Upcoming events at Marblehead's Abbot Library

The following was submitted by Abbot Public Library:

These events run from Wednesday, February 1 — Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at the Abbot Public Library, located at 235 Pleasant Street in Marblehead. For more information, visit abbotlibrary.org.

“Discovering Our Common Roots — An Interfaith Journey through Israel: Old North Church and Temple Emanu-El”
Wednesday, February 1st through Tuesday, February 28th

Public Reception: Monday, February 6th, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, with reflections by the Reverend Dennis Calhoun, Old North Church, and Rabbi David Meyer, Temple Emanu-El. All are invited to celebrate an interfaith experience within the Marblehead community. Refreshments will be served!

One year ago, in February 2011, thirty-five members of the Old North Church and Temple Emanu-El left one of the roughest New England winters on record to touch down into the green of spring in Israel for a two-week interfaith trip. Inter-generational, the group’s ages spanned seventy years.  Led by Rabbi David Meyer of Temple Emanu-El and the Reverend Dennis Calhoun of Old North Church, the group members visited both ancient sites and cities, along with current non-profit organizations, as they enjoyed an itinerary specifically designed to follow the threads of both faiths back to their origins and common roots.  The exhibit highlights the participants’ personal artistic and narrative interpretations of their experiences during the trip.  Having formed a bond, the interfaith group continues to gather in friendship, understanding and action.

Illustrated Tour of Mt. Auburn Cemetery
Sunday, February 5th, 2:00 pm

Mt. Auburn Cemetery was created in 1831 as the first rural garden cemetery in America.  Modeled after traditional English pleasure parks and Cimetière du Père Lachaise, in Paris, beautiful classical monuments were set in a rolling landscaped terrain. The “Who Was Who” of Boston and New England are buried here, including architect Charles Bulfinch, artist Winslow Homer, reformer Dorothea Dix, Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth, and cookbook author Fanny Farmer.  Grave sites are often marked with elaborate tombstones and sculptures.  Mt. Auburn Cemetery also is a mecca for bird watchers and nature lovers at all seasons of the year.  Recognized as one of the most significant designed landscapes in the country, Mount Auburn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003. Come take an “armchair tour” of this famous destination!

Heide Hasselmann is currently a Bilingual (English and German) Tour Guide for group and private tours in the Boston and Greater New England area.  During the three more temperate seasons, she leads day and overnight historic and scenic tours, from Cape Ann, Massachusetts, to Newport, Rhode Island. She also offers “Ghosts & Legends” tours in Plymouth, MA, and “Murder, Mystery and Mayhem” tours in Boston. She started in the tour guide business after a long career in the Dunkin' Donuts Corporate Office. She loves to travel and has traveled extensively around the United States and Europe. She brings her love of literature, history, art and travel to her tours.


A Valentine to Yourself!
"Something Healthy to Eat: A Love Story with Food" presented by author and cook, Flo Goodman
Sunday, February 12th, 2:00 pm

Looking for a way to cook your family healthy meals that also taste great? Come hear Flo Goodman speak about how she was able to reverse her husband's high cholesterol problem without medication by changing ingredients in well loved and familiar foods. “Something Healthy to Eat” is a collection of more than 600 recipes. It has elements for all to enjoy. For the health-conscious reader, the recipes and advice make healthy choices easy and attainable; for the cook who wants fast and simple recipes, this book provides a wide range of choices; and for the gourmet chef, this book offers various creative recipes to try.  The recipes are accompanied by photographs taken by Flo’s husband, Hank.

Flo Goodman holds a BFA from Pratt Institute and an MA from Columbia University Teachers College. She is a licensed art teacher and has been a wife and mother for 46 years.  Flo's Plain and Fancy Teacake was a winner in the Cut the Calorie contest on the Good Morning America Show in 1999. Lynncam TV produced 15 shows based on her cookbook. You can see excerpts of her programs on YouTube and entire shows on Blip.tv. An easy way to find them is to go to www.lynncamtv.com and look for "Something Healthy to Eat." She also has written a recipe column for the Lynn Journal, and received a grant from the North Shore Community Health Network providing funding for six "Something Healthy to Eat" programs with teens from Salem Cyberspace.

“Beginner's Genealogy and Family History,” with genealogist, Michael Brophy
Wednesday, February 29th, 7:00 pm

Want to learn more about your ancestors? Michael Brophy, professional genealogical researcher, is back again with more information on researching your family history. Topics to be covered are US military History records and how they can help us uncover stories about our ancestry. Methodology concepts will be further explained, to increase the quality of our genealogy work. Record sources, such as city directories, church records, and newspapers, will be explored. Examples will be provided to illustrate concepts, using noteworthy and common individuals. Basic Courthouse records such as Land and Deeds plus probate records will bediscussed. This program is for the true beginner as well as people looking to gain more information in their search for the past.

