Thomaston Library News

 

Intergenerational Book Club to Discuss Dakota

On Tuesday, December 16th, at 2:30 PM, the Thomaston Public Library's Intergenerational Book Club will discuss Dakota: A Spiritual Geography by Kathleen Norris.

In this classic study of the spirituality of place, first published in 1993, poet Kathleen Norris writes about life in Lemmon, a small town of 1,600 near the border between North and South Dakota. She and her husband have resided there in the house built by her grandparents in 1923. It certainly takes a rare mixture of hardiness, patience, and resourcefulness to live in this area of the country, which has been dubbed "the American outback." While outsiders tend to view this stark milieu as nothing but "a barren waste," the author finds many marvels to celebrate.

Although Norris was raised a Protestant, she has found the greatest spiritual nourishment during times spent with the monks and nuns of Benedictine communities in the Dakotas. She applies some of the spiritual insights she learns while on retreat to the difficulties and problems of small town living — inertia, fear of change, provincialism, closemindedness, and callous treatment of outsiders. At the same time, she affirms "the holy use of gossip" in a tightly structured community where individuals need to share their tragedies and triumphs.

Dakota: A Spiritual Geography is a bountiful and beautifully written book overflowing with keen insights into nature, community, storytelling, solitude, change, and soulful living.

On the third Tuesday of every month, the Intergenerational Book Club, a group of men and women of all ages, comes together to share their opinions and ideas about the book selection. Extra copies of the books are purchased by the Friends of the Thomaston Public Library from the Annual Appeal funds. We thank you for your donations. All are welcome at the Thomaston Library on December 16th at 2:30  p.m.

If you live in Thomaston and would like to attend but need a ride, please call the library at 354-2453 a week before the discussion date.

 

 

Writing a Readable Memoir Workshop…in December
Sign Up Now

The Thomaston Public Library is currently taking sign-ups for a Writing a Readable Memoir workshop that will take place Thursday, December 4th, from  2 PM to 4 PM. Writer and personal historian Meghan Vigeant will present the workshop, to help writers and non-writers alike write their memoirs.

Everyone has a story worth writing, but creating a memoir that future generations will want to read can present all sorts of challenges. The book must be honed, shaped, and crafted with care. Vigeant will address all of the following big questions: What parts of your life story should go into your book? What parts should you leave out? Will you include photos? How should you put it all together? Vigeant will share some of the basic tenets of a well-told story and how to apply them to one's own life story. She will also give an overview of the steps to turn a completed manuscript into a beautiful bookstore-quality book to last for generations.

This presentation will be of particular interest to those who are contemplating writing a memoir or family history book and to those who have already started writing memories down and want to figure out how to put it all together.

Meghan Vigeant is a writer, documentarian, and personal historian. She helps people to write their memoirs and family histories with her business, Legacy Preserves. Vigeant started her storytelling career as an actress, and then as a documentarian. She has worked with communities to document, preserve, and share their history in books and documentaries. She is the author of Guts, Feathers, and All: Stories of Hard Work and Good Times on Swan’s Island, and the producer of Untouchable Love, a documentary about inter-caste marriage in Nepal. She holds a B.A. in Theater & Speech Communications from Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI.

This workshop is free and open to the public. Signing up in advance is highly recommended. You can call the Thomaston Public Library at 354-2453 or email tpl@thomaston.lib.me.us to sign up.

 

 

Saltwater Film Society Screening of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

On Thursday, December 11th, at 6:30 PM, the Thomaston Public Library will host the Saltwater Film Society screening of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, based on the best-selling novel by Betty Smith. This 1945 Elia Kazan film relates the trials and tribulations of a turn-of-the-century Brooklyn tenement family. The father, James Dunn, is a likable but irresponsible alcoholic whose dreams of improving his family's lot are invariably doomed to disappointment. The mother, Dorothy McGuire, is the true head of the household, steadfastly holding the family together no matter what crisis arises.

The story is told from the point of view of daughter Peggy Ann Garner, a clear-eyed realist who nonetheless would like to believe in her pie-in-the-sky father, whom she dearly loves. Joan Blondell co-stars as the family's brash, freewheeling aunt, whose means of financial support is a never-ending source of neighborhood gossip.

