Library Events for July 2015

“Escape the Ordinary” this summer at the Hancock Town Library! Our Summer Reading program will pit the grown-ups against the kids: who will read more hours this summer? (Note: must be library books!) Come in and find out more about how to participate and about the great prizes you could win!

Don’t forget to donate your gently used books, CDs and DVDs (no VHS or audiocassettes) to the Friends of the Library Book Sale! We’re collecting now until August 8^th. Bring them in anytime during library hours!

Wednesday July 1^st at 7:00 pm

Red and White Dogs: An Introduction to the Poetry of James Merrill.

James Merrill (1926-1995) won every major literary award for his ten volumes of poetry, and is often described as one of the greatest contemporary American poets. He was also the younger half-brother of long time Hancock resident Charles Merrill. In celebration of the acclaimed, new biography, James Merrill: Life and Art  the poet's nephew Paul Merrill will share his understanding of his uncle's work in a presentation he is calling Red and White Dogs: An Introduction to the Poetry of James Merrill. Paul says, "Many of us can feel intimidated and perplexed by poetry, and James Merrill's work, especially so.  There's a lot of it, and it's not simple! The biography inspired me to read the poems again, with more pleasure and understanding. And I noticed the recurring presence, throughout his career, of poems about dogs. So I've gathered up five, and  they will be the structure of the evening's talk. Using personal anecdotes and information I learned in the biography I hope to make this gifted artist more approachable. And his great work more enjoyable. Everyone likes dogs. So did he." Free and open to all.

Monday July 13^th 5:00-7:00 pm

Rep. Jon Manley

State Representative Jon Manley (Hillsborough County District 3: Bennington, Greenfield, Hancock) will be here to answer your questions about legislation in Concord.

Tuesday July 14^th at 7:00 pm

Lizzie Borden!

Lizzie Andrew Borden of Fall River, MA was tried and acquitted for the brutal murder of her father and step-mother on August 4, 1892. The resulting trial was a global sensation and secured Lizzie an infamous place in American history. But the real story behind what happened has been distorted by a well-known children's jingle as well as numerous films, plays and true crime paperbacks that rarely told the events as they happened. This lecture will explore and explode the myths and reveal a very human Lizzie Borden. Richard Behrens is the author of the Lizzie Borden, Girl Detective series of mysteries and a frequent lecturer on notorious American women and silent film comedy at Keene State College. Free and open to all.

Tuesday July 21^st at 7:00 pm

Calamity Jane!

The legend of Calamity Jane has been handed down to us through yellow journalism and dime store paperbacks that shamelessly exploited personalities of the old West. Hollywood musicals and HBO mini-series have further obscured the reality of the woman behind the myth. This lecture will recapture Martha Canary's true story to give us a vivid, outrageous and often tragic view of a life that merged with myth with sad and poignant results. . Richard Behrens is a frequent lecturer on notorious American women and silent film comedy at Keene State College. Free and open to all.

From the Children’s Room

Callie Faucher, Children’s Librarian

Tuesday, June 30^th from 6-7 PM

Family Puppet Show with Lindsay and Her Puppet Pals

KICK OFF EVENT FOR SUMMER READING PROGRAM Get ready for tons of fun with Lindsay and her Puppet Pals: Giant, handmade puppets and marionettes. Lindsay’s puppet show is filled with silliness, crowd participation, and unique, memorable characters. Free and open to all, held in the Daniel’s Room of the Hancock Town Library. You won’t want to miss this show!

Starting June 22^nd “Every Hero Has a Story” Summer Reading Program for Kids

“Unmask” Summer Reading Program for Teens (age 13 and up)

Sign up & get all you need for the program starting June 22nd at the library. Keep track of hours read for small prizes and free books! Let’s see who can read the most hours this summer- kids & teens or adults? Play bingo for more raffle tickets. This year’s grand prizes are a giant stuffed lion and storybook, a 142-piece art set, or a Kindle Fire tablet! You chose which prize you want your raffle tickets to go towards. All the details when you sign up!

Every Thursday at 10:30AM 

Story Time for infants to age 6

Parents & Caregivers are invited to bring their little ones to story time! We always have fun hearing stories, singing songs, dancing and playing. Be sure not to miss the following special story times:

July 2^nd at 10:30AM Super Hero Story Time

Hear super hero stories, make a super hero mask, arm bands (and bring an old T shirt to make a cape!) and try some feats of super hero strength! Bring cameras!

