Meet Martha Hall Kelly at Vineyard Haven Library

On Thursday, July 18th at 7 pm, the Vineyard Haven Public Library presents an evening with Martha Hall Kelly, bestselling author of Lilac Girls and Lost Roses. The library will close early at 5:30 pm that evening to set up for this event on the Main Floor, and seating for event will begin at 6:30 pm. Books will be available for purchase, and refreshments will be served.

Martha Hall Kelly grew up in Massachusetts and now splits her time between Connecticut, New York City and Martha's Vineyard. She worked as an advertising copywriter for many years and raised three splendid children, while researching and writing her first novel Lilac Girls, which became a New York Times bestseller the week it was published in April 2016. Lilac Girls introduced the real-life heroine Caroline Ferriday. Her sweeping new novel "Lost Roses" is set a generation earlier and also inspired by true events, featuring Caroline's mother, Eliza, and following three equally indomitable women from St. Petersburg to Paris under the shadow of  World War I.

Art in the Stacks: Beneath the Barcode

This month, the Friends of the Library's Art in the Stacks gallery space will feature photographs from Media Voices for Children's 'Beneath the Barcode' project. Beneath the Barcode is a documentary photo exhibit intended to raise our attention to the impact of our economic choices on children.

The exhibit examines very particular sectors of child labor found in poorer parts of the world and across the United States. The show is a chance to examine how children factor into the production, transport, manufacturing, refining and distribution of all the things we eat, buy and use. There are scenes taking place everywhere, from dumpsites in Indonesia, to commercial farms in Texas.  For more information visit the project website, https://www.mediavoicesforchildren.org/btb

The Vineyard Haven Public Library's "Art in the Stacks" space features rotating monthly exhibits and is managed by the Friends of the Library. The library also has a permanent collection of artworks that are displayed throughout the year, including 12 paintings by Vineyard artist Captain John Ivory. Artists interested in showing their work may contact the library at (508) 696-4210.

Sunday with Friends: Honoring James H. K. Norton

On Sunday, July 14th at 2 pm, the Friends of Vineyard Haven Public Library present an afternoon honoring Jim Norton, South Asian scholar and author of "Walking in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts". The program will feature an introduction by Nis Kildegaard, and comments by Bow Van Riper of the Martha's Vineyard Museum. Dr. Norton will read from his essays on Vineyard history. Refreshments in the library garden will follow the talk. The library will open at 1:30 pm for this event. 

Jim Norton is a 10th generation descendant of the first Norton settlers on Martha's Vineyard in the mid 17th century. He received a B.S. degree from Yale University, B.A. and M.A. degrees in Sanskrit from Oxford University, and a Ph.D. in Indian philosophy from the University of Madras in India. Dr. Norton spent five years in India, first as a Ford Foundation scholar while doing graduate work at the University of Madras. He taught for 10 years at the College of Wooster, where he was associate professor of religion and chairman of the Department of Indian Studies. He has also taught at Madurai University, Boston University, and Oberlin College. 

In 1973 he returned to Martha's Vineyard to manage the family farm, commit his concern for education to the Island public schools, and delve into the distinctive history of the Island's past. He has written a number of articles on Island History, Indian Philosopy and comparative Eastern and Western though, and is the author of "India and South Asia" in the Global Studies Series published by McGraw-Hill, now in its 9th edition. For more than a decade, Jim gave annual seminars as part to the Vineyard Haven Library's adult lecture series, beginning with a talk on Afghanistan, following the September 11th, 2001 attacks. 
 
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The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library support a variety of programs for both adults and children throughout the year, including an annual summer event honoring an author with ties to the Vineyard. Past honorees have included Geraldine Brooks, Art Buchwald, Stephen Carter, Phil Craig, Jules Feiffer, Lillian Hellman, John Hough, Jr., Ward Just, David McCullough, Holly Nadler, Cynthia Riggs, Rose Styron, William Styron, Shakespeare for the Masses creators Nicole Galland and Chelsea McCarthy, and Amor Towles. For more information contact the Vineyard Haven Public Library, (508) 696-4211.

Adult Programs: July Events

All programs at the Vineyard Haven Public Library are free and open to the public. Please join us!

7 pm Tuesday July 9th
Dick Johnson: Ticks and Tick-Borne Illnesses on MV
Dick Johnson works for the Board of Health of the 6 Island Towns through a program called 'Tick-Borne Illness Prevention Initiative'. He has been doing this for 9 years, and has a fair amount of experience and data, focusing on 3 common ticks on MV, their ecology and life cycles and the diseases they carry. He will cover the latest information on tick-borne illness and prevention, and will suggest ways to protect yourself, your family, and pets.

