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Curbside Pick Up Begins June 2

by | | Information • Topsham Tales • Update

We are still hammering out the details, but we are so excited to announce that curbside pick up from Topsham Public Library will be available beginning Tuesday, June 2!

There will be a limit on the number of items you may have which will be much reduced from the normal limits. Inter Library Loan (ILL) is not running at this time, so the available items are the items that we have in our own collection and we want to make sure there is enough for everyone.

The way in which you request our items will also be a little different and that procedure we are still working on.

Once your items are ready for pick up, we ask that you park and wait for us to come to you. Please, do not get out of your car. We are still social distancing and cannot encourage loitering or congregating with others at this time.

We have missed you and cannot wait to see you all!

Drop Box Opens For Limited Hours and Message from Friends of Topsham Public Library

by | | Topsham Tales

Here’s an update from Susan Preece, Director of Topsham Public Library:

Susan working at home--yes that is an ironing board!Thank you for your patience during this pandemic!  We are anxious to get back to business but, as you know, public health and safety must come first. We are hopeful that we can begin to provide some of our services in June, however the library remains CLOSED to the public. We are going to open our book drops in a VERY LIMITED way. This is a first step–please hang in there as we all try to cope with our “new normal.”  If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at director@topshamlibrary.org or 536-8170 and leave a message. We will return your call.

As a first step in our process of slowly bringing library services back to Topsham, we are accepting material returns through the book drops ON WEEKENDS ONLY. The drop boxes will remain closed Monday thru Friday so that the returned items will be untouched for the CDC recommended quarantine time before being handled by staff.

No library items in your possession are due, and they are not accruing fines, so you are welcome to hang onto them if you prefer. For the month of May, those of you who would like to return your library items are welcome to do so on Saturdays and Sundays only.

We hope to provide additional services as soon as it is safe to do so for you and for the staff. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

 

Friends of Topsham Public Library have announced that the Annual Book Sale scheduled for September will be cancelled this year.

With the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic and our inability to safely handle book donations, we have reluctantly made this decision. We cannot accept book donations this year.

The Book Sale has been our chief fundraiser to support virtually all programs at the library. We look forward to finding other ways to support our mission. We are grateful to our many donors, buyers and supporters.

Just a Bit of Fun

by | | Topsham Tales

Sometimes, I just don’t know what to write, so in order to get the creative juices flowing, I tried something different. I don’t know where this idea came from, but I thought I’d give it a go. I chose a music playlist, it was comprised of 308 songs, and I typed out the first line of each song in the playlist. I arranged the first lines into a story. Of the 308 first lines, I used 113. I did have a few rules to abide by: I could only use songs on the original playlist regardless of the fact that there are songs not on the playlist that work better because it would take forever to finish the story otherwise; I removed all the “na-na-nas,” “doo-wops,” and “oh, babys”; I could not alter the first line at all. To help you identify the first lines they are in italics.

In the back of my mind, I hear Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake singing the story. It’s a bit hokey, but have fun with it! It is what it is…

 

Desperado

I’ve lived a long life and now I’m looking back, even though my Mama always said, “Don’t you dare look back.” I’ll tell you a story that happened to me. I’ve got picture perfect memories.

I’ve been down the broken road, now been through that fire, and thought times it seems like I’m coming undone, life’s like the road that you travel on – no one knows what’s waiting where you go, but after all is said and done, I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day, for the power of love is a curious thing.

My Daddy was a preacher, but my Daddy left home when I was three. I remember the day. When my Mama saw my Daddy rushin’ home down that long dirt drive she whispered, “There’s a cold feelin’.”

Daddy burst in the kitchen and said, “It’s not the way that I intended this. You remember, my Maria – they used to call me lightnin’ I was always quick to strike. Well, Big Bart done hurt young Janie for the last time. When I hit him he never got up again, and I thought, ‘I’m a dead man walking here, but that’s the least of all my fears.’ Maybe I’m right and maybe I’m wrong, but I’m trading punches with the heart of darkness.”

