LIBRARY NEWS for: MARCH 2020
 

• The Library is again requesting $7,500 in Town tax support for the coming year, to help cover basic operating costs: electricity, heat, telephone/internet service, maintenance, and insurance. As detailed in our narrative and financial reports in the Town Report, we raise funds to buy books and movies for our collection, present programs for adults and children, and meet all other expenses. Please attend the Town Information meeting if you have questions or comments about our work; and vote on March 3rd!

 

• WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY: If it’s snowy, and particularly if it’s icy, please call the Library @ 492-3410 during library hours to see if we’re open. If you get a recording, no one has come in to staff. (Although some of our trustees and volunteers live nearby, others live on higher terrain, often with tricky driveways, and we encourage them to stay home!)

 
Coming Events: 
Friday, March 13@ 7:30 p.m.PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE from last month’s TIMES!  New Shrewsbury resident and Library trustee ELIJAH LACHANCE will give a presentation about his years in the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso. Please see the article elsewhere in this issue for details!   
 
Friday, April 17 @ 7:30 pm: Journalist CLARE GILLIS will speak about her work in the Middle East, particularly her time in Libya. SAVE THE DATE!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, March 15 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: “The Inferno: Book 1 of The Divine Comedyby Dante Alighieri: This vivid depiction of Hell and its inhabitants was written in the 14th century, but still resonates today, particularly
in poet Robert Pinsky’s translation. Copies will be available in the Library; please call Joan (492-3550) if you need one.
 
Sunday, March 22 @ 4 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Zero: A Biography of a Dangerous Ideaby Charles Seife. Please join this book club for the exploration of an intriguing book. Copies will be available in the library; if you need more, please call Joan @ 492-3550.
 
Wednesdays, 7-9 pm: KNIT ALONG with MEG MELLOR: Learn new stitches and create new items with an expert!
 
QUILTERS: Still on Winter Break!
 
In New Books We Have:

• American Dirtby Janine Cummins: the controversial best seller about a mother and son escaping from a Mexican drug cartel. For more authentic stories of Mexican life and of immigrant struggles at the border, we recommend:

• The House of Broken Angelsby Luis Alberto Urrea
• Enrique’s Journey: The Story of a Boy’s Dangerous Journeyby Sonia Nazario.

Other New Books:
* Uncanny Valleyby Anna Wiener: A searing memoir of work in Silicon Valley.

• Djinn Patrol on the Purple Lineby Deepa Anappara: A moving novel about children in a poor Indian community taking control of their lives.
• Full Dissidence: Notes from an Uneven Playing Fieldby Howard Bryant:

   The sports columnist examines the political dynamics of professional sports.

• Wilmington’s Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy

   by David Zucchino: Long-suppressed history from the Jim Crow South.
 
New DVDs include:

• Judy, starring Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland.
• Harriet, starring  Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman.
• Parasite: the Korean film that won the Academy Award for Best Feature.
• Roma,directed by Alfonso Cuaron: the Best Foreign Film for 2018.
• Once upon a Time in Hollywood, directed by Quentin Tarantino, with Brad Pitt.
• Pain and Glory, directed by Pedro Almodovar, starring Penelope Cruz.
• Us, directed by Jordan Peele: an even more horrifying thriller than his Get Out.
• Shetland, Seasons 1 & 2: an addictive detective series from Scotland. 

 
--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

  LIBRARY NEWS for DECEMBER 2019
 

• We remember long-time Trustee and supporter NANCY SPENCER, who died    

  last month in South Burlington. Please see the tribute elsewhere in this issue.
 
*MANY THANKS to JUDY EMERICK for sharing her expertise last month on  
  how to  research genealogy for free on line. The program was well-attended and
  well-received, generating on-going interest. A future update may be in order!
 

• WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY: When the weather is icy or snowy, please call the Library to see if we’re open: 492-3410. Shrewsbury’s Road Crew does a great job, but some library staffers have treacherous driveways; we don’t expect them (or patrons) to come in under risky conditions!

 

• TRUSTEES will not meet on December 10th, taking a break after the Cookie Share & Silent Auction! However, the Program Committee WILL meet that night

   at 7 p.m. If you have ideas for Library programs, please contact: Joan:
   joanaleshire@vermontel.net; or Dianne Barclay: diannerbarclay@gmail.com, or
   elijahtlachance@gmail.com.
 
Coming Events:
Saturday, December 7 @ 7pm: COOKIE SHARE & SILENT AUCTION! Start the Holiday Season off right; please see our ad elsewhere in this issue. THANKS in advance to all the donors and patrons (of auction items and cookies); staffers (especially Lisa, Gail, Donna, and Marge); and attendees who make this one of our favorite occasions of the year!   
 
Continuing Programs:
Wednesday, December 4  from 7-9 pm: KNIT ALONG with MEG MELLOR: Finishing up socks for Christmas in this popular project!
 
Sunday, January 19 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: These Truths by Jill Lepore: an ambitious and revelatory history of this country by a prominent
scholar. We’ll spend three months on this; it’s a long book, but an engaging read.
Books are available at the Library; please contact Joan, 492-3550, if you need one.
 
Sunday, January 26 @ 4 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Ivory Vikings: The Mystery of the Most Famous Chessmen in the World and the Woman Who Made Them by Nancy Marie Brown. Books will be available at the Library.
 
QUILTERS’ GROUP: Taking a winter break! SHAKESPEARE MOVIE NIGHTS
may resume in spring.
 
New Books include:
*Agent Running in the Field by John Le Carre: The latest spy thriller by this indefatigable author, set in Russia and Ukraine, drawn from current headlines.
*Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker:
A fascinating report on new brain research by a neuroscientist.
*Birds in Winter: Surviving the Most Challenging Season by Roger F. Pasquier:
 A comprehensive report on the ecology and behavior of birds by the speaker at a recent Science Pub, with illustrations.
*Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer: The title of this wonderful book says it all.
*Janis: Her Life and Music by Holly George-Warren: An appreciative biography of this remarkable singer, by a noted rock historian.
*Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo: The co-winning novel of the Man Booker Prize this year: Vibrant and moving stories of British women of color. 
 
New DVDs coming; stay tuned....
 
--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire


 LIBRARY NEWS: NOVEMBER 2019
 
*** We’re excited to welcome MIGUEL LEVY to the Library Board as our new Student Trustee! Miguel will help with programs and staffing, and suggest ways to bring other students into the library. He continues a family tradition of Library service; his mom, TURIYA, was a trustee for many years, and his dad, MARCOS,
provides music for our Street Dance and Silent Auction. THANKS SO MUCH, ALL!
 
*** MANY THANKS to everyone who helped make the Annual BOOK & BAKE SALE a success! It was a beautiful September day, and the book and food items were especially appealing. We couldn’t do it without the trustees and volunteers who set up the tent, carted and set up books and DVDs, and staffed the sale tables; the generous donors of baked goods and gently used books; and all the customers who stopped by and came away with things to read and eat. We hope to have more tag sale tables next year; thanks to LEE ROHE for taking part this time. Special thanks to DONNA, LISA, TRISH, GAIL, ELIJAH, MARGE, DEBBIE and DAVE, as well as RILEY, and LUISA and CHUCK for all their work!
 
*** THANKS to the POETS who read their work on October 18th: Caitlyn Gildrien, Thomas Hartigan, Linda Lampert, Penelope Weiss, and yours truly.
It was a wonderful night of different voices telling “news that stays news.”
 
*** By the time you read this issue of The Times, the Haunted Library program will be about to happen or just be over. THANKS to the Children’s Committee for their work, and to all the parents and kids who make this our best-attended event of the year! 
 
Coming Events:
Sunday, November 10 @ 3 p.m. GENEALOGY with JUDY EMERICK. Join us for an informative conversation about researching your roots. We’ll have refreshments too!
 
Continuing Programs:
Friday, November 1 @ 7 p.m.: SHAKESPEARE MOVIE NIGHT. Please see Mike
Flanigan’s article in this issue for information.
 
Sunday, November 17 @ 4 p.m.: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: The classic horror story, written in the early 19th century, still powerful and thought-provoking. Books are available in the library; please call Joan (492-3550) if they’ve run out.
 
Sunday, November 24 @ 4 p.m. SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Aroused: The History of  Hormones and How they Control Just About Everything by Randi Hutter Epstein, M.D. Books will be available at the Library; please call Joan if they’ve run out: 492-3550.
 
Wednesdays, November 6, 13, 20 and December 4 from 7-9 p.m.: KNIT ALONG with MEG MELLOR. Please see Meg’s article in this issue of The Times for a full description.
 
QUILTERS’ GROUP: Please call Donna Swartz, 773-7403, to see what’s up!
 
New Books include:
*Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan 
 Farrow: an explosive expose by the investigative journalist. 

• The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates: The best-selling novel that combines history and the supernatural, by the author of Between the World and Me.
• The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution by Eric Foner: A new look at history by this prize-winning scholar.
• The Institute by Stephen King: His latest novel: the most hopeful yet. 
• Know My Name by Chanel Miller: A remarkable memoir by the victim of a notorious rape case, who regains her identity and finds her voice as a writer.
• The Guardians by John Grisham: His newest legal thriller.
• Year of the Monkey by Patti Smith: A delightful journal of a year’s travels from this wonderful musician and writer.  

• Days of Our Lives by Joan Aleshire: Poems from the 1960s and ‘70s in Vermont  

   and Brooklyn.
New Books include:

• Country Music: The new documentary by Ken Burns.
• This Is Us: Seasons 2 and 3.

More coming soon!
 
--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We remember SAM KINKER, dedicated Library patron and friend, who died unexpectedly in October. We will miss his kindness and lively mind, and send our sympathy to his partner, Andrea Shattuck, and his family.

 LIBRARY NEWS for: SEPTEMBER 2019
 
*** When someone has been a Library Trustee for more than 25 years (probably more like 30, but we’ve lost count), it’s hard to say goodbye or to thank them enough. DIRK THOMAS has been that outstanding board member and supporter;
he’s now decided to resign, to conserve his energy for work and family. We’ll
miss you, DIRK, but are very glad that you’ll continue to staff from time to time, and, of course, be a faithful patron!
 
*** With Dirk’s departure, we have a new opening on the Library Board. If you love libraries and working with others in a small Town organization; can attend board meetings the second Tuesday of every month, can staff twice a month during library hours, and can serve on a Library committee (Building, Children’s, Fund-Raising, or Program), please call a member of the Nominating Committee: Gail Hartigan (492-3605); Trish Norton (492-3653), or Lisa Sharrow (492-3732).
 

• LIBRARY QUESTION OF THE MONTH. We may not have one for every issue,

   but I couldn’t resist telling this: A young woman stopped into the Library the 
   other day, and after her friend had signed out a State Parks Pass, suddenly asked:
  “Why are there so many Toni Morrison books around?” “Well,” I explained,
  “Toni Morrison just died, and people may want to read or re-read her books.
   And I thought we should honor her.” This seemed to be the answer she wanted.
   
Coming Events:
Saturday, August 24 @ 5:30 pm: ANNUAL HAYSTACK DINNER; 6:30 pm: STREET DANCE @ TOWN HALL/MEETING HOUSE. Build your own taco salad and eat all you want: Adults: $10; 12 and under: $5. Dance only, all you
want! $5.
 
Saturday, September 21 9 am to 2 pm: ANNUAL BOOK & BAKE SALE! Please donate book sale items AFTER SEPTEMBER 1! We welcome gently used books, 
DVDs, video- and audio-tapes. NO encyclopedias or textbooks and NO damaged or moldy items, please. Take those to the transfer station.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, September 15 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Beloved by Toni Morrison: the ground-breaking novel that earned this writer the Nobel Prize.
Books will be available at the Library. Please call Joan for more: 492-3550.
Sunday, September 22 @ 7 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte. Books will be available at the Library. Please call Joan (492-3550) for more copies.
QUILTERS’ GROUP: Probably Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Library, but call Donna (773-7403) to be sure! 
 
Friday, September 6 at 7 pm: SHAKESPEARE MOVIE NIGHT returns, with a showing of “MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.” Please see Mike Flanigan’s ad in this issue.
 
New Books include:
*Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand: Dream it’s still summer with this page- 
 turner!
*Natural Rivals: John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and the Creation of America’s Public  
 Lands by John Clayton: A fascinating history of our national parks.
*The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom: A memoir of a New Orleans family that  
 Angela Flournoy calls an “extraordinary, engrossing debut” in the NYTBR.
*Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman: An acclaimed thriller set in 1950s Baltimore.
*Semicolon: The Past, Present and Future of a Misunderstood Mark by Cecelia  
  Watson: A delightful exploration for all of us grammar lovers, and more!
 

• Also, we have all of Toni Morrison’s novels and a collection of her essays, for

   reading and re-reading on the occasion of this literary giant’s death.
 
New DVDs include:
*My Mother’s Early Lovers and Nothing Like Dreaming: Two films by Vermont
 filmmaker NORA JACOBSON, for those who missed the showings at Pierces’
 Garage this summer, or want to see them again. Thanks to Sandy Bragg for introducing us to this engaging work!

• The Vermont Movie: The multi-part documentary by a number of Vermont  

 filmmakers, including Jacobson: a must see!
 
---- Submitted by Joan Aleshire
 
 
 


 LIBRARY NEWS AUGUST 2019

• The Library is pleased to welcome ELIJAH LACHANCE to the Board of Trustees. Elijah and his wife have moved to Lottery Road from Chittenden, where Elijah was a Friend of the Chittenden Library. He brings his lifelong love of libraries to Shrewsbury; we’re fortunate to have his participation!

• MANY THANKS to all the Library volunteers (besides Trustees) who are coming forward to make the job of filling the monthly calendar shifts much easier! We always have room, though; if you’re interested in staffing during Library hours, please call Donna (773-7403) or Joan (492-3550) or the Library (492-3410).

• THANKS to CHARLIE PAQUIN for a wonderful program on ancient tools on July 13th. All ages enjoyed learning how the earliest peoples made utensils, cooked their food, and threw atlatls for hunting! THANKS to GRACE BRIGHAM for creating the fierce mammoth target; to BERNARD & JOAN STEWART for allowing us to use their lawn for atlatl throwing; and to THE RUSTIC ROOSTER for letting us use their parking lot.

 
COMING EVENTS:
Sunday, July 28 @ 7 p.m.: METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY presents “The Ringdove,” based on a Southeast Asian folk tale, with puppets, masks, and original music at Shrewsbury Mountain School, rain or shine.  Adults: $8; children 12 and under: $1. Please come for gingerbread beforehand, and bring lawn chairs or blankets, sweaters and bug repellent for an outdoor show.
 
Saturday, August 24 @ 5:30 ANNUAL HAYSTACK DINNER & 6:30  STREET DANCE at SHREWSBURY TOWN HALL/MEETING HOUSE. Build your own taco salad and eat all you want: $10; dance only, all you want: $5. See the poster in this issue of The Times!
 
Saturday, September 21 from 9 am to 2 pm: ANNUAL BOOK & BAKE SALE!
PLEASE DONATE ITEMS AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, NOT BEFORE! We
welcome gently used books, DVDs, video- and audiotapes: no encyclopedias or textbooks; no damaged or moldy items, please. Take those to the dump!  
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, August 18 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: TBA
 
Sunday, August 25 @ 7 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Violinist’s Thumbby Sam Kean: A lively exploration of genetics by this popular writer.
 
QUILTERS’ GROUP: Please call Donna for the next time and date: 773-7403.
 
SHAKESPEARE MOVIE NIGHTS & THE WRITERS’ GROUP: On vacation.
 
New Books include:

• Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, and Re-imagining Life by

   Louise Solomon, MD: This geriatrician is a wonderful fiction writer; this is an  
  insightful, and inspiring book, drawing on the author’s own experience.

• Big Sky by Kate Atkinson:This engaging writer’s new thriller featuring Jackson

   Brodie.

• The Weather Machine: A Journey Inside the Forecastby Andrew Blum: A deep  

   look at Vermont’s favorite topic of conversation.

• Giants of the Monsoon Forest: Living and Working with Elephantsby Jacob  

   Shell: An intimate perspective on these amazing, endangered animals. 

• Some great beach reads coming!

 
New DVDs:
Deadwood: Seasons 2 & 3: Filling in the gap in our collection, as this gritty anti-heroic Western created by David Milch makes its final TV appearance.
 
--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

     LIBRARY NEWS FOR: JULY 2019
 

• MANY THANKS to everyone who took part in the Ways of Healing Roundtable     

   on June 14th. It was a great reminder of the rich resources we have right here in   
   town for alternative paths to well-being. Special thanks to DIANNE BARCLAY
   for hosting the event on the Library’s behalf, and to GALEN MILLER for   
   providing healthy refreshments!
 

• As of this writing, we still have an OPENING on the BOARD of TRUSTEES:

   If you love small libraries and community organizations; books, movies and  
   ideas, and can attend board meetings the second Tuesday of every month @  
   7 p.m.; staff twice a month during library hours; and serve on one of our  
   committees (Building, Children’s, Fund-Raising, or Programs), we’d love to
   hear from you! Please call a member of our Nominating Committee: Gail
   Hartigan (492-3605); Lisa Sharrow (492-3732); or Dirk Thomas (492-3549)
   if you’re interested!
 
Coming Events:
Saturday, July 13 from 10 am to 2 pm: CHARLIE PAQUIN, experiential archaeologist extraordinaire returns to delight us with his explorations of
ancient ways of living on the earth. Cooking utensils will be hafted (handles made) and atlatls will be thrown!
 
Sunday, July 28 @ 7:30 pm: METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY returns to
the Mountain School Lawn with “The Ring Dove,” a play with puppets and
original music, for all ages.
 
SAVE THE DATE: 
Saturday, August 24: Haystack Dinner & Street Dance
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, July 21 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: TBA
 
Sunday, July 28 @ 7 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Best Science and Nature Writing 2018, edited by Sam Kean: Part 2 of this discussion. If you need a copy,
please call Joan: 492-3550.
 
Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP. Please call Donna (773-7403)
to learn about their current project. All welcome!
 
SHAKESPEARE MOVIE NIGHTS will return in September; stay tuned! 
 
THE WRITERS’ GROUP is taking a vacation; if you’re interested, please call Penelope Weiss (492-3345) or Joan Aleshire (492-3550). 
 
New Books include:

• Furious Hours by Casey Cep: The story of Harper Lee’s unpublished book about a true-life murder: a thriller in itself.
• The Mueller Report: The text of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, redacted but the most information we have at this point, and essential reading.
• Past Tense by Lee Child: The new thriller by a master of the form.
• An American Marriage by Tayari Jones: The moving novel that just won the Man

  Booker Prize for Women’s Fiction.

• The Pioneers by David McCullough: The story of the settling of the Northwest by the popular historian.
• Redemption by David Baldacci: Great white-knuckle summer reading.

 
 
New DVDs include:
Gloria Bell, starring the wonderful Julianne Moore in a drama about a 50-year old woman finding her way after a divorce;
Capernaum: A young Syrian refugee struggles to find connection and hope in a harsh world;
Mrs. Wilson, starring Ruth Wilson playing her own grandmother in an suspenseful story of WWII intrigue; and
The Informer, a classic about the Irish Civil War from the director John Ford.
 
More coming!
 
                                                                      --- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

      LIBRARY NEWS for: JUNE 2019
 

• WELCOME BACK, DONNA and DICK SWARTZ! We know spring’s here when they’re back at work in the Library!

 

• At the ANNUAL MEETING all officers were re-elected: JOAN ALESHIRE and LISA SHARROW as Co-Presidents; TRISH NORTON as Vice-President; GAIL 

   HARTIGAN as Secretary; DEBBIE BLECICH as Treasurer; and LISA 
   SHARROW as Co-Treasurer. TRUSTEES whose terms were up agreed to be
   returned to new 3-year terms, except for JUDY EMERICK, who has resigned
   because of family commitments.
 

• MANY THANKS to everyone for their service, and especially to JUDY, who has been a dedicated Trustee, staffing more than her share of shifts, always pitching in at Fund-Raising events, and initiating a model retrieval system for overdue books and DVDs. We’re very happy that she’ll continue to staff and help out!

 

• With Judy’s resignation, we have an OPENING on the Board. If you love small libraries and community organizations; books and reading; movies and ideas (any or all of the above!) and can: attend trustees’ meetings the second Tuesday of every month @ 7 p.m.; staff at least twice a month during Library hours; and serve on a committee (Fund-Raising; Program; Building; or Children’s); please contact a member of the Nominating Committee: Gail Hartigan (492-3605); Lisa Sharrow (492-3732); or Dirk Thomas (492-3549). 

 
*MANY THANKS to ANNE SARCKA for her talk on her engaging book about her mother Elizabeth, co-founder of Spring Lake Ranch with Anne’s father Wayne. It was wonderful to have GLORIA KORNGIEBEL BENSON and LUISA SPENCER sharing their childhood memories of Elizabeth.
 

• MANY THANKS to STEFAN GRACE for his marvelous presentation on his family’s recent trip to Morocco for the Festival in the Desert. Stefan’s deep knowledge of Moroccan history and culture, and the beautiful photographs and

   recordings, made this program a special treat. 
 
COMING EVENTS:

• Friday, June 14 @ 7:30 pm: WAYS TO WELLNESS: A ROUNDTABLE with

   DIANNE BARCLAY (acupuncture); LINDSAY COURCELLE (Myofascial 
Release); VICKIE GILLHOUSE (Integrated Positional Therapy); KELLYMcDERMOTT-BURNS (Reiki); GALEN MILLER (Yoga and IPT); and GRACE  PRATT (Yoga, herbal medicine and sound healing).
 
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, June 23 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: March: A Graphic Novel by John Lewis: The VT Reads 2019 Selection provided by the VT Humanities Council: The story of the Civil Rights Movement by the heroic participant and U.S. congressman. Copies are available at the Library.
 
Sunday, June 23 @ 7 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Best Science and Nature Writing 2018(discussion 1 of 2). Copies will be available at the Library; please call Joan (492-3550) if you need one.
 

• SHAKESPEARE MOVIE NIGHTS will take a vacation in June, July, and August, resuming in September with “King Lear.”

 
QUILTERS’ GROUP: Please call DONNA (773-7403) if you’re interested in joining: all welcome!
 
WRITERS’ GROUP: On vacation; please call Joan (492-3550) or Penelope (492-3345) for information.
 
New Books include:

• Normal People by Sally Rooney: The new, best-selling novel by the acclaimed young Irish writer. (Her first book, Conversation with Friends, is even better!) 

• The Secret Wisdom of Nature: Trees, Animals, and the Extraordinary Balance of

   All Living Things: Stories from Science and Observation by Peter Wohlleben:  
   The third book in the “Mysteries of Nature” trilogy by this popular writer.

• The Guest Book by Sarah Blake: A satisfyingly old-fashioned (but new!) novel about three generations in a family home.
• Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb: Wit and wisdom from an acclaimed professional.

New DVDs include:
*Our Planet: How the Earth Was Made, Life After People, A Global Warning.
   (We have the companion book too.)
*Boyz in the Hood; Poetic Justice; and Higher Learning: A retrospective of films  
  by the late, great John Singleton.
                                                                 ---- Submitted by Joan Aleshire
   

LIBRARY NEWS FOR , MAY 2019

• MANY THANKS in advance to all who took part in the EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ROUND TABLE on Friday, April 25th: Everyone who

  contributed the results of their concerns and research about the lack of  
   telephone service during power outages, especially CHUCK FINBERG,
  JONATHAN GIBSON, ANN VANNEMAN and SHARON WINNICKI.
   And to the Select Board members who shared their knowledge and agreed
   to participate. Most of all, KUDOS go to DIRK THOMAS, who as a  
   member of the Library Program Committee, organized this important event,
  tirelessly making calls to participants and refining the topics.

• We welcome new volunteer MEG MELLOR, and are happy to see all our

  regulars coming back from their winter homes. We greatly appreciate your
  support! Please call Joan (492-3550) or Lisa (492-3732) or the Library  
  (492-3410) to join our crew of staffers.
 
Coming Events:
Friday, May 3 @ 7:30 pm: ANNE SARCKA will talk about her new book, 
Strong Spirit, Steadfast Heart: The Life and Times of  Elizabeth Man Sarcka:
the part memoir, part oral history, part biography of her mother, the remarkable woman who co-founded Spring Lake Ranch in 1932 with her husband Wayne.
This delightful and inspiring book is available at the Library.
 
Friday, May 10 @ 7 pm: SHAKESPEARE FILM CLUB shows “Hamlet”
starring Maxine Peake from 2015: A cross-dressing treat.  Thanks to Michael Flanigan for bringing us these films!
 
Friday, May 17 @ 7:30 pm: “JOURNEY TO MOROCCO” with Stefan Grace,
Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, May 19 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Devotionsby Mary
Oliver: The personal selection by this popular poet of her own published work.
(We skipped our regular monthly meeting in April, which fell on Easter.) Please
bring to our discussion a poem that spoke to you and one that didn’t work as well;
all are welcome: regulars and newcomers alike! Please call Joan if you need a copy: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, May 26 @ 7 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Genius of Birdsby Jennifer Ackerman. For veteran birdwatchers and novices alike. Copies will be available at the Library; please call Joan if you need another: 492-3550.
  
 QUILTERS’ GROUP should start up after Donna gets back in mid-May. Please call the Library if you’re interested in joining: 492-3410.
 
