Thomaston Public Library, Thomaston Maine

May has finally arrived, along with the green grass, buds, and blossoms. The library will host its usual events -- Qi Gong, Friday films, Game Day, and book club. We'll have an author event on May 20 with Thomaston's own Jen Blood too and we'll participate in the Thomaston Children's Festival.

Because we did not want to give them back, Thomaston resident Paul Perkins is allowing us to display his gorgeous working decoys one month longer, in keeping with the spring migrations.

We have new artwork on the walls upstairs and down: Thomaston resident Kevin Smith's vibrant watercolors will be available for viewing and for purchase all of May.

Scroll down to discover all that's happening this month. For event-dates at a glance, click the May Events Calendar link above.

On Monday, May 20, at 7 pm, the Thomaston Public Library will host an evening with Jen Blood, professional journalist, freelance editor, and Amazon bestselling author of the Erin Solomon mysteries. Jen holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Maine and teaches seminars on writing, indie publishing, and social media for authors.

On May 20, Jen will read from the eagerly-awaited third novel in her Erin Solomon Mystery series, SOUTHERN CROSS. After the reading, she'll answer questions. Jen's books will be available for purchase and signing at this event.

Please join us for Jen's first hometown-library appearance!

The New York Times called Living in Oblivion, "Tom DiCillo's wonderfully funny behind-the-scenes look at the perils of film making, no-budget style. While he nominally presents the directing process as a series of hellish travails, Mr. DiCillo captures such delicious mischief that his indictment becomes a valentine."

This 1995 comedy stars Catherine Keener, Steve Buscemi, Dermot Mulroney, and Peter Dinklage. A hip indie version of Truffaut's Day for Night, Living in Oblivion celebrates the very act of filmmaking as grand folly, a triumph of absurdist heroism.

Through the month of May, local artist Kevin Smith's watercolors will be on display on both floors of the Thomaston Public Library. Kevin's work reflects his love of nature, particularly the off-the-beaten-track nature of the Adirondacks and the east coast. A self-taught artist, Mr. Smith's work has been featured in many prestigious shows throughout New England. His landscapes are vibrant, imaginative, and graphic.

Smith says the purpose of his work is to capture the vibrancy of life. He uses a blending and pouring technique, but first begins each piece by breaking down his subject into basic lights and darks, lights and shadows. Then he analyzes the two to see how they work together to capture life's dynamic. Smith says, "Since yellows and reds are some of the most energetic colors, and people's eyes are drawn to them immediately, I use those two primaries to capture the light in each piece."

Smith's work will be available for viewing and for purchase.

This Week: All About Eve

May's Friends of the Thomaston Public Library film-series line-up features more great dames, this time Greta Garbo, Barbara Stanwyck, Bette Davis, Ingrid Bergman, and Joan Crawford. These dames may not have been knighted, but there's no denying they're great.

May's five-film line-up features classic films from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. The Friday Night Films are open to the public and free, although donations are gratefully accepted. The location is Room 200 of the Academy Building and films start promptly at 6:30 PM.

Light refreshments are served.

Former second-grade teacher Mrs. Nanci Kendall will be offering personalized skill-building sessions in reading for children entering 1st through 3rd grades. These one-on-one sessions will not only help children read better but actually enjoy reading too!

Your child will spend 30-45 minutes per week, for six weeks, here at the library with Mrs. Kendall, reading aloud, discussing books, playing games, and strengthening skills in phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. Surrounded by colorful storybooks on every topic under the summer sun, your child may well learn to love books!

Sessions will be held in the library's Children’s Room and are FREE. We do appreciate parents remaining on the premises while their child reads with Mrs. Kendall.

If you would like to participate in this fun summer program, please stop by the Thomaston Library or call the library at 354-2453 and we'll get you signed up. This program may fill up quickly and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't delay.

Sessions will be available on Tuesdays or Thursdays beginning July 9th and continuing through August 15th.