By Kim Brawn
March is when we start to feel—if not see—the hazy shade of winter finally lifting. The time change means more daylight, we celebrate Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, and the first day of spring. We anxiously await what’s around the corner. So “hang on to your hopes, my friend” because the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft will help you emerge from hibernation with an inviting array of activities and programs for all ages.
Play games and eat snacks at “Family Fun Night” on Tuesday, March 12 at 5:30 p.m. If the kids are bored and staring at their screens and you’ve run out of ideas, this may be the perfect option!
TFL’s Reading Group meets on Thursday, March 14 at 6 p.m. to talk about Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. In April, we will discuss Michael Pollan’s book This is Your Mind on Plants. Pollan does a deep dive on three plant drugs—opium, caffeine, and mescaline and the powerful human attraction to psychoactive plants. He explores why we go to such great lengths to seek these shifts in consciousness, and then why do we fence that universal desire with laws and customs and fraught feelings? It’s a unique blend of history, science, memoir, and participatory journalism. (Copies available at TFL.)
The kids can channel all their pent-up energy at “Nerf Night” on Friday, March 15 from 6-7:30 p.m. It’s open to grades 5 and up. Participants need to bring all their own Nerf equipment and label it with the name or initials of the player. Safety glasses required but not supplied. Parents can stay or drop off but need to come in to pick kids up at the end of the program.
TFL’s Family Book Club will discuss their current read, Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi, over pizza on Tuesday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m. and they’ll also get a copy of the next book.
Ms. Michelle (Youth services librarian Michelle Fagan) is getting crafty with a Wooden Egg Decoupage design on Thursday, March 28 from 4-5:30 p.m. She’ll guide you through this easy spring & Easter-themed décor project. (Open to all ages.)
A welcome sign of spring is the return of our Seed Library. We offer donated seeds from our community and various other donors. If you have extra seeds from previous years that you don’t need, please bring them in to share with your neighbors. If you’re interested in trying a new type of plant or flower in your garden this year, stop in and check out what we have to offer.
Just in time to celebrate Maine Maple Syrup Sunday (March 23 & 24) our March Patron Giveaway is a $25.00 gift card to Bob’s Sugarhouse (252 E. Main St. Dover-Foxcroft). (Pass the pancakes & ployes, please!) One entry per account, per visit.
The big day—the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8—is fast approaching and Dover-Foxcroft is in the path of totality! It will be an incredible cosmic event to behold but safety is priority one. At the library, we have 400 eclipse glasses to hand out free from the Maine State Library and the Maine Department of Tourism. Families can pick up to five free pairs of eclipse glasses. All glasses are first-come, first-serve, but please only take what you and those close to you need, as we’d like to give as many people as possible the chance to see the eclipse.
Time to put on the lab coats and get those brain cells firing as we edge closer to TFL’s first “Science Fair Showcase” on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We are looking for youth grades K-12 to do a science fair project and show off what they learned to the public. Participants need to sign up before April 19—the date the project form is due. (To sign up & get more info, please contact Michelle at 207-564-3350 or email mfagan534@gmail.com.)
Past, present and future happily collide at the library—with comings and goings, new adventures and old favorites. Join us for an engaging program, stop by to check out a new book or DVD—or pop in to grab a free tax form. As we (hopefully) wave goodbye to winter and welcome March, an Irish blessing seems in order: May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures, and may all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours.
TFL hours: Tues & Thurs 9-7, Weds & Fri 9-5, & Sat 9-1. 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.