July 2022 News
Don't miss the Library's Annual Garden Tours
Start or end your garden tours at Sturgis Library at 3090 Main Street, Barnstable Village. There is no charge to visit our gardens. We have a rain garden, edible native gardens, a new Culinary Corner, and a children's raised bed garden! Read more about these gardens in the post further on in this newsletter.

Maggie Crowley's Garden
4181 Main Street, Cummaquid

Bought from Bert French in 1994, Maggie Crowley's extensive historic property runs to 13 acres of mixed fields and woodlands, including Bert's apple and peach orchards, his blueberry trees and grass fields bordered on the south side by railroad tracks, and his aptly named No Bottom Pond. Please avoid the latter! Doing all her own work, Maggie has added extensive gardens, mixing vegetables with annual and perennial flower beds. Despite a lack of hydrangeas, the gardens produce a riot of color in August, thanks in part of large clusters of crocosmia, scented lilies and giant dahlias, and there should be plenty to see in July. Familiar to many passersby for its lengthy tree-lined approach, the house can just be seen from 6A, and this is your chance to see the hidden gardens to which that enticing drive leads.

 Ample parking provided along the private drive; follow the signs.


Martine Amundson's Garden
59 Salten Point Road, Barnstable Village

Enjoy a stroll through these abundant gardens, entirely recreated 5 years ago when the owners purchased the property. Hundreds of cherished perennials and shrubs were brought from their Brewster home, now flourishing with a continued effort to amend the clay soil. Both sun and shade gardens overflow with a variety of hydrangea, peonies, day lilies, hosta, foxglove, hibiscus, lobelia, salvia, lavender, gaura and roses, while tree lovers will note the coral bark maple and river birch trees. A rose and dahlia garden and perennials wrap around the house, offering tranquil westerly views of Barnstable Harbor and Sandy Neck. The owners added a spectacular stone patio with fireplace; note the boulders at the base of the fireplace--they were found on the property and moved to create the unique foundation. Garden pots of vibrant annuals and stone statuary add to the garden's charm, and if you are lucky, you will see many of the pollinators--bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and songbirds--appreciating the planned habitat that happily invites and supports them.

Park along the roadside, according to signage. Do not park on neighbor's lawns or block driveways.


Bob and Jane Allen's Garden
44 Rendezvous Lane, Barnstable Village

Situated steps away from where militia of Barnstable County assembled to march to Boston for the Battle of Bunker Hill, this historic home (the Chamberlain Sprague House, ca. 1825) is surrounded by idyllic perennial gardens. Harmonious waves of color move the visitor through the corner property, delighting everyone with typical Cape Cod plantings, a stone sculpture, a bird weathervane, birdbaths and many varieties of hostas and lilies. Circle behind the house to discover the hidden brick patio and its lily garden. Wander across the drive and discover the garden shed, complete with an antique colored glass window, a pergola and a swing. And be sure to view the homeowner’s selection of clay artwork in the enclosed area behind the garage. The gardens have been designed by the owner, a Master Gardener, to provide for continuous color from early spring into late fall. This garden contains specimen paniculata and other varieties of hydrangeas, climbing vines and more. It is entirely the creation of its owners who with occasional help do the work themselves. It has been designed with the historic nature of the property and neighborhood in mind and may inspire you to new heights in your own garden masterpiece.

Please park along the right side of Rendezvous Lane as you enter; #44 is on the right of the first block of the lane.

Kerry and Bob Dyka's Garden
30 Tally Ho Road, Barnstable Village

Here, hydrangeas make a vibrant show--Little Limes, Bobos and Paniculata--along the house front and roadside, all plants Kerry propagated herself. Bought 34 years ago, while still heavily wooded, the property has been cleared and transformed by its owners, who have introduced a collection of lovely burning bushes, twin holly trees, a birch and magnificent Japanese maple, along with a stand of white pine, all planted while each seedling was a mere several inches high. A little rock garden marks the entrance, and a charming small barn and paddock, its fence framing more hydrangeas and a purple butterfly bush, show where, until recently, Kerry's collection of miniature horses reigned supreme.

