With a focus on native vegetation and water features, Marilyn's presentation will explore basic design, ways to attract wildlife through the seasons, and specific plant suggestions. Participants will also receive handouts and resource material to get started with their own plans.
A NH Fish & Game Department employee, co-author of Integrated Landscaping: Following Nature's Lead, and the creator of the award-winning schoolyard habitat program Project HOME, Marilyn Wyzga has spent more than 20 years exploring techniques to beautify our outdoor spaces in environmentally friendly ways. All are welcome and encouraged to attend her free and informative presentation.
You're never too old, too wacky, too wild...
By Abi Maxwell, February 21, 2011
… To pick up a book and read to a child. So says Dr. Seuss, the man who served us green eggs and ham, introduced us to the Grinch, taught us to count one fish two fish, saved the Lorax, and put the cat in the hat. Next Wednesday, March 2, is this wonderful storyteller's birthday, and in commemoration of his life the Gilford Public Library will join in with thousands across the country for the annual Read Across America Day. All are welcome to stop by the library between 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. for a story and a piece of birthday cake. And to prepare you for that special day, here's some fascinating information on Dr. Seuss, reprinted from American Public Media's The Writer's Almanac.
Dr. Seuss was born Theodor Geisel, in 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of German immigrants. His mother was an accomplished high diver, and his father was a target shooter who held the world record for marksmanship at 200 yards.
He studied literature and planned on becoming an English professor. But a woman in one of his classes noticed the drawings he doodled in the margin of his notebook during a lecture on Milton, and she told him he should become a cartoonist. He took her advice and also decided to marry her.
Seuss made a living selling cartoons to magazines, and he also drew cartoons for advertisements. The Standard Oil Company hired him to create monsters that live in the car, and he created the Moto-raspus, the Moto-munchus, and the Karbo-nockus. He published his first book for children, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, in 1937.
He went on to publish a series of fairly successful books for older children, and then, in 1955, an educational specialist asked him if he would write a book to help children learn how to read. Seuss was given a list of 300 words that most first-graders know, and he had to write the book using only those words. Seuss wasn't sure he could do it, but as he looked over the list, two words jumped out at him: "cat" and "hat."
Seuss spent the next nine months writing what would become The Cat in the Hat (1957). That book is 1,702 words long, but it uses only 220 different words. Parents and teachers immediately began using it to teach children to read, and within the first year of its publication it was selling 12,000 copies a month.
A few years later, Seuss's publisher bet him $50 that he could not write a book using only 50 different words. Seuss won the bet with his book Green Eggs and Ham (1960), which uses exactly 50 different words, and only one of those words has more than one syllable: the word "anywhere." It became the fourth best-selling children's hardcover book of all time.
Come fishing at the library
By Abi Maxwell, February 14, 2011
Tonight the sun will wait until 5:19 to set—proof that spring is coming. Soon the rivers will run high and with them the sap, the lake ice will split open and it will be light and warm again. In anticipation of that time to come, on Tuesday, February 22, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., the Gilford Public Library will host a presentation by one of New Hampshire's favorite fisherman, Jim Norton.
A native of New Hampshire, Jim Norton has been fishing, guiding fishing trips, and telling stories about fishing for most of his life. Jim ties his own flies, fishes in the waters from Alaska to Newfoundland, and after almost twenty years of writing columns for the NH Union Leader, he now writes for the NH Outdoor Gazette.
Though we might not remember it now, while the woods are covered in ice, New Hampshire is home to wild brook trout, landlocked salmon, Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, and brown trout, and Jim Norton has walked the woods and riverbanks across the state in search of the best spots to find these fish. With a wonderful mix of fishing tips and hilarious anecdotes, Jim will tell us of his adventures in the sport. All are welcome and encouraged to join.
Of love and other news
By Abi Maxwell, February 7, 2011
What if your every step was dictated by your heart alone? What if you lived by a vow to forever love another whom you'd scarcely shared one hundred words with? That sounds like an overly simplified version of love, one that we see in romantic comedies or hear about in love songs. But it's also the rich and compelling premise of Nobel-prize winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Love in the Time of Cholera, which is Gilford Public Library's February book discussion pick.
Set in an unnamed Caribbean seaport city and imbued with a sense of the miraculous, Love in the Time of Cholera takes us from a secret and passionate love affair of letters and telegrams to a love triangle that spans fifty years, all the while forcing us to reconsider our own beliefs about love. And since it's February, which at least since the time of the Middle Ages has been celebrated as the month of love, it's the perfect time to curl up and read one of the greatest love stories ever written.
The book discussions will take place on Thursday, February 24, so be sure to stop by the library and check out your copy of this classic novel. All are welcome and encouraged to attend either the afternoon Brown Bag discussion (bring lunch!) from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., or the evening discussion from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Trace your roots at the Gilford Public Library
By Abi Maxwell, January 31, 2011
Knowing that my grandmother's family immigrated here from Sweden, I set out to find out which town they had lived in, for I would one day love to travel there. Our family has no records, and the people whom I was searching for had quite common names, so looking for their pasts was a long and often fruitless pursuit. But eventually I came across my great-grandfather's WWI draft card, and on it he had diligently written the name of the town he had been born in. To see this—not only the name of this far-away village that my ancestors had decided to leave, but also my great-grandfather's careful handwriting—it filled me with a sense of wonder. I went home and brought out the atlas and showed my grandmother the dot that she had come from.
If you too would like to trace your heritage, now, thanks to a NH State Library program, you won't have to spend money or travel out of town to do so, for Ancestry.com is available for use on the Gilford Public Library's public access computers. So if you've ever wondered what town your ancestors lived in, or when they crossed the ocean to settle in the United States, just come in to begin the search for answers.
