Thanks to the Aldrich Astronomical Society and Mr. John T. Jawor, the Plumb Library will be offering the Orion 4.5 inch Starblast telescope for circulation. Families will be able to check out the telescope, plus three books on finding stars, the instructions for use, a red LED headlamp, and a small red LED flashlight. All of this, contained in a tote, can be checked out for one week. The telescope works best on a sturdy table, such as a picnic table or steady card table. With this telescope, you should be able to see the rings of Saturn, the craters of the moon, and other celestial sights. The public is invited to an introductory presentation and “Star Party” on Monday, August 24 at 7:30 pm at the library. The program will start with a slide show on using the Orion telescope, presented by members of the Aldrich Astronomical Society. We will then go outside with telescopes to see what we can see, weather permitting. There will be refreshments and door prizes. To register for the Star Party, go to the Plumb Library’s event calendar (www.plumblibrary.com), or call us at 508-763-8600. To see the telescope, just ask!
For their August book, “Just the Facts” Nonfiction Book Discussion Group, will be reading The Boat Who Wouldn’t Float by Farley Mowat. The Happy Adventure was a schooner with one fatal flaw: it leaked like a sieve. So why would anyone repeatedly expose himself and his friends to the elements of the North Atlantic and the Newfoundland coast in a treacherous, stubborn, uncomfortable, unfloatable boat which, at last count, has sunk eight times? Farley Mowat, Canadian author of Never Cry Wolf and A Whale for the Killing, has the answer in his funniest story yet. We will discuss this book on Thursday, August 20 at 6:30 pm. Copies are available at the desk.
The Café Parlez’ selection for August is The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin. For much of her life, Anne Morrow has stood in the shadows of those around her, especially her millionaire father and vibrant older sister. Then she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his solo flight across the Atlantic. The two marry in a headline-making wedding and are then hounded by adoring crowds and an insatiable press. In the years that follow, Anne, despite her own accomplishments as an aviator and an author, is viewed merely as the aviator’s wife. We will discuss this novel about Anne Morrow Lindbergh on Thursday, August 27 at 6:30 pm. Books are available at the desk, or bring your own copy.
Join us on Wednesday, August 12 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm for our August Book Chat. Share what you’ve been reading, hear what others are recommending, and see what new books the staff recommends. Preregistration is requested. Go to the Events Calendar on the Plumb Library website to register. Refreshments will be provided.