Saturday, May 14th 12:00-2:00 p.m.
in the Great Room
Join author Sandra Neily as she discusses her Maine-set environmental murder mysteries.
Sandra Neily grew up in East Boothbay exploring the shores, clam flats, and woods along the Damariscotta River. She is a licensed Maine Guide, director of the Maine Conservation School and Maine Audubon’s Policy Coordinator. Her mystery novels are set in Maine. She was a finalist for a Maine Literary Award, the recipient of a national Mystery Writers of America McCloy award, and a national finalist in the Women’s Fiction Writers Association’s “Rising Star” competition. “I cherish my animal encounters just as much,” Sandra said. “I’ve been chased by moose, river otters, and angry partridges and have included them in my stories.”
Sandra’s books can be purchased at Sherman’s Bookstores and on Amazon. The author will hold a drawing for at least two free copies of her novels at the event.
Thursday, May 26 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
on the Library Lawn
Learn tips for taking better photos with your smartphone—then practice your skills on the library lawn. Plus, we’ll learn about photo editing on your phone and cloud storage options to keep your photos safe, sharable and easily accessible.
Bring your own smartphone and passwords for App Store, Play Store, and cloud storage services you use like iCloud.
This program is for all ages and levels of tech savviness.
Note: this workshop will take place primarily outdoors so dress accordingly.
Questions? Call the library at 207-633-3112 or email Bethany at tech@bbhlibrary.org.
Author of Valentin Henneman (1861-1930), artist between Bruges and Bangor
Thursday, April 14th 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Boothbay Harbor Town Office
“Haymarket Square in Bangor” by Valentin Henneman
Join us in the Boothbay Harbor Town Hall Meeting Room to hear author Patrick Vanden Berghe discuss discuss the life and work of Valentin Henneman, a Belgian-born painter and ice sculptor.
Henneman received his formal training at the art academies of Bruges and Antwerp, where he studied together with Vincent Van Gogh. He settled in Bruges where he became a famous painter of portraits. Among his many subjects were noblemen, politicians, religious people and all who could at that time afford a portrait. Henneman went to France and Italy to enhance his skills. On his many trips he became acquainted with foreign artists, such as Fritz Thaulow, Ebenezer Hoeck, Arthur Watson Sparks,…
In 1904 a painting of Henneman was exhibited in the Belgian pavilion at the Louisiana Purchase World’s Fair. This proved to be the ideal occasion for Henneman to visit his brother Arthur who was living in St. Louis, Missouri. At the same time Henneman was invited by Charles Marshall Cox, a businessman from Boston, to paint portraits of him and his family. During his stay Henneman met Asa G. Randall, a painter and art teacher who was looking to start an Art Colony along the coast of Maine. In 1906 Randall and Henneman founded the Commonwealth Art Colony in Boothbay Harbor. From that year on Henneman traveled annually between Belgium and the U.S. During the summer he would teach at the colony while staying in Maine during autumn in order to make paintings he could sell in Belgium.
“Lantern Parade at Halloween” by Valentin Henneman
One of his students at the colony was Mabel Dealing from Bangor. In 1914, due to the outbreak of World War I, Henneman was forced to stay in the U.S. He eventually married Mabel and they lived at this latter’s home in Bangor. Henneman became a famous resident of Bangor, especially after he started making ice and snow sculptures, which he put up for exhibition in his garden on Main Street.
Henneman had many exhibitions, some at the Public Library of Bangor. The library acquired 7 paintings which are still on exhibit at the library. Henneman also made a bust of vice-president Hannibal Hamlin. Henneman died in May 1930 in his house in Bangor. He is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery along with Mabel and her family.
This talk will discuss this fascinating artist’s life and work, but also facts that were only recently unearthed, such as inventions by Henneman and his preoccupations with his native Belgium during World War I.
This talk draws back on more than 10 years of continuous research which led me and my wife to Bangor and Boothbay Harbor. We were able to find Valentin’s grave and our research led to the discovery of an unknown painting at the Zillman Art Museum in Bangor.
In 2022 the Historical Society of Oostkamp (the village where Henneman was born) published a book on Valentin Henneman. It consists of more than 200 pages and 200 full color pictures. Especially for English-speaking readers each chapter is concluded by an English summary.