Ancestry.com is an easy-to-use computer program, and with it you can search through census reports, ship manifests, draft cards, birth and death certificates, and much more. To begin your search, all you need is a name, though the more information you have (such as birthday, town of residence, or year of immigration) the easier your search will be. And if you're new to computer usage, remember that the library offers Check Out An Expert on Wednesday mornings from 9:15 to 11:00, so you can have one-on-one help as you begin to familiarize yourself with Ancestry.com.
As you embark on your ancestor search, remember that the library also has a number of other resources to help you along. Heritage Quest, another online resource, is available at the library and from your home computers. Also, you can check out a genealogy magazine such as Ancestry Magazine to read great search tips and stories. And while you're in the library, be sure to browse our ancestry books, which you'll find under the 929 Dewey classification number, both in the general collection and in the NH Room. Just bring along a name—it's all you need to begin following the winding path of your roots.
Snowbound with a good book
By Abi Maxwell, January 24, 2011
When snow falls so too does a silence, and maybe that's why reading feels particularly tempting in winter. If you're someone who prefers to stay inside until the weather turns for spring, then a good read can help you feel warm. And if you're the sort who likes to venture into the snow, then almost as nice as a ski or snowshoe is the moment when you return inside to hot tea and an evening of reading. So here's a list of great finds for winter, no matter your taste of book.
A quirky page-turner: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, by Aimee Bender, is narrated by a young girl who, when she eats, can sense the emotion of the person who cooked her food. Even if you're not the sort for fantastical books, the wonder of this book is that Rose's power feels so real. It's a lovely book that's hard to put down, and it reminds us of what it's like to be on the brink of adulthood.
A chance to laugh: In Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny, Marlo Thomas gives us insight into life as the daughter of comedian Danny Thomas. We see her eating dinner with George Burns and Bob Hope, and over and over again we see her laughing. Yet this book isn't just a funny look into Marlo's life; it's a book that explores and reminds us of the remarkable power of and need for laughter.
A look back: Old houses are a part of the landscape in New Hampshire, and that makes Bill Bryson's At Home a particularly interesting read for this part of the world. Using his old home in England as a starting point, Bill Bryson moves from room to room to explore the fascinating history of our lives at home.
A good mystery series: What is it that's so satisfying about a Scandinavian mystery? The page-turning plot and unforgettable characters of Karin Fossum's Inspector Sejer mysteries will keep you reading through the winter.
A few bestsellers: If you haven't already read it, don't miss Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series—but be warned, you won't be able to pull yourself away until you're done! And if you're in the mood for nonfiction, Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken: A WWII Airman's Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption is a fascinating, absorbing read. Also on the bestseller's list is The Nomination, by William Tapply, and The Brave, by Nicholas Evans.
Russian art comes to Gilford
By Abi Maxwell, January 17, 2011
We are all involved in folk art, whether it's by telling The Boy Who Cried Wolf or sleeping under the quilt that our great-great grandmother sewed. And though we might not be aware of it, as we engage in this art we are passing along pieces of our shared history and values. Perhaps that is what makes learning about another culture's folk art so compelling; it gives us a glimpse into another way of life.
Next week you won't have to travel far to explore art and stories from another part of the world, for on Thursday, January 27, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., artist and storyteller Marina Forbes will lead an interactive discussion on traditional Russian art titled Russian Faberge Eggs & Lacquer Boxes: From Craft to Fine Art.
A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Marina Forbes has been an active artist, historian, storyteller, and teacher for more than 20 years, presenting both in Russia and throughout New England. When she comes to the Gilford Public Library, Marina will teach us about the art and story of both Russian Faberge eggs and lacquer box painting, along with the historical and present-day role that these two traditional art forms play in Russian culture. All are welcome to attend this NH Humanities Council program.
History comes to life
By Abi Maxwell, January 10, 2011
As someone who learned about World War II in history books, I spent many years thinking of the war as just that: history. Yet when I had the fortunate opportunity to go to Europe, I quickly saw that the aftermath of WW II was far from being tucked away into a book. Its effects were in missing buildings and crumbled city walls; they were in the story one Czech man told me of clinging to the undercarriage of a moving train for more than two days to reach safety. While it was certainly troubling for me to begin to understand such destruction on an emotional level, it was also illuminating. It was a moment when history pushed itself over into life, and offered for me a richer understanding of our world.
It is just this sort of moment that Tatiana de Rosnay's bestselling novel Sarah's Key creates for its readers, and on Thursday, January 20, the Gilford Public Library will host both an afternoon and evening discussion of the book. Sarah's Key takes us to Paris, France, and gives us two narratives: one is the story 10-year-old Sarah, whose family is brutally arrested by the French police in 1942; the other is the story of a reporter, Julie, who discovers secrets that connect her own life to Sarah's.
For the book discussions, Rhetta Colon will be our guest facilitator. All are invited to check out the book and join in on either discussion. The afternoon brown bag book discussion (bring your lunch!) is on January 20 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., and the evening discussion is from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Shaping Memory
By Abi Maxwell, January 3, 2011
About five years ago, my grandmother gave me what she calls “some pages.” These pages tell pieces of her life story. From them I learn some facts: that my great-great-great grandfather was a Swedish fishing captain who died at sea on April 23, 1848; that when the great depression hit my grandmother's family had to sell the house they'd built to move in with her aunts. But along with these facts, I also get a glimpse of how this woman—from whom I inherited blue eyes and a remarkable tendency to misplace things by putting them in a ‘very special place'—views the world. My grandmother is not a writer, and nor is she a frequent reader of memoir. However, these pages, which give me a chance to see life from her eyes, are the greatest gift she could pass on to me.