My Mama and Daddy hugged and kissed like there was no tomorrow. Daddy said, “Never know how much I love you.” Mama said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” Daddy looked at us kids and said, “Children behave, the world today can be a scary place.” And he was gone.

Not long after daddy left, we saw the Marshall comin’ down our drive. Mama met him on the porch.

“Maria,” he said.

“Marshall,” she replied.

“You know why I’m here?” He asked.

“Yes, sir, I do,” she said.

I bet you never heard old Marshall Dylan say, “You pass on a message for me? You tell him you can run on for a long time. I know your life on earth was troubled, but I see your fingerprints, so you just turn around and turn yourself in.”

Mama tried to stop the Marshall as he left, “Hangman, hangman, hold a little while.” But the Marshall just kept on his way.

Mama slumped down on the porch. It’s a heartache. Even so young, I thought, “It’s the end of the world as we know it.” I never saw daddy again.

I don’t know how she’d done it, but Mama kept the farm. Life on the farm is kinda laid back. When I was five we’d get up at four and get the chores done. We were poor, but I was satisfied. I got a little education and my brothers and sisters, well, we all looked out for ma and for one another.

I even had a sweetheart. At my sixteen years of age I thought I knew it all, and I said to myself, “Wanda is a woman.” My feet was wantin’ to go down roads they ain’t been down before and I thought it be nice to have her by my side.

Wise men say only fools rush in. I said, “Wanda, girl, you really got me now and I’m goin’ exploring. Meet me in the morning and we’ll go see the world.” So we planned I’d pick her up down past her daddy’s barn at midnight.

All day I was thinkin’ night would never come. I could never get anything past Mama, though. I was toting my pack sneaking out the back and there was Ma with a bag of biscuits and some jerky and tears sneaking down her face.

I said, “Well, that’s all right now Mama.” She hugged me and kissed me, and though I never saw her again, I knowed she prayed for me ev’ry day….I’m finding myself at a loss for words. 

Photo by Jen

I had a hand me down ride painted rattle can red and I started her up. I got to the wood a little early, and I was a bundle of nerves. Midnight, getting’ uptight. Where are you? Wanda never showed. I thought it would do me good to shout, shout let it all out, “Fare thee well my own true love! I’ll think of thee night and day.” 

I don’t wanna go home, though, and it’s now or never, so I said, “Bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye I’m doin this tonight.” Ridin’ down the road in my pickup truck, I was a highwayman. I was out in the country past the city limit sign and no idea which way to head, so I says, “Greenspond is a pretty place, so is Venture’s Island.”

I got a homesick heart but a long ways left to go. All that time I was searching. I found my truck heading for the city, and well, New York, New York isn’t everything they say with hot summer streets. So I skedaddled out of there.

I drove and drove until I’s sittin’ in a bar boozin’ losin’ next to my friend the communist. It’s easy come, easy go. After too many rounds, I said, “Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O.”

Nancy don’t take that from no one. She said, “You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog.” And the next thing I know I’m in the back of a black and white. Well, luck would have it, that night the warden threw a party in the county jail and my cellmate said, “I always heard that his herb was top shelf.” He was right.

Next mornin’ two recruiting sergeants came to the jail. The soldiers didn’t want me so they passed me on to the sailors. Ships may come and ships may go as long as the sea does roll, and we set sail at half past one. The next few years were spent in and out of ports, but I never was so glad to hear, “The boys are back!” as I was when we returned home.

Discharge papers in hand, next day lonely like a sailor, I moved on. The streets were crowded but I spotted her. On the other side of the street, I knew it was my sister. She saw me, too, and she done stop me on the corner and cried, “Brother, o brother, is there any news today?”

I said, “Little sister, don’t you cry. Tell me of Ma and home.” That’s when I heard Ma was gone on to a better place, and that the boys were toilin’ hard in the hot sun beatin down to keep the farm afloat. I am a troubled mind, I am a calloused heart. But we had a good long talk and we hatched a plan. I’m not about to give up, so I’m heading home. I put some greenbacks in an envelope, and I gave a letter to the postman. He put it in his sack.