About the author:
Patrick Vanden Berghe (1967) spent most of his youth in Oostkamp. After teaching English at Parahyangan Catholic University (Bandung, Indonesia), he returned to Oostkamp to work at the public library. Now he is head librarian at the Public Library of Pittem. He is also teaching library courses at Artevelde Hogeschool. He co-founded the Historical Society of Oostkamp where he is still a board member. His interests include arts and migration. He is married to Katrien Steelandt, who played a key role in the research on Valentin Henneman. Katrien also coordinated the Historical Society’s Growfunding Project (2021) through which a painting by Valentin Henneman was restored.
This event is not sponsored by the municipality of Boothbay Harbor, nor does it necessarily represent the values and opinions of the Board of Selectmen or the community at large.
Tuesday, May 10 from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
in the Great Room
Join us for our next Tech Talk with the library’s Community Technology Coordinator, Bethany.
We’ll walk through all of the digital tools available to you through your BHML library card. We’ll explore e-book and audiobook apps, browse through the tools available in the Digital Maine Library (like Consumer Reports and Ancestry.com) and learn about digital tools to help pick your next great read.
This program is for all ages and levels of tech savviness.
Space is limited. To reserve your spot or if you have questions, call the library at 207-633-3112 and ask for Bethany, or email her at tech@bbhlibrary.org.
Saturday, April 23, 2022
10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. on the Library Lawn
Join us for an afternoon of fun in honor of this magnificent planet we call home. This event is free and open to the public. Keep your fingers crossed for a bright, sunshiny day!
Earth Day Fest events:
10:30 a.m. Earth Day Story Time with Jen!
11:00 a.m. Chewonki program: “Mammals of Maine” This exciting and interactive program introduces students to our native warm-blooded vertebrates: Maine mammals. View mounted animals and observes their characteristics, like teeth, feet, and fur. This program also provides a living example of a non-releasable wild mammal.
All Day: Craft Project: Make your own Earth Day-themed masterpiece.
Used Book Sale: Visit Pop-Up BHML to find pre-loved books and other library swag for sale. Prize Raffles: Enter your name to win special prizes drawn throughout the day!
We’re so happy to welcome our
community co-sponsors:
Learn, craft and celebrate with
our co-sponsors all day!
Bonus Earth Day fun!
2:00 p.m. at the Harbor Theatre
Join our Earth Day Fest co-sponsor the Boothbay Region Land Trust for a special, free showing of the bird-themed documentary “The Messenger” with an introduction from Maine ornithologist Dr. Jeffrey Wells. Pre-registration is required. Find more information about the event and register for your seat.
Bigelow Laboratory
What sea creature stands on its head and eats with its feet? Come find out and visit scientists from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Bigelow Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit research institute located on the Damariscotta River estuary in East Boothbay. Our research ranges from the microscopic life at the bottom of marine food webs to large-scale ocean processes that affect the entire globe.
Boothbay Region Clean Drinking Water Initiative
The BRCDWI is a new alliance dedicated to safeguarding the Boothbay Region public drinking water supply. Come see what a watershed is and how it works; look under a microscope to see what lurks in lake water; and check out what you can do on your own property to help protect our public drinking water supply. “Our Community, Our Water, Our Future”
Boothbay Region Land Trust
Get information about the Boothbay Region preserves and learn about our local flora and fauna. Enjoy a touch table filled with natural objects from our region and try your hand at dissecting an owl pellet.
Boothbay Sea & Science Center
Where our hands meet the sea! BSSC invites one and all to join them in creating unique works of art using shells from oysters grown in the Damariscotta River. Take home a lifelong treasure and a gentle reminder of why we need to take good care of our beautiful oceans!
We promise you will “knot be board”! Some folks say that If you can’t tie a knot … tie a lot! Come learn to tie a few of the most useful nautical knots using reclaimed lobster pot warp and a “knot board” made from repurposed wood that you get to take home!
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Join us to celebrate Earth Day and garden with the Gardens! Activities include a seed planting project to take home and a raffle for a family membership and kids’ gardening sets. At nearly 325 acres, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest public garden in New England. With two miles of hiking trails, 19 acres of ornamental and themed gardens featuring native plants of Maine, a children’s garden, a sensory garden, and so much more, there’s something for everyone. The mission of the Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature through horticulture, education, and research.
