Ventress Voice - March 2012

VENTRESS VOICE

Newsletter of the Ventress Memorial Library

Marshfield, Massachusetts

MARCH 2012         Volume 19, No. 2

IT’S A BLESSING TO BE IRISH IN MARSHFIELD!

We write this from our outpost on the “Irish Riviera,” otherwise known as the coast of Boston’s South Shore! It is truly a blessing to be Irish in these parts, and in fact the town of Scituate has the largest population of citizens with Irish descent in the nation. Marshfield most likely runs a close second. Those with Irish blood and/or Irish spirit find a real solidarity in living here. We don’t want to disappoint anyone with our programming this month, so we scheduled three Irish-related events at the Ventress Library.

The first is a lecture on the Irish potato famine, given by Dick Sullivan, a local history teacher, coach and genealogist. You may remember Dick’s talk last October on the Salem witch trials. He brings the same depth and breadth of subject matter presentation to his talk on Irish history. His dramatic delivery will bring the pathos of the Irish troubles to life. Don’t miss a chance to hear Dick speak on Tuesday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. Dick plans to return next year for Part II of his presentation: “Irish Immigration to America.”

Our second lecture is really part workshop. It is entitled “Irish-American Catholic Genealogy,” and will take place on Tuesday, March 13 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library Program Room. Presenter Michael Brophy is a genealogist, columnist and lecturer. He also is a director of the Massachusetts Genealogical Council. Come join him and listen to how you can find the right sources to research your family’s history. Bring family documents or research already completed to share with the group. The lecture is free and open to the public; no tickets needed. See www.brophygen.com for information.

To wrap up the month, we have a very special Irish musical celebration. You remember Eamonn and Steve, the native Irish musicians who have performed at the library for ten straight years? Well, this year Eamonn returns and brings with him a pal of some stature in the Irish music world, namely, Patsy Whelan! The concert takes place at the library on Saturday, March 24, from 2:00 to 3:00 and is free and open to the public. No tickets are required; doors open at 1:45. Join these spirited Irish musicians as they play guitar, fiddle and mandolin to accompany their vocals. Songs include authentic Irish tunes and Irish-American songs for you to sing along with. Audience participation is encouraged. Don’t miss this Marshfield tradition: Irish music at the library!! For more information on entertainer Patsy Whelan, please visit his website: www.patsywhelan.com. Erin go Bragh!

By Chris Woods, Head of Reference Services/Adult Program Planner

2.

CIRCULATION STATS AND CHAT

Pastel Painting Workshop rescheduled for March!

Our favorite artist Gregory Maichack is coming back to the Ventress Library for a new pastel painting workshop. This year he will be presenting “Que Sera, Seurat! How to Pastel Paint Optically.” The workshop has been rescheduled from January’s date to Thursday March 29, 2012 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. All participants who had signed up for January’s class have been moved to fill the new class. Please contact Amy Boivin for further information. 

Teen Board Game Night in the works!

We need your board games! Got any fun board games with all the pieces for teens? Want to donate them to the library? Contact Amy Boivin at 781-834-5535. To celebrate upcoming National Library Week in April, a teen board game night is being put together. Check back for more information in the upcoming weeks.

Tech Updates

Looking for a good book? The library’s weekly blog is updated every Tuesday and Friday. Find the blog on the library’s homepage www.ventresslibrary.org under What Do I Read Next? Suggestions are also always welcome and highly appreciated. Also on Fridays: Facebook Reader’s Advisory! Log on to the library’s Facebook page and post the last 3 books you have enjoyed. Librarian Amy Boivin will find you your next read.

Circ Stats: The library circulated 16,795 items in January and 17,555 items in February!

By Amy Boivin, Head of Circulation Services/Young Adult Program Planner

 Mark Your Calendar for these FREE Events at the Library!

Ø      Tues., March 6, 6:30 p.m., Irish Potato Famine lecture, Dick Sullivan

Ø      Fri., March 9, 10:00 a.m., “Dance to the Sun,” toddler yoga and stories

Ø      Tues., March 13, 6-7:30 p.m., “Irish-American Catholic Genealogy”

Ø      Sat., March 17, 10:30 a.m., Singer Mama Steph for preschoolers/parents, drop-in

Ø      Tues., March 20, 4:30-6, VML Classic Book Club, “Ethan Frome”

Ø      Sat., March 24, 2:00 p.m., Native Irish Music concert, Eamonn S. & Patsy W.

Ø      Thurs., March 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Rescheduled Pastel Painting Workshop

Ø      Sat., April 7, 10-3 p.m., “Books in Bloom,” a literary flower show, book signing by Juliette Fay at 1, registration for “Opportunities” lifelong learning classes is 10-2.

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK IS APRIL 8 – 14. CELEBRATE WITH YOUR LIBRARY!!

Ventress Memorial Library, 15 Library Plaza, Marshfield, MA 02050 

781-834-5535     www.ventresslibrary.org

Hours   Mon. –Thurs.   10 – 8, Fri. and Sat.  10 – 4,  Closed Sunday

Newsletter staff:   Chris Woods, Editor; Jacklyn Robinson, Artist