So it’s farewell to the whiskey, tobacco and smoke. All my bags are packed I’m ready to go. I put on my blue suede shoes and I boarded the plane. As I traveled, I got to thinking about life. Since I can remember guess I been a problem, but I’m a hard workin’ man, and every day is so wonderful. We were born to embrace it not accept it. It’s a long life, this I do believe, but honey, I’m good, and I’m gonna give me something brighter.

I was just off the two lane where the school bus used to stop, when I saw a pretty woman, walkin’ down the street. She was just seventeen, but oh, her eyes, her eyes. I knowed she could wash away my trouble, wash away my pain. My heart beats fast, and slowly came these words to me, simple and plain and true, “I’ve been walkin the same old road for miles and miles, and since the moment I spotted you  I can’t hide the way I feel about you anymore. I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy.”

She, to my great surprise, said, “A little less conversation, please, I can feel the magic floating in the air. Love is a burnin’ thing, and what I want, you’ve got. I’m not afraid.”

I said, “Your melody is like a love letter. Let the good times roll!”

Step we gaily on we go.

There’s a wedding in the chapel. We got married in a fever hotter than a pepper sprout. Now, I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine. My kin said, “Welcome to the family.”

In all my adventures and learnin’ my only advice is don’t let the old man in. Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you.

This is the end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Farms Adapt

by | | Something to do • The Pantry • Topsham Tales

Photo courtesy of Monique.

We are so thankful to live in an area with great local farmers who provide all sorts of fresh produce, meat, dairy, and baked goods. With Covid-19, you might be wondering how to take advantage of the locally grown food. Farmers have adapted and are striving to make their produce available and safe for you to access.

The Brunswick Farmer’s Market begins a new season this Friday, May 1. They will be using a temporary location at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 39 Pleasant Street Brunswick. The hours, which have also been changed, are 8am – 12noon. Ample parking can be accessed on Union Street. The farms that will be selling are: Apple Creek Farm, Applewald Farm, Big Barn Coffee, Borealis Breads, East of Eden Flower Farm, Fairwinds Farm, Island Mushroom Company, Keough Family Farm & the Farmers Daughter, King & I Angus, Lipovsky’s Gardens, Pemaquid Lobster & Seafood, Six River Farm, Spear Farm Inc., and Whatley Farm.

Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust also sponsors a farmers market that begins Saturday, May 2. Their location has changed to Brunswick High School at 116 Maquoit Road. They are providing a special time for high-risk populations from 8:30am-9am and opening to the general public from 9am-12:30pm. They are also limiting the number of customers at one time. Check out their procedures here.

If you don’t want to go to a farmer’s market you can still purchase food from local farmers. Many of the previously mentioned farms have farm stands or allow you to place an order for pickup. Check their websites for details.

There are some farmers that are also available though they don’t sell at farmer’s markets. Try Bisson Farms in Topsham for fresh meat and dairy, or Cantrell’s Seafood, also in Topsham, for fresh seafood.

The farmer’s markets are fun places to get locally sourced food, even with added concerns. Our local farmers are adapting and making safe spaces for you to nurture your body and soul.

 

National Library Week

by | | Topsham Tales

It is National Library Week this week and did any of us ever guess that our library, and so many others, would be shut down? The building may be closed, but this is a great time to check out Topsham Public Library online to see how we are still meeting your needs during Covid-19. We keep an updated Stay at Home Mega List, as well as a link to our newsletter that keeps you in the know with Topsham Public Library, and we want to help you Find Your Next Read with ideas compiled by staff members. Don’t forget, with a Topsham Public Library card, you can access ebooks and audio books for free from CloudLibrary. (If you don’t have a library card, click here to find out more.) And if you need internet, park at Topsham Public Library and access the free wi-fi by connecting to the Topsham Public Library link. Don’t worry – during our shutdown a password will not be needed.