Ample parking along white pines, at front of property at the end of Tally Ho circle.
Earn Your High School Diploma Through Boston Public Library -- For Free
The Boston Public Library is offering the opportunity for Massachusetts residents to earn their fully accredited high school diploma, entirely online, for free! Through Excel Adult High School, adults ages 19+ with a valid BPL card or e-card who have successfully completed 8th grade can apply for this program. Students can transfer previously earned credits for courses completed at other accredited high schools, home schools, colleges, or successfully passed portions of the GED, HiSET, or TASC. Other key highlights of this program include:
 
·       Unlimited, online live, one-on-one tutoring through Train the Brain
·       Highly qualified instructional and support staff available to all Excel Adult High School students during normal hours via phone, online chat, or submitting a support ticket.
·       Courses are available anytime, 24/7
·       The option for students to earn up to seven ACE (American Council on Education) courses, which equal 21 college credits. Students can take an ACE course and receive both high school and college credit.
 
For more information about Excel Adult High school, please visit
Donate to Our August Online Auction
We will be holding our August Online Auction again this summer during the first two weeks of August. We are seeking quality items for the auction, including art and photographs, interesting books, services, collectibles, dining opportunities, vacation rentals, quality jewelry, gift cards, unique experiences, sports tickets, antiques, decor, and more. To donate to the auction, contact Library Director Lucy Loomis at 508-362-8448 or at sturgislibrary@comcast.net
New Sturgis *little free* Libraries

Two new Sturgis *little free* Libraries have been installed recently -- one at Millway Beach in Barnstable Village and one at Long Pasture Audubon Sanctuary in Cummaquid.

The libraries are stocked with donated books -- visitors can take books and also leave books if they wish. If you donate books, please make sure they are in good condition. Enjoy!
New Memorial Gardens
In late May, Edible Landscapes of Cape Cod converted several overgrown gardens into beautiful new teaching gardens. They were made possible by a generous donation from the Rogers Family Foundation in memory of longtime Barnstable residents Jean and Harry Hilton.

In the front of the building the old boxwoods and straggly hydrangeas were removed and replaced with native plantings including bayberry, inkberry, aronia, lupine, boneset, ninebark, native bleeding hearts (pictured), and many others. A small side garden got plantings of gooseberries and native strawberries. The garden to the left of the entrance is now the Culinary Corner, with perennial and annual herbs and hazelnut shrubs.

Our rain garden, installed last year, is looking lush and is filling in nicely. It was made possible by grant funding from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod in conjunction with Blue Flax Design. The rain garden heron sculpture was funded by the Stockton Family, and signage was partially funded by the Mid-Cape Cultural Council.

If you haven't been on the east side of the Library, take a walk along the stone wall to see additional native plantings, as well as our children's raised bed garden and potato barrel.

Thank you to Dave and the crew of Edible Landscapes for their hard work and expertise, to Gordon Starr for creating our raised bed garden, and many thanks to our funders. We are very grateful.
Save the Date for Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate
Friday, August 19th, 2022 at 5:30 PM

Sturgis Library invites you to a special event this summer featuring three experts on wine, cheese, and chocolate. They will share their knowledge of pairing wine with cheeses and chocolates. Attendees will get the opportunity to taste delicious samples from around the world.

In addition, there will be hearty appetizers, cocktails, music, and both a silent and live auction. The event will be held in the St. Mary's Church function room, with access to the gardens.

We are seeking volunteers to help at this event with preparation the day before the event, setup, serving, and cleanup on the day of. Please contact Library Director Lucy Loomis at 508-362-6636 or sturgislibrary@comcast.net if interested.

Tickets will go on sale in early July. For more information, contact Library Director Lucy Loomis at 508-362-6636 or sturgislibrary@comcast.net.
Stories from the Archives
In honor of Independence Day, this month's Stories from the Archives blog post features a document signed by John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.
MS. 75: Historical Documents Collection
In September 1768, the selectmen of Boston sent a letter printed in broadside format to the selectmen of each town in Massachusetts. The copy housed in Sturgis Library’s archives is addressed to “the Gentlemen Select-Men of Welfleet.”

