LATEST NEWS

Compiled By Jim Foster

ANNUAL LIBRARY BOOK SALE

The annual Book Sale will be held at the library from August 1 through August 8 during regular library hours. Donations of books are welcome, and may be brought to Françoise at the library any time up to the date of the sale. Friends of the Library have volunteered to help set up the sale on Tuesday, July 31, and to handle sales during the week. Please contact Marcia or Corrilla if you have a few hours to give. The money earned from this sale will go towards the purchase of new books and other materials.

The Garden Tour

Saturday, July 21st turned out to be perfect for the Skowhegan Area Garden Tour sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Despite all fears, the event was blessed with warm sunshine with nary a rain cloud in sight. The tour maps and the wooden signs marking the gardens made them all easy to find. The hosts and hostesses were all friendly, many of them providing refreshments and cool drinks as well as lovely gardens to view. The Friends of the Library extend thanks to all the gardeners who participated. Shirley Bastien, Norman and Patricia Dickey, Val and Jeanette Dionne, Alan and Sheila Foxwell, Jim and Corrilla Hastings, Herb Paradis, The Somerset Cooperative Extension Service and the wonderful members of the Bloomfield Garden Club who do such a great job at the History House and in Coburn Park. The tour started at the Centenary United Methodist Church where luncheon and an art show were provided. Mary Turbyne and Eileen Seamans greeted guests, sold tickets and gave directions from 10:00 to 11:00. Elizabeth Payne and Margaret Payne-Burcher took the second shift. The day ran smoothly, in large part, due to these ladies. When luncheon guests arrived, Robin Moore guided them to their tables. The luncheon plates of gourmet chicken salad dressed up with parsley and nasturtium blossoms was well received. Herb breads, cucumber slices, wedges of watermelon and home made dessert squares rounded out a delicious meal. There was hardly a scrap left on anyone’s plate. Florence Sterns and Maxine Russakoff baked the bread, Corrilla Hastings prepared all the chicken and Dottie LaCasse rounded up the desserts. Corrilla, Dottie and Marion McLaughlin kept the kitchen running smoothly while Katrina Lyons, Toni Gammon and Jenna Goodell did a superb job as waitresses. Kathy Evans did a terrific job of gathering local artists to display their work. There were quilts, works in oil, watercolor and pastels, even some computer generated art. There were also several kinds of photographic art. People were heard to comment, “I didn’t know there was so much talent in the area.” The general positive feelings of the artists and of the viewers bode well for future events of a like nature. The door prize basket was won by Nona Young of New Portland. The contents of the basket were all donations from local merchants. Thanks to Agway, Aubuchon, Blueberry Cupboard, Club Tan, Deck Copy, Holt Hair and Skin Care, Lynette’s Cards and Gifts, the Paper Klip, Quinn True Value Hardware, Skowhegan Fleuristes, Town of Skowhegan and Variety Drug Store. The difficult task of rounding up the articles was done by Lynda Quinn. Although all the figures are not yet in, The Friends of the Library have added at least $1400 to the building renovation/restoration fund. Everyone involved did a wonderful job. We thank you.

Skowhegan Friends to Give Workshops at FOML Conference

Skowhegan Friends President Corrilla Hastings and Vice President Jim Foster will be speaking at workshops at the Tenth Annual Friends of Maine Libraries Conference, to be held at the Senator Inn in Augusta on September 28th. Corrilla will be speaking on fundraising, with special reference to the “Mystery Theater” evenings which have been given successfully twice by the Friends of Skowhegan Free Public Library, with scripts written by Corrilla and Marcia Granville. Jim, who edits the present newsletter, as well as the Friends of Maine Libraries newsletter, and maintains our website, will be co-chairing a workshop on Communications and Publicity, along with FOML Past President Stephanie Kumble from the Friends of Rockport Public Library. Other highlights of the Conference will include a keynote addresss by Maine author and philanthropist Tabitha King, and a poetry reading by Maine Poet Laureate Baron Wormser. Skowhegan Friends interested in attending can contact Jim Foster at 474-2589 for further information.