HW Library

 

Hamilton-Wenham Public Library

Newsletter



Community Read 2012
Join us as we celebrate the work of a Wenham hero, Dr. Gordon Sato with
The Mangrove Tree: Planting Trees to Feed Families by  Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore.  This children's book documents the work of Dr. Sato's "Manzanar Project" which solved the hunger crisis in Eritrea, Africa.  The project was named after the Japanese internment camp where he was sent as a teenager.  There is also a companion book Farewell to Manzanar: A True Story of Japanese American Experience During and After the World War II Internment by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, which offers a historical perspective on what the  experience was like.  Dr. Sato's time as a teenager in Manzanar led him to work closely with growing food in inhospitable conditions and to have great sympathy for 'aggrieved peoples'. 

Join us to hear Dr. Gordon Sato speak at the Gordon College Campus on Thursday, March 29 at the A.J. Memorial Chapel from 7:30-8:30 pm.  Greet Dr. Sato, Susan Roth & Cindy Trumbore at the reception from 6-7 in the Ken Olsen Science Center.  Also the authors of The Mangrove Tree will talk about the development of their book & the artwork earlier that same day at the H-W Library from 3-4.  

In This Issue
Green Grant Programs
Koffee Klatch for Adults
Chess Simul Tournament
How to Make a Giant Spider
H-W Trash Q&A
Spring Book Sale
AARP Tax Help
Teen News
Children's Room
Book Clubs
Ereaders & Overdrive
Ongoing programs & groups
Early Closing
Please note the Library will be closing early on
Thursday, March 29
at 5:00 to convene at Gordon College to hear Dr. Gordon Sato at 7:30 
Movies!
HUGO [PG]
Wed. Feb. 29, 3-5:15 pm.

HAPPY FEET TWO [PG]
Tue. March 13, 6-7:40 pm.

HOP [PG]
 Tues. April 3, 6-7:30 pm.

Upcoming Green Grant Programs

 

Energy Retrofits & the Historic Home
with Sally Zimmerman, Manager of Historic Preservation Services at Historic New England, Wed. Feb. 29 from 7:30-9 pm.  Learn about making improvements to older houses without damaging historic fabric. She presents a historic preservation perspective on insulation, window repair, air sealing, and renewable energy options in the historic home.

Repair & Restoration of Wooden Windows

by Alison Hardy, Window Woman of New England, Tue. March 6, 7-8:30 pm.  Featured on This Old House & the New York Times, Alison Hardy is an expert on repair and restoration of wooden windows. "Save Energy, Save Money, Save History: Restoration not Replacement." For more information on what she has to offer visit her website at www.window-woman-ne.com.

Dirt on Your Hands, Soil in the Garden
presented by Master Gardener Betty Sanders, Wed. March 7 from 7-9 pm. The secret behind a green thumb is often the most overlooked aspect of gardening - the soil we plant in. Few of us start with great soil, but we can all build it. By using gardening methods which improve rather than hurt the soil, with an emphasis on turning kitchen and gardening waste into compost, the Black Gold of gardens, she will show you how to create gardens from the ground up. Check out her website at Betty on Gardening.  

Healthy Lawns & Lawn Care Alternatives
with Master Gardener Betty Sanders, Wed. April 4, 7-9 pm. How much lawn do you use? How much do you need? What can you do with the rest of your property? You can care for your lawn with minimal environmental impact without breaking the bank. Finally we examine lower maintenance alternatives to our lawns. Myths, rumors and lawn service industry propaganda will be debunked. 
 
For more information visit our 'Go Green' pages & blog on our website.
 
Koffee Klatch for Adults of the North Shore
  
Fri. March 2, 10:15-12:15.  From Purgatory to Podunk presented by Debbie & Pete Lincoln. On a whim in 2007, they decided to visit each of the 351 cities and  towns in the state. The whim evolved into a project to photograph, study, and compile information about each. From this mountain of material, they have developed an informative, entertaining, interactive, illustrated program entitled From Purgatory to Podunk. The Lincoln's presentation is filled with anecdotes, little-known history, hidden locales, as well as their own mishaps.

Fri. April 13, 10:15- Noon.  Haunted History of New England presented by Christopher Daley.  The presentation melds historical fact together with legend and myth to produce and interesting and fascinating new look at events that really happened and the stories of haunting that followed.  Thank you to the Friends for sponsoring this event. 

 

chess bishop
Chess Simul Tournament
Back by popular demand! All ages and abilities are welcome.
Can you beat Master Lou Mercuri as he plays 30 people at once?  Match wits & try your luck on Saturday, March 3 from 1:00 - 3:30.  Register for this event by calling 978-468-5577 or emailing Rebecca at [email protected]
How to Make a Giant Spider
Thursday, March 8, 6:30-8:00 pm.
Join artist Allen Brockenbrough and fellow artist friends from Art Grows Here for an informal informational get together. Learn how he created his 10 ft. spider installation, meet some of the participating artists and see how you can join in the fun and help support the 2012 Art Grows Here tour! For additional information about Art Grows Here call Jill Herrick-Lee at 978-468-2605 or Sue Kassirer at 978-468-1190. You can also visit Art Grows Here on Facebook.