Beginning on Wednesday, January 12, the Gilford Public Library will once again host a month-long writing workshop to help all library cardholders tell their stories, too. I will facilitate the workshop, and in it we will discuss the many faces of memoir; we'll use writing prompts to begin to get our stories on the page; and we'll examine the use of image and the various ways stories can be shaped for clarity and tension.
I've been teaching writing workshops for six years, and I've been pursuing my own writing for more than ten years, so I know that writing and sharing work can feel tiring and intimidating. However, I also know that it's an important and invigorating practice, so I encourage all who are interested to sign up. Whether you're a practiced writer or someone who always feared English class, this is a great time for you to begin to tell your story and to learn about storytelling techniques. The class is open to Gilford Public Library cardholders, and will meet on Wednesdays at 3:00 – 5:00 from January 12 through February 2. Sign up is required, and space is limited, so don't delay! Call or stop by to sign up.
Library's Philosophy Club Meets in January
By Jean Clarke, December 20, 2010
How do justice and generosity interfere? This and other questions will be up for discussion at the Gilford Public Library's Philosophy Club meeting on Tuesday evening January 4 at 6:30 p.m.
The Philosophy Club is just getting started and invites people of all ages and interests to join in. At each meeting participants will think and respond to basic questions concerning truth, ethics, the human mind, perception, virtue,value, and the human experience. The Club is designed to be casual, comfortable, and will address topics that are of particular interest to its members.
Gilford resident Mark Thomas will facilitate the group discussions based on questions that come up through the course of the evening and input from those who are interested in participating. Thomas believes that “the interaction between people and the honest and critical exchange of ideas is what makes philosophy worthwhile.” As a member of Assumption College's Philosophy Club, Thomas enjoyed examining people's opinions and finding support for them based on a scientific approach. He holds a degree in philosophy from Assumption College in Worcester, MA. If you have any questions, please contact Mark at email: mark.248.thomas@gmail.com.
Bring your ideas, receive feedback, and explore new approaches at the Gilford Library's Philosophy Club meeting on Tuesday, January 4 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Sign-up is required.
Holiday TV and Movie Classics at the Library!
By Jean Clarke, December 13, 2010
It's time to gather around the television set and enjoy some old-fashioned holiday shows! Just in case you missed your favorite one the Gilford Library offers a wide selection of movie and television classics that will entertain the whole family. Here are some of the longest-running televised specials with some fun facts:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964/told and sung by Burl Ives) First appearing in a poem in 1939, Rudolph is the longest running holiday special on television. The author, Robert May, wanted the reindeer to have an alliterative name and was considering the names Reginald and Rollo, but finally settled on Rudolph.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965/written and created by Charles M. Schulz) Charlie Brown's little sister Sally was voiced by Kathy Steinberg, who had not yet learned to read. She had to be "fed" her lines, often just a word or two at a time.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) The lyrics to the song "Fahoo Foraze" were made to imitate classical Latin. After the special aired, the studio received letters asking for a translation from people who believed them to be real Latin.
Frosty the Snowman (1969/told and sung by Jimmy Durante) Frosty the Snowman is a popular Christmas song written by Steve "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson and recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950. It was written in response to the success of “Rudolph” and the first single sold 2 million copies.
Come to the library and browse the shelves to find your favorite holiday movie or television show!
'Tis The Season For Reading
By Jean Clarke, December 6, 2010
As the weather outside turns chilly, there's nothing better than curling up with a good book. This holiday season, readers are fortunate to have plenty of great picks available at the library.
Anne Perry is no novice when it comes to Christmas novels, and her latest book, “A Christmas Odyssey” is a sure winner. Set in Victorian London, this story is filled with holiday miracles that create a festive mood.
Want to add a little mayhem to your holidays? Joanne Fluke's latest whodunit “Gingerbread Cookie Murder” is actually three yuletime stories in one. A quick treat that you can take up and put down as your schedule allows.
With “Everything Christmas” you'll have all the best ideas for the holiday season in one volume. Author David Bordan shares classic Christmas stories, traditional recipes, inspirational poems, and everything to make your holiday bright.
Just in time for the holidays pick up a copy of “Last-Minute Knitted Gifts” by Joelle Hoverson and Anna Williams. With patterns for bags and toys as well as sweaters and blankets, you'll find something special for just about everyone on your list.
During this hectic time of year, take a moment to settle into a comfortable chair and enjoy a holiday read!Award Winning Cookbooks for Holiday Inspiration
By Jean M. Clarke, November 29, 2010
Whether you’re preparing a feast for a crowd or need some ideas for creative gift-giving edibles, the library’s extensive collection of cookbooks and magazines can answer your culinary questions. From traditional dishes to creative new flavors, cookbooks go a step beyond recipes to provide readers with entertaining essentials and decorating tips.
Recently, the IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) announced their award-winning cookbooks for 2010. Here’s a selection of titles currently available at the library:
Rose’s Heavenly Cakes by Rose Levy Berenbaum (2010 Cookbook of the Year/Baking). A must-have guide to perfect cake-baking, this comprehensive guide will help home bakers to create delicious, decadent, and spectacularly beautiful cakes of all kinds with confidence and ease.
Ad Hoc at Home by Thomas Keller (Chefs and Restaurants/James Beard Award) Keller, one of
Gourmet Today by Ruth Reichl (Compilations) Each of the over 1,000 recipes was selected by editor in chief Ruth Reichl, a best-selling author in her own right, who wrote the introductions to each chapter. Every recipe has been tested and cross-tested in the Gourmet test kitchen so every cook, whether a first-timer or a veteran, gets impeccable results.
For a complete list of the award winners, go to the IACP website at: www.iacp.com. Come to the library and browse the shelves for a cookbook or magazine to inspire your holiday cooking, entertaining or gift-giving.
