Oh, To Be a Kid Again!

The Friends of the Fiske Free Library and the Claremont Historical Society will present their 2010 series of monthly programs from April to June. The "Oh, To Be a Kid Again” series will feature familiar childhood activities, from organized groups such as the Boy and Girl Scouts to classic toys such as dolls and model trains.

To commemorate the 100^th Anniversary of Boys Scouts of America, the series will begin on Wednesday, April 28 with a program featuring the founders of both Boy and Girl Scouting. Kate Carney, Newton, Massachusetts, will present "Juliette Low, 1920: Founder of America‘s Girl Scouts.” Dick Sullivan, Natick, Massachusetts, will speak briefly as Lord Baden Powell, founder of the scouting movement.

On Wednesday May 19, Steve Dalessio, model train enthusiast from Claremont, will speak about what has been called the “world’s greatest hobby.”

The final program will take place on Tuesday, June 29 when Lydia Brooks Raymond, doll doctor from Kennebunkport, Maine, will speak about doll history and restoration.

All programs will be held at 7:00 PM in the Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 120 Broad Street.

Additional support for this series is being provided by the Sullivan Lodge, No. 12, I.O.O.F., LaValley Building Supply, Inc. and Common Man Inn.

April is National Poetry Month

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of businesses and non-profit organizations participate through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events.

To celebrate National Poetry Month the Fiske Free Library will present a poetry reading by Dianalee Velie of Newbury, New Hampshire on Thursday, April 15th at 3:00 PM.

Dianalee has taught poetry, memoir, and short story at universities and colleges in New York, Connecticut and New Hampshire and in private workshops throughout the Northeast. Her award-winning poetry and short stories have been published in hundreds of literary journals throughout the USA and Canada.

She will return to the library on Thursday, April 22nd to host two poetry writing workshops for children. The first will be from 1:00 until 2:30 for ages 5 to 8; the second will be from 3:00 until 5:00 for ages 9 to 12.

Marina Forbes: Matryoshka Doll and Faberge Egg Workshop

Saturday, April 10th
9:00 AM until Noon

Marina Forbes is a native of St. Petersburg, Russia. For more than 20 years, she has been an active artist, historian, storyteller, lecturer and teacher in the area of Russian art, culture, language and folklore, offering more than 75 workshops, courses, and presentations each year both in Russia and throughout the New England area. Marina is an accomplished painter of traditional Russian icons (egg tempera/gold leaf on wood), traditional Russian Matryoshkas (nested dolls), and numerous traditional Russian craft items. Many of her works are in private collections in Russia, Italy and the United States. Marina is currently the Director of International Programs at the New England Language Center in Rochester where she coordinates cultural exchange programs, teaches Russian culture and language, and leads art-related tours to Russia each year. She is an active watercolorist and art teacher and regularly does dramatic performances of Russian fairytales.

The workshop is open to adults and families with children 6 and up. It is a great opportunity for adults and families to work together and learn about Russian crafts and culture. The goal is to produce a finished piece of Russian folk art on wood. Students can work on 7-piece, 5-piece, 3-piece or 1-piece matryoshka sets. Throughout the workshop, students will be listening to traditional Russian music, and, during a brief break from the painting, there will be a demonstration of a few steps from a traditional Russian "matryoshka dance." The price of the dolls is from $10 - $25 depending on size, and will be available that day. Wooden eggs will also be available for a small fee.

You MUST pre-register, by contacting the library at (603) 542-7017or email: msmith@claremontnh.com

Sponsored by: The Friends of the Fiske Free Library

Children's Programs for April and May

Read to Me Story and Activity Time
with Parents as Teachers
Picture books, rhymes and songs, fingerplays
Tuesday mornings
Children ages 3 to 5: 9:30 to 10:00
Ages birth to 3: 10:00 to 10:30

Pre-school Story Time
Stories and a simple craft project
Wednesdays, April 6th through May 12th
10:30 AM
Ages 3 to 5

Crafty Thursday
Thursdays April 7th and 21st; May 6th
10:30 AM
Ages 3 to 5
Simple craft for a parent and child to work on together
Please call 542-7017 to register for Crafty Thursday

For more information on these programs please call 542-7017