Bird Study by Guthrie Bannon, kindergarten homeschooler, from the April Student Art Show (through April 30)

@Blue Hill Library

     Unless otherwise noted these events are free and open to everyone. Many of these free events are made possible by generous funding from the  Friends of the Blue Hill Library. If you like what you see, thank a Friend. Or better yet, become one! There are many ways you can help support the Library.

     The public is invited to participate in the Library Play Reading Group on Wednesday, April 17 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Library, and every 3rd Wednesday of the month until summer. The play selected for this month is Neil Simon's Star Spangled Girl, a comedy set in the 1960's in San Francisco.

     The play is about a love triangle between two men-- 1960's radicals-- who publish a magazine dedicated to fighting "the system" and a conservative southern woman who moves in next door. The play was reportedly inspired by an argument that Simon witnessed between the liberal writer Paddy Chayefsky and a conservative woman.

     The group welcomes inexperienced and experienced readers alike. The only criteria are the love of plays and the joy of reading them aloud among like-minded theater fans. For further information, contact the Blue Hill Library at 374-5515 or Michael Donahue at 374-5248 (or Donahue.mg@gmail.com).

   Mike Gelberg, President of Air & Water Quality Inc., will discuss residential water supplies at the Library Wednesday April 17 at 7:00 PM. Topics will include water sources, water delivery systems, public vs. private water systems, water testing, water contaminants and water treatment options.

     It is fairly well known that arsenic is a common contaminant found in groundwater in the area surrounding Blue Hill. In fact, some of the highest concentrations of arsenic in the State of Maine are found in this area. There are many other contaminants in groundwater-some that can create health problems and some that do not. Mr. Gelberg will talk about these contaminants, along with currently recommended water testing and treatment solutions.

     Mr. Gelberg has an undergraduate engineering degree from MIT and pursued graduate studies at Case Western Reserve University. Earlier in his career he worked on the Apollo and Skylab space programs. Air & Water Quality Inc. has been providing solutions to water quality issues in Maine homes, schools, hospitals and laboratories for over 23 years. A little over two years ago, Air & Water Quality Inc. opened their local office at 388 Bangor Road in Ellsworth. For more information call the Library at 374-5515.

   BHPL's First-Thursday Brown Bag Book Club will meet on Thursday, May 2 from noon to 1:30 PM to discuss Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. Nonfiction again, the book is the author's account of the 1996 disaster on Mount Everest, when a rogue storm killed 8 climbers and stranded several others, including Krakauer.

       The Book Club is open to anyone - no registration needed! And, this club is not just for women-- men are encouraged to participate too. For more information or to request a copy of the book call the Library at 374-5515.

     We just received the following report on the Hancock County Food Drive. Thanks again to everyone who donated food-- you helped make it a huge success!

    A total of 114 sites from 22 towns in Hancock County collected and donated food.  (22 additional sites signed up but didn't wind up collecting anything).  

A photo from the collection center.

     The grand total amount of food collected was 12,350 items.  We far surpassed our goal of 10,000 items!  This is a HUGE increase from last year (when we collected approx. 7,500 items)  This food was divided evenly among Hancock County's eleven food pantries. (Our twelfth pantry in Hancock County only deals in vouchers to grocery stores).  Large, bulk items were set aside and split evenly among the county's five community meal sites.

    Monetary donations received:  in addition to the $10,000 match provided by United Way of Eastern Maine and Maine Community Foundations, we received private donations of $654.  The total of $10,654 will be divided evenly between all seventeen pantries and community meal sites.

• The third of six sessions of Music and Movement is THIS MORNING! WEDNESDAY April 10 at 10:30--For the first 30 minutes of Preschool Playgroup Deborah Reinke, an early childhood music educator, will engage and teach families how to use rhythm to promote learning. Please register here or call the library. This playgroup is open to the public and is for newborns to age three. It is sponsored by the Library and a gluten-free snack is served.  

• Join  host Michael Donahue as the Friends of the Library Film Series continues TOMORROW! Thursday April 11 at 7:00 PM with The Rose (1979), starring Bette Midler and Alan Bates.    

Self-portrait, from the April Student Art Show (through April 30)

• The public is invited to a reception for of area students and their teachers, and enjoy the April Student Art Show, THIS FRIDAY April 12 from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. Refreshments will be served, and the Blue Hill Consolidated Jazz Band will perform. 

• Hootenanny With Hank! Join local musician Henry  Elliott--bring whatever you'd like-guitar, ukulele, fiddle, spoon, tambourine, washboard, autoharp, penny whistle, what-have-you- THIS SUNDAY April 14, 2:00 to 5:00 PM.   Bring an instrument to play, or sing, or even just listen. Don't forget to bring a snack to share.

Don't hesitate to call us for more information at 207-374-5515.