WRITERS’ GROUP is on extended vacation. Please call Joan (492-3550) or Penelope (492-3345) if you’re interested.
 
New Books include:
*Mama’s Last Hug: Animal Emotions, and What They Tell Us About Ourselvesby
  Frans de Waal: A biologist’s fascinating and illuminating account.
 *Women Talkingby Miriam Toews: A moving new novel by the Canadian writer,
   based on a true story of violence in a Mennonite community.
*The End of the Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of  
 Americaby historian Greg Grandin. A persuasive, well-documented exploration
  of the ideas that have guided American thinking and policies.

• Barnyards, Barefeet and Bluejeans by Allen A. Mills, Jr.: A delightful memoir

   by a Florence, VT family farmer.

• The American Agent: A new Maisie Dobbs novel by Jacqueline Winspear set in

   London during WWII.

• The Honey Bus: A Memoir of Loss, Courage, and a Girl Saved by Bees by  

  Meredith May: Part affecting autobiography, part attentive observation.

• Trees of Power: Ten Essential Arboreal Alliesby Akiva Silver: A New

  Hampshire farmer and forester describes the gifts of local trees.
 
New DVDs next time!
 
--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire
​
       LIBRARY NEWS for: OCTOBER 2018

•  MANY THANKS to ELLY SPENSLEY MORIARTY for a wonderful presentation on the Vermont Archaeological Society’s project in West Haven, excavating ancient Abenaki sites. Elly’s enthusiasm and knowledge are inspiring; please go to the VAS web site to learn about their open house on September 29th!

• MANY THANKS to JUDY KEANE who has created and maintains the garden in front of the Library. The marigolds are brilliant this time of year, and the thriving basil is there for the picking! 

• The BOOK, BAKE, and TAG SALE will be over by the time your Times comes

    out --- it’s Saturday, September 22nd --- but thanks in advance to everyone who
   donated time, energy, books, baked goods, and tag sale items, and purchased  
    tables to make this a great fund-raiser for the Library. Hope to have seen you 
    there!
 
Coming Events:
Sunday, October 14 @ 3:00pm at the Russellville Schoolhouse: APPLE TASTING
with Orchardist SCOTT BOLOTIN: An event sponsored by SAGE (Shrewsbury
Institute for Agricultural Education); the Library; and Shrewsbury Historical Society, made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Taste old and new, wild and cultivated apples, and bring mystery
specimens for Scott to identify!
 
Sunday, November 11 @ 3pm: RESEARCHING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY: Join JUDY EMERICK to learn about navigating the world of on-line ancestry searches!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, October 21st @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydeby Robert Louis Stevenson: the classic psychological thriller. Books will be available in the Library; please call Joan (492-3550) if you need a copy. We also
have a recent biography of Stevenson by Claire Harmon for more information about the author of Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and A Child’s Garden of Verses.
 
Sunday, October 28 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Code Bookby Simon
Singh (Part 2). This dense, fascinating book needed an extra month for discussion.
Please call Joan (492-3550) if you need another copy.
 
QUILTERS! Please call Donna (773-7403) to find out when they’re meeting!
WRITERS’ GROUP: Penelope Weiss and I are calling all poets, fiction writers and memoirists to join us for a workshop once or twice a month at the Library. We’re thinking of a Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m., but want to hear from you if you’re interested, but can’t make it then. A Sunday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. might be possible, but hard for some. Please call Penelope (492-3345) or Joan (492-3550)
if you’re interested and want more information.
 
New Books include: 

• Fear: Trump in the White Houseby Bob Woodward: the runaway best seller by

   the veteran journalist, author of All the President’s Men;

• A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Nirza: The best-selling novel of a Muslim family’s displacement and reconciliation;

• Home Fires: The Story of the Women’s Institute in the Second World Warby

   Julie Summers: The basis of the popular BBC series;

• The Other Womanby Daniel Silva: The new spy thriller by this popular author;
• Northland: A 4,000 Mile Journey Along America’s Forgotten Border by Porter

   Fox;

• The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela.

 
New DVDs include:

• The Master and Margarita:Based on the Russian classic, with sub-titles;
• Wings of Desire, directed by Wim Wenders: The poetic cult favorite;
• Hearts and Minds, directed by Peter Davis: The acclaimed documentary about the Vietnam War;
• Burnt by the Sun: A beautiful Russian movie, about love and political conflict.

 
--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire
    
    LIBRARY NEWS FOR: AUGUST 2018

• THANKS to CHARLIE PAQUIN, archaeologist extraordinaire, for another

  wonderful day of sharing his knowledge of geology and the history of indigenous
  peoples. Charlie is a living encyclopedia that all ages enjoy and learn from.

• The Library is a cool place --- literally and metaphorically --- on these hot summer days! The old-fashioned practice of keeping doors and windows closed, and the ceiling fans going, works so well that a Book Club member, coming in on a 90 degree afternoon, was sure we had air-conditioning.   

 
Coming Events:
Saturday, August 25 @ 6pm: ANNUAL HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE at the Town Hall! Build your own taco salad, dance to the music of
The Neighbors’ Band (Marcos Levy and Friends). Dinner & Dance: Ages 13 and Up: $10; kids 5-12: $5; kids under 5: Free. Just wanna dance? $5 gets you in!
 
Friday, September 14 @ 7:30pm: Vermont Archaeologists Ellie Spensley Moriarty
and Matt Moriarty present the findings of their latest digs in the state.
 
Saturday, September 22 from 9am to 2pm: ANNUAL BOOK, BAKE & TAG SALE on the Library lawn!
 
***PLEASE MAKE DONATIONS AFTER SEPTEMBER 4th DURING LIBRARY HOURS. We appreciate books, DVDs, CDs and video- and audio-tapes in good condition only. Please take damaged or moldy items to the Dump; thank you in advance for your cooperation!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, August 19 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: The Master and Margaritaby Mikhail Bulgakov, translated by Mirra Ginsberg. Copies of this fascinating Russian satire are available at the library. Please call Joan if you need
another book: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, August 26 @ 7pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Death and Life of the Great Lakesby Dan Egan. Copies are available at the Library. Please call Joan if you need another: 492-3550.
 
QUILTERS’ GROUP: Please call Donna --- 773-7403 --- for information about the next meeting. 
New Books include:
Milk, A 10,000-Year Food Fracasby Mark Kurlansky;
The Weather Detective: Rediscovering Nature’s Secret Signsby Peter Wohlleben:     
       Another mind-opening work by the author of  The Hidden Life of Trees;
The President Is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton: A thriller by the
                                                   old-pro mystery writer and the ex-President;
Us Against Youby Fredrik Backman: A new novel by the author of  Beartown;
Calypsoby David Sedaris: Funny and thought-provoking essays by the NPR
                                                                                            commentator;
Love in the Ruinsby Paula McLain: A novel based on the life of Ernest  
                            Hemingway and his third wife, journalist Martha Gellhorn;
 
and lots more for your pleasure and edification!
 
New DVDs include:

• Two versions of The Tempest: One recent, starring Helen Mirren; one from 1960,  

    with Richard Burton, Maurice Evans, Roddy McDowell, and Lee Remick.
and:
* Quest,a new documentary with Christopher Rainey, directed by Jonathan  
                Olshefsky: Moving and illuminating.
 
--- We’ve now extended the borrowing period for DVD Series to 3 weeks! You    
    can still renew after that.
 
--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire 
 
 LIBRARY NEWS FOR: JULY 2018 
** We’re very pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has elected RILEY MILLER to be our new Student Trustee! RILEY is a great reader and entering 7th grader; the Library will benefit from his ideas and enthusiasm.
 
* MANY THANKS to ELSA TIROU for her excellent presentation on May 25th.
Elsa has been a Rotary Exchange Student for the past year, studying at Mill River and living with Rotary families in Wallingford and Shrewsbury. Elsa spoke about her native Belgium to a large and appreciative audience.
 
* MANY THANKS to YVONNE DALEY for reading from her new book,
Going Up the Country: When the Hippies, Freaks, and Radicals Moved to Vermonton June 16th. Yvonne brings her journalistic talents and her poet’s heart to this important social history of the 1960‘s - 70‘s movement that changed this state. The book should be available at the library by the time you read this; you can find many residents and some history of the town itself in these pages!
 
Coming Events:
Saturday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.at the Library tent: CHARLIE PAQUIN, experiential archaeologist (that means hands-on teacher!) will show us what kinds of rocks Native Americans used to make tools. Every participant will have samples to take home. Please bring snacks and a bag lunch; we’ll provide a cool drink. We’ll throw atlatls after lunch!
 
Saturday, August 25 @ 6 p.m.: ANNUAL HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE at Shrewsbury Town Hall! Build your own taco salad, dance to the music of the Neighbors’ Band (Marcos Levy and Friends). Dinner & Dance:Ages13 & Up: $10; kids 5- 12: $5; under 5: Free. Just wanna dance? $5 will get you in!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, July 15 @ 4 p.m.: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Housekeepingby Marilynne Robinson. Copies of this intriguing novel will be available at the Library. Please call Joan (492-3550) if copies have run out.
 
Sunday, July 22 @ 7 p.m.: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Best Science and Nature Writing 2017. 2nd discussion of this collection of essays. Please call Joan if you need another book: 492-3550.
 
QUILTERS’ GROUP: Please call Donna: 773-7403 for information about the next session.
 
New Books include:
* How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence by Michael Pollan: Provocative thinking from the popular food writer, author of
the mantra: “Eat less. Mostly plants.”

• A Shout in the Ruinsby Kevin Powers: A new novel about the Civil War, by the 

author of the stunning novel of the Iraq War, The Yellow Birds.

• Last Storiesby William Trevor: The last published work by the wonderful Irish 

writer, who died in 2017.

• Two Livesby Reeve Lindbergh: A new memoir about private and public life by the daughter of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Vermont resident.
• The Truth About Animals: Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos and Other Tales from the Wild Side of Wildlifeby Lucy Cooke.

 
New DVDs include:

• Red Sparrow, starring Jennifer Lawrence, based on the spy thriller trilogy by Jason Matthews.
• Black Panther:The record-setting, ground-breaking Marvel fantasy with an all-star cast.

 
More movie treats coming!
 
---Submitted by Joan Aleshire 
  
  LIBRARY NEWS for: JUNE 2018

• At the Library’s ANNUAL MEETING on May 8th, we elected the following slate of officers: Co-Presidents: JOAN ALESHIRE and LISA SHARROW; Vice-President: TRISH NORTON; Recording & Corresponding Secretary: GAIL HARTIGAN; Treasurer: DEBBIE BLECICH; Assistant Treasurer: LISA SHARROW. Many thanks to the Select Board for re-appointing DEBBIE BLECICH as the Town’s representative to the Library Board.

 

• Trustees MARGE BENINI, JESSICA GIFFIN, CHRYL MARTIN, and TRISH NORTON, whose terms were up, were all re-elected to three-year terms. Many

   thanks to everyone for serving the Library so well!

• Amid that celebration, we’re sorry to announce that MACKENZIE HEWITT, our YOUTH TRUSTEE, will be moving from Shrewsbury and leaving the Library Board. Thanks, Mackenzie, for your help staffing and for your suggestions; we’ll

   miss you, and wish you all the best in your new school!

• With Mackenzie’s departure, we’re looking for a new YOUTH TRUSTEE to serve on the Library Board. We encourage students in grades 7-12 who love books and movies, enjoy working with other people on community events, and are able to staff (with an adult trustee) twice a month to apply. Please contact a member of the Library Nominating Committee: GAIL HARTIGAN (492-3605); LISA SHARROW (492-3732), or DIRK THOMAS (492-3549).

 
Coming Events:
Friday, May 25 @ 7:30 p.m.: ELSA TIROU, Rotary Exchange Student at Mill River, will talk about her native Belgium. Thanks to Rutland Rotary for this great exchange program that brings such well-informed young people to our area!
 
Saturday, June 16 @ 7:30 p.m.: YVONNE DALEY reads from and discusses her new memoir, Going Up the Country: When the Hippies, Freaks and Radicals Moved to Vermont. Yvonne will have books for sale, and will sign copies.
 
Save These Dates:
Saturday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: CHARLIE PAQUIN shares his knowledge of rocks and how Native Americans used them.  More information next month!
 
Saturday, August 25 @ 6 p.m.: ANNUAL HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE with THE NEIGHBORS BAND (aka THE COMMUNITY BAND) at the TOWN HALL.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, June 17 @ 4 p.m.: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Shakespeare’s
“The Tempest.” Copies of the Folger Library edition are available at the library. Call Joan if you need another copy: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, June 24 @ 4 p.m.:  SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Best Science and Nature Writing 2017, edited by Hope Jahren and Tim Folger. (Discussion 1 of 2). Please call Joan for more copies: 492-3550.
 
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.: QUILTERS’ GROUP: All welcome! Please call Donna Swartz to confirm day and time: 773-7403.
 
New Books include:
* A Portable Latin for Gardeners: More Than 1,500 Essential Plant Names and the
   Secrets They Contain by James Armitage: A beautiful guide, reviewed by
   Marilyn Dalick in last month’s Times of Shrewsbury: Thanks, Marilyn!

• Before We Were Yoursby Lisa Wingate: A riveting novel about a real life  

  adoption scandal. (Recommended by several readers.)

• Greeks Bearing Giftsby Philip Kerr: The last Bernie Gunther novel by this fine

   English writer, who recently died.

• God Save Texas: A Journey into the Soul of the Lone Star Stateby Lawrence

  Wright: A native son casts a fond but critical eye on this complicated place.

• Beneath a Ruthless Sun: A True Story of Violence, Race, and Justice Lost and

   Foundby Gilbert King: A veteran journalist’s compelling account of a crime, a  
   false accusation, a cover-up, and a determined lawyer.
 
New DVDs include:

• Coco: The Academy Award Animated Feature: Set in Mexico on the Day of the Dead.
• Marshall: The bio-pic about Thurgood Marshall’s first important case, with Josh

   Gad and Chadwick Boseman.

• Last Man in Aleppo: A powerful documentary from the War in Syria.
• Seed: The Untold Story: A documentary narrated by Vandana Shiva.

 
--- And thanks to Nancy Spencer for many classic DVDs that we’ll feature soon!
 
  
 

LIBRARY NEWS for: MAY 2018
 
* WELCOME BACK, DONNA and DICK SWARTZ! We were hoping they would bring warm weather from Arizona, but no luck! April could be called “Re-scheduling for Weather.” “Tree Stories” with Gary Salmon moved from April 6th to April 20th;  and the Famous Books Book Club (discussing Under the Wide and Starry Sky) moved from Sunday, April 15th to the 29th at 4 p.m. Let’s hope for better days in May!
 
Coming Events:
Friday, May 11th @ 7:30 p.m.: A screening of “13th,” the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning  documentary about the Thirteenth Amendment and the criminal justice system, directed by Ava DuVernay, director of the Academy Award-nominated feature, “Selma.” Be sure to come early to be sure of a seat!
 
Friday, May 25th @ 7:30 p.m.: ELSA TIROU, Rotary Exchange Student at Mill River, will talk about her native Belgium and her experiences in Vermont.
 
Save these dates:
Saturday, June 16th @ 7:30 p.m.: Help celebrate the publication of Yvonne Daley’s new memoir, Going Up the Country: When the Hippies, Freaks and Radicals Moved to Vermont. Yvonne will read from the book and talk about her writing process.
 
Saturday, July 14th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: CHARLIE PAQUIN shares his adventurous archaeological knowledge. Atlatl-throwing will be included!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, April 29th @ 4 p.m.: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Under the Wide and Starry Skyby Nancy Horan (discussion postponed from April 15th). 
 
Sunday, May 20th @ 4p.m.: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Bread and Roses, Too by Katherine Paterson, the VT Reads selection for 2018. Thanks to Chryl Martin for writing the Vermont Humanities Council grant that supplies our copies of this affecting book about child labor in the textile mills of Western Massachusetts.
 
Sunday, May 27th @ 4 p.m.:What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questionsby Randall Munroe. Copies are available at the Library.
 
Wednesday, May 23rd @ 6:30 p.m.: QUILTERS’ GROUP: All welcome! Please call Donna Swartz for more information: 775-7403.
New Books include:
* The “Red Sparrow” trilogy by Jason Matthews: Red Sparrow, Palace of Treason, andThe Kremlin’s Candidate(2018): The engrossing spy thrillers set in Russia;
*Agatha Christie: A Lifeby Laura Thompson, a biography about the mystery-filled life of a favorite mystery writer;

• Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin’s War on America and the Election of Donald Trumpby veteran journalist Michael Isikoff;
• The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian, the new novel by the Vermont writer;
• The House of Broken Angelsby Luis Alberto Urrea: A moving, harrowing novel about a Mexican-American family in the American Southwest.

 
New DVDs include:

• Darkest Hour, starring Gary Oldman: The bio-pic about Churchill during WWII; Oldman won an Oscar for best actor.
• Call Me By Your Name,the Academy Award-winning Best Picture, starring Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet.
• Lady Bird, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf: A funny, moving coming-of-age story;
• The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 1, starring Elizabeth Moss, based on the novel by Margaret Atwood;
• The Florida Project, starring Willem Dafoe: an affecting slice-of-life drama;
• I,Tonya, starring Margot Robbie and Alison Janney: The bio-pic about the Olympic skater’s rise and fall;
• The Deuce: Season 1: The new series directed by David Simon, creator of “The Wire” and “Treme,” starring Maggie Gyllenhaal.

       
 
--- submitted by Joan Aleshire


LIBRARY NEWS : APRIL 2018

• THANKS, SHREWSBURY VOTERS for approving our funding request --- level at $7,500 --- by a total of 188 to 44. Even though the turnout was low, it’s heartening to have this strong endorsement for our organization and its work!

 

• MANY THANKS to SCOTT COURCELLE of Alchemy Gardens and SAGE for his informative talk, “Planning Your Garden,” on March 4. We were glad to see some veteran gardeners as well as neophytes: a testament to Scott’s growing (in both senses) reputation for his deep knowledge of soils, seeds, and plants.

 

• MANY THANKS to LUDY BIDDLE, Executive Director and GREGG OVER, Project Director, for their illuminating talk about NeighborWorks of Western  Vermont, the nationally recognized organization that addresses the housing needs of Rutland County from loans to renovations to home adaptations, and more. I thought I knew what NWWVT does, but learned a lot that impressed and moved me. We have their flyers and other hand-outs at the Library: just ask!

 
Coming Events:
Friday, April 6 @ 7:30 p.m.: “TREE STORIES”: Forester GARY SALMON returns to talk about what trees have to teach us. Please see our ad in this issue!
And come early to be sure of a seat.
 
Continuing Programs: 
Sunday, April 15 @ 4 p.m.: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Under a Wide and Starry Skyby Nancy Horan: An appealing novel about the writer Robert Louis Stevenson and his great love, Fanny Osborne. We’ll also have a couple of copies of RLS’ famous Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Copies will be available at the library. Please call Joan if they’ve run out: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, April 22 @ 4 p.m.: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Session #2 of The Selfish
Geneby Richard Dawkins. There were copies in the Library the last time I looked,
but please call if you need more: Joan @ 492-3550.
 
QUILTERS’ GROUP: May be starting up again, now that Donna is back in town.
Please call 773-7403 for information.
 
New Books include:
*Down the River into the Seaby Walter Mosley: The new crime novel by the master storyteller and chronicler of race and society in post-WWII Los Angeles; 

• Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, A Quest and the Biggest Year in the Worldby Noah Strycker: A bird watcher of unlimited ambition and energy reports his adventures;
• White Housesby Amy Bloom: The new novel by this insightful author imagines the inner lives of Eleanor Roosevelt and her companion, Lorena Hickock;
• Educated:A Memoirby Tara Westbrook: The astonishing story of a young girl growing up without formal schooling in a survivalist family, who earns a PhD at Harvard and now teaches at Oxford;
• Still Meby Jojo Moyes: The newest novel by this engaging writer follows the heroine of the popular Me BeforeYouand After You;
• The Making of a Racist: A Southerner Reflects on Family History and the Slave Tradeby Charles B. Dew: An unsettling, illuminating memoir by a professor of history at Williams College.

 
New DVDs include:

• Rumble: A riveting documentary about the Native American roots of rock and roll, with Link Wray and others.

 
Many Academy Award winners and nominees will be in soon!

    LIBRARY NEWS for MARCH 2018
           

• The Library is requesting level funding at $7,500 again this year. Town tax support covers the basic expenses that keep the library open: heat; electricity; phone and internet service; and insurance. The Library’s fund-raising efforts and generous individual donations cover all other costs: building maintenance, including septic pumping; program expenses; supplies; postage; and collection-building. We maintain a fund for capital improvements, which have included insulation, window replacement, clapboarding and painting. Please attend the Information Meeting on Monday, March 5, if you have questions.

 

• MANY THANKS to our Treasurer, DEBBIE BLECICH, who generously donates her CPA expertise to prepare our monthly financial reports. She submits our financial information to the Town Auditors, and our detailed Financial Report for the annual Town Report. And MANY THANKS to LISA SHARROW, our Assistant Treasurer (and Vice-President), who maintains our bank account.

 

• SPECIAL THANKS to our EVENING VOLUNTEERS: TERSH RUNNER and BREANNA DAVIS, who have been generously filling some of the winter-time

   shifts. Because of you and our daytime Trustees and Volunteers, we’re able to keep the Library open during the announced hours --- except when we’re kept away by bad weather or an unexpected power outage! If in doubt, please call to see if we’re open: 492-3410.
 
Coming Events:
Sunday, March 4 @ 3 p.m.: PLANNING FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR GARDEN:
SCOTT COURCELLE of ALCHEMY GARDENS and SAGE, will lead a round-
table discussion about the best varieties, sourcing seeds, using space for maximum yields, principles of nutrient-dense and organic production, pest and disease management, and more. Please come with questions; veteran gardeners and beginners, all are welcome!
 
Sunday, March 11 @ 3 p.m.: RE-SCHEDULED: NEIGHBORWORKS with LUDY BIDDLE and GREGG OVER. NW Executive Director Ludy Biddle and Project Director Gregg Over will talk about the work of this nationally recognized Rutland County organization. Please note the date change; we had to cancel the February event because of the forecast of freezing rain.
 
Friday, April 6 @ 7:30 p.m.: BIG TREES and MORE: Forester GARY SALMON will return to talk about big tree discoveries, climate change effects in Vermont, and more. Please bring your observations and questions!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, March 18 @ 4 p.m.: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: A Stranger in the Kingdom by Howard Frank Mosher. Re-Scheduled Second Session! More copies of this riveting novel, based on the 1968 “Irasburg Affair,” will be available by calling Joan: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, March 25 @ 4 p.m.: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins: A classic of evolutionary thought. Copies will be available in the library; please call Joan if you need more: 492-3550.
 
QUILTERS‘ GROUP: Suspended for the winter. Please call Donna in early April
(773-7403) to see when it will meet again.
 
New Books include:
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah: A new novel, set in Alaska, by the author of The Nightingale;
Craft: An Inquiry into the Origins and True Meaning of Traditional Crafts by Alexander Langland: A fascinating in-depth survey of hand-work;
The Line Becomes A River: Dispatches from the Border by Francisco Cantu: The
harrowing, illuminating memoir of an acclaimed writer who worked as a Border Patrol officer in Arizona;
Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II  by Liza Mundy; and
The Hidden Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben: New insights by the author of The
Hidden Life of Trees.   
 
New DVDs include:
Dunkirk: Thrilling new movie based on the rescue of British and French troops from the Nazis at the start of WWII;
Felicite: A moving depiction of a Nigerian woman in present-day Lagos;
Talahari Panahi’s Taxi: A funny and heartbreaking movie from the banned Iranian
director; and Neruda: An engaging biopic about Pablo Neruda, Nobel Prize winning Chilean poet and activist. In Spanish, with subtitles.

 LIBRARY NEWS for FEBRUARY 2018

*** HAPPY NEW YEAR, SHREWSBURY and THANKS to ALL who made the Annual Silent Auction and Cookie Swap a great success: All the donors, bakers, decorators, staffers, bidders and attendees! As always, Donna and Lisa and the
Fund-Raising Committee (Gail, Judy, and Marge) deserve most of the credit, but this event wouldn’t be as much fun or as successful if it weren’t for the help of all the trustees and the support of everyone who joins us that night.
 
*** We’re very pleased that the QUILT this year was won by our own Nancy Bell(Rill) who, as Chryl’s photo elsewhere in this issue shows,
gave the quilt back to Donna for all the work Donna does for the Library and the Town. Thanks, Rill!

• CORRECTION/ADDITION: It’s come to my attention that in thanking the  Children’s Committee (and ANNIE LEES) in the December Times for the smashing Hallowe’en Party, I failed to mention GLORIA BENSON of Gloria’s Pantry, who not only contributed and decorated cookies, but helped make this one of the Library’s most popular events. THANK YOU, GLORIA!

 
*** WEATHER ADVISORY: As always in these winter months, if you’re not sure whether the Library is open, please call 492-3410 before starting out. If you get a recorded message, we haven’t been able to get there.
 
*** CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: The Library needs staffers for evening shifts: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. If you would like to meet neighbors and participate in a strong community organization, please call Joan (492-3550) or Lisa (492-3732) for an orientation session. Our electronic checkout system is easy to learn!
 
