Thomaston Library News

Librarian Joanna Hynd with kids enjoying exotic foods during Story Hour.

 Photo by Eileen Skolds

 

 

March Story Hour

Let’s see, where are we going to travel to next? This March Story Hour: Join the Thomaston Public Library on Thursdays at 11am in the Children’s Room to learn about India, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and other far off locations! Try new foods, listen to new music, and enjoy learning about different cultures.


Saltwater Film Society Screening of

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

On Thursday, March 19th, at 6:30 PM, the Thomaston Public Library will host the Saltwater Film Society screening of  the 1991 documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse, about the "magic and madness" of making Francis Ford Coppola's celebrated 1979 movie Apocalypse Now.

This highly-rated, award-winning documentary depicts the difficulties the Apocalypse Now filmmakers had with virtually every aspect of its creation: the quality of the acting, over-spending, the jungle location, the weather, the film's script, the health of some of those on-site (most notably, actor Martin Sheen's on-location heart attack), and the director's doubts about the quality of the film he was making. Famous moments such as Marlon Brando's improvised rambling monologues are included in the documentary and have helped to make it a cult classic.

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

March Madness Sale in Friends of the Thomaston Public Library's Hallway Bookshop

Spring into mud season with a stack of good reads! Through the month of March, all books in The Friends of TPL's Hallway Bookshop -- large or small, paperback or hardback --  are on sale for one dollar apiece.

On the sale table are included a selection of books chosen by staff and volunteers, but the sale includes every volume in the bookshop.

The Hallways Bookshop is located in the Thomaston Academy at 60 Main Street in Thomaston. Parking and entrance are at the rear of the Academy building. The Hallway Bookshop is available during all open library hours: Monday and Friday, 11 to 7; Tuesday through Thursday, 11 to 5; and Saturday, 9 to 1. 

 

Photo by Tim English

 

A Backpacking Adventure Through Europe

On Wednesday, March 25th, at 7 PM, Thomaston resident Tim English will talk and present a slide-show about his backpacking trip through nine countries of Europe. Tim traveled to Europe in 2013 and over the course of a three-month trip, backpacked his way to Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, Norway, and Finland. He has photographic and written records of his adventure and will read excerpts from his travel journal during the slide-show.

When not traveling, Tim teaches and leads Qi Gong groups on Maine's midcoast. He also works as a chef.

Swing-into-Spring Bake Sale

And European Slide Show

Why wait until Easter to indulge your sweet tooth? Thomaston Public Library will host a bake sale on Saturday, March 21st, featuring a variety of freshly baked items along with two gift certificates redeemable for out-of-this-world, custom-made cheesecakes.

All proceeds from the bake sale will go to support 40 Days of Summer, Thomaston Public Library's summer reading program for children, which provides kids with forty days of fun, fresh air, healthy food, and really great books.

Donations of baked goods for the sale can be dropped off at the library at 9 AM on Saturday, March 21st, or anytime between 11 and 7 on Friday, March 20th. The sale itself will run from 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturday.

Also, next Wednesday, March 25th, at 7 PM, will be Tim English's slide-show presentation about his whirlwind, nine-country European backpacking adventure.

Both events will be here at the Thomaston Public Library.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sonny’s Sunshine Corner

 

March! At last! My birthday month! And Spring is right around the corner here in Georgia. Soon the azaleas, dogwood and peach trees will blossom and allergy sufferers will head to their allergists. I suffer some during this period; but it’s all worth it to me with all the beautiful fresh colors surrounding me.

Up north I know Spring will be a long time coming by the time they get all that snow melted. A couple of my Southern friends welcomed the little snow we got here and wanted more. I informed them that some northern folks were selling snow to whoever wants it. They said, yes, send it on. They’re nuts I think.

Our boy, Butchie, is all healed up from his sore face from scratching incidence. He has his M back on his face (the Mark of Mary) and is back to his handsome if grumpy self. He did not enjoy the cold weather here lately (in the 20s) and he poked his head outdoors only to back off and come back into the warm house. He’ll be glad to sit in his porch chair in the sun soon.

Readership of the blog space is now up over 62,000 and Village Soup showed over 1,000 views for the last four stories posted. The most popular story of February was the Grange story. It was nice to hear from Aaron Englander of Erickson Fields, who I mentioned in the story. He is involved with Maine Coast Heritage Trust which focuses on saving small Maine farms.

Look for special St. Patrick’s Day recipes this month. Ted’s column relates the reconstruction of Memorial Pier down at the landing which resulted in its present look. Also mentioned is the “building” of Pen Bay Hospital and formation of the ambulance service in the area. I don’t have any ideas for special blogs at this point, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something. Of course, I always welcome suggestions from you, my reader. I would be very interested in sponsoring a guest blog having to do with nature, focusing on Maine. It would mean a monthly commitment. If you have ideas along this vein please email me at: southendstories@aol.com.

