BOOK GROUP is now reading...
Next discussion:
RESCHEDULED to: Wednesday, February 1 @ 7:00pm "The 30-year bond between a quartet of close friends—two couples—comes unglued when one of them dies unexpectedly in Hadley’s (The Past, 2016, etc.) quietly riveting latest.
Christine and Alex and Lydia and Zachary have been close since their early 20s; now in their 50s, they’re still close, the friendships among them still anchoring their lives. And then one night, Christine and Alex are listening to music when the telephone rings. It’s Lydia, from the hospital. Zachary is dead. He was fine, at his office at the gallery, talking about the next show, and then he wasn’t. Then he keeled over and was dead. For all the years they’ve known each other, Zachary has been a gentle force of nature. “Of all of us,” Christine thinks, “he’s the one we couldn’t afford to lose.” In the immediate aftermath of his death, the families band together: Alex goes to collect Lydia and Zachary’s daughter from college; Lydia comes to live, for a while, with her best friends. The women have been close since childhood, Lydia theatrical and romantic and borderline frivolous; Christine serious and artistic, the practical one of the pair. Shortly after university, the women met Alex and Zachary, also childhood friends. In the early days, it was Lydia who was in love with Alex, although he was unhappily married to somebody else. Zachary was well-matched with Christine. The partnerships evolved without animosity: Zachary married Lydia, in the end. Alex married Christine. For three decades, they remained close, the history between them no threat to the happy present. But after Zachary’s death, their pleasant equilibrium is thrown forever off-kilter, as remnants from the past bubble up to the surface. A four-person character study—here as always, Hadley is a master of interpersonal dynamics—the novel captures the complexity of loss. Their grief is not only for Zachary; it is for the lives they thought they knew." (Kirkus Reviews) New members are always welcome. PASSES FOR PATRONSCurrier Gallery of Art / Manchester
The Fells / Newbury Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum / Warner Squam Lakes Natural Science Center / Holderness Telephone Museum / Warner 
MONDAYS, 10am
1:00pm Story-time is held Monday mornings from 10:00am to 11:00am, with our very own Laurie! Snacks and drinks provided. 2022 SUMMER READING PROGRAM
This year's "Oceans of Possibilities" theme events included...
Wednesday, July 6 @ 1:00pm Steve Blunt, Singer/Storyteller "Down by the Bay: Songs in the Key of the Sea" Join us as we kick off our Summer Reading Program Events with Steve Blunt, an award-winning New Hampshire singer/songwriter, who will be here performing fun ocean-themed songs and stories. Wednesday, July 13 @ 1:00pm Squam Lakes Natural Science Center "Aquatic Critters" "Water is essential for life on our planet. From marshes and ponds to lakes and rivers, aquatic communities support an amazing array of life. Join a Science Center naturalist to meet three different live animals who depend on New Hampshire’s waters. Learn about their habitats, adaptations, and populations." (Squam Lakes Natural Science Center) Wednesday, July 20 @ 1:00pm Robert Rivest, Comic Mime & Juggler "Using mime, comedy, and interactive stories, Robert brings original Ocean Themed stories to life before your eyes! He combines classic mime artistry with hilarious character voices and humorous insights into the oceans of positive possibilities in everyday life. In several audience participation opportunities, we will have fun improvising your story ideas. Everyone will learn cool mime illusions and then act out the stories we create together on the spot!" (Robert Rivest Library Programs) Wednesday, July 27 @ 1:00pm Children's Museum of New Hampshire "Across Oceans: Exploring the Art, Culture, & History of Japan" Friday, July 29 @ 1:00pm RAFFLE PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENTS & ICE CREAM PARTY Come celebrate the end of another fun summer reading program. Raffle prize winners will be announced, and we'll have ICE CREAM! These events are free and open to the public. This year's summer reading program has ended. We had over thirty children participate in our summer reading program that provided incentives / prizes for every hour kids read. Kids also had the chance to win a raffle prize, of which there were many to choose from. The summer events were fun and I thank everyone who joined us this year: Squam Lake Science Center, Steve Blunt, Simon Brooks, Robert Rivest, and art projects from Children’s Museum of NH.