Coming Events:
Sunday, February 11 @ 3pm: NEIGHBORWORKS with Ludy Biddle and Gregg Over. Our own NW Executive Director, Ludy Biddle, and NW Project Manager, Gregg Over, will talk about the work of this extraordinary Rutland County organization. Please note the date and time change from the December issue; the Library has decided hold its winter programs on Sunday afternoons.
 
Sunday, March 4 @ 3pm: PLANNING FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR GARDEN: SCOTT COURCELLE of ALCHEMY GARDENS and SAGE will lead a round-table discussion of best varieties, sourcing seeds, using space for maximum yields, principles of nutrient dense and organic production, pest and disease management, and more. Please come with questions; from veteran gardeners to beginners, are all encouraged to attend!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, January 28 @ 4 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Einstein’s Dreams by Alan
Lightman. An intriguing  novel that explores the nature of time and imagines Einstein’s thought processes. Please call Joan if you need a copy: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, February 18 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: TBA
Sunday, February 25 @ 4 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: A BRIEF HISTORY of Time by Stephen Hawking. Copies will be available at the Library. Please call Joan (492-3550) if you need more.
 
QUILTERS’ GROUP: Please call Donna (773-7403) to see when they’ll meet again.
 
New Books include:
* Endurance: A Year In Space by Scott Kelly: The astronaut’s riveting account of his life in a spaceship.
* Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff: The runaway best-seller based on interviews with present and former insiders.
* Beartown by Fredrik Bachman: A new novel about a town transformed by a hockey team, by the author of  the popular A Man Called Ove.
* Elmet by Fiona Mozley: An engaging first novel set in the North of England, about a father and his two children living off-the-grid.
* Playing with Fire: the 1968 Election and the Transformation of American Politics by Lawrence O’Donnell: An illuminating account of the political conflicts that have shaped the present.

• Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities by Rebecca Solnit: Inspiring essays by a naturalist and innovative thinker.

 
New DVDs include:

• Wind River, starring Jeremy Renner, and Elizabeth Olson, who play FBI agents

working on a murder case on a Native American reservation.

• Neruda, starring Gael Garcia Bernal: an incident in the life of the beloved Chilean poet. in Spanish, with subtitles.
• The Salesman, a moving drama from Iran, directed by Shahab Hosseini.
• Things to Come, starring Isabelle Huppert: Subtle, illuminating French drama.

   In French, with subtitles.

• The Inner Life of Henrietta Lacks: A documentary based on the book by Rebecca

    Skloot.

• Game of Thrones: Season 7: The final episodes of this popular series.

 
                                      --- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

LIBRARY NEWS for: DECEMBER 2017

• MANY THANKS to GERRY MARTIN for his wonderful presentation on the art and craft of wood-turning: “This Bowl from That Tree.” Gerry, as many readers know, makes beautiful, useful bowls from the fallen trees around us. His engaging presentation made his demanding work look almost easy!

 

• THE LIBRARY’S ANNUAL COOKIE SWAP & SILENT AUCTION will take place on Saturday, December 2. Please see our AD on another page, and plan to attend. THANKS in advance to everyone who helps make this event both successful and fun!

 

• THE HAUNTED LIBRARY Halloween event has become a wonderful annual favorite of children and families. THANKS to the Library Children’s Committee:

   Jessica Giffin, Carol Goodwin. Pam Grace, Mackenzie Hewitt, Linda Olney, 
   Doris Perry, and Donna Swartz for making it possible. And SPECIAL THANKS 
   to ANNIE LEES, who stepped into the role of the Wicked Witch, when Donna
   couldn’t make it!
 
Coming Events:
Friday, February 16 @ 7 pm: NEIGHBORWORKS with Ludy Biddle and Gregg Over.

• We haven’t scheduled events in January. The Program Committee will meet next month to set dates for 2018. If you have an idea for a presentation, please contact

   Joan Aleshire (492-3550), Pam Grace (492-3529), Chryl Martin (492-2244), or
   Dirk Thomas (492-3549).
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, December 10 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Behavior by Matt Ridley. Books are available in the Library; please call Joan if the supply has run out: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, January 21 @ 4pm (no session in December): FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: The dystopian novel that inspired the acclaimed TV series. Copies will be available in the library; please call
Joan (492-3550) if you need a copy.
 
Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP: Beginning a new project. Please call Donna Swartz (773-7403) for information. All welcome!
New Books include:
*The Rooster Bar by John Grisham: His new novel, about a for-profit law school and the students who uncover its devious practices.

• American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West by Nate Blakeslee.
• Origin by Dan Brown: the new novel by the author of The DaVinci Code.
• Grant by Ron Chernow: A biography of the Civil War General and President,

   by the author of Hamilton.

• Trace by Archer Mayor: the latest by Vermont’s favorite crime novelist.
• Two Kinds of Truth by Michael Connelly: A new Harry Bosch novel by the master crime writer.
• Leonardo DaVinci by Walter Isaacson, a new biography by the author of

   Einstein and Steve Jobs.

• Naturally Curious: A Photographic Field Guide and Month-by-Month Journey

   through the Fields, Woods, and Marshes of New England by Mary Holland.
  (Purchased with donations from the Joyce Wilson Fund: thank you, all!)
 
New DVDs include:

• Beatriz at Dinner: A comedy of manners with political bite, starring Salma Hayek.  
• A Quiet Passion: An acclaimed drama based on the life of Emily Dickinson, starring Cynthia Nixon.
• A Man Called Ove: a feature based on the popular novel by Frederic Backman.
• Maudie: A moving drama about Nova Scotia artist Maud Lewis, starring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke.
• Detective Montalbano: Episodes 1-3: A TV series based on the popular novels

   about food-and-wine-loving Inspector Montalbano by Andrea Camilleri.
 
 
---- Submitted by Joan Aleshire
 

LIBRARY NEWS: NOVEMBER 2017
 
* THANKS to everyone who contributed to the ANNUAL BOOK, BAKE & TAG SALE : all who donated, sorted and carried out books; all who baked; all who took tables to display their treasures. Although the weather was against us, the quality of the books, baked goods and tagged items was wonderful this year. Having to move the bake and tag sales indoors turned out to be a bonus, making the main room and the meeting room into cheery gathering places. Thanks to DONNA and LISA, and the fund-raising committee for great organization! 

• THANKS to JUDY EMERICK for organizing the Introduction to Aging-in-Place program in cooperation with RITA LANE of Shrewsbury Community Church. Please see Judy’s article elsewhere in this issue of The Times, and put the next A-I-P program (for brainstorming) on your calendar for Monday, October 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Church.

 

• THANKS to SCOTT GARREN and HEATHER SHAY for their fine program   on their recent trip to Cuba. Well organized, well-informed, and engaging, Scott and Heather’s presentation took the audience on a journey to an intriguing, little-known Caribbean neighbor we all wanted to visit.

 
Coming Events:
Sunday, October 29 @ 3 pm: SHREWSBURY VT to SAN SALVADOR PR: A
CONCERT for PUERTO RICO: Please see GRACE Brigham and GALEN MILLER’S ad in this issue of The Times. (Not a Library program, but a coming event I hope everyone will attend!)
 
Friday, November 17 @ 7:30 pm: GERRY MARTIN will discuss the ART OF WOOD-TURNING: Gerry shows how he makes beautiful wooden bowls to use and admire. Free: Please come early to be sure of a seat!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, November 19 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Next Book:
The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carre: The classic spy novel of the Cold War period that made the retired MI5 agent’s career. Books are available in the library; please call Joan (492-3550) if the supply has run out.
 
Sunday, December 10 @ 4 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: No Meeting in November. Next book: Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature by
Matt Ridley. Books will be available at the Library; please call Joan if the supply has run out; 492-3550.
 
Wednesday evenings: QUILTERS’ GROUP is taking a well-deserved rest. Please call Donna Swartz for further information (773-7403) and see our ad in this issue about the new quilt raffle!
 
New Books include:

• Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan: An epic novel set in WWII-era Brooklyn: an impressive departure for the author of the innovative A Visit from the Goon  Squad, which won the Pulitzer Prize.
• Nomadland: Surviving America in the 21st Century by Jessica Bruder: A report on the many middle-aged people who have pulled up stakes and taken to the road in RVs.
• A Column of Fire by Ken Follett: the last in his popular trilogy set in the Middle Ages, by the author of Pillar of Fire: An engrossing heavyweight.
• Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process by master non-fiction writer John McPhee.
• Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng: A thought-provoking novel about class and ethnic tensions in a comfortable suburb.
• The Faraway Brothers: Two Young Migrants and the Making of an American Life by Lauren Markham: An intimate, perceptive look at the current immigrant experience.
• This Blessed Earth: A Year in the Life of an American Farm by Ted Genoways: A compelling portrait of struggles and satisfactions on a Nebraska farm.

 
New DVDs include:

• This Is Us: Season 1: The acclaimed family series.
• Veep: Season 1: The timely political series, starring Julia Dreyfuss.

--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire
    
 LIBRARY NEWS for: OCTOBER 2017

• MANY THANKS to everyone who made possible another great HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE: Everyone who donated food --- PINE VALLEY FARM, ALCHEMY GARDENS, CARAVAN GARDENS, EVENING SONG FARM, KRUEGER-NORTON SUGARHOUSE, and area grocery stores (thanks to MARGE for soliciting donations); everyone who cooked the delicious food, and prepped the fresh vegetables (especially DONNA, and MARGE, JUDY, TRISH and PAM); everyone who cleaned and washed dishes (especially GAIL); everyone who set up and decorated tables (especially LISA); and everyone who cleaned up afterwards (especially TRISH, PETER & PAM, JESSICA, and GERRY). HUGE THANKS to our great COMMUNITY BLUES BAND (led by MARCOS with bandmates AARON, DIRK, EMMETT, PAUL, and SEAMUS) for donating their time and making terrific music: better every year! And THANKS to CHRYL, our town’s roving reporter, for photos to commemorate the event. We’re grateful too for everyone who came and enjoyed the evening!

 

• We were glad to use the MEETING HOUSE (or THE TOWN HALL, as we  older-timers call it) for the well-kept, comfortable community space that we  

   shouldn’t take for granted.
 
Coming Events:
Saturday, September 30 from 9am to 2pm: ANNUAL BOOK, BAKE, & TAG SALE at the Library. Hope to see you there!
 
Saturday, October 1 @ 3pm: AGING-IN-PLACE with JUDY POND of NORWICH AGING-IN-PLACE @ SHREWSBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH.
(See our ad elsewhere in this issue; thanks to JUDY EMERICK.)
 
Friday, October 13 @7:30pm: VISIT CUBA! with SCOTT GARREN & HEATHER SHAY: A free program in the Meeting Room; please come early to be sure of a seat.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, October 15 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Next Book: The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes: A Man Booker Prize winner, noted for its
writing and its psychological depth. Books are available in the Library; please call Joan (492-3550) if the supply has run out.
 
Sunday, October 22 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Next Book: Freakonomics:
A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. Books will be available at the Library; please call Joan(492-3550) if the supply has run out.

 Wednesday evenings: QUILTERS’ GROUP: The group’s latest quilt is being bound and readied for display before this year’s raffle. Watch The Times for
raffle tickets! And call Donna Swartz for information about the next project:
773-7403.
New Books include:

• A Legacy of Spies by John Le Carre: The new spy novel by the 80+ year old master of the genre, bringing back Smiley: his earliest, most famous character.
• Y is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton: Coming to the end of the alphabet with this beloved mystery series.
• Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature as an Adult by Bruce Handy: A wonderful handbook for parents, grandparents, and all of us who were  children, and love them.
• My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent: A compelling first novel set in Mendocino, about a resourceful, resilient young girl and her charismatic, violent father: dark, disturbing, beautiful and unforgettable.
• Shooting Ghosts: A U.S. Marine, A Combat Photographer and Their Journey Back from War by Thomas J. Brennan (USMC, ret.): A riveting dual memoir of Afghanistan.

New DVDs:

• Queen Sugar: Season 1: The fascinating series on Oprah Winfrey’s Network,

   based on the novel of the same name by Natalie Baszile.
* The Vietnam War: The new documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick.
    
    LIBRARY NEWS for SEPTEMBER 2017
 
THANKS to the Shrewsbury Historical Society, especially members JOHN STEWART and GRACE BRIGHAM, for the CUTTINGSVILLE SCHOOL
REUNION, held in the original schoolhouse, now re-purposed and renovated as
Shrewsbury Library. The event brought alumni from as far away as northeastern
Pennsylvania (RICHARD THOMPSON) and as near as just up the rfor an afternoon of wonderful stories, laughter, and an appreciation of the education that Mrs. Stapleton and the village of Cuttingsville gave her students.
 
We are now ACCEPTING BOOK DONATIONS for the BOOK SALE on September 30. PLEASE BRING ITEMS DURING LIBRARY HOURS ONLY; DO NOT LEAVE BOOKS ETC. IN THE BOOK DROP or on the front porch! We accept books, audio- and video-tapes, DVDs and CDs in good condition only. We don’t accept textbooks, coloring books, workbooks, encyclopedias, or any materials that are torn, defaced, badly worn, moldy, or in otherwise poor condition. PLEASE TAKE THOSE TO THE DUMP!
 
Coming Events:
Saturday, September 9 @ 6:30 pm: ANNUAL HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET
DANCE with the COMMUNITY BLUES BAND at SHREWSBURY TOWN HALL. (Please see our ad elsewhere in this issue for more information.)
 
Saturday, September 30 from 9 am to 2 pm: ANNUAL BOOK, BAKE & TAG
SALE on the Library lawn.
 
Sunday, October 1 @ 3 pm: AGING in PLACE with JUDY POND of NORWICH
AIP at SHREWSBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH. Thanks to JUDY EMERICK for organizing this program.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, September 17 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Next book TBA
 
Sunday, September 24 @ 4 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Seven Brief Lessons in
Physics by Carlo Rovelli. Books will be available at the Library; please contact Joan if copies have run out: 492-3550.
 
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP: All welcome! Please call Donna Swartz for information: 773-7403.
New Books include:

• Naturally Curious Day by Day: A Photographic Field Guide and Daily Visit to the Forests, Fields, and Wetlands of  Eastern North America by Mary Holland. Beautiful as well as educational, this book was purchased with funds donated by

   the Wilderness Society of Friends in memory of Joyce Wilson.  

• Mrs. Fletcher by Tom Perrotta: A comic and moving novel about the misadventures of both a middle-aged mom in an “empty nest,”  and her son, who has just left for college.
• Churchill and Orwell: The Fight for Freedom by Thomas E. Ricks: An historical meditation on styles of leadership, seen through the biographies of two 20th

   century figures.

• Conscience of a Conservative by Jeff Flake, Senator from Arizona: A provocative 

   manifesto that intentionally recalls Barry Goldwater’s book of the same name.

• Devil’s Bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and the Storming of the  

  Presidency by Jesse Green. An exploration of the 2016 election by a veteran
  journalist.

• The Dark Vineyard: A Novel of the French Countryside by Martin Walker: The

   first in an engaging series featuring Chief Bruno, food- and wine-loving sleuth.
 
New DVDs include:

• Orange is the New Black: Season 2: The next in this popular TV series.
• Trumbo, starring Bryan Cranston: A biopic about the blacklisted screen writer

   of Roman Holiday and Spartacus, among many others.
 
--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

LIBRARY NEWS : AUGUST 2017
 
*** The Library Board of Trustees is very pleased to announce that MACKENZIE HEWITT has been elected our new Youth Trustee. We look forward to having her help with children’s programs, including Junior Librarians, which will begin in
the fall in cooperation with the After-School Program at Shrewsbury Mountain School. Congratulations and thanks, Mackenzie!
 
*** THANKS to CHARLIE PAQUIN for sharing his knowledge with a number of children and grown-ups on Saturday, July 15. Charlie had so much expertise to share, and the group was so enthusiastic that the program lasted almost all day.
Charlie’s own enthusiasm matches the information he loves to give; we’re lucky
that he makes Shrewsbury Library an annual stop. THANKS to GRACE BRIGHAM for her help with this program, her own enthusiasm, and her art, as seen in the woolly mammoth target!
 
*** THANKS to LYNETTE & GREGG OVER for finding the CUTTINGSVILLE SCHOOL BELL; THANKS to GEORGE RICHARDS who saved it years ago; and THANKS to TRISH NORTON and TERSH RUNNER for making a sturdy display to hold it. The Bell is now on the front desk, where everyone can see and ring it (once per person, please!).
 
Coming Events:
Sunday, August 6 @ 2-4pm: Cuttingsville School Reunion at the Library (once the Cuttingsville School), sponsored by the Shrewsbury Historical Society.
 
Saturday, September 9 @ 6:30 pm: ANNUAL HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE with the COMMUNITY BLUES BAND at the TOWN HALL. (Please see
our ad elsewhere in this issue for more information.)
 
Saturday, September 30 from 9am to 2pm: ANNUAL BOOK & BAKE SALE! Please wait to donate books, audio- and video-tapes, DVDs, and CDs until September 1. We don’t accept textbooks, encyclopedias, and materials that are torn, badly worn, moldy, or in otherwise poor condition. PLEASE TAKE THOSE TO THE DUMP!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, August 20 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Shakespeare’s
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: The most delightful of all the Bard’s comedies:
featuring all the sure-fire dramatic elements: love, mistaken identity, and transformation! Folger Library Annotated Edition copies are available at the Library, thanks to Gerry and Chryl Martin. Please call Joan if the supply has run out; 492-3550.
 
Sunday, August 27th @ 7pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Stiff:The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. Please call Joan if you need more copies: 492-3550.
 
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP: All welcome! Please call Donna Swartz, 773-7403 for information.
 
New Books include:
*A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles: This best-seller with 
   historical/political intrigue and a satisfying ending has had rave reviews.

• The Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz: A best-selling vintage murder mystery where the reader becomes the detective.
• The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand: An absorbing beach romance about identical twins by this popular author.
• The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry: An engaging novel set in Victorian England, about an independent woman, a troubled minister, and a seacoast town threatened by rumors of a prehistoric monster.
• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: A riveting, illuminating book, marketed as a

    Young Adult novel, but compelling reading for all adult readers, topical as recent
    headlines, “telling it like it is” with insight and grace. (Joan’s 2017 Fiction Pick)

• The Outer Beach: A Thousand-Mile Walk on Cape Cod’s Atlantic Shore by naturalist Robert Finch: An exploration by a life-long Cape walker and watcher,

   purchased with funds donated by the Wilderness Society of Friends in memory of 
   Joyce Wilson.
 
--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire
 
    LIBRARY NEWS for: JULY 2017
 
*** CAN’T-THANK-YOU-ENOUGH APPRECIATION to CEDELLE SIRJANE
for being an outstanding Youth Trustee member of the Library Board. Cedelle has
designed posters for programs, served on the Program Committee, co-staffed the Library, bar-coded countless new books and DVDs, and solved many computer
problems for patrons (and staff!). As Cedelle moves on to new opportunities for
study and work, we’ re sad to accept her resignation from our Board, but very glad to know that she’ll continue to help out as she can. MANY THANKS, CEDELLE!
 
*** With Cedelle’s resignation, the Library is looking for a new Youth Trustee to take her place on our Board. The Youth Trustee attends Library meetings on the second Tuesday of every month, and co-staffs the Library during regular hours.
A student in Grades 9-12 who loves libraries and would like to work with other trustees on library-sponsored activities should contact the Nominating Committee: Gail Hartigan (492-3605), Lisa Sharrow (492-3732) or Dirk Thomas (492-3549). Or call the Library (492-3410).
 
*** MANY THANKS to CHRYL MARTIN and the VERMONT HUMANITIES
COUNCIL for the gift of copies of Jacqueline Woodson’s Brown Girl Dreaming,
a powerful book of poems that tells the story of a life with simplicity and insight.
The Famous Books Book Club had one of its best discussions last month with
Brown Girl Dreaming as its subject. We still have many copies, and hope classes
at Mountain School will read this book --- originally written for young people, but meaningful to everyone --- next fall.
 
*** THANKS to MARK MIELE of RAVNAH/HOSPICE for the excellent program on Advanced Directives last month. We still have some of his hand-outs, and more information about this important subject.
 
Coming Events:
Saturday, July 15, from 10 am to 2pm at the library: CHARLIE PAQUIN, experimental archaeologist, returns to show us ancient ways of tool-making, cooking and atlatl-throwing. Please bring a bag lunch; we’ll have ice water in the cooler. All ages welcome!
 
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, July 16 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Bring Up the Bodies
by Hilary Mantel: the second book in her Wolf Hall trilogy. We’ll need another
month to finish this one. A few copies are available at the Library; call Joan if they run out: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, July 23 @ 7pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Best Science and Nature Writing 2016, edited by Amy Stewart and Tim Folger. Please call Joan if you need more copies: 492-3550.
 
New Books include:

• Before We Sleep, the new novel by the beloved Vermont writer, Jeffrey Lent, set on a Vermont farm, where a young girl struggles with the legacy of WWII.
• No Middle Name: The Complete Collected Jack Reacher Short Stories by Lee Child: Chilling tales for summer by this master of the thriller.
• Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by astronomer Neil deGrasse Tyson: Short lessons about the universe by this popular scientist.
• Camino Island by John Grisham: The newest novel by the master of the legal

   thriller.

• The Baker’s Secret by Stephen Kiernan: An engaging novel by a Vermont writer, 

   set in a French village during WWII.

• The Ministry of Utmost Happiness: The sprawling new novel by Arundhati Roy, activist and author of the best-selling The God of Small Things.
• Hue 1968: A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam by journalist Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down.
• Roads Taken: Contemporary Vermont Poetry edited by Vermont Poet Laureate

   Chard deNiord and former VPL Sydney Lea: A selection of the famous dead and
   the living: a great choice for vacation reading aloud. (You’ll find a neighbor 
   here, and a mention of the library.)
 
New DVDs:

• Lion, starring Dev Patel, based on a true story of displacement and renewal.
• The Sorrow and the Pity: the classic documentary by Marcel Ophuls about

   WWII France during the German Occupation.
 LIBRARY NEWS for THE TIMES OF SHREWSBURY: JUNE 2017

• We’re very pleased to announce that the full slate of officers and trustees was elected at the Annual Meeting. Officers are: President: JOAN ALESHIRE; Vice-President & Assistant Treasurer: LISA SHARROW; Secretary (Recording & Corresponding): GAIL HARTIGAN; Treasurer: DEBBIE BLECICH. Thanks to everyone for continuing to serve!

 
* We welcome back DONNA SWARTZ (and DICK) from their winter in Arizona!

• We remember our good friend CARL KAVANAUGH, who died last month, and send our 

   sympathy to his family. Carl was always ready to help, not hesitating to plunge into our septic
   holding tank to fix the blockage when needed. His great energy and good humor will be
   sorely missed.

• MANY THANKS to PENELOPE WEISS for an fascinating presentation about her “Spirit Dolls” on April 21st. Beautiful photographs of these pieces, created by Penelope and her husband, John Davis, are on display in the Meeting Room.

 

• MANY THANKS to ESZTI TOTH, Rotary Exchange Student from Hungary for an engaging talk on the history, geography, culture, and language of her home country on May 12th. Thanks to BARRY GRIFFITH for making the program possible, and to RANDALL BARCLAY for IT

   support at the crucial moment.

• THANKS to MARK & CONNIE YOUNGSTROM and the Vermont Center for EcoStudies

    for Chris Rimmer’s presentation on songbird migration on May 19th. Groups who want to 
    use the Library Meeting Room should contact Lisa Sharrow: (cutsvil@vermontel.net) about
    availability and guidelines.
  

• JOHN WOOD (WOODY) is beginning work on the Library’s south wall to replace the windows and insulation. It may get a little noisy, but the Library will stay open!

 
Coming Events:
Friday, June 2 @ 7:30 p.m.: ADVANCED DIRECTIVES with MARK NEALY of RAVNA &
HOSPICE. Learn about this end-of-life protection; bring your questions and concerns. In the Meeting Room; please come early to make sure of a place.
 
Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: CHARLIE PAQUIN, experimental archaeologist, returns
to show us ancient tool-making and atlatl-throwing.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, June 18 @ 4 p.m.: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel: The second novel in this powerful series about Thomas Cromwell, adviser to Henry VIII. Books will be available in the library. Please call Joan for more copies: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, June 28 @ 4 p.m.: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. Books will be available in the Library. Please call Joan if copies run out: 492-3550.
 
 
New Books include:

• Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout: the newest novel in linked stories by the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Olive Kittredge.
• Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the Modern FBI by David

   Grann: Riveting history by the author of The Lost City of Z.

• Never Out of Season: How Having the Food We Want When We Want It Threatens Our Food

   Supply and Our Future by Rob Daum: A localvore manifesto.

• Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes: An

   excavation of recent events by two reporters who set out to write what they thought would be a 
   success story.

• Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy by Anne Lamott: A short meditation on spiritual growth by this popular author.

 
New DVDs include:

• Manchester by the Sea: Contemporary New England drama with Casey Affleck and Michelle

   Williams, directed by Kenneth Lonergan.
* LaLa Land with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone: The almost-Oscar-winner for Best Picture.  

• I Am Not Your Negro: The brilliant documentary based on James Baldwin’s life and last 

  writings.
 
