Program Newsletter

Good morning, Friends,

Green grass is sprouting and spring flowers are blooming all over the place, bringing pops of color and brightness.  Soon the gardens will be planted for a fruitful summer and fall harvest.

May is MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS month. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website states:

"If you have a mental health condition, you’re not alone. One in every 5 American adults experience some form of mental illness in any given year. And across the population, One in every 20 adults is living with a serious mental health condition such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or long-term recurring major depression."

"As with other serious illnesses, mental illness is not your fault or that of the people around you, but widespread misunderstandings about mental illness remain. Many people don’t seek treatment or remain unaware that their symptoms could be connected to a mental health condition. People may expect a person with serious mental illness to look visibly different from others, and they may tell someone who doesn’t “look ill” to “get over it” through willpower. These misperceptions add to the challenges of living with a mental health condition."  https://www.nami.org/your-journey/individuals-with-mental-illness/

Do you or a loved one live with a mental health condition? Would you like to learn more about mental health conditions, how they impact one's life, how to support a loved one living with a mental health condition, and/or how to overcome the challenges of living with a mental illness?  Check out our book display dedicated to mental health awareness.

May is also ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS month.  Are you caring for a loved one with memory loss? Would you like some guidance on understanding what is happening with your loved one, how to support them, and how to find and seek support for yourself?  Our collection of books on dementia and Alzheimer's Disease will be displayed with the Mental Health Awareness books.

For some fiery fun, check out our May display on DRAGONS and dragon books, and escape into some audacious adventures featuring these fantastical flying creatures.  Go on a dragon hunt to see how many dragons you can spy hidden throughout the children's room.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS for ADULTS & TEENS

DANCE IT OUT with SUZY
6:30-7:30 PM Weekly on Tuesdays (pausing from May 20 through June 17)
at the United Methodist Church
Open to adults & teens

Suzy Colt is offering line dancing that is not your typical line dancing. It is what she likes to call “ballroom line dancing.” The music and dance steps will vary from urban, jazz, rock & roll, disco, country, Latin, hustle, and smooth styles. No experience required. Just the urge to move to the music and let it take you away from your everyday activities. Dancing recharges your soul!

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP & LOVED ONES LIVING WITH DEMENTIA PROGRAM

With Cate DiBlasi & Jeannie Jacobs, with support from Mary Bates
Friday, May 2nd (First Friday of the month.)
9-10 AM

For those living with Dementia and their Caregivers

This is an opportunity for caregivers to meet and share about their experiences, share some ideas and strategies, provide some understanding, support, and connection with other caregivers, and connect with Jeannie and Mary.  Separately, loved ones will enjoy a program with Cate to stimulate their minds and move their bodies.

CERAMICS PAINTING, which was scheduled for May 3, is POSTPONED to JUNE 21

WOLF BOOK BAG DESIGN COMPETITION UNVEILING

Wednesday, May 7th

4:00 PM

Whitefield's Official Library Friends (WOLF) is hosting a bookbag design competition and is excited to reveal that there are 16 participants signed up for their book bag design competition. The winners will be announced at an event at the Whitefield Public Library, at which the public is invited to attend to see an exhibition of all the designs submitted.

BOOK GROUP

Wednesday, May 14th

6:30-7:30 PM

Open to adults & teens

Pick up a copy of this month's book, Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Demon Copperhead is a 2022 novel by Barbara Kingsolver. It was a co-recipient of the 2023

Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and won the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction. Kingsolver was inspired by the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield. Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, this is the story of a boy born to a teenage single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father's good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. In a plot that never pauses for breath, relayed in his own unsparing voice, he braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.

NH Fish and Game: THE SURVIVAL STORY OF MOOSE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

by NH Fish and Wildlife steward Jack Varin

Saturday, May 10th

1:30 PM

For adults & teens

Sign-up Requested: https://forms.gle/5B9mHESJu2vGki2D8

You're invited to join us as a New Hampshire Fish and Wildlife Steward shares information about moose in the state.  Learn about the natural history of moose, where they are most likely to be found in the state, and about how climate change is impacting their survival in New Hampshire. You'll learn that moose are skilled swimmers, how parasites decrease moose survival, what their current population numbers are in the state, and what you can do to help the largest member of the deer family.  New Hampshire Fish and Game is working to better understand the issues facing moose and developing strategies to save this large icon of the New Hampshire north. Also, hear about the amazing federal funding mechanism that supports long-term research and is largely responsible for our country's abundant fish and wildlife.

