7/16: Author Talk with Matt Cost

Cost_Mouse Trap

Author talk with
Matt Cost

Mouse Trap: A fictional Boothbay Harbor mystery

Saturday, July 16 at 1:00pm on the library lawn

Join us on the library lawn to hear Maine author Matt Cost discuss the latest book in his Clay Wolfe/Port Essex series.

Mouse Trap book description: When Clay Wolfe is hired to find who tried to steal a mouse, he thought it was akin to a fireman getting a cat out of a tree. It wasn’t.

“Sometimes bad genes need to be stamped out and good ones need to be fostered,” Bridget Engel said. “There’s really no difference between mice and human beings when it comes to genes.” She wore a gray suit, and her blond hair was cut short in the style that Hillary Clinton had made popular.

When Clay Wolfe rekindles an old romance, the summer is looking bright. It wasn’t.

He woke in the middle of the night, gathered his things, and slipped away. After Clay left, Victoria rose from the bed and went into the bathroom, carefully removed the condom from the Kleenex it was wrapped in and put it in a plastic baggie.

Who is the mysterious man who clubs Westy with a hammer and threatens the life of everybody Clay Wolfe holds dear?

Now, Clive Miller was a fixer. He took care of problems that arose. Once given a task, his hands weren’t tied, and he was well-paid for his troubles. There were two simple rules. Eliminate the problem. Don’t draw attention.

 

Matt Cost

Matt Cost was a history major at Trinity College. He owned a mystery bookstore, a video store, and a gym, before serving a ten-year sentence as a junior high school teacher. In 2014 he was released and began writing. And that’s what he does. He writes histories and mysteries.

Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. A chocolate Lab and a basset hound round out the mix. He now spends his days at the computer, writing.

7/1: Fairweather Film

Fairweather Film

Friday, July 1
8:00 p.m.
on the Library Lawn

Bring your own snacks and lawn chairs for a free movie on the library lawn.

The first movie of the summer will be…

🥁Drumroll, please🥁…

Battling Butler!Battling Butler

In honor of the library’s 98th birthday this year, we’ve chosen a movie that’s almost as old as BHML! This silent film will have you in stitches with classic scenes from one of Hollywood’s biggest stars of the era, Buster Keaton.

As an added bonus, this film features written text in lieu of a spoken script, so it’s essentially reading, which is very on brand!

Battling Butler (1926): Meek millionaire Alfred Butler goes on a camping excursion with his faithful servant. Once in the wilderness, Alfred ignores outdoor activities in favor of trying to woo a charming mountain girl, who wants nothing to do with her spoiled suitor. Trying to impress the girl, Alfred masquerades as boxing star “Battling” Butler.

6/23: In the Garden—Composting 101

 

In the Garden Composting

Thursday, June 23
10:00—11:00 a.m.
on the library lawn

Join Maine Master Gardener Lucian Laurie in the BHML Community Garden for a summer series on all things gardening!

During this program, he’ll go over the basics of composting and setting up your own home composting system.

This free program is open to everyone! In the event of inclement, the program will meet in the Great Room.

6/28: Windjammers for Wee Mateys!

Windjammers for Wee Mateys!Lighthouse Book

Tuesday, June 28
10:00 a.m.1:00 p.m.
on the Library Lawn

Yo Ho, Wee Mateys!

Drop yer anchor on the library lawn for an afternoon of pirate stories and mermaid tales. Get yer arm inked in our (temporary) tattoo parlor and grab some pirate-y accessories to wear for our pirate-themed story time

We’ll have bubbles and sidewalk chalk and plenty of books to read. Plus, sign up for Summer Reading and start earning reading prizes and raffle tickets!

This FREE event is part of Boothbay Harbor’s Windjammer Days.

6/17: Summer Reading Kick-Off!

Summer Reading Kick-Off!Jellyfish reader

Friday, June 17
10:00 a.m.2:00 p.m.
on the Library Lawn

Start your Summer Reading adventure with a special party at BHML!

Sign up for your Reading Passport and help us make ocean animal decorations for the Kids’ Room. Eat special ocean-themed treats, enter to win fun raffle prizes, and play some giant yard games. Plus, check out the prizes you can enter to win with your Summer Reading prize tickets.

We’ll have bubbles blowing, sidewalks ready decorate with your chalk creativity, and plenty of books to read.

Bring your friends…this party is free and open to everyone (grown-ups, too)!

Seal reader

5/14: Author Talk with Sandra Neily

Neily Author Talk: Deadly TrespassAuthor Talk with
Sandra Neily

A “Deadly” Mystery in the Maine Woods

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 NeilySandra 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.

5/26: Smartphone Photography Workshop

Smartphone Photography
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@bhmlnext100.org.

 

 

 

Author Talk with Patrick Vanden Berghe

Author Talk with
Patrick Vanden Berghe

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

Vanden Berghe Haymarket Square in Bangor
“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.

Vanden Berghe_Lantern Parade at Halloween
“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.

 

5/10: Tech Talk—Exploring Library Digital Tools

Exploring Library Digital Tools

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@bhmlnext100.org.

 

4/23: Earth Day Fest 2022

Earth Day 2022 Social Media banner

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!

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.