--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

LIBRARY NEWS for: JUNE 2017

• We’re very pleased to announce that the full slate of officers and trustees was elected at the Annual Meeting. Officers are: President: JOAN ALESHIRE; Vice-President & Assistant Treasurer: LISA SHARROW; Secretary (Recording & Corresponding): GAIL HARTIGAN; Treasurer: DEBBIE BLECICH. Thanks to everyone for continuing to serve!

 
* We welcome back DONNA SWARTZ (and DICK) from their winter in Arizona!

• We remember our good friend CARL KAVANAUGH, who died last month, and send our 

   sympathy to his family. Carl was always ready to help, not hesitating to plunge into our septic
   holding tank to fix the blockage when needed. His great energy and good humor will be
   sorely missed.

• MANY THANKS to PENELOPE WEISS for an fascinating presentation about her “Spirit Dolls” on April 21st. Beautiful photographs of these pieces, created by Penelope and her husband, John Davis, are on display in the Meeting Room.

 

• MANY THANKS to ESZTI TOTH, Rotary Exchange Student from Hungary for an engaging talk on the history, geography, culture, and language of her home country on May 12th. Thanks to BARRY GRIFFITH for making the program possible, and to RANDALL BARCLAY for IT

   support at the crucial moment.

• THANKS to MARK & CONNIE YOUNGSTROM and the Vermont Center for EcoStudies

    for Chris Rimmer’s presentation on songbird migration on May 19th. Groups who want to 
    use the Library Meeting Room should contact Lisa Sharrow: (cutsvil@vermontel.net) about
    availability and guidelines.
  

• JOHN WOOD (WOODY) is beginning work on the Library’s south wall to replace the windows and insulation. It may get a little noisy, but the Library will stay open!

 
Coming Events:
Friday, June 2 @ 7:30 p.m.: ADVANCED DIRECTIVES with MARK NEALY of RAVNA &
HOSPICE. Learn about this end-of-life protection; bring your questions and concerns. In the Meeting Room; please come early to make sure of a place.
 
Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: CHARLIE PAQUIN, experimental archaeologist, returns
to show us ancient tool-making and atlatl-throwing.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, June 18 @ 4 p.m.: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel: The second novel in this powerful series about Thomas Cromwell, adviser to Henry VIII. Books will be available in the library. Please call Joan for more copies: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, June 28 @ 4 p.m.: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. Books will be available in the Library. Please call Joan if copies run out: 492-3550.
 
 
New Books include:

• Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout: the newest novel in linked stories by the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Olive Kittredge.
• Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the Modern FBI by David

   Grann: Riveting history by the author of The Lost City of Z.

• Never Out of Season: How Having the Food We Want When We Want It Threatens Our Food

   Supply and Our Future by Rob Daum: A localvore manifesto.

• Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes: An

   excavation of recent events by two reporters who set out to write what they thought would be a 
   success story.

• Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy by Anne Lamott: A short meditation on spiritual growth by this popular author.

 
New DVDs include:

• Manchester by the Sea: Contemporary New England drama with Casey Affleck and Michelle

   Williams, directed by Kenneth Lonergan.
* LaLa Land with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone: The almost-Oscar-winner for Best Picture.  

• I Am Not Your Negro: The brilliant documentary based on James Baldwin’s life and last 

  writings.
 
--- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

    LIBRARY NEWS: MARCH 2017

• MANY THANKS to GARY SALMON (and his trusty assistant, Margery!) for the delightful and informative update on the Shrewsbury Big Trees Project on Friday, February 17. Gary reviewed the Shrewsbury trees that were measured and authenticated in 2016 as big for their species, and outlined plans for more exploration and measuring in 2017. This wonderful project involves close attention to the landscape, and a willingness to get into the woods and to share your discoveries with neighbors. To contact Gary with your questions, please call 492-3315.

 

• MANY THANKS, too, to GARY for donating to the Library the scrapbook he made of the Big Trees identified in 2016, with photographs and stories of their known origins and measuring. The scrapbook will be at the Library as a one-of-a-kind treasure: a read-in-the-library reference book for everyone to enjoy.

 

• WEATHER REMINDER: If it’s snowy or (especially) icy, please call the Library @ 492-3410 to see if we’re there! Hours: M 10-12, Tu 7-9, W 10-5 & 7-9, Th7-9, F 1-12, Sat 10-12.

 
 
Coming Events (in the Meeting Room):
Friday, March 24 @ 7:30 p.m.: MALCOLM BELL will read from and discuss his book, The Attica Turkey Shoot: Carnage, Cover-Up, and the Pursuit of Justice, first published in 1985, and now re-issued with an introduction by Heather Ann Thompson, whose book on the 1971 Attica prison uprising, Blood in the Water, came out last year. Bell was a New York State’s Attorney who prosecuted the state police and prison guards for criminal wrong-doing in suppressing that uprising. He now lives in Weston with his wife Nancy, and is a member of
the Wilderness Friends Society that meets in the Library.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, March 19 @ 4 p.m.: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: The Golden Bowl by Henry James (session 2). We’ll finish our discussion of this intriguing novel (James’ last) and choose something for April; in May we’ll read the VT Reads selection.
 
Sunday, March 26 @ 4 p.m. SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: What’s a Dog For? The Surprising History, Science, Philosophy, and Politics of Man’s Best Friend by
John Homans. Copies will be at the Library at the end of February. Please call Joan at 492-3550 if you need a book; please don’t leave a note or phone message at the Library!
 
The QUILTERS and WRITERS are taking a Winter Break. We’ll let you know when meetings resume.
 
New Books include:
* Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, the inventive first novel by the acclaimed short story writer that portrays a Lincoln unable to let his beloved son leave what Buddhists call the Bardo, the state between life and death.

• Rather Be the Devil by Ian Rankin: the latest entertaining crime novel featuring D.I. Rebus, set in Edinburgh.

• The True Flag: Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain and the Birth of American Empire by veteran NewYork Times journalist Stephen Kinzer.
• The Essential Oyster by Vermont naturalist Rowan Jacobsen: a beautiful book about this fascinating (and delicious) sea creature.
• It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis, a re-issue of this 1935 classic novel about a fascist take-over, written when Lewis lived in Barnard, VT.
• The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher: her rediscovered journals from her “Star Wars” years.

 
New DVDs:
  *Arrival, the sci-fi thriller starring Amy Adams;
  *O.J.: Made in America: the first TV series to be nominated for a “Best Documentary” Academy Award;

• Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years: starring the Beatles, directed by Ron Howard.

 More coming soon!
 -- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

        LIBRARY NEWS FOR : FEBRUARY 2017
 
* THANKS to everyone who helped make our Annual Cookie Swap & Silent Auction a great success, in spite of daunting weather: All who decorated the building inside and out, especially DONNA and LISA; all the donors to the Auction; all the bakers, eager bidders, and enthusiastic attendees; MARCOS for his wonderful music; TOM for his savvy bartending; JUDY for dispensing cookies; and LISA, with GAIL’s help, for doing the crucial work of running the auction: setting up the tables, entering all the items and bids, and making sure everyone got what they paid for!
 
*THANKS to the CHILDREN’S COMMITTEE for a wonderful holiday program,
   with a showing of “The Polar Express,” hot chocolate, crafts, and more. And 
   thanks to CAROL GOODWIN for running the Legos programs every month!

• WEATHER ADVISORY: If it’s snowy or icy, please call the Library to see if we’re open: 492-3410. Our Shrewsbury Road Crew is amazing, but all our volunteers’ driveways may not be as clear as the roadways.

 
Coming Events:
Friday, February 17 @ 7:30 pm: A CELEBRATION of SHREWSBURY’S BIG
TREES PROJECT with forester GARY SALMON. Learn which trees have been identified so far, and how to discover more. (Please see Gary’s article elsewhere
in this issue of The Times of Shrewsbury.)
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, February 19 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: The Golden Bowl by Henry James (session 1). We’ll take two months to read and discuss this wonderful novel of wealth, innocence, intrigue, deception, betrayal, and love. The
Library also has a good movie version, if Henry James intimidates you!
 
Sunday, February 26 @ 4 pm: Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet  by Mark Lynas: How climate change occurs, and how to deal with it.
 
The QUILTERS’ & WRITERS’ GROUPS have both taken a break until spring. We’ll keep you posted when sessions resume.
 
New Books include:

• Moonglow by Michael Chabon: Part fiction, part personal memoir, this new work

   by a master storyteller tells the story of one Jewish family through memories of
   World War II to the present.

• Victoria: The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire  by Julia Baird: A well-researched biography that explodes the myth of a proper Victoria!
• Slow Getting Up: A Story of NFL Survival from the Bottom of the Pile by Nate

   Jackson: A classic of sports writing.

• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi: A riveting novel about three generations of an African-American family, beginning with two sisters born in Ghana.
• The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds by Michael Lewis:

   The story of two behavioral scientists, Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky:
    their vital collaboration, its rupture, and its outcome.
 
New DVDs include:

• Outlander, Season 1, Volume 1: The start of this popular time-travel series;
• Blackish, Season 1: The first in this acclaimed comedy series;
• Homeland, Season 4: The latest in this compelling drama;
• Masterpiece: Poldark Seasons 1 & 2 : !8th century adventure in a beautiful

   Cornish setting. (We also have the 1970’s version of this popular show.)
 
More DVDs coming soon!
 
-- Submitted by Joan Aleshire
 

        LIBRARY NEWS for DECEMBER 2016

•  All of our community organizations depend on the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers, who understand and live a belief in working together for the common good. The Library has been particularly fortunate in having outstanding long-time Board members

   and officers, like DIRK THOMAS, who has just stepped down as Recording Secretary after
   many years, but will, we’re very glad to say, remain on the Board. THANK YOU, DIRK!

• At the same time, we’re very pleased to announce that GAIL HARTIGAN has stepped into the

   Recording Secretary’s position, while continuing as Corresponding Secretary. THANK YOU,
   GAIL!

• MANY THANKS to SCOTT DARLING, State Wildlife Biologist for his enlightening presentation on Vermont’s Moose population, explaining why Josh the Moose took up residence in Shrewsbury, and showing how warming temperatures have affected the health of these remarkable animals in northern regions. SCOTT has been tireless in studying moose and bat populations, and informing us about their conditions.
• THANKS to STACY HARSHMAN for a terrific presentation on her memoir, CROWNING

 GLORY, telling with humor and poignance how wearing different wigs changed other people’s perceptions and her own. More power to you, Stacy!

• THANKS to the Children’s Committee -- JESSICA GIFFIN, AMY THOMAS, DONNA SWARTZ, PAM GRACE, DORIS PERRY and LINDA OLNEY for another great HALLOWEEN PARTY on October 29th!
• ANOTHER THANK YOU to JUDY DALEY KEANE not only for weeding the front garden, 

  but for planting dozens of tulip bulbs that we’ll enjoy next spring.
 
Coming Events:
Saturday, December 3 @ 6:30 pm: ANNUAL COOKIE SWAP & SILENT AUCTION. Thanks in
advance to decorators, helpers, donors, bakers and attendees; we hope to see you there!
Continuing Programs:
 Sunday, January 15 @ 4 pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: The Underground Railroad by
Colson Whitehead, a resonant imaginative rendering of history, winner of the National Book
Award this year. One copy now available at the Library; please call Joan for more (492-3550).
 Sunday, January 22 @ 4 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters by Matt Ridley. One copy still available at the Library; please call Joan
for more.
Alternate Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP: All welcome! Please call Donna Swartz for details: 773-7403.
Alternate Thursdays @ 7 pm: The Writers’ Group is suspended for the winter. Please look for
an announcement in the spring, or call Penelope Weiss, 492-3345, for information.
 
New Books include:

• Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult: A new novel about racism and moral choices by this

   best-selling author.

• Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple: a bittersweet comic novel about a young mother’s hectic life.
• Truevine: Two Brothers, A Kidnapping, and a Mother’s Quest: A True Story by Beth Macy: A

   journalist’s search for the truth about two African-American albino brothers who became a
   sideshow exhibit in mid-20th century America.

• Upstream: Essays by Mary Oliver: The revered poet expresses her love of nature and of poetry

   this new prose collection.

• Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen: The rock star tells where he came from and how he got

   where he is, with lots of great anecdotes and photographs.

• The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben: A passionate, provocative defense of primeval

   forests by a German forester: both ecologically informative and mystical.
 
New DVDs include:

• Joy starring Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro and Bradley Cooper.
• The Man Who Knew Infinity starring Dev Patel: A drama of scientific discovery.
• Me Before You starring Emilia Clarke, based on the moving best-seller by JoJo Moyes.
• Love and Friendship starring Kate Beckinsale, based on the delightful Jane Austen classic.
• Outlander: Season 2: The next in this popular time-travel series.

 
More books and DVDs coming for your holiday reading and watching: Happy Holidays!
 
- Submitted by Joan Aleshire 

          LIBRARY NEWS: OCTOBER 2016

• MANY THANKS to everyone who helped make the ANNUAL HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE a great success: DONNA and LISA for organizing, set-up, cooking and more; all the Trustees who contributed their time and energy; everyone who baked great desserts this year; Alchemy Gardens, Caravan Gardens, and Evening Song Farm for the vegetables and flowers; various local stores; the COMMUNITY BLUES BAND(MARCOS LEVY, SILAS HAMILTON, SEAMUS MARTIN, AARON SCHNEIDER,

   and DIRK THOMAS), and TRISH NORTON and her great clean-up crew! And, not least,thanks to the SHREWSBURY COMMUNITY CHURCH for letting us hold this event in that perfect space.

• CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! We need more of you, especially during the winter months, when some of our regular staffers leave for other climes. If you’re new in town, or even if you’re not, working at the Library is a great place to meet your neighbors. If you love books and movies, it’s a perfect opportunity to share your enthusiasms and exchange opinions. If you

   just want a quiet space, and the satisfaction of helping the community, the Library is the spot for you! Shifts last 2 hours; the   Library is open 6 days (and evenings) a week: M 10 a.m. to noon;  TU 7-9 p.m.; W 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; TH 7-9 p.m.; F 10 a.m. to noon; and SAT 10 a.m. to noon. If you volunteer to staff regularly -- say, once a month -- you’ll become
   familiar with our simple electronic check-out/check-in system, and know how items are organized. Please contact Donna (773-7403) or Joan (492-3550) or call the Library (492-3410) to schedule an appointment for orientation and training.
 
Coming Events:
Saturday, September 24 @ 9am to 2 pm: ANNUAL BOOK, BAKE & YARD SALE!
 
Sunday, October 16 @ 1pm to 3:30pm: CIDER-MAKING @ THE RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE with local cider-makers and enthusiasts. Free; all welcome!
 
Friday, October 21 @ 7:30pm: MOOSE with Wildlife Biologist SCOTT DARLING.
Learn about the nature, habits and habitat of this remarkable local inhabitant.
 
Friday, November 4 @ 7:30pm: STACY HARSHMAN will read from her new memoir,
CROWNING GLORY, about how a red wig can change a life.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, October 16 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: The Murders in the Rue
Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe: The first detective story, influencing all that follows, by a master
of suspense and the macabre. Books will be available at the Library; please call Joan for more
copies: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, October 23 @ 7pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Map That Changed the World
by Simon Winchester. Books will be available at the Library. Please call Joan for more copies:
492-3550.
 
Alternate Wednesdays: QUILTERS’ GROUP: All welcome, beginners to pros! Please call
Donna for details, 773-7403.
 
WRITERS’ GROUP: Please call Penelope Weiss for information: 492-3345.
 
New Books include:

• The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer: The new, frank and funny memoir

   by the popular comedian.

• Second-Hand Time: The Last of the Soviets by Svetlana Alexievich: An oral history of her fellow Russians, by the Nobel Prize winning author.
• Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance. Vance writes

   about his native Appalachia, but his story and his insights will be familiar to everyone.

• Trump Revealed: An American Journey of Ambition, Ego, Money, and Power by Michael

   Kranish and Marc Fisher: A decades-long study by two investigative reporters for The 
  Washington Post that gives a history of the Republican candidate.

• Alter Egos: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and the Twilight Struggle over American Power

   by Mark Landler: An investigative report on Clinton’s foreign policy opinions and actions as
  Secretary of State, by the White House correspondent for The New York Times.
 
New DVDs include:

• Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, starring  comedian Tina Fey as a war correspondent.
• 45 Years, starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay as a long-married couple whose

   life is disrupted by the revelation of a long-held secret.

• Mustang: A comic and moving feature about four teenaged sisters in Turkey.
• Hello, My Name is Doris, starring the delightful Sally Field as a woman who refuses to act

   her age.
 
LIBRARY NEWS  SEPTEMBER 2016
 
*MANY THANKS to the SHREWSBURY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (especially GRACE BRIGHAM) and everyone who attended the program on SHREWSBURY’S ONE-ROOM SCHOOLS at the Russellville Schoolhouse last month! Alumni, teachers, and interested townspeople shared stories and enjoyed the afternoon. We haven’t seen any of the spotted adders that BILL TABOR used to see sunning themselves on the Russellville Schoolhouse steps, but
loved hearing about them! Special thanks to BRIAN WINKLER for bringing photographs of Shrewsbury schools from the Historical Society to this program. The Library hopes this is just the first of many collaborations with the Historical Society.
 
*THANKS to CHARLIE PAQUIN, who treated an attentive audience of kids and grown-ups to
  his encyclopedic knowledge of ancient methods of making and decorating pottery on August
 13.Atlatls were thrown by all ages in spite of the rain; thanks to Bernard and Joan Stewart for 
 letting us use their lawn, and to the Rustic Rooster for their understanding.

• By the time THE SHREWSBURY TIMES appears, the HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE may have already happened, rain or shine, at the Town Hall on Saturday, August 27. 

   Thanks in advance to everyone who worked on this annual benefit; a full acknowledgement
   will appear next month.

• THANKS to WOODY and his crew for the beautiful, functional new windows, and north wall siding! Some adult fiction books have been displaced by the construction; please bear with us until all the work is done.

 
Coming Events:
Saturday, August 27 @ 6:30pm: ANNUAL HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE  with the Community Blues Band at Shrewsbury Town Hall.
 
Saturday, September 20, 9am to 2pm: ANNUAL BOOK, BAKE & LAWN SALE at the Library.
Please donate BOOKS, VIDEO- and AUDIO-TAPES in GOOD CONDITION ONLY, nothing
moldy or damaged. We welcome PAPERBACKS and HARDCOVERS, but NO TEXTBOOKS or ENCYCLOPEDIAS. PLEASE BRING YOUR DONATED ITEMS DURING LIBRARY HOURS ONLY; DON”T PUT THEM IN THE BOOK DROP!
 
Sunday, October 16: Time TBA: CIDER-MAKING at the RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, September 18 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: All the King’s Men by Robert
Penn Warren: the second discussion of this brilliant book about a home-grown demagogue. If you want to join the group and need a book, please call Joan: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, September 25 @ 7pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan. Books will be available at the Library. Please contact Joan, 492-3550, if the supply has run out!
 
Alternate Wednesdays: QUILTERS’ GROUP. Please call Donna Swartz, 773-7403 for information. All welcome!
 
Alternate Thursdays @ 7pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. Call Penelope Weiss for details: 492-3345.
 
New Books include:

• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead: The acclaimed, dazzling and disturbing new novel about our pre-Civil War past.
• The Black Widow by Daniel Silva: The latest thriller by this popular writer.
• Heroes of the Frontier by Dave Eggers: A novel in which the heroes are a single mom and her children, looking for a place to live in present-day Alaska: heart-rending and funny, in the Eggers style.
• The Beekeeper’s Handbook by Diana Sammataro: A guide recommended by Dick Brigham,

   our veteran beekeeper!

• Rain: A Natural and Cultural History by Cynthia Barnett: A fascinating, factual and lyrical book about the phenomenon we take for granted until we have too little of it.

• Charcoal Joe by Walter Mosley: A new Easy Rawlins mystery by this astute cultural observer.
• Barkskins by Annie Proulx: A new historical novel by the writer of  The Shipping News and

   Broke-back Mountain.
** Fractured Lands: by Scott Anderson: A history of the Middle East, told from the perspectives 
    of six of its citizens - from Egypt, Libya, Syria, Iraq and Kurdistan. This report took up the
    entire New York Times Sunday Magazine for Sunday, August 14, and can be checked out.
 
Hidden-in-Plain-Sight Treasures Department: Starting next month, for your information and reading pleasure, we will begin highlighting important books from our less-frequented upstairs shelves: in religion, philosophy, and social and cultural studies: the 00-400 Dewey numbers.
    
LIBRARY NEWS  AUGUST 2016

• THANKS to JERRY SCHNEIDER and a great audience for his presentation on butterflies (how to identify and how to attract them). The Library has just gotten a book that Jerry recommended, Butterflies Through Binoculars: A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Eastern North America by Jeffrey Glassberg. One noteworthy take-away: Monarch butterflies depend on milkweed for their survival; if you own an open field and don’t graze animals or use the  hay, consider mowing as late as October, to keep the milkweed growing and the monarchs surviving!

 

• The Library is a COOL PLACE to be in both senses, especially in summer. With the doors and windows closed, good insulation and the ceiling fans going, it’s pleasant on the hottest days. And we have lots of summer reading treats for all tastes!

 

• We’re making some improvements, thanks to WOODY (JOHN WOOD): New windows in the

    Meeting Room; and insulation and new siding on the north wall. Woody will work around 
    Library hours, but we may have to close at times to get the job done. Please CALL the Library
    before you visit to make sure we’re open: 492-3410.

• We’ll be accepting BOOKS FOR THE BOOK SALE after SEPTEMBER 1. We accept only

    hardcover and paperback books, DVDs and music CDs in good condition. Please don’t donate
   textbooks, encyclopedias, damaged or moldy books; take those to the transfer station. Call Joan
   (492-3550 if you have questions.
 
Coming Events:
Saturday, July 23 @ 7:30pm: METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY presents “BEFORE THE SUN AND MOON” at SHREWSBURY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL, rain or shine. Admission:
Adults: $8; Children 12 & Under: $1.
 
Sunday, August 7 @ 4pm: SHREWSBURY’S ONE-ROOM SCHOOLS with FORMER STUDENTS. Please join us for an afternoon of stories at the RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE, 18 CROWN POINT ROAD. This program is sponsored by Shrewsbury Historical Society, Shrewsbury Library and SAGE (Shrewsbury Institute for Agricultural Education).
 
Saturday, August 13 from 10 am to 2pm: CHARLIE PAQUIN returns to tell us how the First
Americans made pottery: he’ll demonstrate hand-building and decorating techniques to all ages, from beginners to professional potters. Atlatl-throwing will also be featured!
 
Saturday, August 27 @ 6:30pm: ANNUAL HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE with the
renowned COMMUNITY BLUES BAND, led  by MARCOS LEVY. At SHREWSBURY TOWN HALL, rain or shine. See you there!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, July 24 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz, 2nd Discussion (changed from the 3rd Sunday, July 17).
 
Sunday, July 24 @ 7pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Best Science and Nature Writing, 2015,  edited by Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. (1st of 2 sessions)
 
QUILTERS’ GROUP: Date & Time TBA. Please call Donna Swartz if you’re interested: 773-7403 Novices and pros, all welcome!
 
Alternate Thursdays @7-9pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. Please call Penelope Weiss for information:
492-3345.
 
New Books include:

• My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and

   The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante: This stunning, engrossing quartet of novels by 
   an Italian writer are bursting with life; you’ll read non-stop and be moved, shocked, changed.
  (Thanks to Carol Goodwin for her gift!)

• End of Watch by Stephen King: The last thriller in this trilogy.
• What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of Our Underwater Cousins by Jonathan Balcome: surprising and delightful natural science.
• The Girls by Emma Cline: A best-selling first novel about the 1960s.
• Jackson, 1964 and Other Dispatches from Fifty Years of Reporting on Race in America by Calvin Trillin, veteran New Yorker and New York Times journalist (and food writer and poet!).
• As Good As Gone by Larry Watson: A powerful new novel by the author of Montana, 1948.
• Bush by Jean Edward Smith: A comprehensive new biography by an acclaimed historian.
• Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Icon by Larry Tye: A highly praised political analysis.

 
  New DVDs are coming soon; lots of good ones are on the shelves!
          LIBRARY NEWS FOR THE TIMES OF SHREWSBURY: JULY 2016

• MANY THANKS to SANDY & KRISTI BRAGG for a terrific presentation on “Cider, William the Conqueror, and Asterix: Travels in Normandy and Brittany” on June 10th. The large audience learned a lot about the cider, food, history and architecture of these fascinating regions of France.

 

• THANKS to the LIBRARY CHILDREN’S COMMITTEE for organizing a fine KICK-OFF to the Summer Reading Program! Grown-ups can create their own summer reading packets; not to be left out of the reading fun, stop in and browse the shelves!

 

• THANKS to KERMIT BLACKWOOD and SAGE for a fascinating program on the history, culture and practical care of poultry on June 3rd. The audience may have been small , but it was very appreciative of Kermit’s expertise. We hope he’ll return for a Part 2, possibly as an on-site presentation at a local farm.

 
Coming Events:
Thursday, June 23 & Tuesday, June 28th @ 5pm: SKYPE CLASSES with RANDELL BARCLAY. Please call the Library to sign up: 492-3410. Limit: 10 participants for each session.
 