We have also added a new feature to our website: a reflections page. This is a page where people can share their thoughts on the situation we currently find ourselves in. If you would like to add to this page, please email cyndi@topshamlibrary.org. You may remain anonymous if you wish.

During this time, perhaps you could spend a few moments to think about Topsham Public Library and what you miss. Is there something that surprises you in your list of what you miss? Is there something that you took for granted and now are much more thankful for? Let us know! You can message us through our Facebook page or you may email me at jenb@topshamlibrary.org.

I hope you miss us, and let me assure you, we miss you!

Comfort Food Ideas

by | | The Pantry • Topsham Tales

We all have favorite comfort foods or snack ideas that we rely on. They might be family recipes that date back a generation or two or they might be new concoctions of our own making. I asked the staff of Topsham Public Library to share some of their go-to favorite comfort foods. Below you will find their yummy ideas!

Pastries, doughnuts, cinnamon buns, cookies, pies, cakes, bars, breads and rolls. That’s where I find my comfort, but sometimes I’m so down I don’t have the energy or time to cook. When I need something quick my quick go-to comfort foods are: a good old bag of chips, and I’m not too picky about the flavor; a scoop of peanut butter topped with chocolate chips; Pepperidge Farm White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookies and Twix bars.

Susan shares a breakfast idea that is easy to adapt to your own individual taste:

“Here’s a breakfast treat that we call “That Poofy Thing”  but normal people call it a Dutch Baby Pancake.

Heat oven to 425° Fahrenheit.  Melt 1.5-2 tablespoons of butter in a pie plate. Make sure it sloshes around the bottom of the pie plate so it is completely covered.   Beat 2 eggs with a hand whip or fork until completely combined.  Add ½ cup of milk and a “slosh” of vanilla (about a teaspoon-more or less.)  Combine well.  Add ½ cup of flour. (I take ½ cup of flour and fluff it with a fork in a separate bowl and then remeasure the ½ cup-who needs a sifter!)

Mix until combined—there may be a couple of small lumps in the mixture.  Pour it all into the pie plate and bake for about 20 min. (DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR or it will not “poof.”)  Take it out of the oven and play!  We put maple syrup on it or powdered sugar or jam or bacon or fruit or ice cream (yes—for breakfast.)  I know of someone who filled it with crab meat or lobster salad—they deleted the vanilla and added nutmeg instead.

It serves 2 in my house—you can cut it in half or in quarters—smaller if you have any self-control! When I had pneumonia a few years ago, it was the only thing I felt like eating.  I ate it as-is with no syrup or sugar and I am convinced that it restored my health and my spirit!”

Emma’s snack foods come from the store! Any type of chips and caramel M&Ms.

For those of you, and really, who isn’t, torn between healthy or unhealthy, Mariah has some suggestions:

“Unhealthy me is Swedish fish and all-dressed chips while binge watching New Girl on Netflix.

Healthy me is dried whole pitted dates filled with peanut butter, and my health tea (ginger tea, squeeze of lemon, spoonful of honey, 2 capfuls of apple cider vinegar) while reading a book on the couch.  I’ve been going back and forth between the two all week!”

Kettle chips and Helluvagood Onion dip are included in Julie’s comfort food prescription, but her favorite comfort food is fresh pasta (in the refrigerator section of the grocery store) with alfredo sauce (also in the refrigerator section) and chicken, “I pan-fry the chicken, usually those little strips, with some olive oil (flavored from Fiore) and Italian seasonings.  Nothing beats a good cup of hot tea with a cookie at night!  I like to snack on fresh pineapple too.”

If you’re looking for a meal that makes good leftovers, Dave has your covered:

“We were hankering for pulled pork. Easy enough in a crock-pot. Did not care for the smell of warm cider vinegar for the first 6 hours, but really liked the end result which gave us three different meals: pulled pork with veggies, pulled pork tacos, and finally, pulled pork sandwich.”

