FallNewsletter2015_U.. - the Bennington Free Library

Enjoy a cornucopia of fall programs
September is Library Card Sign Up Month! Prepare for fall and winter by getting a library card and
you’ll have access to movies, ebooks and audiobooks, and more! Take a free online class, learn a language,
investigate a new career – your Bennington Free Library membership makes this and more possible.
On Saturday, October 17th at 2 p.m. local author Megan Mayhew
Bergman will host a short reading and workshop, “Writing Your
First Short Story,” including how to find inspiration and material,
write, and edit your first short story.
Bergman is the author of Almost Famous Women and Birds of a
Lesser Paradise, a Huffington Post Best Book of 2012 selection.
Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Best American
Short Stories, New Stories from the South, McSweeney’s, Tin
House, and Oxford American.
***
September 24 at 7 p.m. Andrea Chesman,
Vermont author of The Backyard Homestead
Book of Kitchen Know-How: Field to Table
Cooking Skills will present a talk and cooking demonstration, “Getting
Started with Vegetable Fermentation,” in which she will present making
sauerkraut and share samples of kraut and kimchi.
***
Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. Vermont author Archer Mayor will read from and discuss
The Company She Kept, the 26th book in the Joe Gunther detective series.
Mayor is a past winner of the
New England Independent
Booksellers Association Award
for Best Fiction—the first time
a writer of crime literature has
been so honored. In 2011,
Mayor’s 22nd Joe Gunther
novel, Tag Man, earned a
place on The New York Times
bestseller list for hardback
fiction.
(continued on page 8)
Page 2: Directors letter, In Memorium, Library
People
Page 3: Annual Fund donors
Page 4: Annual Fund donors
Page 5: Annual Fund donors, Library mural
Page 6: Library’s sesquicentennial
Page 7: Library Card Sign Up Month, Legacy
Bequest, Geek the Library
Page 8: Howard Frank Mosher program
Calendar insert and Summer Reading program
photo montage
Bennington Free Library
Page 2
Director’s Letter
.
As the end of a long and hot summer, Children’s Librarians Linda Donigan and Chris Poggi report that over 634
children participated in the summer reading program. This surpasses last year’s figure by more than 300 participants
and is a testament to their skill at developing relevant and interesting programs for our local youth.
Studies show that children can lose up to three months of reading progress over the summer, with a cumulative and
negative long term effect. For this community, the summer reading program is a winning combination of fun and reading
incentives designed to encourage a life-long love of reading and to develop skills which help children succeed
later in life. Congratulations to our staff for another successful summer of englightening and entertaining programs.
June 23rd marked the start of the library’s 150th year of operation and the unveiling of a mural in the library’s circulation area
created by local artist Helen Sharkey. The mural will be dedicated to raising funds for capital improvements to the library –
the most critical being a new roof − and we hope you will consider participating in this important fundraiser for the library.
The library’s 150th anniversary provided an incentive to change our graphic identity and submissions for a new library
logo were solicited in a competition announced this spring. Although we received many interesting entries, two in
particular stood out. The first will appear on the cover of this and subsequent editions of the newsletter and will soon
be found on the library’s updated website, stationery and outgoing communications. The second design is better suited for
use on the library’s limited edition mugs and a new library tote. We hope you will agree that both have a fresh and
contemporary feel, reflecting the library’s creative approach to serving the community.
Finally, I am happy to announce that the library has met its annual fund goal. In this issue we recognize all those who
gave generously to our FY’15 campaign. Many give year after year as well as volunteer their time and we are
very grateful for their support. Thank you again to all who gave to this year’s campaign.
Private support is essential to the ongoing operation of the library; 25% of our operating funds are raised through
donations to our Annual Fund and fundraising activities. If your name is not yet represented here, we would love
to add you to next year’s list. Join other community minded individuals and organizations in supporting
this important resource. All donations are tax deductible and have a significant impact on our
ability to offer educational and recreational materials as well as quality programming.
Lynne Fonteneau McCann, Director
In Memoriam
We note with sorrow, the loss of the following supporters and friends of the Library:
Ruth Boodakian
Donald Chaffin
John Lyons
Library People:
Dawn Bakker
Dawn moved to the area in 2004 to be closer to family.
She was a regular visitor to the library before she joined
our staff as bookkeeper/payroll specialist in April.
Dawn also teaches math in the Tutorial Center’s Bridge
to College Program, tutors math and teaches Brush Up Math
and Algebra at the Community College of Vermont.