Swing By The Library For A Bit Of Holiday Magic!
By Jean M. Clarke, November 21, 2009
Bring on the wreaths and garlands, tinsel and ribbon, sequins and glitter! As the holiday season gets underway, share a bit of the magic of the season at the Gilford Library. Upcoming programs will feature traditional gingerbread house creations, classic holiday music, favorite characters and stories, and, best of all, homemade desserts by some of the best bakers around.
Get your holiday shopping off to a fantastic start! The Friends of the Gilford Public Library invite everyone to the Bookworm Gift Shop for a special 2-day Holiday Sale. Doors will open on Friday, December 3 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, December 4 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Munch a sweet treat as you browse the shelves for books, games, puzzles and movies for everyone on your shopping list.
In addition, the library will host a performance by the “Middle Music Academy Flute Choir.” Based out of Tilton, NH, this innovative group of flautists will share a blend of holiday melodies on Saturday between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
In this busy season, stop by the library for a bit of holiday magic – songs, stories, and merriment awaits!
Check Out An Expert With Mike Marshall
By Jean M. Clarke, November 8, 2010
More than just a place to check out books and DVDs, the Gilford Library now offers it's very own library volunteer, Mike Marshall, for check out. Well, not really! But, Mike is available on Wednesday mornings from 9:15 – 11:00 a.m. to assist library patrons with questions about technology.
Mike's first experience of a library was a little different from most childhood memories. “When I was in elementary school, we had a bookmobile……a school bus that was converted into a rolling library.” Mike started using the Gilford Library when he and his family moved to Gilford about 7 years ago. The Marshall family, including Allie, Noah and Lisa, visits the library at least twice a month and enjoys Storytimes and other special events.
Mike first thought about volunteering when he observed a librarian helping another patron find a book using the computerized card catalogue. After a conversation with the library's Volunteer Coordinator, Betty Tidd, Mike felt he was best suited to “fill the role of “expert” in helping folks with basic computer functions. And that's how Mike became the library's computer expert. However, Mike is quick to emphasize that he's “not an expert, just someone who knows a little about a lot.”
What's a typical morning like for the library's “check out an expert”? “Most of the questions have been about email such as creating attachments and organizing folders” states Mike, “as well as how to use the computer to search the library's database.” But, the best part about being an “expert” is “the look on a person's face when I have helped them help themselves.”
From the Kindle to your laptop to the GPS, Mike can help you make sense of the unlimited possibilities of the newest technology available at your local library. Check Out an Expert is every Wednesday morning on a first come, first serve basis for Gilford Library cardholders.
National Book Award Finalists Announced
By Jean Clarke, November 1, 2010
On October 13, 2010 the National Book Award Finalists in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry and Young People's Literature were announced. Five nominees were selected in each category, with the four finalists to be honored on November 17 in New York.
The Gilford Public Library is pleased to offer a number of titles from the 2010 list of finalists including:
“Parrot and Olivier in America” by Peter Carey and “So Much For That” by Lionel Shriver in Fiction; “Every Man in This Village is a Liar” by Megan Stack in Non-Fiction; and Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine and “Lockdown” by Walter Dean Myers in Young People's Literature.
Established in 1950, the National Book Awards are given by writers to writers. Since 1996, independent panels of five writers have chosen the National Book Award winners. Now over a half-century since its inception, the National Book Awards continues to recognize the best of American literature. As part of its mission, the National Book Foundation strives to “expand its audience and enhance the cultural value of good writing in America.” For more information, visit their website at www.nationalbook.org.
Give the library a call (524-6042) or go to the library's website (gilfordlibrary.org) to reserve your copy. Great literature is just around the corner at your local library!
GPL Offers Workshop on Natural Body Care Products
By Jean Clarke, October 25, 2010
Why buy synthetic and expensive body care products when you can make natural products right at home! On Thursday, November 4 from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. the library is offering a hands-on workshop “Make Your Own Natural Body Care Products.” From soup to nuts, clinical herbalist, Maria Noel Groves will provide direction and supplies. Walk away with your own body lotion, lip balm, massage oil, aromatherapy spray, and body scrubs. The perfect gift for yourself or someone special!
Groves notes, “I see myself first and foremost as an educator. I believe that good health comes with understanding, empowerment, and the grace of our natural world.”
With over 10 years of experience in herbs, she opened her practice, Wintergreen Botanicals, LLC in 2007. In addition to workshops and individual consultations, Grove is a regular contributor to the Concord Cooperative newsletter and Herb Quarterly. For more information including herbal recipes, book recommendations, links to local businesses, and much more go to her website: www.wintergreenbotanicals.com.
Supported by the Friends of the Gilford Library, this workshop is free and open to all cardholders of the Gilford Library. Sign-up is required by calling the library at 524-6042 or emailing library@gilfordlibrary.org.
Folk Concert With Random Acts of Harmony
By Jean Clarke, October 18, 2010
Random Acts of Harmony will be performing at the Gilford Public Library on Saturday, October 30 from 12 noon – 1 p.m. Join Rob Becker, Dick Kruppa and Randy Filliger as they share traditional and contemporary folk tunes in three part harmony. Acoustic guitar, 5-string banjo, and stand-up bass will provide musical accompaniment for songs from the late 1950s Weavers and Kingston Trio to blues, gospel, and contemporary folk singers like Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and Bill Staines.
A combination of musical entertainment and history program, Random Acts introduces young and old to folk music and describes the interesting events and issues that led to the writing of the songs. Audience members will hear the sad tale of American songwriter, Stephen Foster, who died an early death, faced awful personal and financial problems, yet wrote the most beautiful and long-lasting tunes. Foster's song “Hard Times Come Again No More” will be performed as well as many other well-known folk songs.