Friday, July 8 @ 7pm: BUTTERFLIES and how to attract them, with expert JERRY SCHNEIDER.
 
Saturday, July 23 @ 7:30 p.m.: METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY presents “BEFORE THE SUN AND MOON,” based on a Korean folk tale, with Mettawee’s signature puppets, masks, and original music. Place: SHREWSBURY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL, rain or shine (on the ball field
or in the multi-purpose room).
 
Sunday, August 7 @ 4pm: SHREWSBURY’S ONE-ROOM SCHOOLS with former students,
sponsored by the Shrewsbury Historical Society and the Library at the Russellville Schoolhouse,
thanks to SAGE.
 
Saturday, August 13 from10 am to 2pm: CHARLIE PAQUIN tells about ROCKS, making atlatls, rock drawings and more. Details TBA.
 
Saturday, August 27 @ 6:30 pm: ANNUAL HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE @ SHREWSBURY TOWN HALL (rain or shine).
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, July 17 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz
(2nd discussion). Please call Joan if you need a book: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, July 24 @ 7 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Best Science Writing 2015 (2 sessions).
Alternate Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP. All welcome! Please call Donna Swartz, 773-7403, for more information.
 
Alternate Thursdays: THE WRITERS’ GROUP is back! Please call Penelope Weiss, 492-3345, for times and see her article in this issue of THE TIMES.
 
New Books include:

• The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson. A World War II-period novel by this entertaining writer.
• The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss by Anderson Cooper

   and Gloria Vanderbilt: An exchange of letters by this famous duo.

• The Morning They Came for Us: Dispatches from Syria by Janine diGiovanni: A report from 

   the front lines of the Syrian civil war by an international correspondent.

• Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler: A dramatic first novel about love, betrayal, loss, and learning

   in the high-end, high-pressure restaurant world.

• Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. A true story about an

   innocent man’s conviction and his fight for exoneration: more thrilling than fiction.

• Modern Lovers by Emma Straub: An engaging first novel about two generations of couples.
• Bravehearts: Whistle-Blowers in the Age of Snowden by Mark Hertsgaard: A persistent reporter’s gripping and infuriating chronicle.

 
New DVDs coming soon; summer seems to be a slow season for new releases!
 
______________________________________________________________________________
 
HAVE BOOKS TO DONATE? Please WAIT for the BOOK SALE in September, or CALL
the LIBRARY to inquire: 492-3410. PLEASE DO NOT DUMP YOUR UNWANTED BOOKS, DVDs, CDs, etc. in our BOOK DROP!
_____________________________________________________________________________
 
   LIBRARY NEWS JUNE 2016

• At the ANNUAL MEETING in May, all officers and trustees whose terms had expired were returned to office and/or to the Board of Trustees. Many thanks to everyone for agreeing to take part in the Library’s work!

 

• THANKS to the Select Board for re-appointing DEBBIE BLECICH as the Town’s representative to the Library Board. We’re very lucky to have her as our Treasurer!

 

• MANY THANKS to AVELOY LANNING, Executive Director, and JEN YAKUNOVICH, Development Director, of the Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter, for their excellent

   presentation on RCWNS’ work in the community. The Rutland Herald gave the program front-
   page coverage (along with an article on the memorial service for Donna Marzilli). Copies of 
   both articles are posted in the library.
 
Coming Events:
Friday, June 3 @ 7:30pm: KERMIT BLACKWOOD, renowned aviculturist, heritage breeds conservator, and filmmaker, will speak on RAISING POULTRY IN YOUR BACKYARD in the
Library Meeting Room. This program is sponsored by SAGE (Shrewsbury Institute for Agricultural Education) and is free and open to all. Please call Joan (492-3550) for details.
 
Friday, June 10 @ 7:30 pm: KRISTI & SANDY BRAGG will give a presentation on BRITTANY and NORMANDY in the Meeting Room. Please join us for an exploration of the
rich history, landscape, and culture of these fascinating regions of France!
 
Thursday, June 23 & Tuesday, June 28 @ 5pm: SKYPE classes with RANDELL BARCLAY. Limit: 10 participants for each session. Please call the Library to register: 492-3410.
 
Friday, July 8 @ 7 pm: BUTTERFLIES with expert JERRY SCHNEIDER
(Meeting Room)
 
*For Meeting Room events, please come early to make sure you have a seat!*
 
Saturday, July 23 7:30 pm: METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY presents “BEFORE THE SUN AND MOON,” from a Korean folk tale. Place: SHREWSBURY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL, rain or shine.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, June 19 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: PALACE WALK by NAGUIB MAHFOUZ, the first book of the “Cairo Trilogy” by this Nobel Prize winner. We’ll have 2 discussions of this long (and engrossing!) novel. Books will be in the Library; please call Joan for more (492-3550).
 
Sunday, June 26 @ 7pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: DARWIN: ORIGIN OF SPECIES. Second
discussion of the classic work on evolution. Please call Joan for more books: 492-3550.
 
Alternate Wednesdays @ 6:30pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP: All welcome! Please call Donna Swartz for information: 773-7403.
 
New Books include:

• The Last Mile by David Baldacci: His newest political thriller.
• Everybody’s Fool by Richard Russo: The long-awaited sequel to Nobody’s Fool by the beloved chronicler of Upstate New York.
• Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli: Elegantly simple explanations of complex science: a surprising best seller.
• LaRose by Louise Erdrich: The third in her Native American family trilogy: a lyrical, gritty, and moving novel by this wonderful writer.
• Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick: Unknown history, gripping writing by the author of

   Mayflower.
 
New DVDs include:
*Janis: A documentary of the brief life of the great blues/rock and roll singer.

• Concussion, starring Will Smith and Alec Baldwin, based on a true story of football injury.
• Forks Over Knives: A documentary about the revolution against industrial food.
• Game of Thrones: Season 6 (Many thanks to the Ryans!): The latest in this riveting series.

• Hinterland: Season 1: A gripping crime drama, set in Wales.

 
-- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

                LIBRARY NEWS, MAY 2016

• MANY THANKS to GEORGE RICHARDS and his family for the gift of the CUTTINGSVILLE SCHOOL BELL that GREGG OVER discovered when renovating the Library ten years ago. The Library Building Committee will explore ways to install the bell -- on the roof? in a separate tower? It would be great if it could ring again!
• THANKS to State Biologist DOUG BLODGETT for the terrific talk and slide show about Vermont’s rattlesnakes last month. The near-capacity crowd will know how to identify them and let them be their sun-loving, peaceable selves. THANKS to MATTEO for his good

   questions!

• THE LIBRARY’S ANNUAL MEETING for the election of officers and trustees whose terms expire this year will take place on Tuesday, May 10th at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

 Coming Events:
Sunday, May 8 (Mother’s Day): QUILT RAFFLE DRAWING! Buy your tickets now for this beautiful quilt!
Friday, May 13 @ 7:30pm: AVELOY LANNING, Executive Director of the Rutland Women’s Network & Shelter, will speak on her organization’s work and how our community can support it. Place: The Library Meeting Room.
June TBA
Friday, July 8 @ 7 pm: BUTTERFLIES with Jerry Schneider.
Saturday, July 23: METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY: NEW SHOW!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, May 15 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. Books available at the Library, or call Joan for more: 492-3550.
Sunday, May 22 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin:
The classic treatise on evolution. Books at the Library; for more, call Joan: 492-3550.
Alternate Wednesday evenings: QUILTERS’ GROUP. Please call Gail Hartigan (492-3605) for information.
 
New Books include:

• The Ancient Minstrel and Dead Man’s Float by Jim Harrison: A last book of novellas and a 

   book of new poems by the late, great writer, celebrating life.

• The Nest by Cynthia d’Aprix Sweeney: A smart, funny first novel about money, love and a flawed, engaging family.

*“Most Blessed of the Patriarchs”: Thomas Jefferson and the Empire of the Imagination by
   Annette Gordon-Reed, author of The Hemings of Virginia, and Peter S. Onuf of the University
   of Virginia: A new, ground-breaking history.

• Lab Girl by Hope Jahren: A memoir about the joys and trials of a woman’s life in science.
• Kill ‘Em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul by James McBride:

  An insightful meditation by the author of The Color of Water and James Brown fan.

• Consequence: A Memoir by Eric Fair: Harrowing and brave: the confessions of an Army 

  interrogator in Afghanistan.

• Thirst by Mary Oliver: Poems in search of belief, after the poet’s partner’s death.
• Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble by Dan Lyons. A funny, poignant memoir

   about the contemporary workplace.
 
New DVDs include:

• Brooklyn, starring Saiorse Ronan and Domnhall Gleeson, based on the novel by Colm Toibin.
• Jackie Robinson, directed by Ken Burns.
• The Black Panthers, the acclaimed documentary, directed by Stanley Nelson.

-- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

 LIBRARY NEWS for- APRIL 2016

• THANK YOU, Shrewsbury Voters, for approving our funding request for 2016 328-85! We appreciate your support, as always
• We remember our good friend GEORGE RICHARDS, who just a year ago enlivened our Gardeners’ Round Table with his stories, and who plowed the Library parking lot for years, and never sent a bill. George was one of the best representatives of old Shrewsbury, and we will miss him. We send special sympathy to his daughter, our longtime friend LYNETTE OVER, and all her family.
• MANY THANKS to Scott Courcelle of Alchemy Gardens, Martha Sirjane of Caravan Gardens, and Ryan Wood-Beauchamp of Evening Song Farm for sharing their knowledge at GARDENERS’ ROUNDTABLE in March. And thanks to audience members, including dedicated gardeners from Connecticut, who joined us for this annual discussion.

Coming Events:
Friday, April 8 @ 7:30pm in the Meeting Room: State Biologist DOUG BLODGETT on Vermont’s snakes. Find out how these crawly creatures enrich our landscapes!
Sunday, May 8 (Mother’s Day): QUILT RAFFLE DRAWING! You have one more month to buy tickets for our Quilters’ Group’s beautiful quilt, on display at the Library.
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, April 17 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: TBA
Sunday, April 24 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande: A meditation by the renowned physician and author on the end of life.
Books for both Book Clubs are available at the Library. Please call Joan (492-3550) if more copies are needed.
Alternate Wednesday evenings: QUILTERS’ GROUP. Please call Gail Hartigan (492-3605)
for more information.
New Books include:

• The Heart by Marylis de Kerangal: A riveting novel about a heart transplant -- the donor, the 

   recipient, their lives and their families.

• Evicted: Poverty & Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond: Insightful reporting on the landlords and tenants involved in the urban housing crisis.
• Wild by Nature: From Siberia to Australia: Three Years Alone in the Wilderness on Foot  by Sarah Marquis. If you thought Cheryl Strayed was adventurous, read this account of Marquis’

   intrepid treks across continents and cultures!

• The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian: His new novel, a thriller about marriage, friendship, betrayal, and violence.
• The Battle for Room 314: My Year of Hope and Despair in a New York City High School by Ed Boland: The memoir of an executive who leaves a 20-year career in non-profits to become a teacher.

• Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys: A novel for young (and older) adults about the sinking of the

   Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship carrying refugees during World War II.
New DVDs include:

• The Big Short starring Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt: a thriller about the financial 

   crisis of 2008, based on the book by Michael Lewis.

• Spotlight, starring Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Michael Keaton: Academy Award Best Picture, about The Boston Globe reporters who exposed the Catholic Church’s cover-up of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy.

* Carol, starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith.

• CitizenFour: Gripping documentary by Laura Poitras about whistleblower Edward Snowden. 
• Bidder 70: A documentary about Tim deChristopher of the group “Peaceful Uprising,” who went to prison for civil disobedience after bidding on wilderness land in Utah against oil and gas interests.

- Submitted by Joan Aleshire
        LIBRARY NEWS FOR: MARCH 2016

• The Library is requesting level funding at $7,500 again this year to help pay for operating expenses. Please read the Town Report, come to the Information Meeting on February 29th and VOTE!
• We’ll be raffling off the beautiful quilt made by the Library Quilters’ Group on Mother’s Day, May 8th. We’ll be selling raffle tickets at the Library, through the mail, and at the Town Hall

   on Voting Day, and appreciate your generosity.

• We remember DONNA MARZILLI, who helped make Pierces’ Store such a welcoming place.

    Donna was exceptionally helpful, kind and cheerful; her sudden death touches all of us.
 
Coming Events:
Friday, March 11 @ 7:30pm in the Meeting Room: GARDENERS’ ROUND TABLE with CSA growers. Veterans or novices, come with questions and stories of successes as well as “learning experiences.”
 
Friday, April 8 @ 7:30pm in the Meeting Room: State Biologist DOUG BLODGETT on Vermont’s Snakes.
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, March 20 @ 4pm: Famous Books Book Club: The Endurance by Caroline Alexander:
the Vermont Humanities Council’s selection for 2016, about Shackleton’s legendary Antarctic expedition. We have copies donated by VHC, thanks to Chryl Martin for her grant writing!
 
Sunday, March 27 @ 4pm: Science Book Club: TBA. Please call Margery Salmon for information: 492-3315.
 
Books for both Book Clubs are available at the Library; please call Joan (492-3550) if more copies are needed.
 
Alternate Wednesday evenings: QUILTERS’ GROUP. Please call Gail (492-3605) for information. Next project: TBA!
 
New Books include:

• The Stargazer’s Sister by Carrie Brown: a new novel based on the life of astronomer Caroline Herschel, by the author of Lamb in Love;
• The Black Calhouns: From Civil War to Civil Rights with An American Family by Gail Lumet Buckley: A family history by Lena Horne’s daughter;
• Even Dogs in the Wild by Ian Rankin: the new Inspector Rebus crime novel;

• The Iceberg by Marion Coutts: a thrillingly honest, beautiful, moving memoir by a young wife and mother whose husband is dying;
• In a Different Key: The Story of Autism by John Donvan: based on new discoveries;
• Lights Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath: by Ted Koppel.

New DVDs include:
*Bridge of Spies, starring Tom Hanks: the acclaimed thriller;
*Chi-Raq: Spike Lee’s riff on “Lysistrata,” set in present day Chicago, starring Wesley Snipes and Samuel L. Jackson;
*The Crash Reel: the documentary about local snowboarder Kevin Pearce, his devastating accident, his supportive family, and his eventual rehabilitation.
 
More DVDs coming soon!
 
- Submitted by Joan Aleshire 

             LIBRARY NEWS  -- FEBRUARY 2016
 
  * We start the New Year basking in the glow of a wonderful COOKIE SWAP & SILENT 
    AUCTION and the new CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY CELEBRATION organized by the  
    Children’s  Committee: Donna Swartz, Marge Benini, Jessica Giffin, Carol Goodwin,
    Pam Grace, Linda Olney, Doris Perry, and Amy Thomas. Thanks to everyone for the 
    stories, games, crafts, and hot chocolate!

• MANY THANKS to the many who helped make the Cookie Swap/Silent Auction a great success, especially Lisa, Gail, and Donna for all the decorating and organizing; Marcos with his music; Thomas at the bar; Cedelle in the kitchen; trustees who solicited auction items; all the generous donors of gifts and services; and all the Townspeople who joined us to celebrate not only the holidays but the Library and the community.

 

• WEATHER ADVISORY: When the weather’s bad, please call the Library to see if we’re open:

492-3410. We usually can make it, but won’t risk life and limb, even for the Library!
 
Coming Events:
Friday, February 19 @ 7:30pm in the Library Meeting Room: Forester GARY SALMON will
talk about Old Growth Trees in our area. If you’ve enjoyed his articles in The Times, you’ll be glad to learn more from this resident expert!
 
Friday, March 11 @ 7:30pm in the Meeting Room: GARDENERS’ ROUND TABLE with Shrewsbury’s CSA growers. Bring your questions and stories of garden successes and problems.
 
Please be aware that seating is limited, and come early to make sure you have a seat!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, February 21 @ 4pm: Famous Books Book Club: John Steinbeck’s The Pearl: A fable-like novel about a pearl diver, to celebrate Steinbeck’s 100th birthday this year. 
 
Sunday, February 28 @ 4pm: Science Book Club: Disappearing Spoon And Other True Tales of Madness, Love and History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean.
 
Books for both Book Clubs are available at the Library; please call Joan (492-3550) if you need more copies.
 
Alternate Wednesdays: QUILTERS’ GROUP. Please call Gail (492-3605) for information. The beautiful result of the group’s latest effort is hanging in the Library, to be raffled off in the spring.
Tickets are available at the Library.
 
COMPUTER CHALLENGED? Please call the Library -- 492-3410 -- and we’ll connect you to an instructor!
 
New Books include:
*The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: The best-selling novel about two sisters in WWII France.
*The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of De-cluttering and Organizing by
  Marie Kondo.

• The Point of Vanishing by Howard Axelrod: The memoir of a young man who moves to an isolated cabin in the Northeast Kingdom after losing an eye in a freak accident.
• God’s Kingdom by Howard Frank Mosher: The new novel by the Kingdom writer.
• John LeCarre: The Biography by Adam Sisman: An exploration of the sources of this master thriller writer’s inspiration.

 
New DVDs include:
The Martian, starring Jeff Daniels.
Justified, Seasons 1-6: We have all of this popular series about a U.S. Marshall in Kentucky.
Walk in the Woods, with Robert Redford and Nick Nolte: A feature based on the book by Bill Bryson.
Amy: A moving documentary about the short life of the British pop star.
King Lear, starring Laurence Olivier: The classic!
 
-- Submitted by Joan Aleshire


   LIBRARY NEWS for THE TIMES OF SHREWSBURY - OCTOBER 2015
 

• THANK YOU to HEATHER SHAY and SCOTT GARREN for a fascinating talk on their sailing adventures in the Caribbean, including ship-board life, visits to tiny ports, encounters with pirates, and more. We hope they’re return next year with a report on the indigenous people they met on the Atlantic coast of Central America.

 

• THANKS IN ADVANCE to everyone who helped with the BOOK & BAKE SALE this year:
•    callers, bakers, book haulers, book sorters, and buyers, as well as the trustees staffing on site!

 

• As we plan programs for the coming year, we’re always open to suggestions from townspeople. If you’d like others to know about your areas of expertise and enthusiasm, and/or your discoveries in your backyard or on your travels, please contact a member of the Program

   Committee: Joan Aleshire(492-3550), Marge Benini (492-3926), Pam Grace (492-3529), Chryl
   Martin (492-2244), Cedelle Sirjane (492-3377), or Dirk Thomas (492-3549). Or if you know a 
   friend or neighbor whose art, craft, or experience you think would make a good program,
   please let us know.
 
Coming Events:
Friday, October 16 @ 7:30pm: “16 YEARS IN THE MIDDLE EAST: A TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVE” with ERIKA BERNER, who worked in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.  She and her husband Bruce Dobbins bought the Kingsley Grist Mill in Clarendon last year.
 
Friday, November 6 or 13 @7:30pm (definite date TBA!): MICHAEL WELLS on growing up in
London during WWII!
 
Saturday, December 5: COOKIE SWAP & SILENT AUCTION: SAVE THE DATE!
 
Continuing Programs:
Sunday, October 18 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.
Please join us in reading this great novel about African-American experience. Books will be available at the Library; please call Joan for more: 492-3550.
 
Sunday, October 25 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Survival of the Sickest by Sharon Moalem. Books will be available at the Library; please call Joan for more.
 
Alternate Mondays: QUILTERS’ GROUP. All welcome! Please call Donna Swartz for information: 773-7403.
 
Want Computer Lessons? Please call the Library and we’ll connect you to a teacher.
 
New Books include:
*Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. In this short, passionate book, framed as a
  letter to his young son, The Atlantic columnist articulates what it was like to grow up black in 
  Baltimore. An eye- and mind-opening reading experience.
*Make Me by Lee Child: The latest Jack Reacher nail-biting thriller.
*Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff: an acclaimed novel about a contemporary marriage.
*The Girl in the Spider’s Web by David Lagercrantz: The continuation of Stig Larsson’s trilogy,
  with the same compelling characters. See what you think!
 
New DVDs include:

• True Detective: Season 1: The highly praised TV series with Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughy.
• Empire: Season 1: Another much-talked-about new TV series, about a Motown-like family-run record company in Detroit.

 
- Submitted by Joan Aleshire
 
      LIBRARY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2015

 

*  By the time you read this, the Annual Haystack Dinner & Street Dance will be a memory --

   of generous help, delicious food, great music, and friends -- but now we’ll thank some of those  

   who made it possible: Mastermind DONNA SWARTZ; LISA and all the Trustees; Shrewsbury 

   farmers from Alchemy Gardens, Caravan Gardens, and Evening Song Farm; area businesses,

   including Pierces’ Store; and everyone who came to enjoy the evening! (A complete list will

   follow next month.)

 

*  THE ANNUAL BOOK, BAKE & TAG SALE will be Saturday, September 26th from 9 a.m. to

   2 p.m. We welcome books (in good condition only!) after September 1. NO textbooks, ency-

   clopedias, magazines, or books damaged by water or mold, please!

       We’ll be calling our list of supporters for donations of home-baked goods. Tables for the 

   TAG SALE on the Library lawn are $10 each for the day. Please call DONNA (773-7403)

   or the Library to reserve one.

*  We’re getting new book shelves in the Great Room, thanks to Woody! Please excuse the 

   temporary disruption, and ask for staff help finding children’s non-fiction.

 

Coming Events:

Friday, September 11 @ 7:30 pm: Sail away with SCOTT GARREN & HEATHER SHAY on

their winter adventures to southern seas!

Saturday, September 26 @ 9am to 2pm: BOOK, BAKE & TAG SALE!

Continuing Programs:

Sunday, September 20 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Go Set a Watchman and To Kill a Mockingbird, both by Harper Lee. Please call Joan for more copies (492-3550).

Sunday, September 27 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Sapiens: A Brief History of  Humankind by Yuval Harari. Copies will be available at the Library.

Alternate Mondays: QUILTERS‘ GROUP. Please call Donna Swartz for information. All

welcome!

Want Computer Lessons? Please call the Library (492-3410), and we’ll connect you.

 

New Books include:

*Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan: A memoir by the international

  correspondent that almost puts you on the waves;   

*  Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal: An acclaimed novel about a young woman

   who becomes a star chef;

*  Voices in the Ocean: A Journey into the Wild and Haunting World of Dolphins by Susan Casey;

*  The Market Gardener: A Successful Grower’s Handbook for Small-Scale Organic Farming by

   Jean-Martin Fortier;

*  Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel by Carl Safina; and

*  Among the Ten Thousand Things by Julia Pierpont: a spot-on novel about a contemporary urban family.

 

DVDs:

   It’s been a slow month for new releases; more are on-pre-order. Please check out the DVD conversions from VHS tapes of classic films!

 

- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

 


NEWS : AUGUST, 2015

 

*  THANKS to everyone who helped make Mettawee Theatre Company’s production, “Out of the Past,” a success: all who attended, baked gingerbread, and staffed at the event; marvelous Ralph Lee and the players, and the weather -- which held off the rain until the show’s finale!

Coming events:

*  Saturday, August 1@ 10am to 2pm:  Anthropologist/archaeologist CHARLIE PAQUIN returns to Shrewsbury! In this hands-on workshop, Charlie will teach about native trees: their varieties, uses, and care. Fire-kits and Atlatl-Throwing will be included! Please bring a bag lunch; we’ll provide a beverage.

*  Saturday, August 22 @ 6:30pm: HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE @ SHREWSBURY TOWN HALL. Dinner & dance: $10; children 5-12: $5: children under 5: free. Dance only: $5. Bring your dancing shoes!

*  Friday, September 11 @ 7:30pm: SCOTT GARREN & HEATHER SHAY will talk about their   sailing adventures.

* Saturday, September 26 @ 9am-2pm: BOOK & BAKE SALE!

Continuing Programs:

Sunday, July 26 @ 3pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Far from the Madding Crowd: (second discussion).

Sunday, July 26 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Best Science and Nature Writing 2014:(second discussion).

Alternate Mondays: QUILTERS’ GROUP: Call Donna Swartz (773-7403) or Gail Hartigan (492-3605) for information. All welcome: beginners and pros!

New Books include:

Finders Keepers by Stephen King: his latest thriller;

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee: her controversial first novel, just published;

The Cartel by Don Winslow: an acclaimed novel about the drug industry in Mexico;

The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789 by Joseph C. Ellis;

The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck: a 21st century road trip by covered wagon; and

Farming the Woods: An Integrated Permaculture Approach to Growing Food and Medicinals in Temperate Forests by Ken Mudge: a comprehensive guide by an expert.

New DVDs:

“Merchants of Doubt”: a documentary about corporate complicity in climate change denial;

“Woman in Gold”: a drama about love, loss, art, and survival during and after World War II, starring Helen Mirren; and

“Five Flights Up”: a comedy starring Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman.

 




LIBRARY NEWS for THE TIMES OF SHREWSBURY: JULY 2015

*** We are very pleased to announce that JESSICA GIFFIN has been elected to the Board of Trustees for a 3-year term. Jessica and her family moved to Shrewsbury about a year ago; the Library was one of the family’s first stops in town for these enthusiastic readers. Brogan is going into 7th grade at Mill River; Caitlyn and Ryleigh are at Shrewsbury Mountain School. 

*  The Library is the grateful recipient of Joan Sibley’s personal collection of books and records.