My personal news includes no bronchitis this winter. My sinus infection did not turn into that dreaded condition. I took it very carefully and stayed home until I was out of the woods. However, being idle like that has set my PT back a little. I will return to PT next week.

The good news is that Nanci and I will head to Savannah next month so she can try out for Jeopardy once again, we think this is the seventh or eighth time she’s done this song and dance. We went to Savannah together once before and I thoroughly enjoyed that old city. It will be a fun trip. Wish her luck. We sure could use a trip to California. If I can be on Wheel of Fortune at the same time she is on Jeopardy that would be a dream come true.

So here’s to Spring and the promise of good things to come it brings. See you next time. Head bumps from Butchie.

Recipes of the Month

If you are planning a St. Patrick’s Day bash this month, go to www.tablespoon.com for all your recipe needs. Here you will find Irish-based recipes for drinks; desserts like Lucky Charm Treats and Pretzel Shamrocks; as well as main dishes. Here are two recipes from that site.

 

Slow Cooker Irish Beef Stew

 

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

½ teaspoon dried thyme

4 carrots, peeled and sliced

3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed into bite-sized pieces

2 stalks celery, sliced

1 yellow onion, chopped

2 1/2 cups Progresso beef-flavored or chicken broth

1 ½ cups (12 ounces) dark beer (or substitute additional broth)

Directions

Heat half of the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium high. Place meat in a large bowl and sprinkle with the flour, salt and pepper. Toss to coat.

Place half of the meat in the skillet and brown, not disturbing the meat too often, turning and continuing to cook until most sides are brown. Set the first batch aside to a plate.

Heat the remaining olive oil in the skillet, brown the rest of the meat, then transfer both batches to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.

(As for me, I don’t see why you can’t brown all the meat at the same time in a very large skillet)

In a small bowl, stir together the Worcestershire, mustard, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Drizzle over the beef. Add the carrots, potatoes, celery, and onions to the slow cooker, then pour the broth and beer over the top. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours or high for 4-6 hours.

 

 

 

 

Corned Beef Muffins

 

Ingredients

4 cups Cascadian Farms shredded hash browns, thawed (probably you can use any frozen hash browns)

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

½ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

1 large leek (about ½ cup), chopped, washed and drained

½ cup yellow onion, chopped

2 tablespoons butter

6 ounces chopped canned corn beef (or thickly sliced deli corned beef)

Egg Mixture

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a regular-sized muffin tin.

Melt the butter over medium-high heat and cook the leeks and onions for 6-7 minutes until tender.

While the leeks are cooking, combine the hash browns, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Press about 2 heaping tablespoons of hash brown mixture into each muffin cup. Distribute any remaining hash browns. Bake on the middle rack for 30-40 minutes or until the hash browns are golden brown.

Make the egg mixture. Combine the beaten eggs salt, pepper and Irish mature cheddar cheese in a bowl.

Put a heaping tablespoon of chopped corn beef in each muffin cup followed by a heaping tablespoon of the leek mixture. Put 3 heaping tablespoons of the egg/cheddar mixture in each muffin cup. Distribute any leftover mixture.

Bake the muffins at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes until they’re golden brown. Let the muffins sit in the tin for 5 minutes before removing them.

Friendship Sloop Society comes to

Sail, Power, Steam Museum

 

From Penobscot Bay Pilot, Feb. 23, 2015

ROCKLAND — The Sail, Power and Steam Museum in Rockland is the new and permanent home of Maine's own Friendship Sloop Society.

The Friendship sloop is one of the maritime symbols of Maine having its origins as a style of fishing boat designed and built in Friendship. Now the Sail, Power and Steam Museum will be the home of the Society's archives, memorabilia, and models for all to see.

The Museum currently has three sloops undergoing restoration from the newly launched Persistence to the 100+ year old Blackjack; and more to come. The public will be invited to check out the projects during the summer season when the museum is open. Anyone looking for an advance visit can call ahead for availability.

In addition, the Sloop Society's annual gathering held in Rockland in late July will take place at the Museum. These events include races and opportunities for the public to visit the boats. Check the Museum's and Society's websites for more information.

Sharp's Point South and the Sail, Power and Steam Museum are at 75 Mechanic St. in Rockland.

For more information on the Sail, Power and Steam Museum and its programs, 207-701-7627 or 207-596-0200, email sailpowersteammuseum@gmail.com or visit the website at www.sharpspointsouth.com.

Event Location: 

Sharp's Point South and the Sail, Power and Steam Museum, 75 Mechanic St., Rockland

Event Website: 

http://www.sharpspointsouth.com

Contact Phone: 

(207) 701-7627

Contact Email: 

sailpowersteammuseum@gmail.com