She also offers private/individual tutoring in math.
Dawn’s interests include her grandchildren (3 girls and 1 boy),
reading, the Yankees and her two rescued
Malte-Poos: Felix and Oscar.
Bennington Free Library
Page 3
Thank you Annual Fund Donors
This past June, we completed our fiscal year 2015 Annual Fund Drive. Your generous
donations allowed the library to achieve its goal of $40,000! At a time when we are doing more with
less, your response was very gratifying. The Annual Fund helps pay for books and other
media, special programming, public access computers and general operation functions.
We are very appreciative of your support!
ANGELS
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ascher
Dr. and Mrs. Barth Vander Els
GUARANTORS
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Howe
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Kennedy
Mrs. Anne Knapp
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Marro
Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm Strohmaier
BENEFACTORS
The Bank of Bennington
TAM, Inc.
Ms. Nancy S. Andersen
Georgia Hume Evans Memorial
Dr. James Betts
Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Dermody
Mr. George S. Jones
Dr. and Mrs. Frederick Loy
Dr. and Mrs. Charles G. Salem
Mr. and Mrs. James Sharkey
BESTOWERS
Stewart’s Shops
The Pharmacy, Inc.
West Oil, Inc.
Anonymous
Ms. Lucy Baldwin
In honor of Jack Sweeney’s 60th Birthday
Mr. Brian Campion and
Mr. Eric Hatch
Mr. Philip Carvajal
Mr. Brian Cunningham
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Donavan
Mr. Francis S. Jones
Mr. and Mrs. David Knighton
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Legacy
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher McEvoy
McEvoy Charitable Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Moriarty
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Morrissey
Ms. Rita Pinsonneault
Ms. Patricia J. Venti
INVESTORS
Bennington County Kennel Club
Bennington House of Tile
Blue Benn Diner
Green Mountain Pediatrics
Hayden Plumbing & Heating
E.P. Mahar & Son, Inc.
Shea Funeral Homes, Inc.
Vermont Country Store
Vermont Roofing, Inc.
Wills Insurance Agency
Winburn Law Offices
The Yoga Place
Ms. Theresa Armata
Dr. Wesley Baker
Mrs. Jo A. Berry
Mr. .and Mrs. Paul Brundage
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bullington
Ms. Jane Burkhardt
Mr. and Mrs. Duncan A Campbell
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Canning
Mrs. Roberta Lynch Carroll
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan M. Cohen
Mr. Robert L. Costantino
Mrs. James F. Davis
Ms. Mildred Davis
Mr. and Mrs. David S. Dayton
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Reed Donavan
Ms. Kathleen Downey
Dr. and Mrs. Stuart DuBoff
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Dundas
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Edson
Mr. Henry J. Edwards, III
Ms. Joanne Erenhouse
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Fabricius
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fitzgerald
Mr. Timothy Foley and
Ms. Nora Parsons
Ms. Anita Gauthier
Mr. Kenneth Gile
In Memory of Patricia Gile
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Goertz
Mrs. Carol Griffin
Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Haight
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hall
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hine
Mr. and Mrs. David Howard
Mrs. John G. Irons
Ms. Susan Katz
Dr. and Mrs. James Keenan
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Keneally
Dr. and Mrs. John LaPenta
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Lauzon
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Lyons
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Maroney
Ms. Marilyn A. Marrion
Mr. James Marsden
Mr. and Mrs. Michael McCann
Mr. David McCutcheon
Mr. and Mrs. Terence McGean
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. McLeod
Mr. and Mrs. John McShane
Ms. Linda Morris and Mr. Alan Baker
Mr. Christopher Murphy
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin P. Murphy
Mrs. Lea Newman
Dr. Matthew Nofziger and
Ms. Kim Krall
Ms. Emmely Parks
Dr. Robert Pezzulich
Ms. Jane Pinsonneault
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Putney
Mrs. Jane Griswold Radocchia
Mr. Peter Radocchia
Mr. Arnold Ricks and
Ms. Pat Adams
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth C. Roberts, Jr.
Mr. Jeremy M. Roy
Mr. and Mrs. Dana Rozycki
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Simpson
Mrs. Florence Smith
Mr. and Mrs. John Stratton
Dr. Robin Tarnas and
Dr. Barbara Raskin
Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Thomas, Jr.
