LIBRARY BUDGET REQUEST APPROVED

Voters approved the Bloomfield Trustees’ request for an increase of $20,000 for the library at the Skowhegan town meeting held on March 11. The Morning Sentinel reported that “support for increasing the Skowhegan Free Public Library’s allocation to $95,000 was overwhelming among the 140 residents who attended.” The money will be used to hire a full-time certified librarian.

SPRING GARDEN LECTURE

Carol Vigneault will talk on “Perennials & Herbs” on Wednesday, April 3 at 7 PM at the library. If you’ve felt the twinges of spring fever, come and join the fun. Carol will have lots of information and hints for making your gardens beautiful in the coming season.

LAWN SALE

Take a look at those closets, basements, or attics with an eye to spring cleaning, and donate your unwanted “stuff” to the Library Lawn Sale scheduled for May 18. You’re welcome to bring your donations to the Hastings’ barn any time, or if you need help with transportation, call 474-3949. We’ll gladly accept furniture, tools, toys, clothes, books, games and household items. Please do not bring tires or non working appliances and television sets.

BAG LUNCHES

The Friends are offering “gourmet” bag lunches for sale for the price of $6 with all proceeds going towards the purchase of children’s books. Choices this year include tuna salad, egg salad, or ham and cheese sandwiches on white, wheat or oatmeal bread; humus wrap with assorted veggies; veggie wrap with provolone cheese and honey-mustard dressing; and cream cheese on date bread with carrot and celery sticks. In addition, your bag will contain chips, pickle, apple, homemade dessert treat and beverage. What a bargain! And what a good cause! Please leave your order and payment at the library before April 5. Your lunch will be delivered for you to pick up at the Library at 12:30 PM on Friday, April 12.

AN EVENING OF BOOK REVIEWS

At the March 13 meeting of the Friends, we were privileged to hear a series of fascinating book reviews by area residents. Our thanks go to Kelsey Audie, Yale Boynton, Daniel Kyes, Emily Madore, Hannah Pillsbury, and Kim Rutherford, all students at the Margaret Chase Smith School; and to Mary Cayford, Jack Gibson, Will Reid, Marilyn Renfrew, Maxine Russakoff, and Nancy Warren. All of these people shared their reading with enthusiasm, resulting in a stimulating evening for all who attended.

LIBRARY WEEK

National Library Week, April 14-20, will be observed at the Skowhegan Free Public Library with a poster contest for children in grades K through 6, and an exhibit of poetry notebooks by students on the Elm Team at the Skowhegan Middle School. An Open House will be held from noon until 2 PM on Saturday, April 20. Refreshments will be served, prizes will be awarded to the contest winners, and students will read selections from their poetry notebooks. Please join us for this celebration.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

May is the month to renew your membership in the Friends of the Library. This money is used to cover expenses for our many projects to benefit the library. Please send your check to our treasurer: Kathy Hughes, 175 James Road, Cornville, ME 04976. $10 for individuals ($8 for seniors & students), and $15 for families.

MAY FOL MEETING

The Friends of the Library will meet on Wednesday, May 8 at 7 PM at the Library. The Skowhegan Area High School Drama Club will present a program under the direction of Robin Lisherness.