 

H-W Trash Q & A
Two Mondays: March 5 & 12, 7-8 pm
Meet with the folks who spearheaded the new recycling and trash pickup guidelines: bring your questions, concerns, and problems and they will help you out. 

 

Spring Book Sale Dates
Friends Preview Sale Fri. March 23, 7 pm - 9 pm
Public Sale Sat. March 24, 9 am - 3 pm
Ongoing sale Mon-Wed. 10-8, Thur. 10-5. 
The Spring book sale features gently used books of all description, organized by genre & format.  The Friends Preview Sale is for members only, you can join at the door.  (You can print an application form here & speed through the process.) The general public is welcome to browse the sale on Sat. 24, from 9-3.  The sale continues during regular library hours from Mon. through Wed. 10-8, and Thursday 10-5. (Thursday the library will close at 5 to hear Dr. Gordon Sato speak at Gordon College, for our Community Read, see the above article!)   
 
AARP Tax Appointments 

Appointments are by reservation only on Wednesdays at 10, 10:45 and 11:30, through April 11. These dates fill up quickly, so gather your paperwork and reserve your slot. You will need to bring all of your tax documents from last year, paperwork for this year, and will be required to show your Social Security card. This service is provided by SeniorCare, Inc.

Teen News & Events  

2nd Annual TEEN POETRY CONTEST    

The Hamilton-Wenham Public Library is pleased to announce the 2nd annual Teen Poetry Contest. Open to teens in grades 6 to 12. The Contest began February 1, 2012, and ends at midnight April 30, 2012. Two prize winning categories: grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. Honorable mentions will be awarded. Finalists will be notified by phone or email on or about May 8th.
RULES (please read carefully):
* Poem entries must be original work.
* Maximum of 3 poems per student may be entered.
* Each poem must have a title.
* An entry form must be filled out for EACH poem submitted.
* THEME: Poem must incorporate two personas, characters, or viewpoints.
(Judges will deduct points from poems that do not have an alternate persona, character, or viewpoint.)
* All poems must be submitted on or before midnight April 30, 2012.
* All winners and honorable mentions to read or recite their poem aloud at the Poetry Contest Reception on May 15th, 6:30pm to 8pm.
Methods of Entry:
Online is the preferred method of entry.  Please go to  the Poetry Contest page for the online entry form and contest information.

Contact: Kim Claire, Young Adult Librarian 978-468-5577 x14  [email protected]

 

The next Teen Think Tank meetings will be on Thurs. March 1 and April 5, from 6:30-7:45.   Make the future happen, create it in your vision. Come share your bright ideas! This group (for patrons ages 11-18) is the Library's teen advisory board, which improves the programs and services designed specifically for teens. This collaboration includes selecting books, music and movies; brainstorming and creating programs and special events for young adults; and helping with the Library's teen space and webpage.    

 

Ari's Magic the Gathering card games have been a success & will continue meeting on Fridays in March from 3:45 to 4:45. Players in 3rd grade through 6th grade are invited to learn to play or improve their game; please bring your decks.  Ari Massos, a member of the Library's teen advisory board, the Teen Think Tank, will be leading the game.   

 

BOM: Battle-Gaming of Massachusetts

Saturdays from 10 am- 4 pm. Play and learn a variety of tabletop strategy battle games such as Warhammer 40k, Warhammer Fantasy, and Brikwars.  To join this illustrious group of gamers, simply show up. Membership is free.  If you do not know how to play any of the games, one of the members will be happy to teach you. For more information visit the club website at http://massbattles.webs.com/.     

 

For more information contact Kim Claire, Young Adult Librarian at 978-468-5577 X14 or by email at [email protected].    

Children's Room Events   
These Saturday programs are perfect for ages two and older, no registration is required.
March 17, 11- Noon St. Patrick's Day stories with luck and leprechauns & then create a craft.
March 24, 10-12:30 Familypalooza @ Winthrop School Familypalooza (noun)  - a celebration of the very best in early childhood (birth -8 yrs.): an event designed to highlight the early childhood programs and services available to the members of the H-W community: an opportunity to meet and network with the professionals who work with children on a daily basis: meet and network with other parents of young children. For more information please contact Early Childhood Partners: 978-468-5489.
March 31, 11-Noon Dads & Donuts theme: Food!  Listen to stories featuring treats and sweets, with donuts, juice and coloring afterwards. (Moms are always invited.)

