Parrots from the Siesta Sanctuary will visit the Thompson Free Library on Saturday, February 9 at 11:30 am!

About the event:

“At least three of our best talking and dancing parrots from our 80+ parrot flock will present Parrots 101. And you can take home a feather! Henrietta, a cockatoo, along with RiRi, an Amazon, and Jose, a macaw, will demonstrate typical parrot behavior and eating habits. Meanwhile, Fritz and Margaret Buschmann will explain what parrots eat, where they come from and what’s their future in the world. Thankfully, the future for the birds at Siesta Sanctuary is to stay put. Siesta Sanctuary does not re-home parrots but can refer to organizations that do.

In 2006 Margaret and Fritz Buschmann founded the non-profit Siesta Sanctuary as a home for parrots who have been displaced and need permanency. Parrots are wild animals that live 30-80 years. They are very intelligent and social and, in the wild, thrive as part of a flock. It is our mission to recreate the flock for parrots that have had their human flock disrupted; seldom can humans accommodate a pet through all the family life changes in 80 years!

Our parrots have come to us from rescue organizations, owners moving to nursing homes or apartments, spouses objecting to the bird, birds with problem behaviors that disrupt the home and birds that other folks have rescued but couldn’t keep. All birds we take in will have permanent sanctuary. Here the parrots live in a flock, can fly and learn to behave like birds. Many birds that come to us have lived alone. Nearly all have found a mate or best friend. We delight in all this social activity and the odd couples that develop.

Please consider a donation to help support this flock. You can also visit in the afternoon throughout the year. Please just call first (207-683-6322) to make sure we are home and not embroiled in some messy project!”

The TFL Movie Club premieres on Friday, February 22 at 6 pm with a showing of “The Milagro Beanfield War” directed by Robert Redford. This free, monthly film series will feature undiscovered gems. TFL’s own cinephile Tom Lyford, describes this 1988 indie comedy-drama, (based on the John Nichols’ book) as “both lyrical and fanciful” and believes that “it got lost amid the shadows cast by the super-hyped Hollywood blockbusters.” Redford artfully guides a terrific ensemble cast through the familiar conflict powerful land developer vs. naïve townspeople in a rural New Mexico town. Those attending are invited to stay and discuss the movie afterwards. And, yes, there will be popcorn.

Join us for our next “Monthly Make” event with STEM guide Alicia Millette. This month, teens learn about chemistry while making bath bombs, lip balm, and face scrub. Take home your creations!

Who: Grades 6 & up

When: Tuesday, February 19 at 11:00 am (Rescheduled from Tuesday, January 22)

Space is limited, so please contact the library to sign up!

Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 5:30-7:00 pm for an informative workshop aimed at helping parents and caregivers understand how teens and kids are using technology, and learn some tools to safely navigate technology use.

What will be covered:

  • Protecting your child’s privacy online
  • Apps and social networking
  • Cyberbullying
  • Teens and Sexting
  • Gaming issues and concerns
  • Setting healthy boundaries around technology use

About the presenter:

Brooke Dupuy is the Community Outreach Educator at Rape Response Services, a sexual assault crisis and support center serving Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties. As a prevention educator, she teaches lessons on cyber harassment, sexual harassment, healthy communication, consent and internet safety to students in pre-k through college. As a former high school teacher, she has over a decade of experience working with teenagers, and is a mother of two. She is passionate about empowering kids to make healthy choices, and to step in when they see something that makes them uncomfortable.

We’re excited to host a new monthly maker program at the library, led by STEM guide Alicia Millette! Each month will feature a fun project for a different age group.

This month – learn about simple circuits while making a small flashlight.

Who: Students in grades 4-8.

When: Tuesday, December 27 at 11:00 a.m.

This free STEM project is a great way to learn how electrical devices can be turned on and off. Each participant will make and take home their very own flashlight!

Please see Ms. Michelle to sign up.