York Reads! One Book, One Community! This year’s book, The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote by Elaine F. Weiss, is an account of the 1920 ratification of the constitutional amendment granting voting rights to women. It traces the culmination of seven decades of legal battles and the pivotal contributions of famous suffragists and political leaders. The book was chosen to tie in with the centennial celebration of the adoption of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote and with the yearlong series about women’s suffrage sponsored by the York Diversity Forum.
York Reads! provides an opportunity for neighbors, friends, families, and co-workers to share the experience of reading a selected book and discussing their thoughts and ideas. Everyone is invited to participate in the town-wide read of “The Woman’s Hour.” We encourage book discussion groups to read it as well as individuals who might wish to read it on their own. If you are a member of a book club, suggest “Woman’s Hour” for your next book selection.
Copies of the book are available to borrow through the Minerva library system and a limited number are available for purchase ($11.00) at the Library. There will be a couple of book discussions scheduled at the Library. Stay tuned!
The Library Proudly Presents: TRIVIA NIGHT!
Trivia Night with York Public Library and York Beach Beer Co. Thursday, February 27, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Calling all trivia nuts! Join York Public Library and York Beach Beer Co. for our inaugural Trivia Night at York Beach Beer Co. One dollar from every pint sold will benefit the Library. Members of the winning team will receive a voucher for a free flight of beer and York Beach Beer Co. glassware. Teams are 2-4 people; come as a team or form a new one when you get there. The theme for this trivia night is GENERAL TRIVIA so put together a well-rounded team! There will be three rounds of questions with fifteen questions per round. Matt Howell will emcee. Come hungry: FREE PIZZA will be provided, courtesy 1652 Restaurant! No registration required. This event is free to attend. York Beach Beer Co. is located at 33 Railroad Avenue in York.
Italian Conversation Tuesday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m. Parliamo Italiano! Join us for casual conversation in Italian. Suitable for those with intermediate to advanced conversational skills in the Italian language.
Meditation Meetup
Wednesdays February 5, 12, 19, 26 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
In partnership with area practitioners, the Library is pleased to offer a weekly meditation program. Dress comfortably and if you have your own cushion, please bring it with you. The library has a limited number of meditation cushions available on a first come, first serve basis. This program is free and open to all ages and abilities. No prior experience needed.
Community Crafters Thursdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10:30 –Noon Join us in the Kennebunk Room each Thursday morning to knit, crochet, do needlework or whatever other creative endeavor you are working on. The Library will provide the space to work and socialize; you just need to bring along your own project.
Iron Jawed Angels Women’s Suffrage Series Sunday, February 9 at 3:00 p.m. This film recounts the struggle of suffragists who fought for the passage of the 19th Amendment. Hilary Swank plays Alice Paul, an American suffragist who risked her life to fight for women’s citizenship and the right to vote. She founded the separatist National Woman’s Party and wrote the first equal rights amendment to be presented before Congress. This program is part of a yearlong series of events sponsored by the York Diversity Forum celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. 123 minutes. Rated PG-13.
Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia Tuesday, February 11 at 10:30 a.m. In the United States alone, more than 5 million individuals are living with Alzheimer’s and 16 million are serving as their unpaid caregivers. The disease is a global crisis that impacts numerous families right here in our community. However, no one has to face this disease alone or without information. The Alzheimer’s Association® has created an education program covering the basics of Alzheimer’s and dementia to provide a general overview for people who are facing a diagnosis as well as those who wish to be informed. RSVP at https://alz.org/maine/events under Education Programs or call 800.272.3900.
Randy Armstrong Winter Concert Series Sunday, February 16 at 3:00 p.m. A world-class musician, Randy brings songs and stories (and a million instruments!) from around the world. Hailed by the Boston Globe as a "sure-fingered guitar virtuoso", Randy Armstrong is the co-founder of Do’a World Music Ensemble, Unu Mondo and Beyond Borders. With a collection of over three hundred instruments from around the world, he has amazed audiences throughout the United States, Canada, and beyond. As a composer and performing artist, his music has been acclaimed as "a marvelous kaleidoscope of shifting melodies, rhythms, and instrumental colors" by DOWNBEAT magazine. We hope you will join us for what promises to be an amazing performance.