This first film-directorial effort of Elia Kazan scores a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

For more information about the Saltwater Film Society, please see their website, http://www.saltwaterfilmsociety.org/.

Saturday Morning Qi Gong Sessions Resume

Tim English is resuming the Saturday Qi Gong sessions at the Thomaston Public Library beginning Saturday, December 6th, at 11:30 AM. The sessions will take place in the Thomaston Academy gym.

For those who have never attended, "Qigong is an intergration of physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intentions." It is a lovely, gentle practice, somewhat like Tai Chi.

The Saturday morning sessions are open to all.

Thomaston Public Library Creates

 "Writers' Corner" with $400 Rudman Grant

Thomaston Public Library received a $400 grant this year from the Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust of the Maine Community Foundation. The purpose of the grant was to enhance the library's collection in support of its 2014 youth and adult writers' series, a program that brought writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children's literature to the library to read from their works and discuss the writing process. The series was intended to promote writing as enthusiastically as libraries traditionally promote reading.

Before applying for the grant, Head Librarian Ann Harris assessed the library's existing collection of resources for writers. "I found that we already had a fair number of the so-called writing classics, books on the craft, such If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland, Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg,  and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.

"We had a few titles on grammar, usage, and punctuation, as well as some older titles on the more psychological or spiritual aspects of writing, topics like inspiration, imagination, and the demons of doubt that afflict so many writers. We had nothing current on editing, marketing one's work, or the publication process start to finish. It seemed to me that with a small investment, we could create a writer's-resource collection that would be outstanding."

Receiving the Rudman Library Grant allowed the library to enhance all areas of its writing collection. "We drew up a list of titles to purchase and solicited suggestions from local writers and teachers. The result is that we now have a fine collection of highly-regarded books on just about every aspect of the writing life, including brand-new 2015 guides to finding agents and editors and marketing your work.

"We have books on everything from editing and formatting to writing your life story, breaking through writer's block, and writing in the 21st century. Midcoast Maine is home to so many writers of all sorts and we want to be a first-rate resource for them."

With offices in Ellsworth and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation works with donors and other partners to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.mainecf.org.

 

Holiday Book Sale in Hallway Bookshop

The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library's Hallway Bookshop features a selection of fine fiction and nonfiction on sale this month. Sale books are in mint condition and suitable for gift-wrapping and setting beneath the tree. 

Books are priced individually. Purchase five books and receive a tissue-paper-lined gift bag, available in large and small sizes. Cloth bags printed with the library name are also on sale for $5.00.  'Tis the season for giving books!

The Hallway Bookshop is located in the Thomaston Academy building at 60 Main Street. Items will be available for purchase during all open library hours.

 

Model Trains on Display in December 

Thomaston Public Library's main display case this month features the intricate model-train display of Leroy Jones and Neil Shively, with contributions from Henry Groth and Linwood Lothrop. The model-train display, set within a village setting, has been enhanced this holiday season and features new outbuildings, more vehicles, street and interior lighting, a small petroleum company, a building under construction, a gazebo, and a number of other exquisite embellishments.

The train display includes a Sperry Rail Service car used to conduct rail inspections and a self-propelled rail-diesel car intended to transport train passengers who are continuing to local destinations.

 

Photographs and a key to model-train scales are included in the display. Come take a look and see if you can spot all of this year's enhancements.

 

Thomaston Public Library

Hosting New Year's Reception

The Thomaston Public Library will host a New Year's reception on Friday, January 2nd, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. The reception provides an opportunity for staff, patrons, Friends, volunteers, the library board, and the entire Thomaston community to come together to toast the new year -- with great food and sparkling cider.

New library cards will be issued to anyone whose new year's resolutions include acquiring a library card! The reception also launches the library's food collection as a part of 2015's Martin Luther King food drive, so canned goods and other nonperishable food items will be welcome at the party.

 

 

 

 

Sonny’s Sunshine Corner

 

Butchie and Nanci and I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas or Happy Hannakuh or Happy Kwansa, whatever the case may be.

