Sturgis Library, in partnership with the Vonnegut family, Barnstable Historical Society, Tales of Cape Cod, the Barnstable Comedy Club, Cape Cod Art Association, Barnstable Fire Department, Village businesses, and Cape Cod Beer will host a weekend-long celebration of the life and writings of Kurt Vonnegut.  Vonnegut, who lived on Scudders Lane in the 1950's, 60s, and 70s, is well known for his numerous novels and essays, including the powerful novel Slaughterhouse-Five. He was a Sturgis Library Trustee, an active member of the Barnstable Comedy Club, and wrote some of his most successful novels right here in Barnstable Village.

The Vonnegut Celebration will be held on Columbus Day weekend -- October 10, 11, and 12  -- and there will be also be events leading up to the 3-day weekend.  Most Vonnegut Celebration events will be free or will be offered for a suggested donation to the host organization.  

Several events will be ticketed, and those tickets will go on sale September 2, 2014. Check the Vonnegut Celebration page in the link below for details. 

Please visit the Vonnegut Celebration page on our website for a preliminary schedule of events.  The schedule is subject to change, so check back often!  You can find the schedule here: www.sturgislibrary.org/vonnegut-celebration 

We thank our sponsors and partners, including Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, the Town of Barnstable Tourism Mini-Grant Committee, Cape Cod Beer, Shepley Wood Products, Howard Woollard / Woollard Builders, Ned and Sue Handy, Les Patrick / L. G. Patrick Builders, Whitney Wright / Builder, Robert and Lynnette Helms, William and Catherine Swift, Andre Duprey, and Jeff Goldstein / The House Company and many more.  Click here to see all the sponsors (listed after the schedule of events).   

We are still looking for sponsors for this event.  If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact Lucy Loomis, Library Director at 508-362-8448 or sturgislibrary@comcast.net.  Sponsors will be acknowledged on our website, our facebook page, and in all publicity. 

We are also interested in talking to those who knew Kurt Vonnegut and might be willing to share stories, anecdotes, memories, memorabilia, etc.  related to him.  If you would like to share your memories, please contact Lucy Loomis (contact phone and email above).

September is quite a busy month for programming, with nautical history and crafts for adults:

Beginner's Crochet: Jewelry, Flower and Granny Squares, with Wendy Corbiere 

Thursdays, 4, 11 & 18 September @3:00 p.m 

 Learn the slipknot and five common crochet stitches. Mastering them allows you to join me in making jewelry, flower, hair scrunchies and granny squares. Bring your favorite #4 worsted weight yarn, scissors and 5 mm-6 mm crochet hook. Scrap yarn will be available. Free. Additional classes may be offered depending on interest. Ages 12 and up. Registration required.

 

The Hunted Whale--RESCHEDULED

When the international ban on whaling was instituted in 1986, the practice of hunting the great marine mammals was relegated mostly to the annals of history. These days, whale hunting is widely considered a destructive and inhumane practice of a bygone era; long forgotten are the days when whaling was a perilous adventure on the high seas. Join author James McGuane as he invites us to look back at that time of nautical adventure and witness the awesome achievements of American whaling at its 19th century peak in his discussion of his new book, The Hunted Whale.

Tuesday, 23 September @6:30 p.m.

Everybody knows books have been banned in the Middle East and Russia, but all too few realize how often they're under attack in the United States.  Anne Speyer, librarian, teacher and ardent bibliophile, will explore the history of book banning-you'll probably discover that at least one of your own favorites is on someone else's "people shouldn't read" list. Free, but registration is requested.

Attack on Orleans--Author Jake Klim 

Sunday, 28 September @2:00 p.m.  

On the morning of July 21, 1918­-during the final year of the First World War-a new prototype of German submarine surfaced three miles off the coast of Cape Cod and attacked an unarmed towboat and her four barges. A handful of the shells fired by the U-boat's deck guns struck Nauset Beach, giving the town of Orleans the distinction of being the first, and only, spot in the US to receive enemy fire during the war. Coming to Cape Cod's defense that day were a hodgepodge of average American citizens-doctors, fishermen, vacationing cottagers, young children-as well as two groups of first responders that could not be more opposite; the waning United States Life-Saving Services and the fledgling air arm of the United States Navy. Join author and Barnstable native Jake Klim as he recounts this historic local event.

• A limited edition signed Vonnegut print
• A Vonnegut basket of books, a Vonnegut "Little Thinker" doll, and other items
• A beer-related basket with the Vonnegut Cape Cod beer, 4 beer glasses with a Vonnegut quote, and other beer-related paraphernalia.

Raffle tickets will be $10 each.  Proceeds help fund the Vonnegut Celebration events.

Halloween Art & Horror Movie for Teens

Sturgis Library and The Cultural Center of Cape Cod present a hauntingly good time for teens in our September meeting of the Teen Artists Coalition of Cape Cod.  Get your hands dirty and explore the dark side of your creative mind - we'll embellish pumpkins and skulls using a variety of cool art techniques taught by the magnificent Nettie Berkeley.  We'll also enjoy a horror movie and snacks.  Come, if you dare.  Bring a friend (or two)!

Saturday, 9/27, noon - 3:00pm

Advance registration required with Megan at sturgiskids@comcast.net or call 508.362.6636

Ages 13+

Minimum of five teens required.  Limit of 15.

Come join us for Drop-In Preschool Storytime every Thursday morning at 11:00!

Exhibits and Displays 

The following artists will be featured in the coming months:

• September 2014:  Annette MacAdams
• October 2104:  Kurt Vonnegut exhibit 
• November 2014:  Hugo Rizzoli, Mixed Media 
• December 2014:  KrisMarie Photography  
• January 2015:  Nilton Cutino Sodie Kaleisoscope Art
• February 2015:  Qing Dong oil paintings 

• September and October 2014:  Kurt Vonnegut exhibit
• November 2014:  Crafts by Magda Brancato
• December 2014:  Holiday Sale  

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Do you have artwork, photography, sculpture, crafts, a collection, or other interesting items to exhibit?  Contact Lucy Loomis at 508-362-6636 or drop her an email at sturgislibrary@comcast.net

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of exhibited art, photography, and crafts benefits the Sturgis Library.  Proceeds are used to enhance library services and programs. 

• Antonia: "Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball," by Vicki Churchill and Charles Fuge (children's board book), "Mr. Bell's Fixit Shop," by Ronne Peltzman (children's picture book) and "New England Dreams," by Clint Hull (adult historical fiction, local history).
• Lisa: "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry," by Gabrielle Zevin (adult fiction, booksellers) and "Lasting Words: A Guide to Finding Meaning Toward the Close of Life," by Claire B. Willis (non-fiction, psychology/spirituality)--Claire Willis will be giving a talk here at Sturgis in February.
• Katherine: "Slaughterhouse-Five,or the Children's Crusade: a Duty Dance with Death," by Kurt Vonnegut (adult fiction, satire).
• Karen: "Cork Boat," by John Pollack (non-fiction, boat-building) and "Watership Down," by Richard Adams (juvenile fiction, rabbits).
• Cathy: "The Strength of Bone," by Lucie Wilk (adult fiction, African relief work).
• Megan: "The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini (Afghani fiction) and "A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail," by Bill Bryson (non-fiction, natural history).
• Dan: "This Old House" (television show, home improvement/renovation).
• Lucy:  "We Are Not Ourselves," by Matthew Thomas (fiction, first novel.)

Library Hours & Holidays 

Sturgis Library will be CLOSED on Monday, September 1st, 2014 for Labor Day. 

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