July 16^th at 10:30AM Doggy Story Time

Hear dog stories and then meet a special visitor, Coffee the Chihuahua! Coffee is a Registered Reading Therapy Dog who loves to meet kids!

August 6^th at 10:30AM Community Heroes and Touch-a-Truck Event!

Come meet Hancock’s community heroes after a special truck-themed story time! Kids will get to meet members of the Fire, Police, and Public Works Departments. They will be able to touch and take pictures with all sorts of trucks and vehicles. There will even be a K9 demonstration.

Every Tuesday at 2:30 PM starting July 7^th

Movie Tuesdays

Beat the heat this summer! Some awesome movies will be shown on the big screen in the Daniel’s Room at 2:30PM. Popcorn will be served.  July 7th : The Incredibles. July 14th : Monsters University. July 21st : Despicable Me 2. July 28th : Finding Nemo. August 4th : Cloudy with a Chance of  Meatballs. August 11th : Frozen.

July 8th through August 12^th Wednesday afternoons from 2-3:30PM

“Heroes in the Story of Art” Creative Workshops with Melody Zahn Russell, sponsored by the Hancock Woman’s Club ~ Sign Up Today at the Library!

Join Hancock’s own experienced art educator Melody Zahn Russell, M.Ed. for our specially designed program Heroes in the Story of Art. Each week will feature various heroes of history and a project: Greek Gods and Goddesses inspire our wall hangings, King Arthur and Joan of Arc inspire our illuminated manuscripts, Raphael inspires our paintings of mothers and children, Leonardo inspires our inventions with recyclables, Michelangelo inspires our sculptures in clay, and finally, YOU as a hero will inspire our self-portraits! In each class we will start with a story and some books related to our theme. There will be a short demo of the day's project and then an hour to create! A huge thank you to the Hancock Woman’s Club for sponsoring this program!

And P.S. from Melody Zahn Russell, “On our last session, Wednesday August 12^th we will create costumes for ourselves based on a favorite hero or heroine from a favorite book. We will use recycled dress-up, curtains, hats, props, really anything! Then whoever wants to join us in the Old Home Days Parade held on Saturday August 15^th will be ready to go! The theme this year for Old Home Days is “New Life for Old Treasures” which combined with our summer reading theme “Every Hero has a Story” equals YOU in your own story!”

June 29^th, July 13^th, July 27^th Monday afternoon from 3:15-4:15 Read to Coffee

Saturday July 18^th from 11AM-12PM Read to Toven

Don’t let your reading skills slip this summer! Practice reading out loud to one of our very sweet and friendly registered reading therapy dogs when they come visit the library! If you bring a few canned goods for the food pantry, you may pick a stuffed animal graciously donated by Douglas Cuddle Toys to take home!

Wednesday, July 15^th from 5-6PM

Iron Chef Competition for Teens

Come put your cooking skills to the test! Teams will compete for the title of “Iron Chef”! What will the secret ingredient be? Come find out and bring your friends! The winner will get a Fiddleheads gift card! Ages 12 and up, please. Sign up at the library.

Thursday, July 30^th from 1:30-2:30

Outdoor Fun Water Balloon Games

Let’s have some fun in the sun! We will be playing a few different water balloon games (outside of the library of course!) Please sign up so we know how many balloons to fill! Elementary school aged kids and up please.

Wednesday, August 5^th from 5-6

Teen Cupcake Decorating Competition

Cupcakes and all the toppings will be provided for teens to decorate their own! Cupcakes will be voted on and the “best in show” will receive a Fiddleheads gift card. Ages 12 and up, please. Sign up at the library.

Friday, August 7^th at 6PM

Insurgent DVD Release Party for Teens

Calling all Divergent fans! Come watch the newly released Insurgent on the big screen at the library! Wear the colors of your favorite faction if you want! Popcorn and other snacks will be provided. Ages 12 and up please. Sign up at the library.

Tuesday August 11^th, 7PM

Concert with the Toe Jam Puppet Band Summer Reading Finale

Grand Prize winners will be announced!

Mark your calendar for this wacky and zany concert that kids (and grown-ups) will love! The Toe Jam Puppet Band has been entertaining for nearly 15 years with a unique combination of original songs, masterful shadow puppetry, storytelling and just plain old good fun. All ages are welcome! Don’t miss this one!