Our boy certainly doesn’t look like this picture right now. We had to take him to see the Vet man yesterday because he has scratched most of the fur off on his face. He got a shot along with his other yearly shots and hopefully that will take care of it. Vet says older kitties sometimes do this if there are other issues involved like kidneys etc. Expensive tests to find out if this doesn’t work. Keep your fingers crossed for him and for his Mommies too.

This past Thanksgiving, Nanci and I enjoyed a barbecue dinner from Shane’s, a popular BBQ spot here in this area of Georgia. Butchie doesn’t get any, sorry son.

Readership for the blog was at 21,127 this time last year. It now has a readership of over 57,000. Thanks, everyone.

I appreciate my loyal readers who occasionally comment on one of my stories. This past month that included Patricia Williams, Ruth Wade, and Sister Sally. I welcome any and all comments and especially appreciate your corrections on any facts I may have gotten wrong. I try to do thorough research, but sometimes I miss something.

This month enjoy the very popular guest blog from brother Ted and his Fish and Chips column.  This one is from 1973. If I get creative enough I will try to write another piece of fiction for you to go along with the other two I’ve written for December in the past two years, “A Doll for Christmas” and “A Boy and his Boat, a Christmas story.” If you’d like to read them go to the archives for the last two December blogs.

I will finally go under the knife on December 2 to repair tendons on my left foot. Wish me luck. Been a long time coming. You may not see me on here for awhile. Never fear, I’ll be back.

Our greatest Christmas wishes go out to all our friends and family. May we all be wrapped in the peace and love of those we love and who love us.

Merry Christmas.

Recipe of the Month

Dutch Hutspot

 

This recipe comes from Viking River Cruises. The dish commemorates the liberation of Leiden during the Eighty Year’s War (1568-1648) between the Dutch and the Spanish Habsburg monarchy. The Dutch were in revolt against the Habsburgs and the Spanish tried to starve them into surrender by besieging them. The Dutch prevailed and their liberators brought herring, white bread and hutspot which are why Dutch residents still eat it today in celebration of the liberation of Leiden. In the same way that we eat certain dishes and food, like turkey, to celebrate a part of our history, we are reminded that others have struggled in the same way as our early settlers did.

Ingredients

2-lb piece of beef brisket
2 bay leaves
1 tsp salt
1/2 stick unsalted butter
2 lg onions, peeled & sliced
1 lb carrots, peeled & cubed
1 1/2 lbs potatoes, peeled & cubed
1 lb white turnips, peeled & cubed
1/2 lb parsnips, peeled & cubed
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Put brisket in a large pot with a lid or a Dutch oven. Add 1 qt of water, bay leaves and salt. Bring slowly to a boil on medium heat and continue to cook covered over medium heat for at least of 2 1/2 hours, turning meat over halfway through. Melt butter in a heavy skillet on medium heat, then add onions and a pinch of salt; cook slowly until onions are soft and golden, 6-8 minutes. Remove bay leaves from brisket pan and discard; add vegetables and cooked onions. The liquid should just cover meat and vegetables. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and cover. Cook for about 30 minutes, or until vegetables are soft and easily pierced with a fork.

Remove meat with a slotted spoon and keep warm. Pour out about 2 C of liquid out of pot and reserve to use as soup stock. Mash vegetables roughly with a masher, leaving some lumps, aiming for a loose and fluffy texture. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Slice brisket across the grain and serve on top of hutspot. Serve with mustard on the side.

Christmas Sweet Recipes

As a special Christmas present this month I bring you cookie recipes and sweet holiday treats from www.pillsbury.com. You can find many more recipes on that site. Grab the kids and start cooking together!


Mini Grasshopper Cheesecakes

Ingredients

Crust
1 roll Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookies
¼ cup butter, melted

Filling

2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened

 

2/3 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/3 cup green creme de menthe liqueur

Topping

Sweetened whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if desired

Steps

1 Heat oven to 350°F. Cut cookies into slices as directed on roll. Place 2 inches apart on 2 ungreased large cookie sheets.

