@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.

• Kneisel Hall Childrens Concert TOMORROW! WednesdayJuly 10, 4:30 PM. Students from the Kneisel Hall summer program will play pieces specially chosen for young audiences. 

• Kids and their families are invited to Movie Night at the Library THIS THURSDAY! July 11 at 6:00 PM.  The film will be The Land Before Time, a George Lucas/ Steven Spielberg animated film from 1988 rated G.  The story is about an orphaned dinosaur who meets other species of dinosaurs on an "exciting quest to find the legendary "Great Valley." Free popcorn! 

• Isle au Haut resident and noted author Linda Greenlaw will read from her new memoir Lifesaving Lessons at the Library THIS Friday July 12 at 7:00 PM.  Books will be available for sale and signing. Sponsored by the Library and Blue Hill Books. 

• The Library invites LEGO enthusiasts, ages 7 to 12 to share ideas and creative energy to build cool LEGO projects THIS SATURDAY! July 13 10:30 AM to noon. Kids ages 4 to 6 are also invited but must be accompanied by an adult.  Kids can bring their own or use the Library's LEGOs. 

     The Library is pleased to announce the third annual Paint the Peninsula event, a "fresh paint silent auction" to be held on Saturday, July 20, from 4:30 to 7:00 PM, at the Library. Over 60 artists will start that day with blank canvases, and transform them into gorgeous views, using locations all over the Blue Hill Peninsula as their inspiration. Finished works will be brought to the Library in the early afternoon, when the library will be transformed into a gigantic art gallery.

Painting of downtown Blue Hill by Annie Poole.

    The reception will feature refreshments and piano jazz by Scott Cleveland. Winning bids will be announced at the end of the evening and the works can be taken home right away. One new twist this year is a "buy it now" option for those who want to be sure not to miss out on a painting.  Artists will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the Library. This is a fun event whether you expect to be in the market for a new painting or not.  There is a suggested $10 admission donation per person, which can be deducted from a person's winning bid.  Entry for children and artists is free.

Artist Corey Paradise delivers his 2012 Paint the Peninsula entry.

    Last year's Paint the Peninsula event was a great success, raising over $8,000 for the library and featured works in various media for all budgets from a diverse range of Blue Hill Peninsula artists. The Blue Hill Library is funded as an independent non-profit organization.  It relies heavily on the generosity of donors and income from fundraisers to meet its annual operating budget.  For more information, call the Library at 374-5515.

   Local resident Emery Bradshaw Thomas is currently exhibiting his artwork and collection of natural artifacts in the Blue Hill Public Library's children's room through the end of August. Included in the exhibit are various drawings and sculptures of nature by Emery, an 8-year old artist and naturalist, along with his collection consisting of shells, rocks and minerals, starfish, dead scorpions and other items of interest.

 

     Emery says he has been collecting the items for a couple of years now, and has found some of the items and purchased others.  He has an intense interest in the natural world and often focuses on one creature or plant for days or even weeks, drawing his subject repeatedly and learning as much as he can about it.  Recent areas of focus have been scorpions, bean plants, brittle stars, spiders and snakes. He also takes "vacations" from drawing while deciding what his next area of interest will be.

 

     The exhibit will be available for viewing during regular Library hours through the end of August. For more information call Pat at 374-5515.

      Kids ages 7 to 12 are invited to "get the dirt on dirt!" at the Library on Thursday July 18 at 3:00 PM.  Retired scientist Dave Hollenberg will teach kids all about soil - what can you really find in it? What exactly is it made of? How do flowers grow in it? Kids will get to inspect (and maybe play in) different types of dirt.

    Thanks to the generosity of Dave Hollenberg this workshop is free but registration is required.  To register, go to the Library's web calendar or call Pat at 374-5515.

     Author Jennifer Skiff will read from her new book, The Divinity of Dogs, at the Library on Thursday July 18 at 7:00 PM. According to the publisher, The Divinity of Dogs is about "the moments you learn something profound about life from an experience with a dog." The book features more than seventy inspiring and heartwarming true stories that "show where love, tolerance, comfort, compassion, loyalty, joyfulness, and even death have provided experiences that have led to spiritual enlightenment. "

     Jennifer offers, "My dogs have been the reason I have woken up every single day of my life with a smile on my face. I am among the ranks of millions of people who appreciate the souls of dogs and know they are a gift of pure love and an example of all that is good."  She is an award-winning television producer, journalist, magazine columnist and author. Her first book, God Stories: Inspiring Encounters with the Divine is an Inspirational and spiritual bestseller and is published in seven languages.

    For more than a decade Jennifer traveled the world working as an investigative environmental correspondent for CNN. Her programs promoting animal welfare have aired on The Discovery Channel and networks globally. Among other honors, she's received the prized Environmental Media Award.

     Passionate about animals and their welfare, Jennifer works with charities throughout the world to bring relief to abused and abandoned animals. Jennifer is a Trustee of the Dogs' Refuge Home in Australia and is a Director of the SPCAHC in the United States.  She says she "spends her life in perpetual summer between Australia and Maine."

     Books will be available for sale and signing. This event is sponsored by the Library. There is no charge, and everyone is welcome. For more information, call the Library at 374-5515.

    Children's author, Jean Miller, will read from her book, Curious Chucky at the Library on Saturday July 20 at 10:30 AM. Chucky is a precocious little woodchuck. He wonders about the world outside of his burrow. What lies beyond the big round hole he looks through?

    Jean Miller found this almost true story about a friendly woodchuck and decided to make it come alive.  With artistic expertise from David Doolittle, she wrote for children between the ages of four and ten. There will be related activities and snacks for kids who attend.

    A graduate of the University of New Hampshire and Northeastern University where her Master's thesis was a natural foods cookbook for children, Jean has pursued many careers. She and her husband divide their time between Maine and Arizona.

     Books will be available for purchase and signing. For more information call Pat at 374-5515.

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