Lynne’s suggestions are all about comfort and she’s added a recipe for Butterscotch Nibbles :

“Soups, Stews and Chilis! I like to make a big pot of soup with whatever I have available. Start with a base (usually chicken or veggie broth) and then add stuff. Lentils are great with some carrots, celery and onions (add some ham if you’d like). Chicken soup is great. Vegetable soup is fun because you can add just about anything (except the kitchen sink). I like to add a can of tomatoes and then dice up whatever I have in the fridge. Add some rice or small size pasta and voila! Whatever you have leftover can be frozen. Stews are great with root veggies and spices (curry yum!). Chilis can be meat or meatless. Try adding sweet potatoes or butternut squash with a bit of grated dark chocolate, cumin and cinnamon! It’s fun to experiment. Grilled cheese and tuna! How about breakfast for Dinner?!”

Butterscotch Nibbles:

Melt 1 bag butterscotch chips and 1 cup peanut butter over low heat; remove from heat, stir in 8 cups rice chex cereal and 1-2 cups dry roasted peanuts. When all coated and a little cool add ½ bag chocolate chips. Stir until they stick but don’t melt. Pour on cookie sheet and refrigerate. Break apart and enjoy!

Linda has a love/hate relationship with Muddy Buddies: they’re yummy but she can’t stop eating them!

Muddy Buddies:

Measure 9 cups Chex cereal and set aside in a container with a tight lid. In 1 Qt microwavable bowl, stir together 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/4 cup margarine. Microwave on high uncovered for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave about 30 seconds more and stir until smooth. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour over cereal and stir until cereal is evenly coated. Pour in 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar. Put lid tightly on container and shake well until cereal is evenly covered. Let cool and eat.

Not a big chocolate fan, Cyndi delights in peanut butter and what better than a good old peanut butter cookie?

Peanut butter cookies:

Mix together ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ peanut butter, ¼ cup shortening, ¼ cup margarine or butter (softened), and 1 egg.

Then add 1 ¼ cup flour, ¾ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt. Stir until combined.

Cover and refrigerate 3 hours (bummer, but necessary)

Heat oven to 375°, shape into 1 ¼ inch balls and place 3 inches apart on cookie sheet (do not grease the cookie sheet). Flatten balls in crisscross pattern with fork dipped in granulated sugar. Bake 9-10 minutes, cool for 2 minutes on cookie sheet, remove to wire rack. Makes about 3 dozen.

If you’re disappointed that you can’t get to Disney World right now, at least you can eat like you’re there. Lindsey shared these two Disney recipes that she enjoys and finishes with a pasta recipe she loves:

New England Pot Roast from Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Tree Tavern

‘Ohana Bread Pudding

 

Garlic Angel Hair Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

 Heat a large pot of water and add a pinch of salt. Drop-in the Angel hair pasta (Any pasta will work!)

In a frying pan, heat olive oil on medium heat and drop in chopped garlic. Fry garlic until lightly golden brown. Add a spoonful of pasta water to the frying pan and continue cooking. Add chopped cherry tomatoes and fresh chopped basil.

Add the pasta into the frying pan and mix all the ingredients.

Add fresh chopped parsley and squeeze a fresh lemon over the pasta.

 

No matter your taste, I hope you’ve found some new ideas and recipes that inspire you and perhaps now is a good time to dig out those old favorite recipes of yours and share them!

 

 

 

 

 

Be You

by | | Topsham Tales

Photo by Monique Marchilli-Barker

What a crazy few weeks it’s been. My activity level has dropped considerably, and yet, at the end of last week, I was so exhausted, and I realize it’s emotional exhaustion of so much change amongst so much uncertainty.

My youngest son is now home as his university closed. My daughter, a paramedic, is dealing with caring for others in a field already short of workers and having to increase her personal safety measures. My eldest is now concerned that he may not get his journeyman’s certification which he was just weeks away from receiving. My husband has worked from home for over five years now, so it hasn’t been much of a transition for him, although he’s dependent upon others for his work flow, and now that work flow is not quite so certain. And I am writing this blog from home because Topsham Public Library is closed for the foreseeable future.

