The Library will be CLOSED on
Monday, May 28 for Memorial Day.
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Library Director's Message
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May at the MNL means the Friends Fair is not far off – be sure to stop in this month to bid on the wonderful selection of Silent Auction items on display!
I am also happy to announce that
Online Honor Books
is now available year-round. Purchase a title from our Adult and Children’s selection lists
here
in honor or memory of a loved one. Bank Square Books will deliver your purchases directly to the library. Use the coupon code
MNLHONOR2018
to save 15% on your order!
As you may have seen, we, unfortunately, had to cancel
An Evening with the Gillettes
program on April 25. Harold Niver, who portrays Sherlock Holmes, suffered a heart attack on that afternoon. Happily, he is recovering and he, and his wife, Theodora Niver, hope to reschedule the program sometime later this year.
Thank you to everyone who answered the art history program survey last month, if you have not yet responded, the survey is still available
here
.
If you have a suggestion, compliment, or question, please feel free to stop by the library or
email me
anytime.
--
Chris Johnson
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3rd Annual Roode Memorial Concert Series
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Long-time Mystic resident Agnes Roode passed away in December 2014. In her memory, family and friends requested donations in her honor be made to initiate a Music Concert Series at the Mystic & Noank Library.
We are delighted to present the
3rd Annual Roode Memorial Concert Series
to celebrate Agnes and her love of music. The concerts are free and open to all.
Thursday, May 17 at 6:00 p.m
.:
Tracy Norkun Trio
, featuring flute, oboe and cello.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and concert will be held in the 2nd Floor Spicer Reading Room of the Library
Thursday, June 21 at
7:00 p.m
.:
SOOP (Seat of Our Pants)
This concert will be held at the
Union Baptist Church in Mystic
(119 High Street)
.
The band features Mark Hall on lead vocals and cajon, Michael Frantzen on fiddle, Jeff Gorman on bass, and Carolyn Brodginski on lead vocals and whichever stringed instrument she decides to bring along for the night. To learn more, please visit
their website here.
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Friends of MNL Silent Auction Opens TODAY!
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The Friends of the Mystic & Noank Library will hold their annual Silent Auction
during the month of May, culminating at the Library Fair (bidding closes on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.).
There are many wonderful items to bid on: restaurant and activity gift certificates, treasures from local stores, jewelry and much more! Thanks to our many generous local merchants whose donations and support are so important to our Library!
Please support our Friends and your Library by bidding high and often!
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Unlaunch'd Voices: An Evening With Walt Whitman
Actor and Lecturer Stephen Collins Gives a One-Man Performance about the Life of Walt Whitman!
Wednesday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m.
in the Upper Level Spicer Reading Room
Unlaunch’d Voices
:
an Evening With Walt Whitman
opens with the elderly Whitman, played by Stephen Collins, on the evening of his seventieth birthday. The audience is a visitor in his room as he prepares for his birthday celebration. Whitman begins to reminisce and to question his success as a man and a poet. He then remembers a mystical experience he had in his thirty-seventh year that inspired him to write poetry...
Since the late 1990's, Mr. Collins’ performances have captured the attention of the press. It is not just the resemblance to Walt Whitman himself, but the portrayal of the character and the essence that he brings within arm's reach to the audience that makes the poet come to life.
This program is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Mystic & Noank Library.
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Navigating the Energy Maze
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Tuesday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Roger Kuhns
will give a talk about his new book on sustainable futures,
Navigating the Energy Maze
. His work presents essential ideas about the development of a comprehensive sustainable energy policy. He examines the diverse types of energy, their resource abundance and the material needs to develop and use them, and how communities and cities can better control their own destinies by locally managing energy use and generation.
Dr. Roger James Kuhns is a geologist with over 35 years in mineral exploration and natural resources, water and energy resources, environmental remediation, renewable energy systems, and sustainability. He is the CT State Coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
This program is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
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1st Annual Stonington Community Spring Fest
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Saturday, May 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Outdoors at Stonington Human Services (166 South Broad Street, Pawcatuck)
FUN, FREE, ALL AGES FESTIVAL!
We hope you’ll participate in this wonderful collaborative, community event! Featuring booths and activities (games, educational materials and demonstrations) sponsored by our local non-profits and first responders.
The Library will have a booth onsite featuring FREE children's crafts.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Local artisans/vendors welcome - call (860) 535-5015 for more information.
