HW Library

 

Hamilton-Wenham Public Library

Newsletter


bobby hat
Jack the Ripper
Presented by the Delvena Theatre Company, Friday, Nov. 2, 10:15-Noon.  History comes alive with the infamous Jack the Ripper. Learn the details of the ghastly murders of five women from London in 1888, and meet the top suspects in the murders. The audience will have the opportunity to question each of the suspects and make their own conclusion as to who the "real" Jack the Ripper was. Let's solve this case once and for all! The cast will open up to the audience also at the end of the show for lively discussion. This program is funded by the Friends of the H-W Library.
In This Issue
Natural Reflections Author & Artist Talk
Movie: Ghosts of Dickens' Past
4th NaNoWriMo
Holiday Closings
Children's Room
Book Clubs
Children's Literacy
Teen News
Medicare & Health Plans
Movie: Brave
Thursday, Nov. 15, 4:00-5:30, rated PG
Wenham's CW Monument
Wenham's Civil War Monument
Presented by local historian Jack Hauck, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7-8.  Learn about Wenham's Civil War soldiers and about who built the monument & at what cost, who owns the park & monument, what was there before the monument, if it contains a time capsule & other items of interest.  Mr. Hauck presented his findings at the Council on Aging to rave reviews and a front-page article in the Chronicle back in May.   Don't miss this unique chance to connect with your local history.

 

Year in the Woods jacket
Natural Reflections, A Year in the Woods Thursday, Nov. 8 from 6:30-8:00 pm. 
See the where you live through new eyes: join in a celebration of the beauty and mystery of the natural world just outside your doorstep.  Susan Gabriel and Gail Byrnes present their book of poems and images, Natural Reflections, A Year in the Woods Join us for discussion, light refreshments & giveaways.  For more information contact Susan Gabriel at susan.gabriel8@gmail.com or Gail Byrnes at gailbyrnes@gmail.com

 

Charles Dickens
Movie: Ghosts of Dickens' Past 
Presented by the Dickens Fellowship North of Boston Branch.  Thursday, Nov. 15, 6:30-8:00.

Young Charles Dickens is obsessed with making money until he meets a girl who challenges his materialistic outlook. The girl opens the door to Dickens' understanding that his writing can serve to speak for the oppressed that have no voice. From this encounter Dickens goes on to write his most famous and moving work, A Christmas Carol. This movie blends biographical details with Hollywood drama for an extraordinary historical journey. 1998, rated G, 90 minutes.
The North of Boston Dickens Fellowship was founded spring 2010, is based out of the Salem Athenaeum, and seeks to enhance the promotion, readership, and education of Dickens with activities or events. Meetings are a combination of book club, social event, student programming, study groups, community service and education.
NaNoWriMo crest
Our 4th Annual NaNoWriMo
NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month. This November, people all over the world will attempt to write a 50,000-word novel by midnight, November 30.  Local writers will meet at the library every Saturday in November for write-ins from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. (the library closes at 4 p.m.)
Come when you can! Leave when you like! Brainstorm, socialize, and boost your word count in the company of others who are doing the same. Last year, some authors produced upwards of 3,000 words in a single session.  (That's 12 pages in the average printed book!)  Call 978-468-5577 or email Sarah at slauderdale@mvlc.org to find out more, or visit our Library's  NaNoWriMo page for information and helpful links about this exciting month-long event.
Library Holiday Closings: November & December
The Library will be closed on Monday, Nov. 12 in observance of Veterans day.  Museum passes reserved for Monday must be picked up on Saturday.
We will close early on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 5:00 and will be closed  Thanksgiving day.  We will see you on Friday (10-5) and Saturday (10-4). 
Monday, Dec. 24 we will close at 5:00, and will be closed for Christmas day.  Monday, Dec. 31 we will close at 5:00, and will be closed for New Year's day.
Children's Room
Kids are Writers, Too! 
Calling all budding authors and storytellers: start writing!  Our Story Writing Contest is open to children in grades 1-6, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes will be awarded to each age group: Grade 1-3, Grade 4-6. Submit your story by Friday, Nov. 30 by 5:00 pm.  Word count must be between 250-800 words, only one submission per person, illustrations are welcome.  For full details and rules stop by the Children's Room or visit the Children's Room Blog. 
Dads & Donuts Saturday, Nov. 10 & Dec. 1, 11-Noon.
Dads & Donuts  is a story time designed especially for dads and children ages 2 years & up. (Moms are always invited.) Snacks & coloring will follow 30 minutes of stories! Open to the public at no charge, no registration necessary. 
Chess for Kids! 3 Mondays this fall: Nov. 19, Nov. 26 & Dec. 3 from 3:30-4:30. Designed for players of all levels, beginners welcome. Pre-registration is required, free and open to the public for children in grades 1-6.
Thanksgiving Storytime & Craft Saturday, Nov. 17, 11-Noon.  Featuring stories of food, fun and giving thanks, followed by a creative craft to take home.
Holiday Storytime & Craft  Saturday, Dec. 8, 11-Noon.
Join us for stories celebrating the season & create a craft to take home.  Perfect for ages 2 and up, open to the public at no charge, no registration necessary.
The Lappin Foundation presents a Hanukkah Celebration Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 4-5.  Join us for stories and songs for all ages celebrating the festival of lights.