Ms. Virginia L. Turner
John and Deborah Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Zens
Bennington Free Library
Page 4
Annual Fund Continued….
CONTRIBUTOR
B.P.O.E. #567
Bennington Garden Club
In honor of Mary Mollica
Moulton’s Spectacle Shop
Wassick Tire, Inc.
Williams Financial Management, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Amadon
Ms. Darcy Anderson
Dr. and Mrs. Bernard M. Bandman
Mr. Charles Bargamian and
Ms. Kathleen Farnham
Mr. and Mrs. John Bose
Dr. and Mrs. Michael .Brady
Ms. Margaret Briggs
Ms. Anne G. Bugbee
Helena & Samuel Carrara
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Cohen
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Cohen
Mr. and Mrs. James Colvin
Mr. Mauro Constrastano
Mr. Charles E. Dewey, III
Ms. Deborah Dorfman
Mr. and Mrs. David A. Durfee
Mrs. Betty Gershanek
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gingo
Mrs. James R. Goldstone
Ms. Helen Greaney
Ms. Elizabeth A. Green
Ms. Diana M. Griffiths
Mr. Meredith Handspicker and
Ms. Deborah Perkins
Mr. and Mrs. James V. Horrigan
Mr. and Mrs. James R. Horst
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Jacobs
Mrs. Debbie Jennings
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Lee Jennings
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Jepson
Mrs. Mary Johnson
Mr. William A. Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Kahn
Ms. Lillian L. Kennedy
Mr. James P. Lane
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Leake
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Liehr
Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Loiterstein
Mrs. Claire Lyons
The John Lyons Family
Dr. and Mrs. Charles Maggio
Mrs. Dorothy Mallory
Mr. Timothy Marr and
Ms. Julie Haupt
Mr. and Mrs. William Martin
Mr. Kirke McVay and
Dr. Therese Dranginis
Mr. Donald Miller
Mary A. Morrissey
Timothy and Rachel Payne
The Payne Family
Mr. William Pennebaker
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Perkins
Mr. and Mrs. David Pilachowski
Mr. David Powers and
Ms. Enid Franz
Mrs. Ethel Pratt
Ms. Constance Radziejewski
Mr. Robert A. Rahe
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ray
Dr. and Mrs. Solon Rhode
Ms. Mildred Rose
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence J. Ross
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Ruege
Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Russell
Mr. and Mrs. George Schmidt
Ms. Caroline Sousis
Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Steffen
Mrs. Sharon Stepp
Ms. Audrey Upton
Mrs. Margaret Van Geons
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vargo
Ms. Mildred Lindeberg Warren
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wassick
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Woolmington
Mrs. Patricia Zemianek
DONORS
Katie Cleaver, Metalsmith
Monument Electric Co.
VFW Post #1332
C.L. White, Inc.
Anonymous
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Alderman
Ms. Mary J. Amos
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy M. Andrews
Mr. Leonard Anzivino
Mrs. Elizabeth Benedict
Ms. Ellen Perry Berkeley
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin R. Bisaccio
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Bolton
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. Bourget
Ms. Ashley Brennon
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Brower
Dr. David Brown and
Ms. Jan Bassmann
Mrs. Barbara M. Champney
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Cichanowski
Dr. and Mrs. Terrell L. Coffield
Mr. Robert Cole
Mr. Charles Copp and
Ms. Jennifer Kern
Ms. Edna Curran
Ms. Marianne DeKoven
Ms. Doris Dexter
Ms. Ada S. Diamond
Mrs. Nancy Duffield
Mrs. Olga Dunn
Ms. Isabelle Esposito
Mr. and Mrs. Donald A. Facto
Ms. Mary Feidner
Mr. and Mrs. Donald G. Foster
Mr. Jerry Fressola
Ms. Marjorie Galvin
Mrs. Norina Gilarde
Mr. Ted Gilley & Ms. Ivy Long
Mr. Tom Gorman
Ms. Dorothy Halvorsen
Mr. and Mrs. Dean Hanson
Mrs. Marietta Hibbard
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hogel
Ms. Christine Holdun
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hoyt
Dr. Jacqueline Kelly
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kobik
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Krause
Mr. and Mrs. David Krawczyk
Ms. Ann Kremers
Mrs. Sara LaBombard
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Larocco
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lawrence
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Leonard
Ms. Sandra Mangsen
Mr. Leo Marrs
Ms. Margaret Meller
Ms. Alice Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Mitchell
Ms. Laura Moore
Ms. Judy Murphy
Mrs. Gladys Nielson
Mr. and Mrs. John Oller
Mrs. Donna Oyama
Mr. and Mrs. David W. Peacock
Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Peterson
Ms. Jeannette Pierce
Mrs. Dorothy Polatsek
Mr. and Mrs. John Tyler Resch
Mr. Leonard G. Robinson
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Rogers
Ms. Mildred Rose
Mr. Stanley Rosen and
Ms. Jane Sobel
Bennington Free Library
Annual Fund Continued….