Attendees said about a recent concert, “Random Acts of Harmony sang songs spanning America's history and told the stories behind the songs, so we learned a lot while being entertained.”
Random Acts of Harmony are member artists of the New England Foundation for the Arts and can be heard at myspace.com/randomactsofharmony.
Join us for a program that is “great for all ages”! This concert is free and open to the public. Bring your lunch and dessert will be provided.
GPS 101: Hansel and Gretel Never Had It So Good!
By Jean Clarke, October 11, 2010
Lost in the woods? Never again with a GPS in hand! Come to the Gilford Public Library's “GPS 101” workshop on Tuesday, October 19 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. With Gilford resident Dan Tinkham, you'll learn the basics of using a GPS plus extended functions that will expand your skills.
GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a satellite-based navigation system that pinpoints exactly where a person with the handheld device is located. The system is made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. Originally intended for military applications, the government made the system available for civilian use in the 1980s. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.
There are many reasons why people are turning to GPS devices these days. Hikers can use it to track where they are going as well as their elevation. Geocacheing, a treasure hunt in the woods, is becoming increasingly popular among families as a way to get outside and enjoy nature. GPS's can also be used to mark items of interest such as cellar holes and cemetery plots. A GPS is not only useful and practical, it's fun!
Bring your own GPS device (and the owner's manual) or the library will have one available for hands-on instruction. Meet downstairs in the library's Meeting Room on October 19 at 4 p.m. and be prepared to spend a few hours outside.
Even if you can't attend the training session, there's a GPS and instructions on how to use it at the library. Check it out on your library card and give “global positioning” a try!
"One Book" Lakes Region READS Program
By Jean Clarke, September 27, 2010
From October 1 through Veterans Day, Lakes Region communities will be participating together for the first time in a "One Book" community reading program.
The mission of Lakes Region Reads is to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment, to involve people from different parts of the region in discussing the same book, and to offer educational programs inspired by the chosen title.
For this inaugural program, local librarians have chosen The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, a novel set in the Channel Islands during World War II.
Upcoming programs include:
Grand kickoff event at the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro on Saturday, October 2 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., featuring Mike Pride, author of We Went to War. Free tickets to the Wright Museum for this event can be picked up at the Gilford Public Library.
Gilford Library will offer two book discussion sessions on “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,” on Tuesday, October 12 at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, October 14 at 11:30 a.m. Stop by the library to pick-up your copy today!
A National Guard Vehicle Display is scheduled for Friday, October 15, from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Come to the Gilford Library and see what “A Day in the Life of a Soldier” is all about. Write a letter to a soldier, sample a Meals Ready-to-Eat, try on a uniform or backpack or take a look inside a military vehicle.
An author presentation by co-author Annie Barrows at the Inter-Lakes High School in Meredith on Sunday, October 24, beginning at 1 p.m., who will share “the story behind the story”; and,
A concert featuring the Lakes Region Big Band at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton on Saturday, November 6 at 2 p.m.
The calendar of events and more information about the Lakes Region Reads project is available at http://lakesregionreads.wordpress.com.
African Safari Presentation at the Library!
By Jean Clarke, September 20, 2010
Lions and cheetahs and zebras…..oh my! Journey with Debbie and Scott Dunn as they share photographs and stories of a recent safari trip to Africa on Thursday, September 30 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.!
In May of 2010, the Dunns traveled for two weeks through South Africa and Zimbabwe. Starting in South Africa, they joined a 5-day photo safari to the Zulu Nyala Game Reserve. Twice a day excursions by open air pick-up truck into the reserve brought them up close to warthogs, monkeys, giraffes, baboons and impalas. Another day they traveled to an estuary on the East Coast of Africa for a river cruise in search of hippos and crocodiles.
Continuing on to Zimbabwe, they took an elephant safari ride and enjoyed some spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The highlight of their stay in Zimbabwe included a helicopter ride to see the largest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls.
Coming home with over 2,000 photographs, the Dunns' presentation will highlight their favorite photos of the “Big 5” (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and cheetah) on Thursday evening. Please join us in the Meeting Room at the library.
Heritage Arts Festival Brings History To Life!
By Jean Clarke, September 13, 2010
Hear ye! Hear ye! The Heritage Arts Festival is set to begin Saturday, September 25 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the center of Gilford. Joining in the celebration will be dozens of demonstrators and exhibitors. Special presentations will include storytelling with humorist Rebecca Rule, fishing with Hal Lyon, and antique appraising with Dan Olmstead. In addition, there will be square dancing, sheep shearing, rug hooking and plenty more to fill your day.
As part of this day-long celebration, the Gilford Public Library is pleased to offer a cooking/craft project. Participants will learn how to make delicious, homemade ice cream using a few simple ingredients. Families are welcome to stop by the Children's Room to join in the festivities of a bygone era.
The 5th annual Heritage Arts Festival is sponsored in partnership with the Thompson-Ames Historical Society, the Gilford Community Church, the Gilford Youth Center and the Gilford Public Library. One and all are welcome to join in the fun!
Rug Hooking Opportunities at the Library with Carol Dale
By Jean Clarke, September 6, 2010
It's back to the routine of autumn days! If you're ready to try something new, Gilford resident Carol Dale is ready to get you started on a rug hooking project.
Rug hooking has a long history but its popularity really took off during the industrial revolution. Mechanically woven wool became readily available and the 1850s and 60s saw a significant increase in rug hooking. Edward S. Frost, a traveling pedaler from Maine, began selling patterns and that's when rug hooking became commonplace throughout New England.
