Make the most of August at Thompson Free Library
By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library
Hey everyone, August has joined the chat! Has summer zoomed by at warp factor 10 or what? Ok, not on those humid days when it meanders like an Altman film. But now that we’ve made it to month number eight, the pressure is on to make it last and have as much fun as possible. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place for August and everything after. The Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft is a steady stream of incredible programs for all ages.
Book lovers and bargain hunters rejoice! We’re kicking off the month with a Ten Cent Basement Book Sale, Aug.1-3 (Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).
Our “snowy” friend Hedwig has delivered the following message to all wizards and muggles: Don’t miss Chewonki’s “Owls in Maine” on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 10:30 a.m. Learn the habits and adaptations of Maine’s native owls and meet two of them — live and in person.
PanStorm, a community steel band based in Hermon, will play a free concert on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. Their mission is to spread unbridled joy through steel pan music.
Kids will have a blast getting soaked as they play outdoor games on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 10:30 a.m. (Ms. Michelle says dress to get wet!).
Get the facts on the latest health food trend at “Microgreens 101” at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 8. Brian and Heidi Lourie, owners of HF Microgreens in Harmony, will give us a closer look at this nutritious and flavorful super food.
TFL’s Reading Group meets at 6 p.m. on Aug, 8 to discuss “Plainsong” by Kent Haruf. The Detroit Free Press called this widely acclaimed book, “Compelling … A lyrical meditation on community and family, and how the former increasingly becomes the latter as traditional ties don’t prove binding.” Copies available at the library.
Time to jump on the bandwagon again as the Sebasticook Valley Community Band plays a free concert on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 4:30 p.m. in the TFL pavilion. The band is made up of musicians from different walks of life but they all share a love of good music, fellowship, and fun!
Conjuring Carroll is hosting a combination magic show (30 minutes) and magic workshop (one hour, for kids ages 7 & up) on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 10:30 a.m. He’ll share tricks of the magical trade, show how to make balloon animals, and give tips on showmanship.
Let’s get this party started! “The End of Summer Party” from 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 features a bounce house, summer reading raffle drawings, games, snacks, pies in Ms. Michelle’s face, and of course, ice cream! Darling’s Ice Cream Truck will be there giving out free ice cream and asking for voluntary donations to an invaluable area resource, Piscataquis Regional Food Center.
Northeast Historic Film presents “Working the Land” on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. David Weiss, the nonprofit archives’ founder, will host the event which he calls, “A marvelous look at woods and farming operations.” The presentation includes images of life at a logging camp including tools and methods used to cut and haul logs that were steered down the Kennebec River to various mills. You’ll also see a log boom on Wyman Lake, a jam at Moxie Falls, and sluicing at Wyman Dam.
Always a fan favorite, “Mr. Drew and his Animals Too” returns on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 10:30 a.m. for a fun and engaging educational program featuring rescued and rehabilitated exotic reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates from around the world.
Youth Services Librarian Michelle Fagan hosts the Teen Book Club on Friday, Aug. 23 at 3 p.m. (a great way to meet your FA requirement!).
Looking for something that’s both smokin’ hot and totally cool? Foxcroft Academy’s Alumni Jazz Band is the perfect mix of Big Band classics, Swing and Latin dance tunes, and more of your listening and dancing favorites. They’ll be in concert Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. at the TFL pavilion. Please bring your own chairs! Rain date is Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.
Summer has flown by like R.E.M.’s rapid-fire classic. It’s the end of summer as we know it — and after making the most of August with TFL — you will definitely feel fine!
TFL hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 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 and open to the public.