Sponsored in conjunction with the
Stonington Non-Profit Roundtable.
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Something to Sing About
Had I Known (about CMV): Song & Book Launch About the #1 Birth Defects Virus
Wednesday, May 9 at 3:30 p.m.
Debra Lynn Alt
is a singer/songwriter who contributes songs and stories to help and inspire others, and she reminds us that no matter what, there’s always something to sing about. In addition to her fun song about moving to Connecticut from the perspective of a New Yorker, she has written songs for autism, M.A.D.D., Habitat for Humanity, adoption, child abuse, post-9/11 and cancer survivors.
Debra’s newest song will be performed and discussed with author
Lisa Saunders
who will talk about her new book,
Help Childcare Providers Fight CMV
, and how the song conveys her feelings when she learned her daughter’s disabilities might have been prevented had she known about CMV (cytomegalovirus). Congenital CMV is the leading viral cause of birth defects, more prevalent than Zika and fetal alcohol syndrome, and those who care for toddlers are at increased risk.
Refreshments will be served. This program is free and open to the public, and id ideal for parents of young children and daycare providers. No registration is required.
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All About Service Dogs Presentation
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Saturday, May 12 at 2:00 p.m.
In this program designed for the interest of the general public,
Mikaila Zanetti
, an experienced dog trainer, will talk about the many kinds of service dogs, including the differences between service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs. She will also demonstrate the proper etiquette to use around a service animal and show photos and videos of service dogs in her presentation.
Ms. Zanetti has studied animal behavior & psychology and gained hands-on experience training alongside her grandfather until he retired. She is passionate about service-dog awareness and enjoys doing presentations and demonstrations about this topic.
This program is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
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Groton Alliance Substance Abuse Prevention (GASP)
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Monday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Unconventional Recovery: My Personal Journey Through the Mental Health System
Dr. Lawrence J. Peacock
shares his story that led him to live a healthy, happy life.
The Groton Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (GASP) presents this program on overcoming drug dependence and mental illness. Dr. Peacock, the subject of
Unconventional Recovery
, uses his story to communicate the power of building a life that one is called to live. He went from growing up with a life of poverty and violence where he had no chance of success, to graduating from Rutgers with highest honors. He completed his Adult Psychiatric Residency at Duke University where he served as the Chief Resident of The Durham VA Medical Center.
Dr. Peacock is an expert at seeing the underlying motivations and drives of human interaction. He uses humor and his background in stand-up comedy to challenge the illusions that hold one back from experiencing joy and fulfillment in life. He has a unique approach to psychiatry that has been described as transformational.
His talk will focus on changing one’s relationship to suffering. Dr. Peacock challenges conventional mental health interventions that promise to relieve suffering. He offers and integrated approach in which one can learn to transform their suffering in to meaning.
This program is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged; please
click HERE
to sign up.
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Monday, May 14: Libby and Overdrive
There's a new app out: meet Libby! Libby is a free mobile device application that allows you to access the library’s digital collection on Overdrive, also available as an app, and download awesome e-books. Perfect for avid readers! Come and learn all about it.
Register for 10:15 a.m. session
HERE.
Register for 5:30 p.m. session
HERE.
Monday, May 21: Learning a Language Online
Eager to learn a foreign language but not sure where to begin? Take this class to learn about the excellent FREE websites and language apps such as Duolingo, Mango, Busuu, and more! Your language lessons will all be self-paced and fun.
Register for 10:15 a.m. session
HERE.
Register for 5:30 p.m. session
HERE.
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Students should provide their own devices. Registration is free, but required via the library website (or links above), or call for assistance.
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Writing Your Life Story with Ellen Luby
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Tuesday, May 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Have ever wanted to share the stories of your life but don’t know where to start? Research has shown that sharing your lifestory can bring an increase in self-esteem, resolve past conflicts and promote successful aging.
The Sharing Our Stories
presentation reviews the different lifestory methods of Reminiscence, Life Review, Guided Autobiography, Memoir and Personal History to help you determine how you want to tell your story.
The goal of the program is to help people see how sharing our stories can help to make sense of the past, gain insight for the future and connect generations. This informational meeting will be presented by
Ellen Luby, a gerontologist and Lifestory Guide
.
Sharing your unique LifeStory can be a wonderful, meaningful and fun experience.
