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Wells Tower and James Sturm, two very creative writers who are winning critical acclaim, were together as MacDowell Fellows in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Keep their names in mind and watch for all new work by them. Right now, consider reserving Tower’s short story collection, Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned from the Quechee Library “New” shelf. Look for several other good short story collections, including Mary Gaitskill’s, Don’t Cry.
Then, most definitely, plan to visit the library on Tuesday, June 23, at 4 p.m. when James Sturm, the award winning graphic novelist and co-founder of Center for Cartoon Studies, generously kicks off the library’s summer by talking about his newest book, Adventures in Cartooning. The theme for the summer, “Be Creative,” is the mission of the MacDowell Colony: to enable artists to concentrate on their work. Imagine such a group one summer evening, sitting around listening to Tower’s story about Vikings.
Another reading aloud group will gather here monthly beginning Tuesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. when Christina Reynolds brings the custom here of reading play scripts aloud with all comers who simply enjoy taking part in the informal evening. Appropriately enough, the first play will be Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, generally thought to be Peterborough.
Newspaper reports during this time of dire economics are similar whether from Terre Haute: “a steady stream of people, from all walks of life, who turned to those libraries for help, enlightenment, and recreation” or from the Upper Valley, where libraries also are seeing a burst of activity and a wider, deeper appreciation perhaps than back in the day when a library meant books alone.
Libraries are the bridge as always to the future as well as to the past; the best ones assist with technology in numerous ways, as well as providing information, data bases, films and books, the downloadable variety in addition to those that fit under the arm and into the hand.
Friends’ Public Program: New Hartford History
Frank J. Barrett, Jr.
On Wed., May 27, at 7 p.m., the Quechee Library will provide a very special bridge to the past when architect and author Frank J. Barrett is the speaker for the Friends’ annual meeting. He will talk about the just published Town of Hartford history, and show slides of some of the hundreds of images in the book. He may focus on the chapters about Quechee and Dewey’s Mills but will also be eager to talk about the parts of this town somewhat less well known. Books will be available that evening for purchase from the Hartford Historical Society as well as a premium for a sponsor membership level in the Quechee Library Friends. All are welcome for this evening meeting and program. Refreshments will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Officers to be elected for the Friends are: Paula Pitts and Robbie O’Hara, co-presidents; Ann DeLoach, vice-president; Joan Baret; secretary; and Joan Keyes, treasurer. Their service is much appreciated, as are all the donations received during the Friends’ annual membership drive.
Vermont Reads 2009
When the Emperor was Divine is the Vermont Humanities Council’s 2009 selection for “Vermont Reads,” a statewide community reading project. The Quechee Library was awarded 50 copies, now available at the circulation desk. Please participate in any of the related programs. On Wednesday, May 20, from 6-7:30 p.m., Millie Eastwood will lead a book discussion. Concurrently, there will be an origami program for children, and Japanese food samples for all. On Sat., May 16 at Wilder Club and Library, and on Sat., June 6 at Quechee Library, free kite making workshops will be held. Everyone is again welcome. From May 6 through May 21, there will be a Fleming Museum display at the Quechee Library of Japanese artifacts and crafts. There is also an ongoing book display of books to be borrowed for all ages on Japan and on the difficult topic of World War II internments.
In conjunction with the Quechee Library’s Vermont Reads activities, there will be a “movie night” on Wed., May 13 at 7 p.m. Donations to kitegang.org will also be received at the library during May and early June in an effort to support a non-profit organization which provides toys and kites to children in refugee camps today. Check www.quecheelibrary.org for more information.
Be Creative – Through the Decades
Pete Sutherland
The following Tuesday, June 30, is another program that will be for all ages, as the fiddler Pete Sutherland entertains with Vermont history songs. In the musician’s own words: “I’m proud of these songs, in which I’ve tried to paint some of the vivid history of the Green Mountain state through portraits of characters and events infamous, notorious, and often larger-than-life-stories I felt called to set to music, freeing them from the dusty bookshelf.” Come at 4 p.m.
Throughout the summer, each Tuesday afternoon at 4, there will be special programs continuing for kids ages 5-11, on the 1920s and as many of the decades to follow as fit. Music, art, victory gardens, and more will be explored. Each Thursday at 4 p.m., the “game of the decade” will be played at the Wilder Club and Library to correspond to the Tuesday program at the Quechee Library.
Balloon Festival Book Sale
As always, a major fundraiser of the year for the library is the balloon festival book sale, held this year June 17-19. Donations of books are very welcome up through June 13. Terry Harms, Valerie Groeneveld, and Heather Craig, book sale chairs, will also greatly appreciate volunteers for staffing the sale during the weekend. A sign up sheet is posted at the library.
Vermont Humanities Council Book Discussion Series
This summer’s book discussion series is “New England Uncovered.” Scholar Suzanne Brown will lead the discussions on Mondays at 4:30 p.m. Books are at the circulation desk and all are welcome at any and all sessions. The schedule is as follows: June 28: Peyton Place by Grace Metalious; July 13: Affliction by Russell Banks; August 24: A Brother’s Blood by Michael White; Sept. 14: I am a Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson,
Play One For the Books
One of the first and most important fundraisers supporting the Quechee Library’s capital campaigns was a golf tournament chaired by Bob Neilson and Bob Guild. The 2009 version is scheduled for Friday, July 10. More information on the scramble, the silent auction and the raffle (including Red Sox and Giants tickets) is located in the Around Town section of the paper.
Remember to check the website at www.quecheelibrary.org for complete programming and event information, to browse the catalog, find information through the many data bases at “ready reference”, and reserve and renew books. There is also a link to “Listen Up Vermont” for downloadable books. The library is now sending occasional e-mails with program and other information; please e-mail
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to be added to the library contact list. |