Thursday, April 28 from 11:00 a.m.-noon
in the Great Room
In this workshop for computer users of all skill levels, we’ll learn all about email.
We’ll talk about available email domains and walk through setting up a new email account. Then, we’ll practice writing emails and learn some of the bells and whistles in your inbox. Plus, we’ll talk about making the switch to a new email account and learn about safety and privacy in your email inbox and beyond!
This program is for all ages and levels of tech savviness.
Space is limited. To reserve your spot or if you have questions, call the library at 207-633-3112 and ask for Bethany, or email her at tech@bbhlibrary.org.
Tuesday, April 5 from 1:00-2:00pm
in the Great Room
Join us for our next Tech Talk with the library’s Community Technology Coordinator, Bethany.
We’ll walk through deleting old files from your computers and unused apps from your smartphone. We’ll learn how to safely unsubscribe from junk mail and learn simple ways to keep files, photos and emails more organized. We’ll also go over the basics of Cloud storage.
Bring your own computer and/or smart device.
This program is for all ages and levels of tech savviness.
Space is limited. To reserve your spot or if you have questions, call the library at 207-633-3112 and ask for Bethany, or email her at tech@bbhlibrary.org.
Thursday, April 7 (this date is almost full—register soon!) 10:00 a.m.-noon in the Great Room
Friday, April 8 (this date is full—wait list available) 10:00 a.m.-noon in the Great Room
Join us for this step-by-step workshop where you’ll create your own Ukrainian Painted Egg.
Our host, Diane Howe, is a local artist who has enjoyed creating and teaching the art of Ukrainian Egg Painting for more than 20 years.
All supplies will be provided in this free workshop. Because of the use of flames and wax, this program is open to adults only. All skill levels welcome.
Because of the intricate technique used in creating these eggs, expect for you first egg design to take 1.5-2 hours. Participants are invited to create their first egg, go grab lunch (or have a picnic on the lawn!), then come back to paint a second egg in the afternoon.
Space is limited and registration is required. To sign up, call the library at 207-633-3112.
About Ukrainian Eggs: Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs) are hand painted using a wax resist method. This ancient form of art dates back well before Christianity when only women were allowed to create these beautiful designs.
The traditional method of making Pysanky is to begin with a clean, fresh raw egg. A “kistka” (drawing tool) is then used to create the designs, layering melted beeswax throughout each color. The is then melted off revealing all the different colors!
Each symbol and color on the Pysanky represents a wish for its recipient.
BHML Chess Club Wednesdays starting March 16 5:30 p.m. in the Great Room
Chess club returns to BHML! Join us on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 as we host a drop-in Chess Club. The club welcomes players of all levels from the beginner to the grand master! Learn the game or meet someone to help improve your game. For more information or if you have questions, call the library at 207-633-3112 or email Harolyn at harolyn@bbhlibrary.org.
Thursday, March 24 10:00—11:00 a.m. in the Great Room
In this workshop for computer users of all skill levels, we’ll learn about improving your web searching skills.
We’ll talk about the different web browsers and search engines available that can enhance safety and privacy while using the Internet. We’ll also discuss tips and tricks for making your web searches more successful and accurate and we’ll go over some ways to spot internet scams and websites that may be dangerous.
This free program is for all ages and levels of tech savviness.
In-person space is limited. To reserve your spot or if you have questions, call the library at 207-633-3112 or email our CTC, Bethany at tech@bbhlibrary.org.
Author Talk with
Sandra Neily grew up in East Boothbay exploring the shores, clam flats, and woods along the Damariscotta River. She is a licensed Maine Guide, director of the Maine Conservation School and Maine Audubon’s Policy Coordinator. Her mystery novels are set in Maine. She was a finalist for a Maine Literary Award, the recipient of a national Mystery Writers of America McCloy award, and a national finalist in the Women’s Fiction Writers Association’s “Rising Star” competition. “I cherish my animal encounters just as much,” Sandra said. “I’ve been chased by moose, river otters, and angry partridges and have included them in my stories.”
About Ukrainian Eggs:
