Leach Library to Host Musical History of “Your Hit Parade”

On Thursday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m., the Londonderry Leach Library will host the talk “Your Hit Parade—25 Years Presenting America’s Top Popular Songs.” Presenter Calvin Knickerbocker will cover the history of the popular music program while featuring original recordings of the songs showcased on its weekly Saturday night show.

Calvin Knickerbocker is an independent scholar with over twenty years of experience in the field of education, sixteen of which were spent managing education programs. He has developed and taught fourteen courses for Nashua’s Rivier College RISE (Rivier Institute of Senior Education) program on such topics as big bands, folk music, and the music of Broadway. He currently travels around the state presenting similarly-themed programs in conjunction with the New Hampshire Humanities Council.

In this program, Mr. Knickerbocker will focus on the radio and television show “Your Hit Parade” that ran from 1935 until 1959. He will discuss the origin of the show, its evolution over time, and the well-known vocalists whose careers it helped launch, including Frank Sinatra and Elvis. Much of the program will be devoted to playing excerpts from original recordings of top hits featured over the years, displaying the transitions in musical trends from the big band years to the early rock period.

The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Leach Library to Present an Evening with Fiddler Ellen Carlson

On Thursday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m., fiddler Ellen Carlson will present a program on fiddling styles at the Londonderry Leach Library. She will be accompanied by Tim Mowry on guitar, mandolin, bouzouki and vocals.

Ellen Carlson is a member of the Artists in Education Roster of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and has been playing various styles of fiddling for over thirty years. She has performed with the acoustic roots band High Range, the swing trio Sweet, Hot & Sassy, as well as with the rock/country band The Blue Hill Kickers. Tim Mowry grew up playing old country, bluegrass, and popular standards from the American songbook. He has played with Deaf Heifer, Stonewall Bluegrass and others, and currently plays in the old-time American and Celtic group The Grumbling Rustics, which has featured Ellen Carlson as well.

In this program, the duo will present an upbeat, entertaining and educational program on a wide range of fiddling styles including Irish, Scottish, old-time, Swedish, Klezmer, Cajun, blues, bluegrass, country and swing.

Please join us for an informative and entertaining evening of music.

The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

American Quilt Traditions Program

Leach Library to Host Program on American Quilt Traditions

On Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host a program on the history of American quilt traditions. This talk, given by Cheryl Savageau, will cover a variety of traditions including Amish and Native American, illustrating examples of each in slide images and quilt samples.

Cheryl Savageau is a textile artist who received her Master of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts. She is a founding member of the Oak and Stone Storytellers, as well as the author of the poetry collections Dirt Road Home and Mother/Land and the picture book Muskrat Will Be Swimming. She has received several fellowships and residencies in poetry from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Massachusetts Artist Foundation and the MacDowell Colony. Her quilts have been exhibited at the University of New Hampshire in a contemporary Native Artists’ exhibit and at the Abbe Museum’s Twisting Path exhibit in Bar Harbor, Maine.

In this program, Ms. Savageau will use slide images and quilt samples to exemplify an assortment of American quilt traditions, including Anglo, Amish, African American, and several Native American traditions. She will discuss the cultural context and historical meaning of the various quilting traditions, as well as the political, religious, and geographical influences and differing aesthetics they embody.

The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

The History of New England Whaling

At 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, the library will host The Golden Age of New England Whaling, a talk presented by independent historian Mike McKinley. This lecture will focus on the fascinating history of the New England whaling industry during the nineteenth century, including information on the types of whales pursued, descriptions of whaling ships and their crews, and the ordeals of whale attacks and mutinies at sea.

Mike McKinley earned his Bachelor’s degree in history and liberal arts from Plymouth State Col-lege, and went on to obtain his Master’s degree in history from the University of Idaho. He has been employed with the National Parks Service as a seasonal park ranger and historical interpreter at a number of historic sites and monuments. When not working with the park service, Mr. McKinley is an independent historian who presents lectures for libraries, historical societies and schools.

In this program, Mr. McKinley will explore the importance of the whaling industry to the industrial and economic development of the United States. During its so-called Golden Age, from 1812 to the 1850s, whaling was the third most viable industry in the region and ranked the fifth most important in the nation. Mr. McKinley will discuss what life was like for those aboard the whaling vessels, as well as for the wives and children left ashore in the numerous whaling and port towns.

This free public event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It will be held in the library’s lower level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Ladybug Award Voting

Ladybug Award voting begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 16, and concludes on Satur-day, November 21, at 5:00 p.m. Each voter will receive a fun ladybug craft and a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of our exciting ladybug prize bags.

Skippyjon Jones Visit

On, Monday, November 9, from 4:00-5:00 p.m., the library will welcome everyone’s favorite Siamese kitten, Skippyjon Jones. Children who attend the program will hear the tale of Skippyjon, meet the kitten himself and have a fabulous fiesta! After the program, there will be time to hug Skippyjon and enjoy photo opportunities. This program is limited to 75 people, with advance registration required. To register, call or stop by the Children’s Room starting on Monday, Novem-ber 2, at 9:00 a.m. Please note: Parents may register a maximum of five (5) children per program at once.

Leach Library to Host an Evening of Gothic Victorian Tales by Candlelight

On Thursday, October 15 at 7:00 p.m., the Londonderry Leach Library will present an evening of mysterious and supernatural tales read by candlelight. This theatrical storytelling presentation given by actress Rita Parisi will feature the stories of nineteenth-century New England writer Sarah Orne Jewett.

Ms. Parisi is an experienced performer who has been entertaining audiences for over 14 years in the New England area. In 2002, she founded Waterfall Productions to create shows that highlight her passion for theatre as well as history, literature and costuming, and she has performed these shows all over New England. Ms. Parisi is also actively involved in the independent film scene in Boston and some of her films have been debuted at the Boston International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.

In this program, Rita Parisi, wearing the dress of a nineteenth century woman, will read stories about curses, death and immortality written by the New England author Sarah Orne Jewett. A native of South Berwick, Maine, Jewett's stories are peopled with typical New England characters and often contain elements of the region's eerie and mysterious atmosphere.

The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It is free and open to the public, and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Leach Library to Host “Lafayette in America”

On Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host the program “Lafayette in America” presented by Alan R. Hoffman. This informative presentation will transport listeners to early nineteenth century America for a closer look at Revolutionary War General Lafayette.

Presenter Alan R. Hoffman is a Londonderry resident who practices law in Boston. He holds a B.A. degree in history from Yale University and a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School. His long-held passion for American history led him to begin translating the journals of Lafayette’s private secretary, Auguste Levasseur, as a hobby. After three years of work, Mr. Hoffman published the translation, Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825, to noted praise, including bestselling author David McCullough’s statement “Alan R. Hoffman has made a very great contribution with his translation of Levasseur’s Journal.” He now travels throughout the region giving talks on Lafayette, and is a member of both the American Friends of Lafayette and the Massachusetts Lafayette Society.

Drawing from the information contained in Auguste Levasseur’s journal, Mr. Hoffman will trace Lafayette's steps as he traveled through America just fifty years after the Revolution, including stops in Londonderry and nearby towns. He will discuss Lafayette’s affectionate relationships with the Founding Fathers, as well as his enlightened views on slavery and the plight of Native Americans. Join us for a new perspective on our nation’s past through the experiences of an often-overlooked yet fascinating historical character. Copies of Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825 will be available for purchase after the program.

The program is free and open to the public and will be held in the library’s lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Leach Library to Host Program on Closing Out the Garden

On Thursday, September 10 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host the program “Putting the Garden to Bed” with local Master Gardener Denise Sarnie. Created by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, this program will explain everything a gardener needs to do before settling in for the winter.

Presenter Denise Sarnie is a Windham resident who has been gardening in New England for the past nine years. Since becoming a Master Gardener, she has focused much of her attention on the care and practice of organic gardening, and she has become efficient at starting seeds and growing heirloom vegetables. She has spent the last four years coordinating with the UNH Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener program, which provides New Hampshire residents with research-based education and information on a consultation basis and through community outreach programs.

This garden talk will cover chores the homeowner should perform during the fall months such as caring for the lawn, closing out the garden beds, planting trees and shrubs, dividing perennials, pruning, mulching and composting. Information on conducting a soil test to prepare the garden for the next year will be included as well.

The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library who will have bulbs available for purchase as part of their Fall Bulb Sale. The event is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be served.

Leach Library to Host an Evening of Traditional Sea Songs with Tom Hall and Linn Schulz

On Thursday, May 14th at 7:00pm, the Leach Library will host an evening of traditional sea songs, tales, and folklore with musicians Tom Hall and Linn Schulz.

Tom Hall has spent nearly 60 years learning, listening to and singing traditional folk songs. He has given hundreds of performances in a variety of venues and has helped to organize many folk music festivals. He has been performing with his wife, Linn Schulz, for over fifteen years. Together they host a monthly sea shanty session at the Press Room Pub in Portsmouth, as well as perform for the annual Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival.

In this program, Tom and Linn will perform traditional sea songs in their original, and at times salty, language. The performance will include sea shanties which were sung as working songs and "fo'c's'le" songs or "forebitters" which were sung for entertainment when sailors were off duty. In addition, they will be presenting the tales and folklore behind the songs. Audience participation is welcome and encouraged.

The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It is free and open to the public and will be held in the library's lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Local Nature Photographer to Present Slide-Show at Leach Library

On Thursday, April 16th at 7pm, the Londonderry Leach Library will host the program "Understanding and Respecting New England Wildlife." This narrated nature slide-show will be given by local photographer John Rockwood and will feature images of loons, harbor seals, bald eagles and hummingbirds.

Auburn resident John Rockwood is a former software engineer whose interest in nature photography led to a career change. He now travels throughout the State visiting libraries, Audubon centers, and elderly and assisted living centers presenting narrated nature slide-shows on a variety of topics. His work has been featured in Birds & Blooms and Natural New England magazines, and he also won the 2004 Auburn, NH photo contest. He is currently at work on a 60 page book chronicling the story of a loon family nesting at Lake Massabesic.

This program will include photographs taken by Mr. Rockwood at Squam Lake Science Center and Plum Island. Mr. Rockwood will discuss the life cycles of the featured animals as well as present amusing anecdotes and little-known facts.

The event is being sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library. It is free and open to the public , and will be held in the library's lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Gardening Expert to Speak at Leach Library

On Thursday, March 26th at 7pm, the Londonderry Leach Library will host the program "Attracting Birds and Butterflies to Your Garden" with local gardener Michelle Mensinger. This informative talk will cover design elements of a garden that appeal to a variety of birds and butterflies.

Michelle Mensinger is a Derry gardener with years of experience sharing her knowledge and love of gardening. She travels throughout the region as a Flower Show Judge and is currently serving as a trustee for the Robert Frost Farm where she assists in the upkeep of the children's garden. She is also the Bird and Butterfly Chairman for the New Hampshire and New England Federation of Garden Clubs where she works on a variety of educational outreach projects.

In this program Ms. Messinger will discuss the types of birds and butterflies that can be attracted to a garden and what elements appeal to them, including plants and bird feeders. The presentation will include a trivia section with varieties of bird seed given as prizes. All attendees will be entered into a drawing for a handmade birch suet feeder.

The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Londonderry Leach Library who will have bulbs available for purchase as part of their Spring Bulb Sale. The event is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be served.