This program is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
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Small Business Administration Workshops
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Financing Your Small Business
Wednesday, May 16 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Finding capital for your small business is not impossible. Get pointers from the SBA that will help you get your business moving toward financial stability. Topics discussed will be traditional (SBA's guaranteed loan program) and non-traditional (SBA's micro-loan program) ways of financing. You can register
HERE
.
Contracting 101
Wednesday, June 20 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m
Learn how to do business with the State of Connecticut and the Federal Government. Topics covered will be where you need to be registered, how to find the bids, State and Federal Set-Aside Programs. You can register
HERE.
All sessions are taught by Economic Development Specialist, Lisa Powell, from the CT Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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Florence Griswold Curator Talk
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Wednesday, May 23 at 1:00 p.m.
Join Amy Kurtz Lansing, curator from the
Florence Griswold Museum
for a presentation on the Art & the New England Farm exhibit.
Learn more about the exhibit (opening May 11) by clicking
HERE
.
Image:
Edward Volkert,
Ox with Haywagon
. Oil on wood, 16 x 20 inches. Florence Griswold Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Freedman
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AARP Defensive Driving
Wednesday, May 23 from 5:00-9:00 p.m.
The AARP Smart Driver Course, offered by AARP Driver Safety, is the nation's largest classroom and online driver safety course and is designed especially for drivers age 50 and older.
The fee is $15 for AARP members (please bring your AARP Card) and $20 for non-members. Remember to bring your driver's license to the class.
Please register online here
or by calling the main desk at (860) 536-7721.
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World Premiere Screening of
Silent Times
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Friday, May 25 at 6:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Appropriate for ages 13+.
Christopher Annino and Tag Team Friendship Productions LLC of Mystic, CT, will hold a
world premiere
of the new film,
Silent Times
at the Library on May 25.
The film is a loving homage to the silent films of the 1920s and 30s, and features a wide cast of characters based on archetypes and personalities common in those films, such as Charlie Chaplin, Emmett Kelly, Annie Oakley, Buster Keaton, Orson Wells, Keystone Cops, Gypsy Rose Lee and many more.
There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door; all proceeds will go to the Andrea Tegan Post Memorial Fund. This fund was created to help struggling artists financially so they can pursue their dreams. There will be a Q and A with the cast and crew following the movie.
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All book club meetings are scheduled for the Ames Meeting Room at M&NL. All readers are welcome to join any of these groups. There are no fees, and the Library works to provide copies of the books being discussed. Note: CLAMs participants purchase their books.
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Afternoon Book Club
(first Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m.
May 2:
The Underground Railroad
by Colson Whitehead
June 6:
Lincoln in the Bardo
by George Saunders
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History Book Club
(second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
May 8:
The Path Between the Seas,
(Chapters I-10) by David McCullough
June 12:
The Path Between the Seas
(Chapters 11-end) by David McCullough
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CLAMS
May 7 and 21
Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
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Evening Book Club
(usually first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.)
May 2:
The Odds
by Stewart O’Nan
June 6
:
The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal
by Lily Koppel
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Captain John Porter Civil War Book Group
(third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
May 16
: Online Articles from
A Southern Perspective:
June 20:
Look
Away! by William C. Davis
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The Plein Aire Painters: Spring in Southeastern Connecticut
Wednesday, May 2 to Friday, May 25
The Plein Aire Painters
is a show that will feature artwork by the members of the Stonington-based
Loose Association of Plein Air Artists
.They are a group of artists who paint in the open air, capturing the effects of light and atmosphere in oils, pastel, and watercolor.
Landscapes celebrating scenery in Stonington, Mystic and more will be displayed, with an emphasis on the beauty of Spring as it unfolds in Southeastern Connecticut.
This exhibit is free and open to the public; please call ahead to check the availability of access to the Ames Room.
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Teen and Children's Programs
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Downtown Mystic Spring Stroll
Saturday, May 5 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
As part of
Downtown Mystic’s Spring Stroll
, the MNL will be hosting Pretty Pony Parties, a pony-training organization that provides pony rides for children! They will bring two ponies and lead pony rides on the library’s front lawn for one hour. In order to ride the ponies, kids must not weigh more than 70 lbs and/or be taller than 4'2''.