So much change. Though your stage of life may be quite different from mine, the changes you are facing have been as much and possibly even more upending.

There are many out there who have advice on what to do at this time and how to handle the current situation. But what is important to remember is that we are all so different. What works for me may be totally wrong for you. Think about what works for you and your family and do it. Don’t get caught up in dos and don’ts.

I realized in thinking about why I was so exhausted that I was missing routine, so I’ve implemented routine back into my schedule, but you might thrive on lack of routine, or your routine will look different than my routine .

Take a walk. Or don’t take a walk.

Maintain healthy eating, but devour that bag of chips from time to time.

Stay up late binge watching old shows, or turn off your TV.

Clean your bedroom, or let the dust pile up as you nap on your couch.

Tackle your to-do list, or throw away that to-do list.

Right now things are not normal, so, make a new normal.

I do encourage you, however, as you implement your new normal, stay safe, watch out for one another and wash your hands!

 

 

Adapting

by | | Topsham Tales

Keith Spiro photo.

Surreal. It’s a word I keep going back to.

Merriam-Webster defines surreal as “marked by the intense irrational reality of a dream, also: unbelievable, fantastic.”

Life has changed suddenly and drastically for us all. And, to me, it has the “reality of a dream” aspect to it. I know many of you are facing challenges that none of us thought imaginable. Topsham Public Library is trying to maintain a level of service to help you at this time.

One of the big issues for those now staying home is connectivity and internet access. Libraries provide computers and wi-fi that much of the public depends upon. If you know someone who needs internet, please let them know if they go to Topsham Public Library they can use the wi-fi from the parking lot. In order to access the wi-fi use the Topsham Public Library link (not the TPL link). Usually a password is needed, but while we remain closed the password is no longer necessary. Even if you have friends in other parts of the state who need internet, encourage them to try it at their public library as many libraries are trying to provide internet at this time.

Emma has been working hard to keep you all updated with resources and activities that you can access from home that may help keep you busy. Check out her stay at home mega list! Cyndi and Mariah have added items to Emma’s list for YA and children’s audiences as well. And Cyndi has started a page just for Teens to give them some easy craft ideas to do at home.

And to keep up with updates from Topsham Public Library check out this link.

For those who live in the MSAD 75 communities, all children 18 years old and younger qualify for a free meal. For more information check the MSAD 75 website or for the latest letter about the free meals click here.

Again, please don’t return items at this time. We have locked the drop slots, so just keep them home. Don’t worry about due dates or fines. Even if the item belongs to another library, just hold on to them for now. All fines will be waived once we are back in action.

The staff is working from home. We have staff meetings using Zoom, and we have our regular annual safety training that we are now doing online. Emma has purchased more ebooks and audiobooks for the CloudLibrary app. (What’s CloudLibrary, you ask? Check it out here!)  Mariah participated in an online meeting with other children’s librarians from around Maine in which they shared ways to stay connected and engaged with children. Linda and Emma are busy keeping the Topsham Public Library website updated. Cyndi, Dale and Julie are working to update records and keep technological systems running. Susan is working hard from home staying on top of best practices and latest developments and how that impacts us. The rest of us have online training and skill development we can work on from home.

For those concerned about the annual Joy of Lens contest sponsored by Friends of Topsham Public Library there is good news! The show is moving to an online forum. Check out the information here!

With the recent events, we are all facing challenges that are so unexpected. At Topsham Public Library, we are adapting in order to maintain a valuable level of service. We do love our community! In these surreal times, look out for one another, be safe, and wash your hands!

These Interesting Times

by | | Topsham Tales

At noon on Monday, March 16, Topsham Public Library closed. We are aiming to re-open in two weeks, but please check our website for further updates.

This is a new experience for us, and we want to make sure you know that we will not be charging fines and you do not need to concern yourself about returning items while we remain closed. If you have something here that you requested earlier, it will be here when we re-open, but it is no longer possible to request items at this time. Once we re-open, things should be operational and back to normal.