 Many fine examples of 20th and 21st century poetry, fiction, and nature writing will fill gaps in our own collection; the duplicates, along with a number of older “collectibles” will make this year’s Book Sale especially appealing.

*The new Five Year Plan Committee will be meeting soon to set priorities for the near future. If you’ve volunteered to take part -- on our Survey or in person -- DONNA will be contacting you, never fear!

Coming Events:

Friday, July 18 @ 7:30pm @ SHREWSBURY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL: THE METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY presents its 40th (and possibly last) touring production, “OUT OF THE PAST: Celebrating 40 Years of the Mettawee Theatre Company’s Journey. Adults & Teens: $8; Kids under 12: $2. Gingerbread for sale before the show!

Saturday, August 1 @10am-2pm @ The Library: CHARLIE PAQUIN demonstrates ancient and modern uses of local trees. Free and open to all. Please bring a bag lunch; we’ll have a beverage.

Continuing Programs:

Sunday, July 19 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy (second discussion). Please call Joan for more books: 492-3550.

Sunday, July 26 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Best Science and Nature Writing 2014:

Second discussion. Please call Joan for more books.

Alternate Mondays: QUILTERS’ GROUP: Call Donna Swartz (773-7403) or Gail Hartigan (492-3605) for information. All welcome!

New Books include:

*  The Shepherd’s Life: Modern Dispatches from an Ancient Landscape by James Rebanks:

     a memoir about farming in England’s Lake District;

*  Skyfaring by Mark Vanhoenacker: A pilot writes about his life in the sky;

*  A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson: the author of Life After Life, writes another 

       time-shifting novel, now moving from the present to World War II and back;

*In the Unlikely Event: by Judy Blume: the moving new novel for adults by the author of  

      such popular young adult books as Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret” ; and

*  Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic by Sam Quinones: A journalist’s

      analysis from the front lines of a small community.

New DVDs include:

*  “Mr. Turner”: Mike Leigh’s brilliant biopic about the painter J.M.W. Turner; and

*  “Ida”: the Academy Award for Foreign Feature winner, about a Polish nun.

And do check out all the DVDs that now replace the classic VHS tapes in our collection!

 

                                                                                - Submitted by Joan Aleshire       




 LIBRARY NEWS for THE TIMES OF SHREWSBURY: JUNE 2015

 

*** At the ANNUAL MEETING on May 12, MARGE BENINI was elected to a full-year position on the Board of Trustees, and all trustees whose terms expired this year were re-elected for another three years. Current officers -- Joan Aleshire, president; Lisa Sharrow, vice-president & assistant treasurer; Dirk Thomas, secretary; Debbie Blecich, treasurer; and Gail Hartigan, corresponding secretary -- were all re-elected to one-year terms. Thanks to the Select Board for re-appointing DEBBIE BLECICH as the Town’s representative to the Library Board.

 

*** At the April meeting, the Board decided to that all Board members should serve full-year terms, in the interest of greater continuity. We’re very sorry that our long-time trustee, TURIYA LEVY, who was serving from May to October, isn’t able to fulfill trustee responsibilities during the school year, and must resign for the present. Turiya was the guiding force of our last Five Year Plan; we hope she’ll be a part of the new 5Y Committee, and will come to Board meetings whenever she can. She’ll always be a valued part of the Library!

 

*** THE LIBRARY SURVEY hasn’t generated much interest to date, which may mean that people are tired of filling out surveys; or that we (I) haven’t been persistent enough in circulating them; or that the Library is doing fine; or all three possibilities. 35 surveys have been completed to date; 33 of the respondents said they had visited the Library in the past year. Many liked the selection of books and DVDs, the programs, the Cookie Swap & Silent Auction, and the friendly atmosphere. 26 respondents would change nothing or “Not much”; a few suggested more hours, more shelving, more audio-books, and art classes with Grace Brigham.

 

* In answer to the questions about THE ANNUAL BOOK SALE, 17 respondents had attended the Book Sale, 16 had donated books, and 20 had bought books (especially for kids). 16 “would miss” the Book Sale if it were discontinued; 3 “wouldn’t miss” it. The Fund-Raising Committee will make a recommendation to the Board about this year’s Book Sale; the main problem has been disposing of the books left over after the sale. If you have suggestions, would like to help with the Book Sale (or any aspect of the Library’s work), and/or would like to fill out a Survey, please come to the Library, or call 492-3410.

 

Coming Events:

Friday, June 26 @ 7:30pm at the Library: SCOTT DARLING, Shrewsbury’s own wildlife biologist and bat expert will give an update on VERMONT’S BAT POPULATION.

 

Saturday, July 18 @ 7:30pm @ SHREWSBURY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL : THE METTAWEE

THEATRE COMPANY presents its 40th (and possibly last) touring production: “OUT OF THE PAST: Celebrating 40 Years of the Mettawee Theatre Company’s Journey.” Save the date!

 

CHARLIE PAQUIN: August TBA

 

 

Continuing Programs:

Sunday, June 21 @ 4pm: BOOK DISCUSSION: Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. This 19th century novel may take 2 discussion sessions; it’s the subject of a new movie, the remake of the classic from 1967, starring Julie Christie, Alan Bates, and Terence Stamp.

Copies of the book, and the older film, are available at the Library. Call Joan for more: 492-3550.

 

Sunday, June 28 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Best Science Writing of 2014, edited by Deborah Blum. Books will be available at the Library.

 

 Alternate Mondays: QUILTERS’ GROUP: Call Gail Hartigan (492-3605) or Donna Swartz

(773-7403) for information. All welcome!

 

WRITERS’ GROUP is taking a temporary break. Call Penelope Weiss (492-3345) or Martha Izzi

(492-3346) for information.

 

New Books include:

* Memory Man by David Baldacci, his latest thriller

*  Gathering Prey by John Sandford, another in the crime series set in the Northwest

*  The Wright Brothers by David McCullough:  a dual biography of the inventors, by the

   masterful popular historian

*  God Help the Child by Toni Morrison: the new novel by the Nobel prize winner

*  On the Move by Oliver Sacks: A memoir by the neurologist, author of Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat

*  The Community-Scale Permaculture Farm by Josh Trought

*  Pig Tales: An Omnivore’s Quest for Sustainable Meat by Vermont writer Barry Estabrook

 

New DVDs include:

*  “Selma,” the historical drama, an Academy Award nominee for best picture

*  “Wild,”starring Reese Witherspoon, based on Cheryl Strayed’s popular memoir

*  “Last Days in Vietnam,” the documentary by Rory Kennedy

*  “Wolf Hall,” the televised version of Hilary Mantel’s best-selling novel

*   “Dear White People,” brilliant satire from a new director

 

                                                                               - Submitted by Joan Aleshire




LIBRARY NEWS for: APRIL 2015

 

* THANK YOU, SHREWSBURY VOTERS for approving Library funding for another year. We
are grateful for your support for our services.

*  We still have 2015 PHONE BOOKS for sale -- only $5 for the listings of your friends and neighbors, and local businesses! And we hope that everyone who hasn’t done so, will fill out a survey on Library use and future directions. We appreciate your feedback.

*  As the Library enters its 40th year -- we opened in 1975 -- we are embarking on another Five Year Plan to identify needs and set priorities for improvements in the collections, in the building, and in services. We are looking for community members to join Library Trustees in forming a 5YP Committee, which will meet no more than twice. Please call Joan (492-3550) or the Library (492-3410) if you are interested.

*  Dianne Barclay has let us know that her work will prevent her from serving as a Trustee for the next year. Thank you, Dianne, for being an exemplary Board member; we hope to see you back when your schedule permits!

*  With Dianne’s resignation, we will have an opening on the Board of Trustees. If you are interested in books, small libraries, and working with a dedicated and dynamic organization;can attend meetings on the second Tuesday of every month; and can staff at least twice a month and can help with Library activities and fund-raising events, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee: Gail Hartigan (492-3605); Lisa Sharrow (492-3732); or Dirk Thomas (492-3549).

Coming Events:

Friday, April 10 @ 7:30pm at the Town Hall: VTEL FIBER OPTICS presentation and Q & A. Find out what we can expect from the fiber optic network; bring your questions and comments!

Friday, May 8 @ 7:30pm in the Library Meeting. Game Warden TIM CAREY will discuss our bear population and how to appreciate it.

Continuing Programs:

Sunday, April 17 @ 4pm: The Confidence Man by Herman Melville. Books available at the Library, or call Joan for more (492-3550).

Sunday, April 23 @ 4pm: Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey Smith. Books available at the Library, or call Joan for more (492-3550).

Alternating Thursdays, 7-9pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. Contact Martha Izzi (492-3346) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345) for information.

Computer Tutoring: Please call the Library if you’re interested: 492-3410.

New books include:

*  Dead Wake:The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson: A thriller-like account

*  All the Old Knives by Olen Steinhauer: A spy novel to rival John Le Carre’s best

*  The End of College: Creating the Future of Learning and the University of Everywhere

   by Kevin Carey

*Ice Ship: the Epic Voyages of the Polar Adventurer “Fram” by Charles W. Johnson, former Vermont State Naturalist

New DVDs include:

“Birdman,” the Academy Award winner, starring Michael Keaton

“Whiplash,” the documentary about a demanding music teacher

“Game of Thrones, Season 4”

“Foyle’s War, Season 8”

“One Man, One Cow, One Planet,” a documentary about farming in India

“The Honorable Woman,” a spy series starring Maggie Gylenhaal

New Service Coming Soon:

NewsBank subscriptions available through the Library!


LIBRARY NEWS for: MARCH 2015

*  The Library is requesting level funding at $7,500 in town tax support again this year. A “Yes” vote on the warning helps pay for electricity, phone and internet service, fuel, and insurance: the basic costs of keeping the doors open. Please see our Report in the Town Report for details; we appreciate your consideration.

*  The 2015 Phone Books will be for sale at the Information Meeting on Monday, March 2 and at Town Hall on Tuesday the 3rd. Thanks to all, especially the tireless Chryl, for getting it out so quickly! Your $5 purchase of this storehouse of community information helps support Library programs.

Coming events:
     Friday, March 13 @7:30 pm: GARDENERS’ ROUNDTABLE with Market Gardeners Alchemy Gardens (Scott & Lindsay Courcelle); Caravan Gardens (the Sirjane Family); and Evening Song Farm (Kara Fitzgerald & Ryan Wood-Beauchamp). Please bring your questions and stories!
      Friday, April 10 @ 7:30 pm: FIBER OPTICS Q & A with VTEL @ TOWN HALL.


Continuing Programs:
     Sunday, March 15 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: ULYSSES: Final session. Contact Joan (492-3550; joanaleshire@vermontel.net) for information.
     Sunday, March 22 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: TALE OF 7 ELEMENTS by Eric Scerri. Books will be available at the Library. Call Joan (492-3550) for more.

Tuesdays @6:30pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP. Call Gail Hartigan (492-3605) for information.

 Alternate Thursdays 7-9 pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. Call Penelope Weiss (492-3345) or Martha Izzi (492-3346) for information.

 New Books include:

*Twelve Recipes by Cal Peternell: A chef encourages his kids to cook food they (and he) like!
*The Whites by Richard Price, writing as Harry Brandt: A master of crime fiction comes back.
*The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide for Caregivers for People with Memory Loss by Nancy Morse and Peter Rabins.
*The Evil Hours: A Biography of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by war correspondent David J. Morse.
*Something Rich and Strange by Ron Rash: Stories set in Appalachia.


New DVDs include:
*  “The Theory of Everything,” starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones: A biopic about scientist Stephen Hawking.
*  “Game of Thrones: Season 4”: The latest DVD in the HBO series.
* “The Fall: Series 1,” starring Gillian Anderson: An acclaimed British crime series.
*  ”Small Change”: The classic by Francois Truffaut, with subtitles.
And take another look at:
* “Eyes on the Prize”: The documentary of the American Civil Rights Years.

  LIBRARY NEWS: JANUARY 2015

* The Library is requesting $7500 in Town funds again this year, although our operating costs
have risen to $11,276, up from $7,822 in 2013. The costs of electricity, insurance, propane,
and telephone service have all increased, but the Library has been successful in raising funds to
cover the difference in these essential services, and to add to our collection of books and audiovisual
materials, as well as expanding our programs.

* NEW FIVE-YEAR PLAN: The Library is initiating a new 5-Year Plan to improve our organization
and our offerings. Under the last Plan, begun in 2009, we began converting our VHS
tapes to DVDs; created a reading corner in the Great Room; and added periodical subscriptions
and downloadables. Now we are again inviting townspeople to fill out a short survey about
their Library use (or lack of it); what they like or dislike about the Library; and what services
they would like the Library to provide.

* FIVE-YEAR PLAN COMMITTEE: We are inviting volunteers to join a Five-Year Plan Committee
to review the completed surveys and make recommendations for improvements to the
Library Board. We estimate that this work will only take 2 meetings. Please contact
Joan (492-3550) or the Library (492-3410) if you’re interested.

* MANY THANKS to WOODY (John Wood) for getting and installing our new interior fire
door; it’s sturdy, accessible, and doesn’t look like the usual fire door. The Library is warmer
and more secure because of it!

* FREE AUDIO CASSETTES! We’re discarding our audiobook cassettes, and will offer them
AFTER MARCH 1: first come, first serve, free to anyone who wants them.

COMING EVENTS:
Sunday, February 15 @ 2 pm: GARY SHATTUCK presents his new book, INSURRECTION,
CORRUPTION and MURDER in EARLY VERMONT: LIFE on the WILD FRONTIER. Expect
to hear stories of our wild history and how Gary discovered them!
Friday, March 13 @ 7:30pm: GARDENERS’ ROUNDTABLE: Our annual panel discussion
with Shrewsbury’s market gardeners.

CONTINUING PROGRAMS:
Sunday, February 15 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: ULYSSES continued.
Sunday, February 22 @4pm: TBA
Alternating Thursdays 7-9pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. Please contact Martha Izzi (492-3346) or
Penelope Weiss (492-3345) for information.

COMPUTER TUTORING: Please contact the Library if you’re interested (492-3410).

New books include:
Three thrillers by masters of suspense:
*The Escape by David Baldacci;
* Revival by Stephen King;
*The Burning Room by Michael Connolly;
and an acclaimed first novel about contemporary American struggles:
* Preparation for the Next Life by Atticus Lish

New DVDs include:
* “The Roosevelts”: The new series by Ken Burns
* “Boyhood”: Directed by Richard Linklater and starring Ethan Hawke, Ellar Coltrane and
Patricia Arquette, this remarkable movie was filmed over 12 years of a boy’s coming-of-age.
* “Freedom and Unity: The Vermont Movie”: The thought-provoking documentary about
Vermont’s past, present and future directed by several filmmakers.


LIBRARY NEWS for: NOVEMBER 2014


Coming Events:

Saturday, December 6: ANNUAL COOKIE SWAP & SILENT AUCTION.

Friday, December 12 @ 7:30pm: HABITAT for HUMANITY: BALI with Stan and Weezie Duda and Sandy and Kristi Bragg.
Continuing Programs:

Sunday, November 16 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: WOLF HALL by Hillary Mantel (2nd session). Call Joan for more books (492-3550).

Sunday, November 23 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: THE WAVE WATCHERS’ COMPANION. Books available at the Library.

Wednesdays @ 6:30pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP at the Library. All welcome; please call Donna Swartz (773-7403) for information.

Alternate Thursdays @ 7pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. Please call Martha Izzi (492-3346) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345) for information.

By appointment: COMPUTER OFFICE HOURS. Contact Scott Garren: Scott@GarrenShay.com.

New Books include:

*  APPLES OF UNCOMMON CHARACTER by Rowan Jacobsen. Beautiful photographs and detailed descriptions of favorite New England apples, complete with recipes.

*  IN THE KINGDOM OF ICE: THE GRAND AND TERRIBLE POLAR VOYAGE OF THE USS
JEANNETTE by Hampton Sides: A white-knuckle treat for armchair travelers.

*  NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL, personal essays by Lena Dunham, the creator of the HBO series “Girls.”


*  THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING: CAPITALISM vs. THE CLIMATE  by Naomi Klein: a passionate, well-articulated argument by the radical thinker.


*  THIRTEEN DAYS IN SEPTEMBER: CARTER, BEGIN AND SADAT AT CAMP DAVID by

Lawrence Wright: A moment-by-moment, surprising history of an historic opportunity for peace.

*  COSBY: HIS LIFE AND TIMES by Mark Whitaker: An insightful biography of the star.

NEW DVDs include:

*  “THE NEWSROOM: SEASON 1”

More coming!

 

*  Library Trustees and volunteer staffers met in October with Rob Geiszler, Department of Libraries consultant in our area to review library policies, confidentiality requirements, minimum standards for Vermont libraries, and changes to the Open meeting Law. We were

   very pleased to learn that our policies and procedures are up-to-date, and that, as an all-

   volunteer library and a non-profit corporation (as opposed to a municipal organization) we

   have choices to make about compliance with some requirements. MANY THANKS to trustees 

   and volunteers who took the time to attend and ask good questions -- and to past and present

   trustees who developed our policies.  

 

*  We still have an October to May OPENING on the Board of Trustees. If you love small libraries, want to be part of a dynamic town organization; can attend meetings on the second Tuesday of every month; staff twice a month during library hours; serve on one of our standing committees (Program, Building, or Fund-Raising); and help with events, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee: Gail Hartigan (492-3605); Lisa Sharrow (492-3732); or Dirk Thomas (492-3549).

 

*STOP IN at the Library (or at Pierces‘) to fill out a Phone Book form!

 

###

       LIBRARY NEWS for- OCTOBER 2014

*  THANKS to everyone who helped with the Book & Bake Sale: donors of books, tapes, DVDs,
and audiotapes; bakers; and trustees and volunteers who carried boxes and boxes into the tent and sorted them for the sale.  The Library Fund-Raising Committee and volunteers have gone allout, as usual! 

*  THANKS to PAM GRACE for the Story Hours she offered this summer; it was wonderful to
see more children and parents coming into the Library, and to have the children’s circulation
increase! We’re very sorry that Pam has decided to resign as Children’s Librarian, but very glad that she’ll continue as a Library Trustee, and will offer Story Hours as her time allows. Watch the  Times and our e-mails for an announcement.

*  THANKS to Library Friends DORIS PERRY and LINDA OLNEY for their work re-organizing
the Ben Perry Children’s Room. Old and new favorite books and videos will be color-coded and easier to find. We look forward to their work on our Children’s Committee to build our ever-expanding collection of new materials, from picture books through novels for young adults. Anyone with a knowledge and love of children’s books and films is welcome to join; please contact Pam Grace (492-3529); Linda Olney (492-3513); and Doris Perry (492-3440) if you’re interested.

  *  THANKS to the Committee on Overdues -- Chryl Martin and Tersh Runner -- for tracking
down overdue books, videos and music CDs; and thanks to patrons who are responding promptly to requests to return overdue materials so others can enjoy them.

*  We still have an OPENING on the Board of Trustees for someone who can serve from October
to May. If you love small libraries and would like to be part of a dynamic organization; can attend meetings on the second Tuesday of every month; staff the Library at least twice a month during Library hours; serve on a committee; and help with events, please call a member of the Nominating Committee: Gail Hartigan (492-3605); Lisa Sharrow (492-3732); or Dirk Thomas (492-3549).

*  The Program Committee will be meeting this month to plan programs for the coming year.
We’re pleased to host GARY SHATTUCK talking about his newest book, Artful and Designing
Men, in February, with a date to be confirmed; and are happy to have suggestions from volunteer presenters and interested townspeople. Please contact Joan Aleshire (492-3550) with your ideas.

Coming Events:
Saturday, December 6: COOKIE SWAP & SILENT AUCTION

Friday, December 12 @ 7:30pm: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: BALI, INDONESIA with Stan and Weezie Duda and Sandy and Kristi Bragg.

Continuing Programs:
Sunday, October 19 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB. TBA. Please call Joan: 492-3550.

Sunday, October 26 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB. TBA: Please call Margery Salmon: 492-3315.

Wednesdays @ 6:30pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP meets at Lucille Fiske’s home or the Library. Please call Donna Swartz for information: 773-7403.

Alternate Thursdays @ 7pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. Please call Martha Izzi: 492-3346 or Penelope Weiss: 492-3345 for information.

By appointment: COMPUTER OFFICE HOURS. Please contact Scott Garren: Scott@GarrenShay.com.

New Books include:

*Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett: The last in the historical trilogy;

*The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan: A spell-binding novel by an 

  Australian writer;

*  The Long Way Home by Louise Penny: The new Inspector Gamache mystery set in Quebec;

*  Against Football: A Fan’s Manifesto by Steve Almond: What’s wrong with the game, by one

   who loves it;

*  The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell: A time- and mind-bending novel by the author of Cloud  

   Atlas.

 

New DVDs:

*  “Call the Midwife: Season 2”: the popular BBC series;

*  “The Lunchbox”: An Indian comedy-drama highly recommended by patrons;

*  “Children of Paradise”: The classic French drama, made during WWII.

 

 


LIBRARY NEWS for THE TIMES OF SHREWSBURY: AUGUST 2014
 
* Thank you to Rene Pollock for the beautiful flowers she brings every week!
 
*We’re very pleased to announce that Judy Emerick has been elected to the Board of Trustees for a full-year position. Judy, a dedicated reader and Library staffer, will fill the term just vacated by Larry Williams.
 
*Many thanks to Larry for his years as a trustee: drafting Meeting Room policies, helping with events, staffing, and more. We thank him, too, for letting us know promptly that he no longer has time to serve.
 
*With these changes, we now have an opening for a trustee willing to serve from October until May, to alternate with Turiya Levy, whose teaching commitments limit her service to the summer months. If you’re interested in small libraries, can attend meetings the second Tuesday of every month, are willing to staff during Library hours, and want to be part of a dynamic community organization, please call a member of our Nominating Committee: Gail Hartigan (492-3605);
Lisa Sharrow (492-3732); or Dirk Thomas (492-3549).
 
Coming Events:
Saturday, August 2 @ 7:30pm, Shrewsbury Mountain School (rain or shine): METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY presents a revival of “The Dancing Fox: Wisdom Tales of the Middle
East.” The production draws on the folk tales, fables, and shared traditions of Jews and Arabs, including the Sufi mystics.  Admission is $8 for adults, $1 for children (under 12). Gingerbread will be for sale before and after the show.
 
Saturday, August 16: The ANNUAL STREET DANCE & HAYSTACK DINNER: See our ad in this issue of the Times.
 
Continuing Events:
Sunday, August 17 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB discusses Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya,” which will be performed at the Weston playhouse later this month. Books
will be available at the Library; please call Joan for more copies (492-3550).
 
Sunday, August 24 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan.
 
Wednesdays @ 6:30pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP: Meeting at Lucille Fiske’s home, all welcome.
Please call Donna Swartz for information, 773-7403.
 
Alternate Thursdays @ 7pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. Please contact Martha Izzi (492-3346) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345).
 
By appointment: COMPUTER OFFICE HOURS. Please Scott Garren: Scott@GarrenShay.com
 
New Books include:
*Diary of the Dark Years, 1940-1945: Collaboration, Resistance, and Daily Life in Occupied Paris by Jean Guehenno. A classic act of witness.
*Landline by Rainbow Rowell: Adult fiction by a popular YA author.
* Factory Man: How One Furniture Maker Battled Offshoring, Stayed Local and Helped Save an American Town by Beth Macy.
* California by Edan Lepucki: A futuristic first novel by an anti-Amazon author.
 New DVDs:
* “Mad Men: Season 6”: The latest in the popular TV series;
* “Le Weekend”: The highly praised new feature film;
* “Freedom Summer”: The PBS documentary on the Civil Rights movement.
 
 
      LIBRARY NEWS FOR THE TIMES OF SHREWSBURY - JULY 2014

In Memory:

Rene Lincoln was an outstanding member of our community, and will be greatly missed. Her warmth, idealism, and dedication to others were, and are, an inspiration. She was a wonderful Library Trustee for several years, and continued to support Library efforts ever after. Her beautifully painted stool was a hit at our most recent Silent Auction; the lucky bidder (Joan) is grateful to have its image of a dove in flight as a symbol of Rene’s life.

 Coming Events:

Saturday, July 12 @ 10am to 3pm: CAVE PAINTING WITH CHARLIE PAQUIN. Primitive skills teacher Charlie Paquin will conduct a participatory workshop on making paint and creating rock art. Participants will make grease paint using natural materials and apply it to rock surfaces to create “cave paintings.” Charlie will show how soft rocks can be “pecked” to alter their shape before painting. He will bring some materials, but asks participants to bring slabs of slate or other flat rocks, soft rocks to carve, rocks with interesting animal shapes, and natural pigments. Workshoppers will crush pigments and make brushes of natural materials. Atlatl- throwing will follow! Please bring a bag lunch; we’ll provide drinks.

 Saturday, August 2 @ 7:30pm: METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY @ Shrewsbury Mountain School, rain or shine.

Continuing Programs:

Sunday, July 20 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB: A Passage to India by E.M. Forster. Books available at the Library, or call Joan Aleshire (492-3550) for more.

Sunday, July 27 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: American Canopy: Trees, Forests and the Making of A Nation by Eric Rutkow. Books available at the Library or call Margery Salmon (492-3315) for more.

Wednesdays @6:30pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP: Meeting at Lucille Fiske’s home or the Library.Please call Donna Swartz for information: 773-7403.

