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Library News & Events Announced for October 2014

Sep 30, 2014 09:27AM ● By Pamela Johnson
New library hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 am—8 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10 am—5 pm. We will be closed on Monday, October 13, in observance of Columbus Day.
The library welcomes Jim Maher as our new custodian. A Bellingham resident, Jim joins the library with years of experience in janitorial services, most recently at the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School.  Welcome, Jim!

Featured Events

Something for Adults begins October 1. We do lots of stuff for kids;now we want you to take time for yourself and do things that are fun and educational and offer a chance to be with grownups.

Artworks for Grownups—Wednesday, Oct. 1, 6—8 pm. Kathy Wotton of Artworks Studio MA in Hopedale will lead us in a canvas paint session.  You will enjoy spending time with friends and following step-by-step painting instructions to make your masterpiece. Check the library website for details of the subject of the painting.   This is the perfect class for someone who has never painted and maybe even be a bit fearful to paint. Cost for materials and a small donation to the Friends of the Library is $10 per painter. To register for this class, stop by the library with payment (cash or check made payable to “The Friends of the Bellingham Library”) or mail the check to Bellingham Public Library, 100 Blackstone St., Bellingham, MA 02019. This “For Grownups” series has been coordinated by Personal Historian Marjorie Turner Hollman, Senior Center Outreach Coordinator Sheila Ronkin, and Bellingham Library Director Bernadette Rivard.

Todd Brodeur Frisbee® Show & Playshop—Friday, Oct. 10, at 11 am; best for children ages 5 and up. Bellingham students have no school today, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn anything!  In this inspiring, high-energy 30-45-minute program, Todd captivates students by demonstrating basic tricks, catches and combinations. He shows a number of rare and unique Frisbees® along with stories and messages that he shares. The program also includes a brief science lesson on the aerodynamics of the flying discs and a bit of history about tossing circular objects. Interactive playshop will follow, where you’ll get to try some of his tricks. (Location will be announced.) Please register.

Edible Haunted Houses—Thursday, October 16, 4:15 and 6:30 pm; for ages 4 & up. We’re making edible haunted houses! We’ll supply the bases, graham crackers and frosting. Please bring a bag of candy to share with other children in the decorating. Please register.
Postcard History of Norfolk County  Author Event—Monday, October 20, at 6:30 pm. Paul Tedesco, the author of Postcard History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, will show a slide presentation depicting postcards in his book. It is a tabletop book with 416 pages and over 400 illustrations, many in color. The book was written by Paul and his late son, James, with the collaboration of members from each of the 28 communities of Norfolk County, including Bellingham. For each town/city, the book contains a brief history of the community, an image of the community’s seal, images of vintage postcards, and much more. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Please register.

Spooky Bingo—Tuesday, October 28, at 6:30 pm; for children ages 4 and up. Play bingo in the dark, listening to creepy noises and winning Halloween-y prizes. Please register.
Legal Lessons for Life, Today and Tomorrow—Thursday, October 30, at 6:30 pm. Learn about the new Supreme Court decision impacting IRA beneficiaries; holding ownership of your home/insulating it from creditors; the Uniform Gift to Minors Act—the good, the bad and some alternatives; strategies for planning/selecting guardians for your child(ren), grandchild(ren), special needs child(ren); wills, trusts, and other documents—learn your financial math to determine how many you need; HIPPA/health care privacy rules and tools for use; federal and state estate taxes. Do you need a trust? Maybe, maybe not—just some questions to ask yourself. Also, should you put an adult child on any of your savings/checking accounts?
Learn about ideas and concepts for legal plans for yourself, your family, your children (biological and those brought into the marriage). Learn about keeping your legacy in your bloodlines, and more. For homework, before or after the session, please check to see who owns your life insurance policy and why it may be a hidden surprise.  Sponsored by the MetroWest Chapter of the Society of Financial Awareness. Please register.

Halloween Story Time—Monday, October 27, at 10:30 am; for all ages. Ooooh... it’s Halloween week: Preschoolers, put on your costumes and join us for this special Halloween story time and costume parade. Please register.

