Library Events for April 2012

Get your calendars out - we've got a lot going on in April!

Sunday April 1st @ 2:00 pm
The Hourglass Readers Perform Medea

The Hourglass Readers will present a reading of Euripides’ Medea. This play, first performed in 431 BCE, is based on the myth, well-known to the Greeks of Euripides’ time, about the immortal sorceress and granddaughter of Helius (the sun god), who fell passionately in love with the hero Jason and helped him to steal the fabulous golden fleece. When Jason deserted her some years later, Medea took a horrible revenge. But Euripides’ real subject is not a gory revenge tale but the horrors that can result from interactions between mortals and immortals. The Hourglass Readers is dedicated to performing readings of classical works in abridged versions, allowing actors and audiences to explore works not often performed. Free and open to all.

Monday April 2nd @ 7:00 pm
National Weather Service Skywarn Training

The National Weather Service in Taunton Massachusetts and the Granite State Amateur Radio Society will be sponsoring a severe weather spotter training session, part of its SKYWARN program. The session is open to the public at no charge. Amateur Radio Operators, Emergency managers, police, fire, and other first responders are encouraged to attend. Everyone age 16 and older who stays to complete the training will be able to become trained NWS weather spotters. The training session includes a two-hour thirty-minute computer-based presentation which discusses the development of thunderstorms, the criteria for “severe” thunderstorms, as well as the cloud features associated with severe thunderstorms and tornados. Additional information will be presented about winter storms and proper snow measurement and reporting of river, stream, and urban flooding and rainfall measurements. The session will also present the procedure for reporting weather information to the National Weather Service. Anyone attending should bring a pen or pencil and bringing a notebook is optional. No pre-registration is required. For further information, please contact Bill Babcock at 508-823-1983. Free and open to all.

Tuesday April 3rd @ 7:00 pm
First Tuesday Book Club

Join us as we discuss The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. May’s book choice is My Life in France by Julia Child and copies will be available at the front desk.

Thursday April 5th @ 7:00 pm
Button Up New Hampshire!

Hancock’s HEAT Committee, the Harris Center and the library in conjunction with UNH and the Office of Energy and Planning will sponsor a “Button Up NH” weatherization workshop on Thursday April 5th at 7:00 pm in the Daniels Room. (Snow date is April 12th at 7:00 pm) “Button Up N.H.” workshops are taught by certified energy professionals who provide residents with information and techniques to save money on home energy use. “Participants will learn how to undertake basic air sealing & insulation techniques, where to find technical and financial resources, sources of energy waste and easy do-it-yourself conservation measures to reduce fuel and electricity use that will save money and make homes more comfortable throughout the year,” says Denise Blaha, UNH Program Manager. In addition to the workshop, residents will be able to receive personalized assistance to energy related questions and get guidance through the process of implementing an energy reduction project, such as air-sealing an attic or basement or implementing a solar hot water system. The UNH-based program is a collaboration with Clean Air-Cool Planet, Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI), UNH Cooperative Extension, and the Lakes Region Community College. The workshop is free and open to the public, thanks to funding provided by the N.H. Office of Energy and Planning from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Please stop by, email (hancocklibrary@comcast.net) or call the library (525-4411) to register for this free program.

Thursday April 19th at 7:00 pm
Tales of the Francois Vase with Julia Older & Friends

Julia Older and Hobblebush Books poets Sid Hall, Rodger Martin, and Becky Sakellariou will celebrate April National Poetry Month with a group reading of Older's new book-length poem Tales of the Francois Vase. Chosen as the third volume of the Hobblebush Granite State Poetry Series, the poem follows the 25-century journey of a real Greek vase smashed twice into 600-plus pieces and puzzled together, each time with a piece missing. A third time—during the 1966 Florence flood—a scientist intentionally broke the vase, the missing piece was inserted, and at last the vase was whole. Initially, Older's obsession with the famous vase resulted in a radio play produced by NH Director Kevin Gardner and broadcast nationally by Radio Works to more than 60 NPR stations. Now the complete book includes lively Iliad vase figures, a backstory of the poet's translated research, and a CD of the award-winning radio drama. Please join us for what a recent Keene Sentinel review calls: "Strange and engrossing tales. Falling under the spell of these voices is a deeply satisfying experience." After the reading there will be a signing and you may meet Julia and poets Sid Hall, Rodger Martin, and Becky Sakellariou. Free and open to all.