Special Events:
Kellie Cormier of The Kiwi Girl Studio of Beverly presents Music & Movement, Tue. March 13, from 10:30-11:30.  This class is open to infants, toddlers, preschoolers & their caregivers.  Enjoy a morning of singing, dancing, movement, and instrument play.  No registration necessary, free and open to the public.
Create a Collage! Wed. March 28, 3-4.  Children's book illustrations aren't just drawings or paintings! Join us as we share our Community Read 2012 book, The Mangrove Tree and stay to create your own collage art.  Recreate a scene from the book or design your own.  All art supplies will be provided, all ages are welcome, no registration necessary, join us & bring a friend.
Author & Illustrator Book Discussion & Collage Demonstration Thur. March 29, 3-4.  Join Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore, author and illustrator of The Mangrove Tree, as they discuss their book and demonstrate the collage process used to illustrate the book.  Copies of the book will be available for purchase from Banbury Cross Children's Bookshop.   Thank you to the Friends for sponsoring this event.
U Start Reading Program featuring Buzz Lightyear, Tues. April 3, 11-11:45.  Details forthcoming!

Weekday programs:
Legomania  for grades 1-5, meeting Weds. March 7 & 21 from 3-4 pm.  Create a masterpiece, share your ideas & designs, work individually or as a team.  This is a non-competitive, non-robotics program, created to share the joy of Legos.
Chess for Kids is back and is meeting on Thurs. March 8, 15, & 22 from 3:30-4:30.  Join Sandra Stolle, former teacher and chess instructor for some chess fun! Find out how to play the game, learn new moves, sharpen your skills. No prior experience necessary. Players of all skill levels are welcome, come to all the sessions or just a few. Free and open to the public, great for grades 1-6.
World of Wizarding for grades 2-5, meeting Weds. March 14 from 3-4 pm.  Join us for this Harry Potter themed program with all new activities! Reading, crafts & spells each week.  Muggles are welcome to participate.

Questions?  Stop by, or call 468-5577 x13, or email Lorraine Der, Children's Librarian at [email protected].
The Book Clubs

Literary Luncheon Book Group 

3rd Tuesday from 11:30-12:30.  Bring your brown-bag lunch: beverages and dessert will be provided.  

March 20 The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan "Timothy Egan's critically acclaimed account rescues this iconic chapter of American history from the shadows in a tour de force of historical reportage. Following a dozen families and their communities through the rise and fall of the region, Egan tells of their desperate attempts to carry on through blinding black dust blizzards, crop failure, and the death of loved ones." -Amazon.com  

April 17 The Life of Pi by Yann Martel. "After the tragic sinking of  a cargo ship in the Pacific, one solitary lifeboat remains, carrying a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, a Bengal tiger, and a 16-year old boy named Pi.  His story is a dazzling work of imagination that will delight and astound in equal measure.  It is a triumph of storytelling..." -Catalog.     

 

Monday Night Book Group, 7:15 - 8:30. 

March 26  The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough. "McCullough mixes famous and obscure names and delivers capsule biographies of everyone to produce a colorful parade of educated, Victorian-era American travelers and their life-changing experiences in Paris." -Catalog  

April 23  State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. "A researcher at a pharmaceutical company, Marina Singh journeys into the heart of the Amazonian delta to check on a field team that has been silent for two years--a dangerous assignment that forces Marina to confront the ghosts of her past." -Catalog  

    

The Mystery Mayhem book club 2nd Tues of the month, March 13 and April 10,  from 10:30-11:30.  This group is all about mysteries and suspense novels. Come and see who and what others are reading, get a list of new books, and solve the mystery of the day. Find a new author, a series you may have missed, and tell the group who your new favorite author is. Light refreshments and coffee/ tea will be served.

 

More Titles for Your Ereader Devices
Our Head of Circulation, Tara, has compiled a great listing of extra ebook titles purchased just for Hamilton-Wenham cardholders.  Clicking on any title will take you to the Overdrive website, where there are many other ebooks (and audiobooks) to choose from. If this is your first time downloading to your device, the Help page might be a good place to start.  We also have nifty little 'how-to' booklets for Nook & Kindle users, pop by the Library to pick one up.  If you have questions call 978-468-5577 or email Tara directly at [email protected].
 
Ongoing Programs
Drop in once, twice, or become a 'regular'.
Mondays 11-1 Mothers' Club: Infants  Social time for moms and newborns to 1 year.
Mondays noon-2:30 Knitting Group For experienced or beginning knit or crochet folk. Bring your UFOs (UnFinished Objects) and get back on track.
Tuesdays 10-12 Mothers' Club: Toddlers Social time for moms and little ones 1 to 3 years old.
Tuesdays 4-6 German Playgroup German language skills practice for you & your children.  

Thursdays 10-noon Cribbage Play this unique card game with a lively group of fun-loving people. All are welcome, no experience necessary to join.