|
UPCOMING EVENTSSaturday, January 28
1:00pm Introduction to Mindful Meditation, with Libby Curtis Webb Libby offers clients powerful tools for exploring and establishing a mindfulness practice, balancing a modern approach to ancient teachings with roots steeped in the wisdom of Insight Meditation (Vipassana) and the contemporary practices of Mindful Self Compassion. Through sensory and somatic invitations, Libby helps individuals develop awareness and compassion for themselves, supporting deeper engagement with the world. Libby is certified as a Meditation Teacher and Mindful Outdoor Guide through the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. She is also a member of the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy. (forestflow.com) 
*NEW DATE & TIME TBD*
*Due to the storm on 1/23, this program was canceled, and will be rescheduled for February. Stay tuned!* Introduction to Herbalism, with Kris Foss (founder & owner of Moon Mama Herbals) Kris Foss will provide an overview of the health benefits of using herbs to better your health. Her philosophy: We are a part of nature, not apart from nature. By embracing the plants around us, we can learn how to care for ourselves and others proactively and complement allopathic medicine. Herbalism needs to be more accessible to learn and understand. We can all understand and put herbalism into action through a combination of education and our intuition. (moonmamaherbals.com) 
RECENT / PAST EVENTSSaturday, January 21
11:00am Quest for Happiness, with Professor Maria Sanders "The ancient Greek philosophers defined eudaimonia as living a full and excellent life. In this illustrated talk, Maria Sanders explores how ideas of happiness have changed in Western civilization through the ages, while comparing and contrasting major concepts of well-being throughout the world. Can money buy happiness? To what extent does engaging in one's community impact happiness? When worldwide surveys of happiness are conducted, why doesn't the United States make the top ten? Participants will be invited to discuss various definitions, current measures for assessing self-reported levels of happiness, specific findings reported as increasing people's levels of happiness, and happiness projects undertaken by entire communities - including a town-wide happiness quest in Plymouth, New Hampshire." (philosophy4life.com) Saturday, January 14
11:00am Over the Headwall: A Short History of Skiing in Tuckerman's Ravine (with Author Jeff Leich) Jeff Leich, the author of this book, will lead a presentation of the history of skiing in New Hampshire’s infamous ravine. Wednesday, January 11
6:00pm Substance Abuse Information & Support with Archways of NH Archways of NH is an organization that helps people with resources and referrals, family and recovery support. The program will provide information about the science of addiction, substance abuse issues facing our state, resources available, and where to get support for yourself or loved ones when the family is affected. DECEMBER HOLIDAY HOURS
Friday, December 23
December Art Series for Elementary Students
December 2, 9, and 16 4:00pm - 5:00pm December Art Series with Anne Kratz **Registration Highly Encouraged!** December 2: Celebrating the Natural World As the seasons shift from fall to winter, we celebrate the bounty of the year’s harvest and recognize the transitions within the natural world around us. In this workshop, the young artists will incorporate natural objects, plants, fruits, and vegetables into their art to make seasonal prints, ornaments, and paintings. Our art will be both inspired by and made from the natural world around us! CLICK TO REGISTER December 9: Community, Traditions, and Festivities Coming together as a community is one of Bradford’s best qualities! As we gear up for the annual tree lighting at Brown Memorial Library, the young artists will contribute by collaborating on something special for the tree's decor. They will also have opportunities to make their own garland, ornaments, holiday cards, and more! CLICK TO REGISTER December 16: Light and Joy! Across time and cultures, humans have found innovative ways to bring light and joy to the season’s shortened daylight hours. The young artists will have the opportunity to make decorative yule logs, holiday centerpieces, and luminaries to light up their homes and share with their loved ones! CLICK TO REGISTER Saturday, December 10
4:00pm Storytime with Santa and Annual Tree Lighting Falalalalahhhhhh! Come visit with Santa, enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, story-time, carols, and our annual tree lighting. Hope to see you there! Wednesday, December 7
