By Kim Brawn
April gives us a taste of spring. Although the weather may have other ideas. But whatever precipitation falls our way, this month the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft caters to a variety of tastes — from tangy to earthy to literary, even a program that will tempt (or test) your tastebuds.
Nothing ushers in spring at TFL like our seed library! We offer donated seeds from our community and various other donors for free. If you have extra seeds from previous years that you don’t need, please bring them in to share with your neighbors. If you’re interested in trying a new type of plant or flower in your garden this year, stop in and check out what we have to offer. Over the years we’ve had donations from Burpee, Fedco, Ripley Farm, Helios Horsepower Farm, Bob’s Hardware and many, many patrons.
If you want a taste of academia’s high stakes politics, come hear Robert Klose discuss his novel “Trigger Warning” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 2. Robert teaches at UMaine and writes for various publications. His previous TFL talk focused on his books about his adoptive sons, Aloysha from Russia and Anton from the Ukraine. “Trigger Warning” is a satirical novel about a tenured biology professor, “T” who faces termination for refusing to comply with a new college policy requiring trigger warnings in syllabi, leading to a mystery involving a student complaint and the administration’s hidden motives.
It’s easy to become a more informed voter by attending an educational “Ranked-Choice Voting Mock Election and Question Session” from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 4. Maine uses the ranked-choice voting election method for some races, including many in the upcoming June 9 primary election. This is a nonpartisan voter education event put on by Maine’s Department of the Secretary of State where you can have your questions answered and practice voting. All ages are welcome.
We’re very excited to have Mary Margaret Ripley (of Dover’s Ripley Farm) kick off this year’s 101 series. She hosts “Kefir 101” at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9 downstairs at the library. What is kefir? If you’re like me, it sounds familiar and you have a vague concept and maybe lump it together with kombucha and matcha, etc. A quick google says it’s a tangy, fermented probiotic beverage. Mary Margaret describes it as “kinda like drinkable yogurt.” It’s also very versatile — it can be consumed plain, blended into smoothies, used in baking or as a base for dressings and dips. Join us to listen, watch, taste, ask questions, and even make your own batch to take home — just bring a pint of milk in a jar!
TFL’s Reading Group meets at 6 p.m. April 9 with a twist, it’s open to everyone — not just group members. Special guest Lynn Olsen Brown discusses her book “Alice, Frankenstein and Saturday Night Beans”. Lynn, who is Andrea Thurlow’s sister, details her memories as a young girl of visits to their aunt’s Bradford Farm in Patten, Maine which played a huge role in the economy of that town. Themes of community, love, faith, hard work and its rewards are interwoven throughout its pages. Lynn will also display some artifacts from the farm giving attendees a taste of what farm life was like back in the 50s and 60s in that area.
A reminder to grades 5-12, TFL’s Teen Space is a great place to chill, read, write or study. Youth Services Librarian Michelle Fagan revamped the YA section complete with new bookshelves, comfy furniture and cool games hoping to attract more teens to the library. We even have “teens only” hours: Tuesday & Thursday 2:30-7 p.m.; Wednesday & Friday 2:30-5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Be sure to let the middle and high schoolers in your life know about it. Please note: adults and younger kids may still pick up YA books during those times.
April is filled with much promise or as Shakespeare wrote, “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” It teases a taste of what might be — seemingly unlimited potential fused with vibrant memories. Come experience this new season with us and relish the expansive diversity libraries have to offer.
TFL hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday & 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 & open to the public. Free Wi-Fi available 24/7 in the parking lot.
