Kimball Library News 3/16/15

NEW HAMPSHIRE’S GRANGE MOVEMENT: Its Rise, Triumphs and Decline:  Much of rural New Hampshire in the late 19th century was locked in a downward spiral of population decline, abandonment of farms, reversion of cleared land to forest and widespread feelings of melancholy and loss. The development of the Grange movement in the 1880s and 1890s was aided greatly by hunger for social interaction, entertainment and mutual support. As membership surged it became a major force in policymaking in Concord, and its agenda aligned closely with the progressive politics that swept the state in early 20th century. Many Grange initiatives became law, placing the state at the leading edge in several areas of reform. Steve Taylor analyzes the rapid social and economic changes that would eventually force the steep decline of the once-powerful movement.

Steve Taylor is an independent scholar, farmer, journalist and longtime public official.  With his sons, Taylor operates a dairy, maple syrup and cheese making enterprise in Meriden Village.  He has been a newspaper reporter and editor, and served for 25 years as NH’s commissioner of agriculture.  Taylor was the founding executive director of the NH Humanities Council and is a lifelong student of the state’s rural culture.

This free and informative program is sponsored by the Atkinson Historical Society and will be held on Thursday, April 9^th, from 6:30-8:00pm at the Kimball Library.  Refreshments will be served.

APRIL T/WEEN BOOK DISCUSSION: Register grades 6-8 for the April 1 discussion at 6:30pm of ‘Nest’ by Esther Ehrlich.  This is a heartfelt and unforgettable middle-grade novel about an irresistible girl and her family, tragic change, and the healing power of love and friendship. In 1972 home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein, her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes.

Chirp and Joey (the mysterious boy who lives across the street) will steal your heart, and our discussions will steal your child’s!  We’ll be enjoying candy and one another as we chat about this book.  Friends are welcome.  Books are available at the front desk.

BOOK DONATIONS: It’s that time of year!  As long as they are NOT VHS, moldy, text books, cassettes, encyclopedias, magazines, or in deplorable condition – we’ll take them off your hands!  Please bring them in ASAP.  If you have more than a bagful, please call ahead and we’ll meet you out back.

APRIL WIGGLE WORDS: April 2^nd at 1pm or April 16 at 10:30am are this month’s choices for ‘Wiggle Words’.  Join Michelle Collins–former teacher, curriculum designer, Zumba instructor, and homeschooling mom to combine letters and movement to jump start your children into literacy.
Your children will approach letters with their bodies, dance, move, sign the alphabet and more.  Please register for only one session per month on our website, in person, or over the telephone.

MORE INFO: Our calendar on the website has a plethora of information on these events and many others you may have missed reading about.  Go to www.kimballlibrary.com and not only read the posts on the page, but also click the calendar icon and see each event for the month and months to come.  Please also ‘like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.  You may call us Monday-Friday from 10-8 and on Saturday from 10-3 at 603.362.5234.