Please, take care of yourself, and look out for one another. We so appreciate our community and wish you all well!

How libraries can nurture a love of nature

by | | Leaves and Reads

Are you a nature lover? Would you like to deepen your nature connection? Here are twenty ways the library can support your love of nature or help develop one in 2020:

Books

Let’s start with the obvious. What may not be so obvious, though, are the different genres that can feed your nature-loving soul. Nature-based poetry or fiction, for example, can offer unique observations and insights. Books about natural history and conservation will offer information you may not have considered before. And books featuring nature crafts? Even adults should engage in some playful creativity and working with natural found objects is a wonderful sensory experience that will help you notice features you may not have before. So why not live on the wild side and check out a genre that you don’t typically read:

  • nature crafts
  • camping/outdoor adventures
  • field guides/topic specific
  • poetry
  • fiction
  • science (physics, biology, ecology, astronomy, etc.)
  • memoirs/biographies
  • natural history/conservation
  • personal connection/transformation/parenting

Documentaries/Movies

Documentaries offer stunning footage and educational, sometimes witty, narratives. They allow us a glimpse of life in other parts of the world we may never get to see otherwise. Here’s a look at some in our collection. And don’t rule out movies made for entertainment to get your nature fix–there are some gems if you just do a little searching. Do you love birds? Try The Big Year or A Birder’s Guide to Everything or how about movies like Wild or A River Runs Through It?

Binoculars

Did you know you can check out a pair of binoculars? Stop in and see us before your next adventure.

Telescope

There’s always something interesting to see in the night sky, some of them better viewed with a telescope. For example, there will be a visible comet passing by this month that you may want to check out. Check out some astronomy books, too. We have a nice selection for kids and adults, like this one or this.

Fishing

Fishing season will be here soon. Don’t have a pole? We do! You can also join us for our annual fishing rally this summer. It’s always a fun morning.

Visiting Organization Talks/Presentations

We partner with the Cathance River Education Alliance to present the CREA Community Nature Programs Lecture Series which are held once a month. We have also hosted other organizations like the Center for Wildlife and Chewonki. Check our calendar from time to time to see if there’s a topic that interests you.

Book Groups

Currently, there is a Nature Speaks book group running at the library that focuses on environmental issues and what can be done on a local level. They are currently reading Hidden World Revealed: Musings of a Maine Naturalist by local author, Tom Seymour. If you’d like to join, pop in for one of their get-togethers.

Gardens/Topsham Garden Club

The Topsham Garden Club presents monthly programs at the library which are open to the public. Guest speakers present programs on a variety of horticultural and environmental interests. The topic for March is “Ecology of a Garden”. Check our schedule for dates and topics of future presentations.

And of course, we have lovely gardens to stroll through. They are full of color and texture and scents for most of the year. You may even notice something of interest in the winter.

Art Exhibits

Did you see the wildlife art exhibit this past December? The paintings were stunning. But not to worry, artists are often inspired by nature (pieces in the recent Joy of Art was a perfect example) and there will surely be many upcoming exhibits in the Crooker Gallery featuring beautiful images of nature.

Museum Passes

Speaking of art, the Portland Museum of Art has wonderful collections and visiting exhibits and we have passes. Reserve one for a time that’s convenient for you.

River Path

Located behind the rear lawn of the library is the Eagle Path, a short trail that follows a ridge alongside the Androscoggin River. While less than a half-mile long, the trail provides views of the rivers and provides access to a lush wetland ecosystem. Keep your eyes out for ducks, herons and a variety of plant life.

Bird Watching

You can certainly do some bird watching down at the river path but you can also hang out near our gardens and enjoy the birds that visit the feeders. Volunteers make sure they are always full for our feathered friends. If you need some help identifying birds you see or would like to learn more about them, check out one of our field guides to bring along.

The best resource, however, comes from you. There is no better tool than your curiosity.

Until next time, stay curious and get outside to notice nature!