Upcoming events
Got an event you’d like to see here? Send it to us!
Trick or Read!
The library will be hosting Trick or Read on Friday, October 31 from 9am-6pm. Kids and teens in costume can stop by anytime throughout the day and choose from a large selection of boo-ks and can select a free one to keep. Books will be available for kids of all ages, from picture books to young adult. We can't wait to see your costumes!
For more information, contact Claire at claire.malina@bhpl.net or call 374-5515.
Trunk or Treat!
Truck or treat in the DISES parking lot! Email egoding@dises.org to sign up or decorate a truck!
Halloween Contra Dance
All are welcome to the Halloween Contra Dance Party! This special holiday event features remixed pop, rock & dance tunes, blacklights, a candy potluck, costume prizes and more! Chem-free event.
6-7pm Community Dance: easy and fun family-friendly dances to get you warmed up. No charge, donations welcome.
7-10pm Contra Dance. All dances are taught and no partner or experience is needed! $15-$25 suggested, under 18s pay 1/2 their age.
More info at surrycontra.org or follow on FB / IG
GSA Spooktacular Haunted House
The entire peninsula is invited to join the George Stevens Academy freshman class on Halloween night for their Stranger Things-themed haunted house! More details to come.
Healthy Hibernation Community Fair
Showcasing nonprofits and businesses that support health and wellness especially during the winter months- for community members of all ages on the Blue Hill peninsula and Deer Isle/Stonington. Come learn about your local community organizations. Non perishable food donations will be accepted. Flu vaccines available; bring insurance card if you have one.
Dolly's Coffeehouse
Geoff Warner will be the featured performer at Dolly’s Coffeehouse at the First Congregational Church of Blue Hill, Saturday, November 1st 7:00-9:00pm. Singer song-write, Geoff will perform a mix of original songs and roots covers on guitar and a few fiddle tunes for good measure! Blues legends, Reverend Garry Davis, and Mississippi John Hurt and the 60s Rock and Roll he grew up with are influences in Geoff’s fingerpicking guitar style.
The first hour will be open mic, where everyone is welcome to perform: music, mime, poetry, dance, etc. Performers are requested to arrive a few minutes early to sign up. There will be a brief intermission with refreshments, followed by Geoff Warner.
Donations benefit the Dolly Fisher Emergency Fund, which provides emergency fuel, food, and utility help for households on the Blue Hill Peninsula and informing the public about other available resources. Held downstairs in Fellowship Hall, come listen and join the fun. Admission is by free-will offering. FMI: contact 374-2891.
The Simmering Pot
Free community meals are served in Jonathan Fisher Hall at the First Congregational Church of Blue Hill year-round, except major holidays. All are welcome to eat in or take out. There is never a charge, but a donation basket is available. Donations from individuals and businesses help sustain the program.
For more information, see Simmering Pot | Healthy Peninsula.
EXPLORING YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE
This colloquy, led by Kendall Chapman, Blue Hill Library’s Communications
Director and Ruth Slaven Teen Services & Outreach Librarian, explores the
increasing popularity of YA literature among adult readers and looks at this
vibrant genre from multiple perspectives. Titles include the The Hunger
Games by Suzanne Collins, the first of a series of popular dystopian
novels, reaching a diverse audience of both teens and adults; the historical
novel Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Melinda Lo, and the graphic
novel Nimona by N.D. Stevenson.
Mondays, 6-8 PM starting November 3. To register go to
Colloquydowneast.org.
Kairos: Angels and Animals - Franz Kafka and Walter Benamin
The library is sponsoring a series of discussions with Denis Sweet, a former teacher at Bates College, investigating our current moment by making use of contemporary and classic writings in literature, social criticism, biology, and philosophy.
To facilitate discussion, the number of participants is limited to twelve. Registration can be done through the library's online calendar. For more information, please email Assistant Director Kayleigh Thomas at kayleigh.thomas@bhpl.net or call 374-5515.
Book Talk
You are invited to a talk about my new book, “The Ali Hindy Story: A Muslim Immigrant in 20th Century America,” at the Friend Library in Brooklin November 5 at 5 pm.
My grandfather Ali Hindy left his homeland in Syria for Europe and America in 1894 at age 12 with two other boys. He ended up in southern West Virginia owning a general store, movie theater and bathhouse for coal miners.
It’s a classic American immigrant success story, and a story of the sacrifices made to become an American.
Downeast Audubon Society Program
Cashes Ledge: Maine’s First National Marine Sanctuary
Cashes Ledge is 32-mile-long series of underwater mountains in 700-800 feet of water in the Gulf of Maine with the densest kelp forest on the eastern seaboard. It abounds in fish and other sea life, and has been called as “the Yellowstone of the North Atlantic.” Naturalist and marine conservationist Zack Klyver will share his experiences leading trips to the area to see whales, seabirds, dolphins and more. In July 2024, Conservation Law Foundation nominated Cashes as a National Marine Sanctuary. Everyone is welcomed.