This letter implored towns to send delegates to a week-long unauthorized convention in Boston. The convention aimed to address the colonists’ various constitutional grievances on the eve of the landing of British troops in the city. To the selectmen of Boston, the impending arrival of British troops represented an alarming escalation of tensions between the colonists and the mother country. 

For a full analysis of this document and links to further reading, visit the Stories from the Archives blog by clicking here.

This document and all Sturgis Library archival collections are available for in-library use or by contacting us at sturgislibrary@comcast.net. Fragile materials may have photocopying restrictions. For further information, please contact the library directly at 
(508) 362-6636.

To see the findings aids for our archival collections, click here.

You can search the archives by name and subject using the CLAMS online catalog.
We Never Said Goodbye: Memories of Otto Frank
Author Talk with Ryan Cooper
July 12, 2002 at 6:00pm

In 1972, author Ryan Cooper began a correspondence with Otto Frank, the father of diarist Anne Frank. For a man who could have turned bitter for what the Nazis took from him, Otto Frank proved to be a gentle soul and generous friend. Join Ryan as he recounts what he learned from the spiritual bond he formed with Otto Frank in the waning years of Mr. Frank’s life.

Registration is required. Please email Gabrielle at sturgisreference@comcast.net to register.
Barnstable Council on Aging
Let's Talk About Memory Training
July 19, 2022 from 10:00am-11:30am

Let's talk about Memory Training- An Overview of UCLA Memory Training Program

Discussion will include:
  • What memory is and how it works
  • How to reduce tip of tongue moments
  • How to reduce your memory burden
  • Your learning style
  • Better memory habits
  • Strategies and techniques for some of the most common memory complaints

Registration is not required.

Questions? Contact Stacey Cullen at
stacey.cullen@town.barnstable.ma.us
or call 508-862-4765
Shipwrecks of Cape Cod: Stories of Tragedy and Triumph
July 26, 2022 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Cape Cod’s outer beach, often referred to as the “Graveyard of Ships,” has always been known for its shipwrecks. Between 1626 and the mid-twentieth century, this solitary forty-mile stretch of beach and sandbars saw the demise of over 3,000 vessels along its shifting shoals. It’s been said that if all the wrecks were raised, one could walk from Provincetown to Chatham without getting his or her feet wet. Local author Don Wilding revisits some of these disasters and the heroic, and sometimes tragic, rescue efforts of the U.S. Lifesaving Service and Coast Guard.

Registration is required. To register, email Gabrielle at sturgisreference@comcast.net
Author Talk with Lauren Wolk
Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 6:00pm

Award winning author, Lauren Wolk (Wolf Hollow, Beyond the Bright Sea, and Echo Mountain), comes to Sturgis Library to discuss her newest novel, My Own Lightning.

All ages are welcome to attend this event! Lauren's books are beloved by children, teens, and adult alike.

Copies of My Own Lighting will be available to purchase at the event thanks to local bookshop, Bread and Roses.

Registration is required. Email Christy at
cmunier@clamsnet.org to register.
Plant Pigments Workshop
Saturday, August 6, 2022 from10:00am-11:30pm

Learn the basics of dyeing with plant-based color in this hands-on class with artist Milisa Simone Moses. Join Milisa to dye your own silk ribbons with flowers and leaves from the library gardens.

Materials Fee: $25.00

Registration and payment must be received no later than Saturday, July 30th.

To register, email Christy at cmunier@clamsnet.org
Hops, Farming, and Fermentation
with Independent Fermentations Brewing
Tuesday, August 9, 2022 from 6:00pm-7:00pm

Let’s learn about hops, farming, and fermentation with Independent Fermentation Brewing!

Independent Fermentations Brewing (IndieFerm) is a small craft beer brewery, kombucha brewery, tap room, home brew shop, and hop farm based in Plymouth, MA.

IndieFerm specializes in making craft beers with locally grown ingredients. Hear about their farming and fermentation process at this informative lecture. There will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions at the end.