Carol took up rug hooking when her grandmother gave her all the supplies (hooks, dyes, patterns and books) and “passed on her love of rug hooking.” Carol attributes the recent resurgence in rug hooking to the sense of camaraderie that develops when people who share a common interest get together. In addition, she notes that “like knitter and quilters, we enjoy learning from each other and we're very loyal to our craft.”
Carol is offering a variety of workshops and classes throughout the fall season. There's a drop-in session for beginners and experienced hookers the first and third Tuesday of every month. Stop by any time between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to watch Carol at work, ask questions or try your hand at a small project. The next session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21.
A rug hooking class (4-sessions) is offered to beginners who want to learn the basic techniques of rug hooking. Other topics will include: the history of hooking, finding hookable wool, and tips from an expert. Tuesdays, September 21, 28 & October 5 & 12 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Cost: $30 plus cost of kit, class size is limited, sign-up required).
Hook It for Halloween! This is a one evening class for experienced hookers so that you can hook several unique Halloween pins or ornaments. Class fee is $10 plus kit fee of $30. The kit includes patterns for 6 pins to hook with all woolens, yarns and embellishments supplied. Tuesday, October 19, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Hook It for the Holidays! In one night you'll receive instruction and materials to make several pins or ornaments for the holidays. Class fee is $10 plus kit fee of $30. Sign up before November 9, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Class size is limited so don't delay!
Need some inspiration to get you started? Come to the library during the month of September to view some of Carol's hooking projects. The exhibit will include seasonal pins and ornaments, wall hangings, and rugs. She'll also have several how-to books, wool samples, and old cutters, and other historical tools on display.
Tap into your creative side and take advantage of one or more rug hooking opportunities at the library this fall!
Get Ready For School--Get A Library Card!
By Jean Clarke, August 30, 2010
What's the most important school supply of all? A library card is your ticket to a wealth of resources and, best of all, it's absolutely free to all residents, teachers and students in Gilford.
But, there's more good news! If you currently work in the town of Gilford, you, too, are eligible for a library card. That's right, with proof of employment, you can take advantage of one of the best resources in town – the library.
September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, an effort spearheaded by the American Library Association. With two-thirds of Americans holding a library card, you are encouraged to join the 180 million library-users across the country.
In 2010, the emphasis is on making sure that school-age children have library cards. Do all the children in your family have a library card? If not, bring them to the library, where getting a library card is easy. It only takes a few minutes to fill out the application form and, with a parent's signature, you'll be on your way with the most important card in your wallet or backpack – the “smart card”!
Everyone getting a new card in September is eligible to win one of two beautiful baskets filled with fun goodies. You already have a library card? Refer someone—if they use your name when they get their new card, you'll be entered to win a basket for your referral. The contest runs from Sept. 1 through the 30th, so stop by or bring a friend to the library.
Support of “Library Card Sign-up Month” provided by the Friends of the Gilford Library.
Author Visit With Mike Tougias At The Library!
By Jean Clarke, August, 23, 2010
The Gilford Library will host a presentation by Michael Tougias, author of the bestseller Overboard: A True-Blue Odyssey of Disaster and Survival. Scheduled for Tuesday evening, August 31 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Tougias will give a slideshow presentation and answer questions about his most recent tale of maritime disaster.
In May 2005, the Almeisan, a 45' sailboat, left the shores of Connecticut headed towards Bermuda and directly into the path of a vast and powerful storm. Although two members aboard were experienced sailors, the rest of the crew had joined to learn more about offshore sailing.
Four days into the voyage, the storm struck, sweeping two of the crew into the towering seas. The remaining crewmembers managed to stay aboard the vessel as it was slowly torn apart by the rampaging ocean. Overboard! follows the simultaneous desperate struggles of both those still on the boat and those fighting for their lives in the sea.
The Coast Guard, alerted to the Almeisan's distress, rushed to the storm-tossed scene. Their ensuing search and rescue mission proved so spectacularly difficult and dangerous that it was later selected—from among thousands of incidents—as the Guard's search and rescue case of the year.
Tougias is the author of a number of books, including the bestseller Ten Hours until Dawn: The True Story of Heroism and Tragedy Aboard the Can Do. Tougias is a sought-after lecturer who gives more than seventy presentations each year. He lives in Massachusetts. For more information including book reviews and interviews go to www.michaeltougias.com
For a fast-paced, riveting tale, pick up the book or download the audio version (www.gilfordlibrary.org and click on download audio books) of Overboard! And whether you've finished it or not, join us on Tuesday, August 31 at 6:30 p.m. for an unforgettable story of heroism and survival on the high seas.
Friends' of the Library Offer Pie, Ice Cream and Books on Old Home Day!
By Jean Clarke, August 16, 2010
Get your bookshelves cleared off and your appetites ready! The Old Home Day Book Sale and Pie and Ice Cream Sale is almost here.
On Friday, August 27 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, August 28 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. the Friends' of the Gilford Library will sell slices of homemade pie and scoops of ice cream on the lawn of the library. While enjoying your pie, you can wander through the tables loaded with great bargains on gently used materials.
Donations of just-like-new hardcovers, paperbacks, puzzles, games, and DVDs/VHS tapes will be gladly accepted at the library's front desk during regular business hours.
Lots of volunteer help is needed to make the sale a success! Pie bakers, book sorters, cashiers, and ice cream scoopers can volunteer to join in the fun. Phone the library at (524-6042) or stop by and add your name to the sign-up sheet.
All proceeds go directly to support Gilford Library programs.
Library's "Knit Wits" Welcomes Knitters
By Jean Clarke, August 2, 2010
Despite the heat wave that never seems to end, the summer of 2010 has seen a record breaking number of knitters gathering at the Gilford Library. Twice a week the library plays host to the Knit Wits, an informal group that meets for knitting and conversation.