Questions?  Stop by, or call 468-5577 x13, or email Lorraine Der, Children's Librarian at lder@mvlc.org.

Bookclubs Nov 12 Book Jackets
Mystery Mayhem meets Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 10:30.  Come to discuss what you have read and also solve a mystery.  The theme is: "Social Dis-eases: Detectives with a Conscience." The suggested books include: Linda Barnes Snapshot, Barbara D'Amato Hard Luck, Jane Haddam Hardscrabble Road, Margaret Maron Uncommon Clay, Marcia Muller Dead Midnight, and Sara Paretsky Fire Sale.  
The December 11 meeting features: "Vengeance is Mine: Religious Crime Solvers" with G.K. Chesterton Father Brown Omnibus, Harry Kemelman Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, Ralph McInery Triple Pursuit, Ellis Peters A Morbid Taste for Bones, and David Thurlo Bad Faith.

Literary Luncheon meets Tuesday, Nov. 20 from 11:30-12:30, bring your brown-bag lunch.  The Nov. meeting will feature Alice Hoffman's The Red Garden, which was a 2012 Mass. Book Award nominee. A self-proclaimed love letter to Massachusetts, The Red Garden is a compilation of linked short stories revolving around the town of Blackwell. Each story introduces a character we come to know intimately. Each glimpse into their lives is brief but whole and endearing.             For Dec. 18 read The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka.  It is the story of a group of young women brought from Japan to San Francisco as "picture brides" nearly a century ago. The novel traces their stories from their arduous journey by boat, their arrival, tremulous first nights as wives, raising children, to the arrival of war.

Monday Night Book Group meets on the 4th Monday of every month at 7:15 pm. Nov. 19: Emily, Alone by Stewart O'Nan.  Dec. 17: An Available Man by Hilma Wolitzer
Two Evenings with Pat Purdy: Supporting Literacy in our Children.

Wednesday Nov. 7, 6:30-8:00 pm  Encouraging a Love of Reading: Birth to Kindergarten. The workshop is for parents and caregivers and is designed to outline the importance of a young child's home library as well as the role families play in developing pre-reading skills. The workshop will include: establishing a reading environment, how to select and share stories, reading aloud, and a review of excellent titles children (birth-K) should be exposed to before entering grade one. RSVP requested via contact info below.

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 6:30-8:00 pm The Joy of Reading: Grades 1-3
The workshop is for parents and caregivers as they encourage literacy in the home. Strategies to encourage reluctant readers, as well as how to select emotionally appropriate titles for advanced readers will be discussed. A review of literature that should be included in a child's home library will be presented along with the importance of continuing to read aloud to elementary aged children. A review of great read-alouds will be included. RSVP requested via contact info below.

Early Childhood Partners teams up with Pat Purdy, children's literature specialist. Pat owned Wenham's Banbury Cross Children's Bookshop for 25 years, before that she was a children's librarian at Wenham Public Library for 11 years. She is committed to excellence in children's literature which she enjoys sharing through her workshops and book talks.
To register for any of the workshops please contact Early Childhood Partners: Cynthia Griffin at 978-468-5489.

Teen News 

The next Teen Think Tank meetings are on Thursday, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6, from 6:30-7:45.  Make the future happen, create it in your vision. Come share your bright ideas! This group (for patrons ages 11-17) 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 for the young adult section; brainstorming and creating programs and special events for young adults; and helping with the Library's teen space and webpage.  For more information contact Kim Claire, Young Adult Librarian at 978-468-5577 X14 or by email at kclaire@mvlc.org.    

Medicare Options & You
Friday, Dec. 7 from 10:15-Noon.  Dianne Savastano of Healthassist visits again to review Medicare, Medicare Advantage, additional plans, and other health care options available to seniors.