7 pm Thursday July 11th
Pseudoscience and Archaeology: How the Media Blends Fact and Fiction
Marie Kesten Zahn leads a discussion of how the evolution of science fiction has affected the public view of archaeology. Throughout the history of sci-fi, archaeological plot lines have become more popular in recent times. While this has furthered public interest in archaeology, the science fiction origins of the "ancient alien theory" have tarnished the view of legitimate archaeological studies. From H.P. Lovecraft to Indiana Jones and Doctor Who, the impact of the entertainment industry on archaeological research is examined.

3 pm Saturday July 13th
Adult Crafts: Glass Etching
Etch a design into a glass. In this adult craft, we'll make stencils with the Cricut cutter and then use etching cream on drinking glasses. We'll provide all the materials (including glasses) but feel free to bring your own glassware and designs. For adults and teens ages 12 and up. Sponsored by The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library

2 pm Sunday July 14th
Sunday with Friends: James H. K. Norton         
The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library are pleased to present an afternoon honoring Jim Norton, South Asia scholar and author of "Walking in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts", as well as extensive writings on Vineyard history, India and South Asia. Nis Kildegaard and Bow Van Riper will provide an introduction, and refreshments will be served. The library will open at 1:30 pm for this event.

2 pm Monday, July 15th
Advance Care Planning Workshop
Are you interested in making sure your documents are in place should you be in an accident? Are you an older adult who wants your health care wishes to be honored when you approach the end of life? Join Healthy Aging MV for this introduction to Advance Care Planning. You will learn about options for health care at the end of life and discuss a topic that can be sensitive for families and perhaps difficult to broach with loved ones. Learn how to start “the conversation” so that your values are heard and your family--and your physician--feel comfortable and secure knowing they are meeting your needs. You will also learn about health care proxies and how to assign a health care agent, as well as other forms and documents to be kept on file. To register contact Healthy Aging MV, call 508-693-7900 ext 455 or email hbellebuono at mvcommunityservices dot com.

7 pm Tuesday July 16th
Nelson Sigelman: Martha's Vineyard Fish Tales
Author Nelson Sigelman will share stories from his book "Martha's Vineyard Fish Tales: How to catch fish, rake clams, and jig squid, with entertaining tales about the sometimes crazy pursuit of fish". The focus is on Martha’s Vineyard, but the information, fishing tips, and stories about Island characters will sound familiar to anyone who has spent time in a community of fishermen.

7 pm Thursday July 18th
Martha Hall Kelly: Lost Roses
Join us for an evening with bestselling author Martha Hall Kelly. Her runaway bestseller "Lilac Girls" introduced the real-life heroine Caroline Ferriday. Her sweeping new novel "Lost Roses" is set a generation earlier and also inspired by true events, featuring Caroline's mother, Eliza, and following three equally indomitable women from St. Petersburg to Paris under the shadow of  World War I. The library will close early at 5:30 pm this evening to set up for this event on the Main Floor. Seating for event will begin at 6:30 pm.

5 pm Tuesday July 23rd
Philip Weinstein: Soul-Error
Philip Weinstein, the Alexander Griswold Cummins Professor of English Emeritus at Swarthmore College will share his work in progress, a volume of essays entitled Soul-Error. Refreshments will be served. Professor Weinstein will read from his essay "Vannie," named for the black maid who helped to bring him up in the South in the 1940s and 1950s. The talk explores what Vannie meant to the author and his family then, before setting forth what he has come to understand, years later, about those same social arrangements. It is a study in contrasts--experienced by the author and by countless other Americans as well.

7 pm Tuesday July 30th
Peter Christoph: Owls of New England
In this captivating presentation, Peter delivers stunning photographs of his favorite owls combined with stories that entertain, educate and inspire the audience. You’ll learn the secrets Peter uses to find and photograph these owls in their natural habitat! Eight species of expected owls in New England include: Great Horned, Barred, Eastern Screech, Long-eared, Short-eared, Snowy Owl, Northern Saw-whet and the Barn Owl.

July 2019
Art in the Stacks: Beneath the Barcode
This month, the Friends of the Library's Art in the Stacks gallery space will feature photographs from Media Voices for Children's 'Beneath the Barcode' project. 'Beneath the Barcode' is an effort to raise our attention to the impact of our economic choices on children. For more information visit the project website, https://www.mediavoicesforchildren.org/btb

Trustees of Reservations "Go Passes" Now Available at the Library!