CIVICS EDUCATION with Caleb Murphy

May Topic: Organizing at the Community Level

Thursday, May 22nd

6:30-7:30 PM

Open to adults & teens

Sign-up Requested: https://forms.gle/DPCrNr8qwPWJ3MdL7

Caleb Murphy, a CIVICS teacher at White Mountain Regional High School, will lead monthly discussions around CIVICS centered topics, such as Civil Discourse, Access to State Government Resources, Legal Cases that Lead to Constitutional Amendments, etc. These topics may be inspired by participant interests, current affairs, or Civics Basics.

WAIT UNTIL 8th with Heather Buteau

Saturday, May 17th

10-11 AM

For adults Child care provided for those who request it - (This will be organized by Heather)

Sign-up Requested: https://forms.gle/DTCBnRgRGqyhAkCbA

Parents, caregivers and community members are invited to a morning focused on raising happier, healthier kids by delaying smartphone access and encouraging independent play. We’ll look at resources such as the Wait Until 8th movement and talk about strategies mentioned in The Anxious Generation and Free-Range Kids. Come ready to connect and leave with actionable steps to create change at home and in the community.For those who will be bringing children, we request registration by May 10th to help us prepare.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS for YOUTH

CERAMICS PAINTING with Sue High

Wednesday, April 30

10:00 AM - 12 Noon

For children ages 4+ (and parents if desired)

$3-$5 per piece

Sign-up Required: email Sue by April 21st at: workforpeace14@gmail.com

Enjoy a fun vacation week activity with your child.  Use acrylic paints to carefully paint selected ceramic figures. Select 1-3 items when you register, and Sue will bring everything you need.

To register, email Sue by April 21st at: workforpeace14@gmail.com.  Include your name and the date of the class you are attending.  Please put LIBRARY in the subject line. She will send you photos and a price list of available items. There will be at least 20 items to choose from that are under $5. Payment will be due at the beginning of class.

HEALTHY SCIENCE
Thursdays, May 8, 15, & 22
3-4 PM
For children ages 4+

Sign-up Required: https://forms.gle/3eXn14Pps6fB2xMY6

Come explore the science of being HEALTHY!  This may sound a bit boring, but it will be a fun-packed introduction to the science of cleanliness and good health through experiments, explorations, stories, and discussions. What is the best way to clean the plaque off our teeth and why do we want to do that? What are the ingredients in toothpaste, and what do they do? Why do we wash our hands, bodies, and hair? How does soap get rid of germs? What is going on inside our gut and how do the foods we eat nourish and fuel our bodies?

REGULAR WEEKLY PROGRAMS

PRE-K STORIES & PLAY
9:30-10:30 AM

Tuesdays & Thursdays
Preschool & Kindergarten age children & their caregivers
Program Room

Join us for stories and activities, including games, songs, movement, and crafts.

LINE DANCING with SUZY (see details above)

6:30-7:30 PM

Tuesdays

Trinity United Methodist Church

TODDLER TALES & TUNES

11-11:30 AM Thursdays

Program Room

Join us for stories, songs, and movement.

KNITTING, CROCHETING & HANDCRAFTS GROUP

Fridays (may be intermittent, so call ahead 837-2030)

To be added to the email list for this group, please email Lyn at whitefieldpubliclibrary2@gmail.com

1:00-3:00

Front Reading Room

Teens & Adults

Are you a seasoned handicraft person?  Do you want to learn?  Do you have a project in the works or something you have dreamed of creating?  Adults & Teens of all skill levels are welcome to join others while you knit, crochet, needlepoint, sew, etc.  Please call first in case a session has been canceled if you plan to participate for the first time – (603) 837-2030.

Check us out on our website at https://whitefieldpubliclibrary.org/ and on Facebook.

We hope to see you at Whitefield Public Library soon.

Cheers,
Lyn