Students of the Skowhegan Area Adult Education oil painting class are exhibiting their artwork at the Library from June 1st to June 15th. The exhibit opened on Friday, June 1st with a reception at the Library from 7 to 8:30 p.m. From June 2 to June 15, the exhibit will be open during regular library hours.

This year’s local artists include from Skowhegan: Alyssa Carthy, Penny Denis, Peter Foxwell, Scott and Julia Gagne, Gail Tanner, George Norris, Jim Small and daughter Stephanie Small, Patricia Boyle, and Adle Donovan; from Solon: Eunice Forbus, Katherine Perkins, Gerda Pilz, Marilyn Rogers and Dana Hall; from Canaan: Stephen Ruell, and Kare Mathiasson; and from Norridgewock: Linwood Turcotte.

The instructor, Peggy Tozier Graf of Canaan, has been teaching adult education classes for several years. Peggy’s interest in art began when she enrolled in an adult education art class taught by the late Connie Snow. She is basically a self-taught artist although she has taken lessons from several local artists. Peggy’s art studio is located on Route #2 in Canaan. She also gives classes in her home. She can be reached at 474-7590

A Special meeting of the Friends of the Library is called for 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 20th.

Some changes need to be made to our By-Laws. These need to be voted on by the general membership, so please come to the meeting on the 20th of June. Copies of the proposed changes will be available at the library for your inspection.

In the process of applying for tax-free status from the State of Maine and eventually from the IRS, we’ve learned that some changes must be made to our By Laws. Under Article 2, which explains the purpose of the Friends of the Skowhegan Free Public Library, we have added language to satisfy the federal government. In order to become a tax-free organization, we must become a corporation which requires a clerk. Additions to the By- Laws refer to that office. An article concerning administration was added. This spells out the powers of the Executive Board, especially regarding its right to make everyday decisions for the Friends. Finally, a clause was added to the article spelling out distribution of assets if the Friends disband. This conforms to language that will be used in the application for tax-free status from the IRS.

It’s time to send in your FOL membership renewal to our treasurer, Kathy Hughes. Please use the form on page 3 of this newsletter.

The date for the next Library Trustee meeting has been changed to Wednesday, June 13 at 4 PM at the Library.This is an open meeting.

The Weeding Workshop, to be presented by a representative from the Maine State Library, will be held on Thursday, June 14 from 3 to 5:30. If you would like to attend, please get in touch with Bill Laney.

It has been noted that our Library Trustee chairman is a true master at wielding dust cloth and vacuum cleaner! At a recent clean-up “party” in the second-floor stack area, the dust flew as Bill directed his two willing (?) flunkies, Marcia and Corrilla. “Mr. Clean” has his eye on some other projects within the next several weeks: mainly the attic and the basement. To volunteer in this effort and find out the date for the next clean-up session, please call Bill. Grab your broom and join us! It’s really fun and very satisfying!

Kathy Hughes has recently presented the very fine collection of 57 new nonfiction books for the Children’s Room to Lois Moody. These books are due to the generosity of area service groups and the Friends.

May 30 was the last day for the Wednesday Story Hour for the year. It will be resumed in September.

It is now time for children ages 4 and up to register for Summer Reading Club 2001. There is a sign-up sheet upstairs in the Children’s Room. Fliers are also available describing the Wednesday afternoon programs starting on July 11.

We need a new and clever idea for the Library float in the Log Days Parade on July 28. To volunteer either your time or your thoughts, please contact Corrilla.

A program of book reviews and creative writing by Skowhegan students was the highlight of the FOL Annual meeting held on May 9. Kathy Evans and Mary Turbyne organized the event with the following young people as participants: Sandra Hunt from the High School, Dylan Wentworth and Lacey Walker from the Middle School, and Natalie Dumont, Konnor Therriault, Caleb York and Sabra Walker from Bloomfield Elementary Thank you to these young readers and writers for a delightful program!

Tickets are on sale at the Library, the Town Office, the Chamber of Commerce building, Boynton’s Greenhouse or by calling Marcia (474 7207) for this first-ever Library Garden Tour (plus optional Gourmet Lunch) on Saturday, July 21. You won’t want to miss this event! Get your tickets NOW!

If you would like to be a part of the working team on this day, please contact a member of our committee: Shirley Bastien, Dottie LaCasse, Marcia or Corrilla.

The Friends of the Library has lost a true and valued friend with the death of Herky Foster. Our deepest sympathy goes to Herky’s wife, Ginny, and to his son, Jim.

On May 31, Kathy Hughes, Marcia Granville and Corrilla Hastings attended the SPARK meeting at the Norway Public Library. Approximately twenty Children’s Librarians from the central Maine area gathered to exchange ideas on programming and hear a description of Norway’s newly developed “Play and Learn” collection of learning activity material. Norway Public Library is currently undergoing an expansion project which is due to be completed in the fall. Director Ann Siekman conducted a very interesting tour of the facility and spoke about the renovations.

Although Norway has a population of only 4900, the Library Trustees have been able to raise $950,000 for the project. The completed library will include a handicapped accessible entrance, an elevator, a multi-purpose room, and expanded space for its collections.

Saturday, May 19th was a drippy dreary day, but the annual six-mile (plus) lawn sale in the Cornville - Skowhegan area was held anyway. The Friends of the Skowhegan Free Public Library took part for the third time this year, using Jim and Corrilla Hastings’s barn and garage. It’s a good thing they have so much space inside. Otherwise the sale would have had to be postponed.

The Friends were afraid no one would come, but avid lawn-salers are not deterred by a little rain. The first customer entered the barn about 6:30 a.m. before most of the volunteers had arrived. Dottie LaCasse, Corrilla Hastings, Marcia Granville and Mary Stuart were kept busy piling glassware, kitchen tools, cameras and craft items from boxes onto the tables that were supposed to have gone outside. Customers arrived in bunches and enjoyed prowling through the three barn rooms full of merchandise.

Meanwhile two thirteen-year-old boys managed the food concession in the garage all by themselves. They cooked hotdogs, fried onions, toasted rolls and poured coffee and sold goodies until every dog was gone. We owe a big vote of thanks to Matthew Moore and his friend Tim. Their help was invaluable.

Another big vote of thanks is due to the ladies who baked so generously for the Library Lunch in April. They were so generous that the left over cookies and bars were stored in the freezer until they could be thawed out for the lawn sale. Finally, thank you to everyone who cleaned their attics and cupboards for the sale. The Friends of the Library renovation/restoration fund is richer by $1142.11.