Monson Free Library Blog Bits

Kids...What are you doing for school vacation?

2010-02-11T17:23:00.002-05:00

You should be coming to the library! On Wednesday, Feb. 17, instead of hosting their regular pre-school story hour, the Friends will be showing a movie, a "morning matinee" so to speak, for all ages. Join us at 10:30 for "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" plus popcorn and juice!

Then on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 3:30-5:00 join us for a drop-in family craft!

Everyone is welcome to all events! We hope you can join us for some fun next week!

In case you were wondering...

2010-02-05T16:17:00.004-05:00

Yes, tax forms are available at the library. (Wow, that was a boring post. But necessary I suppose.)

So here's a question for you faithful readers, if you really do exsist...should the library create a Facebook page? All comments welcome!

A Gray Day

2010-02-05T15:38:00.004-05:00

A gray day is a perfect day for the library! Books, videos, audios, home design or travel magazine to take you away. I don't necessarily need warm but I do need some sun!! To that end, I have a stack of books by my bedside to satisfy my every mood. "The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women" (inspiration) , "Ratio" (cooking), The Gerbil Farmer's Daughter (quirky memoir), "Seven Days in the Art World" (art!), "The Enemy of God" (suspense... Robert Dailey...highly recommend him! "Prince of the City", "Year of the Dragon", "To Kill a Cop". A former cop himself, he writes a gripping novel. He must because I don't like suspense!), and finally "The Selected Writings of Truman Capote" (just because I like him.) Whew! Quite a list. We'll see what I actually get through. Have you read "The Gerbil Farmer's Daughter" by Holly Robinson? I loved the review and started reading it last night. Her strict, military father raised gerbils...really! So intriguing, how could you resist! I am actually working on getting her to come to the library...whadya think??

Here's a really quick note on a few things. Movie..."Big Fan" with Patton Oswalt (Spence from the King of Queens) Description calls it darkly funny. I call it darkly disturbing...but great! I didn't see anything funny, almost to real to be funny. Anyway...Paul, a troubled, disturbed, unmotivated adult son living with mom but really only living for Giants football on Sundays and calling in to sports radio..."Go ahead Paul from Staten Island...." He has a bad encounter his football hero and his life changes forever...or does it? I'm sure we all know someone like Paul and I think that's why it was so frustrating to watch. Excellent flick!! Unsuspecting plot twists!

Here are two that had promise and good reviews that didn't do it for me...maybe you might like them but I didn't think they lived up to the hype. I don't like to pan books, just promote good ones so I'll mention the titles but you decide for yourself. They were "Cherries in Winter" (such a promising title!) and "Mennonite In a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home" (must admit I couldn't get through this one...)

I've given you a lot to ponder for a Friday afternoon...so what's on your bedside table?

New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-12T19:30:00.003-05:00

I am not one to make New Year's Resolutions. They are broken almost immediately. So, here at the library, instead of doing our annual "Resolution" display for January, highlighting all those diet and exercise books, how to stop smoking, how to find love, blah, blah, blah....we decided to create a display featuring all those books you have always wanted to read but haven't gotten around to yet. Let these books be your resolution! To inspire you, each of the staff has their own section filled with titles they have always wanted to read. (There's not enough room in my section!) I urge you to stop by and take a look or simply ponder what titles you have always wanted to read. And let us know what you resolve to read in 2010!

Currently I am reading two extremely different memoirs. The Night of the Gun by David Carr and My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme. Both are wonderful reads. The Night of the Gun traces the addictions of journalist David Carr. Now clean and sober, Carr interviews former friends, girlfriends, criminals, and assorted acquaintances to help piece together the life he used to live. His research attempts to find the balance between reality and memory. Blessed with an incredible vocabulary and love of writing, Carr tells his story with honesty. He's a great writer and that is what makes this addict's story stand out in a crowded genre.

And then there's Julia. What can I say. Her voice is so distinct and clear in this book that it is like she is reading it to me, or just having a conversation and telling me her story. This book charms the reader with food and wine and all things French! Simply delightful!

Finally, I don't think I shared with you that I recently spent 4 days in NYC! Pete had a sales meeting so I took full advantage of a free hotel room! Ran in Central Park, how I love the Park! Visited the Whitney to view the Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit. Incredibly inspiring! Had the best massage of my life, shopped til I dropped, met a friend for dinner at Esca, and experienced fine dining at Seasonal Weinbar, a small, quality Austrian restaurant. It had received starred reviews in New York Magazine and I have been dying to try it. While Pete was out with the boys at Famous Dave's (can you believe it!?), I went and had a stellar dining experience. Just let me mention the appetizer...a poached egg covered in loberster biscque, surrounded by pieces of lobster and topped with shaved pumpernickel bread. Odd? Oh no. Phenomenal!!

On that note I will bid you goodnight. I can't top that. I am out of words and dreaming of good food.

View from my home office

2010-01-04T12:37:00.001-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Hard at Work

2010-01-04T12:34:00.001-05:00

I definitely like the view better from this office but it could be dangerous. I have just started on the second page of the newsletter we send monthly to the schools and I keep getting distratcted with this view. The shadows from the sun behind the trees on the untouched snow....breathtaking! I wonder how I am supposed to get any work done but Mother Nature is very inspiring as well as distracting. I hope all of you can enjoy the beauty of the snow!

More tomorrow on your New Year's resolutions and the titles you must add to your lists!

Senator Brewer does it again!

2009-12-23T14:45:00.001-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Senator Brewer entertained a crowd of almost 40 children and adults last Friday. The Wilbraham and Monson Academy Bow and Arco Club provided a beautiful medley of holiday music and the good Senator read a few festive stories, closing with his favorite "The Night Before Christmas". The Friends provided some delicious refreshments. At least I think they were delicous, there wasn't even a crumb left! Merry Christmas to all ....

It isn't Christmas...

2009-12-18T11:37:00.002-05:00

without a trip to the tree! Top pic is the New York Public Library and Bryant Park. So what do you think....I think the MFL needs a skating rink for the holiday seasaon too! So we lose a few more parking spaces.....

The middle pic is Rockefeller Center at night. Is there anything more beautiful?

Finally, Kennedy's is one of my favorite pubs. Highly recommend the chcken pot pie with a pint of Guiness. 57th street between 8th and 9th (I think...close enough!)

Baby It's Cold Outside!

2009-12-18T10:33:00.003-05:00

That is one of my favorite winter songs....."I really can't stay, but baby, it's cold outside...I've got go away, but baby it's cold outside....." You know how song goes! It's been weeks since my last post. There's just so much going on and then add the holidays on top of that and my goodness...time just flies!

We've had lots going on at the library. I am involved in the Monson 250th Anniversary Steering Committee. Anyone that has an interest is invited to the meetings. This is a community celebration created by the community...we need your help. Log on to the 250th website or you can access it from the library homepage. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 5 from 6:00-7:30 at the library.

We've got Senator Brewer coming today, I'm attempting to apply for some grants, too many committee meetings and then those holiday parties! Went to two parties last night and I have to admit, both were quite delightful. One of the gatherings was the Friends of the Library holiday meeting and party. I felt bad because I couldn't contribute any homemade delicacy due to the kitchen renovation (yes, it's still going on....don't want to talk about it) but let me tell you, those Friends can cook! Hot and cold apps with many sweet treats! Thank you Friends for all you do!!!

I hope all of you have a very happy holiday however you celebrate!! Pete and I will be surrounded by dust and construction and many, many wonderful friends...and the doggie of course. Don't tell him, (Boomer, that is) but I got him some awesome doggie all-terrain, all season, gore tex doggie shoes for Christmas. His paws bled last year with all the sand and salt and ice. I think he will appreciate his walks even more now (if that's possible!).

May your days be Merry and Bright....

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T15:34:00.004-05:00

So, what are you thankful for? I love that question. It doesn't need to be complicated but should provoke some thought. I'll leave you to ponder but only after you read this posting!

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I am allowed to post holiday pictures and start playing my holiday music! Here are two photos from last year. First, I want to remind you that the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony is December 2 from 7 - 9 pm and the excitement can be seen on t.v. This year the tree hails from Hamilton, NJ. It is 72' tall, weighs 8 tons and is 77 years old. Pretty amazing! If you go, which I highly recommend (there's nothing like it!), remember the tree only stays lit until 11:30 at night. I won't go into the details, but we actually got to Rockefeller Center late one night to see the tree lit and were disappointed to learn they turn it off so early. Remember, the city never sleeps but apparently the tree does. You have been warned.

The second photo is from our Annual Holiday Story Hour with Senator Brewer last year. This is a reminder that the good senator will be visiting us again this year on Friday, December 18 at 3:30 pm to entertain kids of all ages with holiday stories. The Wilbraham and Monson Academy Bow and Arco Club will perform holiday music and the Friends will provide some great refreshments. We are doing this right after school so pick up your youngsters and head to the library!

Remember your library has quite the collection of holiday movies, music, stories and recipes to keep everyone in the spirit! Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good night!

Family Literacy Month...and More!

2009-11-10T17:54:00.005-05:00

We've got some great programs going on this month. November is Family Literacy Month and we have a wonderful program for families with children in elementary school. One of our all-time favorite storytellers, Mary Jo Maichack, will perform "Books are Celebrations" on Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 pm. This free family-friendly event promises stories, songs, costumes and audience participation. Please try and join us for this special evening. Plus, don't forget to visit our family display full of ideas to bond with your kids. Games, magic, parenting, crafts and cooking. What better way to spend some quality time (when you're not going to the library!)

Another program we are hosting is a Support Group for those that are unemployed or laid-off. This is an informal group that will meet 2 Fridays per month. The next meeting is Friday, November 20 from 12:30 - 2:00 pm. Bring a bag lunch and join us for conversation and encouragement! I am very pleased we could offer this program. I believe it is a much needed vehicle to get through this difficult time together. You are not alone and friendly conversation could be just what you need! Thanks to Marianne for volunteering to facilitate the discussion, you made this happen! Consider joining us...you never know where a new connection will lead!

Do you have any ideas for library programs? Events or series we could possibly collaborate with other organizations on? Cost effective (read that as free to very inexpensive!) The library does not pay for any programs out of our budget. Funding comes from grants, donations and of course our Friends group. We truly survive on the generosity of the community so tell us what you want to see from your library. As Frasier would say, "I'm listening....."

Finally, to update you on the kitchen "renovation", the cabinets and tile are on order! The wood for the floor is stacked in the corner and we are good to go! While the stove is still functional I have been cooking a little bit. Peeling apples for apple bread while sitting on the plywood floor since I lost my counter space! I can be creative and I am very organized. I packed everything in boxes by genre (the librarian always comes out in me!) such as baking, spices, knives, and oils (I have quite a variety of olive oils...another story for another time!) I can find whatever I need as long as Pete doesn't start rummaging. And speaking of the kitchen, I have to tell you about this vintage lighting store I found on the Cape. Continuum is an antique lighting shop in Orleans. Oh my goodness! I was like a kid in a candy shop! I believe the lighting in any room is like the frosting on the cake (sorry for all the cliches, but you get what I'm saying!) and I wanted to have unique lighting in our new kitchen. And did I find some! (Much to Pete's dismay...) I got pendant lights taken from a diner in Chicago and a 1930's art deco light for over the sink. Oh, this is going to be magnificent!! But really, if you like antique lighting and want that "something special" it is definitely worth the trip...like you need a reason to go to the Cape! More to come as the kitchen continues...

To ease the pain of renovation and ignore all the dust, I have delved into Molly Wizenberg's "A Homemade Life". Molly writes a monthly column in Bon Appetit and has her own award-winning blog titled Orangette. "A Homemade Life" is like good comfort food. It warms your soul. Molly writes informally and lets us peak into her life, memories and recipes. Each chapter will bring back a memory of family and food for the reader as well. A delightful read for this time of year when you just want to snuggle down.

Cheers!

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

2009-10-23T12:13:00.004-04:00

Hi Everyone! I am discovering that I tend to blog in spurts. I feel I have neglected you lately so I really wanted to post to say hello and yes, the library director is still alive and well....for now.

The library has been very busy this fall and I personally have been just as busy as well. Did I mention Pete and I are renovating the kitchen? Oh dear! He believes this project will end in divorce and we're not even married! But, if it does, I'm taking the new stove (and the dog, of course!) . She is a beauty (the stove) and she's gas, no more electric for this girl. We are in the demo stages now and on the eternal search for a carpenter and cabinets. There will definitely be more to come as we progress...or regress, whatever the case may be. While I am so excited about this project, it has cut in to my cooking experiments, and we all know fall is such a great time to start cooking and nesting for the winter.

All that being said, my reading and listening has slowed down considerably also but I do have some good selections for you. Lately I have been on a non-fiction kick. I have just finished "Wrestling with Moses: How Jane Jacobs took on New York's Master Builder and transformed the American City" by Anthony Flint. This book traces the urban planning of NYC under the direction of Robert Moses and the watchful eye of activist Jane Jacobs. Jacobs' grassroots efforts kept the politically savvy and powerful Moses from "renewing" Greenwich Village and putting an expressway through Washington Square Park. This was a great read. Inspirational as to the power of people as well as lots of history about NYC and its parks, bridges, buildings, and neighborhoods.

The other book I am in the middle of is "My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey" by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. I will wait to pass judgement on this book since I think I'm just getting to the good stuff. The beginning was very technical and I admit, I re--read a few chapters when I was more awake but I did find the medical explanations to be fascinating. Many have recommended this book and at this point it certainly has promise. I am interested to read about her human experience, recovery and feelings since she has spent her life being analytical. The description she gives when she first realized she was having a stroke was riveting.

That's all for now. I am too tired to even explain the potential budget cuts. We are talking devastating library services to the point of possible closure. I am not exaggerating and I don't cry wolf. This is serious. Watch the selectmen's meeting this coming Tuesday, October 27 and mark your calendars for the Special Town Meeting on November 16.

New Hours...Again.

2009-09-18T13:25:00.002-04:00

Don't be scared. I hate to keep changing the hours on you. This time we have merely "tweaked" the hours to accomodate the after-school crowd. Since cuts to local aid are looming on the horizon, we have chosen not to increase our hours. It would just confuse and infuriate you more if we had to change them yet again! We have done the best we can at the moment to keep everyone somewhat content with a few mornings, evenings and Saturdays and we will continue to provide you with the quality service you have come to expect. Thank you for being patient with us during these difficult times. New hours are posted to the right.

Pete and Hope's Cape Escape

2009-09-14T22:52:00.005-04:00

No, that's not Pete. Does anyone know who that strange man is with the two hot babes? Just wanted to share the most relaxing vacation with all my friends. Not really library business but everyone needs a little beach everyday! Many thanks and hugs to our wonderful friends and hosts...yeah, and Jon too!

"Book it to the Library" Road Race and More!

2009-09-14T20:50:00.006-04:00

Okay, all you runners, and walkers as well as all of you that enjoy and take advantage of the regional delivery system to get many of your books and videos. Here is a great way for you to support all that the Western MA Regional Library System (WMRLS) does for all of us...and you get some exercise too. What a deal. Register today for "Book it to the Library" a 5k road race in scenic Whately, MA on October 3. Make a day of it. Stop in Northampton for lunch (after you change that sweaty t-shirt! That's what I am planning on doing!) Visit this link for more info and registration http://friends.wmrls.org/

Also all my runner friends, don't forget about the Peaked Mountain Birthday Run / Walk on October 18. Visit the Trustees of Reservations site at http://www.thetrustees.org/ Always a good time. Must admit, a bit hard on the uphill climb but after that it's a ton of fun!

And BTW, don't expect much from me. I've just been running again after a year long respite but I am going to try. It's amazing how fast your body can forget that it used to like to run 30 miles a week! I am just happy to survive a 3 mile run at this point. Talk about starting over!

"I run for hope, I run to feel, I run for the truth and all that is real..." from the awesome song "I Run for Life" by Melissa Etheridge. Should be on every runner's ipod.

Still Alice...

2009-09-13T19:20:00.003-04:00

is still haunting me. (I borrowed that line from my friend Kate's email to me regarding this book. It was too appropriate to pass up!) Yes, Still Alice by Lisa Genova continues to haunt long after you have read the last page. I could write a three page review about this work but it just must be read. No words are good enough, strong enough, gentle enough to describe this book. If I simply gave you a synopsis, you might not even be interested. For example, do you want to read a book about a 50 year old woman struggling with early on-set alzheimers disease. Many not, but you must. It is from this very woman's point of view. Her struggles. Her family's struggles. I've already said too much. The way I keep describing this book is that it feels as if you took a blow to the chest and you are trying to gasp for breath. I could only read a few chapters at a time. I had to put the book aside, remember how to breath, wipe a tear or two, and digest what I read. This book has moved on to my list of top 100 books to read before you die.

Jon and Izzy Rock the Library

2009-09-13T17:48:00.004-04:00

So, were you one of the hundred people that showed up for the Jon Katz event of the year?? Jon, along with his dog Izzy, enlightened and entertained a SRO crowd at the library Thursday night. People came from all over Massachusettts, Connecticut and Rhode Island to hear this beloved author. I was inspired by his talk of his writing, his dogs and his philosophies.

And why did he come to little ol' Monson? Because I asked. It was brought to my attention that Jon had a love of libraries and has been very vocal about the value of libraries. He believes that if a country can bail out major corporations they can certainly help libraries, historically the foundation of learning and community yet the first institution cut when times get tough. How can you not like this guy? We became fast friends via email and it was a delight to finally meet him. Of vourse I made the great first impression as he walks into the library lead by Izzy. Immediately I kneeled to pet the dog and left him standing there without even introducing myself. Somehow I think he is getting used to that!

He documented his whole Monson experience with narrative and photos on his blog. I urge you to check out his kind words at http://www.bedlamfarm.com/ Thank you for everythng Jon!!!

One final note, we sold over 150 books that helped raise money for the library!

That Old Cape Magic

2009-08-05T12:31:00.004-04:00

Don't you love that title! "That Old Cape Magic" is the newest novel by one of my favs, Richard Russo. Remember "Empire Falls", 'Nobody's Fool", "Straight Man" ?? I have been waiting breathlessly for this latest endeavor since, I have to admit, I didn't like "Bridge of Sighs". I was hoping this departure to the Cape would endear him to me once again, and well, he didn't disappoint. I scoffed this book up the day it was delivered. From the first page I was hooked. Not like a Harlan Coben page-turned hooked, I just liked the tone of the first chapter right away. Almost immediately the story behind the title of the book is revealed. A childhood memory of riding in the back seat on the way over the bridge to another family vacation on the Cape. This memory sets the stage for a middle-aged man working out the conflicts of his childhood and his complicated relationship with his parents, one of whom has died and the ashes have now been riding around in the trunk of Jack Griffin's car for over a year. It takes this trip to Cape and enstrangement from his wife to understand his parents, his childhood and his marriage. This is not typical Russo but it has the makings of vintage Russo. . The conflicts have stayed with me and I find myself revisitng my own personal issues. I especially like the way the chapters were designed by the major life events that prompted his conflicts and ultimately the reolutions. I think this one would be good on audio too.

And speaking of audio....(you saw that coming didn't you?) I am listening to "Very Valentine" by Adriana Trigiani. An enjoyable listen. I love the sense of place...New York City, and the all the talk about incredilbe Italian food. Makes me hungry every time, so beware! It is simply a nice story about Valentine, a cobbler creating custom wedding shoes in the family business and her romance with Roman, a chef owning his own restaurant in Litlle Italy. There are many subplots of course, but all in all, just an elegant and warm tale. "Lucia, Lucia" is another great read (or listen) by this author.

Finally....can you wait until August 7?? What happens on August 7, you ask?! Have you read any of this blog?? The movie, Julie and Julia is opening on August 7!!! Only one of my most favorite books! That book got me to touch raw chicken!! It has inspired me to experiment in the kitchen...for good or bad! I don't usually watch a movie if I have loved the book but this one looks like a winner! I even created a display in the library in honor of Julie, Julia, food, books, passion and love! You may think I'm crazy right now, but read the book and you will understand!

Oh, and I must mention the passing of author Frank McCourt. He suffered the typical Irish childhood of famine, neglect, despair and death, but triumphed despite his upbringing. He became a beloved English teacher and finally took his own advice and wrote a story about what he knew, his childhood. "Angela's Ashes" was his masterpiece. Written by a man later in life, but from the perspective of a young boy. I didn't think it could be done but he did it. The story was so simplistic. He stated facts without embellishment (how I wish I could do that!). It truly is a work of art. A great read and an awesome listen...narrated by the author himself. Frank McCourt died on July 19 . Thank you Mr. McCourt for sharing your life with us.

The Library needs YOU!

2009-07-25T18:58:00.004-04:00

That's right, we need your input for our new five year long range plan. But before I get to that , I want to make sure you get my book recommendations. First, Ruth Reichl's newsest is Not Becoming My Mother. A thoughtful insight to her mother. The author (Tender at the Bone, Comfort Me with Apples....2 of my favorites!) sets about to discover who her mother truly was on the occasion when her mom would have turned 100. Ruth was nervous to open the box of letters, random thoughts and scraps of paper that her mother left her but in opening that box she discoovered a woman she didn't necessarily know. Her mother left her a lifetime of thoughts that gave Ruth a new respect and understanding of the woman she knew only as her mother....and why, even in death, her mother encouraged her daughter to "Not become my mother". It was sad and true and funny and delightful as only Ruth can write it.

The second is "Chasing Daylight" by Eugene O'Kelly, CEO of the accounting firm KPMG who was diagnosed with brain cancer with only 3 months to live. It is not as depressing as it sounds, though I did shed a few tears. Here was a man consumed by work, type A personality with a calendar booked a year in advance. This book is his final work, a memoir of how he lived his last 3 months, planned his death, and found out what was truly important in life. He was an avid golfer and that is where the title comes from. He always liked to golf at the end of the day as the sun was setting and long shadows crossed the course. He likened golfing at that time of day to "chasing daylight". It was a book I read one sleepless night. It was inspiring and certainly reminded me of what is important. Something we all need to be reminded of as we get caught up in all the non-essential static of everyday.

Whew! Heavy reviews this time but books that should be read nonetheless!

So, let's change gears and move on to the Long Range Plan and how you can participate in making your library the best it can be!

During the month of August we are conducting an on-line survey and a series of community discussions to once again collect your comments and ideas. I urge all Monson residents to participate. If you don’t use the library, tell us why. We want to know. From July 28 through August 28, please visit this link and take our very brief and totally anonymous survey.
http://mail.cwmars.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RviwxVNpiQpDcEje11PAEg_3d_3d
For those of you who are not comfortable with technology we will have paper copies available at the library and at select locations around town.

To further engage you, we will also be having some discussion groups in a variety of formats and again, all members of the community are encouraged to attend. The first of these forums will be an Open House held on Friday, August 14 from Noon-3:00pm. Refreshments will be served and the community is invited to tour the library, talk with staff and leave comments at various stations located in the library. On Tuesday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. we will host a community forum led by an objective facilitator. No library staff will be in attendance so you can speak freely and anonymously. Finally on Friday, August 21 at 9:00 a.m. we will host a coffee hour for seniors only. Come enjoy some refreshments and join in our round table discussion.

If none of those options excite you, there’s more! Feel free to write to us at The Monson Free Library, 2 High Street, Monson, MA , email me at hbodwell@cwmars.org or call us at 413-267-3866.

This is a very important process that will guide your library for the next five years. Community input is critical to the process. After we gather the community comments, we will compile and review all the information then write a long range plan that consists of goals and objectives and the action steps we need to take to achieve these goals. The plan is approved by the library board of directors and then submitted to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners by October 1.

Now is your time to be heard! Thank you in advance for your time and interest in your community and your library.

Sunset in Eastham

2009-07-09T16:33:00.003-04:00

New Fiscal Year, New Hours

2009-07-09T15:43:00.003-04:00

I trust everyone had a most delightful and sunshiney holiday weekend, hopefully filled with parades, friends and great picnic food! I would like to thank the Friends of the Library for another great showing in the Summerfest parade! We had a great group of children and adults plus Bobo the Pony marching in support of the library. As soon as I get photos I will be sure to post them.

So you want the good news or the bad news? (I seem to be saying that a lot lately!) Okay, I like to start with the good stuff, kind of softens the blow of the bad... Thanks to you Monson, we have exceeded our Annual Appeal goal of $20.000 and raised an impressive $23,883!!! All your generosity and that of Monson Savings Bank will help us close out our books for Fiscal Year 2009 with a bang!!

And then there's Fiscal Year 2010. Not off to a great start. Because of more budget reductions and the real potential to be cut again, we have reduced our hours to 25 hours. Our intent is to do this only for July and August and restore our hours back to 40 in September. Keep your fingers crossed that this can happen. I have heard from many of you and appreciate your passion and concerns and hope you continue to call or write and voice those concerns. We take all of this into consideration when establishing hours, programs and services. And don't forget, your selectmen need to hear from you too.

So here are the new (hopefully temporary) hours:
Monday- Closed, Tuesday 3:00-8:00, Wednesday 10:00-3:00, Thursday 3:00-8:00, Friday and Saturday 10:00-3:00. We tried to keep a few mornings, evenings and Saturday hours to accommodate your schedules as best as possible. Also, during this time the community room is unavailable for public use. Trust me, we are sorry for any inconvenience.

The Bell Jar

2009-06-25T21:24:00.003-04:00

So yesterday I said to a friend," I'm really all about Sylvia Plath right now. I can't get enough of her". Her reply was, "So are you okay? Feeling alright? Most people are only into Sylvia Plath for one reason!"

Yes, she did commit suicide but she wwas a brilliant writer. Unfortunatley her talent can be overshadowed by her tragic life. It seems that is all people remember. Well, here is my challenge to you, read or re-read The Bell Jar and let me know what you think. I had never read it until recently and am so glad I did not read it during those crazy teenage angst years. (Hopefully) I am coming from a different perspective now. I found the book lyrical and eloquently written with a twist of hope thrown in. And I do mean "hope"...I saw much of myself in Esther, and I mean that in a good way. She was so real. Any woman. I don't know, the book left an inpact and has haunted me...again, in an uplifting way. I wish I could explain it better but I am not that poetic a writer. Oh, and speaking of poetry, I ran out this past weekend and bought her Collected Works of Poetry. I have a need to dig deeper and explore her other writings. Any other Plath fans out there that want a good discussion?

Before I crawl into bed let me tell you briefly what is on my nightstand besides Sylvia Plath's poetry. The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy. A humorous tale of a young American girl on the loose in Paris in the 1950s. As I type this it dawned me that it is rather similar in many aspects to The Bell Jar. Same timeframe, semi-autobiographical, a young college woman. But this book is funny! I have just started it but it has put a smile on my face everytime I've picked it up. The jury is still out but I think I have another winner here.

I should have spent this time explaining our reduced summer hours starting on July 1 but I'll save that for next time. Why ruin a good book!
Good night Monson.

MFL is Going to the Dogs!

2009-06-19T15:00:00.009-04:00

Bestsellilng author and animal lover, Jon Katz, along with his dog Izzy, is coming to the MFL on September 10 at 6:30! Jon loves libraries almost as much as he loves his dogs! Thanks to a tip from one library patron (thanks Nancy!) I found out that Jon is a huge library supporter and has travelled to many a library to raise awareness (and some funds). I immediately tracked him down and sent an email describing "the best little library ever" and our devastating budget cuts. What a nice man! He promptly responded that he would be happy to come, read a little, answer some questions, sign some books...and of course, bring his faithful companion Izzy. I urge you to check out his books at the library then visit his ramblings on his Bedlam Farm blog. More details will follow as we get closer...just mark your calendars now!

So, did you see my email blast about our Summer Reading program? We had a kick-off party on the last day of school that attracted 114 people, mostly children, between the hours of 11-3! Kids of all ages participated in games, crafts and raffles as well as devoured the delicious refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library. We registered 47 new library cards and 50 children signed up for summer reading.

Then....the next day, those crazy Friends of the Library hosted their ever-popular and ever-growing story and craft hour with an all-time high attendance of 37 children!! 20 more signed up for summer reading that day! We are jamming here at the Monson Free Library!!

There's a lot more fun to come this summer. Check out some of our great programs listed to the left of this post.

Unique New York

2009-05-28T17:31:00.003-04:00

I was checking in books the other day and came across a book I had enjoyed reading but had forgotten. Now you're thinking, "well if you forgot about it it couldn't have been that good" but no, I just forget things. As soon as I saw the book it brought back warm memories so I wanted to share it with all of you. It is titled "Little Chapel on the River: A Pub, A Town and What Matters Most" by Gwendolyn Bounds. Published in 2005, it follows the author from post-9/11 New York City to Garrison, NY and a different way of life. On Sept. 11, 2001 the author's home and workplace were damaged during the terrorist attack. Looking for a temporary home, Bounds and her partner landed in the small village of Garrison where the train stops at a general store and attached local tavern. What was supposed to be short-lived turned into a life. The author found herself immersed in a small community where everyone truly did know your name. She befriended the locals at the bar and soon fit in herself. She finally discovered what really mattered. This is a wonderful book but asI sit here typing the description I realized that it sort of mimics my own story. While not fleeing from 9/11, I was escaping some personal issues and found lasting friendship, a family , and eventually a life in Monson. Hmmm. Hitting a bit close to home.....

Moving right along, another book I listened to around the same was "The Tender Bar: A Memoir" by J. R. Moehringer. It attracted me because the author was my age and told his story of growing up on Long Island. I grew up in New Jersey. How different could our experiences have been? Well, very different actually. The author was raised by a single mom, living mostly with her parents and struggling to keep employed. It wasn't inspiring for a young boy. He found companionship with his uncle and his friends at the local pub. Not always a great influence for a child but against all odds, the author did manage to get into Yale. That turned out to be a whole new set of struggles. The reader can feel the conflicts and relate to the realizations the author discovers, the ones we can only experience for ourselves. A book anyone can identify with no matter how disparate your upbringing.

Finally, I did promise you a good chuckle in the last post. I'm not going to go into the multiple pie-crust incident. Let's just say, instead of trying something new I should have stuck with my go-to, never-fail pie crust. Now that is something I bet you can relate to also!

So, here goes. A couple we know, the husband is a collegue and good friend of Pete's, are having their first child. I haven't been in a quilting mood so I decided to knit a baby blanket for them. I wanted something special. I chose a lacy pattern and a beautiful shade of green yarn that I liken to lime sherbert. But then I realized there was an issue with the pattern. The repeat was not marked and if I continued as written I would be adding stitches to every row. So, I decided I could figure it out. Revise the pattern a bit. I had to start it that day and couldn't wait to ask a more experienced knitter if I was right. The baby was due in 2 weeks! I had a lot to do...miles to knit before I sleep! So I took MY pattern and began to knit. The baby was born but I was almost done. A few days after the birth I cast-off my beautiful baby blanket that was knit with love and good intentions. My left wrist was killing me from my marathon knitting sessions. I was done! But wait, was there a problem? I laid the blanket on the counter and discovered I had knit a trapezoid instead of the traditional rectangle. I was mortified, devasted, tired etc....I studied it for days trying to figure out where I went wrong. (BTW, in the meantime, while analyzing the pattern, I did manage to figure out how the original pattern was supposed to work but by that point I was well into this project.) I thought I knew but did break down and call Denise, my knitting guru, to ask her before I tried this again. (Did I mention I am nothing if not persistent!) So Denise, bless her heart, instead of laughing says to me, "I think you should give them the blanket as it is. It is very unique". Now everyone needs a guru with a gentle sense of humor! I can laugh about this now because I am almost done with my second try which is coming out as a beautiful rectangle and which will be finished before the child is a teenager! Instead of tearing it out, I am saving the other "unique" blanket. I don't know why, maybe as a reminder of what happens when you are in a hurry or perhaps, just because it makes me smile!

Keep Smiling!

2009-05-19T19:39:00.004-04:00

Wow, another long dry spell for me...and you. If you are a faithful reader, town resident, or library user, you know it's been a frustrating few weeks with the budget and the disappointing display at Town Meeting (and that's all I'll say about that. If you were there, you know what I'm talking about.) So needless to say, after endless weeks of meetings, I've been tired. But spring is finally here and the lilacs smell divine so all is right with the world.

First I do want to thank everyone that supported the library with letters to town officials and the great (majority) show of support at the Town Meeting. It is you, the community, that makes this job and this library great! Your random acts of kind words, and moral and financial support keep all of us going. Library staff has pulled together to form an unbeatable team this year and it is all for you! Make sure you thank them for all their dedication in this trying situation.

But, goodness, enough about that. So what are you reading? I'd love to hear some suggestions! I am reading the memoir "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" by Haruki Murakami. What an inspirational little book. Murakami is by trade a writer and he is a writer who loves to run. This book talks about how running weaves into his life and writing. Even if you are not a runner you understand the motivation, whatever your muse may be. Besides, his life is interesting in so many aspects... the travel, changing careers, taking chances. I recommend this for anyone looking for inspiration. Personally I'm reading it because, as you may know, I did love to run but something snapped and I can't get my groove back. I was hoping this book would give me the spark I need but it has influenced me in so many ways. Give it a try!

Two things I want to mention before logging off . The first is stay tuned for a boat-load of new audios (including Playaways) and videos that will be hitting our shelves in the next few weeks.

Finally, it is that time again for our Annual Appeal. We are trying to raise $20,000 by June 30. A letter should be arriving in your mailbox any day now. Monson Savings has generously issued a challenge to the community. For every $2.00 donated they will donate $1.00, up to $5,000!! Put your money to work! You all know the budget situation. It is dire. We need this appeal to help balance our budget. Please, whatever you can manage is greatly appreciated and you will benefit from it!

I'll post soon and entertain you with some cooking and knitting disasters sure to make you chuckle plus update you on our great summer reading series for all ages! Kick-off party for summer reading is June 16th. Mark your calendars now! 'Til we meet again.............

Welcome Spring!!

2009-03-30T11:42:00.003-04:00

Goodness, what kind of blogger am I?? I haven't posted in over a month! And we all know it has not been for lack of anything to say! Have you ever known me to be at a loss for words?

I got into that end of winter funk and admittedly did not have much interest in anything. Thank goodness I had so many meetings this month that I didn't have a second to dwell on the doldrums...well, at least until the weekends. Poor Pete. (Or that's what he would tell you anyway!)

But...we're back and better than ever!! So how's your Final Four bracket going?? Don't want to talk about it? Picked Duke again? Went for the Orange (sorry Jeff)? No applause necessary but I would like everyone to know that all my Final Four selections are still alive. And yes, we are bleeding Blue...GO UCONN! Nothing like some good basketball to get you going...

Since I all my evenings have been taken up with work commitments, I'm taking a brief break from my culinary creations. I did manage some Irish Soda Bread and Corned Beef for and Cabbage for the high holy day but other than that I've been surviving on yogurt, cereal and a lot of pasta!

Despite the distractions and my mood, I have managed to read a fair bit. First, to continue my obsession with all things French...I read "The Piano Shop on the Left Bank" by Thad Carhart. An American in Paris discovers a piano shop discreetly tucked in his neighborhood. This discovery awakens his childhood fondness for the piano. The book not only charts his journey and friendships but introduces the reader to the wonders and history of the piano. Now, you may think this could get tedious but no! The history of the piano, the different composers, builders and characteristics are fascinating.

Now, on a totally different note....I found this book on the cart one day, ready to be shelved. For some reason it caught my eye. Then I read the brief description....an underage cab driver with no ambition or future, a coffee drinking dog named "The Doorman" and a bank robbery that changed the course of his life forever...how could you resist that?? I had to read it. The book is "I am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak (author of "The Book Thief"). It is labeled a "Young Adult" book for teens, but it is universal in it's message. I am not telling you anymore. Do you need inspiration or direction? Read this book!

Finally, "The College Girl" by Patricia Weitz. I will admit, I was interested in this book because it revolved around a college student at the University of Connecticut. You all know how much I love a sense of place and I wanted to see h0w the author captured my beloved alma mater. Okay, I did find a few flaws but nothing earth shattering. She described the atmosphere very well but Natalie, poor shy Natalie. While I understand where the author was trying to go with this character, (we all struggled with the pressures of dating, independence, acceptance, ...college in general, right?? Or was that just me??) it was almost too painful to read. Maybe I am being harsh but believe it or not, I was shy once too. But Natalie could not get out of her own way. I know her circumstances ring true for many women finding their way at college (I'm not going into details!) and I found her to be compilation of many people I had met, but again, the word painful keeps coming to mind. Read it if you want but you have been warned.

And since I must end on a positive note, it did move me to drive to campus and get an awesome ice cream soda at the Dairy Bar (that comes highly recommended!).

'Til we blog again.....

Do You Value Your Library?

2009-02-23T21:13:00.005-05:00

A thoughtful question. I suppose if you are reading this blog, you at least somewhat appreciate your library. But seriously, do you value your library? What is the Monson Free Library worth to you and your family? We have over 6422 Monson residents who have a library card...75% of our population! We are on track to circulate over 60,000 items. We receive over 6,000 iitems in one year from other libraries, just for you.

Do you realize that this year our budget was cut over $23,000. That was disproportionate to the cuts other departments sustained. We had to reduce our hours from 52 to 40. We had to eliminate staff and cut 2 staff members from full-time to part-time. I am the only full-time person right now. Yet we tried diligently not to let these reductions impact the quality of services we bring to the community. And I think we did a darn good job. Our circulation is up from the last few years and the number of hits our databases are taking are going through the roof! You are using us. Yet we stand to be cut again.

Do you realize that we had to petition the state this year to keep our certification? We just received word this month that we were granted that waiver. That means that we can still receive state benefits such as state aid, grant opportunities and the abiility to borrow from other libraries. And yet, we stand to be cut again.

Do you realize if we are cut again, that will mean another reduction in hours and people? That will mean few databases and fewer new materials and a visible reduction of services, including use of the community room.

Do you realize if we are cut again we may very well lose our certification? You say "so what, I'll just go to Palmer". You can go to Palmer, but you are going to have to read the book or watch that video or listen to that audio while you are at the library because you will not be allowed to check items out from any other certified library. Those are the rules. Remember when Hampden closed? Ask those residents what happened. It wasn't pretty. The state requires that a town support it's library. It isn't up to Palmer, or Wilbraham or Hampden to support Monson residents.

We need you to let the town know how important it is to have a library. Write a letter to the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee and briefly tell them your story.

Ask them if they realize that we support all residents from infants to seniors. We provide materials, resources, technology and programs to satisfy all ages. We offer shelter, warmth and a social network. We offer knowledge and culture. We offer our youth a library that the schools cannot provide right now.

It is imperative that town government hears from you. They hear from me all the time. They need to hear it from the voters. Now is the time before they finalize the 2010 budget. Let them know we are not asking for more in these difficult economic times, we are asking to keep what we have because the community needs us. Thank you.

When Times Get Tough...Your Library is Tougher!

2009-02-23T15:43:00.002-05:00

Must admit, I love that tag line! If you look to the programs at the left, we have added a series of programs designed to help get you through these tough times. Please take advantage of these FREE programs for tips on savings, energy, home buying and selling, resumes and job searches.

Okay, so times are tough...that means you should be at home cooking those meeals and creating leftovers. May I suggest "The Joy of Cooking"? What an all-encompassing, comprehensive book that answers all your cooking questions! A friend suggested it to me and I immediately took it out of the library, and now I think I may need my own copy. I can't believe I had never looked at this book before! Of course, until a few years ago, I did not find the "joy" in cooking so that could be it! It even diagrams where all the cuts of meat come from. I loved that since I am still very naive about meats, but I am learning. I have learned that filet mignon for steak au poivre is very expensive! Veal shanks for the Osso Buco I made last night are not quite as pricey. And yes, I said Osso Buco! I was so excited to make this. Pete had it in the North End last year and I have been dying to try and make it for him. It was spectacular!! And in the two hour cooking time, I had time to make the risotto and veggies plus a lentil soup (courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa "Barefoot in Paris" ...did I ever mention that he surprised me with that cookbook one day...oh, how I love packages from Amazon.com!) and an apple and thyme tart from the book "On Rue Tatin" that have mentioned in previous posts. I was in the kitchen for 4 hours and actually ran out of pots, but it was so worth it! And now I have my lentil soup for lunches for the next few days.

Here's my non-cookbook book plug for this post...."The Silver Linings Playbook" by Mathew Quick. Lori had recommended this book and I loved it. Don't read the reviews or the book description as they do not do it justice. Just put it on hold right now. (You know how to log on to your library record and do that, right?!) Anyway... I could not put this book down. It grabbed me from the first page as a mother is discharging her thirty-five year old son from a mental facility. He is diligently working out and trying to be a better person so he can end the "apart time" with Nikki, his wife. But that is all you know for most of the book. You follow him through his struggles and endless Philadelphia Eagles games. Each character is so completely developed that you get so engrossed in the story it almost doesn't matter what caused his circumstances and the "apart time". Pat, our main character and ultimate optimist believes his life is a movie and all events have "silver linings". Read it to find out more.

Okay, I'm off. Lots of books to check in! You guys have really been busy, our circulation is way up! Glad to see you are taking advantage of all we have to offer!

Events Updated!

2009-01-26T12:13:00.002-05:00

Please scroll to down the left side of the page to see all the great things we have going on for all ages! I'm going to highlight only a few here so be sure to peruse the entire listing!

Starting February 20, we added a new story hour with Pastor Bob Marrone. Very excited about this! Pastor Bob is the pastor at our neighboring First Church. If you've seen him in action you know he is great with the kids! We really appreciate his volunteering!! Please bring your youngsters and make him welcome!!

Our Appetite for Art program has gotten a great response! This month we are meeting on February 4 and 25 and we are discussing Harlem Renaissance artist Palmer Hayden and his painting "Midsummer Night in Harlem".

Don't forget Over the Mountain with Willie Shakespeare! We've taken Willie and brought him to a whole new contemporary level!! This week there is the Tempest discussion in Wilbraham on Wednesday, January 28 and Lori has organized "Discover Your Inner Shakespeare", a valentine's tribute to your special love (think of sonnets!) Read the blurb to the left for details. Filming is this week so hurry! Plus....we are showing a movie for teens based on "Taming of the Shrew" and both book discussion groups will be reading Shakespeare-related books.

And now....I exit stage left...

Welcome the New Year!

2009-01-22T18:10:00.003-05:00

Wow, I can't believe it's been weeks since my last post. I hope the fatihful are still hanging in there waiting for the next installment! Guess I better make this a good one.

Well, crazy as it seems, I've been enjoying this refreshingly cold weather. Had the first, fresh tracks at Lunden Pond over the weekend. Took the doggie snowshoeing in those weekend storms. It's tough finding 4 snowshoes his size.....oh, just kidding, seeing if you really do read what I write!

When I do venture inside I have been reading (really!), listening, and cooking (of course!). I finally finished "On Rue Tatin: Living and Cooking in a French Town" by Susan Hermann Loomis. The reason it took so long was that I was making some of the recipes she included along the way. The book is a simple and delightful tale of an American family making a life in France. It can drag on a bit but the way she describes all the fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and flowers makes you want to pack your bags and throw caution to the wind. France, here we come! My favorite recipe to date is the pear and honey clafoutis on page 221. I have never tasted anything so refreshing with a light, eggy crust and absolutely delicious! Good for breakfast or dessert. I used a variety of different pears and Deb and David's Monson honey. I think it was the local honey that did it! And since i had to look up what a clafoutis is, I will share the definition with you. According to The Contessa (yes, the Barefoot Contessa) a clafoutis is a dessert with a layer of fruit (traditionally cherries) and topped with a pancake-like batter. For more great French recipes, check out "Barefoot in Paris" by Ina Garten.

I also just finished reading "Blackbird House" by Alice Hoffman. I am dumbfounded that I have not read her sooner. What a haunting tale. As the reader, you were transported to Truro where you could taste the salty air and feel the grayness and isolation. The story follows one house and the inhibitants that resided there over a span of hundreds of years. The tragedy and reality of family life. Mystical. Please read this book.

And it doesn't stop there! In the car I am listening to Jhumpa Lahiri's "Unaccustomed Earth". Intertwined short stories of Bengali families in the Boston area. Again, as in "Blackbird House", (I just realized this similarity) the stories explore the complexities of familes. I strongly recommend listening since the two talented narrators add the beauty of a Bengali accent.

Then of course, I am listening to an all-time favorite as I cook...Betty Smith's "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn". A true classic, need I say more.

I will stop here for now. Later I promise to update our great programs! Don't forget Karen's Monthly Birthday Bash this Saturday, January 24 from 10 - Noon. We will be celebrating A. A. Milne's birthday...c'mon, you know him...the creator of Winnie the Pooh! For kids Pre-k thru 4th grade. Call to register.

Springfield Falcons Fans!

2008-12-30T14:56:00.003-05:00

Help support your Western Regional Library System (affectionately known as WMRLS)!!

Purchase a specially priced $10.00 ticket (by January 15) to the Falcons vs. Providence Bruins on January 24 at 7pm and $3.00 will go to your Western Region. Remember it is your Western Region that delivers all those books and items you request for other libraries. They help train library staff. They provide bookmobile service to small libraries. They are invaluable!! Buy your tickets today at the Monson Free Library.

Fans who donate a new or gently used hardcover children's book at the game will receive a coupon for a "buy one get one free ticket" for either the Feb. 20 or 21 game.

More Happy Holidays

2008-12-22T13:50:00.002-05:00

Okay, this post is from me. I sincerely wish all of you peace and happiness this holiday season. It has been a tough year for many of us. Please remember, the holidays are not about the gifts but about friends and family, good health, and hopefully a job and a warm home. The library is also the spot for warmth, friends and good cheer...as well as resources for job searches, resume building and a killer health information section! We are here for you...well, except for the fact we are closed on Dec. 24 and 25.

And I am sure you are all busy cooking and preparing for the onslaught of family and friends. Me too! If you have been reading this for awhile, you must know I have finally overcome a paralyzing fear of raw chicken. I have been slicing and dicing that raw stuff for months now and I must admit, I am quite proud of myself but I almost regressed last night...but I didn't. I found this great pate recipe in Bon Appetit (of course). At 1:00 am this morning, I opened that container of chicken livers. Ooooh boy. That nearly sent me running! But I talked myself through it and chopped up those bloody livers and made quite a tasty treat. I hope my guests think so..but don't tell Pete what is in the pate. I just told him it was chicken...no need to elaborate.

Again, happy holidays to all from everyone at the Library! Enjoy what you have and who you are with! And let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....(sorry, I love winter!)

Happy Holidays Monson!

2008-12-18T16:56:00.004-05:00

Monday we celebrated a bit of cheer with our Annual Holiday Story Hour with Senator Brewer plus music provided by the talented Monson Bow and Arco Club. Thank you to everyone for making the afternoon Merry and Bright!

Euphoria Indeed!

2008-12-12T12:49:00.002-05:00

Attention bread lovers! Check out this link that I heard advertised on NPR...www.breadeuphoria.org Bread Euphoria appears to be quite the artisan bread and pastry shop, using many local ingredients. I was drooling just cruising the website! It's just past Northampton on Rte.9. Stop your groaning, it's not that far! Many of you drive to Whole Foods anyway...just keep on going!

(And just to somehow make this post library-related)...remember your local library has a great collection of bread making books, many by renowned baker and author Peter Reinhart (who came to the library a few years ago for those that remember!) His books not only instruct but are a beautiful work of art just to look at. We also have a dvd from King Arthur Flour (another great company!) titled "The Baker's Forum: Artisan Breads". You know, as I am typing this I remembered I already had a post praising Peter Reinhart. I hate to repeat but he's worth it! You can check out his blog at http://peterreinhart.typepad.com/

Warning: Don't take up bread making until after the holidays. It is addictive and you won't want to do anything else!

More Great Gift Ideas...and Events too!

2008-12-11T14:48:00.003-05:00

'tis the season!! Here are a few more ideas for the book lover (and library lover) on your gift list.
Click here for the the NYT 100 Notable Books of 2008 . So what do you need to go with that book? Why, a bookmark of course! The library offers beautiful handcrafted Book Beads by local resident Joi Keller and the Friends have a limited edition silver bookmark engraved with the old library building...quite elegant indeed! The Friends also have a delightful little gift shop with library items and some hand-knitted mittens, hats and slippers, PLUS their annual holiday raffle. Stop by and get your tickets today...drawing is Monday, December 15 during the Holiday Story Hour.

Oh, what a perfect segue....We're having our Annual Holiday Story Hour with Senator Brewer on Monday, December 15. The Monson Bow and Arco Club with provide holiday music starting at 3:30 with Senator Brewer taking the stage at 4:00. Kids of all ages are welcome to join us for this popular event! Also, look to our events at the left for more details but we have a powerful and moving film premier, Motherland, on Tuesday night acknowledging National Grief Support Week and then more great kids activites on Saturday, December 20 with the Monthly Birthday Bash (movie, crafts, and fun!) celebrating author Jan Brett's birthday. This is for children pre-K to 4th grade. Please call to register for this event.

Happy Holidays Monson!

Fabulous Finish for Team MFL!

2008-12-10T16:31:00.007-05:00

Here's some photos ofJames-Ethan, former library staff member and still a loyal volunteer (he's the guy with the book group!) and his girlfriend Kayla...both running for Team Monson Free Library at the 13th Annual Monson Memorial Classic. James placed 11th in the half-marathon at a time of 1:20:55, and Kayla, running her first half-marathon, placed 268th at a time of 2:15:25. She was also the first Monson female finisher. Tally ho! On to Boston! Whoopdeholler! (James helped with the creative writing for this post!) Thanks you two...you wore the orange proudly! Anyone esle want to be on our team?

So you want to be a runner....Here are two great reads (or a good listen) to inspire.... A new book just on the shelf, "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: A Memoir" by Haruki Murakami and "Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner" by Dean Karnazes. I will admit, they were inspiring but I still have yet to run that marathon! What will it take???? Until then...congratulations to our road warrriors James-Ethan and Kayla...maybe I will get up the courage to join you next year!

Great Holiday Giving Idea!

2008-12-04T19:03:00.002-05:00

“I don’t need anything!”

Looking for the perfect gift for the person who has everything?
Make a donation to the Monson Free Library in honor of that special person!

· Gram loves gardening, Donate for a book on flowers.

· Mom listens to Audio Books (or playaways) when she exercises, donate for an audio book.

· Johnny’s teacher doesn’t need any more ornaments or candles so donate for a new DVD.

Each item bought in honor of your special person will have a personalized bookplate and receive a letter informing them of your gift.

What could be easier?

Book $25.00

DVD/CD $20.00

Audio Book $100.00

Magazine Subscription $20.00

Plus, as an added bonus to you, all donations are tax deductible!!!!!!

Grief Support Event

2008-12-03T15:33:00.002-05:00

The Monson Free Library is the site of a FREE screening of the movie Motherland on Tuesday, December 16th at 5:30pm. Rowan Tree Foundation is proud to be a supporting sponsor of this documentary's preview in support of Grief Awareness Week December 15-21. Motherland tells the story of six diverse American women that came together in December of 2006 to journey to rural South Africa as volunteers working with poor children. Strangers to each other before this journey, these women shared one life-changing experience in common: each had suffered the death of a child.

This event is being held in support of Grief Awareness Week December 15-21. Rowan Tree Foundation is a non-profit organization providing support to families that have suffered a prenatal or infant loss. During this very special week, we are honored to come together to recognize and comfort our friends, relatives and neighbors who are grieving, and to surround them with compassionate support during the holiday season – one of the most challenging times of the year for those who have lost a loved one. There will be a brief introduction of the film by Sandra Courtney, RTF Board Member, with the screening to begin at 6:00pm. Ms. Courtney is one of the original Board Members of the Rowan Foundation, and has found offering support to families to be a large part of her healing, following the death of her infant son Ryan in January 2004, from complications of Trisomy 18.

This event is free and open to the public, light refreshments will be served. The movie will be shown in the DeSantis Room at the Monson Free Library, 2 High Street, Monson. For more information or to register online: http://www.rowantreefoundation.org/, or call Sandra at 413-267-0490.

For more information about Motherland, the movie and Grief Awareness Week: http://www.motherland-thefilm.org/

Post- Thanksgiving Euphoria

2008-11-29T20:28:00.006-05:00

I love Thanksgiving. I always have. There is no pressure, just good food and friends. It signifies the begining of the holiday season. I love the anticipation of the holidays. The cold weather (hopefully snow), the music, the festivities...then everyone gets crazed. So I really enjoy this beautiful period...a fridge full of great food (I'll get into that later!), a pot of hot turkey soup on the stove, holiday music playing while I sit and type this in front of the fire, a snowman left on the front porch by my dearest friend, and let's not forget the eggnog! It's really the calm before the storm but I so enjoy it!

Did you make it to the Crafts Fair? It is a tradition with me! Downtown was packed with happy shoppers on this sunny Saturday. The Friends of the Library put together a great table of knitted goodies, library treasures and their annual raffle. If you can't get to the fair tomorrow, items and raffle tickets will be available at the Library and I encourage you to take part! Check out these raffle prizes...an original watercolor by Virgina Midyette of the pumpkins at Westview Farm, a gorgeous king-size quilt crafted by Barbara Beaulieu, a spectacular cribbage board created by Pathfinder students and a decadent wine basket. How can you resist!?

Okay, I wll quit the idle chatter... I know you all are wondering what I whipped up for my first ever Thanksgiving dinner. (Or perhaps not, but I really want to share!) Can you believe I have never cooked a Thanksgiving meal? It's about time! And I don't brag often but I nailed this one! I prepared a menu in advance complete with a shopping list and a to-do schedule from Sunday through Thursday. It was seamless! And I basically made everything except the sourdough bread in the stuffing (only because I didn't have enough time!). Okay, here's the list....sausage, apple, cranberry stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce with orange (I didn't know there was such a thing!), citrus carrots, green beans with orange essence, sauteed broccolini, squash, potatoes, homemade biscuits, pearl onions in port wine, sweet potatoe pie and a chocolate cream pie (not my idea!) and a guest brought a delish apple pie. And even though the turkey was done before we predicted, everything came out together and was warming in the oven while Pete made his gravy...which, yes,, was the crowning glory of the whole meal (or so he tells me...) It was just so much fun!! I really don't know what's wrong with me, this is a Hope I do not know...but I like her! Oh, and let's not forget the killer turkey stock and soup I just finished making (and eating!). So would anyone out there in bloggerville like to share their story or recipe? I would love some feedback...or a good recipe!

Now that I got that out of my system (I just couldn't wait to share!), let's get back to what we are thankful for...good friends, family and food. We have our jobs and our health and a stong community. And let us remember our dear friends, the Quirks who lost their home this week. I know I am grateful for their friendship and kindness (and I know I am not alone). Whatever you need....we are here for you. (Let me cook for you!) Thank you everyone for being a friend to me ...or a "Friend" to the Library. You are all special.

Last Night at the Lobster

2008-11-19T12:13:00.003-05:00

After all that blogging last night, I forgot to give you my review of my lastest listen. Here you go ....

"Last Night at the Lobster" is a short, melancholy novel by Connecticut author Stewart O'Nan. O'Nan captures the bleak snowy evening at the Red Lobster restaurant that is slated to close the next day. The narrative is seen throught the eyes of Manny, the proud, dedicated manager who prides himself on customer service. While Manny is defined by his job, his personal life is less stable, longing for what could have been with one of his waitresses while he struggles to find a bond with his current, pregnant girlfriend. Each member of his staff has a strong supporting role in this final evening. This small book is packed with the dark emotion of a typical night at the restaurant all the while knowing nothing is typical and tomorrow is uncertain.

To sum it up...I really enjoyed this audio. The cold winter night and the melancholy of the evening was palpable. Plus I enjoyed the very local sense of place, New Britian, Connecticut. The restaurant staff was even watching my UConn Huskies on the bar television!

Playing right now in my car...."The Education of a Coach" by David Halberstam. If you admire Bill Belichick this book is for you. I am thoroughly enjoying the story of his life and influences that have made him the smartest coach to date. A lot of football history here!

Untitled (see if you get the reference...read on!)

2008-11-18T17:06:00.004-05:00

Goodness...lots to tell you tonight! I'll save the foodie ramblings for the end to be sure you read everything!

First I would like to thank all the families who showed up and made our Family Literacy Night an extraordinary event! We had over 60 parents and children revelling in stories and crafts...and eating every last crumb of the (healthy) refreshments! (And I really wanted one of those oatmeal raisin cookies!) Also, a special thank you to Dr. Nancy Spitulnik, curriculum director for Monson Schools, who brought this idea to us and helped coordinate crafts, publicity and helpful parenting tips.

Next up, we have another great event for the Pre-K to 4th grade crowd. This Saturday, November 22 from 10 -12, we are hosting our first Monthly Birthday Bash! What's that you say?? Well, one staff member, Karen, got this great idea to pick a famous children's author that is celebrating a birthday and have a party in his/her honor. We will do this once a month, on a Saturday for the winter months (November through April). For our initial party, we are toasting Charles Schultz. I'm so exicted! I knew she had a few options but I am glad she picked my favorite. Charlie Brown and I have always been able to relate to each other. Anyway, getting off track....the party will consist of a short movie, some great crafts and even better refreshments. You must call to register as space is limited. Please help us celebrate!

And yes, there's more! We have another new program that I am personally proud to present. I haven't told you before, but I have been taking a class once a week to become a docent at the William Benton Museum of Art. It's strictly a volunteer endeavor but I get to talk about art for at least 2 hours a week! Once the "class" is complete, I will be armed with the tools to give tours of the museum to school groups and people of all ages! This is a passion of mine and I am happy that I have gotten the opportunity to pursue it...and share it with all of you! To that end...We are going to be starting an art aprreciation discussion group ...just like a book discussion but chatting about art! We're calling it "Appetite for Art" because we want you to bring a brown bag lunch (we'll provide coffee and tea) and settle in of a great discussion with food and friends as we explore all styles of art and artists. No experience is necessary. You'll quickly learn there are no wrong answers or comments. I bet you will even surprise yourself!! To begin, we are having an introductory meeting on Wednesday, December 3 at 12:00pm at the Library. Here's what I'm thinking (but I'm looking for your ideas too), every month we select an artist and perhaps a certain work or works by that artist. It will be up to participants to explore (and immerse) themselves in that artist for the month - read books, magazines, surf the web...however you want to do it. Then we will gather and discuss. I am hoping that if we do generate some interest we can take a field trip now and then to different museums. We can make it whatever we want! Hope to see you there!!

And now on to the food portion of our rant.... okay, Saturday night was international day at the house on the hill. I found this great recipe for Cuban Black Bean Soup. OMG! The whole key to the soup was the cilantro and red onion garnsih...ah, the flavors! And you had to make a sofrito for the soup so I discovered that was a sauce with spices including cumin, onion and green or red pepper. (I love learning new things!) But what to have with the soup???? Always a chef's dilemma. I surf the Food Network site for fun and found a Cuban Pork Chop recipe...perfect! Again, many of the same spices were used, plus some citrus. Marinate, braise one side then slowly cook the other side as the sauce reduces. I served it over rice seasoned with a touch of cilantro...and a glass or two of a delightful chardonnay.

Sunday night, I went with the Contessa. My motto is "the Contessa does not diappoint!" Cornish game hens stuffed wtih a delish cornbread stuffing (onions, celery, fresh parsley...) Roasted to perfection and served with creamed swiss chard and mashed potatoes. (Pete took care of the potatoes...) After that, I made pumpkin muffins and those wonderful oatmeal raisin cookies for our program (until 11:30 at night...) What is wrong with me! I can't stop cooking and I'm loving it!

So, I guess that's more information than you wanted anyway....have a delightful evening and don't forget to mark your calendars with all our great events! But wait...one more thing!!!

We are running our "Food for Fines" program right now. It started November 10 and will run through November 29. For each non-perishable food item donated to the Open Pantry you will get up to $2.00 in fines taken off your record. Of course this does not apply to replacement fees. If you lost it, you do need to pay for it!

And one last, final note (I promise)...Happy Birthday Gretchen!!

We're having a Pajama Party!

2008-11-13T22:02:00.003-05:00

Hey Families! Join us in celebrating Family Literacy Month this Monday, November 17 from 6:30 -8:00 pm. The Library and Monson Schools have partnered to present this special evening for children Pre-K to 4th grade and their families. The Library will be closed...to everyone but you!! Wear your pajamas, bring a favorite toy to cuddle as you listen to some stories and if you can, bring a gently used book to donate to a family shelter. We will treat children to stories, crafts and a special presentation by Ruth Sanderson. Parents...we haven't forgotten you! Meet the school's new curriculum director, Nancy Spitulnik, as she gives you hints and handouts to help you encourage your child's love of reading! And yes, we will have refreshments! Your schools and your library are here for you...hope you take advantage and come to our party!!

Have you ever...

2008-11-05T13:44:00.001-05:00

...seen such a handsome dog?

This Train's Not Goin' Slow

2008-11-04T19:32:00.002-05:00

What you say? Well, that's the title of Chris Wilhelm's CD. Chris who? Chris Wilhelm...singer/songerwriter from Boston. Been compared to the early Bob Dylan, good ol' American roots music. Sound intriguing? Come down to the Library THIS SATURDAY (November 8) and see Chris live in concert, along with Noah Appel on percussion. Show starts at 7, doors open at 6:30. It is FREE but donations are welcome. Come on....where can you get such an inexpensive, fun, and rocking Saturday evening in Monson? The Library's where it's at!

Okay, one quick recommendation before I close...."Spiral Jetta" by Erin Hogan, director of public relations at the Art Institute of Chicago. Erin jumps in her Jetta and sets off to the west in search of land art installations. A bit of a travelogue, bit of a commentary on land art. I have discovered I am very attracted to these cross-country quest type books. Must be the wanderlust in my soul! If you too love living vicariously through other adventurers, like the western landscape or like immersing yourself in art, this book is for you. It's an easy read on art but offers much insight on the art and artist as well as provides great descripitons of the landscape. Oh, how I miss my Jetta. We put on alot of miles together! Give this book a try. You'll be pleasantly surprised...and inspired.

Exercise your Right to Vote!

2008-10-28T14:33:00.002-04:00

We all have a voice and it should be heard on November 4. To help you investigate candidates and issues, Springfield Library has put together a comprehensive page of web resources. Visit this web guide at http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/election2008.html

VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4!

Need Help? Look no further...

2008-10-28T14:24:00.004-04:00

No words of wisdom today folks. Today I am passing on an email I recieved from Western Mass Electric Company. Below are a list of VERY VALUABLE resources to help you or someone you love get fuel assistance, food assistance and contacts for health and human services. Please pass this one to someone in need. Thank you.

http://www.wmeco.com/

One number. Lots of help. JUST ASK. Fuel Assistance. Utility Discounts. Weatherization. Please call 1-866-537-7267 or visit http://www.energybucks.com/.

WMECO’s NUStart Program
WMECO offers NUStart, an arrearage forgiveness program which helps customers who qualify for and receive Fuel Assistance to pay off their account balance (at least $100 which is at least 60 days overdue). For more information, please call NUStart toll-free at 1-800-286-5844 weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Citizens Energy Corporation
Citizens Energy offers an Oil Heat Program to help income eligible customers in need of oil and the Distirgas program provides a credit on natural gas bills. For more information, please call Citizens Energy at 1-877-563-4645 or visit http://www.citizensenergy.com/.

For customers with a household income exceeding Fuel Assistance guidelines, the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund provides $275 per heating season paid directly to your energy provider (i.e. electric, gas, oil, wood, propane). Customers qualify for funding if their income falls between 200 – 275% of the Federal Poverty Level. Please contact your local Salvation Army office or call 1-800-262-1320 or visit http://www.magoodneighbor.org/ for more information.

WMECO partners with MassSAVE to help you save money and energy. To request a Home Energy Audit please call 1-800-666-3303. Please visit http://www.masssave.com/ for additional information.

Home Energy Loss Prevention Service (HELPS) for Municipal Utilities
Customers of participating electric and gas municipal utilities may call the toll-free hotline with any questions concerning energy conservation in their home. Customers of these utilities may request an in-home energy audit.
1-888-333-7525 or 1-888-335-7203 or visit http://www.munihelps.org/

Lifeline and Link-Up: Affordable Telephone Service for Income-Eligible Consumers. Please visit http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/lllu.html%20or%20call%201-888-225-5322 or 1-888-835-5322 TTY

Women, Infant and Children Program (WIC) 1-800-942-1007
Provides food packages, food vouchers, nutrition counseling, and budgeting/shopping skill training to eligible and their children up to 5 years old (eligible fathers, grandparents, legal guardians and foster parents can apply for children under 5 in their care). http://www.choosebirth.com/

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program “SNAP” (formerly Food Stamps)
Individuals looking for more information are encouraged to call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 or TTY 1-800-377-1292 or visit http://www.gettingfoodstamps.org/

Basic Banking for Massachusetts
Launched in 1994 to expand access to bank products and services and to encourage those with modest incomes to establish banking relationships. www.masscommunityandbanking.org/Guidelines.htm

Mass 2-1-1
Mass 2-1-1 is an abbreviated dialing code for free access to health and human services Information and Referral which encourages prevention and fosters self sufficiency. Please call to get connected to the help you need. http://www.mass211.org/

MassMutual LifeBridgeSM 1-800-272-2216
MassMutual pays the premiums for all policies issued under the Lifebridge Free Life Insurance Program. To find out if you qualify please contact www.massmutual.com/mmfg/about/community_involvement/national/lifebridge.html

Homeowner Options for Massachusetts Elders (H.O.M.E.) 1-800-553-5337
A non-profit agency dedicated to protecting the equity of low and moderate income elder homeowners whose mission is: To conserve and protect the equity of low/mod income elder homeowners so they can ‘age in place’.
www.elderhomeowners.org/

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Provides short term, limited financial assistance which will enable families to retain housing, obtain new housing or otherwise avoid homelessness.
www.mass.gov/Ehed/docs/dhcd/ph/raft/raftcitytownlist.htm

Health Services Toll Free 1-877-414-4447, TTY 1-617-624-5992
http://www.mass.gov/Ehed/docs/dhcd/ph/raft/raftcitytownlist.htm

Good Monday Morning Monson!

2008-10-20T10:53:00.002-04:00

Hope everyone enjoyed this spectacular fall weekend! The Friends held their jamming Oktoberfest Saturday. The beer was cold, the mood was festive and the food was delish!

In keeping with my weekend routine, I cooked my first pork tenderloin ever! I think I am entertainment for the butchers when I walk in with my list of meats. I didn't eat meat for a long time and have never cooked it so this is all new to me! You should have seen the discussion that ensued over the pork spare ribs! I think they hide now when they see me coming! But, I found the tenderloin on my own. I'm getting better. So here's what I did with it... I seared the pork then covered it in mustard and fennel seeds and roasted it over apples and onions. Oh my goodness! Then I made a cheddar stuffed meatloaf for Monday night and I have some catfish for Emeril's fish-in-a-bag recipe. We are kickin' it up! And in keeping with our library theme here, the MFL has a great cookbook section as well as some great foodie reads. Currently I am reading "Katish: Our Russian Cook" by Wanda Frolov. A delightful true tale of a Russian immigrant and the American family she cooks for....comes complete with recipes! And a friend recently recommended "Heat: An Amatuer's Adventure as a Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta Maker and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting butcher in Tuscany". Whew...what a title! Again, I can go on with the list but if you need to start somewhere, I highly suggest anything by Ruth Reichl, most especially "Comfort Me with Apples". That's the book I started with way back when I wasn't even interested in food...so beware, you too are in danger of developing a penchant for all things culinary! And I truly mean that....last night after dinner, I was on-line looking for a large saute pan, a griddle and good knives...and how to sharpen them! I'm telling you, I'm obsessed!

Finally, I did make it into the Big Apple last week (Oh, thank goodness! I was having withdrawals!) This was kind of a shop-til-you drop trip since I haven't done that in a LONG time but I did manage some culture along with new shoes! On trips to NYC, I have decided to try a new museum each time. If you remember, last time I visited the New Museum and this time I went to the American Folk Art Museum. What a great place! It was small enough not to be overwhelming but the exhibits were first rate. Check out their site. Every exhibit was diverse and in-depth. "Martin Ramirez: the Last Works" was phenomenal. He was unknown to me and I spent a significant amount of time with his drawings. Really, visit the site, it's worth the time.

So hopefully I've given you some reasons to visit your library...cookbooks, good reads, lots of art magazines, travel books....plus we're warm and cozy on chilly days!

Beer for Books!

2008-10-17T15:59:00.005-04:00

I'm talking about the Friends Oktoberfest! It's tomorrow, Saturday October 18 from 2-5 at TeeJay's Pavilion. C"mon what else were you going to do on a beautiful fall afternoon? Can you really resist drinking beer with your frineds, partaking in some great German fare and supporting the library?? Tickets are $25 per person for this 21 and over event and tickets will be available at the door. The price of admission covers 2 beverage tickets and free food! We've got some great tunes in store with DJ Kevin firing up the German music! It's an event not to be missed. And it is the Friends premiere fundraiser of the season. Come on out and support your Friends at the Library!!

Another event I am so excited about is the upcoming concert with Boston-based singer-songwriter Chris Wilhelm. (That's Chris in the attached pic) Noah Appel will join Chris on percussion for an evening of infectious acoustic Indie-Folk rock!! It's a Saturday night date-night at the Library on November 8 at 7pm, with doors opening at 6:30. The event is free and everyone is welcome. Donations are very appreciated! I highly recommend you listen to Chris at http://www.chriswilhelm.net/ If you do, I know you'll come...it's going to be a great night!

And yes, I've been cooking away. Brined and braised some pork spare ribs the other night. Pete agreed that they were "restaurant quality". I accompanied the pork with broccoli rabe and creamy polenta....ummm ummm good! I even tried an apple brown betty for the first time...I always wanted to know what that was and it was delicious! It scares me how much I enjoy a day-long cooking extravaganza! Good eats my friends....and good drinks tomorrow! To the Library!

Good Read!

2008-10-03T14:35:00.004-04:00

I have a great suggestion for you readers out there, so good that Lori is using this book for her book discussion group (but she hasn't read it yet, so the pressure is on me!)....Have you read "Astonishing Splashes of Colour" by Clare Morrall? Oh my goodness, it's a two-thumbs up must-read! I found it on the cart one day just waiting to be shelved. It looked intriguing...and it did not disappoint. It was written so beautifully. Color jumped off the pages. The first few pages were all in yellow. While that does not make sense now, it will. Color unfolds just as the story unfolds. Little by little you put the pieces together. It is a British novel centering around Kitty, a disturbed (or was she?) woman dealing with great loss. Personally, I did not find her "mad" as the summary suggests, but just rather sad. I won't kid you, the topic was dark but the writing was so lyrical, and yes, colorful, I was sad to see the book end.

For all you quilters out there, did you know the Wadsworth Atheneum has a quilt exhibit on display right now?! "Who was Anna Tuels? Quilt stories 1750-1900" It is a celebration of quilting from the eighteenth and nineteenth centureis in America. Visit the exhibit and check out some of the great restaurants Hartford has to offer.

Finally, for all of you that have been following this blog from it's inception, it is fall once again and I've started cooking like crazy (that's my idea of nesting I guess). Okay, so we didn't eat until 11:00 the other night but it was well worth the wait! I cooked up braised chicken thighs stuffed with sweet sausage in a chianti sauce. Heavenly! (I'm all about touching that raw chicken now!) And my new favorite magazine is Bon Appetit (can you believe I'm promoting a mag the library doesn't even subcribe too...should we??) I can't wait to share some more recipes with you...and you are more than welcome to share too! And lastly, (really) heads up...the Contessa is coming out with a new cookbook at the end of the month and it will be available at your local library! Bon Appetit!

A Day at the Asylum...Go Crazy for Health!

2008-09-16T17:21:00.003-04:00

Isn't that just the best name for a program! " A Day at the Asylum"...we could be talking about the library on certain days, but no, I am referring to Asylum Fitness in Palmer. Join us for our Grand Finale to the Monson Moves grant-funded initiative on Saturday, September 27 from 9:00 - 1:00 pm at the Asylum.

Thanks to Gary, owner of the Asylum, for all his hard work putting this fun-filled healthful day together for us. From 10:00 to 12:00, Team Senergy will host a FREE Introduction to Fitness class for all ages plus they will answer all your fitness questions....during that same time, Magician Jonas Toutant will be wandering the crowd thrilling kids of all ages with his talent for illusion...or is it reality?? Stop by and decide! Massage therapist, Laurie Desmarais will be "loosening up the crowd" with chair massages all day and the Bloodmobile will be on hand for you to visit. But wait...it doesn't stop there! The Asylum will be running membership specials, raffles will take place every hour and of course, healthy refreshments will be served.

Please drop by, bring the family and take advantage of this great day and see the beautiful facility Gary has created! Everyone is welcome!! All events are FREE!

We are doing this because of you, Monson! You have shown us health and a healthy lifestyle is important to you. You have supported our health programs, used our health resources and participated in the walking program...to the tune of 23,689 miles since mid-April. Way to go!! Okay so it's not the million miles we envisioned but who cares. You were out there walking and getting healthy. We made you aware and we hope you keep up the momentum!

CANCELED

2008-09-11T00:34:00.004-04:00

I am sorry to report that the Arts Council has decided to cancel their Anniversary Dance due to slow ticket sales. This means those dance lessons are canceled...for now. I still want to provide some dance lessons at a later date, don't you agree? I spoke with the dance instructor, Susan Demmerle of Two Right Feet, and we are planning a more in-depth 4 week instructional session...maybe with a Latin dance theme....any interest out there? Suggestions?

Dance the night away!

2008-09-08T09:55:00.003-04:00

The Monson Arts Council is celebrating its 30th Anniversary with a Night of Dancing to the Big Band sound! The festivities will take place on September 27 at Quaboag Country Club. Doors open at 7:00 and dancing will be from 8:00 pm until midnight. Enjoy refreshments and a cash bar. Tickets are $25 each and are available at the Library.

To help them celebrate, the Library is partnering with the Arts Council to bring you swing dance lessons before the big event! On 2 Sundays, September 14 and 21 from 4:00-5:00 pm at Memorial Hall, Susan Demmerle will teach you the basics of swing dancing complete with spins and flicks as well as gliding to the fox trot for those slower songs.

Lessons are free with the purchase of one ticket to the Anniversay Celebration. Please call the library to register snce space is limited to 12 couples.

Are you ready for some football??

2008-09-07T21:55:00.007-04:00

I look forward to football season all year...and it's finally here again! I even gave up golfing today with friends to stay home (on this most gorgeous day) and make soup and cornbread and watch the Pats! Right now, I'm watching da Bears beat Indy...hopefully they can hold that lead! But, oh, our poor Tom Brady. I know I wasn't the only one in New England that stopped breathing when he went down. Hats off to Matt Cassell for a great effort and most especially to the defense that held the goal line in the final seconds! My other team, the Vikings are kicking off Monday night football tomorrow against Green Bay...I want to say it promises to be a good game but my Purple People don't always show well on Monday night. Let's hope this year will be different! (FYI, its a double header of Monday Night Football so it starts at 7:00, probably a good night to order out!) And if you are looking for some great local football, check out those UConn Huskies, 2 -0 to start the season!

Football beckons the start of fall and school. The library, as well as the rest of the community, is in the back-to-school mode. Parents, I urge you to stop by and see all our resources, from books to on-line resources, that may help your children with all sorts of homework assignments. We're also starting our fall schedule of programs. Knitting classes and (Almost) Midnight Madness are beginning again. Story and craft hour will begin on Wednesdays in October. With our change in staffing, our Friends group has volunteered to host story hours and they have some exciting ideas, stories and crafts to entertain your pre-schooler! We have a Monson Moves Grand Finale on September 27. More details to follow in the next few days, but trust me, it's going to be fun...and healthy! Plus, on Sept. 30, we are hosting the East Coast premiere of "White Shark Cafe" a documentary about Great White Shark research...from the depths of the ocean to Face Book! Monsonite Sean Aronson directed and produced this movie and will be available to answer your questions. And finally, (but not really, look at the "events" listing to the left for a complete listing of all our programs) we have a volunteer who will be helping you learn how to download books, audios, and videos for FREE! Yes, we offer this service, but I am willing to bet, most of you don't know that. Join Forris the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm for an informal presentation of how you can easily take advantage of this resource. And for those of you, like me, that have an iPod, many of the items are now iPod compatible!

So...
"Are you ready for some football?

A Monday night party,

The whole house is rockin, let's get it kick-started,

Launch this thing, raise the roof

That's right, all my rowdy friends are here on Monday night!"

(If you're a fan you know that's Hank Williams Jr. with the Monday night football theme!) And here's some trivia...This will be the 20th year Hank Williams Jr. is the featured music for MNF...can you believe it's been that long, seems like yesterday!

Stop back soon! I know I've been a bit inconsistent, so I promise to post more reads, rants, reviews, and of course, random thougths, more frequently to keep your interest and keep you informed!

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

2008-08-15T13:11:00.002-04:00

Ever have one of those weeks? I feel like I am having one of those summers. Work has been crazy. I know you, the community, are feeling our reduced hours and we are too! Ah...but some good news...we had our busiest circulation month ever in July with 5009 items being checked out! And...we have reached our Annual Appeal goal of $20,000!! Thank you Monson for supporting your library! It goes to show that the communtiy values the serices we provide.

I am still working on what to do about fall hours and I realize we cannot keep everyone happy no matter what hours we choose. We do not have the luxury of being open every morning and every evening. If you are frustrated, I urge you to write to the Selectmen and the Finance Commitee (address is 110 Main Street) and tell them your thoughts. They make the budget decisions. They need to know you are not happy (or maybe you are!) with those decisions.

We want to provide the best serivces and the best possible experience to everyone that walks in our door so we are re-thinking, revising and re-working the way we function around here and we are asking for your cooperation. With reduced hours more people are in here at one time. The library is used for so many different functions and we must be respectful and courteous of our neighbors as well as the staff that is also working hard to adjust to the new schedule and job responsibilities.

I know, not my usual post. I am the eternal optimist and I truly believe this change is good. We get to clean house, streamline our process, review our priorities. But it does cause some growing pains. I just want you all to know, ultimately, you are the first priority and we are all trying our best to make this work.

And to the rescue...the Friends of the Library! The Friends have donated some of their funds to purchase some "classic" movies. I'm talking some Masterpiece Theatre, family-oriented films, Katherine Hepburn to Clark Gable to Clint Eastwood and Woody Allen! These DVDs are currently on-order and should be rounding out our growing collection very soon!

The Friends are also planning some great surprises for the fall. I'll spill the beans on one of their events....how does an Oktoberfest (in October of course!) sound to you??!! They are in the planning stages and it sounds like a jolly good time!

So stop playing on the computer. Go and enjoy your weekend! Don't forget the library is open until 6 on Friday and 10 - 2 on Saturday so you can get your fix of books, movies, and magazines ..and so much more! Try a Playaway!!

Mother Goose was on the loose at the Library!

2008-07-31T12:35:00.007-04:00

Mother Goose (aka Sally Davis) visited the Library and delighted kids and parents with music, puppets and games!

We have one more Mother Goose program running every Friday through August.

"Two Right Feet" will entertain young children with a program of music and movement designe to stimulate language development and a love of reading. Personally, I just consider it a fun morning for toddlers and their caregivers!

Session 1 is for 0-3 year olds from 10-10:30

Session 2 is for 3-5 year olds from 10:30-11

Please call the library to register.

I love Lumby!

2008-07-22T16:20:00.002-04:00

Those of you who have started reading the series know what I mean and those of you that haven't, well....I got your attention! In a previous post I had mentioned that I had just started reading "Lumby Lines" by Gail Fraser but the jury was still out. The jury has come back and the verdict is "Delightful!!!" I can't really think of a better word to describe the novel. It was a truly delightful tale of a small quirky yet quaint community in the Northwest...and the characters that live there! The Lumby Lines is the local newspaper and scattered throughout the chapters are snippets of articles and the very entertaining police report. I would be remiss not to mention "Hank", the resident pink flamingo that mysteriuosly dresses for every occasion (you need to read it to get it!) It's a simple, sweet read, along the lines of the Mitford series...and there were definitely a few similarities between that small community and Monson! This book will put a smile on your face!

Event Just Added!

2008-07-18T13:17:00.005-04:00

Join us this coming Tuesday @ 6:30 for a very special Poetry Reading by Charles Whitney Barnes. Mr. Barnes has composed two books, "Moon of the Remembrance" and "Strawberry Lane". This talented poet is commonly regarded as New England's Poet Laureate. Please join us!!

And besides that program...we have a week full of fun for everyone! There's even more on Tuesday! Mother Goose will be at the Library plus James' Junior Book discussion! "When the Cows got Loose" on Wednesday, July 23, Wild n Wacky Tie-Dyeing AND Lori's Book Group on Thursday, July 24, and finally, Mother Goose on the Loose on Friday, July 25. Whew! What a WILD week!!

Have a great weekend, Monson! I am hopefully going to have a lazy, crazy summer weekend. Enjoy some time with the doggie, maybe a little gardening and definitely a round of golf. I have actually seen some improvement this year and have a bit of ole "mo" going on right now. Got to take advantage! As those who love me know, that momentum can change in the blink of an eye and then you 'll find my clubs on e-bay...again!

Oops! Almost forgot...

2008-07-14T15:04:00.003-04:00

Guess I wasn't done. Here's my second post of the day (so be sure to read the post about Summer Reading Gone Wild...I don't want you missing anything!)

One final title to add to the list, "Pushing up the Daisies" by Rosemary Harris. This light mystery is set in swanky southern Connecticut. I can't say I enjoyed the book but I couldn't stop reading it either. I needed closure! It's got some interesting garden references but too many characters and I could not warm up to the protagonist. Actually I wanted to grab her by the collar and shake her a few times. So, it did invoke some emotion in me... Good for those mystery readers that don't like alot of blood and guts!

And the most important point I forgot to make..."Playaways" are here!! What's a Playaway you ask? A Playaway is a MP3 player loaded with one audio book. You can't copy it, you can't delete it, you can't add anything to it...just listen. It is great for all you walkers out there or if you have a MP3 adapter for your car. You will need to provide your own earbuds and a AAA battery. We purchased a variety of 30 titles (not just stories...even audios on learning new languages!) and I strongly urge you to try them! I walked with one the other night and thought it was AWESOME!! Try one and let us know what you think.

Cheers!

Summer Reading Gone Wild!

2008-07-14T12:15:00.003-04:00

Yes, your library is going wild and crazy this summer!! This year's statewide summer reading theme is Wild Reads @ Your Library and we've taken that theme to the limit!! How do you define "wild"??

How about "Edible WILD Plants and Mushrooms of New England"... Join us tomorrow night, July 15 at 6:30 for a slide show by Russ Cohen, author and professional environmentalist. Russ has an impressive resume of advocating for the environment as well as teaching about foraging for wild edibles. His guidebook, "Wild Plants I Have Known...and Eaten" will be available for purchase at this program.

"Forage" through our other wild and crazy summer programs in the column to the left. We definitely have something for everyone this summer! And don't forget our reading challenge for all ages...it's never too late to start! You receive a raffle ticket for every category you read...and we have some great prizes thanks to the Friends of the Monson Free Library. A beautiful wild bird basket complete with one of "Dave's Birdhouses" (handcrafed and located on Munn Road), gift certificate to go on a Wolf Walk n Talk (remember the wolves we had up at Peaked Mountain last year? Same guy, same wolves, same great program!), a donation to the MSPCA and for the teens, gift certificates to the Eastfield Mall.

I don't know about you but I've been needing some light reading lately. My brain has been too frazzled to concentrate on anything too serious, heavy or that requires much attention. And I desperately need a vacation! So to that end, I've been reading and listening to some lighter fare that has a great sense of place so I can mentally escape. My destination of choice has been Martha's Vineyard. I love the island landscape, the smells, the breeze. (I hate the rich playground it has become...) Anyway...a cheap way to vist the Vineyard is with author Jean Stone. It is very light reading (but not romance!) and I know every street and beach and restaurant she mentions. I have read three of her books, "Off Season", "Places By the Sea" and "Beach Roses". I skeptically begin each book but if I can endure, I end up really enjoying them. Another Vineyard author is the ever-popular mystery author Phlip Craig. I admit, I don't care for his novels. Too light for even a light mystery reader! But...I like to listen to him...go figure! I just finished listening to "A Vineyard Killing" and thoroughly enjoyed it. Again, a great sense of place and not much violence. And not to bore you too much, but one last fabulous Vineyard author is Henry Beetle Hough. Mr. Hough was a journalist, author and conservationalist as well as owner, editor and publisher of the Vineyard Gazette. His books are memoirs and essays commenting on beauty of the island. I relish his eloquent, simple style. His books are older, ranging from the late '60s through the mid '80s, yet his prose is timeless. Currently, I am reading "To the Harbor Light". He comes highly recommended!

Okay, I know I'm starting to lose you...but I've been busy! I want to share! Hang in there, just a few more titles!! Attention fans of the Mitford series, have you read the Lumby series? I just started "Lumby Lines" by Gail Fraser earlier today so I can't comment too much, but it seems like a nice litlle country town full of quirky characters. Reading the local police report is the favorite past time. Some police calls include goats trapped in the bank safe eating the money and kids catapulting chickens. Nothing like a small town! I've had a few people recommend this to me and liken it to a lighter version of Mitford.

And finally, my shameless plug for Lori's Book Discussion Group. This month they are reading "Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons" by Laura Landvik. I must admit, the title didn't intially appeal to me but the concept did. Basically, a group of women from the same neighborhood, through a variety of circumstances, begin a book discussion group. The book follows their lives through major and minor life events that all are intertwined around their book group. With cigarettes, martinis and books these women form a lasting friendship. Real life issues of domestic violence, divorce, homosexuality and cancer are discussed. I started this book one Saturday afternoon and finished it at 3:09 am on Sunday. And if you think I'm nuts, Fran just told me she did the same thing. You can't put it down! I'll save further discussion for the book group which is now meeting on Thursday, July 24 at 7pm...complete with bon bons, I hope!

Okay, I lied, one final note, I promise!! This is my shameless plug for a great local business...Garden of Om Yoga Studio. Laura Mushenko is the owner / instructor and it originally started out with yoga for kids. She has recently added adult classes and I urge you to check her out! If you're a beginner, she does a great gentle yoga practice, but my favorite is her drop-in class on Wednesday mornings from 7am - 8am, outdoors in the field behind Town Offices. Outdoor yoga is a religous experience!! Visit her at http://www.gardenofomyoga.com/

Okay, I've given you plently of great suggestions! Read on...and don't forget to GO WILD!

New Hours...Same Great Library

2008-06-30T18:59:00.003-04:00

I've been trying to avoid this post. I have written it in my head a thousand times. The angry librarian, the sad librarian, the hurt librarian...they all wanted their voices to be heard but alas, that helps no one. Though it would be cheap therapy for me! Yes, it is true, I am all those people right now but honestly, I am, and always will be the optimist. Reduced hours is just a blip. A temporary setback. And I really want people to know, it's not just the library. Other departments were cut and lost hours and/or people too. All you read about is the school. There are many other lives and jobs affected also and we must remember that. Okay, that was my soapbox for the evening.

We're all in this together. All of us are being affected personally and financially by the economy but truly, together we can get through this. Gave up that internet access at home? We can help! Got rid of those pricey magazine subscriptions? We can help! Looking for inexpensive but quality fun? Have you checked out our museum passes?? Need to read some classifieds? Don't want to buy those required summer reading books? Oh, the list goes on and on and on....

So, what's the impact? We have reduced our hours and some of our staff. We will work diligently to bring you the same great services and resources you expect and deserve. Our hours for July and August are:
Monday 10 to 5
Tuesday 1 to 8
Wednesday 10 to 5
Thursday 1 to 8
Friday 10 to 6
Saturday 10 to 2

We kept Saturdays for you! And...you all are rushing home Friday nights to get here before we close and now you can drive slower and safer...we actually added an hour to Fridays! I hope these hours work with your schedules. We tried very hard to make it as convenient as possible for the community. Hours will change again in September (sorry, I hate that confusion!) but even your hours and routines change once school starts. We'll have more evenings and less mornings but we will get into that at a later date!

I wrote in our newsletter that this circumstance is like a thunderstorm. It disrupts our daily routine for a bit but it's only temporary. I really like that analogy. And you know what, I love a good thunderstorm!

It's been awhile!

2008-06-16T23:15:00.003-04:00

Sorry faithful readers...it's been awhile. I know I should blog when busy but it's the last thing I think about. I mean, take today, we had over 100 people visit the library between 11 and 2 to celebrate the last day of school and the beginning of summer reading. All those people and our hours will be cut starting July 1.

But, despite the adversity, we are marching forward. Well, at 40 hours per week instead of our normal 52. Did you visit the library today? Lori and Karen did a phenomenal job organizing all the activities. Bean bag toss, fishing, beading, posters, Dance Dance Revolution, name the fish (yes, we have a fish tank...have you seen it??)etc. etc. We had great volunteers, especially Heather and Norm making the popcorn and monitoring the X-Box. All that activity and I still got to keep up with what Tiger and Rocco were doing!!

We have a complete plan of wild and crazy programs for you this summer...and I promise I will post them tomorrow. (I don't have the list in front of me!)

We have much going on besides summer reading....all sorts of things we can jam into 40 hours! How about Mother Goose on the Loose? Parents and Caregivers....learn how to teach your 0-3 year old the beauty of reading, through music, puppets and dance! We have a grant to do just this and we are packing in a summer of fun for infants and parents!!

And what do you do with all the great items you check out of the library? Why you put them into your new durable and recyclable non-woven polypropylene bag sponsored by the Friends of the Library. No more purple plastic bags...we are going "Green" with our Blue Bags in two convenient sizes for $2 and $3 each. Check out the photo of Lori modeling both sizes!

Enough for now. I needed to touch base. I have been diligently working on a shade garden at the house and I must admit it is one of my better works! Did you know, to get ideas I checked out a gizzilion, yes a gizzilion, magazines from the library...Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Organic Gardening etc....Lots of magazines and MANY vistits to Wales Nursery! All this hard work has kept me in the garden and off the golf course! Probably a good thing.

Okay, we're back and on track! I want you to keep walking and handing in those miles and I promise to post all our events for summer reading and Mother Goose...what a deal!

You know you have....

2008-06-02T13:50:00.002-04:00

lived with a Republican too long when....

I thought I would lighten up the mood with an embarrassing but true story. Last weekend I saw my fav, Billy Joel, at Mohegan Sun. Billy and I grew up together, well he helped me grow up. Lots of memories in his shows! Anyway...I went with a friend and after the show we were wandering the casino and he said, "Hey, Rush is coming". Then I said, " As in Limbaugh? To the casino?" This was not a proud moment for me. As you all have figured, it was Rush, the band. Help! I think I am being brainwashed!!

No library plug today, you need a break before we launch into our Summer Reading mode....for all ages! Prizes! Programs! Starting June 16...

Finally....Sex and the City: The Movie is GREAT! (If you loved and followed the series...)

A Jumble of Good Stuff!

2008-05-28T16:20:00.003-04:00

Okay, is there anyone in Monson that DOESN"T know that I have a love affair with Pete Hamill?? Lori thinks I'm crazy but that just proves she has not read any of his work (and she "claims" to be well-read). Well, as luck would have it, there is an excerpt of Pete's new book in the May 26 issue of New York Magazine. I actually squealed with delight when I pulled the issue out of the mailbox! This is a work of non-fiction (Pete is very diverse!) and is titled "A Time It Was: Bobby Kennedy in the 60's". Pete is a talented journalist as well as author, (call me and I can give you his whole life story!...or better yet, read his memoir "A Drinking Life") and he covered RFK's campaign as well as established a deep friendship with him. The book is historical as well as personal. I can only tell you from the article I read, but it reads like a quintessential Pete book...awesome and eloquent!

P. S. I'll be listening to "Downtown: My Manhattan" tonight on my trip to Andover...and it's read by the author! Pete and I will have a good time on our journey tonight! (And yes, my Pete does realize he is the second Pete in my life!)

Some more good stuff as I was looking for an audio to listen to....I came across our copy of 'The Best of the Accidental Creative" (on CD). The Accidental Creative is a website and podcast dedicated to the creative process and teaching organizatons how to lead their creative teams and structure for long term effectiveness. I got hooked on the podcast...just lots of good ideas to inspire creativity and good management. Try out these audios for something a bit different! These are located in our "Business Center".

Also located in our Business Center is BusinessWest - The business journal of Western Massachusetts. This is my new favorite magazine/newspaper. I don't miss an issue. Many of our health programs stemmed from articles I read in BusinessWest. It is full of great articles highlighting interesting local businesses. I am always in awe (and a bit envious) of all the truly successful and creative people in the area! I am begging you to pick this up...I guarantee you'll be hooked.

There's so much more good stuff, but as I said, I'm on my way to Andover tonight and I haven't even packed, plus I have to walk a friend's dog! Ahhh, so much to do, so little time!

Summer Reading is starting June 16! But alas, another post for another time!
Enjoy this incredible spring weather my fellow gardeners and golfers...and everyone else in between!!!! I hope you are all out there walking!! Remember to turn in those mile!

Bike Week...and Soccer too!

2008-05-14T18:48:00.007-04:00

Okay, I know it's already Wednesday so Bike Week (as in bicycles) is almost over. No matter. Who needs a special week to celebrate the beauty, efficiency and savings (plus health and environmental factors!) that riding a bike brings to your life. Yeah right! It almost shortened my life today...good golly, I dusted off my bike for the first time this year and rode downtown to meet a friend for breakfast, then I rode up Academy Hill (and yes, I made it....barely) to the library and back down to the bank. I was doing well. Enjoying the beautiful day. Soaking up the sun. Smelling all the sweet scents that are blooming now...oh, the lilacs!!! Then I had to bike home. A mere 4 miles. Totally uphill!!!!! I brought my phone in case I needed an EMT to jump start my heart! Luckily I didn't need to call, but I did have to stop and walk up some of those "mountains"! Have you seen Mayhill Road?? But, I made it! I felt better! I had a small sense of accomplishment....when I don't stop to walk or slow my heart down I'll have a bigger sense of achievement but until then....I'll keep pedaling. It can only get better (and less painful!).

But back to Bike Week, I'm sort of bummed I didn't hear about it until this week. It is something we've talked about doing as part of our health grant. You know, an alternative commute-to-work day sort of initiative. But again, we don't need a certain week to celebrate. We, as a community that is raising our health awareness, should all get our bikes out, pump up those tires and start riding for pleasure or just doing simple errands around town. There are so many reasons to be doing this! But do it safely...wear your helmet and bright, reflective clothing and make sure to obey the rules of the road! Here are a few links you might find interesting:
www.massbike.org (be sure to check out the Pioneer Valley Bike Week Schedule), League of American Bicyclists, and the Mass Central Rail Trail (104 miles of trail from Boston to Northampton). Also, don't forget to check out your local library for some great reads and guidebooks to local bike trails. How about (you know I hate lists so excuse this short one!):
Backroad Bicycling in Connecticut, or Backroad Bicycling on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, or Backroad Bicycling in Western Massachusetts, or Short Bike Rides in Central and Western Massachusetts, or Discover the Berkshires of Massachusetss: the AMC Guide to hiking, biking and paddling, or if you want to read about someone else's adventures try Riding with the Blue Moth or Around the World on Two Wheels: Anne Londonderry's Extraordinary Ride. We also have books on bike maintenance and safety.

And on another note, the Parks and Rec department purchased about 40 dvds on coaching and playing soccer. There are dvds for all age and skill levels. These are available at your library and to help promote these, the library has set up a Parks and Rec area complete with these videos plus all sorts of P&R info on programs and trips. Stop by and check out some dvds and support the great programs P&R offers!

Mystery Man

2008-05-11T23:50:00.003-04:00

No, I'm not talking about some secret admirer, or crazy stalker, or perhaps some anonymous big donor...I'm talkin' 'bout mystery / suspense author Harlan Coben. I do not read mysteries. I am a big scaredy cat afraid to go in the basement after dark but then I read Harlan (yes, we're on a first name basis here.) I'm still afraid of the dark, but he is one suspense author I will read any time of day or night!

My affair with his work started when I attended a library workshop and the woman next to me was raving about "Tell No One", his break-through bestseller. Harlan had written a series preceeding "Tell No One" about sports agent / private eye Myron Bolitar but "Tell No One" catapulted him to fame. I'd like to say I discovered him, but alas, I didn't. This nameless librarian went on and on about how great the book was so I thought I'd give it a try even if it was suspenseful. (I'm always trying to overcome some fear...remember my chicken story dear readers?!) I immediately liked the book and read it in record time. Harlan is from northern New Jersey (just like me!) and sets his novels in locales I grew up with. Nothing like those diners on Route 17 or references to Bruce Springsteen lyrics to draw a displaced (or is it really "misplaced") Jersey girl in to a good mystery! He is a quick read only because you can't put him down. I've told you all I'm a slow reader and even I can read him in a day...a long day but a day nonetheless! The suspense builds but the twists are so convoluted (in a good way) by the end you can never guess who done it!

Now I know I've turned some of you on to him...he's my go-to guy when someone asks for a good mystery. Now I'm taking my obsession, (okay, that may be a bit strong but...) public and recommending him to the library community at large. I'm hooked and I think you can be too! This weekend, Saturday to be exact, I started and finished "The Woods". Another one you'll think you solved...but, no. You'll be shaking your head at the end. And I urge you to go back and read the Myron Bolitar series. It's light but it's good stuff and you get to like the characters. I like to read a series in order and will suggest you do the same, but not totally necessary. Let me know what you think of my "Mystery Man". Visit his website at http://www.harlancoben.com/ and if you ever get a chance to hear him speak (at the Monson Free Library I hope!), go and hear him. He's a delightful speaker and you'd think he wrote comedy judging by his presentation!

And now my public service announcement...don't foget, Annual Town Meeting tomorrow night...Monday, May 12! Monson is your community....be involved!

James has done it again!

2008-05-07T21:20:00.003-04:00

Created a great program for teens, that is! I'm sure you all know James...that tall guy with all sorts of energy and creative ideas? He never stops thinking...or moving for that matter!

He is the mastermind behind our very cool MySpace page...great music on there and he's got links to some cutting-edge authors. Access this page right from the homepage on our outdated website or just click on the link I created here!

James also created the Library Lounge, an after-school haven for teens. He gets quite the crowd in the Lounge ...xbox competitions, stand-up comedy, creative writing, piano recital. He's got it covered! But since the weather finally turned nice, he's putting the Lounge on hold until September. It's refreshing to see the kids actually wanting to be outside...we're all for promoting health and fresh air!

His latest project is a part, actually many parts, in the Greene Room Productions performance of Louis Sachar's very popular book (and movie) "Holes". I urge you all to get out there and support local theatre! The crew from the library will cheering James on at this Saturday's performance.

James has been wanting to start a Junior Book Club, so to coordinate with the play, he has selected "Holes" as this month's book. Copies are available at the library and the discussion will take place on Tuesday,May 27 from 3 - 4 at the library. All are welcome!

And at this point I would be remiss not to mention Lori's ever-popular and ever-growing book discussion group. (And trust me I'd hear about it...I'm just protecting myself!). She selects some wonderful books that lead to some lively discussions! Since everything is Jane Austen lately she has chosen a little-read Jane novel "Mansfield Park". No "Pride and Prejudice" for this group! Typically this group meets the 4th Monday at 7pm but with the holiday they are meeting on May 19 this month. Again, copies are available at the library. Everyone welcome!!

As a final note, the last 30 pages of "Driving by Moonlight" were disappointing...or was I just tired? It seemed to be jumbled and hurriedly put toghter in a neat little package...or was I just tired? No matter...the book was worth it and I stand by my original review!

Really Rambling Tonight...

2008-05-06T23:06:00.004-04:00

There are all sorts of thoughts running around my head today, and now tonight. I've been wanting to post but I could not come up with any cohesive library news. Oh sure, there's still lots going on...Health in a Toxic World, tomorrow, Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30, Mother Goose on the Loose - a great program for infants and caregivers which I really should dedicate a whole post to but will mention here....learn more about the program on May 13 at 11:00. Puppets! Nursery rhymes! Instruments! How could you and your child NOT have a good time! We have all sorts of great health materials rolling in everyday...new newsletters, dvds, books...oh stop the madness!

It's just sometimes I want to chat about more than the library...I know that's hard for some of you to believe! But before I really begin to ramble, I would like to address the concerns many of you have about the impending budget shortfall. We appreciate your concerns because we need you!! The town is in desperate shape. Honestly they have been fiscally responsible and even conservative. They have always supported the library. The library, in turn, has always supported the community. We don't want to take a cut but we are committed to this town and are investigating all sorts of options to minimize any impact on services for the community...cradle to grave, we are here to take care of you! In tough economic times people need their libraries more than ever! Many residents don't have computers and we help level that playing field. We help with your job search or health questions. The list is endless. We aren't sure what will happen but we will be there for you and together we will get through this.

Okay,I'm not in a doom and gloom mood. Let's move on to everyone's favorite feature....the book review! As I had mentioned in an earlier post, I am reading (well, I'll be finished tonight in case anyone wants to run the library tomorrow and check it out) a memoir titled "Driving by Moonlight" by Kristin Henderson. The subtitle is "A Journey through Love, War and Infertility". I wasn't crazy about all
her issues but the description sounded intriguing. Here's the basic premise...The author is a Quaker and thus a pacifist. Her Lutheran pastor husband is recruited to be a chaplin with the Marines and gets shipped out after 9/11. What is a pacifist to do, especially when she lives in Washington D.C. and is torn about her feelings on her religion, her husband's choice and the plane crashing into the Pentagon? To fight or not to fight? But wait...there's more. She despersately wants to have a baby. I must admit, that topic does not resonate with me. Kristin writes so honestly and eloquently that I found myself not only interested but wrapped up in her failed attempts and her deep sorrow. To tie all these different storylines (is it a storyline when it's a memoir!?) together, the day her husband is shipped out is the day she starts on her journey across the country with her dog Rosie in an old Corvette. (Now that's the part that really made me pick up the book!) She chronicles her trip so well and weaves in all her thoughts, feelings, and revelations in between pit stops. I have always wanted to travel cross country. That was my initial interest. I was about the journey. I didn't want it to end ..but it had to. It does have to, right? (Just like my vacation...)

The book made me very thoughtful and introspective. I did discover that I really enjoy books about women seeking answers. Most recently...Eat, Pray Love and Julie and Julia were journeys. Totally different strategies but the outcome was similar...finding one's self. Am I on that journey or am I only just beginning??

What about you?????

And to ramble just a bit more....or "to share" I should say...I am taking an on-line creative inspiration art class with quilter and artist, Laura Cater -Woods. In the lesson for this week she has been asking, "what is in your toolbox? Mentally? Physically? The second part is "what is your muse?" Hmmm....

I will let you all ponder these thoughts and bid you good night!

(BTW, heard that Julie and Julia is becoming a movie....)

Moms R Walking!

2008-04-29T15:40:00.004-04:00

Breaking News!! Sandy, the fearless leader of the Friends of the Monson Free Library, along with some other moms, has formed a walking group! Read on!

Bring a friend and start walking! New Mom's Walking Club starting Thursday May 1st, 7:00pm at the Granite Valley Middle School track on Thompson St. We will be walking Monday and Thursday nights at 7:00pm and adding our miles to the Monson Moves goal of walking a million miles this summer!!!
Bring the kids and let them play, bring the stroller, or come alone and share some exercise with other moms!

And don't forget...if you're not that social or just walking for some down time...the library offers downloable audio books straight to your mp3 player (but not your ipod. Apple is a bit proprietary...unless you get creative!) Click on "Overdrive Downloadable Ebooks, Audio Books and video"on our (outdated) website. The link still works though!

Back to Reality...and Walking!

2008-04-28T13:41:00.004-04:00

Ugh! A rainy Monday on my first day back. Not the least bit inspirational. But I must thank the great library staff for holding down the fort while I was gone. The building is still standing, the patrons seem rather happy, Lori didn't greet me with "a list" and Deb didn't clutter my clean desk up! (Yes, my desk is clean, you heard correctly...any bets on how long it will last???) Thanks to all of you for doing a great job (or "the minimum" as I heard it!)

Okay, down to business...

WE STILL HAVE WALKING FIT KITS AVAILABLE!!

People have been coming in thinking it's too late to start...it's never too late! This is a fun and healthy way to encourage wellness. As a community we have until August 31 to collectively walk one million miles! Stop by the library today and get your kit. It's full of all sorts of useful information to get you moving!!

Are you having trouble getting out there? Want some people to walk with for inspiration? Want to help a good cause? Well, have we got a program for you! Join us on Sunday, May 18th from Noon - 6 pm at the Granite Valley Track as the Monson High Girl's Track and Field Team "teams" up with the Monson Free Library to walk some miles and raise some money for new uniforms...and some funds for the library too! This is an excellent chance to log some miles with your community! There is a $5.00 donation to walk as an individual or a $10 donation for a family. Bring a picnic or for a small fee, enjoy some healthy snacks. Stay the whole time or just participate for an hour...we don't care, we just want you healthy and the girls need new uniforms!

Finally...remember to turn in those walking logs at the end of each month so we can keep a running tally of our accomplishments!

The vacation continues...

2008-04-26T20:51:00.019-04:00

For those of you who think all I do is hang out at the lodge looking good, here's proof that I do actually ski while I'm there! The slope pic is of the new Montezuma Bowl at A-Basin...it doesn't get any better!

Okay, enough, the last thing you want to do is look at someone else's vacation pics...but we've got some awesome ones! I won't bore you here but if you want to see the power point of Pete and Hope's Great Adventure just ask!

Highlights of the trip included Steamboat Springs (especially The Tap House), a perfect 10 day at A-Basin followed by the best chicken wings ever at the Dillon Dam Brewery, the varied landscape, Fat Tire Beer, the Denver Art Museum, the buffalo steak, Pete... and on and on and on....

Here's my library plug for this post...Visit your library for travel books on Colorado and other states and countries. Let us help you plan your trip! Did you realize that Infotrac, our on-line database available 24/7, offers Fodor's travel guides???

See ya'll next week with some more library news, the real reason you are here, I suppose! We've got a great event coming up to help support our Girl's Track Team, the library...and YOU. This will help increase your miles, I promise. Tune in during the next few days for details!!

Greetings from Colorado!

2008-04-21T23:30:00.008-04:00

Helllooooo Monson! I would like to say I missed the library blog but let's be real. I'm in Colorado driving aimlessly. I'm not missing much!! We have skied Breckenridge and Loveland. Visited Aspen (la di da, wasn't impressed) and headed way north to Steamboat Springs...awesome! The drive was through rock canyons along the Colorado River. We felt so small. Then through desolate fields that stretched to the horizon. The landscape is incredible. In one day we went from snow, to rock formations to desert to green fields and back to snow. Steamboat is fun! The mountain is closed but the town rocks! Very western. Aspen was very desserted and all the stores were closed, not that we could afford to patronize any of them anyway. I'm usually going to a ski town looking for the next Ralph Lauren or Burberry store. We have a friend that calls it Mascara Mountain....very appropriate. But they do have a beautiful library. Yes, I do visit libraries on my vacation...can I write the trip off???

In my down time I am either knitting and listening to "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson on my Ipod. The full title is "Three Cups of Tea: One man's mission to fight terrorism and build nations - one school at a time". It is a wonderful book. Visit the site to find out more information about this man and his cause. I'm on vacation, I'm not writing book reviews!

The book I'm reading is "Driving by Moonlight" by Kristen Henderson. I'm not that far in but I am loving it. I will be writing more on this as I progress.

Tomorrow, some more skiing at A-Basin then on to Denver. We may take in a Rockies game and we are most certainly going to visit the Denver Art Museum. They have two quilt exhibits...Gees Bend (I've wanted to see that for years...no kidding!!) and an Amish and Menonite exhibit of over 300 quilts. Pete is thrilled! After that I'm going to take him to the Denver Public Library and then on to the Colorado History Museum. He will whine but he'll like the historical stuff

Cheers! I'll drink a Fat Tire beer to all of you! (And maybe have some more buffalo...umm umm good!)

Words and Music

2008-04-15T16:26:00.004-04:00

We have some great events coming up SOON...as in tomorrow April 16! Join, just published local author, Danielle Koziol as she hosts a reading and book signing at 6:30 at the Library. Danielle has written "Dragonflies in July". Here is a brief summary of this lovely book taken from the authors site, http://www.daniellekoziol.com/ " Dragonflies in July is a detailed and realistic portrayal of a young girl’s journey through change and the inevitable complexities we all encounter throughout life. Upon moving three-thousand miles from suburban California to a rural town in Vermont, main character, fifteen year old, Avery Wells must quickly accept her change of lifestyle and adapt to her new environment. After learning she will be the only girl in the neighborhood, Avery feels reluctant to befriend the boys in the area and engage in their country lifestyle activities. Yet the town residents and the rural location in Vermont hold many surprises for Avery… and with each day that passes in her young life, she finds herself learning to enjoy the simplicity she is surrounded by more and more. Immersed in nature, this is a story about life, love, innocence, youth and adventure."

Now c'mon...that description has to intrigue you! Come on down and support this ambitious young author. She has already done a signing at Barnes and Noble to an enthusiastic audience...let's show her what Monson can do!

Okay, so you've had your fill of the written word and now it's time to jam to the acoustic sounds of Josh Noone and Jesse Mushenko. These guys are GOOD! Get a preview at Josh's site http://www.joshnoone.com/ This duo will be at the library on Thursday, April 17 from 6-8 downstairs in the library. Yeah, that's right. Downstairs. This is not your grandmother's library! This is an evening for those of you that enjoy good music in a great setting! Read the newspaper or some magazines and just get comfortaable. Whlile I'm happy to be going to Colorado that day, I'm pretty bummed I will be missing these great musicians.

And to continue the music theme, did you realize that April is JAM...Jazz Appreciation Month. To celebrate we have partnered with the Monson Arts Council to bring you the Keith Laudieri Jazz Quartet on Sunday April 26 from 2-4 pm at the House of Art. Come hear some awesome jazz and view the final weekend of the Art Show, which is always a treat and an inpiration!

Enjoy our few weeks of words and music!

Update!

2008-04-07T12:09:00.003-04:00

Of course, it's Monday and the sun is shining. Couldn't shine yesterday when I wanted to rake the gardens. No, Sunday was gloomy with crazy winds so alas, I had to spend yesterday in the kitchen! All that time allowed me to finish listening to "French Women Don't Get Fat". The book did not disappoint...nor did it stop me from cooking with a lot of heavy cream or enjoying a glass of wine. All her advice was common sense but for some reason it always helps to hear it from someone else! She really hammers home drinking water and walking so take heed...do as the French and join our Monson Moves program!! We had no clue what we were doing but we seem to be on the right track! Even if you think you know it all about wellness, read it for the great recipes! I need to find a copy of the book now (available at your library) since, while I am the consumate multi-tasker, I found it difficult to listen, cook and write down recipes at the same time. I talked this book up with some staff and some friends and there is someone in every crowd that has already read the book, loved it and wants to discuss it. Hmmm....perhaps a book discussion is in order.

While I'm blabbing on (again) about my foodie reads and kitchen exploits I did want to share with you a note of personal triumph! I know for a fact there are women reading this who get really freaked out about touching raw chicken. I don't know why that is and I don't really want to delve into the depths to figure it out but for 43 (ugh!) years I was one of those women. Not only could I not touch it, I couldn't even look at it. No issues with other meats or fish, just chicken. Well, I loved, loved, loved "Julie and Julia" and Julie, with all her culinary adventures, inspired me beyond belief. Yes, that's right...I touched the chicken! Those boneless, skinless breasts were lying there in the styrofoam and Pete was in the other room waiting for the call to duty and I just decided, tonight is the night. I faced my fear (just as Julie faced that lobster!) and slapped those babies onto the cutting board. I beat them into submission (with a giant fork, I seemed to have misplaced the mallet) and cut them into strips...and I lived to tell about it! You can't even begin to understand the implications of this. The sense of victory, the sense of triumph over a silly fear! Raise the flag, shout it ffrom the mountaintops (or just brag about it on the web...) I TOUCHED THE CHICKEN!

And one final note for this morning. I also tried a marrow bone appetizer last week. Am I making progress or what!? Julie did a stint with marrow bone and made it sound so appetizing I couldn't resist when I saw it on the menu. My next step is to try liver. Wish me luck, that ranks right up there with my chicken issues but...I shall overcome!

On Your Mark, Get Set...Start Walking!

2008-04-03T12:26:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it! Our million mile walk is now upon us!! It seemed so distant when we started planning this in the fall and then (to date) we have had 12, count'em 12 healthy programs since the end of January!! We certainly have been busier and I hope a little healthier! (I know I am, I just got out of the yoga class we have been sponsoring on Thursday mornings!...what a way to start the day!) But, before I digress too much, this post is about The Walk!! We've added another location for you to pick up those walking fit kits. Here's the scoop, on Saturday, April 12 the library will be at the Kid's Fair at Quarry Hill from 9 - 12 handing out kits, please one per family....we're all about walking and sharing so we can get as many to participate as possible! And...we will have a table at the gazebo on Main Street between 8 - 11 am to catch all the dedicated Town Wide Clean-up people. Look for us at either location on Saturday or visit us at the library starting on Monday April 14...while supplies last! We have 1000 Fit Kits to give away, complete with pedometer, water bottle, maps, walking tips and walking logs. If you don't get a kit, or want a kit, we're still asking you to participate!! We'll keep handing out walking logs so anyone can keep track of their miles. Hand in your totals once a month...we want to keep a running tally! Call the library if you have any questions on how to participate!! We're doing this to promote wellness but it's all about having fun too! Walk alone, with friends, get your office walking...the ideas are endless!

And be sure to stop by the Library and visit our new Health Reference Area. Currently it is filled with all the great new items we have purchased with our grant money...exercise dvds, books on CD, all sorts of books on nutrition, health issues, teen health etc....and as you requested, more healthy magazines and newsletters! We have a computer on order to put in the area and only to be used for reference work and there are all sorts of brochures promoting local health resources! It's a must-see if you're in the area! All part of our health grant and our own personal MFL 2.0 intiative....becoming your community resource center!!

Wine and Decadent Desserts...

2008-03-26T13:29:00.003-04:00

Okay, now that I have your attention! The Friends of the Monson Free Library (FoMFL) are hosting their second annual spring fling "Love Your Library" on April 4 at 7:00 pm at the Library. This is an evening of the most incredible desserts...okay, I'll give you a preview...how about Fresh Spring Mint Grasshopper Pie, flourless chocolate torte, fondue, lemon cake, toasted coconut cheesecake, rhubarb - spring berry compote....(these all have much fancier names but to save time and typing I have tempted you with the basics!) So, these tasty treats, prepared by Chef Pamela Yahn (did ya go to the fall wine tasting, if you did , you know Pam, and if you didn't, you really should get to know her! She is a gem and food never tasted better!) are all paired with wines that complement the flavors. Tom Brown lll is our wine connoisseur for the evening and his selections are always spectacular! Basically this evening will not disappoint!!

This event was a sold-out success last year! You can mix and mingle downstairs in the library and sample to your heart's delight! There will also be a silent auction which is definitely fun and can get a bit crazy (Gerry?!) I was a lucky girl last year and walked away with a pedicure and a massage! Tickets are on sale now at the Library for $25.00 per person. We only have 100 tickets so get yours now!!!

All proceeds benefit the FoMFL which actually benefits your library and you!

Hope to see you (as long as you are over 21) on April 4. Call the library for additional information at 413-267-3866.

Celebrate the Spring!

2008-03-23T12:44:00.003-04:00

Happy Easter to all who celebrate! I, myself, have always celebrated Easter in my very own religious way, by welcoming Spring! Easter to me is a day to rejoice, renew and rejuvenate. It is truly the first day of spring for me. Yes, here in New England we have seen our share of wintry, cold Easter Sundays but somehow there is always hope (no pun intended!) No matter what Sunday they slap a title on and call it Easter, it is a day of peace, reflection, daffodils (my favorite, except for that sumptuous smell of hyacinths)and the beckoning of spring. This is MY holiday! I have always loved it. I, like many, come alive in the spring. My blood starts to flow. I crave the smell of mud and constantly search for my first crocus of the year. We began our celebration this sunny (yet chilly) morning with a recipe from one of my heroines...the Barefoot Contessa. Herbed Baked Eggs. Oh my goodness! I have been dying to try this one and it couldn't have been easier and the results were impressive to say the least! Heavenly you might say. After breakfast, which if I smoked I would have definitely needed a cigarette, the doggie and I went to Lunden Pond for a lovely morning walk. There isn't much that makes me happier than seeing that tail wag away with a happy skip to his step. We both enjoy our walk! Now we're on to cooking a five course dinner, just me and Pete and the doggie. Really, does it get any better?? If all goes well, I will be serving Bay Scallops with Pancetta, Radicchio and Pesto as an appetizer, Manhattan Clam Chowder as the soup du jour, Iceberg Lettuce with Blue Cheese Dressing for the salad course (all recipes from the Williams Sonoma "New York" cookbook), and my Gram's recipe for Baked Pork, Potatoes and Corn as the entree. We will finish off with Orange Sour Cream Cake with Blueberry compote for dessert (from the New York Times Dessert Cookbook). Of course, that is if everything goes as planned...I am NOT Julia (or Julie) in the kitchen!

Which brings me to the book, "Julie and Julia". I can't put it down! I couldn't sleep so at 3:00 am I was giggling through the chapter on lobster...oh the carnage! I think this book is what inspired my Easter feast! So, in keeping with the foodie theme, while I slave away in the kitchen this afternoon (probably into the evening!) I will be listening to the audio book "French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano ( and read very well and enjoyably by Kathe Mazur). I just started it so I will save a review for another post. Wish me luck on my endeavors today! How bad can it be...the sun is shining, the dog is asleep in the kitchen and well, Pete is driving me crazy with his "24" obsession. He is diligently trying to watch all 6 seasons in record time and at a very high volume...we may need new windows!

So, whatever you believe and however you celebrate, enjoy this day!

Blooks...Blogs into Books

2008-03-21T21:04:00.003-04:00

Blooks? Did I just make that up? Well, it's new to me so I'll take the credit! However you want to say it, this latest trend of blogs into books has got me hooked. Now, trust me, I realize this little library rant I've got going on is not making the bestseller list. Unless I start spicing it up.....Nah, there are just things you don't want to know about your library director! Okay, anyway...

I'm on my third blook and I have thoroughly enjoyed each one. My initial reaction was that these blooks had no merit. Blogs are just fun. Yes, they are, but surprisingly they make for some great reading when compiled into a book.

I'm hoping you all read an earlier post of mine "Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair". That was my first foray into the blook and it was a delightful read complete with some cool knitting patterns. Check out the archives for that one.

My new favorite at the moment is "Options" by the Fake Steve Jobs. This parody of the genius of Apple will have you chuckling from start to finish. "I created the iPod, perhaps you have heard of it"...this sentence is repeated religously throughout the entire book. The hard part is remembering that it is a novel. You come away with quite a vision of Steve Jobs. I actually had to read up on the man to straighten out the facts versus the fantasy...or the "fake" in this case. The FSJ calls his office sanctuary the JobsPod. His management style is to leave employees in constant fear...of their lives and their jobs. And he will never praise an employee. (So how come one of my staff thought I would love his management tactics?) He hangs with Bono, hates all that is Hollywood, and tolerates Al Gore on his board. He spends his days creating, doing yoga, cleansing his colon and visiting his therapist. Meanwhile (this is the crux of the story) the government is investigating all of Silicon Valley and digging up dirt on shady option deals and Steve is targeted. All these distractions are affecting his ability to create!

This book was a very successful blog created by the FSJ until he was outed as Daniel Lyons a senior editor at Forbes magazine. Visit http://fakesteve.blogspot.com/ to get a better understanding...and better yet, read "Options"...available at your local library!

My current blook gracing my nightstand is "Julie and Julia: 365 days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen" by Julie Powell.
This blook has been around for a few years and has always been on that very evasive "to read" list. (Everytime I cross one book off I add four more...I'm making no progress!) If you're not familar, Julie is on the cusp of turning 30, married to her high school sweetheart, working a series of temp jobs and in the process of moving from Bay Ridge to a "fixer upper" loft in Long Island City. With no focus and a need for some semblance of clarity in her life, she discovers "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" by Julia Child. (Also availble at your local library!)
Julie sets about to cook her way through that book and blog about her trials, errors and successes and messes (there was this incident with eggs...) As one who likes to cook, I find the whole idea intriguing but soon discovered that I don't have the stomach for all that french cooking requires...such as taking the bone marrow out of cow bones. I can't even touch raw chicken! Nonetheless, I am thoroughly enjoying sharing in Julie's experiences. A warning, eat before reading...even the steak with the bone marrow sauce made your mouth water!! Julie's current blog can be found at http://juliepowell.blogspot.com/

Oh no! I must confess, I was going to mention that I found out about the Julie/Julia project from a newspaper article that was commenting on blogs to books and Julie Powell actually won an award for hers. Well, I searched the net to find the article and alas, it is called the "Blooker Prize". How disappointing to find out I am not original. What was it Dylan said, "If there's an original thought out there, I could use one right now." (Or something to that effect...)

The moral of the story...try a blook, I think you'll like it! My friend Mike is reading "Options" right now so if he ends up enjoying it like I think he will, I can say " but Mikey likes it!"

Health and Home are Here...at your library!

2008-03-11T15:18:00.003-04:00

Geez, we have been busy around here! "Monson Moves" (our healthy community partnerships) is in full swing as is our 8th Annual Over the Mountain Series in collaboration with the Wilbraham Public Library.

If you've come into the Library recently, I hope you have noticed we are renovating! Painting, moving books, adding shelving! Our new Health Access Area is almost complete! We are waiting for a computer and some additional shelving but the area is functional and all the new "healthy" items (books, dvds, audios) we have purchased with our grant money are now on display...and more keep coming in everyday! I urge you all to take a look, take a few home, tell us what you think. I believe we've got a pretty good variety to get you healthy, keep you healthy and help with any medical issues. And if you haven't attended a Monson Moves program yet....well, shame on you! We have had an excellant line-up of dedicated health professionals speaking on nutrition, carbs, calcium. Did you realize dairy is not the answer to more calcium? Ha! That was a great program full of all sorts of valuable information. Eat your leafy greens!

The " Inside, Outside and Over the Mountain Home: A Home and Garden Series" has been just as good! Reed Coles gave a great lecture on "Building Green" to an audience of 35 very interested people! Building green is not only about the products you use but about energy conservation as well. Who knew? "Gardening with Native Plants" is next up on March 13 at 6:30. This is another very important topic for our wildlife and environment. Every spring magazine I open has some article or reference to native plants so I guess we're right on target!

Under" interesting links" to the left, I have posted some sites mentioned at these programs. I realize sometimes you just can't make it so I would like to share the wealth...but try to make a program...it's a great cure for cabin fever and I promise you'll be entertained, meet new people and learn some new, great, current information!

How else can I say this?

2008-03-09T16:54:00.003-04:00

Hello out there...anyone home??? Did you know we had on-line resources FREE for you to use 24/7 if you have a library card??? We had grant money last year to promote these databases. Every program we did somehow related to these resources. There were articles in the paper. This incredible service was mentioned frequently on our M-Pact "What's New at the Library" show. It's in our newsletter. It's on our website Hello??? How else can I tell you this?

I was mortified last week when my dear sweet boyfriend was trying to fix the car I'm borrowing (a whole other story!) He needed to know how to take some rotar and cap off. He was surfing the internet. I said why don't you use Chilton's On-line...the number one source in car repair...and your local library has it! He says he didn't know we had it. My boyfriend of all people! This proves two things: one, we're still not getting the message out and two, men do not listen!

Not only do we have have Chiltons, we have "Price It" a resource for pricing antiques, "Testing and Education Reference Center" for practice tests for students and grad students plus licensing exams and resources for scholarships. We have Infotrac , a resource of periodicals, newspapers, journals etc...as well as NPR podcasts, the NYT, and Fodors travel guides. There's Newsbank and Proquest for local MA newspapers. Or you might be interested in MA Legal Forms. Plus, there's all sorts of student sites for history, geography, science and art.

Try one, I know you'll like it! They are available by going to our (out-of-dat and under contrustruction) website, http://www.monsonlibrary.com/ and clicking on On-line Databases right on the homepage. You will need your library card number. Some require a password and that is located right in the database description on our site. It could not be simpler. Help me get the word out....tell your friends, your neighbor, your boyfriend (you may need to tell him a few times!)

It's a great service and you don't even need to fight for parking at the library to use it! Let us know what you think...

The Great Adventure

2008-02-25T17:08:00.003-05:00

I'm warning you now, very little library chat in this entry. I just wanted to tell you about Hope's big adventure in the Big Apple! (I will try to be brief!) To relate to my last post, I visited a friend in the hospital and had brunch with another friend I've known for almost 30 years (gulp!) Just connecting with them was definitely worth the trip! But...I did have some time to myself to paint the town. I visited the New Museum on the Bowery. Very funky!I had read an article about it in New York Magazine when it opened and had been dying to see it, just from the architectural standpoint. The contemporary building, simulating a stack of white boxes encased in aluminum mesh, is nestled in an old neighborhood of tenement style buildings. It is a work of art in itself!

I was lucky enough to make it to the theatre also. I saw "Dead Man's Cell Phone" at Playwrights Horizons, a small venue dedicated to promoting and supporting contemporary American playwrights. I wasn't sure what to make of the show initially. Was it a comedy or drama? I'd just call it "quirky"....(probably why I'm not a theatre critic!) The cast was sparse (starring Mary Louise Parker of 'Weeds' fame) as was the set design. I enjoy the art of simplicity much more than special effects! I spent the first act trying to figure out where the story was going. The premise is a man, Gordon, and a woman, Jean, stangers at two seperate tables in a cafe, who become intertwined when his cell phone continues to ring. She becomes annoyed only to realize the gentleman has died sitting at his table. The woman is an awkward sort, gawky and unsure of herself, yet she picks up his cell and becomes involved in his family, his mistress and his questionable business. She comforts those he left behind, the mother who wasn't speaking to him (because "if Mother doesn't approve, Mother doesn't love), the unhappy wife, the forgotten brother and the crazy mistress, with stories she insists he told her as his last words. He was not an upstanding individual in his personal or professional life, yet Jean endears herself to the family with kind words from Gordon. The second act becomes more etheral, into the afterlife. Jean, still unable to part with his cell phone, reconnects with the dead Gordon. I'm stopping there. Go see it if I've sparked some interest! I must add, I read many reviews of this play and I didn't feel any review truly captured the message. I left the theatre haunted by the play... You need to get rid of your phone to be happy...to understand and appreciate the life you have and the people right in front of you. That was the message I received anyway! Sarah Ruhl is the playwright and I am going to start exploring her other works. Is anyone out there familar with her or the play?

That was the sum of my big adventure. I met wonderful strangers tasting New York wines at Vintage New York (as Tennessee Williams said "I have always relied on the kindness of strangers") and brunched at a wonderful French bistro, Jubilee on 54th near 1st. Oh, and one of my most favorite activities (you'll think I'm crazy) a morning run starting at the Chelsea piers, along the Hudson River, down to Battery Park. My eyes were watering like crazy it was so cold, but what a way to start the day! Cheers!

That's What Friends Are For

2008-02-25T15:04:00.005-05:00

After my little incident last Wednesday (read my previous post for a good laugh!) I have been thinking alot about friendship. If it weren't for the support and love and a dash of craziness (or bravery, depending on how you look at it) from some wonderful friends, my minor crash could have turned into a big, costly ordeal. I am so blessed to know such selfless, kind people who would put themselves at risk for me. Mind you, I didn't want them too...I would have called a tow truck (this is where the dash of craziness comes in!) but they insisted they could take care of it themselves. The car was nose up, one tire off the ground, ice everywhere. These guys worked in the cold dark night to take care of me. I cried then and I'm a bit teary now. I was scared for their safety but also overcome with such a feeling of gratitude and kindness. (One can never use the word "kindness" too much!) These guys have helped me out of a pickle more than once, actually I believe one used the term "high maintence" if you can believe that! That was totally uncalled for! This whole incident just awakened an overwhelming feeling of yes, kindness, and I felt the need to share my friends with you. I have been lucky in my life to have a few, very select quality group of friends but right now my cup is overflowing with exceptional friends. People who would wake up in the middle of the night to help me....look for the dog, fix the car, plow the driveway, make me stew, help me move (now we all know that's a true friend!), or use their car....the list goes on and on. And these two friends are just the begining. Everyone has offered me use of a vehicle or a ride...or just listened to my story. And this is just one little incident but it exemplifies what a community is all about...what is our purpose if not to help others? I know, pretty deep, but hey, it's the truth! Thanks to all my wonderful friends, whether you helped that night or let me use your car or have just been an extaordinary friend just because.....I certainly don't want to leave out all the good times either... dinners, wine, talks and fun! You are all extra special to me!!

Here's a great quote that came across my email today...."Friends are relatives you make for yourself" - Descamps

And since this is a library blog, I need to promote something, right? I was trying to figure out a correlation and duh! how about 'The Friends of the Monson Free Library"! Good ol' Merriam-Webster defines a friend as "a favored companion or one that favors or promotes something". Well, if that doesnt't describe our Friends group! This group of generous and dedicated individuals provides the library (and thus the community) with a wealth of programs from (just last week) Frosty's Magical Birthday Party for kids of all ages, to their renowned Wine and Food extavaganza each fall. Their activities help raise funds to provide programming and other special needs to the library. They have purchased many expensive DVD series, a new CD rack for all our music, provided refreshments at our programs, donated time and money to our Summer Reading program and have funded those pedometers you will be signing up for on April 12! Oh, and don't forget all the museum passes we offer... the Friends provide them for us!
We would not be the complete community resource center we are today if we didn't have the Friends! Join today...call the library at 267-3866. Sign up yourself, your family or your business...after all, it's about FRIENDSHIP!

What you do for a Dog...

2008-02-21T14:48:00.007-05:00

Hello Fellow Animal Lovers! Here's a story you might appreciate. I worked a long hard day yesterday and was so looking forward to my knitting class (at the library of course!) I had knit all weekend to get throught the easy stuff to the point where I needed some quidance. I left work just to quickly run home, let the dog in and give him his supper. It was a great plan. I was foiled when, on my ascent to the top of the steep and treacherous driveway, I encountered a patch of glare ice, rolled backward, down the drive, over the bank and into a tree. Nose in the air, one tire off the ground...and do you know, that dog just stood at the top of the driveway too afraid to approach the wreckage. But what did I do after I crawled out the passenger's side? I crawled up the ice, let the doggie in and served him dinner before calling my friends for assistance. You see my priorities. If I had left him out in the cold and hungry for a few hours I might not have had to borrow my frined's truck this morning but alas....dog's rule! And that is why I missed my knitting class....sorry Denise!

The ASPCA is starting an on-line book group, Henry's Book Club, for kids, teens, parents and teachers. Henry Bergh founded the ASPCA in 1866. He frequently donned a top hat while wandering the streets of NYC looking out for abuse against animals. This is why Henry, the book group mascot, wears a top hat. This sounds like a wonderful idea. I would be interested to hear if anyone out there in the Monson Free Library blog world signs up for this!

Filling the Void

2008-02-20T14:36:00.005-05:00

The void being my lack of entries in a few weeks! It's not like I don't think about all the readers eager for a new audio suggestion or the latest greatest library program but librarians get busy too! Haven't you noticed the list of events on the sidebar that seemingly goes on forever?! All this and I'm trying to take a few days off! I need a break, need to get out of Dodge, or as I like to think of it, get off of Walton's Mountain (now you can figure out how old I am!)

It's not much, not a week on the slopes or lounging under a palm tree, feet in the sand and an umbrella drink in my hand...but I'm off to the big city this weekend. No not Springfield, Worcester or even Boston. I'm talking about the only real city, the Big Apple, NYC! Yipppeee! The world of incredible shopping, delicious food on every corner, culture, parks, pizza, and people! I love New York! I love songs, movies and books about New York. If you know anything about me you know I am infatuated with Pete Hamill. No one has ever written so eloquently about New York. I suggest you start with his memoir "A Drinking Life". The insight you get will make you understand and appreciate any of his other novels. Also, there is a series about old Manhattan that a few patrons have been raving about and it's definately on my list of books to read but remember I haven't read it yet and am recommending blindly (so don't blame me!). The books are City of Dreams and City of Glory by Beverly Swerling.
And if you're into history, check out Island at the Center of the World: the story of Dutch Manhattan and the forgotten colony that shaped American...available on audio CD! Here are some other titles to satisfy most tastes: Here is New York is one of my favorite reads by E.B. White, a short and haunting protrayal of NY in 1949. The Last Mrs. Astor ( a very interesting life!), Through the Children's Gate: A Home in New York by Adam Gopnik (author of the very popular book Paris to the Moon), Tea and Sympathy: The Life of an English Tea Shop in New York (full of recipes and stories...and a delightful stop when you're in the city.) And don't forget, if you're not familar with the Big Apple, we have all sorts of travel books here to guide you on your way! The list of great NY reads can continue indefinatley! I was trying not to make a list, then I made a list and now I'm trying to keep it short!

I could continue with my favorite shops, restaurants and hotels but it truly is more fun to wander and discover favorites for for yourself! Oh, allright, here are some good stores, Fishes Eddy, Kate's Paperie and Books of Wonder. Don't forget to stop at Bloomingdales!!

Look to the sidebar. I updated some links to reflect some favorite New York sites. "I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps......"

The Little Museum That Could!

2008-02-05T09:52:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I hate divulging my favorite spots. I get conflicted by wanting to share something great but not wanting my fortress of solitude to be discovered. This one I'm sharing with you because everyone deserves a dose of great art! I will begin by saying I am partial because I am a very proud UConn grad, bleeding blue, Go Huskies! but with that being said....have you been to the William Benton Museum of Art on the UConn (Storrs) campus? A mere 25 minutes or so depending where you are in Monson. (And really, should it matter how long it takes to get to art and inspiration?...It can take a lifetime!)

From January 22 – March 30, 2008 the museum is hosting "The Art of Gaman: Arts and Crafts from the Japanese American Internment Camps 1942-1946" Visit their site to read the full description and then tell me you don't want to go! I haven't seen it yet but it is definately on my list of things-to-do. The spirit in capitivity, the beauty despite the circumstance....it appeals to my sense of art and history.

The UConn campus is a happening place. Check out their library...always some good exhibits on display there. The Co-op is a great bookstore with many author events plus you can stock up on all your Husky gear. It's a great walk around campus...give it a try, there's alot to see...and don't forget the Dairy Bar, homemade ice cream straight from those cows you saw on the way in! I'd suggest some good restaurants but I can't reveal all my sources!

Love is in the air...

2008-02-04T11:23:00.001-05:00

or is it? I thought I'd write a nice little valentine entry with some suggestions for your romantic reading , viewing or listening pleasure...but I discovered I'm not really the romance type. It was quite disconcerning to realize I'm not the romantic I thought I was. I don't read or listen to romance. What girl doesn't? Do I have an issue with romance? Sure, I enjoy a good chick flick...I just saw 27 Dresses and highly recommend this obvious storyline to any woman who enjoys reading the wedding annoucements and likes to smile through a feel-good movie. I could definately make a list of fluffy love story films I've laughed and cried through (I like to watch the finale to Sex and the City every few months to reaffirm my belief that true love, inconvenient and all consuming love, can happen) but what about a great romantic read that changed your life? Sure, there are the classics...anything by Austen, Bronte or Willy Shakespeare but there's got to be something else, right?

I thought I could come up with some titles (which I did) but it's a short list. Three Wishes by Barbara Delinksky is the ultimate love story and requires at minimum, one box of tissues to get through. I'm not going to describe each entry here. I'm just giving suggestions, it's up to you to explore! Another favorite I do re-visit every year or two is Gail Godwin's Evenings at Five. I'm sure some of you might question this as a romance since a woman grieves her dead husband by continuing his memory with their ritual cocktail hour at 5:00 each evening, but I find deep love hidden in grief which then brings us to Donald Hall's Without. This is a book of poetry chronicling his wife (and fellow poet's) battle with cancer, their love, and his grief.

Enough you say! How about some romance not involving death! Okay, a classic love story is found in the correspondence between Winston and Clementine Churchill in Winston and Clementine: Personal Letters of the Churchills. I love this couple! So strong, so intelligent, such struggles and balance between them. The eloquence in their writings is rivaled only by the letters of John and Abigail Adams.

There are so many ways to define romance... between a mother and daughter, friends, a pet, a place...finding yourself. I love reading books set in New York City, I love a sense of place and New York is a romantic dream for me. You all know I enjoy books about dogs and their crazy owners. I love to read about women and why they quilt, knit, garden and create (Try Quilting Lessons by Janet Catherine Berlo or Around the House and in the Garden by Dominique Browning) These are romances to me. As you know, I am currently engrossed in Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert(no, I'm not done yet...I am savoring it!). The author (from NYC), after a bitter divorce, travels the world eating in Italy, meditating in India and loving in Indonesia...to find her true self. Isn't that where love needs to begin anyway? Where do you find romance? I would love to hear your suggestions! Share your favorites! And however you define romance...have a Happy Valentine's Day your way!

Don't forget this Monday

2008-01-26T17:02:00.000-05:00

...is our monthly book discussion at 7pm at the library and hosted by the one and only, Lori! This month's selection is one of my favorites, but don't let that cloud your opinion, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer. If you've read it or you are just interested...come on down for some lively discussion!

Welcome! Bienvenue!

2008-01-25T13:35:00.000-05:00

Welcome to any first-timers and curiosity-seekers that may have read the "Guest Column" in the Palmer Journal which directed you here to keep informed about all our current events while our website is under construction. Our website is still working with the same great links but the events are not current so be sure to bookmark this page.

I (Hope, your library director) am the blogger for this page. I ramble about what's going on with me, or something interesting I want to share.... and it usually relates somehow to the library. I tend to mention my dog a lot too. Here he is at Peaked Mountain enjoying a snow storm. I encourage you to read some past posts to get a flavor for the site. It's not all about the dog and I must admit there are some interesting links, highlights about our services and even a good audio book suggestion or two.

We've got some incredible stuff coming up! If you're reading this you've probably heard all about our health access grant "Monson Moves". The programs are all listed here and we keep adding more! One program that I think will spark a lot of interest (actually, every program is very interesting!!) is the "100 Mile Diet" with Baystate's Renal Dietitian, Sheila Sullivan. The concept of the 100 mile diet began in 2004 when 2 Canadiens decided to eat only food grown and produced within a 100 mile radius of their home. Check out the link at http://www.100milediet.org/

In February we will be starting our 8th Annual Over the Mountain series in partnership with the Wilbraham Public Library. This year we are exploring all sorts of home and garden topics in "Inside, Outside and Over the Mountain". You'll be happy to know, the MFL is doing their part... as I was compiling the list of programs I realized that subconciously we had a "green theme" going on! The Monson Free Library's programs consist of "Buidling Green" with Monson's very own Reed Cokes, "Gardening with Native Plants" with Amanda Sewall of Project Native http://www.projectnative.org/ , and finally, "Ultimate Recycling" a wonderful discussion with author Sally Sampson about how to redecorate without spending a dime. Again, all programs will be listed here and trust me there's not one you want to miss!

Thanks for visiting my blog! I hope you find it fun and informative. Feel free to leave a comment...I don't want to be the only one sharing my thoughts!

A Dash of Inspiration

2008-01-19T22:06:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you, and maybe it's the "new year" thing, but I have been looking for inspiration. Food for the soul. Something creative, something motivitating. Call it what you want! I don't think I've found what I'm looking for yet but I want to share what I've found so far (and just to warn you, some of it is shameless promotion of items that can be found right in your local library!)

First, many of you have already read this but I'm not really late to table because I remember reading the review and calling this book before it ever hit the shelves but...as most of you know, I'm slow to read things! Well, lucky for me, we just purchased the audio "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert (and read by the author). Liz is on a quest to find herself after her bitter divorce. Trust me, the book is not as trite as that statement. After a failed marriage, subsequent love affair, and battles with depression the author decides to travel for a year, 4 months in each place, to Italy, India and Indonesia. I have only made it through Italy so far and turned off the CD to type this. I wasn't ready for India yet. I wanted to savor the landscape, the people and the food of Italy before I moved on. The author has a very quiet and soothing voice that adds to the listening pleasure. To be able to travel and experience life as she does (with all her brutal honesty and soul searching) is an inspiration to me and has only strengthened my want to visit and immerse myself in Paris. (I'll probably be mentioning our foreign language audios next time! Parlez-vous francais?) Alas...read this, listen to it, I would love to know how it has affected you.

An article that I found very motivational is the cover story about Melinda Gates in this month's Fortune magazine (again, available at your library!). This is Melinda's first magazine interview exploring her life, Bill, family and the foundation. I think you will find she is an extraordinary woman in her own rite. I relish reading articles on such over-achieving people...how they manage their time, their business and their families is truly inspirational. I strive to be successful like that but have discovered that most of these people never sleep and I do enjoy a comfy bed and running at a reasonable hour...like when the sun is up! Still, stories like this one spur me on and tend to make me try just a little bit harder.

And since we're on the topic, I have two television shows that would inspire the entrepreneur in all of us. Have you seen either "The Big Idea" or "How I Made My Millions" (both on CNBC)? Both shows interview people that had an idea and carried it through with a dash of ambition and a business plan. While I know I will never be the lastest inventor or millionaire, these programs do inspire you to think to a new and higher level in your job and in your life. Hey, you don't know what will happen tomorrow! Or how that crazy idea you have today might affect tomorrow...

While these shows are available on your cable, the library does offer a "business center" filled with all sorts of resources....books, dvds, audios, about how to start your own business, work from home, market your business, manage employees, master the art of selling etc....We really have some great stuff so I urge the entrepreneur in all of you to check it out!

Finally, I don't know about you but I've been desperate for a dash of culture and good food. Actually, the Food Network always seems to fill some of those cravings. Have you seen the "Chefographies" they have about how our favorite personalities, Ina - the Barefoot Contessa, and Rachael Ray, among others, and how they have made it into our livingrooms.....truly inspiring! Neither Ina or Rachael had formal culinary training...ah, there's still hope for us yet! Oh yeah, what I really wanted to mention here was regarding a dash of culture. Have any of you been to the Worcester Art Museum? (No, we don't have a pass to that museuem...YET! Did you know we offer free museum passes at the library?) Anyway, the WAM, in conjunction with Tower Hill Botanic Garden, is hosting a wonderful exhibit "Flora in Winter" from Thursday - Saturday, January 24 - 27. This exhibit is sure to satisfy a yearning for culture and spring flowers! While you're there, check out some of my favorite restaurants in Worcester including The Boynton and 111 Chop House.

Hope these little random thoughts inspired you in some way!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Holiday!

2007-12-21T12:13:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone that has supported the Monson Free Library this past year. What a great community we have! We have partnered with so many great organizations this year....Monson Schools, Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary, Peaked Mountain (Trustees of Reservations), and the Community Relations Committee, just to name a few. Individuals have been more than supportive with their time and talents and there just isn't enough space to thank them all here! Plus, our dedicated crew of library volunteers, Friends (and staff, of course!) have kept our operations running smoothly. Also, thanks to the 6 Musketeers Robotics team for their energy audit of the Libary. You did a professional and very thorough job! And most recently, thank you to the Monson Bow and Arco group that provided the beautiful music during Senator Brewer's holiday story hour. The list to thank is endless so...Thank you, Everyone!

We've got BIG plans for 2008! We're going to roll out MFL 2.0...you just have to stay tuned to see what that means! The Over the Mountain series is back and this season we are highlighting home and garden. We're calling it "Inside, Outside and Over the Mountain". Lots of great programs scheduled! "Monson Moves" is our way of getting Monson healthy, thanks to a LSTA EqualAccess health grant. We will be hosting programs on nutrition, prevention, exercise and wellness....then in April we're going to start walking!! Sign up and get free pedometers and other fun stuff and help the community get healthy and walk a million miles!
I hope that has tempted you to stay in touch with us!!

Finally, someone came in last night and was asking about our DVD colleciton. They menitoned that a lot of people dont' realize we loan feature film, independent film and education videos!
Help spread the word....WE HAVE DVDS....FREE for a week! If we don't have it, we can get it...

Happy and Safe Holidays to the Monson Community!!

Let it Snow!!

2007-12-16T08:50:00.000-05:00

It is a wonderful winter Sunday morning here in New England. The snow will soon turn to sleet according to the "powers that be" but tucked up here in my attic hideaway watching the snow blow through the woods, listening to Christmas music and drinking a great cup of coffee....life couldn't be better!

The last few days I have been taking advantage of our snowstorm from this past Thursday when we were blessed with 12" of new powder. I was out in that storm and the following days, enjoying some awesome snowshoeing, making first tracks on many trails! Oh, it was TOUGH! I used many muscles that hadn't worked that hard in a long time...and I thought I was in shape! The dog (yes, he's feeling much better!) is a true snow dog! It makes me smile to see that tail wagging as he leaps and romps through the snow like a small child (or me!) Except, he then sleeps the rest of the day, tuckered out from his big adventure....I don't have that luxury!

So, your thinking this snowshoe thing sounds interesting? Well, the library is full of all sorts of winter wonders to help you enjoy the season. We have books on every winter sport: skiing, (downhill and x-country), snowshoeing, ice skating, hockey..cookbooks to warm you up and novels and movies to curl up with! Some of my favorites include:

Winter Trails, Vermont and New Hampshire: The Best Cross-Country and Snowshoe Trails by Marty Basch

The All-Mountain Skier: The Way to Expert Skiing by Mark Elling (recommended by Ski Magazine too!)

Bode: Be Nice, Go Fast, Have Fun by Bode Miller and Jack McEnany (Have you seen him ski??? He's the most exciting thing on two skis...well, sometimes just one!)

Finally, A Cozy Book of Winter Drinks: Rich and Delicious Recipes to Keep You Warm by Susann Griskopf-Hadler (Probably should have started with this one!)

Oh, and for that cozy novel...Nothing beats Jan Karon's "Mitford" series for a great heaartwarming read on a cold winter's day.

Now stop reading this and go out an enjoy all that winter offers before the Patriots game at 1:00! If you don't snowshoe, go for a winter run. I'm not sure which I like better. Both are exhilerating and I love the feel of rosy cheeks! There's always time to wrap presents!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Extremely Wonderful & Incredibly Incredible!

2007-12-05T16:25:00.000-05:00

I'm talking about my lastest new favorite "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm late to this brilliant author, but there's no time like the present to catch up! This book was published in 2005 and revolves around Oskar Schell, a boy whose father was killed on 9/11. Oskar is an intelligent, quirky, tambourine-playing, sad young man searching for answers. No author has captured the longing and incredible sadness of "the worst day" in such an honest manner. As Oskar would say, "his boots are heavy". There is a sub-plot with the history of his grandparents playing through the entire story. It is very difficult to explain this novel. I haven't read a review yet that I thought captured the tone and brilliance. You have to find out for yourselves, but if you want a little more information, check out this website.
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/readers_guides/foer_extremely.shtml

I listened to the audio, which was fabulous but the text is illustrated creatively and shouldn't be missed. I suggest listening then looking at the pics but that's just me. Let me know what you think...nobody is commenting here...I want comments! I need feedback! Is anyone out there?

Magazine Mania @ Your Library!

2007-11-20T13:39:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you but I am a recovering "magazine-aholic". This is a very expensive disease and once you purchase, delight and digest in your purchase, you inevitably throw it away a month or two later. In retropect, I can't say I'm recovering, I have simply found a less expensive (and more diverse) way to feed my habit! I'm talking about the magazine collection at our library!! I have given up all but two of my magazine subscriptions that I personally indulge in...the rest I get at the library. And we have more variety here than I could ever afford!

I hate lists and I apologize in advance but I must alert you to some great 'zines we carry. We still have all the popular and typical ones: Time, Newsweek, People, Oprah, Good Housekeeping, New Yorker, GQ, Sports Illustrated....but we have a great collection sure to satisfy any interest or hobby.

(And mind you this is VERY ABBREVIATED!

'Tis the Season...
New England Game and Fish, Ski, Snowboard, Vermont Life, Martha Stewart Living....

For the chef in you we offer:
Cook's Illustrated, Cook's Country, Cooking Light, Gourmet

For the sports or fitness buff:
Fitness, Men's Health, Golf, Runner's World, BMX, Car & Driver, Road & Track, ESPN

Hobbies:
Bead and Button, Knitter's , Fine Woodworking, Quilter's Newsletter, Threads, Trains, Popular Photography, Inventor's Digest

Travel:
Family Fun, Budget Travel, National Geographic Traveler, Smithsonian, Boston,

I don't feel like typing all the titles we have on ART, ANTIQUES, HOME, GARDENING, BUSINESS....you'll have to come in and look for yourselves!

Odds 'n Ends:
PC World, Spirituality and Health, Animal Wellness, Smart Money, Scientific American, Psychology Today, Popular Scienc, Utne, Weekly Standard, Rolling Stone

NEW!!
ADDitude, Diabetes, Business Week, Digital Photographer
(and we have more coming soon!)

MY FAVORITE:
Oh no! More on this one...I haven't seen their fall issue and the website isn't working (sigh). I hope they are still around. When I find out, I'll be sure to tell you about this one....it's a great local arts 'zine!

Do you have a favorite? Would you like to donate a subscription to the Library? Stop by or give us a call at 413-267-3866.

P.S. The doggie is feeling better everyday! We went for a walk in our first snowfall of the season this morning!!!

Doggone Good Reads!

2007-11-13T13:24:00.000-05:00

Our doggie went in for his second round of heartworm treatment today. Poor guy has been in the house for six weeks. He can't figure out what he did wrong! He doesn't realize how hard (and lonely) it's been for me too...going for "our" walk all by myself, doing a 3 mile run all alone... so... I did what most librariians do, take comfort in all things literary!

Here are some great "doggie" reads in no particular order:

"Walking in Circles Before Lying Down" by Merrill Markoe
Don't let the romance sticker scare you (ick!) It's not a bodice-ripping romance it's just a delightful light read about a woman with a dysfunctional relationship and family who can hear her dog speaking to her. And he does make some pretty valid points... It really, really, really isn't as crazy as it sounds! Humor me and try it!

"Three Dog Life" by Abigail Thomas
You will find this little gem in my list of favorites also. The dogs only loosely factor into this memoir, but it still counts as a dog story. Abigail's husband receives at traumatic brain injury while walking the dog and her life, her routines, her love, her home are changed forever. The undertone is sad because of the circumstance but Abigail triumphs in the face of aging, adversity and loneliness and creates a comfortable life for herself and her dogs. I found it truly inspirational and I could relate to her black socks with red chili peppers on them! Now you have to read the book to figure that one out!

I'll briefly review the last few...don't want my reader's getting bored!

"Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon
Listen to this one!! Don't question, just do it! The narrator is fabulous and long after the audio ends you will hear the child calling "Wellington....." I missed the characters when it was over. A real masterpiece.

Not a dog story but while I'm on the author...Mark's newest is a hilarious listen ..."A Spot of Bother"...I laughed so hard I cried at certain parts....talk about dysfuntional! (I want to see how many more times I can use the word dysfuntional in this blog...do I sense a theme??)

Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst
This started off as another funny one. I chuckled through the beginning and then it got a bit weird but what the heck, I was almost through so I kept going. Try it for yourself. I'd be interested in your comments.

Finally, I am first and foremost a lover of cats but my boyfriend is very allergic, or so he says...My most favorite cat tale EVER is "The Fur Person" by May Sarton. It is a classic written in 1957. It is the tale from a cat's perspective of how a cat selects the person he chooses to be with. And we thought we did the choosing! Absolutely charming.

"Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair"

2007-11-09T13:14:00.000-05:00

Isn't that the BEST title for a book?! I know it caught my attention! The full title is "Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair: The true-life misadventures of a 30-something who learned to knit after he split". Anyone with a tough break-up can relate to the sad yet humorous exploits of author Laurie Perry. She delights readers with humor, honesty and a few knitting patterns as she chronicles her devasting divorce. (And her story started as a blog....hmmm...have I got some stories!) Anyway... Check out her website at http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/

And since I'm on the topic of knitting, I would like to share the two books I cannot live without. And if you don't believe me, I just had a conversation with a woman I met at our local breakfast joint and she mentioned the same two books...so there! The first is "Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook" by Debbie Stoller. I taught myself how to hold the yarn, cast-on, and begin knitting with this hip text! The other book is "Knitting for Dummies" by Pam Allen. I use this one to "fix" some issues I run into like dropped stitches and things....The intructions and diagrams are easy to follow, especially when you get so frustrated your head might explode...at that point, you need simple!

And finally, if you are reading this somewhere in the vicinity of Monson and you are inspired to pick up the needles, visit Mountain Laurel Yarn on Rte. 20 in Sturbridge. Tell Helen I sent you! They are friendly and very patient! A great selection of yarn and classes. There, now you have all the information you need to get started! One warning, this is a very addictive, can impair driving, and cause loss of sleep and appetite. Please contact your doctor if any knitting streak lasts longer than 48 hours.....

For those who don't just read a book...they experience it!

2007-11-08T13:37:00.000-05:00

The Monson Free Library has a monthly book discussion group. Did you know that? Are you interested? It's open to everyone and anyone! Did you like the book? Dislike it? Didn't finish it? Who cares! We care! Come and share your thoughts or just listen. Lori leads the group and if you know Lori....well, let's just say there's a lot of creative and crazy energy floating around!

The group meets at the library at 7pm on the fourth Monday of every month. This month's selection is "The Autobiography of Malcolm X". I just heard some positive feedback today...a great read you can't put down!

You should read it..what do you think? Copies are available at the library...and we always try to get selections in large print and audio as well.

Not into group discussions but enjoy the computer? What do you think of an on-line book discussion? Leave your comments...we've been toying with this idea for a while. We'd be happy to try it if there's interest out there!

Rise and shine!

2007-11-08T08:11:00.000-05:00

I know, I know....another cooking entry. It can't be helped, it's just that time of year. Today I'm talking "bread". As I type my first 3 loaves of sourdough are cooking away...sans a baking stone. Any bread baker must have a baking stone. I was just so ambitious that I wanted to jump right in without reading the whole recipe first. That is lesson number one! Lesson number two is, don't even think about expedited shipping for a 10 pound stone....$53.00...ouch!

As mentioned in my last post, we had this cooking series a few years back. Peter Reinhardt came to discuss baking bread. He is the master and he makes it seem easy. He has many books on the topic, but two favorites I keep close by are "Crust and Crumb" and "The Bread Baker's Apprentice". Beautifully done. Even if you don't want to make bread, they are an inspiration to look at. He does have a brand new book out I haven't seen yet (but Peter never disappoints!). It is titled "Whole Grain Breads: New Techniques and Extraordinary Flavor". It will be available at the library very soon! Check out Peter's blog at http://peterreinhardt.typepad.com/ One other website I love to surf (and they have baking stones!) is www.kingarthurflour.com King Arthur Flour is located in Norwich, VT and they offer a great list of cooking classes that I have been drooling over for years! Have any of you attended a class there? I would love to hear about your experience...

And speaking of what's available at the library (great segue, huh!?)...did you know we have cooking dvds? Two timely dvds you might be interested in are "Martha's (as in Stewart) Homemade Holidays" and "Martha's Classic Thanksgiving". Along the same line, did you know you can access a cooking channel just by logging into My LibraryDV, a downloadable video thingy. You can watch Julia in action and stop and rewind as neccessary! Caution, you do need high speed access for this guy!

Finally, lesson number three, and perhaps the most valuable one to date, take the parchment paper off the cookie sheet when baking. It tends to burn and set off the smoke detector.

Cooking and audio books do mix!

2007-11-05T14:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to November....can you believe it! The leaves are still fairly green around here!
So what do you like to do in the fall? I LOVE to bake apple pies! I didn't always. Actually I dreaded it! But a few years ago as part of our annual Over the Mountain Literary Series (in partnership with the Wilbraham Public Library) an author and baker named Ken Haedrich took part in our program. He brought his own kitchen set-up, complete with a mirror for the audience, an proceeded to show a packed house how to create the ultimate apple pie. I took notes! I bought his book! And I have never looked back. Check out Mr. Haedrich's masterpiece (and my pie bible) "Apple Pie Perfect: 100 Delicious and Decidedly Different Recipes for America's Favorite Pie". (available at your local library). I ALWAYS use the All-American Double Crust recipe and the Traditional Lattice Top Pie recipe. I'm telling you....these recipes have never disappointed! I even have friends asking me to bake them a pie...like that has ever happened before! Seriously, follow the instructions and you will be a believer!

And a quick note to make your baking experience more enjoyable...pop in an audio book! In my cooking craze, I have just finished two great listens... "On Chesil Beach" by Ian McEwan and "Cooked" a memoir by Jeff Henderson. Two totally different books and both worth a listen. I enjoy anything Ian McEwan writes and this was no exception. The regret of doing nothing, taking no action. Love, embarrassment, rigidity. A small but powerful novel with a wonderful interview with the author at the end.

"Cooked" is the story of how a drug dealer discovers his passion for cooking while in prison. When he is released he works his way into the most famed kitchens in California and Las Vegas.

I hope you find these suggestions inspiring! Happy baking...and listening!

My First Post!

2007-10-31T12:09:00.000-04:00

Hey, I'm blogging! This has been on my "to-do" list for a long time. I want this to be a forum for library news (through the eyes of the director....me!) If you know me, you know I love to chat about the library. We've got such great stuff going on here. New things are being added daily...books, magazines, dvds, music....Karen is creating new displays to inspire, Lori has her book group and free reading and movie suggestions (whether you want them or not!). Fran is busy in the Kid's Room and James is tackling teens! On and on! I hope to keep you up to date on programs, events, new additions, on-line resources and all sorts of random thoughts on YOUR library! Stay tuned!