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NEWSLETTER
May 2006
Volume 3, Number 5
Annual Spring Book Sale
DISCOVER IT @your library: The Times of Our Lives: Turning Memories Into Memoirs
Anime Feature: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Easy Summer Entertaining
Treasures in Your Attic: Old & Rare Books with Bookseller Ken Gloss
Meno-Positive: Living Well During Your Change of Life
DISCOVER IT @your library: Lives of Civil War Soldiers & Civilians
Freemasonry, the Knights Templar, and
The Da Vinci Code
Ongoing Programs for Adults: Book Discussion Groups & More
May Exhibits
May Events for Children
What's
New in the Library's Collection
Recommended Spring Reading
Calendar of Events
Friends of the Library
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Back Issues
Annual Spring Book Sale
Don't miss the Friends of the Library Annual Spring Book sale. Books, videos
and audios for adults and children will be for sale, with prices starting at 50
cents. On Sunday, buy materials for $2 a bag (bags provided). Proceeds from
the Friends book sale are used to sponsor museum passes and a variety of
events for adults and children. Sale dates and times are:
Friday, May 5, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, 1:30 - 4 p.m.
If you are a member of the Friends, or would like to join, come to the Friends
of the Library Preview Sale on Thursday, May 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
For more information about the Friends, check out the Friends Web page.
DISCOVER IT @your library: The Times of Our Lives: Turning Memories Into Memoirs
Whether you are a fascinated reader of the recent spate of memoirs and personal stories, or thinking of writing your own memoir or family history, you will enjoy this two-part series presented by writer Mary Bonina on Tuesday, May 9 and Tuesday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.
At the first session, Ms. Bonina will talk about memoir and other forms of personal writing from the perspective of one who has written a literary family memoir with general appeal. Well-written examples of personal writing will be introduced for readers and anyone considering a writing project in the genre. The talk will be followed by a question and answer period. At the second session, Ms. Bonina will present a short reading from her own memoir and take a closer look at other examples of memoir writing. Issues that will be considered include: readership, techniques for the telling, and strategies for beginning. Participants will be supplied with paper and pencils to create maps, lists, sketches and timelines, which might be used as blueprints for a future personal history writing project.
A recipient of numerous grants and awards for her writing,
Mary Bonina studied with the late poets Denise Levertov and
Ken Smith. Her poem "Drift", was selected for Boston Contemporary
Authors, a public art project, and is inscribed on a granite
column permanently placed outside Boston's Green Street MBTA
Station. She earned her MFA degree in the Program for Writers
at Warren Wilson College, where her mentors were some of the
best known and appreciated American contemporary prose writers
and poets. She has also studied with memoirist Richard Hoffman
(Half the House). Her poems have appeared in the
anthologies City River of Voices (1992) and Voices
of the City (2004), as well as in many other publications
including Red Brick Review, Hanging Loose Magazine
and English Journal. An excerpt ("The Wanderer, 1962")
from her memoir, My Father's Eyes, is online in Gulfstreaming
magazine published at Florida International University.
This free program is one of a yearlong series of programs and displays
highlighting the library's collections by its classification system, the Dewey Decimal System. DISCOVER IT @your library--in the 800's section this month. Sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
For more information, call 617-376-1301.
Anime Feature: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Join us for a screening of the Japanese anime series "Neon Genesis Evangelion " on Thursday, May 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.
 In the year 2015, half of the human race is dead. The few survivors face a terrifying last judgment from giant biotechnology experiments called Angels. A handful of teenagers are trained to pilot the colossal super-entites known as Evangelions and battle the Angels on their own terms…whatever the cost to their minds and souls.
The program is intended for adults and
teens aged 13 and older and is not suitable for younger audiences.
For more information, call 617-376-1301.
Easy Summer Entertaining
Graduation parties and summer barbecues are just around the corner! Find out how to plan a fun, stress-free party and enjoy family and friends this summer on Saturday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the Main Library.
Join Jennessa Durrani of Celebrate! as she provides tips and techniques to make summer entertaining easy and fun. She will demonstrate all aspects of entertaining, including invitations, centerpieces, table setting & serving, menus, favors, and time-saving tricks. Brainstorm themes, sample easy and delicious party recipes, and map out a plan for celebrating the people and events in your life with class and style.
 Jennessa Durrani is the owner of Celebrate!, a celebrations planning company, and the author of a series of cookbooks about seasonal entertaining, including Summer: a Cook's Journal. Copies of the book will be available for sale after the program.
For more information, call 617-376-1301.
Treasures in Your Attic: Old & Rare Books with Bookseller Ken Gloss
 Do you have any old books in your attic? Have you been wondering about the value of a book? Find out more about the potential treasures in your attic at a free presentation by Kenneth Gloss, proprietor of the nationally known Brattle Book Shop in Boston, on Wednesday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Library.
