By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library
When you walk into a new place it can feel a bit strange. But visit often enough and that feeling falls away — you won’t be a stranger for long at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft. Now, it’s not quite like “Cheers” — we won’t remember everybody’s name and neither will you — but a nice feeling of familiarity builds over time. June is when the snowbirds arrive home, and the summer people come to town. New faces and old friends will see each other often thanks to the great programs we have on tap.
Be sure to tip off your friends and neighbors: TFL’s Ten Cent Basement Book Sale is back June 5-7. Sale hours: Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring your change and dollar bills and scope out tons of books, DVDs and puzzles. These mega-deals will make for cool gifts or beach reads, and even spice up those rainy weekends.
Saturday, June 7 is a terrific twofer: the book sale is on and it’s Caturday! That’s right, Director Jon Knepp’s two cute and curious cats Freya and Andy Jr. will be on hand to investigate TFL’s nooks and crannies while enjoying ample attention from doting humans along the way.
Unfortunately, the concept of summer can differ from reality. The days can be really hectic and sometimes stressful. It’s important to take breaks and relax. Join us for a pleasant one-hour respite at Adult Coloring 101 on Thursday, June 12 at 1:30 p.m. We’ll have plenty of great coloring pages and colorful gel pens and pencils to choose from, along with light snacks and soothing sounds. Adult coloring may increase mindfulness, enhance creativity and can calm the brain and body — in other words, it helps you chillax, baby!
TFL’s Monthly Reading Group is a way to connect with other bibliophiles and discuss an array of varied and interesting books. June’s selection is “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner. The Seattle Times calls it, “A warm and wholehearted work of literature, an honest and detailed account of grief over time, studded with moments of hope, humor, beauty, and clear-eyed observation.” Copies available at the library.
Don’t let reading fall by the wayside during the summer months. Keep the momentum going with TFL’s Kids’ Summer Reading Program (for all youth: infant to age 17). Sign up is June 24-28 (Tuesday to Saturday). Completion of the program gives participants free books, free ice cream from McDonald’s, free fair passes to the Piscataquis Valley Fair — plus the chance to win other big prizes.
Therapy dog Erma and her human companion April Taylor are definitely not strangers to TFL. We are very excited for the return of Reading with Erma Tuesdays at 2 p.m. starting June 24. What better way to practice reading than in a nonjudgmental environment, snuggling with a wonderful dog. And it counts towards summer reading!
Youth Services Librarian Michelle Fagan hits the road in the Read and Feed Mobile on Wednesday, June 25 as the second season of the free books and produce program kicks off. The first route will be the Eastern Route with stops in Brownville, Milo, Sebec and Charleston. Michelle is a friendly face who loves making books and fresh produce accessible to everyone. Check out our Facebook page or website for more details.
Abracadabra! It’s time for TFL’s Summer Kids’ Series. Wow, it’s here again and Michelle has put together an incredible line-up starting off with a magic show on Thursday, June 26 at 10:30 a.m. Master Magician Phil Smith entertains the crowd with his sleight-of-hand skills, humor and more. (geared towards elementary but open to all ages).
Author Nomar Slevik describes himself as a “writer of high strangeness” so it’s not too surprising that he is a paranormal researcher with many books, documentaries, podcasts and music to his credit. He stops by the library on June 26 at 6 p.m. to discuss his book “Humanoid Encounters: Creatures, Phantoms, and Other Strange Entities Sighted in Maine”. The book takes us deep into the eerie, uncharted territories where the unknown walks among us. That should pique your curiosity.
We all have those moments when we go somewhere for the first time, and it seems kind of weird — that sense of unfamiliarity can make us feel like a stranger in a strange land. Thankfully that wears off fast at the library: you explore, ask questions, try different things — learn the ropes — and hopefully come back again. This June and beyond there are plenty of reasons to visit again and again. So don’t be a stranger.
TFL hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit our website thompsonfreelibrary.org, our Facebook page, Instagram @tf_library or contact us at [email protected] or 207-564-3350. All programs are free and open to the public.
