Thomaston Public Library, Thomaston Maine

Summer's here and our children's summer program, 40 Days of Summer, is well underway, with daily events and picnic lunches. This month, we are also offering a couple programs in the Adult Department, in addition to our usual films, Qi Gong, and book discussions: a book talk by writer Len Yannielli about his experiences as a teacher and protestor during the Vietnam War, and a fascinating slide-show-presentation by biologist Geri Vistein, entitled Cougars, Coyotes, Bears and Wolves! So, Why Do We Need Large Carnivores Anyway?. Please scroll down for the latest news and for information on upcoming events. Check the Catalog & ILL page for a list of our new materials and the Book Clubs page for the scoop on July's Intergenerational Book Club selection.

40 Days of Summer began June 23rd! Collaborating with our local farmers and the Federal Summer Food program, the library is hosting eight weeks packed with fun, crafts, animals, games, great books, stargazing, music, and free healthy lunches. Everyone is welcome and all kids from 4 to 18 are invited to participate for a day, a week, or all eight weeks, from 11 am to 1 pm Monday through Friday.

Each day includes a yummy lunch and lots of activities for both sunny and rainy days. Parents are also invited to eat our family-styled lunches, attend our special events, and try their hands at bubbles, sidewalk-chalk drawings, badminton and croquet, and dozens of other games and projects.

Here's the scoop for the coming week:

Monday, July 21st: Play-Doh Crafts -- Get creative with Play-Doh. We'll supply fresh homemade Play-Doh in a variety of colors along with little rolling pins and cookie cutters. Kids bring only their imaginations!
Tuesday, July 22nd: Magic Stones -- Paint magic stones and hand-stamp your own little bag to carry your special stone in. Read Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.
Wednesday, July 23rd: Ocean Murals -- Create beautiful ocean murals that will hang in the library's Children's Room. Read the book Commotion on the Ocean.
Thursday, July 24th: Frog Paper Cup Craft -- Join in a fun, froggy craft, read Froggy Bakes a Cake, and eat frog cupcakes.
Friday, July 25th: Face Painting and Manicures -- Get your face painted, indulge in a fun manicure, and read Mustache. Then sing Camp Granada and other camp songs.

July 18th:
Pat and Mike

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 7:00 PM. Light refreshments are served.

The Thomaston Farmers' Market has started up again in the parking lot behind the library, every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM. We are very excited about sharing the neighborhood and coordinating activities and events with the Farmers' Market this year!

2014's final contenders for the Maine Readers' Choice Award have been announced and are listed below. These are the novels Maine readers will vote on during the first two weeks of September. 2014's short-list (ten) and sizeable long-list can be found on the Maine Readers' Choice website.

Benediction by Kent Haruf
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
TransAtlantic by Colum McCann

Thomaston Public Library will hold summer book discussions of Benediction and Transatlantic. First is Benediction, the latest novel by Kent Haruf, author of Plainsong. The last, dying days of old Dad Lewis supply the framework for this sober yet profound novel. Dad owns a store in a small Colorado town. His terminal illness elicits the compassion of his adult daughter, whom Dad wants to take over his business, and sparks his long-devoted wife to seek resolution to an unhealed family wound. Dad’s closing days stir emotions in other town residents too, including the girl next door whose memories of her deceased mother remain raw; the town's new minister who suddenly rebels against his congregation's reluctance to consider new ideas; and a mother and daughter who still confront traits in each other that they would just as soon not see.

For more information about this first discussion and to pick up a copy of the book, please stop by the library.

Tim English leads his Qi Gong sessions at Thomaston Public Library every Saturday at 11 AM in the Thomaston Academy.

According to the National Qi Gong Association, "The word Qigong (Chi Kung) is made up of two Chinese words. Qi is pronounced chee and is usually translated to mean the life force or vital energy that flows through all things in the universe. The second word, Gong, pronounced gung, means accomplishment or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qigong (Chi Kung) means cultivating energy. It is a system practiced for health maintenance, healing, and increasing vitality."

The Qi Gong sessions are open to people of any age and skill level. No experience is necessary. Non-restricting, comfortable clothes are advisable for the gentle, graceful exercises of Qi Gong.