"Many New England homes are treasure troves of old and rare books that have increased in value over the years," says Gloss. "We invite the public to bring any volumes they want to know about to the lecture for a free verbal appraisal following the presentation."
The Brattle Book Shop is one of America's oldest and largest antiquarian bookstores, founded in Boston in 1825. The shop has been in the hands of the Gloss Family since 1949. Mr. Gloss is a member and past president of the New England Antiquarian Booksellers Association, a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America, the Bostonian Society, and the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Antiquarian Booksellers. He appraises books and libraries for several universities including Harvard University, Boston University, Boston College and Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Mr. Gloss lectures on the antiquarian book field to library groups, historical societies and other book-interested groups throughout the New England area. He also has written many articles on appraising books, book collecting and selling.
Gloss' presentation will be preceded by a brief general meeting
of the Friends
of the Thomas Crane Public Library. All are welcome at
this free event. For more information, call 617-376-1301.
Meno-Positive: Living Well During Your Change of Life
Is menopause or its onset getting you down? Are you confused about your treatment options? Find out about a variety of holistic and alternative approaches to perimenopause and menopause at a free presentation by women's health specialist Jane Stevens on Wednesday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library.
Find out about the signs and symptoms of menopause, from hot flashes to sleep problems, and the variety of treatment options that are available, including hormone replacement therapy, alternative therapies, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and more. Stevens will discuss the latest trends in women's health treatments and provide handouts with further resources.
A Registered Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Acupuncturist, Jane Stevens has worked in OB/GYN for 20 years. Her interest in holistic medicine led her to complete a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree at the New England School of Acupuncture in 2002. She currently practices acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at Milton Chiropractic and Rehabilitation in Quincy.
Sponsored by the Friends
of the Thomas Crane Public Library. For more information,
call 617-376-1301.
DISCOVER IT @your library: Lives of Civil War Soldiers & Civilians
Find out what life was really like during the War Between
the States at a free hands-on presentation for adults and
children aged 10 and up on Saturday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m.
at the Main Library.
Learn about the daily lives of common soldiers as well as
civilians during the Civil War, the tactics and strategies
of both sides, and the medical procedures for the treatment
of wounds and disease. The importance of pivotal battles such
as Gettysburg, Vicksburg and Antietem will be covered in the
presentation and some military units from Massachusetts will
be highlighted, including the 54th Massachusetts (an all Black
regiment) and the 28th Massachusetts (a regiment of the Irish
Brigade).
And don’t forget the women! Find out about the sacrifices and contributions of women to the war effort, Victorian mourning customs, and how the Civil War changed the roles of women in society, leading to the suffrage movement and the struggle for women’s rights. Uniforms, medical instruments, weapons and battle flags will be among the many items displayed and the audience will be able to handle both original and reproduction equipment and clothing.
David A. Jennings and Hallie Larkin of Southcoast Historical Associates provide living history presentations to schools, museums, and communities throughout New England, complete with historically accurate costumes and original artifacts.
This free program is one of a series of programs highlighting the library's collections by its classification system, the Dewey Decimal System. Discover It @your library--in the 900's section this month.
Sponsored by the Friends
of the Thomas Crane Public Library. For more information,
call 617-376-1301.
Freemasonry, the Knights Templar, and The Da Vinci Code
Was the Knights Templar founded to find and then preserve a history changing secret? Is
the world's oldest fraternity, the Freemasons, a direct descendant of the Knights of the Crusades? Discover the truth behind the fiction on Sunday, June 4 at 2:00 p.m. at the Main Library.
Join Graeme Marsden of Quincy's Rural Lodge of Freemasons as he endeavors to shed some light on Dan Brown's controversial novel, The Da Vinci Code, and its claims about the Freemasons and the Knights Templar. While Brown's book is a work of fiction--based on the premise that a secret order exists to protect an "earth shattering" secret--the author purports much of it to be true. Because the book touches on some of the most basic beliefs of the Christian church and history, it has caused great excitement and controversy.
 Mr. Marsden's slide presentation will take you behind the closed doors of Freemasonry, including its history, aims, and symbols, and will also include information about the medieval knightly orders such as the Knights Templar. The presentation will be followed by a tour of the Quincy Masonic Temple on 1170 Hancock St.
This free presentation for adults and teens is sponsored by the Thomas Crane Public Library and Quincy's Rural Lodge of Freemasons. For more information about this event, call 617-376-1301.
Ongoing Programs for Adults
FIRST FRIDAY BOOKED FOR LUNCH
Read any good books lately? Looking for something new to read?