Free samples from IndieFerm’s brewery will be provided at the end for participants 21+

Registration is required. Please email Christy at cmunier@clamsnet.org
The Heart of Caring
Author Talk with Mark Vonnegut
Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 6:00pm

Join us at Sturgis Library as Mark Vonnegut discusses his most recent book, The Heart of Caring.

Pediatrician Mark Vonnegut has spent forty years treating children for coughs, fevers, ear infections, and sometimes more serious complaints. In that time he has seen the American medical system change in ways he couldn't have imagined as a medical student--some of them good, others not so good. But what hasn't changed is his commitment to his young patients, whose stories fill the pages of his most recent book, The Heart of Caring.

Registration is required. Please email Christy at cmunier@clamsnet.org
Herb & Spice Club at Sturgis Library
Meets Monthly Through September

Beginning on the first Tuesday of the month, participants can swing by the library to pick up a sample of the featured herb/spice along with some information and suggested recipes.

We'll gather in-person on the last Tuesday of the month at 5:30pm to discuss the herb/spice and our experiences cooking with it!

Sage
Tuesday, July 26th at 5:30pm

Curry
Tuesday, August 30th at 5:30pm

Ginger
Tuesday, September 27th at 5:30pm

Registration is required. To register, please email Christy at cmunier@clamsnet.org
Flower Donations for Pressed Flower Programs
Accepting donations June through July

You bring the flowers, we'll do the pressing! Sturgis Library is kindly asking patrons to bring in flowers for pressing! Pressed flowers will be used for kids' and adult programs at the end of the summer.

Flower donations can be brought to the circulation desk.

Thank you!
The Tutti Fruity Summer Reading Challenge
June 27, 2022- August 27, 2022

Earn a tutti fruity button pin for each genre (category) you read! When you complete a genre, come into the library, tell a librarian, and you will be granted the tutti fruity button pin that represents the completed genre!

If there's a better way to decorate your backpack for the upcoming school year, we haven't heard of it!

Questions? Email Christy at cmunier@clamsnet.org
The Tutti Fruity Opener Celebration
Monday, June 27, 2022
1:00pm-2:30pm

The Tutti Fruity Summer Reading Challenge officially begins and we're celebrating!

Come on in, sign up for the Tutti Fruity Summer Reading Challenge, have some ice cream (and fruit!), and give (mini) still-life fruit painting a try!

Registration is required. Email Christy a cmunier@clamsnet.org to register.
Barnstable Collaborative Summer Reading Presents:
Ammaya Dance and Drum
July 7, 2022 at 2:00pm

Hosted by: Centerville, Cotuit, Hyannis, Marstons Mills, Osterville, Sturgis, and Whelden Libraries!

Ammaya Dance and Drum performs African-inspired dance and music. Their goal is to uplift hearts, educate about Africa, and create fun all around! Touch a Truck and popsicles to follow after the performance.

No registration is required! All ages are welcome!

This event will take place at the Hyannis Fire Department
95 High School Road, Hyannis, MA.

Additional parking is available at Hyannis Youth and Community Center.
Native Animals & Their Habitats
Thursday, August 4, 2022
10:30am-11:30am

Join us as we welcome Barnstable's Natural Resource Officer, Amy Croteau, and her vast collection of taxidermized animals to Sturgis Library!

Amy will be discussing native animals, their habitats, and aspects of her job.

This event is intended for kiddos but all ages are welcome to get up close and personal with some of the beautiful creatures we share our world with!

Registration is required. To register, please email Christy at cmunier@clamsnet.org
Storytime
Wednesdays at 10:30 am

Swing by to read a story, illustrate a picture, talk with little friends, and learn about nature at Sturgis Library's Storytime!

If the weather is dry, we'll bring the merriment outside! If the weather is soggy, Storytime will be held inside.

Registration is not required.