6:30pm - 7:30pm Winter Backyard Birds Presented by Dr. Stephen Hale, Open World Explorers Join us as Dr. Stephen Hale, owner of Open World Explorers, presents, "Winter Backyard Birds." This is an engaging and interactive presentation, encouraging the audience to test their own New England bird knowledge. ID tips are offered for identifying common and not-so-common Winter birds frequenting the backyards in your area. Advice on attracting and feeding birds will be provided. Introduction to the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count and how to participate is also included. (Open World Explorers) **BIRDING INFORMATION: For those that attended Steven Hale's Open World Explorers program Backyard Winter Birds. For more information on Steve's programs: www.openworldexplorers.com/ To participate in the Great Backyard Bird (February 17-20) Count: www.birdcount.org/ Wednesday, November 30
6:00pm - 7:00pm Poetry Group This is a second installment to our poetry tasting in September. We will be reading different poetry books, discussing passages that resonant with us, and talking poetry. Come and join us for some tea and poetry. Saturday, November 19
11:00am - 12:00pm Granite State Gallery: NH Art and Artists Through the Years (presented by Jane Oneail) New Hampshire has attracted and inspired artists since the colonial era. What is distinctive about the art made here? This program will consider works by itinerant and folk painters, landscape artists drawn to the state's scenic vistas, and modern artists that adopted bold styles to depict everyday life in the Granite State. Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Childe Hassam, and Maxfield Parrish are some of the artists discussed in this program. (NH Humanities) Saturday, November 5
11:00am - 12:00pm Buildwave | A hands-on building game! Want to foster your child's interest in STEM, while igniting their creative spark at the same time? Buildwave is a creative building program that feels like a video game! Over the course of the workshop students create with over a dozen different building materials, including Lego®, PlusPlus®, and custom-made Buildwave materials. The workshop is structured like a video game, with an audiovisual setup featuring animations and music that guide students through the different building waves. As your child creates with wave after wave of new objects, they build creative confidence, become better collaborators, and encounter design and engineering fundamentals in a unique and memorable context. Learn more by visiting www.buildwave.com. Please email bmlbradford@gmail.com or call us at 603-938-5562 to sign up for this free program. We can have up to twenty participants. (Below photo courtesy of buildwave.com) Saturday, October 29
10:00am - 1:00pm Halloween Crafts We will have three Halloween crafts to choose from. Stop by anytime between 10:00am - 1:00pm to make something festive and munch on some yummy snacks. Hope to see you! Monday, October 24
6:00pm - 7:00pm A Walk Back in Time: Secrets of Cellar Holes Presented by: Adair Mulligan "Northern New England is full of reminders of past lives: stone walls, old foundations, a century-old lilac struggling to survive as the forest reclaims a once-sunny dooryard. What forces shaped settlement, and later abandonment, of these places? Adair Mulligan explores the rich story to be discovered in what remains behind. See how one town has set out to create an inventory of its cellar holes, piecing together the clues in the landscape. Such a project can help landowners know what to do if they have archaeological sites on their land and help stimulate interest in a town's future through its past." (nhhumanities.org) *ALL OF OCTOBER*
Halloween Costumes Halloween costumes are available at the library throughout the month of October. Stop in to "shop"; donations or trades accepted. Saturday, September 24
9:00am - 1:00pm Basement Book Sale, Plant Sale, & Vendors on Lawn Bradford Celebration Day (All Day) Schedule of events below: 
Monday, September 19
6:00pm - 7:00pm Back to School Braid Night w/ Jen Wright This event is open to moms, dads, grandparents, or ANYONE who would like to learn how to braid. Come and receive a braiding tutorial from a professional! Wednesday, September 14
6:00pm - 7:00pm Poetry Tasting Come and take a taste of poetry! We’ll have poetry books available to sample. The idea is to spend one minute reading each book of poetry, sampling a variety to get a better sense of what you like. Then we’ll talk about what resonates for you. This program is in participation with the Kearsarge Community Network whose mission is “Building a Network to Cultivate Community Collaboration.” Saturday, September 10
11:00am - 1:00pm The Caterpillar Lab We are excited to have this NH organization here at our library! This is a drop-in program, so show up any time between 10am and 1pm to learn all about caterpillars. "The Caterpillar Lab fosters greater appreciation and care for the complexity and beauty of our local natural history through live caterpillar educational programs, research initiatives, and photography and film projects. We believe that an increased awareness of one’s local environment is the foundation on which healthy and responsible attitudes towards the broader natural systems of this world is built." (caterpillarlab.org) Wednesday, August 17 @ 6:30pm