Gilford resident, Gloria Dublin, first came up with the idea for a knitting group after attending a craft session on felting. She offered to teach a class on how to knit a seamless sweater and soon after the Knit Wits were meeting Thursday evenings and Friday afternoons. “It's been four years since we got started,” states Dublin, “ and we still see new faces every week. Everyone brings their own projects and we help each other with new patterns and techniques.”
Meeting year-round, the Knit Wits have benefited from a recent resurgence in knitting. The group consists of all ages – mothers, grandmothers, daughters – and once or twice a husband has given it a try. “It's a great hobby that you can do alone or with a group,” Dublin points out. “I think most people find it relaxing and you're making things that are practical.”
The library has a comprehensive collection of how-to books to get you started or expand your skills. One of the classics on seam-free knitting is Jacquelyn Fee's “The Sweater Workshop” first published in 1983. New to the library's collection is Wendy Johnson's “Toe-Up Socks for Every Body,” a guide to making socks that fit perfectly every time.
If it's a good knitting story you're seeking, the library has some “must reads” for knitters and non-knitters alike including Rachael Herron's “How to Knit a Love Song” and Kate Jacobs' series “A Friday Night Knitting Club”.
Knitting is making a comeback, pick up your needles, cast-on and join the fun! The Knit Wits welcome knitters (and crochetters) of all skill levels on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Fridays from 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Summer Reading Programs at the Library!
By Jean Clarke, July 26, 2010
It's not too late! Take a look at the list of programs and special events at the Gilford Library and you'll soon realize that there is plenty afoot at 31 Potter Hill Road.
Check out the library's website (gilfordlibrary.org) under “See What's on the Calendar” for the most current programs and activities that you won't want to miss! In addition to storytimes, a teen event, and special interest groups, this week the library offers two concerts that are sure to offer musical fun for the whole family.
Is reading your game? If the answer is yes, you're invited to sign-up for the library's Summer Reading game. To enter, just come to the library and let a librarian know that you're interested. You'll receive a special gift just for signing up! From pre-readers to adults, there's a storyboard or bingo card that fits your reading style. In no time at all, you'll be on your way to winning a prize (candy bars, t-shirts, notecards and much more).
The Summer Reading Program officially ends Friday, August 6th with the Grand Prize Drawing. Prizes in each category – children, teen and adult – will be awarded. Passes to Canobie Lake Park, gift certificates to Innisfree Bookshop in Meredith, and tickets to Storyland will be awarded to our Grand Prize winners.
So, treat yourself with a trip to the library for reading materials, programs, and concerts to enrich your summer days!
Musical Duo "Too Human" To Perform At The Library!
By Jean Clarke, July 19, 2010
Ready to sit back and listen to some classic songs with a new twist? Join the dynamic musical duo Ellen and Roger Schwartz of “Too Human” at the Gilford Public Library on Friday, July 30 at 12 noon.
Often described as “energetic and uplifting” the Schwartzs enjoy playing to audiences of all ages. They offer “good music with a lot of heart”, but focus on jazz standards from the American songbook. Bringing their own interpretation to these classic songs, the Schwartzs bring a “great vibe that really connects with their audiences.” With vocals, guitar, percussion, and Roger's famous mouth trombone, “Too Human” brings high quality musicianship to every performance.
Hailing from New York, the Schwartzs have had music in their lives from a very early age. Roger studied accordion by the time he was 5 and Ellen was harmonizing by the age of 3. Over the years they both explored different musical genres and instruments, but always felt passionate about singing. Eventually they became professional songwriters in Los Angeles, on staff with Warner/Chappell Music. Their songs were covered by recording artists including Cher, Pat Benatar, Anne Murray and Teddy Pendergrass.
As “Too Human” they have shared the stage with 10,000 Maniacs, Livingston Taylor, and Kenny Rankin and past performances include the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA.
Critics say, “Too Human offers up some of the best songs you have ever heard, played with a depth of soul you rarely hear.”
Bring your brown bag lunch on Friday, July 30 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. for “Music Sandwiched In.” Live music! Jazzy tunes! Delicious desserts for all!
"Washington" Biography Author Ged Carbone Visits Library!
By Jean Clarke, July 12, 2010
Author Gerald Carbone will visit the Gilford Library on Tuesday evening, July 20, to present an overview of his newest biography “Washington: Lessons in Leadership.”
Before he became the “Father of our Country”, George Washington was the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. In the year 1775, he took a group of men that had no experience, no tradition, and no training, and fought a protracted war against the best, most disciplined force in the world, the British Army.
As a leader, Washington influenced every phase of the American Revolutionary War, from beginning to its end in 1783. His offenses were as brilliant as they were unpredictable, such as his legendary Christmas Day strike at Trenton, and his foray through the fog to nearly drive the British from the field at Germantown. It was an aggressive attack that helped convince the French that the American Army was worth supporting. In Washington, award-winning author Gerald M. Carbone argues that it is this sort of fearless but not reckless, spontaneous but calculated, offensive that is the cornerstone of Washington's success on the battlefield and ultimate victory.
Gerald Carbone is the award-winning author ofseveral books on the American Revolution including Washington and Nathanael Greene, and was a journalist for twenty-five years, mostly for the Providence Journal. He has won two of American journalism's most prestigious prizes--the American Society of Newspaper Editors Distinguished Writing Award and a John S. Knight Fellowship at Stanford University. He lives in Warwick, Rhode Island and vacations in the Lakes Region.
