Writers' Night, Wednesday, March 15 at 7pm...

March Writer's Night features singer/storyteller Pat O'Brien and poet Tom Diegoli.

Pat O’Brien plays guitar, banjo, tin whistle, sings and tells stories. Pat’s father was a native of Leitrim, Ireland, and her mother was from Belfast in the North of Ireland. She grew up in Boston, exposed to Irish traditional tunes and songs from an early age. She plays with the Irish band Bradigan, and has previously played with Labrys, An Banna Ceoil, and Agus Mise Ann. She also maintains an active solo performance schedule. In addition to her musical performances, Pat is also a songwriter, her original works often appearing in Bradigan’s sets. She has released several CD’s on both sides of the pond, including her solo CD “Roots and Branches.” Recently she has written stories reflecting her childhood as the daughter of Irish immigrants.

Tom Diegoli is the son of a naval officer and high school teacher. Tom grew up spending his summers in a tent in Conway, NH, on the Saco River, where he learned a great love and respect for nature and the natural world. After college, he moved to the farm his family bought in Chatham, NH, where he raised vegetables and sheep for fifteen years. He moved back to the Mt. Washington Valley in 1990, and is raising three lovely daughters, all of whom like to write. He has worked as an electrician, machinist, chef, cabinetmaker, substitute teacher, art dealer, and picture framer. His current interests include teaching young children that they can enjoy writing poetry and volunteering as a NH Hunter Safety Instructor. He has published two chapbooks, One With The Land and Interface, and a DVD, The Skunkskin Session.

Come to listen, or bring a piece of your own writing or music to share. Writers’ Night, the third Thursday of the month, is for those who write – music, poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction - and for those who enjoy listening. Each month, featured writers and musicians will be followed by an open-mic opportunity for others to share a piece of original writing or acoustic music (up to 5 minutes). Enjoy light refreshments and conversation with other writers, musicians and artists. Writers’ Night is just one of many enriching community events taking place at the Effingham Public Library. For more information, contact: Katie McCarthy, 539-7694 katiemccarthy@roadrunner.com or call the Library 539-1537. The Library is located at 30 Town House Road, Effingham, and is handicapped-accessible. 

Please note that the Library is closed on Thursdays. Please use the ramp and door to the Children's Room, which is the second from the road.

Snow Day, Saturday, February 25

The Library will be closed today, Saturday, February 25 due to the weather. We will reopen at our usual time of 1pm on Tuesday, February 28. If you need to renew library materials, you may do so from our online Library Catalog,  http://effingham.booksys.net/opac/effingham/index.html#menuHome or call and leave a message at 539-1537.

Jackson Ski Touring Center Pass Available Now to 3/30/12

Just received, compliments of the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation for Effingham Public Library patrons: a Two-for-One pass valid for the remainder of the 2011/2012 season, which ends March 30. Borrow the pass from the Library with your library card, present it at the Jackson Ski Touring Center, and receive two day passes for the price of one!

Because this is good for such a limited time, patrons will only be allowed to borrow the pass for one day, and must return it to the library the following day. Call the Library at 539-1537, or come in to borrow the pass.

FEL Buy-the Bag Booksale

Punxsutawney Phil declared another six weeks of winter! So, Friends of the Effingham Library declared war on midwinter blues with a BUY THE BAG BOOKSALE ‘til those March winds blow. That’s right, folks, from RIGHT NOW through 7 PM February 29^th, every bag of books from the FEL Book Sale shelves is just $1.00!

This means you can haul away a stash to keep you going until the black flies arrive, add fresh material to bedtime story time, stock up those beach reads, even snag some coffee table books to impress summer visitors. The only exception is our Special Bookcase of book sets and more valuable books. But, really, with your savings from the regular bookshelves, you can add a volume or two from the sets and special editions section and still save money.

February Writers' Night Features Dick Pollock & Poet Kamal Nath

In the midst of February, Writers Night presenters will bring the beauty, inspiration and images of the White Mountains to appreciative listeners and fellow writers. At 7 pm on Thursday evening, February 16^th, Writers’ Night at the Effingham Public Library will feature photography by Dick Pollock and poetry by Kamal Nath.

Dick Pollock, creator of A Mount Washington Valley Photobook, finds his inspiration comes primarily from immersion in the outdoor world. Having climbed all of the 4,000 footers in New Hampshire, having summited Mt Washington over 700 times as a stage driver for the Auto Road, and being an active skier, cyclist, kayaker, he has developed a deep appreciation for things wild and scenic. It is his privilege to interpret this world through his photography. Through his photographic work, Dick’s goal is to capture images that need as little tweaking as possible. He doesn’t believe in spending hours Photoshopping his work, although he admires what can be produced by those who do. As he has gained experience as a photographer, he has become more aware of the importance of light in producing a powerful image. He tries to pay more attention to seeking out lighting conditions that will do that. If the early morning light is spectacular, he’s in the car and out chasing the view! Part of his motivation to do what he does relates to the impact of good scenic photography on individuals. Dick feels that, done right, photographs help to heighten people’s appreciation for the environment.

