Elvira Bass: Library patron and volunteer.... and hot-rodder!

@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! Wednesday July 24, 4:30 PM. Students from the Kneisel Hall summer program will play pieces specially chosen for young audiences. 

• Join us THIS THURSDAY! July 25 at 7:00 PM, for another installment of Art Adventures! David Little will discuss, show images and read from his new book, Art of Katahdin. Books will be available for sale and signing.

•  Cartoonist Jeff Pert will present a cartoon workshop for kids ages 8-13 on Saturday July 27 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Library. At this time the workshop is full with space only on the waiting list. Interested persons can join the waiting list or check the status on our web calendar. 

    Friends of the Library will donate the proceeds of their Saturday book sale on July 27 to assist the public library in the town of Lac-Megantic, Quebec, where a train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded on July 6th causing a fire in the center of the town.  The disaster killed dozens of people and wiped out houses and other buildings including the town's library. The sale will be, as usual, in the Library's basement "book nook" from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Friends of the Library book sales take place weekly during the Summer, and monthly on the first Saturday of the month the rest of the year.

The town before the derailment disaster.

     The Library is also accepting spare change donations at the circulation desk, which will also be sent to assist with reestablishing the library.  For more information, contact the Library at 374-5515.

     Jonathan Fisher, considered one of New England's most remarkable citizens, is the subject of a presentation by three University of Maine Orono faculty members at the Library on Tuesday July 30 at 7:00 PM. Jonathan Fisher, born into an old Dedham, Massachusetts family, and educated at Harvard College from 1788 to 1795 in mathematics and divinity, came to Blue Hill, Maine in 1796 as the first minister of the Congregational Church.

     The reason he is seen as so remarkable is that he developed and displayed wide-ranging talents in the arts, architecture, literature, farming, medicine, science, surveying and mathematics. A current exhibition at the Farnsworth Museum focuses on his last publication, "Scripture Animals", a 350-page compendium of creatures described in text and illustrations by Fisher, a book at the center of a story which draws from his enduring curiosity and from his travels between Maine and Massachusetts. The exhibition explores the context for the making and marketing of the book, the sequence of events which led to its origins, and its significance to early American bookmaking.

     The program will include short presentations by English professor Ben Friedlander and history professors Richard Judd, and Liam Riordan, using Fisher's book Scripture Animals as a lens for understanding natural history, religion, and print culture in Maine and the United States in the first decades of the 19th century. The speakers look forward to a lively discussion with the audience after their presentations. For more information call the Library at 374-5515.

    The Library is pleased to announce the August art show, Animal Magnetism, featuring artwork about animals by local artists Holly Meade, Gerald Cumbo, Rebekah Raye and Cynthia Stroud. The exhibition starts on August 3 and continues through August 31. The public is invited to a reception for the artists on Friday  August 16th at 4:00 PM.

Muddy Pig, 2-color linoleum and woodblock print by Holly Meade. Edition: 10

    The show will be dedicated to the memory of Holly Meade, whose artwork, including her award-winning children's books and illustrations, are much beloved in Maine, New England and beyond. She explored many artistic mediums throughout her life and developed an interest in woodblock printmaking in 2002. She received much recognition and applause for her work, which was shown in her own gallery in Sedgwick (www.reachroadgallery.com), as well as in numerous art galleries in New England and the United States. Included in the show will be some of her animal-themed woodblock prints.

Yellowlegs Preening, carved by Gerald Cumbo.

    Gerald Cumbo will exhibit bird carvings, in realistic, stylized and shallow relief styles. Following his retirement from a career of wordworking Jerry became interested in bird carving and has been studying at the Wendell Gilley Museum in Southwest Harbor, Maine, showing his works in many local and international bird carving shows and galleries, winning numerous awards.

Secret Pool 1 by Rebekah Raye.

     Animals are always the focus of Rebekah Raye's paintings, sculpture and jewelry, whether it is her Rhode Island rooster "Roo Roo" who posed for her on a stool, even crowing at times, or any of a number of wild animals such as bear, deer, bobcats or others that visit her yard. She shows her work in exhibitions around Maine and in her own gallery in East Blue Hill (www.rebekahraye.com). She is also the author and illustrator of a number of award winning children's books.

Birds of a Feather, bronze, by Cynthia Stroud.

     Cynthia Stroud, has always been fascinated by animals, even dreaming as a child of becoming a large animal veterinarian.  Today she incorporates them as subjects into various media: bronze, stone, wood and clay, also in oil, pastel, watercolor, photography, and collage.  The show will feature sculptures and other works that "capture the energy of wild animals and flying figures in action and at rest - from the leap and flex of a dolphin in midair and the tumble of bear cubs at play to the lazy poise of a sleeping bobcat."

     A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this artwork will go to benefit the Library. The Library is funded as an independent non-profit organization.  It relies heavily on the generosity of donors to meet its annual operating budget.  The show will be open for viewing Monday through Saturday in August during Library hours.  For more information, please visit www.bhpl.net or call the Library at 374-5515.

    Brooklin author Ellen Booraem will launch her new book aimed at kids 10 years and older, Texting the Underworld on Thursday August 1 at 7:00 PM at the Library.  This launch will be before the official publication date of August 15th but books will be arriving from the publisher for sale and signing at the event.

     In the book, perpetual scaredy-cat Conor O'Neill has the fright of his life when a banshee named Ashling shows up in his bedroom. Ashling is-as all banshees are-a harbinger of death, and she's sure someone in Conor's family is about to require her services. But she's new at this banshee business, and first she insists on going to middle school. Even as Conor desperately tries to hide her identity from his classmates and teachers, he realizes there's no way to avoid paying a visit to the underworld if he wants to keep his family safe.

     Ellen is also the author of two other books for kids, The Unnameables and Small Persons with Wings, both of which were named "best books of the year" by Kirkus Reviews. This event is sponsored by the Library and Blue Hill Books. There is no charge, and everyone is welcome. For more information, call the Library at 374-5515.

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