Returning on Wednesday, March 21st, Mr. Brophy will be discussing the release of the 1940 Census and how to access all the newly available information and data.

Michael Brophy is a professional genealogical researcher, heir search specialist, and lecturer in the Boston area. He is past Program Director for the Massachusetts Genealogical Council and past Publicity Director. He served as Treasurer of the New England of Association of Professional Genealogists. He holds an MBA degree from Suffolk University and a BBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He was the lead researcher in Massachusetts for the recently released book from St Martin’s Press ,The Remains of Company D, A Story of the Great War, by James Carl Nelson. He also conducted research for the NBC television program Who Do You Think You Are?, researching the ancestry of actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

Library Book Discussion Group
Tuesday, February 21st, 10:00 am

The Library Book Discussion Group will be meeting Tuesday, February 21st at 10:00 am to discuss Stacy Schiff's critically-acclaimed biography of Cleopatra. Schiff provides a new interpretation of the mysterious and fascinating woman who was one of history's first female leaders.  New members are always welcome.

TEEN PROGRAMS

Teen Advisory Board
Wednesday, February 1st, 4:00 to 5:00 pm

Come have pizza at the library and tell our Teen Librarian what you’d like to see happening at your library!  No sign-ups necessary. Just bring your ideas.

Anti-Valentine’s Day Party
Thursday, February  9th, 3:00 to 5:00 pm

Sick of all the hearts and flowers? Come to the library’s Anti-Valentine’s Day party.  Make your own anti-valentines and decorate cupcakes while watching a movie.  Most creative valentine wins a prize!  No sign-ups necessary.

Comics and Manga Discussion Group
Wednesday, February 15th, 3:00 to 4:30 pm

Stop by the library to talk about your favorite comics and manga, make bookmarks, and watch a movie.  No sign-ups necessary.

Duct Tape Crafts
Monday, February 27th, 3:00 to 5:00 pm

We supply the duct tape, you bring your creativity!  Make journals, wallets, cell phone cases, or whatever you can think of.  No sign-ups necessary.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

Preschool Story and a Craft
Wednesday, February 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th, 10:15 am

Our drop-in program for preschoolers will be held on Wednesdays at 10:15am. This month, we will hold the story and a craft on Wednesday, February 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. The program is designed for children who are able to sit up on their own and with adult help, assemble a simple craft. Caregivers must remain in the children’s room. No registration is required.

Art of Other Cultures
Monday, February 6th, 13th and 27th, 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Local Artist Susan Fader will be offering an 8 week class for elementary aged children on Monday nights from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Students will be introduced to artwork from different parts of the world, and work with the art materials and styles used by various cultures. This month’s meetings will be held on February 6th, 13th, and 27th.  Registration begins Wednesday, February 1st.

JCC Story Time
Tuesday, February 7th, 10:15 to 11:00 am

Preschool children are invited to a story and music program on Tuesday, February 7th, from 10:15 to 11:00 am. Rotating teaching staff for the JCC will be offering stories, songs, and crafts with a seasonal theme. Snacks will be provided. Registration not required.

Book Reviewer’s Club
Thursday, February 9th and 23rd, 3:30 to 4:30 pm

Book Reviewer’s Club is designed for students in grades 5-8 who are avid readers. Club members read and “score” books they are reading and recommending for each other. The Reviewer’s Club meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.  This month’s meetings are Thursday, February 9th and 23rd.  Snacks are provided. Registration is ongoing.

Music with Dara
Friday, February 17th, 10:30 am to Noon

Dara Van ReMoortel performs her monthly magic with music on Friday, February 17th for children ages 1½   to 2 ½ at 10:30am and at 11:20am-noon for 2 ½ to 5 year olds. Designed with children’s developmental stages in mind, the program is an interactive blend of songs and movement.  No registration is required.

Animal Adventures: Show & Touch Program
Friday, February 24th, 10:15 to 11:30 am

We invite children to an exotic animal program during vacation week on Friday, February 24th at 10:15 to 11:30 am. Meet very gentle animals, reptiles, and amphibians in this program designed for ages 3-5. There will be lots of petting time and interaction. Safety and cleanliness are top priority for kids and animals, as well as respectful treatment of the animal visitors. Meet some very cute and cuddly animals! Registration will begin Wednesday, February 1st.