Merriam-Gilbert Public Library

Year Round

Monthly Book Discussion Group
July 2011 - June 2012

The Group meets on the last Thursday of each month from 4:00 - 5:00 pm.
Call or visit the Library for more information.
New members are always welcome!

July 28, 2011 - "I'm Not Stiller" - Max Frisch

Aug. 29 – “Bel Canto” – Ann Patchett

Sept. 29 – “The Poisonwood Bible” – Barbara Kingsolver

Oct. 27 – “The Assault” – Harry Mulisch

Nov. 17 – “Corelli’s Mandolin” – Louis de Bernieres

Dec. 29 – “Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight” – Alexander Fuller

Jan. 26 – “The Sun Also Rises” – Ernest Hemingway

Feb. 23 – “One Hundred Years of Solitude” – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

March 29 – “Five Quarters of the Orange” – Joanne Harris

April 26 – “This Side of Brightness” – Colum McCann

May 31 – “In the Garden of Beasts” – Erik Larson

June 28 – “A Dog’s Purpose” – Bruce Cameron

Thurs., Oct. 27, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Ghost Stories From My Aunts

In commemoration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, storyteller, Katie Green, shares “true” stories from the Civil War that she first heard as a child in Virginia. As an adult, she heard them again – from a man who claimed to have met the same ghosts……
Co-sponsored by the West Brookfield Historical Commission.

Thurs., Nov. 10, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

It’s Not About the Hike

It’s about “climbing our own mountains.” Meet Nancy & Pat, two 50-plus-year-old non-hikers who climbed the 67 highest mountains in New England. What began as a hike for two ordinary women became the extraordinary journey of a lifetime. This program is for everyone – it’s about pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones, overcoming our fears & living our lives to the fullest.

Tues., Nov. 15, 2011, 6:30 p.m.

Civil War Drums

Elizabeth Smith, from the Noble & Cooley Center for Historic Preservation Museum in Granville, MA, provides a historical presentation about the drums manufactured by NCCHP, one of which was picked up on the battlefield of Gettysburg. Six generations later, the decision was made that the Noble & Cooley Drum Company would again make a contract Civil War drum to commemorate the 2011 Sesquicentennial.
Sponsored by the West BRookfield Historical Commission.

Thurs., Dec. 1, 2011, 5:00 p.m.

Holiday Centerpieces

Tina Bemis of Bemis Farms Nursery returns with another creative workshop for the holiday season - create a long-lasting holiday centerpiece with fragrant greens, colorful berries, twigs, pods, cones & a decorative candle.

Thurs., Jan. 12, 2012, 6:30 p.m.

Taiji Ruler (Chinese Yoga)

Local resident, Gisela Kaupp, demonstrates & explains Tai Ji which means “yin & yang in harmony & balance.” During the basic standing exercise, a one-foot-long wooden object (the ruler), is held in the palms of the hands. In time, the legs & back become strong. The initial practice takes 10 minutes; add another 10 minutes for the hand & wrist movements & you have a powerful workout.

Thurs., March 8, 2012, 6:30 p.m.

An Evening in Ireland

After many years of individually exploring different musical genres, these three friends teamed up to share a common love - Celtic-based music. With young Hunter Foote on fiddle, John Ebersold on guitar & vocals, & Tim Loftus on flute, whistle & bodhran, they deliver top-shelf entertainment from high-energy, toe-tapping jigs & reels to heartfelt ballads.

Thurs., April 5, 2012, 6:00 p.m.

Que Sera, Seurat! How to Pastel Paint Optically With Color

Award-winning pastel painter, Gregory Maichack, presents an all-new workshop for teens, adults & seniors that offers instruction, demo & hands-on work. Participants pastel paint a shimmering Venetian landscape - a gondola-crowded Grand Canal in wavering mosaics of color, while learning to apply the technique of Pointillism, as practiced by Seurat & Signac.