An Evening of Songs and Stories from Historic New England

On Thursday, February 19th at 7pm, the Leach Library will host the performance "New England Folksong" with musician and folklorist Cliff McGann. The concert will feature stories and songs of local lore, including the Lowell Mill Girls, the Maine Lumberman, the Nantucket Whalerman, and the Gloucester Sailor.

Cliff McGann is a graduate of the Celtic Studies Department at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. His Irish and Scottish heritage influenced his choice of studies as well as his musical style. He received a Master's Degree in Folklore from Meorial university in Newfoundlandand has since combined his areas of interest. He travels throughout the region presenting a variety of topics when he is not performing as a member of the Boston Kiltics, a New England based Celtic music and dance troupe.

Please join us for this entertaining and educational evening of songs and stories. The program is free and open to the public and will be held in the library's lower-level meeting room. Light refreshments will be served.

Leach Library to Host Treasures of the Louvre

On Thursday, February 21^st at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host Dr. Andrew Laurie Stangel’s “Treasures of the Louvre” slide presentation. This program will focus on one of the world’s largest museums, the Louvre in Paris. Its extensive collections, which reach from antiquity to the twentieth century, include monuments from ancient Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome, as well as the largest collection of European paintings anywhere. Founded by Napoleon in 1793 as the world’s first public museum, the Louvre has existed for over two hundred years, and celebrated its 200^th anniversary with an expansion of its facility and collection. This unique lecture will be illustrated with art-historical slides photographed by Dr. Stangel on the occasion of that anniversary.

Dr. Stangel is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UCLA and Professor of Art History at the University of New Hampshire in Manchester. A recipient of numerous academic honors and distinguished teaching awards, he has lectured at colleges and universities, museums, and galleries in the United States and Europe. He also created and directed the Art History Tours for the United States Armed Forces in Europe. Join this seasoned speaker for a fascinating tour through one of the world’s great museums. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Jazz Standards from the American Songbook and Beyond

On Thursday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m., the Leach Library will host “Jazz Standards from the American Songbook and Beyond” with the musical group Too Human. The concert will feature jazz and blues-inspired originals and such standards as “Pennies from Heaven” and “It Had to Be You.”

The Too Human duo is comprised of band members Ellen Schwartz and Roger Bruno. They began their musical careers in Los Angeles with Warner/Chappell Music where their songs were recorded by such artists as Cher, Pat Benatar, and Anne Murray. They have recorded two CDs since creating Too Human, From There to Here and their latest, True, both of which have received air-time all over the country. As Too Human, they tour on a regular basis from Maine to Florida, enchanting audiences with earthy vocals and unusual percussion styles. Under their company name, Boenel Productions, they also have entered the realm of film score composition. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.toohumanonline.com.

Please come and enjoy an evening of breezy toe-tapping swing and bluesy heartfelt ballads. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Please feel free to leave feedback about the program through this blog.

Leach Library to Host “Annie Londonderry” with Peter Zheutlin

On Thursday, May 17 at 7 p.m., the Leach Library will present “Annie Londonderry: A Presentation of Cycling, History, and Victorian Adventure.” This lively and richly illustrated PowerPoint presentation will recount the life and experiences of Annie Londonderry. The Londonderry Historical Society will be co-hosting the event.

Peter Zheutlin has spent years compiling the information in this presentation on his great-grandaunt, Annie Londonderry. Born Annie Kopchovsky, this notable nineteenth-century woman made history by attempting to be the first woman to ride a bicycle around the world. Her travels were sponsored by the Londonderry Lithia Spring Water Company, hence her change of last name. Using old newspaper accounts, long lost letters, scrapbooks and photographs, Mr. Zheutlin has put together an engaging PowerPoint presentation to chronicle the story of Annie Londonderry’s cross-country, and worldwide, adventures. This presentation tells not only the tale of the woman herself, but of the turn-of-the-century cycling craze and the women’s suffrage movement, and the search for meaning in tracing the story of one’s ancestors. More information can be found at www.annielondonderry.com.

Please join us for this wonderfully illustrated program. The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.