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Sandy
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Schmitt
Mr. and Mrs. Russell Sleigh
Mrs. Ann J. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Spier
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Spivak
Mrs. Sharon Stewart
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sugarman
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Suss
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Taff
Mrs. Josephine Taylor
Mr. Christoph A. Teder
Mr. David L. Thomas
Ms. Claire Thompson
Ms. Magdalena Usategui
Mr. and Mrs. Phillip R. Viereck
Mr. and Mrs. Birger Vigsnes
Mrs. Barbara Watson
Mr. and Mrs. James Whitman
B.J. and Marilyn Woodard
Page 5
GIFTS
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Barriere
Ms. Barbara Bermudez
Mr. Ron Brunk and
Mr. Ron Palmieri
Mr. William Castle Jr.
Mrs. Patricia Corbett
Mr. Vincent Corcoran
Mr. and Mrs. David Fredrickson
Ms. Cathy Giorgi
Mr. Ronald Hakkinen
Ms. Kimberly Hathaway
Mr. and Mrs. William T. Holmes III
Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Hoth
Ms. Dawn Kemmer
Ms. Paula Pappas
Mr. and Mrs. William C. Parks
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Prandini
Mr. John Quinn
Mrs. Lida Rand
Mrs. Sheila J. Richmond
Mr. and Mrs. Darrin E. Smith
To Honor Farmhouse Nursery School
Ms. Leslie Anne Stehle
Donation Levels:
Angel $5000 or more
Guarantor $1000-$4,999
Benefactor $500-$999
Bestower $250-$499
Investor $100-$249
Contributor $50-$99
Donor $25-$49
Gift $24 and under
A library themed mural designed and executed by local artist Helen Sharkey now graces our entrance.
Dedicated to our capital improvement effort, donors may choose and dedicate one “book” for every
donation of five hundred dollars to the capital improvement campaign. It’s a unique and lasting way to honor a
loved one. For information regarding how to participate, please call or contact Dianna c/o: [email protected]
Bennington Free Library
.
Page 6
Happy 150th Birthday to the Library
On June 23rd the library celebrated its 150th anniversary with an open house featuring a book themed
birthday cake and a card which patrons signed conveying their good wishes. Governor Shumlin sent a
proclamation establishing June 23, 2015 as “Bennington Free Library Day” recognizing the “value our
community places on the history and traditions which make Vermont such a great state.”
The Library also hosted the June Chamber of Commerce mixer featuring a scavenger hunt
and demonstrations of new library resources.
Senator Brian Campion and Representative Mary
Morrissey “crossed the aisle” to collaborate on reading
the proclamation to those assembled. We were
honored that both made time in their busy schedules
to join us. The proclamation will remain on display
through our anniversary year.
This important milestone will be recognized
throughout the year, including a float in the
Bennington Battle Day parade. Our Annual Open
House in September will continue the fun and future
events will be included in the library’s online
calendar, Facebook page and newsletters.
Bakkerij Krijnen donated two delicious cakes for
the Chamber Mixer in recognition of the library’s
anniversary. Thank you Hans and Jennifer for
your generous support!
(Above) Town of Bennington Select Board member
Donald Campbell learns how to remotely access the library’s
electronic resources from Reference Librarian Karson Kiesinger.
Among the many free resources the library offers are
downloadable audio and e-books, as well as online courses
on thousands of subjects.
(Left) State Senator Brian Campion speaks with
Suzy Yucht of Hoisington Realty.
Bennington Free Library
.
Page 7
Library Card Sign Up Month
and Annual Open House
Do you know someone whose library card is gathering dust or does not own a library card?
September is Library Card Sign Up Month and a good time to register and start taking
advantage of *all* the free resources our library has to offer.
As an added bonus: using your library card is one way to support a greener lifestyle.
Borrowing books and magazines or downloading free audio or e-books reduces the impact
on our environment and spares your pocketbook. Can’t find what you want: speak to a
staff member about our free interlibrary loan service.