Join us for an in depth look at one of America's most inspiring leaders, George Washington, whose “greatness is not simply a matter of victories on the battlefield . . . (but) leadership, determination,and character.” Program begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Gilford Library's Meeting Room.Summer Sizzlers At The Library
By Jean Clarke, June 28, 2010
With the 4th of July just around the corner, the summer season is in full swing! Here are a few recommendations for your summer reading list: The Passage by Justin Cronin. Named Amazon's Best Book of June 2010, Cronin's latest book is guaranteed to be a runaway bestseller. You don't have to be a fan of vampire fiction to be enthralled by this ambitious epic about a virus that nearly destroys the world, and a six-year-old girl who holds the key to bringing it back. Parrot and Olivier in America by Peter Carey. In this work of historical fiction, Parrot and Olivier are a mid-nineteenth-century Oscar and Felix who represent the highest and lowest social registers of the Old World. This odd couple's stark differences in class and background, outlook and attitude—which are explored in alternating chapters narrated by each—presents the unique social experiment that was democracy in the early years of America.
Eating Local: The Cookbook Inspired by America's Farmers by Sur La Table and Janet Fletcher. With 150 recipes featuring a wide range of fresh ingredients, Eating Local highlights 10 community supported agriculture projects around the country. These progressive farms provide inspiration for all who want to cook more wholesome meals using ingredients from their own foodshed. Visually stunning and practical!
Stop by the library, sign-up for the Summer Reading Program and pick up a summer sizzler to read and enjoy!
Sensational Summer Programs Begin June 28!
By Jean Clarke, June 21, 2010
Summer fun begins here at the library on Monday, June 28. The library doors will open at 9 a.m. and we look forward to welcoming all ages to the first day of our summer reading programs.
Make A Splash – Read! is the theme for the 2010 Children's Summer Reading Program. Open to children from preschoolers up to those entering 4th grade, the summer reading program is designed to encourage children and their caregivers to use the library to enjoy reading for learning and fun! In addition, special guests will be visiting the library throughout the summer vacation months to offer entertainment, educational opportunities, and much more. From music to magical tricks, come Make A Splash – Read! at your local library this summer.
Teens – it's time to Make Waves at Your Library! Pick-up your bingo card on or after June 28th, receive a goodie bag filled with special treats, and begin playing! Players who get a “bingo” (down, across or diagonal) receive a prize and are entered into the Grand Prize Drawing on August 5th. Geocacheing, cartoon drawing, writing camp, and many more fun activities are scheduled. So, Make Waves, and join in the fun!
Sensational summer reading awaits adults this year! As part of the library's summer reading program Water Your Mind – READ, the Get Booked Series will feature a number of authors who share their newly published books with library patrons. This week includes a program with Kalee Thompson who wrote the mesmerizing story of a maritime rescue by the Coast Guard in March, 2008. And don't forget to sign-up for the adult summer reading game (grades 9 – adult) so you can be on your way to a prize-winning summer season.
Gilford Public Library looks forward to welcoming all ages to the 2010 Summer Reading Programs from June 28 - August 6. Check out the website www.gilfordlibrary.org for more information about upcoming events.
NE Author Sarah Orne Jewett's Novel Comes to Life at the Library
By Jean Clarke, June 14, 2010
Come journey to a bygone world as we sail up the “lovely, lonely” coast of Maine to Dunnet Landing featured in the novel “The Country of the Pointed Firs” by Sarah Orne Jewett.
Written in 1896, Jewett's novel was an instant success and, out of 170 works of fiction, is considered one of her best. The Dunnet Landing Stories are a series of character sketches featuring the rugged individuals, fishermen, sea captains, farmers, and shepherds and their womenfolk, who lived along the southern Maine coast.in the nineteenth century. With great tenderness and gentle humor, Jewett details the hopes and dreams, the grief and sorrow, and, most of all, the wisdom of these simple country people.
Pontine Theatre, a two-person ensemble, is well known for a large body of innovative and original productions that celebrate the history and culture of New England. Since 1977, the Pontine Theatre has toured extensively, performing and teaching at universities, public and private schools, community theatres, festivals and conferences. Based in Portsmouth, NH, the theatre company offers outreach programs including workshops, curriculum-based instruction and studio performances.
Tuesday evening's performance is co-sponsored by the Gilford Public Library and the Thompson-Ames Historical Society. The performance will take place at the library on Tuesday, June 22 beginning at 6:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Your Summer Checklist : Activities, Museum Passes and Maps at the Library
By Jean Clarke, June 7, 2010
Ever since my kids were able to look forward to summer vacation, we've been writing a list of “things we want to do” before September arrives. No idea is too outlandish or overruled, but we do try to keep it reasonable. Some of the items are fairly easy to check off, while others require some planning ahead, getting in proper shape, or saving a few dollars.
Now that the kids are a bit older, I keep my own personal list of “summer adventures” to look forward too. This summer I've included a few things I've never done before: visiting the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Manchester, spending the day at a NH beach, climbing all 12 of the Belknap Range peaks, and learning how to play Mah Jong.
If you're ready to start your own summer “things to do” list, perhaps the library can help. We have several groups that meet on a regular basis throughout the summer months. Your week can start with a game of Mah Jong (American or Chinese) on Mondays from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. The first and third Tuesday of the month (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) a Rug Hooking workshop for all levels is offered. The Knit Wits meet Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 1 p.m. for knitting and conversation. Thursdays from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. there's a regular game or two of Scrabble in the Meeting Room.
Take yourself and a friend to a NH museum for the day! The Friends of the Library have donated a number of museum passes including: Strawbery Banke, Canterbury Shaker Village, Wright Museum, and the Currier Museum to name just a few.
And whenever you're ready to hit the trails this summer don't forget your map. The library has hiking maps of the Belknap Range, Ossipee Mountains, Weeks Woods, Gunstock and Ramblin' Vewe Farm on sale.
So jot down your “things to do this summer” checklist, head over to the library for programs and passes, and enjoy your summer!