@ Blue Hill Library
There is always something to do at the Blue Hill Public Library
Fun in the dirt: local contractor (and library enthusiast!) Howard Chittenden is directing the digging of a trench related to the  replacement of the air conditioning compressors, and to connect the new backup generator that will allow the library to maintain power during outages.
Welcome to our library events newsletter.  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.
Events this week...
  • Art writer and poet Carl Little and fellow author and brother David Little will talk about the making of their new book, Art of Acadia, at the Library THIS THURSDAY!, October 6 at 7:00 PM. More info here.
  • The Bagaduce Music Lending Library and Friends of the Blue Hill Public Library will present a preview of Wilhelm Richard Wagner's opera, Tristan und Isolde, at the Blue Hill Public Library THIS FRIDAY! October 7 at 1:00 PM. More info  here.
  • The public is invited to an opening reception for Eileen Ahern's exhibit of paintings and tiles, Looking Forward, Looking Back at the Library on Friday October 7, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. The reception coincides with Blue Hill's "First Friday" when the Library and local businesses stay open until 7:00 PM. More info here.
More on Library Infrastructure Improvements..
The Library has been installing new energy-efficient air conditioner compressors thanks to a grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation.  The previous  compressors were nearing the end of their expected life and the newer units are rated to be 25% more efficient than the older ones.
Library Director Rich Boulet in the trench keeping tabs on the progress.

Film:The Day of the Locust
The Friends of the Library Film Series continues with the film, The Day of the Locust (1975), starring Donald Sutherland, Karen Black, and William Atherton, on Thursday, October 13 at 7:00 PM at the Library.film The film is based on the 1939 novel of the same name by Nathanael West and takes place in pre-World War II Hollywood. It follows stories of several down and out people, disappointed in life who failed to find the riches, stardom and success they had hoped for in Hollywood. The film is rated "R" and contains some graphic scenes.

All films are shown free of charge on the Library's "pretty big" screen in the Howard Room. For more information, call the Library (374-5515) or Michael Donahue, 374-5248 or [email protected].
Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers: The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow
The Library is bringing Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers back to Blue Hill to do a performance of The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, on Friday, October 14 at 6:00 PM in the Bay School's Emlen Hall.frogtown In this comedic version of the classic Washington Irving tale, schoolteacher Ichabod Crane helps the Headless Horseman find a new head and a spookier image. Meanwhile, a jealous Brom Bones tries to run Ichabod out of town as they both vie for the affection of Katrina Van Tassel.

Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers is a small puppetry troupe based in Bar Harbor consisting of three siblings - Erik and Brian Torbeck and Robin Erlandsen. Founded in 2000, Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers has performed at festivals, schools, libraries and theatres in the United States and Canada. They write and create all the shows they perform and have received three Citations of Excellence from UNIMA-USA, the highest national award in puppetry.

Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Blue Hill Library, admission for the puppet show is free. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, call Libby at 374-5515.
Exhibit: Hamabe Puppet Collection
A display of puppets made and collected by the late Blue Hill artist Francis Hamabe will be on display in the Library's Howard Room glass cases during October and November.Hamabe The exhibit includes original Hamabe puppets, photographs, artwork and other puppet-related items generously donated to the library by the artist's late widow, Phyllis Hamabe.

Long-time Blue Hill resident and nationally recognized artist Francis (Frank) Hamabe was well-known for his painting, silk screening and graphic arts. Less well known was his passion for puppets. For three decades he entertained young and old alike with puppet shows around Maine, using puppets he made himself as well as those he collected.

A historical account of Hamabe's puppetry career is posted with the display, including a story from when he used to travel around Maine to give puppet shows. According to one story, he was in his motel room one night practicing for his upcoming show using his best falsetto voice, when he was called by the clerk at the front desk and told that "those women" would either have to leave or pay $8 to stay. Hamabe then ran downstairs with a girl puppet on each hand and gave the motel clerk a free (and convincing) puppet show.

The exhibit will be available during library hours for the months of October and November. For more information, call 374-5515.
Weekly and Monthly Events
Beyond Labels discussion group discusses current events and topics.

Youth:
  • Preschool Storytime for kids to age 5, Tuesdays 10:30 AMongoing
  • Rainbow Warriors Writing Group, 12 & up: Tuesdays 4:00 PM
  • Playgroup - up to age 3: Wednesdays 10:30 to noon
  • 52 Weeks of Giving for all ages: Fridays, 4:00 to 5:30 PM
  • Reader Dog: 1st Saturday/month, 10:30 AM (call to sign up)
  • Inklings Book & Movie Club, 8 & up: last Saturday, 2:00 PM
     
Adults:
*   Beyond Labels Discussion Group: Mondays, 10:30 AM-12:30   *   Play Reading: 3rd Wednesday, 6:30 to 9:00
*   Pickup Games of Chess: Thursdays 5:30 to 8:00 PM
*   Friends of the Library Film Series: 2nd Thursday 7:00 PM
*   Basement Book Sales: 1st Saturday, 9 AM to 2 PM
 
We love your suggestions. 
Current Exhibits
Don't miss our ongoing exhibits: In the Britton Gallery and Howard Room (top 3), Looking Forward, Looking Back: Drawings, Paintings and Ceramic Tiles, by Eileen Ahern (through October 31); In the Howard Glass Cases; Hamabe Puppet Collection from the Library's Archives (through November 30);  In the  Larchwood Case (bottom), Zoe's Bakery: beautiful desserts and characters made from modeling clay by 8-year-old Zoe Pulitzer (through October 31).exhibits
Morning at the Cove by Eileen Ahern
 
 
Shadow puppets from Francis Hamabe's collection

  Zoe with a couple of her yummy-looking desserts from Zoe's Bakery

STAY CONNECTED: