Events for March 2016

March & April 2016

Big Community Read: The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery

The Hancock Town Library, Jaffrey Public Library and Peterborough Town Library announce a new collaboration: The Big Community Read featuring Sy Montgomery’s The Soul of an Octopus. This program runs March 1^st to April 22^nd. Here’s how you can participate.

Read the book! You can pick up a copy of The Soul of an Octopus at the library beginning March 1^st. We’ll have many copies to lend.

Attend a program! We’ll have several programs for adults and for children centered around topics relating to the book.  We’ll also host two discussion groups, one in March, one in April. See the March calendar of events below. More coming in April!

Meet Sy Montgomery! Join us for our culminating event on Earth Day April 22^nd at 7:00pm! Sy will be at the Peterborough Town House to talk about her experiences with these amazing animals.

This program is possible due to the generous support provided by the NH Charitable Foundation.

Monday Yoga at the Library

Two Different Classes

9:00 – 10:00am with Christine Justice – Gentle stretch.

5:45 – 7:00pm with Charissa Biederman – A more rigorous yoga practice.

Saturdays March 5, 12, 19 at 1:00 pm

Acro Yoga 101 with Erica  Fayrie & Phillip Malone

 Acro Yoga is FUN! It’s a great way to connect to yourself and to others. No prior experience needed in yoga or acrobatics. This is a judgement-free, open atmosphere. Come solo and meet friends or bring a friend with you! Contact Erica at 503-953-0234 or efayrie@gmail.com. Cost is $12 solo or $20 as a pair. Don’t miss this chance to try something new!

Mondays March 14, 21, 28 from 4:00 – 5:00pm

Introduction to Bridge

Learn the fundamentals of this enjoyable card game. Taught by retired educator Jane Richards-Jones. Bring a partner or come on your own but please do register by calling the library at 525-4411. Free & open to all.

Thursday March 17^th at 12:30pm

Books Sandwiched In

Join us for the HTL book group. This month’s book is The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. Pick up a copy at the front desk. Thanks to Joyce Perry for leading the book group! Free and open to all.

Saturday March 19th, 7:30-10:30pm
Sticks & Tricks at Avenue A in Antrim

Looking for a place to play pool with friends or a place to socialize with other adults close to home? Come to Avenue A Teen & Community Center, 42 Main Street in Antrim. The Hancock Town Library and Avenue A are co-sponsoring game night on the third Saturday of the month through May. Pool, foosball, ping pong, cards and board games! For more information contact info@grapevinenh.org or 588-2620. This is a free event with a $5 suggested donation.

Thursday March 24^th at 7:00pm

Kombucha!

Stop spending $4.00 a bottle on your favorite Kombucha  and learn how to make this new drink that’s all the rage! Kombucha is any of a variety of fermented, lightly effervescent sweetened black or green tea drinks produced by fermenting the tea using a "symbiotic 'colony' of bacteria and yeast" (SCOBY). Diane Goff of Antrim began research on how to make Kombucha due to poor gut health and on the advice of a health professional. She has been making the drink for a year and loves to share what she’s learned. Free and open to all.

Saturday March 26^th at 2:00pm

The Viola Question: Yale University Improv Group

Come see Yale University's improv comedy group, The Viola Question! They make up their shows on the spot based on audience suggestions—so, the show you'll see will be invented just for you. It's never been seen before and will never be seen again! They perform a mix of both short-form and long-form improv games. They'll make you laugh, make you cry, and maybe—just maybe—make you think a little. Warning: blindingly yellow shirts will be used in this performance. Recommended for grade 5 and up but open to all. Grown-ups, you’re going to love this!

Wednesday March 30^th at 7:00pm

The Soul of an Octopus Discussion Group with Henry Walters

Borrow a copy of Sy Montgomery’s book The Soul of an Octopus at the front desk starting March 1^st (thanks to a grant from the NH Charitable Foundation we have multiple copies of the book for our Big Community Read) and then join us on March 30^th for a discussion of the book, led by Henry Walters.  Mr. Walters is a teacher, naturalist, falconer, and former steward of the Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Hancock. His writing about the natural world appears on a blog for The Old Farmer's Almanac, and his first book of poems, Field Guide A Tempo, has been named a finalist for the 2016 Kate Tufts Discovery Award. He is currently Writer-in-Residence at the Dublin School. This program will be presented again on Tuesday April 19^th at 2:00 in the afternoon. Free and open to all!

Thursday March 31 at 7:00pm

The Web of Marine Life in the Gulf of Maine

As part of our series of programs around our Big Community Read of The Soul of an Octopus, come learn about marine life in the Gulf of Maine with Barbara Beblowski. Ms. Beblowski is a native of Antrim and a 2014 graduate of College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME. Since her graduation she has been working with marine mammal researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution regarding population biology and ecology of the mysterious animals in the Gulf of Maine. While still an undergraduate she had the opportunity to work on an offshore research station 25 miles offshore exploring the small gull colony and the marine life around the island. Her talk will cover these adventures and the research she is working on currently. Free and open to all.

From the Children’s Room

Jennifer Wood, Children’s Librarian

A Note from Miss Jenn~

I wanted to take a minute and thank everyone for giving me such a warm welcome. My first month here just flew by! If I haven’t had a chance to meet you yet please stop by to say hello. I am always looking for suggestions for programs you would like or items you want to see in the collection. Please feel free to stop by and chat or send me an email at hancockkidlib@gmail.com.

Make and Take Spring Craft

During the month of March, drop in anytime the library is open and make a spring inspired craft. We will have all supplies on hand in the Children’s Room. So come by and create something unique as we count down to spring!

Every Thursday at 10:30 AM

Story Time

We always have fun at Story Time! Each Thursday morning we sing songs, read stories, dance with scarves, play, and do crafts. For preschoolers and their parents and caregivers.  Held in the Children’s Room of the Hancock Town Library. No need to sign up; just drop in when you can.

Saturday March 19^th from 11 AM to 12 PM

Paws to Read with Toven

Come read to Toven, a gentle Great Pyrenees dog! Toven, a registered reading therapy dog, comes to the library one Saturday a month and loves when kids read to him. Reading to a therapy dog is great for children who want to improve their out-loud reading skills. Come meet Toven, you will love him!

Wednesday March 30 3:30-5pm

Art Afternoon with Melody Russell

As part of our Big Community Read (check out our octopus books!) come create a Sea Creature Puppet to honor the life in the big blue sea. Everything from snails to whales! For grades 1-4. Limited to 12 so please sign up by stopping by the front desk or calling the library at 525-4411 [we will keep a waiting list so please call if you cancel]. Melody Russell M Ed /art educator is a favorite here at the Hancock Town Library. Free!