In addition to the 70-page full color photo book , A Mount Washington Valley Photobook that arrived in stores last summer, Dick has produced a retail calendar the last several years. For Dick, photography is an avocation that he has developed in retirement that has become a profession and a passion. Dick’s current endeavor is to develop a line of giclee prints – wildlife and scenic photos on canvas- and these are the subject of his current exhibit at the Handcrafters Barn. He has had exhibitions of his work at the Conway Library, the Madison Library and has participated in shows at MWVAA. Dick is currently the President of the North Country Camera Club and is a freelance photographer for The Mountain Ear newspaper. He is a juried member of the Mt. Washington Valley Arts Association. More information and photos at www.moatphoto.com

Poet Kamalendu Nath, born in British India, came to the University of Florida (Gainesville) in 1964. He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Indiana University (Bloomington). Although his career has revolved around fringe fields in biology, his interest from childhood has been to understand the mystery of existence. He has been aided by Richard Dawkin’s concept of The Selfish Gene and finds his views in line with secular humanism. Thus, in constructing his poems he seeks rhythm in Nature, including human nature, and combines his Indian, American and science backgrounds on topics related to existence. He is an emeritus professor in Biology (Long Island University) and enjoys the wilderness that surrounds his abode in our small town of Effingham (New Hampshire).

Kamal’s poetry has appeared in Twisted Tongue; Barfing Frog; The One Eight Three; Worlds Within Worlds Beyond; A Hudson View Poetry Digest International Collection; Vermont Literary Review; Thresholds Literary Journal; Palimpsest; and in two anthologies (The 2008 & 2010 Poets’ Guide to New Hampshire).

Come to listen, or bring a piece of your own writing or music to share. Writers’ Night, the third Thursday of the month, is for those who write – music, poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction - and for those who enjoy listening. Each month, featured writers and musicians will be followed by an open-mic opportunity for others to share a piece of original writing or acoustic music (up to 5 minutes). Enjoy light refreshments and conversation with other writers, musicians and artists. Writers’ Night is just one of many enriching community events taking place at the Effingham Public Library. For more information, contact: Katie McCarthy, 539-7694 katiemccarthy@roadrunner.com or call the Library 539-1537. The Library is located at 30 Town House Road, Effingham.

National Parks Series Starting February 3

The Effingham Public Library will present the six-part series The National Parks: America's Best Idea on six successive Friday afternoons at 12:30 pm beginning on February 3 and continuing until March 9.

This series is a 2009 documentary made for television by director/producer Ken Burns and producer/writer Dayton Duncan. The film tells the story of the United States National Park system by tracing its history. It won an Emmy Award for outstanding non-fiction series.

Peter Coyote narrates all episodes, with first-person voices supplied by Adam Arkin, Philip Bosco, Kevin Conway, Andy Garcia, Tom Hanks, John Lithgow, Josh Lucas, Carolyn McCormick, Campbell Scott, George Takei, Eli Wallach, and Sam Waterston.

Friday, February 3: "The Scripture of Nature" (1851–1890) shows the beauty of Yosemite Valley and the geyser wonderland of Yellowstone. Additionally, it offers a lengthy discussion of how Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks were created and shows how John Muir became their eloquent defender.

Friday, February 10 : "The Last Refuge" (1890–1915) Theodore Roosevelt uses the presidential powers of the Antiquities Act to add Nation Monument, including Devils Tower, Mesa Verde, Muir Woods, Crater Lake and the Grand Canyon. Hetch Hetchy Valley is lost through damming. Roosevelt's speech at the dedication of Yellowstone's Roosevelt Arch states the ultimate purpose of the National Parks: For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People.

Friday, February 17: "The Empire of Grandeur" (1915–1919) covers the creation of the National Park Service and the influence of its early leaders Stephen Mather and Horace M. Albright, and wealthy industrialists who Mather persuaded to help him champion the park system.

Friday, February 24: "Going Home" (1920–1933) focuses on the time when America embraced the automobile, setting off an explosion in the number of park visits. Also, the Rockefellers quietly buy up land in the Teton Mountain Range.

Friday, March 2 : "Great Nature" (1933–1945) emphasizes the societal impacts of the park concept, including new environmental and naturalistic perspectives, employment opportunities and application of the park idea to additional geographical locations.

Friday, March 9: "The Morning of Creation" (1946–1980) offers details about the ecological damage caused by 62 million visitors each year and the controversial decision to protect wolves in Alaska which had been hunted to extinction in all other parks.

Following the film series, the Library will host the program, America's National Parks on $50.00 a day on Friday, March 16 at 12:30pm. Dave and Gail Overberg will discuss and present a slide show on their extensive travels to our National Parks and how to see them on a budget. A question and answer period will follow the program. Dave and Gail will have their photo albums available for perusal.

The library is located at 30 Town House Road. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at 539-1537, or email marilyn @effingham.lib.nh.us

From a Hobby to a Business... Tuesday, January 24, 5:30pm