After many months of transcribing and adding illustration, The “Diary” is finished. And during the process of preparation, a mystery was solved. It will be on sale at Family Day (at Donna P.’s table) for $12 a copy, and ever after at the library. There will be a reduced rate for the purchase of multiple copies. If you wish to purchase a copy from the website, simply send a note with a check for $15 ($3 for shipping) to Cook Memorial Library and we will send it to you.
The following is from Jean Ulitz’ 1975 preface:
“Nothing was ever wasted! This young lad writes cautiously at first but, as he warms to the task, he gives us a sharp and concise picture of the life of a teenager of that period. Each member of the family worked hard and long on the farm. They were active in town and church. Family life was close and loving; school was fitted into the farm schedule where practicable; religion was a basic part of their life; and there were also some lighter moments to savor and remember. There was much visiting near and far among family and friends. There were birthday parties, berry picking, mountain climbing, swimming, picnics, sleighing, orating, debating and entertainers coming to town. The Fourth of July was perhaps the highlight of the year and long to be remembered. Read on and see life in the mid 1800s through this teenager’s eyes.”
By Jay
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July 1, 2009 – 6:09 pm
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Some of Jean’s many friends drew from their collections of her artwork to make this exhibition for a birthday surprise. We are pleased and proud to celebrate Jean with a small selection of her extraordinary oeuvre.
There are paintings, prints, handmade books, calendars, baskets, cards, all beautifully conceived and realized by Jean’s nimble hands. The earliest of these pieces date back to the 1970s.
We, who contributed our treasures to make this show, salute Jean, love all her many works, and are excited to share them with you. Come to the library in July - this chance won’t come again once Jean’s artwork is returned to its owners.
Above is Jean Hurley’s handmade card
Happy Birthday to Jean
from Jay & Robbin, Marnie, Blair, Peggy, Katy, Ellie & Michael, Arthur & Sui, Debbie, Nancy, Chris, Rebecca & Brad, Steve & Gloria, Jon & Mardi.
Please click here for more pictures of Jean and her work. In the photo at left, Jean Hurley realizes what’s up - a surprise exhibition of her work
By Jay
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July 1, 2009 – 1:41 pm
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A Homemade Life is yet another memoir/cookbook in our collection that I just read. I just love that genre (and so do a lot of other patrons) - it always jump starts my flagging interest in cooking dinner.
So last night I made two of Molly Wizenberg’s recipes; a fabulous salad involving endive, avocado, feta and radishes, and Medterranean meatballs in a yogurt, lemon and cumin sauce. Ooooh la la!! Bon appetit!
So this is a long-winded introduction to Molly Wizenberg’s website, Orangette which is just as charming and even more chock-a-block full of wonderful recipes than her book. And it has links to other interesting cooking blogs of HER choice. Enjoy.
By Jay
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June 26, 2009 – 12:43 pm
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In the 1970s and 80s, an oral history project recorded a number of local people of advanced age reminiscing about early days in Tamworth, between the turn of the century and the Great Depression. These interviews were recorded on audio cassettes, and they have been languishing unheard in the library for many years.
Sponsored by The Friends of CML, Dennis Quinn, with help from Jay Rancourt, improved the sound quality and converted these cassettes to MP3 and Audio CD formats during this past year. These Audio CDs are now available for circulation.
The people interviewed include: Hooker Moody, Perley Grace, Charles Aspinall, Ellen Eldridge, Elmer Cummings, Alphonso Brown, Margaret Steele, Lillian McGrew, John Hidden, Scott Aspinall, Mabel Hidden, and several other group interviews. Interviewers include Katy Thompson, Scott Aspinall, Ellen Eldridge, Molly Balch, Jean Smith, and Frances Damon. Ice cutting, horse logging, sugaring off, driving to Boston in three days, well digging, blacksmithing, skiing on Page Hill, bears, electrification - these are a few of the subjects covered in these interviews. For a better understanding of days gone by in Tamworth, check these Audio CDs out.
By Jay
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June 23, 2009 – 3:08 pm
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This year’s Summer Reading Program will entice both kids and adults to spend lazy summer days and nights with great reads and then share their favorites with their friends at the library.
There are also exciting programs planned throughout the summer beginning with the kick-off event, Reptiles on the Move, which will take place on Saturday, June 27th at 2:00 pm. Kids and adults are invited to come and meet over 22 animals, including lizards, snakes, turtles, toads and frogs …even an American alligator, “Luka,” a 10.5 ft. long albino Burmese Python, and “Toby,” a 25 lb. tortoise. This is one not to be missed!
Come down to the library to register.
More details and Reading Logs are available in June.
By Jay
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June 18, 2009 – 11:47 am
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Each year the staff honors the volunteers by throwing them a breakfast party. These special people help the library in so many different ways - including assisting patrons, shelving books, keeping our gardens beautiful, working in the genealogy and history room, and taking on other special projects as needs arise.
This annual breakfast is a small way of saying thanks for the many hours of service our volunteers provide to the library each year.
Ruth, Joan, Millie, Jean, Nancy, Penny, Hollis, Athena, Cathy, Bob and Judy - here’s to you!!
By Jay
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June 18, 2009 – 11:30 am
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Every morning as I drive through Chocorua Village, I see a smiling face by the side of the road. A stop guarantees good conversation, good coffee, and a wonderful fresh-baked treat. Hazardous to the waistline, but terrific for the disposition. Betty is always there, rain or shine or frigid temperatures.
Betty keeps her own chickens and uses the freshest of ingredients, both of which guarantee happy customers. And who wouldn’t want to stop and talk to this lovely woman?
To honor the memory of Steve Damon, it is my intention to post the occasional blog about “the people of Tamworth” on the library’s website. Betty is the first.
By Jay
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June 9, 2009 – 11:28 am
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I found out today that Steve Damon, born in Malden , MA and longtime resident of Tamworth, has passed away. Steve has always been such an enthusiastic user and supporter of Cook Memorial Library that I just can’t imagine the library without his cheery face coming in the door.
He and his wife Ginny, both contributed to the local history collections. Steve has been creating “Facebooks” for 40 years or more - the 35 notebooks of his photographic portraits of Tamworth residents that he gave to the library some years ago has given pleasure to a great many people. His scrapbooks (collections of memorabilia about Tamworth and Mount Washington Valley events) have served on many occasions as important reference documents for local history researchers.
The sign next to his photo in the Ulitz Genealogy & History Center says: “Steve Damon: Photographer, Author, Inventor, Editor, Collector, Interpreter, Neighbor, Historian, Raconteur, Comedian, Explorer”
Steve’s kindness, sense of humor and warmth will be sorely missed by the library community, most especially the staff.
Steve’s obituary by Chris Clyne
Juno’s post about Steve
By Jay
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June 1, 2009 – 10:45 am
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This just in! You can now follow the Library on Twitter. AND become a fan of our beloved Cook Memorial Library on Facebook!
By Jay
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May 31, 2009 – 10:55 am
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Music is everywhere. There’s lots of local music, thanks to Arts Council of Tamworth, Mocha Rizing, Mountain Top Music, the Corner House, and Katy’s store all provide music venues locally.
There are many opportunities to find music online as well:
Pandora Radio is a popular and FREE personalized internet radio service that helps you find new music based on your old and current favorites. Jango, Songza, and iLike are others.
There’s also an Online Music Database, similar to the Internet Movie Database
By Jay
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May 21, 2009 – 2:30 pm
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