Drop–in Chess Tuesday, February 18 at 3:00 p.m. Do you play chess? Want to challenge others or be challenged? Want to learn? All ages and levels welcome to join us fireside. Volunteers will be on hand to teach or help pair up players.
Monthly Poetry Evening Tuesday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m. Please bring poems to share - either your own or favorite poems by someone else. The prompt for February is “piggy”; the topic is open for interpretation. Readings from poetry books are welcome. Readings occur in round table format and are facilitated by Priscilla Cookson. Drop-ins welcome.
York History with James Kences Thursday, February 20 at 10:30 a.m.
Thomas Gorges, a kinsmen of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, and a Puritan, arrived in this region early in the summer of 1640, to assume the responsibilities of deputy governor. For three years, until the summer of 1643, he remained here, and throughout that entire period, he wrote letters back to England, full of unique glimpses into local society, politics, and even the surrounding environment. These letters, in combination with deeds and court records enable us to understand what life must have been like in the place known as Gorgeana. This is the second in a series of programs about 17th century York.
Climate Change Community Dialog Friday, February 21 at 3:30 p.m. Come join the Climate Conversation – Round-table talks with Debby Ronnquist and community members, third Friday of every month, 3:30-5:00, in the Wheeler Room. Topics range from composting to heating your home, to gardening, soil health, and everyday steps we can take to reduce the effects of climate change on people and wildlife. Bring your own topic suggestions, questions, ideas and friends. Debby is affiliated with York Ready for 100% Clean Renewable Energy.
People in our Neighborhood
Friday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m. Kevin Freeman, Pamela Weare Trafton, and Faith Hutchins Webster, all natives of Cape Neddick and descendants of Seventeenth century Cape Neddick families, will offer recollections of Cape Neddick and York Beach during the mid-20th century. They will also regale us with tidbits from earlier times as relayed to them by their forebears— some of it factual. Photos from this time period will be available to peruse.
Job Opportunity at YPL:
Part-time IT Manager The York Public Library is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative individual to fill the position of IT Manager. This part-time position of 15 hours per week may include some evening and weekend hours. FMI: https://www.york.lib.me.us/job-opportunities/
Library Awarded Grant for Youth Program “Brain Break or Boost”
York Public Library was awarded a $750 grant from York Hospital’s Choose to be Healthy Coalition for January’s Brain Break or Boost program for young adults. From January 21-24, YPL’s “Mid-term Brain Break-or-Boost” offered quiet, comfortable study areas to help with exam preparation (or brain “boosting”) as well as games, “goat yoga,” bubbles, and pet therapy to help young adults de-stress during this demanding time of year (a brain “break”). Grant funds were used to purchase a variety of materials to support substance-free entertainment and healthy, brain-boosting snacks. Our aim in providing the program was to encourage healthy habits for when life presents mental, emotional, or physical stress – something we all need to be reminded of – as well as strengthen the bond between students and their community library. Watch for more Brain Break-or-Boosts in the future!
PHOTO: YA Librarians Katie Arey and Barb Bourgoine hold the check from the Choose to Be Healthy Coalition which provided funding for a variety of items to help students de-stress during midterm week.
Works by Susan Ricker Knox (1874-1959) will be on exhibit on the main level of the Library January – March. This is a Community Collects Exhibit with pieces from private collections and public institutions brought together solely for this exhibition. Susan Ricker Knox was born in Portsmouth, but maintained a lifelong connection with York. She began summering in York as early as 1893 and, after attending art schools in Philadelphia and New York, returned to build her arts and crafts cottage and studio in York Harbor where she and her widowed mother spent half of every year for more than thirty years. She was known originally as a portraitist of mothers and children, but after 1922, her work took a major turn that made Knox one of the most famous women artists in the country. She painted immigrants coming into the country at Ellis Island and later painted Native Americans and people of Mexico and Central America.
In the Community Room:
Saltwater Sky Local artist Maryse Newton uses large brush strokes and palette knife in her latest collection inspired by the surrounding saltwater and vast open sky. Greys, blues, whites, and greens all emerge in these crisp, clean airy works on canvas. ‘Saltwater Sky’ will be on display until February 18, 2020.
York
Public Library 15
Long Sands Rd York, Maine 03909 (207) 363-2818 www.york.lib.me.us