Questions? Email Christy at cmunier@clamsnet.org
The Sprightly Bright Book Club
Held in-person on the first Tuesday of every month at 4:30pm

Are you between the ages of 8ish to 12ish years old? Do you love to read? If you answered yes to these questions, then The Sprightly Bright Book Club is the place for you!

Let's choose, read, and discuss books together.

The discussion will take place in-person on the first Tuesday of every month at 4:30pm.

Registration is required!
For more information and to register, please email Christy at cmunier@clamsnet.org
Books to Check Out this Month
Joan: A Novel of Joan of Arc
by Katherine J. Chen
Publication date: July 5, 2022
1412. France is mired in a losing war against England. Its people are starving. Its king is in hiding. From this chaos emerges a teenage girl who will turn the tide of battle and lead the French to victory, becoming an unlikely hero whose name will echo across the centuries. 

In Katherine J. Chen’s hands, the myth and legend of Joan of Arc is transformed into a flesh-and-blood young woman: reckless, steel-willed, and brilliant. This meticulously researched novel is a sweeping narrative of her life, from a childhood steeped in both joy and violence, to her meteoric rise to fame at the head of the French army, where she navigates the perils of the battlefield and the equally treacherous politics of the royal court. Many are threatened by a woman who leads, and Joan draws wrath and suspicion from all corners, while her first taste of fame and glory leaves her vulnerable to her own powerful ambition. 

With unforgettably vivid characters, transporting settings, and action-packed storytelling, Joan is a thrilling epic, a triumph of historical fiction, as well as a feminist celebration of one remarkable—and remarkably real—woman who left an indelible mark on history.

Calling for a Blanket Dance
by Oscar Hokeah
Publication date: July 26, 2022
A moving and deeply engaging debut novel about a young Native American man finding strength in his familial identity, from a stellar new voice in fiction.

Told in a series of voices, Calling for a Blanket Dance takes us into the life of Ever Geimausaddle through the multigenerational perspectives of his family as they face myriad obstacles. His father’s injury at the hands of corrupt police, his mother's struggle to hold on to her job and care for her husband, the constant resettlement of the family, and the legacy of centuries of injustice all intensify Ever’s bottled-up rage. Meanwhile, all of Ever’s relatives have ideas about who he is and who he should be. His Cherokee grandmother urges the family to move across Oklahoma to find security; his grandfather hopes to reunite him with his heritage through traditional gourd dances; his Kiowa cousin reminds him that he’s connected to an ancestral past. And once an adult, Ever must take the strength given to him by his relatives to save not only himself but also the next generation of family.

How will this young man visualize a place for himself when the world hasn’t given him a place to start with? Honest, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting, Calling for a Blanket Dance is the story of how Ever Geimausaddle found his way to home.

Kids' Books to Check Out this Month
My Own Lightning written by Lauren Wolk

Bestselling author Lauren Wolk returns to the world of Wolf Hollow, in this sequel to her beloved, Newbery Honor–winning debut.

It’s been several months since the tragic events set in motion by bully Betty Glengarry, and the routine of daily life in Wolf Hollow has slowly returned. But for Annabelle McBride it’s hard to move forward and make peace with what feels like threadbare justice.




*Author Talk at Sturgis Library with Lauren Wolk coming up in August 2, 2022 at 6:00pm.*


Big and Small and In Between written by Carter Higgins; illustrated by Daniel Miyares

This lovely, lyrical book collects the world by size. Divided into three chapters with three specially paper-engineered separations, every page encapsulates one precious moment that perfectly represents both a size and an experience. Beloved author Carter Higgins's poignant, poetic text and Daniel Miyares's incandescent illustrations capture a whole new way of seeing the world in this beautiful, giftable meditation on what it means to be a kid-and what it means to be a human.

Daniel 
We are CLOSED on Monday, July 4th
Sturgis Library
3090 Main Street P.O. Box 606
Barnstable, MA 02630

www.sturgislibrary.org
sturgislibrary@comcast.net
508-362-6636

Our hours are:
Monday 10-5
Tuesday 10-8
Wednesday 10-5
Thursday 10-5
Friday 10-5
Saturday 10-4
Sundays and holidays CLOSED