Jody Crotty - Certified Soul Level Animal Communicator "Are you grieving the loss of your pet and want to know how they are on the other side? Do you feel your overly affectionate pet chose you? Jody helps you discover and understand the meaningful messages from the animals in your life. A session with Jody offers you the opportunity to receive loving wisdom from your animal’s perspective, to hear their side of the story. Jody’s intuitive nature with her cheerful demeanor, provides gentle support when you’re grieving the transition of your cherished companion, as well as offers assistance as you resolve animal behavior issues. She connects with animals alive and those in spirit, fostering the infinite love animals have in your life." (jodycrotty.com) Jody will provide a 20–30-minute talk about her profession, then she will intuitively choose members of the audience from those who would like their animals read. There is no need to bring animals with you as the less information she knows, the better the reading is for the person. Wednesday, August 10 @ 6:30pm Making Sense of Karl Marx Presented by Eric Boyer, Colby Sawyer College School of Business & Social Sciences Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, or perhaps a zombie that refuses to die, interest in Karl Marx rises during times of economic hardship and political conflict. Scan the headlines of any newspaper and you will not be surprised that people are once again looking to this 19th century philosopher to try to make sense of 21st century problems. Some look to Marx as a hero, others as a villain, but what did he really say about Capitalism, politics, and Communism? In this talk Dr. Eric Boyer will provide a brief introduction to the basics of Marx and Marxism in the attempt to make sense of this ghost who continues to haunt the American imagination… what, if anything, can Marx help us to understand about the present? Thursday, July 28 @ 6:30pm LGBTQ+ Youth in Schools In this program, Kathleen Farrell, Ph.D. (Professor of Sociology at Colby-Sawyer College) will use national data to present the experience of LGBTQ+ students in U.S. schools, introduce terminology to facilitate the audience's understanding of today's sexual and gender diversity, and make recommendations for school personnel and parents to better support the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth. Saturday, July 23 @ 11:00am Simon Brooks - Storyteller/Performer Location: Corners Garden (East Main St. Garden across from Tin Shop & Bradford Historical Society) Storyteller/Performer Simon Brooks will entertain us in the garden with stories and songs. This event is to welcome children and families to the Corners Garden. After Simon's performance, we look forward to brainstorming with the group about how to create a natural playscape for kids' enjoyment. Wednesday, July 13 @ 6:00pm "Microplastic Madness", Movie & Discussion We have partnered with Bradford Energy group to bring our community together to watch the movie, Microplastic Madness in support of Plastic Free July. Friday, July 15, 2:00-4:00pm Make Your Own Beeswax Wrap The Bradford Energy group will provide materials and assistance in making beeswax wraps in lieu of plastic wrap! Saturday, May 28, 9:00am - 1:00pm Plant, Book & Bake Sale Come one, come all to this fun annual event. Perennials need dividing? Extra seedlings? Please consider donating to this annual event. If you need pots/containers or help digging and dividing, please call us here at the library for assistance (603-938-5562). Proceeds from this event help fund library improvements and activities. Hope to see you there! Saturday, April 16, 11:00am Easter Egg Hunt Hippity Hoppity! Come hunt for Easter eggs on the library lawn, rain or shine. Hope to see you here! Thursday, February 24, 7:00pm African American Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolution - *ZOOM EVENT* During this Zoom presentation, Glenn Knoblock will inform us about one of the most interesting aspects of the American Revolution... the role played by African Americans in the fight for independence. Both free African Americans and those that were enslaved were key in manning state militias and Continental Army units, as well as serving on the high seas in the Navy and on privately armed ships. Indeed, their service to the colonies was crucial in a conflict that lasted nearly seven years. Prohibited from serving in military units and largely considered "undesirable elements," how is it that these African American soldiers came to fight for the cause of liberty, even when their own personal liberty was not guaranteed? Glenn Knoblock examines the history of African American soldiers' service during the war, including how and why they enlisted, their interaction with white soldiers, service on the battlefields, how they were perceived by the enemy and the officers under whom they served, and their treatment after the war. Hosted by the Friends of the Brown Memorial Library |
Location |
|