2 Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until cookies are deep golden brown and crispy. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 10 minutes. Crumble about half the cookies into fine crumbs to make 2 cups cookie crumbs.

3 In small bowl, mix cookie crumbs and melted butter. Place foil baking cup in each of 18 regular-size muffin cups. Press about 1 tablespoon cookie mixture in bottom of each baking cup. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F. Bake 5 minutes.

4 In large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl frequently, until smooth and creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth after each addition. Stir in liqueur. Pour about 1/4 cup of the filling on top of each of the cookie crusts.

5 Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until edges are set and centers are still slightly jiggly. Turn oven off, and open door slightly. Cool cheesecake in oven 30 minutes. Remove from oven to cooling rack; cool at room temperature 30 minutes. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until cheesecakes are chilled. Top with sweetened whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Tip

Use 1 tsp. peppermint extract and 4 to 6 drops green food coloring instead of the crème de menthe liqueur if desired.

 

Gingerbread Cookie Fudge

 

 

Gingerbread cookie dough makes a great base and topper for this quick and easy fudge.

Ingredients

1 roll (30 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated gingerbread cookies

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2cup old-fashioned oats

1can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

1/4 cup butter

1 bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)*

1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps

1 Heat oven to 350°F. Let cookie dough stand at room temperature 10 minutes to soften.

2 Break up half of the cookie dough and press in ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Lightly grease large cookie sheet. In medium bowl, break up remaining cookie dough; mix in flour and oats. Crumble mixture onto cookie sheet. Bake both the pan and cookie sheet 15 to 20 minutes or until crust is light golden brown and cookie crumble mixture is crispy. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

3 Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat condensed milk and butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, until butter is melted and ingredients are thoroughly heated. DO NOT BOIL. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips until melted. Stir in vanilla.

4 Pour chocolate mixture over cookie crust, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with cookie crumble mixture; press in lightly. Cool 15 minutes. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until fudge layer is firm. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.

*Use white vanilla baking chips in place of semisweet chocolate chips for a twist on this recipe!

 

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies

Ingredients

1 roll Pillsbury™ refrigerated sugar cookies

3 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa

1 cup marshmallow creme (from 7-oz jar)

1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies

Steps

More stores 1 Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, break apart cookie dough. Knead in baking cocoa until thoroughly combined.

2 Shape dough into 20 (1 1/2-inch) balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheets, and press down slightly with fingers. Bake 10 to 13 minutes or until centers of cookies are set; cool 2 minutes on pans. Transfer to cooling racks to cool completely, about 15 minutes.

3 Meanwhile, with spatula sprayed with cooking spray, transfer marshmallow creme to microwavable cup sprayed with cooking spray. Microwave uncovered on Medium (50%) 60 to 90 seconds or until melted. Cool slightly, then transfer to resealable food-storage plastic bag.

4 1/8 inch from 1 corner of bag, then drizzle cookies with marshmallow creme, and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes but no longer than 12 hours before serving.

*Planning to bring these babies to a cookie exchange? The peppermint protects the marshmallow creme from sticking, but layering between cooking parchment paper or waxed paper will keep them pristine in transit.

*If hard candy doesn't go over well with the smaller set in your family, make these treats using chopped soft peppermints instead.

Muddy Buddies® Snickerdoodle Snowballs

 

Ingredients

1 bag (10.5 oz) miniature marshmallows

3 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces, softened

4 cups popped popcorn

4 cups Chex Mix® Muddy Buddies® Snickerdoodle snack mix, crushed

Vegetable oil

1 bar (4 oz) white chocolate baking square

2 teaspoons shortening

Coarse sugar, if desired

Steps

1 Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. In large microwavable bowl, microwave marshmallows and butter uncovered on High about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted.

2 Stir in popcorn and snack mix. Grease hands with vegetable oil. For each snowball, shape 1/3 cup mixture into ball. Place balls on cookie sheet to set.

3 In small microwavable bowl, microwave white chocolate and shortening uncovered on High about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted. Drizzle over top one-third of each ball to look like snow. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.

 

(Sorry for the format problems. Don't have time to fix it this am.)