Bremen Library Newsletter AUGUST 2025
Dear Bremen Library Patrons, August already! Where did July go?? While it is not my first summer in Maine, it is my first summer at the Bremen Library. I have been so pleased to meet some of our returning summer residents! They have made me feel as welcome as the folks I met when I first came on board. It has been my pleasure to be here as your librarian! Did you catch the great article about our deck in the July 24 edition of the Lincoln County News? There is still a little bit of work to be done before we can have a grand opening and share the space with the community. But I can envision some concerts by local musicians, an outdoor storytime, and just a great place to sit and enjoy a good book! Firefighter/EMT from the Bremen Fire Department have offered to run a first aid/ CPR certification class here at the library if there is enough interest. If you are interested, please send me a note at the email address below. Please include your name and contact information, as well as if you would be more inclined to participate in a weekday class (morning or evening), or a Saturday morning class. You can also call me here at the library with the same information! If there is enough response/interest, I will reach out to those of you that respond with class options. Stay safe and be well! Melissa Chase , Director (207) 529-5572 bremenlibrary.mchase@gmail.com
AUGUST ARTIST OF THE MONTH A RETROSPECTIVE OF BARBARA BEEBE We will be showcasing a retrospective of the work of artist Barbara Beebe throughout the month of August. There will be an art opening on Thursday, August 7 from 4:30-6:30. Her daughter, Susan, will be doing a reading of her mother’s children’s book Chickadee Afloat during that evening.
AMBER ROTH, PhD “CUBA IN PICTURES” THURSDAY, AUGUST 21 AT 5 PM Amber Roth is an Associate Professor of Forest Wildlife Management in the School of Forest Resources and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology at the University of Maine in Orono. She received her MS in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her PhD in Forest Science from Michigan Tech University. Her research is focused on declining forest wildlife species, particularly migratory bird species, with the goal of recovering populations and maintaining biodiversity across the Western Hemisphere. Based on this, it shouldn't come as a surprise that she enjoys international travel to learn about the ecology and culture of different places and, of course, photograph birds and other wildlife! She will share wildlife photographs and cultural insights from her recent trip to Cuba. Free and open to the public
SUMMER READING FINALE PARTY FOR SRP PARTICIPANTS! SATURDAY AUGUST 9 @ 10-11:30. MUSIC, BUBBLES, HULA HOOPS, AND MORE! THIS WILL BE OUTSIDE, WEATHER PERMITTING
Ongoing Programing All ongoing programming is free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted
Weekly Storytime Regular scheduled weekly storytime is going to take a break for the summer, but the summer reading program is available for all kids from June 25-Aug 9!
Monthly Book Club: Thursday August 7 @ 3 Discussing Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand. September’s book is The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. Copies will available to borrow at the desk for the Sept 4 discussion
Tech Help Saturdays from 10-12 : August 16 and Aug 30 : Tech helper Caleb Pusey will answer your tech questions at the library Knit & Stitch Group Thursdays 1-2:30 Bring your current fiber project and meet and support other like minded folks!
WHAT’S ON THE NEW SHELF THESE ARE SOME OF THE NEW TITLES WAITING TO BE READ!
SKIN AND BONES BY PAUL DOIRON RAGE BY LISA CASTILLO BEFORE DOROTHY BY HAZEL GAYNOR DON’T LET HIM IN BY LISA JEWELL 1861 BY JAY WINIK THE MIND ELECTRIC BY PRIA ANAND MARBLE HALL MURDERS BY ANTHONY HOROWITZ PARANOIA BY JAMES PATTERSON
October already! The leaves are changing; the air is crisp, and life seems to have slowed down just a little. Some of our summer friends have travelled home until next year. But the library is still here, and is always ready for visitors! There’s still some time to take advantage of our discount passes to area attractions before they close for the season.
I am offering a new storytime starting Friday Oct 3- “First Friday Fun.” This mixed-ages story and playtime will take place on the first Friday of each month. We will start at 10:30 with some stories and songs, and then kids and their caregivers are welcome to stay and play and socialize together in the Big Room until noon. Pre-registration isn’t required, but I’d appreciate a call if you think you’ll be coming!
Our annual wreath sale fundraiser is coming up soon! This is a big fundraiser for the library, and we could use your help. The wreath committee is looking for more decorators! Decorating dates will be from November 13 through Nov 29. Hours are flexible and can be based on your schedule of availability. If you are crafty and handy with a glue gun, we need you! If interested, call Linda Nevins at 207-529-5257.
Stay safe and be well!
Melissa Chase , Director (207) 529-5572 bremenlibrary.mchase@gmail.com
FREE LECTURE!!
Creating a Family Archives–Tuesday October 7th 5-6:30pm
This lecture, given by Rhonda Chadwick from LenaSalina Legacy Preservation, is designed to teach patrons how to create their own family archive for future generations. Attendees will learn the basics of archival principles, digital preservation, storytelling and how to create a legacy using pictures, documents, and artifacts. This program is free and open to the public!
OCTOBER ARTIST OF THE MONTH
MARC POIRIER
“THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE TREES”
Marc Poirier has been a professional artist since the mid 80's, working mostly in oils to capture Maine cities and landscapes. He worked as a marine engineer and sailed to all corners of the world before picking up a brush. He started studying art at University of Maine in Augusta and completed the foundation program at Portland School of Art. He developed his own impasto style while working plein air in Hallowell, Maine, where he raised his family and lived for 30 years. He was a member and served as president of the Kennebec Valley Art Association. His work has won many awards and has been displayed in many local businesses and galleries, including the Slates Restaurant, Athena Gallery, Harlow Gallery, as well as the Burd House Gallery in Nyack, NY. He was included in 'Portrait of Lewiston' at L/A College in 1995, and 20 Years/20 Artists at the Chocolate Church in Bath, Maine in 1997. He built his own timber frame home in Medomak in 2000, which is where he currently resides. His work is inspired by his love of wooden boats, historic homes, trees and the natural beauty that surrounds us here in Maine. Poirier's show, entitled These Are A Few Of My Favorite Trees, features paintings that have been inspired by some of his favorite spots along Maine's trails, roads and countryside. His work will be on display in the Meeting Room Gallery throughout the month of October, with an artist’s opening reception to be held on Thursday, October 9 from 4:30-6:30. The opening is free and open to the public.
Ongoing Programing
All ongoing programming is free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted
Monthly Book Club: Thursday October 2 @ 3 Discussing All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley. November’s book is Deep As The Sky, Red as The Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig. Copies will be available to borrow at the desk for the October 2 discussion (meeting time will be changing in November through the winter months to 2:30)
Tech Help Saturdays from 10-12 : Alternating Saturdays in October (call the library to check the schedule) Tech helper Caleb Pusey will answer your tech questions at the library
Knit & Stitch Group Thursdays 1-2:30 Bring your current fiber project and meet and support other like minded folks!
NEW STORYTIME OFFERING!! FIRST FRIDAY FUN!
starting Friday Oct 3 from 10:30-12
This mixed-ages storytime will take place on the first Friday of each month. We will start with some stories and songs, and then kids and their caregivers are welcome to stay and play and socialize together in the Big Room until noon