HARDWICK – The Jeudevine Memorial Library turns 130 years old this year. The new addition has been open for a full year as of this month. The library board and staff will be celebrating these two markers this coming Saturday, July 18, between noon and 2 p.m. The occasion will include a slide show of the library’s history and the dedication of a garden monument on the front patio (12:30 p.m.). Tracy Wolters and friends will bring the musical entertainment. And, yes, of course there will be birthday cake, so please come and enjoy the party.
Last month I mentioned the local premier of the documentary film “Best Day Ever.” It was shown in the Parker Ladd Community Room to a full house. If you missed the event, there are scheduled screenings at Stowe Cider on August 21, and in East Burke on September 29.
This week is filled with a number of events for children: apologies for the late notice:
On Wednesday, July 15, at 11 a.m., Reeve Basom from the Center for an Agricultural Economy will create some simple but delicious recipes from fresh local ingredients. Participants will be able to bring home a seedling to plant and nurture.
On the following day, Thursday, July 16, at 10:30 a.m. the Community Bank is co-hosting a story time event. Adam from the bank will read stories about money, counting and community.
Next week, on Monday, July 20, from 1 to 4 p.m., teacher and poet Rick Agran will lead an exploration of the natural world around Hardwick. Bring a snack and a water bottle for sustenance. The walk will be followed by an activity centered on creative writing and the production of a small book.
The following week, on Tuesday, July 28, at 1 p.m., escape the heat and immerse yourself in the movie matinee showing of “Ice Age,” an animated film that follows a group of assorted mammals as they work together to survive the Pleistocene Ice Age.
And finally, crazy as it may seem to speak about the end of summer, there will be a summer reading wrap-up party on Thursday, August 6, at 1 p.m. Raffle prize winners will be announced, reading awards will be presented and, of course, ice cream.
A program that the whole family would enjoy will be presented at night on Thursday, August 12, from 8 to 10 p.m. The event is a stargazing party. The timing of the event coincides with the annual Perseid meteor shower. One can see as many as 50 or 60 meteors per hour during the shower’s peak, which is associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle. The meteors appear from the direction of the constellation Perseus which sits in the northern hemisphere sky, near Cassiopeia. This event will be co-hosted by the Hardwick Trails and will be held in the Shepherd family’s field, 708 Bridgman Hill Road. From 8 to 9 p.m., local folks with knowledge of the night skies will be on hand with telescopes to help you explore the heavens. Then at 9 p.m., we will tune-in to Mark Breen of the Fairbanks Museum and listen as he broadcasts a tour of the constellations and other features of the world above us.
Bring comfortable outdoor chairs or a blanket to sit on, a flashlight and some extra clothing if it’s chilly. There will be ample parking, including accessible spots, and restroom availability. Street Treats Vermont will have ice cream available for purchase. The moon will be in its new moon phase which means that it will not be visible. Thus the skies will be especially dark, allowing for fabulous star gazing. Don’t miss this.