 Alternate Thursdays @7pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. Please call Martha Izzi (492-3346) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345) for information.

 New Books include:

*  The Last Magazine by Michael Hastings: A novel about Newsweek  by a journalist who worked there.

*  The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert: This harrowing non-fiction report about vanishing species includes a chapter on our own Scott Darling’s efforts to save the brown bat population.

*  The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food by chef Dan Barber of Stone Barn Farms

   in upstate New York.

*Taproot: Coming Home to Prairie Hill by Martha Molnar: A memoir of moving to Vermont

by a Castleton writer.

 New DVDs include:

*  House of Cards: Season 2; Orange is the New Black: Season 1.

 LIBRARY NEWS for: JUNE 2014


*Many thanks to Terry Martin, Seamus Martin, and Stan Duda for their great presentation on their trip to Sri Lanka with Habitat for Humanity. The beautiful photographs and informative narration gave a real sense of the country, and the Sri Lankan tea was a real treat!

*** At the Annual Meeting, Joan Aleshire was re-elected as President; Lisa Sharrow as Vice-President and Assistant Treasurer; and Dirk Thomas as Recording Secretary. Gail Hartigan was elected Corresponding Secretary in March, to fill Sandra Korinchak’s place. All Trustees whose terms expired this year were re-elected.

We welcomed Turiya Levy back to her half-year term (May-October). Debbie Blecich was re-appointed by the Select Board as the Town’s representative, and serves as our Treasurer. Thanks to all for volunteering!

Coming Events:
Friday, June 27 @ 7:30pm: STONES & BONES with Dick and Donna Swartz. Dick and Donna will discuss the rocks, fossils and other natural objects they have studied and collected in many places over many years. Expect to learn and be amazed by what’s underfoot!
[All Library programs are free and open to the public. Please be aware that Meeting Room seating is limited, and come early to be sure of a place.]
Saturday, July 12 @10am: CAVE PAINTING with Charlie Paquin. Charlie returns to
Shrewsbury to show how the earliest paintings were made on cave walls; there will be a chance to throw atlatls, too! More information will follow in the July Times.
Saturday, August 2 @ 7pm: METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY

Continuing Events:
Sunday, June 15 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB discusses “Hamlet,” by William Shakespeare, in honor of the Royal Globe Theater’s world-wide productions of the play this year.
Shakespeare Folger Library editions are available at the Library; call Joan for more: 492-3550.
Sunday, June 22 @ 4pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB discusses The Great Influenza: The Story of the Greatest Epidemic in History by John M. Barry. Books are available in the Library.
Wednesdays @ 7pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP: Pro or novice, all are welcome. Call Donna for information (773-7403).
Alternate Thursdays @ 7pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. Please contact Martha Izzi (492-3346) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345).

New Books include:
*Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 2: Design and Practice by Dave Jacke: A hands-on manual on permaculture design: How to transform your backyard into productive, sustainable space.
*Field of Prey by John Sandford: His latest thriller set in the Pacific Northwest.
*Capital by Thomas Piketty: A history and theory of economics by the French professor that has become an international best seller, even at 700+ pages!
*Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast: a hilarious and poignant graphic
memoir by The New Yorker cartoonist, about her parents’ decline.
*Police by Jo Nesbo: The new thriller by the best-selling Norwegian writer.
*Winter Journey by Leland Kinsey: New poems by the Northeast Kingdom farmer-poet, about chimney-pointing, cider-making, “double digging the garden”: the country life he knows.

*DVDs: This month we’ve been replacing many of our VHS tapes with DVDs; check to see what’s on the shelf. Some films, especially foreign ones, are prohibitively expensive to replace as DVDs, so I’m leaving some of the classics in the collection for reference. Many can be found on Netflix or can be streamed.
*AUDIO-DISCS: We welcome your requests (and donations) for in-car listening!
- Submitted by Joan Aleshire

LIBRARY NEWS for: MAY 2014
*** MANY THANKS to GERRY & CHRYL MARTIN and SANDY & KRISTI BRAGG for
their wonderful presentation on their hiking trips in England; the beautiful images and engaging conversation made many of us want to take to those trails (and stop at those pubs!).

*** We’re very pleased to announce that GERRY & CHRYL, who have been serving as winter trustees, will become full-time board members. We now have a waiting list for this half-year position, but are happy to add more interested people to the list. We’re gratified to have such a wealth of volunteers!

*** MANY THANKS to members of the SVFD -- Bob Snarski, Ray Dambrackas, and Jon Lees for taking the time to make a Pre-Planning Visit to the Library, to give us recommendations for fire safety. Special thanks to JON for repairing a broken door latch!

COMING EVENTS:
Friday, May 16 @ 7:30 p.m.: “SRI LANKA WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY”: presented by
TERRY & SEAMUS MARTIN and STAN & LOUISE DUDA, who traveled there on a build last January. Come for photographs of a fascinating place, stories of an ancient culture, and an inspiring example of volunteer cooperation!
> Please be aware that seating in the Meeting Room is limited; arrive early to be sure of a place.
CONTINUING PROGRAMS:
Sunday, May 18 @ 4 p.m.: “Famous Books Book Club” discusses WONDER by R. J. Palacio, the Vermont Humanities Council choice for the 2014 “Vermont Reads” program. A novel for young readers and adults about physical difference, this book is thought-provoking and moving.
Books are available at the Library, thanks to Chryl Martin’s successful grant application.
Sunday, May : SCIENCE BOOK CLUB discusses EVER SINCE DARWIN by
Stephen Jay Gould.
Sundays @ 3:30 p.m.: QUILTERS’ GROUP: Please contact Gail Hartigan: 492-3605.
Alternate Thursdays @ 7 p.m.: WRITERS’ GROUP. Please contact Martha Izzi (492-3346) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345). See the April Shrewsbury Times for an article about the group!
NEW BOOKS include:

*FLASH BOYS by Michael Lewis: The author of THE BIG SHORT reports on the stock brokers who tried to reform how the stock market operates;
* LOVE AND WAR by James Carville and Mary Matalin: America’s most famous political couple -- he’s a Democrat, she’s a Republican -- tell about their marriage and move to New Orleans;
*SHOTGUN LOVESONGS by Nickolas Butler: A novel about a rock star who returns to the small town where he grew up;
* ANATOMY OF AN EPIDEMIC: MAGIC BULLETS, PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS, AND THE ASTONISHING RISE OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN AMERICA by Robert Whitaker: A groundbreaking report on the treatment of mental illness, by the author of MAD IN AMERICA.
NEW DVDs include:
* THE FIRST GRADER: A documentary about a former Mau Mau fighter in Kenya who went to school for the first time as a 50-year old.
NEW AUDIOBOOKS include:
* THE BULLY PULPIT by Doris Kearns Goodwin: about Presidents William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt;
* ZEALOT: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JESUS OF NAZARETH by Reza Aslan.

  LIBRARY NEWS for: APRIL 2014
*** THANK YOU, SHREWSBURY VOTERS, who again voted to support the Library with 185 YES votes, as opposed to 75 Nos.
*** We’re very pleased to announce the election of two new trustees: DIANE BARCLAY and DICK KEANE! Diane’s years of experience in the theater, and Dick’s non-profit work and goodneighborliness (he lives next to the Library!) will be greatly appreciated on the Board.
*** We’re also excited to welcome DORIS PERRY and PAM GRACE as our new Children’s Librarians. LINDA OLNEY and JAN TOFFERI will help Doris and Pam plan and implement new children’s programing. THANKS to all for volunteering!
*** MANY THANKS to GAIL HARTIGAN, who is stepping down as Children’s Librarian after many years of service despite job and family commitments; Gail will stay on the Board, we’re glad to say, advising the new Children’s Librarians, and handling Inter-Library loans.
*** At the same time, we’re very sorry to announce that SANDRA KORINCHAK, a valued trustee for the past several years -- an always willing staffer, contributor to policies, and initiator of programs -- is moving to Pennsylvania with her partner. It’s been a privilege to get to know and work with you, Sandra; we’ll miss you!
* With Sandra’s departure, we’re looking for a NEW BOARD MEMBER to take her place. If you’re interested in: being part of a small, dynamic organization dedicated to providing books, movies, music, and information to all ages; and maintaining a center where the community meets
to exchange ideas,
*AND if you can attend meetings on the SECOND TUESDAY of every month; staff the library at least twice a month; serve on a committee; and help with fund-raising events, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee: Gail Hartigan (492-3605); Lisa Sharrow (492-3732); or Dirk Thomas (492-3549). We look forward to hearing from you.
COMING EVENTS:
Friday, April 11 @ 7:30 p.m.: “FELLS, DALES, & MOORS -- WALKING ACROSS
ENGLAND”: Hiking 193 miles from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, presented by GERRY & CHRYL MARTIN; and Hiking in the Lake District, presented by SANDY & KRISTI BRAGG.
Friday, April 25 @ 7:30 p.m.: “PERMACULTURE 101,” presented by Mark Krawcyzk of
Yestermorrow Design/Build, sponsored by the Shrewsbury Institute for Agricultural Education.
> Seating in the Meeting Room is limited; please arrive early to be sure of a place.
CONTINUING PROGRAMS:
Sunday, April 27 @ 4 p.m.: Famous Books Book Discussion: Light in August by William Faulkner, Part 2. Please call Joan for more books (492-3550).
Sunday, April 27 @ 3 p.m.: Science Book Club Discussion: Best Science and Nature Writing2013, Siddhartha Mukherjee, ed. Books available at the Library.
Tuesday, April 1 & Tuesday, April 29 @ 7 p.m.: COMPUTER OFFICE HOURS with MARCOS LEVY.
Sundays @ 3:30 p.m.: QUILTERS’ GROUP. Please contact Debbie Blecich, 492-3783.
Alternate Thursdays @ 7 p.m.: WRITERS’ GROUP. Please contact Martha Izzi (492-3346) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345).
NEW BOOKS include:
*STILL LIFE WITH BREAD CRUMBS by Anna Quindlen, her newest novel
*FIVE CAME BACK: HOLLYWOOD AND THE SECOND WORLD WAR by Mark Harris: a look at the films of Frank Capra, John Ford, John Huston, George Stevens, and William Wyler
* REDEPLOYMENT by Phil Klay: stories about the War in Iraq
* ARTFUL AND DESIGNING MEN: THE TRIALS OF JOB SHATTUCK AND THE
REGULATIONS OF 1786-1787 (donated by Jonathan Gibson: thank you!)
NEW DVDs include:
*INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIES: The Coen Brothers take on the folk revival of the early 1960’s
*12 YEARS A SLAVE: The Academy Award-winning film
*AMERICAN HUSTLE, with Christian Bale and Amy Adams, based on the Abscam scandal.

LIBRARY NEWS for  MARCH 2014

* The Library is again requesting level funding this year at $7,500, which helps pay operating expenses that amount to over $16,000. Please see the Town Report for details, attend the Information Meeting on Monday, March 3, and VOTE on TUESDAY, MARCH 4. We appreciate your support!

* We apologize for the frozen septic line; the bathroom will be operational in warmer weather.

With Woody’s guidance, we’ll be addressing underground plumbing issues when frost leaves the ground.

* After many years on the Library Board, two long-time trustees -- JOHN (WOODY) WOOD and LYNETTE OVER -- are stepping down, but not, we’re glad to say, ending their service to the Library. Besides serving on the Town Select Board, and regular Library trustee responsibilities, WOODY has overseen and worked on all the Library’s building needs -- from insulating, painting and clapboarding to the hand-carved sign that reads, “READ MORE.” In addition to her full-time job and her large (and growing!) family, LYNETTE has been a faithful staffer and our fund-raiser extraordinaire. THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU for all you’ve done!

* We now have TWO OPENINGS on our Board of Trustees. 

If you are:

*interested in being part of a dynamic organization devoted to the role of small libraries in providing books, movies, music, and information to all ages; and to maintaining a center where the community meets to exchange ideas;

*AND if you can attend meetings on the second TUESDAY of every month; staff at least twice a month during library hours; serve on a committee; and help with events, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee: Gail Hartigan (492-3605); Lisa Sharrow (492-3732); or Dirk Thomas (492-3549). We look forward to hearing from you.

COMING EVENTS:

Friday, March 7 @ 7:30pm: GARY SHATTUCK will be speaking about his new book, ARTFUL AND DESIGNING MEN: THE TRIALS OF JOB SHATTUCK AND THE REGULATION OF
1786-1787. Books will be available at the event at a reduced cost.

Friday, April 11 @ 7:30pm: CHRYL & GERRY MARTIN and KRISTI & SANDY BRAGG will speak about their hiking tours of England.

Both programs will take place in the Library Meeting Room. Please be aware that seating is limited, and arrive early to be sure of a place!

CONTINUING PROGRAMS:

Sunday, March 15 @ 4pm: Famous Books Book Discussion: LIGHT IN AUGUST by William Faulkner. We’ll take 2 months to read this classic novel, with the 2nd discussion taking place on
Sunday, April 27 (downstairs or up-, not to conflict with Science Book Club the same day!)
Books are available in Library; call Joan for more (492-3550).

Sunday, April 27 @ 4pm: Science Book Club: THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot. Medical history combines with civil rights in this recent account. Books are available in the Library; please contact Margery Salmon: 492-3315.

Tuesday, March 4 @7pm & Tuesday, March 25: COMPUTER OFFICE HOURS with MARCOS LEVY! Marcos will hold Office Hours on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of March-May.

Sundays @ 3:30pm: Quilters’ Group. Please contact Debbie Blecich, 492-3783.

Alternate Thursdays @ 7pm: Writers’ Group: Please contact Martha Izzi (492-3346) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345) for information.

NEW BOOKS include:

*GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SECRET SIX: THE SPY RING THAT SAVED THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger: Unknown American history;

*THE IMPROBABILITY PRINCIPLE: WHY COINCIDENCES, MIRACLES, and RARE EVENTS

HAPPEN EVERY DAY by David J. Hand: More for those who read THE DRUNKARD’S WALK;

* RUNNING IN THE FAMILY by Michael Ondaatje: a memoir of growing up in Sri Lankawhen it was Ceylon, by the author of THE ENGLISH PATIENT;

* MRS. LINCOLN’S RIVAL by Jennifer Chiaverini: A new historical novel.

NEW DVDs include:

THE HUNGRY HEART, directed by Bess O’Brian: The documentary about opiate addiction in Vermont;

ALL IS LOST with Robert Redford: His latest, about a man alone at sea;

SHERLOCK SEASONS 2 & 3: The new BBC series, based on Conan Doyle.

WEATHER ADVISORY: If weather is bad, please call ahead to see if we’re open!


LIBRARY NEWS  - FEBRUARY 2014 *** THANKS to everyone who helped make our HOLIDAY COOKIE SWAP & SILENT

AUCTION our most successful fund-raiser ever: all the donors, bidders and buyers; the bakers; and the Library trustees -- especially and outstandingly Lisa (and also Donna, Gail & family, Cedelle, Sandra, Woody, and Larry) -- who decorated the Library, collected, displayed, and databased the auction items, and worked in the kitchen and bar; Marcos Levy and Mark Hamilton, who provided the music to sing and dance to. It was a great party that celebrates not only the Library but also our community!

*** CONGRATULATIONS to LEE ROHE, who held the winning ticket in our Quilt Raffle, and took home the beautiful quilt made by the Library Quilters’ Group.

*** Thanks to our fund-raising efforts -- the Silent Auction, the Quilt Raffle, the Street Dance, the Book & Bake Sale, and our annual appeal -- we are asking the Town for level-funding at $7,500 again this year, even though our annual operating expenses -- for heat, electricity, phone/internet service, septic pumping, and insurance -- amounted to $16, 171. (See the Library Report in the Town Report for details.)

*** We mourn the loss of JOAN SIBLEY, a long-time Library patron, whose remarkable poetry flourished in the Library’s Writing Group. We hope to have a collection of her poems in the Library in the near future.

*** We note with appreciation the establishment of a new Memorial Fund, dedicated to the memory of LORNA MacDOUGALL COHEN, faithful Library volunteer and reader. This fund will be used to purchase fiction and non-fiction that reflect Lorna’s passionate interest in spiritual growth and transformation.

COMING EVENTS:

*** Friday, February 7 @ 7:30 pm: MARGARET PEARSON, translator of a new version of the I-CHING, introduced by her editor, SANDRA KORINCHAK.

*** Friday, March 7 @ 7:30 pm: GARY SHATTUCK will discuss his new book about his
ancestor, Job Shattuck, who took part in Shay’s Rebellion. (More details in March.)
[Both programs will be held in the Library Meeting Room.]

CONTINUING PROGRAMS:

Sunday, February 16 @ 4 pm: Famous Books Book Discussion: BENITO CERENO by Herman Melville: A short novel about a shipboard slave rebellion, based on a true story.

Sunday, February 23rd @ 4 pm: Science Book Club:THE DRUNKARD’S WALK by Leonard Mlodinow. Books are available in the Library. Please contact Margery Salmon: 492-3315.

Sunday, February 2 @ 3:30 pm: Quilters’ Group. Please contact Debbie Blecich, 492-3783.

Alternate Thursdays @ 7pm: Writers’ Group. Please contact Martha Izzi (492-3346) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345) for information.

Computer Office Hours with Marcos Levy: TBA

NEW BOOKS include:

* THE REAL DIRT by John E. Carroll: A source book for organic farmers, donated by the Conservation Commission. Many thanks!

* THE BURGLARY by Betty Medsger: the true story of the theft of FBI intelligence documents in the 1970s

* THE INVENTION OF WINGS by Sue Monk Kidd: Her new novel, set in pre-Civil War South Carolina, about Hetty, the slave of a famous feminist.

* DUTY by Robert M. Gates: The explosive memoir by the former Secretary of Defense

* DIARIES OF AN UNFINISHED REVOLUTION: VOICES FROM TUNIS TO DAMASCUS, edited by Layla Al-Zubaidi.

NEW DVDs include:

* “FRUITVALE STATION”: Drama set in Oakland, CA, based on a true incident;

* “20 FEET FROM STARDOM”: The documentary about the back-up singers in many famous rock and roll bands

* “LEE DANIEL’S THE BUTLER,” starring Forest Whitaker: Recent history through the eyes of a (fictional) White House butler.

MANY NEWLY RELEASED DVDs coming soon, including VHS conversions!



 LIBRARY NEWS : DECEMBER 2013

*** THANKS to the fine presenters of last month’s events -- JONATHON WELLS & HELEN

MANGO; and AL BOUDREAU -- for their stimulating and informative programs on geology

and astronomy respectively. We went from explorations of the depths of earth to the skies in one

November week!

*** The success of these programs, and our limited space and seating, have led us to reconsider

the location of our events. Since last minute moves are rarely feasible, should we have a sign-up

list or request reservations for popular programs? Please let us know your thoughts; e-mail Joan

at joanaleshire@vermontel.net, or speak with any Board member.

*** The Board of Trustees has also reviewed our meeting room policies; THANKS to the Policy

Committee for their work, especially LARRY WILLIAMS and DEBBIE BLECICH for their

research into American Library Association policies on meeting spaces. Our Meeting and Exhibit

Policies for Non-Library Sponsored Groups now reads, in part: “The Library offers exhibit

spaces and meeting areas free of charge for individual and group use. Availability for the use of

these spaces and areas is provided on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs and affiliations

requesting their use.” The full text of the policies will be available on the Library’s web site.

Groups wishing to use these spaces should contact a Board member or the Library Director;

applications will be reviewed by the Board to be in keeping with the Library’s mission.

*** COMING EVENTS:

* Saturday, December 7 @ 7 pm: COOKIE SWAP & SILENT AUCTION! See our ad.

* Friday, February 7 @ 7:30 pm: MARGARET PEARSON, new translator of the I-CHING,

introduced by her editor, SANDRA KORINCHAK.

CONTINUING PROGRAMS

Sunday, January 19 @ 4 pm: Famous Books Book Club Discussion: Great Expectations by

Charles Dickens. Books available at the Library or call Joan: 492-3550.

TBA: Science Book Club. Contact Scott Garren, 492-2284, or science@2scott.com

Wednesdays @ 7 pm: Quilters’ Group: All welcome. Please call Donna for information:

773-7403.

Alternate Thursdays @ 7 pm: Writers’ Group. Please contact Martha Izzi, 492-3346 or

Penelope Weiss, 492-3345 for information.

NEW BOOKSLIBRARY NEWS for  NOVEMBER 2013

include:

One Summer, America 1927 by Bill Bryson: The year of Lindbergh’s flight and more;

Apples of North America by Tom Burford: A beautiful illustrated guide;

The New Cider Maker’s Handbook by Claude Jolicoeur: For veterans and novices alike;

Nostalgia by Dennis McFarland: A Civil War novel by a fine Vermont writer, set during the

Battle of the Wilderness.

Falling Upwards by Richard Holmes: A history of hot-air ballooning;

Double Down by Mark Halperin: A history of the 2012 Presidential campaign.

NEW DVDs coming soon!

* As we convert from VHS tapes to DVDs, please let us know your choices.


 COMING IN NOVEMBER: TWO SCIENCE PROGRAMS:
*** Friday, November 1 @ 7:30 p.m. - Photographer JONATHON WELLS and HELEN 
MANGO, Professor of Geology at Castleton State College, will discuss Jonathon’s new artwork 
showing the geology up to 4 miles below the surface of Shrewsbury. Born in Vermont in 1960, 
and raised in Shrewsbury, Jonathon worked for many years as a hydro-geologist, studying 
geologic structures and subsurface industrial sites. This work, combined with a love of 
photography and of Vermont, led Jonathon to make digitally composed scenes of landscapes and 
their underlying geology. His artworks have been exhibited in museums and galleries, and are 
owned by individual collectors, corporations, universities, and museums. An exhibition of his 
images will be in the Christine Price Gallery at Castleton State College from December 2-20. 
HELEN MANGO will join him in Shrewsbury to discuss the science behind the artwork.

*** Friday, November 8 @ 7:30 p.m. Astronomer AL BOUDREAU will give a presentation on
the COMET that will be visible in Vermont’s skies later this month. (Please see his article in this
issue of THE TIMES!)

CONTINUING PROGRAMS
Sunday, November 17 @ 4 p.m. FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK DISCUSSION: October Light by 
John Gardner. Books available at the Library.

Sunday, November 24 @ 4 p.m. SCIENCE BOOK CLUB. Please contact Scott Garren at 
492-2284 or science@2scott.com for information.

Wednesdays @ 7 p.m. QUILTERS’ GROUP: All welcome. Please call Donna for information:
773-7403.

Alternate Thursdays @ 7 p.m. WRITERS’ GROUP. Please contact Martha Izzi at 492-3346
or Penelope Weiss at 492-3345 for information.

*** RAFFLE TICKETS for the beautiful QUILT made by the Library Quilters’ Group are 
available in the Library until the Cookie Swap/Silent Auction on December 7.

*** TRUSTEES are soliciting donations for the SILENT AUCTION; if you have donations to
offer, please contact Lisa (492-3732) or Donna (773-7403). Popular auction items have included 
foods of all kinds; jewelry; crafts & artwork; weekend stays; plane rides; you name it! 

*** NEW BOOKS include:
*Flying Blind by Don Mitchell: a writer and landowner (father of singer Anais Mitchell) learns 
to love and conserve bats, with the help of Shrewsbury’s Scott Darling 
Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel: True stories of veterans returning from Iraq and 
Afghanistan
* The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert: the new novel by the author of Eat. Pray. 
Love
* A Fish in the Water, a novel
The Gospel According to Julia Child, a collection of stories by 
James R. McKain, our own Pierces’ Store baker, otherwise known as Rob. Congratulations on 
being in print!

New DVDs include:
*Call the Midwife, Season 1: a BBC production set just after WWII
* Much Ado About Nothing: Shakespeare in modern dress, directed by Joss Whedon
* Olivier’s Shakespeare: Laurence Olivier as Hamlet, Henry V, and Richard III 

READERS & VIEWERS: Please write your reviews/recommendations of books or DVDs 
you’ve enjoyed (or not) in the notebooks on the desk. You can be anonymous if you want!

LIBRARY NEWS for  OCTOBER 2013

*** THANKS to everyone who helped with the Annual BOOK & BAKE SALE: all who helped bring out the boxes, all who donated books and baked goods, all who came and staffed or contributed to the event! Special thanks to LYNETTE for managing the food table and to DONNA, WOODY and TURIYA (and others too) for helping set up and organize the books.

*** COMING EVENTS:

* Friday, October 4 @ 7:30 p.m. APPLE TASTING with SCOTT BOLOTIN of Morning Star Gardens in Rockingham. Scott has been growing 250 varieties of apples, as well as European and Asian pears for over 30 years. He will provide samples of his apples and pears, and discuss their histories and qualities. This event is sponsored by the Library and the Shrewsbury Institute for Agricultural Education, with thanks to MARTHA SIRJANE for the idea.

* Friday, November 1 @ 7:30 p.m. PHOTOGRAPHER JONATHON WELLS will show and discuss his photographs of geological cross-sections of Shrewsbury. Jon grew up in Shrewsbury; his photographs have been shown in museums and galleries and he has received grants for his work. An exhibit of his images will open at Castleton State College in December. He will be joined on November 1 by geology professor HELEN MANGO of Castleton, who will give a geological overview.