All of their ponies are vaccinated, clean and healthy. These fully-trained riding ponies are hand-picked and carefully selected with looks and temperament in mind. Participants will also have the opportunity to do crafts in the Children's Room! This program is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
Please note: in case of rain, event will be rescheduled.
Funding generously provided by the Friends of the Mystic & Noank Library. Thank you!
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Sit! Stay! Read! with Phantom
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Sign up to read with Phantom, our Bernese Mountain Dog friend (best for kids entering first grade and up) or just stop by to say hi!
Sign up online below (click on the date) or by calling 860-536-7721.
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All classes are free
but registration is required. Programs begin at 1:00 p.m. Ages 10+ please.
May 19:
Design Your Own Art Deco Poster inspired by the traveling NEH exhibition
Spirited: Prohibition in America
, on view April 4-May 25
.
Register HERE.
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Afternoon Wii U Gaming
Stop by the Mystic & Noank Library on Fridays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. for some fun among friends! Join casual tournaments and games with your friends!
Gaming offers an outlet for creativity and problem solving, while the Library provides of atmosphere of community and sharing. Games are appropriate for ages 9 and up. Come join the fun!
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We have 62 'readers' registered and 4 have already read 1000 books! Congratulations!
So far, more than 6,000 books have been read by our participants--WOWe!
The program is available to all families with children between the ages of birth to 5 years old. The goal is to read 1000 books together prior to the child's start of formal schooling or Kindergarten. Sound impossible? It's not!
Three books a day for one year is over 1000 books!
We love celebrating the children's successes and honoring them with prizes to keep them motivated! Interested? Stop in the Children's Room and find out more--we'd love to see you.
Sign up in the Children's Room during regular library hours--it's FREE!
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News, Opportunities & Info!
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The Library is now the proud owner of a Baldwin upright piano! We extend our sincere gratitude to
Ann Bergendahl, a valued MNL supporter and Friend, who recently made this thoughtful donation.
We are delighted to have the piano in the 2nd floor Spicer Reading Room, and anticipate its frequent use by patrons and performers for years to come.
Thank you, Ann!
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Call for Library Fair Volunteers!
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The biggest Library event of the year is coming soon!
Saturday, June 2 marks the 30-something year of this beloved community event.
Help the Friends of the M&NL have another hugely successful fundraiser by lending your time and hands to the Fair!
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24th Annual Bridge Tournament
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Please register for the MNL Bridge Tournament! Play begins June 1 and runs through November. New players are welcome to join!
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Book-A-Librarian
In Need of Technology Tutoring?
If so, please consider the Mystic & Noank Library's Book-a-Librarian program, in which you sign up for an individual one (1) hour session with a librarian and receive a private tutorial on whatever technological query you may have!
Lesson topics have included Windows 10, web design, Microsoft Office, and the use of devices such as Smartphones, iPads, e-readers and social media! New topics include employment websites, resumes and cover letters, web design, and more!
To register, please call the library at (860) 536-7721 or
use our online form here!
Appointments must be requested AT LEAST one day ahead of the desired date; they will be scheduled according to the patron's and the librarian's mutual availability.
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Don't forget to register for our information service, Wowbrary
by
clicking here!
. Be sure to then check your email for the verification message.
With Wowbrary, you will receive a weekly email on Saturday mornings highlighting any new book, audiobook, DVD or CD titles added to our collection in the previous week. A smart link directly into the library catalog will allow you to easily place a reserve on any titles that you wish to check out!
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Call for Art & Collections!
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Our walls are bare! Do you have art to exhibit in our Ames Meeting Room? Or a special collection that will fit in our glass display case? Exhibits are needed for a number of months beginning in July.
Please call Kate Nelson at the library at 860-536-7721 for more information and to schedule.
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Friends of the Mystic & Noank Library
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The Friends of the Mystic & Noank Library generally meet the 3rd Monday of every month at 12:00 Noon in the Ames Room (next meeting is Monday, May 21).
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Cribbage Club
Cribbage is a great way to keep your mind sharp and meet new friends. We meet every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. For more information, please call Donna Anderson at (203) 470-4566 or email
donnaencorefit@gmail.com
.
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Writers' Group
Join a varied group of writers every Monday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. For more information about how we lead our sessions,
please click here.
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Knitters Unite
Knitting Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. each month (May 8 and 22). All levels are welcome. Please join us!
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Mysticalligraphers
Join us on the 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. each month (May 9)! For more information,
click here.
