Swing into autumn with Thompson Free Library
By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library
October swings back and forth like a pendulum. Underneath the vibrant landscape, a sense of urgency. Preparing for what’s to come while soaking up the moment. Foliage peaks as the air chills. Make the most of this seasonal shift with the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft.
Award-winning poet Claire Hersom visits TFL on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. to discuss her debut novel “Smithville Junction”. Claire, a native Mainer, sets her book in small town Maine in the 1940s. It tells the story of a man who gave away his five-day-old baby, causing an uproar across the whole community. He faces the worst of circumstances on his rocky journey towards forgiveness — but an innocent young girl unexpectedly helps him find it.
Swinging from authors to cats, as Director Jon Knepp’s fabulous felines, Freya and Andy Jr., grace the library on two Caturdays this month (Saturday, Oct. 4 & Saturday, Oct. 25). Watch them explore, nap, and groom — and maybe get in a pet or two!
Sensory Play Group meets on Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The downstairs space has therapy balls, play mats and sensory bins and is geared towards children with disabilities or who are neurodivergent and their caregivers, but all abilities are welcome.
Meanwhile upstairs starting at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 the League of Women Voters will offer a “Ballot Question Information Session.” LWV is a non-partisan organization trying to get information out to people. Learn about two important questions: “An Act to Protect Communities by Enacting the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act” and “An Act to Require an Individual to Present Photographic Identification for the Purpose of Voting.” It’s a great opportunity to become an informed voter.
“The Serviceberry” gives TFL’s Reading Group plenty of food for thought on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. The book, written by Robin Hall Kimmerer an indigenous scientist and author of “Braiding Sweetgrass”, offers up an inspiring vision for a more equitable and sustainable future by orienting our lives around gratitude, reciprocity, and community, based on lessons from the natural world. Copies available at the library.
While some may be well-versed on the topic of seed saving, others may be new to the concept, but all knowledge levels can benefit from “Seedsaving with Heron Breen” on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. Heron is from St. Albans and worked for many years at Fedco seeds, a Maine-based worker-member cooperative. Recently he helped form the Maine Heirloom Seed Working Group which is focusing on community events and regular potlucks for sharing food, seeds, stories and skills.
Seed saving is a way to connect with the past and the traditions and cultures of the people who cultivated the land before us. Many see the practice as a future imperative as the global food system becomes more vulnerable to climate change.
Break up the usual routine and join us for Family Fun Night on Friday, Oct. 24 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. They’ll be board games and a taco bar — don’t miss it!
Finally, a spooky TFL tradition continues on Halloween (Friday, Oct. 31) as we swing open the East Main Street original front doors from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and welcome ghosts, zombies, monsters, aliens and super heroes with an amazing array of books. Trick or treaters (children, birth to teen) get to pick out a free book to keep! Costumes are not required.
Fingers crossed that colors really pop this October like a box of autumnal crayons come to life. If you feel that pendulum swing back to urgent mode when you’re waiting in the drive-thru for a pumpkin spice latte (in your comfy TFL hoodie), heed the call and prepare for what comes next. But don’t get tunnel vision — step back and take advantage of our programs, services, resources and, of course, indulge in the best mood-altering library pastime ever: browsing the shelves!
TFL hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 pm.. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit our website thompsonfreelibrary.org, our Facebook page, Instagram @tf_library or contact us at thompsonfreelibrary@gmail.com or 207-564-3350. All programs are free & open to the public. Free Wi-Fi available 24/7 in the parking lot.