*** NEW & CONTINUING PROGRAMS:

* Saturdays from October 5th through November 23rd, 10-11 a.m. MUSIC FOR KIDS with LICIA GAMBINO-HAMILTON. (For information, see her article in this issue, or call 492- 3792.

* Sunday, October 20th @ 4 p.m. FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION: Howards End by E.M. Forster: Second session. For books, please call Joan: 492-3550.

* Sunday, October 27th @ 4p.m. SCIENCE BOOK CLUB. Book TBA. Please contact Scott Garren @ 492-2284 or science@2scott.com for information.

* Alternate Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. WRITERS’ GROUP. For detail, please contact Martha Izzi at 492-3346 or Penelope Weiss @ 492-3345.

* Mondays @ 7 p.m. QUILTERS‘ GROUP: All welcome! The group is taking part in the QUILTS OF VALOR project; please call Lucille Fiske @ 492-3302 or Donna Swartz @ 773-7403 for details.

*NEW BOOKS include:
W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton: the latest in her alphabetical mystery series
The Tender Soldier by Vanessa M. Gezari: The true story of an anthropologist in Iraq 
The Grafter’s Handbook by R. J. Garner
 The Good Lord Bird by James McBride: a comic novel by the author of The Color of Water

NEW DVDs include:

Homeland: Season 2: Here ahead of schedule!
Breaking Bad: Season 1: The most discussed TV series; see what you think! 
Days of Heaven: Terence Malick’s classic western romance
City Lights: Charlie Chaplin classic

CLASSICAL CDs -- VIVALDI, BRAHMS, MOZART, BEETHOVEN recordings have been replaced for your listening pleasure.

 


LIBRARY NEWS for SEPTEMBER 2013

***THANKS to everyone who came to METTAWEE for another beautiful show, and to all who made gingerbread to sell beforehand, and helped set up and serve!
*** AND THANKS to all who made the HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE a great success: all helpers, players, and attendees! Special thanks to DONNA, for making the dinner happen, and to MARCOS for leading a wonderful band of musicians of all ages (GO, ANNETTE!)

COMING EVENTS:

Tuesday, September 10th @ 7pm: LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEET.

Saturday, September 21, 9am - 2 pm: BOOK & BAKE SALE! We’re accepting donations from SEPTEMBER 5 on. Books in good condition, please; NO encyclopedias, textbooks, or magazines! VHS & music tapes, CDs, and especially DVDs welcome!

CONTINUING PROGRAMS:

Sunday, September 15 @ 4pm: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION: HOWARDS’ END by E.M. Forster. Books available at the Library.

Sunday, September 22 @ 4 pm: SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel Levitin. Please contact Scott Garren @ 492-2284 for more information.

Alternate Thursdays, 7-9 pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. For details, please contact Martha Izzi at 492-3346 or mhizzi@yahoo.com or Penelope Weiss at 492-3345.

Wednesdays @ 7pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP: Beginners and pros welcome! Please contact Lucille Fiske at 492-3302 or Donna Swartz at 773-7403 for details.

Thursdays, September 5 & 26, 7-9pm: COMPUTER OFFICE HOURS with SCOTT GARREN. Everything you want to know about social media, web site design and management, and more. Please call 492-2284 for more information.

NEW BOOKS include:

*SILVER STAR by Jeannette Walls: the new novel by the author of THE GLASS CASTLE
* FIN & LADY by Cathleen Schine, author of THE WEISSMANS OF WESTPORT
* THE BOYS IN THE BOAT by Daniel James Brown: The U.S. crew in the 1936 Olympics * LIGHT IN THE RUINS by Chris Bohjalian, a new novel about World War II
* A TREACHEROUS PARADISE by Henning Mankell, author of the Wallander series

NEW DVDs include:

* THE LEOPARD, based on the novel and starring Burt Lancaster 
* THE ICE STORM: classic 1970s angst, directed by Ang Lee
* FRESH, a documentary written and directed by farmer Joel Salatin
* ANNE BRADEN: SOUTHERN PATRIOT: a documentary about the civil rights pioneer * BABETTE’S FEAST: A Criterion Collection classic

COMING SOON: The missing classical music CDs will be replaced. Look for works by Vivaldi, Beethoven, and Brahms to be back on the shelf!

 LIBRARY NEWS for THE TIMES OF SHREWSBURY: AUGUST 2013

• *  Looking for a COOL place to bring your laptop or find a new book or DVD? The Library is comfortable -- without air conditioning -- even on the hottest days. (We keep the doors and windows closed and get the ceiling fans going, so do stop in and stay awhile!)
  
  
• *  Have DVDs to donate to the Book Sale? Donate now; we’re hoping to replace out-of-date VHS tapes. Please WAIT TO DONATE BOOKS until SEPTEMBER 1.
  
  
• *  Our 2013 QUILT RAFFLE is in progress; buy tickets (at the Library) early and often! The drawing will be on Saturday, December 7 at the Cookie Swap/Silent Auction.
  
  Coming Events:
  * Sunday, August 4 @ 7:30 pm: METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY presents “TALIESIN,” based on a Celtic myth, with original music, masks and puppets, on the grounds of Shrewsbury Mountain School or in the Multi-Purpose Room, rain or shine. Adults: $8; children 12 and under: $1. (See ad in this issue.)
  
  * Sunday, August 11 @ 7:30 pm in the Meeting Room: MARGA RICHTER (SKELLY) plays recordings of her music and talks about a new biography of her life and work.
  
  * Saturday, August 17 @ 6:30 pm: HAYSTACK DINNER; 7:30 pm.: STREET DANCE at the Library. (See ad in this issue for details.)
  
  * Saturday, September 21, 9 am - 2 pm: BOOK & BAKE SALE.
  
  Continuing Programs:
  
  * Thursdays through August 22, 10:15 am - 11 am: Summer Songs with Dino Rice for infants, toddlers, and their caregivers. Please call Dino @ 492-3368 to sign up.
  
  * Sunday, August 18 @ 4 pm.: FAMOUS BOOKS BOOK DISCUSSION: The Leopard by Giuseppe di Lampedusa. Copies available at the Library or call Joan for more: 492-3550.
  
  * SCIENCE BOOK CLUB: Date & time TBA. Please contact Scott Garren @ 492-2284 or science@2scott.com and see his article in this issue.
  
  * Alternate Thursdays 7-9 pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. For details, please contact Martha Izzi: 492-3346, or mhizzi@yahoo.com or Penelope Weiss at 492-3345.
  
  * Mondays @ 7 pm: QUILTERS’ GROUP: Beginners and pros welcome! Please contact Lucille Fiske (492-3302) or Donna Swartz (773-7403) for details.
  
  

LIBRARY NEWS for JULY 2013

***CONGRATULATIONS to DONNA SWARTZ, who received her Vermont Librarian’s certificate at the annual meeting of the Vermont Library Association in May!

*** COMING EVENTS:
Saturday, July 20 @ 10 a.m.: CHARLIE PAQUIN will return to show us how to make flint pocket knives, cook early Native American foods, and throw atlatls, until 2 p.m. or so. All ages are welcome; please call the Library to let us know you’re coming: 492-3410.

Sunday, August 4th @ 7:30 p.m. : METTAWEE THEATRE COMPANY presents “TALEISIN,” a Celtic legend with masks, puppets, and original music on the grounds of Shrewsbury Mountain School.


Saturday, August 17th @ 6 p.m.: HAYSTACK DINNER & STREET DANCE!


*** THE QUILTING GROUP’S FIRST QUILT IS ON DISPLAY AT THE LIBRARY

RAFFLE TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE-- DRAWING on DECEMBER 4th. 


**CONTINUING PROGRAMS:
NEW: Science Book Club: See Scott Garren’s article in this issue of The Times.
Thursdays, July 11 through August 22, 10-10:45 a.m.: 
SUMMER SONGS with DINO RICE, for infants, toddlers, and their caregivers. Please call Dino at 492-3368 to sign up.

Sunday, July 21 @ 4 p.m.: BOOK DISCUSSION: “WAITING FOR GODOT,” the play by Samuel Beckett. Copies are available at the Library, or call Joan for more: 492-3550.

Alternate Thursdays, 7-9 p.m.: WRITERS’ GROUP. For details, please contact Martha Izzi (492-3346 or mhizzi@yahoo.com) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345).

Various Times: QUILTERS’ GROUP. Please contact Donna Swartz (773-7403) or Lucille Fiske (492-3302).

Thursday, July 11 & 25 7-9: Computer Office Hours with Scott Garren. Social Media & more.

NEW BOOKS include:

Saved: How I Quit Worrying About Money and Became the Richest Guy in the World by Ben Hewitt, by the Vermont writer and farmer, author of The Town that Food Saved
The Guns at Last Light by Rick Atkinson: the last volume of a WWII trilogy
The View from Penthouse B a novel by Elinor Lipman

VB6 by Mark Bittman: How to eat vegan before 6 p.m., lose weight and be healthy 
The Hit by David Baldacci: his latest political thriller.

  LIBRARY NEWS for JUNE 2013

*** WELCOME BACK to DONNA & LUCILLE, who have returned from winter in Arizona: Donna as our newly accredited Library Director; Lucille as Trustee.
MANY THANKS to CHRYL and GERRY MARTIN for serving in Lucille’s place when
she goes away!

***The following trustees were elected at our Annual Meeting: SANDRA KORINCHAK, to fill LEE ROHE’s remaining two-year term; and LARRY WILLIAMS, for a three-year term, to be shared with TURIYA LEVY. Turiya will serve from May-September, Larry from September- May; thanks to everyone for their flexibility! GAIL HARTIGAN and LISA SHARROW were re-elected to three-year terms. DEBBIE BLECICH was re-appointed by the Select Board as the Town’s representative.

*** OFFICERS elected were: President: JOAN ALESHIRE; Vice-President & Assistant Treasurer: LISA SHARROW; Recording Secretary: DIRK THOMAS; Corresponding Secretary: SANDRA KORINCHAK; TREASURER: DEBBIE BLECICH.

***MANY THANKS to LEE ROHE for her years of loyal support as trustee and her pledge to help with staffing, programming, and baking those wonderful cookies, as a FRIEND of the LIBRARY!

COMING EVENTS:

SUNDAY, JUNE 9 @ 7:30 p.m.: ARIANNA THOMAS will take us to post-earthquake Haiti, and describe her work with Pure Water for the World. Expect to be moved and inspired.
Friday, June 21 @ 7:30 p.m.: BEN ALESHIRE & JON TURNER will read their poems -- and blow your socks off!

Saturday, July 20 @ 10 a.m.: CHARLIE PAQUIN will return to show participants of all ages how to make flint pocket knives, cook indigenous foods, and throw atlatls.

* FREE ECHO and HISTORIC SITES PASSES are now available for summer 2013.

CONTINUING PROGRAMS:

Sunday, June 16 @ 4 p.m.: BOOK DISCUSSION: Poetry 180, edited by Billy Collins. Books are available at the Library, thanks to the VT Council on the Humanities, and Chryl Martin.

Alternate Thursdays 7-9 p.m.: WRITERS’ GROUP. For details, contact Martha Izzi at 492-3346 or mhizzi@yahoo.com, or Penelope Weiss at 492-3345.

Various Times: QUILTING GROUP: Please contact Donna Swartz (773-7403) or Lucille Fiske (492-3302).

TBA: Computer Office HouNEW BOOKS include: 

*An Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison: the basic text for gardeners
*A Delicate Truth by John LeCarre: his new thriller about the new world of espionage *Inferno by Dan Brown: the long-awaited sequel to The DaVinci Code
* Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick: The Revolutionary War battle

NEW DVDs include:

*The Central Park Five: the documentary by Ken Burns and Sarah Burns
* Baking with Julia Child: for entertainment and instruction
*Case Histories: a new BBC crime series, based on novels by Kate Atkinson

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> * MISSING FROM THE LIBRARY & NOT CHECKED OUT! PLEASE CHECK

YOUR SHELVES and CD PLAYERS and return ASAP:

* THE THREE SHADES OF GREY TRILOGY by E.L. James
* CDs: MOZART: Piano Quartets; BEETHOVEN: Symphony #6; BACH: Sonatas and

Partitas; BACH in performance; SCHUBERT: Violin Sonatinas; BRAHMS: Symphony #4 & Double Violin Concerto.

There will be no fines and no questions; we just want these popular items back for others to enjoy!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

LIBRARY NEWS - MAY 2013 

*** SNOW, SLEET and FREEZING RAIN on April 12 caused us to postpone the POETRY READING with BEN ALESHIRE and JON TURNER until FRIDAY, JUNE 21 @ 7:30 p.m. *** THANKS TO MARCOS LEVY for offering his COMPUTER HELP Office Hours on the first and fourth Tuesdays this winter. Marcos is an encouraging, inspiring, patient teacher who helps even technophobes overcome their fear of computers. We expect that SCOTT GARREN will take Marcos’ place as our COMPUTER HELP guru when he returns from distant shores this month. Stay tuned!

COMING EVENTS:

Friday, May 31 @ 7:30 pm: ERIC HANSON of the Vermont Center for Eco-Studies presents a program on Loons on our own Spring Lake and elsewhere.

Friday, June 21 @ 7:30 pm: BEN ALESHIRE and JON TURNER read from their books of poems. (See above and in last month’s Times.)

Saturday, July 20 @ 10 am: CHARLIE PAQUIN leads participants of all ages in making flint pocket knives, cooking native foods, and throwing atlatls!

Sunday, August 4 @ 7:30 pm: Mettawee Theatre Company at Shrewsbury Mountain School.

CONTINUING PROGRAMS:

Sunday, May 19 @ 4 pm: BOOK DISCUSSION: Poetry 180, edited by Billy Collins. Books are available at the Library. Our copies of Poetry 180 are a gift from the Vermont Council on the Humanities, as part of this year’s “Vermont Reads” project.

Alternate Thursdays, 7-9 pm: WRITERS’ GROUP. Please contact Martha Izzi (492-3346; e-mail mhizzi@yahoo.com) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345) for details.

Various times: QUILTING GROUP: Please call Judith Thomas for information @ 492-3549.

NEW BOOKS include:
Restoration Agriculture by Mark Shepard: the latest information on permaculture
Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala: harrowing memoir by a tsunami survivor who lost her family Whitey Bulger:
America’s Most Wanted Gangster and the Manhunt That Brought Him Down by Kevin Cullen

NEW DVDs include:
Borgen: A dark Danish crime series
Lincoln with Daniel Day-Lewis
Argo with Ben Affleck.



LIBRARY NEWS  - APRIL 2013

* THANK YOU to TOWN VOTERS, who voted 212-92 to fund the Library in 2013: our largest ever margin of support!

* SPECIAL THANKS to SILAS HAMILTON, who volunteers on Wednesday afternoons, often training older staffers in the computer check out/check in program as needed!

COMING EVENTS:
* FRIDAY, APRIL 12 @ 7:30pm: POET, MUSICIAN, & EDITOR BEN ALESHIRE & POET, PAPERMAKER, & IRAQ WAR VETERAN JON TURNER will read from their work. Ben founded the literary journal, The Salon, in Burlington; has published his first book, Dropped Apples, with help from the Vermont Council on the Arts; and is a member of the band Vermont Joy Parade. JON directs the Veterans Paper Project, which encourages war veterans to
express their thoughts through writing, paper-making and letterpress printing. He also helps direct traditional healing ceremonies and lives in Middletown Springs.

* Friday, April 26 @7:30pm: GARDENERS’ ROUNDTABLE. Bring your questions, share your successes and challenges from last year’s growing season.

CONTINUING PROGRAMS

Tuesday, April 2 and 23 7-9pm: COMPUTER HELP: Office Hours with Marcos Levy. All you want to know about Social Media and more! Call Marcos at 492-3455 for more information.

Sunday, April 21@ 4pm: BOOK DISCUSSION: THE RAZOR’S EDGE by Somerset Maugham. Books available at the Library; call Joan for more, 492-3550.

WRITERS’ GROUP: Thursday, April 4 & 18 7-9pm. Please contact Martha Izzi (492-3346 or mhizzi@yahoo.com or Penelope Weiss (492-3345) for details.

QUILTING GROUP: Times vary: please call Judith Thomas (492-3549) for information.

NEW BOOKS include:

Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini: a new historical novel
Insane City by Dave Barry: his newest comic novel
The Burn Palace by Stephen Dobyns: hilarious, horrifying, and touching thriller 
The Barbarous Years by Bernard Bailyn: a history of the earliest American settlers
The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler: advice for everyone

NEW DVDs include:

Searching for Sugarman: the prize-winning documentary about a neglected musician
5 Broken Cameras: a moving documentary about a Palestinian father and his neighborhood 
Zero Dark Thirty: the controversial thriller about the hunt for Osama bin Laden

 LIBRARY NEWS        MARCH 2013 

* THANKS again to the CONSERVATION COMMISSION for the weatherization grant!
We are working with Bob and John Reuter of Vermont EnergyWorks to insulate the foundation and/or floor, and fill second-floor gaps with insulation. Thanks to their consideration, work should proceed with no disruption to regular Library hours. THANKS as well to Bob and John for their generous donation of replacement lights in the Meeting Room.

* THANKS too to TABITA de SOUZA and ANNA ARTHUR-SGALIA for cleaning the Library, not an easy job anytime, but especially in mud, grit and snow season!

COMING EVENTS:
*Friday, March 15 @ 7:30pm: STAN and WEEZIE DUDA present: “HABITAT for HUMANITY: NEPAL,” the latest in their helpful and instructive adventures around the world. With the Dudas, we travel to places we’ve never been, and may never go, and are shown much more about how people live than we could ever see as tourists. Please join us!

*Friday, April 12 @ 7:30pm: Poet BEN ALESHIRE and friends read from their new books.

CONTINUING PROGRAMS:
*Tuesday, March 5 & Tuesday, March 26, 7-9 p.m. COMPUTER HELP: Office Hours with Marcos Levy. All you wanted to know about Social Media and more!

*WRITERS’ GROUP: Alternate Thursdays 7-9. Please contact Martha Izzi (mhizzi@yahoo.com or 492-3346) or Penelope Weiss (492-3345) for details.

*QUILTING GROUP: Some Mondays 7-9. Please contact Judith Thomas for details: 492-3549.

* Sunday, March 17 @ 4pm: BOOK DISCUSSION. Shakespeare’s “MACBETH”: Session 1. Call Joan for more books: 492-3550.

NEW BOOKS include:

Standing in Another Man’s Grave by Ian Rankin: a new John Rebus mystery set in Scotland The River Swimmer by Jim Harrison: 3 short novels
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis: a new biography

 LIBRARY NEWS - JANUARY 2013
**** BREAKING NEWS: THE CONSEVATION COMMISSION has awarded a $5000 grant to the Library for winterization! Thanks to all: grant writers & CC members!

*** With regret and gratiitude, we accepted TURIYA LEVY’S resignation at the January meeting, but know that she will continue to be a great friend of the Library. THANK YOU, TURIYA, for all your contriibutions -- as Corresponding Secretary, for writing thank-you notes to all our donors; as faithful trustee, staffing and atending Board meetings; and for your inspired suggestions in planning the Ben Perry Room addition: the window overlooking the pasture!

*** MANY THANKS, too, to LEE ROHE, who has taken a sabbatical leave until May to attend to family obligations. We hope she’ll return to the Board in the spring.

*** With these vacancies on the Board of Trustees, and with Donna’s new position as Librarian (who cannot serve as a trustee), we welcome three new members to the Board: PAM GRACE and TRISH NORTON (both of who are retuning after many years!); and SANDRA KORINCHAK, who will take Lee Rohe’s place during her leave of absence.

COMING EVENTS:
*LEONARD KORZUN will share his research on THE HISTORY OF TOWN GOVERNMENT in VERMONT on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10 @ 2pm in the MEETING ROOM. ALL are WELCOME!

CONTINUING PROGRAMS:
* WRITERS’ GROUP on THURSDAYS from 7-9pm. Please contact Martha Izzi for details: 492-3346 or mhizzi@yahoo.com


* BOOK DISCUSSION: THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY by Henry James: Session 2: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 at 4 pm in the Library. Call Joan for more books. 


*COMPUTER LESSONS: OFFICE HOURS with MARCOS LEVY: TUESDAY, FEB. 5 & 26 from 7-9pm. All you wanted to know about Social Media and more!

NEW BOOKS include:

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis: new best seller about the Great Migration
Paradise City by Archer Mayor: his latest Joe Gunther mystery
Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott: Prayers and how we need them

NEW DVDs include:

“Girls” Season 1
“Homeland”: Season 1
“Beasts of the Southern Wild”
“Doc Martin”: Seasons 3,4, & 5



LIBRARY NEWS : DECEMBER 2012

***COMING EVENT -- THE BIGGEST OF THE YEAR:
 Our HOLIDAY SILENT AUCTION & COOKIE SWAP on December 1! 

***CONGRATULATIONS to DONNA SWARTZ for completing all the credits needed to become a Vermont Certified Librarian! She now becomes our official Library Director, and steps down as co-president of the Board of Trustees. Joan Aleshire becomes president while the officers remain the same: LISA SHARROW, vice-president and assisstant treasurer; DEBBIE BLECICH, treasurer; DIRK THOMAS (with JUDITH THOMAS) recording secretary; and TURIYA LEVY, corresponding secretary.

*** STOP IN to congratulate DONNA, and ask to see her tiara!

*** VOLUNTEERS: If you haven’t learned to use the automated system, sign up to be trained by Donna or Lisa. It’s simple, fast, and fun (said by a former skeptic!).

*** We’re now looking for a NEW TRUSTEE to take Donna’s place on the Board (but not, of course, Donna’s place in the Library and at our meetings!). If you love small libraries and working with people in a dynamic and committed volunteer organization, and have time to staff during Library hours, serve on a committee, and help at events, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee: Gail Hartigan (492-3605); Lisa Sharrow (492-3732); or Dirk Thomas (492-3549).

*** We welcome CHRYL and GERRY MARTIN back to the Board, as our Winter Trustees while LUCILLE FISKE spends her winter staying warm in Arizona. Have a good winter, Lucille!

*** CONTINUING PROGRAMS: BOOK CLUB TBA Call Joan (492-3550).
* QUILTING on MONDAY evenings at 7. Contact DONNA (773-7403) or GAIL (492-3605)

* SOCIAL MEDIA CLASS: Instructor and dates TBA in FEBRUARY. Please contact the Library if you’re interested in learning how to set up a Facebook account or use Twitter: (492-3410).

NEW BOOKS include:
*THE RACKETEER by John Grisham: his latest thriller
*LUCY E by Cassie Horner: a novel about the author’s Mt. Holly ancestor
* THE DUST BOWL by Duncan Dayton & Ken Burns: a photographic history
*LIVE BY NIGHT by Dennis Lehane: his new crime novel
*THE ROUND HOUSE by Louise Erdrich: a novel about contemporary Native Americans


NEW DVDs: “MAD MEN: SEASON 5”
 “FOOD STAMPED: a documentary.
_________________________________________________________________
 NEWS - NOVEMBER 2012

LIBRARY NEWS for The TIMES OF SHREWSBURY

*** BAR-CODING is 99% complete; AUTOMATION is about to begin! THANKS to DONNA, LISA, HEATHER SHAY, and 2011 MRUHS Honor Society seniors ALICIA BLECICH, ALEX BULLOCK, and CAITLYN HARTIGAN for helping to put the entire collection into the Library’s computer system.

*** VOLUNTEER TRAINING has begun, using the computerized check-out and check-in. Please call Donna (773-7403) or Lisa (492-3732) to set up a time to learn the simple (really!) steps.

*** OVER-DUES: Please return any over-due books, DVDs, etc. before we have to call you! The on-line system will keep track of overdues much better than we human do, and will send you an e-mail reminder request for returns.

*** CARDS: If you have a Shrewsbury Library card, please bring it with you, but if you forget or have lost yours, you are still entered in the system, and we can still check out materials to you. NEW PATRONS: If you haven’t signed up for a card, we can take your name and contact information, and give you a borrower’s number.

***COMING ATTRACTIONS:

*WRITERS’ GROUP: Please e-mail or call MARTHA IZZI (mhizzi@yahoo.com or 492-3346) for starting time. All are invited!

* SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 at 7:30 p.m in the Meeting House, ARCHER MAYOR, author of crime novels set in Brattleboro, will read from his newest book, PARADISE CITY, and talk about his work as an EMT, medical examiner, and former volunteer fire- fighter in Newfane. Admission is free; all are welcome! Call 492-3550 for info.

*SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 at 4 p.m. in the Library, Book Club will discuss THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE by Stephen Crane, the classic novel about a young soldier in the Civil War: the VT Humanities Council VT Reads selection for 2012. Copies of the book are available at the Library; thanks to Chryl Martin for writing the grant to the Council.

NEW BOOKS include: Waging Heavy Peace, a memoir by Neil Young; A Wanted Man by Lee Child; Winter of the World by Ken Follett; 500 Days by Kurt Eichenwald.

NEW DVDs: Classics“The Grapes of Wrath” with Henry Fonda and “The Red Badge of Courage” with Audie Murphy. Also 2012’s “Moonrise Kingdom” and “Genetic Roulette.”

SAVE THE DATE: DECEMBER 1: COOKIE SWAP & SILENT AUCTION!