Bring a brown bag lunch and join other readers in a lively
exchange of authors and titles on the first Friday of each
month. The next meeting is on May 5,
from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Main Library atrium (outside
the cafe). If you have read a book you would like to share
or are looking for something new to read, this is the group
for you.
SECOND FRIDAY BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
 This book discussion group meets on the second Friday of each month at
9:30 a.m. As a convenience to parents with small children, the group will meet
in the Main Library Children's storytime room and little ones are welcome. Age appropriate activities will be available to entertain the children while we talk.
This month only, we are meeting on the third Friday! On May 19, we will be discussing The Carpet Makers by Andreas Eschbach. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library
Children's Room desk. For more information, call 617-376-2411.
 THIRD WEDNESDAY BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
This group meets the third Wednesday of each month from 7:00-8:30
p.m. at the Main Library. On May 17,
the group will be discussing American Requiem by James Carroll. Copies of the book are available
at the Main Library checkout desk. For more information, call
617-376-1331.
WEEKLY WEDNESDAY MATINEE
See a variety of films selected with older adults in mind at this weekly
program held at the North Quincy Branch Library at 2:15 p.m. every Wednesday.
Films include travel, humor, and biography as well as full-length feature
films. For more information, call the North Quincy Branch at 617-376-1320.
May Exhibits
South Shore Mental Health's Discovery Day Treatment will exhibit works including watercolor, tempera, tissue paper, and other media, from May 1 to
May 14 at the Main Library. A public reception will be held on Wednesday, May 3 at 12:30 p.m.
The annual Quincy Public Schools art exhibit will be on view at the Main
Library from May 20 to May 31. A public reception will be held on Monday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Main Library Atrium.
May Events for Children
STORYTIME WITH MICHELLE
A drop-in storytime will be held on Saturday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m. at the Main Library. Join storyteller Michelle Andrews for stories, songs, rhymes, and more for children aged 2-5 accompanied by an adult. No registration required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
KARAOKE POETRY!
Join us for a poetry break during the week of May 8-12 as we explore the 800s and celebrate poetry. Step up to the mike and recite your favorite poem or choose one of ours. All ages, no registration required--just stop by and join the fun.
MOTHER GOOSE AND LITTLE BO-PEEP
Join children's librarians Jane Miller and Gail Columbare for a fun-filled storytime with Mother Goose and Little Bo Beep on Friday, May 12 at 10:00 a.m. at the Main Library. Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for all! This program is for ages 0-3 accompanied by an adult. No registration is required.
WAFFLES THE CLOWN
Poetry is our theme for this month as we explore literature with a wildly funny presentation of the poetry of Shel Silverstein on Saturday, May 13 at 2:00 p.m. at the Main Library. Joshua Jay, a.k.a. Waffles the Clown, celebrates this wonderful poet with an hour of original music, improvisational theater, and singalong. Join us for this outrageously fun cabaret experience and hear Shel Silverstein's poetry as you've never heard it before! For children ages 5 and older and their families. No registration is required.
This free program is one of a yearlong series of programs and displays
highlighting the library's collections by its classification system, the Dewey Decimal System. DISCOVER IT @your library--in the 800's section this month. Sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
MAD SCIENCE: BUGS!
Mad Science of Greater Boston Workshops presents Bugs! On Saturday, May 20 at the Main Library. You will be introduced to the world of creepy, crawly creatures through hands-on activities and interactive and entertaining demonstrations. Learn about insects' fabulous flying abilities, unique eyesight, and the way they defend themselves against predators. Each participant will build a model insect to take home.
There will be a 10:00 a.m. session for children ages 7 and older and an 11:15 a.m. session for ages 4-6. Registration is required, beginning Monday, May 1. Stop by the Main Library Children's Room or call 617-376-2411 to register. Sponsored by the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
SATURDAY FUN FOR LITTLE ONES
Join musician Jeff Jam for a lively singalong of old favorites and new on Saturday, May 27 at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library. Participation and dancing are encouraged. This is a storytime program for children aged four and younger, accompanied by an adult. No registration required. Sponsored by the Quincy Family Network.
PHOENIX BOOK CLUB
This book discussion program for children in grades 5-8 meets
on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Main
Library. Stop by the Main Library Children's Room or call
617-376-2411 for more information or to register.
NIGHT OWL BOOK CLUBS
These discussion and activity groups for children in 3rd and 4th grades meet monthly at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library. Night Owl 3 (for 3rd graders) meets on the second Monday of each month. Night Owl 4 (for 4th graders) meets on the third Monday. Stop by the Main Library Children's Room or call 617-376-2411 for more information or to
register.
Friends of the Library
Become a Friend of the library! Your Friends membership fee
($10 for individuals, $15 for families) helps support museum
passes and events for all ages. For more information about
the Friends, go to the Friends
of the Thomas Crane Public Library page or pick up a brochure
at the library.
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