Vineyard Haven Public Library has partnered with the Trustees of Reservations to provide library patrons the opportunity to get outside and explore places on Martha's Vineyard and elsewhere in Massachusetts.

Trustees "Go Passes" may be picked up at Vineyard Haven Public Library and used at Trustees properties for free or reduced admission. Go Pass admission is equivalent to the admission of a Family level Trustees membership, for two adults and children under 18. Go passes are valid for admission only; not valid for discounts at parking kiosks, stores, cafes, Inns, Campgrounds, special events and programs, on any equipment rental, or in place of any other permits or passes.

The Trustees care for more than 100 special places all around Massachusetts, including Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge and Long Point Wildlife Refuge on Martha's Vineyard. Not every Trustees property charges an admission fee and some fees vary seasonally. For detailed information about admission at each property, please visit thetrustees.org.

Art in the Stacks: ‘As We Live’ by Elizabeth R. Whelan

'Sophie at the Island Theater', 20" x 24", oil on canvas

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present "Martha's Vineyard: As We Live" an exhibit of new paintings by Elizabeth R. Whelan. The exhibit will be on display on the lower level of the library during regular library hours throughout the month of June, 2019. These paintings are from a recently completed series based on Island life in the off-season, that is part of the artist's response to the question, "What's it like on Island in the winter?"

Elizabeth R. Whelan is a UK-born artist best known for her portraits, which portray the warmth and personality of each of her subjects in a very individual way. She paints in oil on canvas, specializing in portraits and figurative work. She also paints maritime scenes, landscapes, and still life, and accepts commissions in all genres. The artist is represented on Martha's Vineyard by Night Heron Gallery in Vineyard Haven for her maritime paintings and linocut prints, The Field Gallery in West Tisbury for her portraiture, by Craftworks Gallery in Oak Bluffs for her smaller landscapes and paintings with rural themes, and in the Boston area by Francesca Anderson Fine Art/Portraits North in Lexington, Massachusetts. She is a member of the Salmagundi Club, Portrait Society of America, and Seed Savers Exchange.

http://www.elizabeth-whelan.com

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The Vineyard Haven Public Library's "Art in the Stacks" space features rotating monthly exhibits and is managed by the Friends of the Library. The library also has a permanent collection of artworks that are displayed throughout the year, including 12 paintings by Vineyard artist Captain John Ivory. Artists interested in showing their work may contact the library at (508) 696-4210.

The Writing Life Public & Private: Rose Styron, Philip Weinstein & Alexander Weinstein in Conversation

On Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 at 6 pm, the Martha's Vineyard Institute for Creative Writing and Vineyard Haven Public Library present three professional writers in conversation: Rose Styron (poet), Philip Weinstein (literary critic), and Alexander Weinstein (fiction). Their talk will probe the relations between the privacy of creative writing and the issues that shape public life. This event will be held at the Katharine Cornell Theater at 51 Spring Street. Doors open at 5:30 pm.

Rose Styron is the author of four poetry collections: Fierce Day, By Vineyard Light, Thieves' Afternoons, and From Summer to Summer. She has written introductions to Letters to My Father, a collection of letters written by her husband, the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer William Styron, to his father, and The Selected Letters of William Styron, which she edited. Also a human rights activist, Styron has traveled widely for Amnesty International and other human rights organizations. She lives on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.

Philip Weinstein is Alexander Griswold Cummins Professor of English Emeritus at Swarthmore College.  He has been offering literary courses sponsored by the Vineyard Haven Library every autumn. His publications include Henry James and the Requirements of the Imagination (1971), The Semantics of Desire: Changing Models of Identity from Dickens to Joyce (1984), Faulkner’s Subject: A Cosmos No One Owns (1992), What Else But Love? The Ordeal of Race in Faulkner and Morrison (1996), Unknowing: The Work of Modernist Fiction (2005), Becoming Faulkner(2009), and Jonathan Franzen: The Comedy of Rage (2015).  His current MS is entitled Soul-Error.

Alexander Weinstein is the author of the critically acclaimed short story collection Children of the New World and the director of the Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing. Among his many publications, his fiction has been collected in the anthologies Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy, New Voices from the Midwest, and Best American Experimental Writing. He is an associate professor of creative writing and lives in Ann Arbor.