On Monday September 14th the library will hold its annual open house. This year is particularly
significant as the library turned 150 on June 23rd. Patrons returning or checking out books that
day may register to participate in a prize drawing and light refreshments will be served all afternoon.
Check it out @ your library!
Our Library has been serving the Bennington community since 1865.
Please consider making a legacy bequest to the Library.
Your gift will benefit our community for generations to come.
GEEK THE LIBRARY REDUX…
In this instance “Geek” is used as a verb to convey
that the individual feels passionate about….
The library participated in the national Geek campaign
and is now featuring local personalities in “Geek”
posters throughout the library.
What do *you* Geek?
Please let us know.
Be a part of the Library’s “ Green Campaign”
Receive your newsletter via email in color!
Sign up at [email protected].
If you change your email address - please let us know.
Bennington Free Library
Bennington Free Library
101 Silver Street
Bennington, VT 05201
1-802-442-9051
http://benningtonfreelibrary.org
Page 8
Non-Profit
Postage Paid
Permit # 10
Bennington VT
(continued from cover)
On November 2 at 7 p.m. Vermont author
Howard Frank Mosher will read an excerpt from
God’s Kingdom, his 11th novel, which continues the story
of the Kinneson family from his bestseller, A Stranger in
the Kingdom (1989). He will also speak briefly about
"Where Fiction Comes From" (with references to the story).
Mosher has won many awards for his fiction,
including Guggenheim and National Endowment
for the Arts fellowships. Most recently he was
awarded the 2011 New England Independent
Booksellers Association’s President’s Award for
Lifetime Achievement in the Arts. Four of his
novels have been made into acclaimed feature movies
by the Vermont independent filmmaker Jay Craven.
Author programs are co-sponsored by
The Bennington Bookshop and are free
and open to the public. Please join us!
What do *you* geek?
Fall 2015 Library Calendar
September
17: Museum ABC’s –Kids Collect: A gallery experience at the Bennington Museum for preschoolers and
their parents or caregivers. Includes stories and hands-on art explorations. 1:30-2:30.
24: at 7 p.m. Andrea Chesman, author of The Backyard Homestead Book of Kitchen Know-How: Field to Table
Cooking Skills will present a talk and cooking demonstration, “Getting Started with Vegetable
Fermentation.” Co-sponsored by The Bennington Bookshop.
October
6, 13, 20, 27: Story Rhythms For Babies & Toddlers: Tuesdays at 10:30-11:00. Rotary Meeting Room. A
special time filled with stories, songs and movement for children 4 - 36 months. Come Early & Play!
7, 14, 21, 28: Pre-School Story H our: Wednesdays at 10:30-11:30. Rotary Meeting Room. Children, 3-5
years-old, will explore art, movement, math and science through stories and activities.
8: Archer Mayor, reading and discussion of The Company She Kept. Co-sponsored by The Bennington
Bookshop 7:00 p.m.
15: Museum ABC’s –Memories to Keep : A gallery experience at the Bennington Museum for preschoolers
and their parents or caregivers. Includes stories and hands-on art explorations. 1:30-2:30.
17: Megan Mayhew Bergman – Short reading and workshop, “Writing Your First Short Story.”
Co-sponsored by The Bennington Bookshop. 2:00 p.m.
26: Not So Scary H alloween Stories : Fun for the Whole Family. Bring a flashlight. Costumes optional.
Children’s Room , 6:30-7:15 p.m..
30: Friday Night at the Movies 6:30 p.m. Movie TBA. Free snacks!
November
2: Howard Frank Mosher, reading and discussion of God’s Kingdom. 7 p.m.
Co-sponsored by The Bennington Bookshop.
3, 10, 17: Story Rhythms For Babies & Toddlers: Tuesdays at 10:30-11:00. Rotary Meeting Room.
4, 18: Pre-School Story Hour: Wednesdays at 10:30-11:30. Rotary Meeting Room.
19: Museum ABC’s –Clay Play : A gallery experience at the Bennington Museum for preschoolers
and their parents or caregivers. Includes stories and hands-on art explorations. 1:30-2:30.
December
17: Museum ABC’s –Where are the Animals? : A gallery experience at the Bennington Museum for
preschoolers and their parents or caregivers. Stories and hands-on art explorations. 1:30-2:30.
24-25: Library closed for the holiday