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May 1 and 15 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. (ongoing on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month).
These sessions are open to all who are coping with the loss of a loved one and led by caring professionals from the
Center for Hospice Care of Southeastern CT
. Sessions are free but do require pre-registration. Please call (860) 848-5699 to register.
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Museum Passes Available
Warmer weather road trips might be just what you need!
Stop by the Children's Room to review the passes and discounts available. You'll find something of
interest
to brighten your day!
*
*
NEW
*
*
Avery-Copp House
,
Groton
(With our thanks to the Avery-Copp House for their donation of two passes for the 2018 season! Note: the house opens May 25.
)
More information on our website
here!
We thank the Friends of M&NL for their generous funding of the museum passes.
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Give a Little and Get a Lot
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Thanks to many generous patrons, more than 150 bricks have been purchased for the library--thank you!
We love to see patrons reading the inscriptions outside while our landscaping comes back to green! Is your special message part of this unique collection? Don't miss this opportunity to make a gift of a commemorative brick at M&NL in honor of your loved one, a special memory or to promote your local business.
We are proud to display these meaningful messages on our beautiful entryway and would love to add your personalized brick to our ever expanding special sidewalk.
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Make a Statement.
Make a Gift.
We have crossed the 1/2 way point with our Annual Fund---can we count on you to reach our goal?
With your donation, you empower us to continue the programming and services you have come to rely on.
Your gifts provide stability in an unstable financial climate, support professional development and make YOU our champion.
Your gifts are tax-deductible and make all the difference.
Thank you for your partnership!
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If you are thinking of making a lasting gift to the Library, we urge you to consider becoming a member of
The Maine Society
Those that join The Maine Society are looking to the future by making provisions for the Library through
planned giving
. Planned gifts allow donors to continue to support the Mystic & Noank Library after their death, often in a more generous way than what is possible during their lifetime.
By becoming a member of The Maine Society, you will join many others who are a special part of our valued Library community. Your gift will help the Library remain a vibrant, intellectual and important Mystic community resource for another century to come.
Please contact the
Director of Development
at (860) 572-8191 to learn more about planned giving and other ways to donate to the Library.
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Evening at the Engine Room: 2018
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Mark your Calendar!
Wednesday,
October 3, 2018
from 6:00-9:30p.m.
We had so much fun last year, we are planning another
FUN
fundraiser!
We would love to showcase your business as an event sponsor so we can raise as much funding as possible for our programming and critical upgrades. Please join us and have your company listed as a sponsor soon!
Event sponsorship information
can be downloaded
HERE
. Questions? Contact Karen Bradshaw
via email
or (860) 572-8191.
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A Preview of June Programs
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Annual Friends of M&NL Fair
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Saturday, June 2
Have some old-fashioned fun and support the Library! We'll have a week-long book sale, White Elephant sale, music, games for kids, delicious food and baked goods all await you! The Mystic Garden Club will be selling beautiful plants and flowers, too!
This annual fun-fest is brought to you by the busy Friends of the Mystic & Noank Library and is their biggest fundraiser of the year! More details in next month's e-newsletter!
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The Annual Friends of the Library Week-Long Book Sale
Preview: Friday, June 1 (5:00-7:00 p.m.)
The Annual Friends of the M&NL Fair
Saturday, June 2 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. Ceremonial Re-signing of the Library Charter with State Senator Heather Sommers
Legal & Financial Planning for Alzheimer's Disease
Wednesday, June 13 at 10:00 a.m.
Great Orange Apes Presentation
Monday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Roode Memorial Concert: Seat of Our Pants (SOOP)
Thursday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Union Baptist Church
ConnectiCare Information Session
Tuesday, June 26 at 4:30 p.m
!SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOR KIDS & TEENS BEGINS!
Friday Family Movie Matinees
June 29 at 3:00 p.m.
Coco
(PG, 1 hr 45 mins, 2017)
Wednesday Morning Wiggles (Creative Movement for preschoolers)
June 20 at 10:30 a.m.
Yoga with Miss Kim (Yoga for preschoolers)
June 27 at 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m.
Magic with Scott Jameson
View the full summer calendar of events in June's e-newsletter!
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Mystic & Noank Library | 40 Library Street, Mystic CT 06355 | TEL: (860) 536-7721
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Monday-Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday-Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Hours 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed... Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.
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