Friday April 20th @ 7:00 pm
Friends Friday Foreign Film: The Chorus (Les Choristes)

French producer and musician Christophe Barratier makes his directorial debut with the drama Les Choristes, inspired by the 1947 film La Cage aux Rossignols. Wildly successful orchestra conductor Pierre Morhange (Jacques Perrin) returns home when his mother dies. He recollects his childhood inspirations through the pages of a diary kept by his old music teacher Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot). Back in the late '40s, little Pierre (Jean-Baptiste Maunier) is the badly behaved son of single mother Violette (Marie Bunel). He attends a dreary boarding school presided over by strict headmaster Rachin (François Berléand). New teacher Mathieu brightens up the place and organizes a choir, leading to the discovery of Pierre's musical talents. Featuring performances by Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc Choir. Les Choristes was shown at the Berlin Film Festival in 2004. Free admission and popcorn thanks to the Friends of the Library!

Thursday April 26th at 7:00 pm
New Hampshire Author Rick Davidson

Rick Davidson’s novel Catamount: A North Country Thriller, has been called “the definition of a good all-night thriller” by the New Hampshire Outdoor Gazette. And Rick has been called “a real crowd-pleaser” by other librarians in the state. Rick Davidson is a public school teacher, award winning professional photographer, and sometime guitar player. He holds a BA from Bowdoin College in philosophy with a minor in English Literature. Rick and his wife have traveled extensively throughout Europe and lived near Stuttgart Germany for over seven years. They now enjoy their rural home in Freedom New Hampshire. Rick is presently working on a mystery novel that can not truthfully be described as a sequel to Catamount but that does feature some of the same characters. Free and open to all.

From the Children's Room…
Rennie Timm, Children’s Librarian

Thursdays, April 5, 12, 19 & 26 @ 10:30am
Laptop Toddler Storytime

Walking and talking, this toddler story time is an interactive program for all pre-schoolers and their parents or care providers. We’ll share books, rhymes, songs, finger play & movement. Our goal is to foster an early love of books and literacy. At the end of the program, there will be playtime for parents and caregivers to share books, puzzles, or other literacy activities with their toddler. Dress comfortably as we will be sitting on the floor in the Children’s Room. No registration required, feel free to drop in anytime.

Tuesday, April 3 @ 3:15–4:15pm
Block Party:Lego® Fun for Kindergarten through Second grade

Join us for an afternoon snack and let your imagination run wild. Hands-on learning opportunity to explore how things work. LEGO® bricks are provided by the library. This session is for early elementary children. No registration required, feel free to drop in anytime.

Tuesday, April 10 @ 3:15-4:30pm
Watercolor Painting for First through Fourth grade

Come and explore watercolors with Melody Zahn Russell. We will have a story and demonstration , then paint together. Limited space available. Registration REQUIRED, please call, email or sign up in Children’s Room.

Friday, April 13 @ 6:00-8:00pm
Pizza & a Movie Night for Teens

Middle School and High School Students are invited to gather with friends, munch on pizza & watch a movie together. Film title to be determined by group in attendance and staff, please call for available titles. Registration REQUIRED, call, email or sign up in Children’s Room.

Tuesday, April 17 @ 3:15–4:15pm
Block Party Lego® Fun for Third and Fourth graders

Join us for an afternoon snack and let your imagination run wild. Hands-on learning opportunity to explore how things work. LEGO® bricks are provided by the library. Middle School students welcome. No registration required, feel free to drop in anytime.

Tuesday, April 17 @ 12:30-2:00pm
The Parenting Circuit

Join us for a traveling series on the joys and challenges of raising children with parenting educators, Carol Lunan & Wendy Hill. Bring your questions and stories to the discussion. This program is a joint partnership with the Grapevine Family & Community Resource Center, the Francestown and Bennington Town Libraries.

Monday, April 23 @ 2:30-4:30pm
Open Play: Games @ Your Library!

Open Play is just that. Gaming of any kind; whether it is board games, card games, video games, role-playing games, or any other kind of game you can imagine, we'll play it. We'll provide a different variety of games for you to play; you’re welcome to bring in your own games to share with the group. No registration required, feel free to drop in anytime.

Wednesday, April @ 2:30-4:30pm
VACATION WEEK MOVIE

Come join us for a mid week movie with your friends and family. On the big screen we will be showing recently released “Hugo”. Popcorn will be available to all. No registration required.

Volunteers Wanted: have a special skill or talent you would like to share with young children or teens, contact the Children’s Librarian. Ideas that come to mind- yoga instructor, theatre, writers, artists, chess players, etc.


Don’t forget that the library has a Nook e-reader for anyone who would like to borrow it. The library will download any available e-book from nh.lib.overdrive.com (you choose the title and let Amy know – feel free to email titles to hancocklibrary@comcast.net), then you can borrow the Nook for two weeks. Stop by, email or call (525-4411) for more information.