STEM (Science Technology, Engineering & Math) Programs

3D Printer Training Workshops—Learn about the operation of the library’s 3D Printer and new Sense 3D Scanner on Saturday, October 18, 10:30 am—12 pm, and Wednesday, October 22, 6:30—8 pm; for high school age and above.  Please register.

Full STEAM Ahead—Thursday, October 9, at 4:15 pm; for grades 3—6. Each month, we will do a different STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) project. This month, we will use toilet paper tubes and other materials to make indoor slingshots. (Please register individually for each Full STEAM Ahead program.)

Schedule of Ongoing Events

For Preschool/Elementary School Ages

  • Ring-A-Ding—Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:15 am, and Saturday, October 11, at 10:15 am; for ages 0—5. A musical and play story time (drop in).
  • Lego Build—Wednesdays at 4 pm (drop in).
  • Book Babies—Tuesdays, 11:30 am, and Wednesdays, 9:30 am; for ages 0—23 months. No class on Wednesday, October 22.
  • Picnic Stories—Wednesdays, 12:15 pm, at the Bellingham town common; for all ages. When it’s not raining, bring a blanket and lunch and meet us behind the gazebo at the town common for Picnic Stories, activities and Vitamin D. Please register. (You need to register only once to attend all Picnic Stories.)
  • Reading with Indy—Mondays, 6:30 pm; for any age. Kids are invited to read with Indy, our certified reading dog.  There are four 15-minute slots each Monday evening; please register.
  • Alphabits—New classes added! Wednesdays and  Thursdays, 10:15 am;  Thursdays, 11:15 am; and alternating Mondays, 10:15 am  (for ages 2—5). Each week, explore a different letter, in order, A—Z, through stories, crafts and activities. Kids are also encouraged to bring something from home that starts with the letter of the week.    Please go to the online calendar to see which Alphabits classes have availability.  You need to register only once in order to attend all Alphabits. No classes on October 22 and 23.
  • GOT Mail Story Time—Mondays, 1:15 pm; for ages 3—5. Each week, we open up a letter from a different person who will tell us the theme of the day; includes stories, games, activities and (usually) a craft. Please register. You need to register only once in order to attend all GOT Mail programs.
  • Storytime 2.0—Tuesday, October 28, 4:15 pm; for ages 3-6. We will use the iPad® for a monthly tech-filled storytime. This storytime theme will be monsters. Please register for each Storytime 2.0 program individually.
  • Magic School Bus—Monday, October 27, 4:15 pm (for ages 4-7). Watch a Magic School Bus video and then do a related activity. Please register.
  • The Write Stuff—Monday, October 6, 4:15 pm; (for ages 8—12). For those of you who love creative writing, come share your writing and get new writing ideas. Please register.
  • Laugheteria—Monday, October 20, 4:15 pm; for grades 1—4. If you like to laugh, then this program is for you! Bring in some jokes, funny stories or funny books and get ready to tickle your funny bone! Please register.
  • Artrageous—Thursday, October 23, 4 pm; for grades K—6. Stop by to make a Halloween craft.Please register.
  • Family Book Club—Monday, October 27, 6:30 pm; for families with children in grades 1—3. Each family will read the book of the month at home; then we will discuss it at the meeting. This month’s book title is to be announced. Copies of the book will be available at the library. Please register your family.
  • Mother Daughter Book Club—date and title to be announced, check the library website.

For Middle & High Schoolers

  • After School Café—Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 2:30—3:30 pm.  Join us in the community room for after-school games, crafts and fun.
  • Mother Daughter Book Club—date and title to be announced; see above.
  • The Write Stuff—See details above.

For Adults

  • Library Trustees Meeting—Thursday, October 9, at 7 pm.
  • Friends of the Library Meeting—Monday, October 6, at 7 pm.
  • Book Discussion Group—Monday, October 6,  at 6:30 pm. Life after Life by Kate Atkinson will be discussed. New members are always welcome.
  • Morning Yoga for Adults—Tuesdays, 8:30—10 am. Please register.
  • Bellingham Skein Artists—This adult knitting group meets on Thursdays at 6:30 pm. New members are always welcome.

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