Tech Class: Privacy for Seniors
The Blue Hill Library, Healthy Peninsula, Senior Planet, Americorps Seniors, and the University of Maine Center on Aging are cosponsoring a class on managing your privacy in the library's Howard Room.
This program is free and open to all, but registration is required and can be done through the library's online calendar. For more information, please call the library at 374-5515 or email Assistant Director Kayleigh Thomas at kayleigh.thomas@bhpl.net.
Blue Hill Chess Enthusiasts
The Blue Hill Chess Enthusiasts meet each Thursday evening for pick-up games of chess. All experience levels are welcome to drop in for friendly games any time between 5:00 and 8:00 PM.
Interested players can also join the Blue Hill Peninsula Chess Nuts group on lichess.org to play online games any time.
Knitting Group
Knitters are invited to come sit by the library fireplace to work on and share projects with fellow knitters.The Knitting Group will meet every Thursday evening at 6 pm. Anyone is welcome to join this free event. Coffee and tea will be available to purchase.
Beginner’s Contra Dance
This new Beginners Contra Dance series is a small, casual contra dance, suitable for newbies and experienced dancers alike! Dance or join in the open band with any instrument. $5 suggested, no charge for musicians. Chem-free event!
These dances are generally 1st, 3rd & 5th Thursdays of the month at the Surry Grange, 1229 Surry Rd. See calendar at surrycontra.org or follow on FB / IG
This dance is part of the Surry Contra Dance series. Join us every 2nd Saturday of the month for the full contra experience!
The Freedom and Justice Summit: The Official Kick-Off Party
As the sun dips behind the trees in Ellsworth, the Summit evening unfolds with warmth and intention. Guests gather around the bonfire out back, where flickering flames invite quiet reflection and spontaneous connection. Light music drifts through the air, setting a gentle rhythm for the night, while the café offers comforting bites for purchase until 5 PM for those looking to nourish body and spirit. Friday Night Ticket holders are encouraged to pick up a swag bag from the Summit Planners—each one a curated gift of creativity and purpose- before heading to The Grand for the evening show. It’s more than an event; it’s a celebration of Art, Freedom, Justice, and community- coming alive under the stars.
The Y.A. Cafe
Teens ages 12+ are invited to join Teen Services Librarian Kendall Chapman at the Blue Hill Public Library, teens can socialize, play games while enjoying snacks and drinks.
Beaded Bracelet Workshop
Join local artist and Isle au Haut school art teacher Jadyn LaDeau in the Deer Isle Adult and Community Education classroom. Jadyn will teach us the spiral rope stitch to create a glass beaded bracelet. Perfect for holiday gifting!
Visit
https://campscui.active.com/orgs/MAEADeerIsleAdultEducation?season=3664339&session=67895646 to register. Or email gupham@su76.org phone 207-656-6262.
The Freedom and Justice Summit: Our Youth, Our Future
The Freedom & Arts Summit is more than an event—it’s a movement. Rooted in the transformative power of art, the Summit brings together diverse voices to challenge injustice and champion freedom. Over three action-packed days in Ellsworth, and with 5 dynamic pop-up events leading up to the main celebration, the Summit will showcase art that speaks to and for meaningful change. Its mission is to empower communities, nurture creativity, and spark dialogue on the themes of freedom and justice.
Doors open at 6:00, show starts at 7:00. Tickets available here.
The Freedom and Justice Summit: Our Past, Our Present
The Freedom & Arts Summit is more than an event—it’s a movement. Rooted in the transformative power of art, the Summit brings together diverse voices to challenge injustice and champion freedom. Over three action-packed days in Ellsworth, and with 5 dynamic pop-up events leading up to the main celebration, the Summit will showcase art that speaks to and for meaningful change. Its mission is to empower communities, nurture creativity, and spark dialogue on the themes of freedom and justice.
With Lady Brion, Gawler Sisters, Cant Dog, The Somes Sound, Vals Porter, The Healing Garden.
Doors open at 6:00, show starts at 7:00. Tickets available here.
The Freedom and Justice Summit: The Workshops
Join Ayurvedic Health Counselor Erik Jackson and Conscious Café co-founder Jesse Steiger for an experiential dive into two of Ayurveda’s most time-honored practices: ghee-making and abhyanga (self-oil massage). In this hands-on demo, participants will witness the full alchemical transformation of butter into golden ghee — a healing fat revered for its digestive, mental, and cellular benefits. You'll learn the sacred process, its uses, and go home with your own small batch to integrate into your kitchen or self-care routine.
Liz from Wild Embodiment will be offering a one free open workshop as part of Freedom & Justice Summit on Saturday Nov 8th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Steamy Buddha Yoga, donations are encouraged and can be made directly to the facilitator/host.
Saturday Story Time
Monthly read aloud story time with a hands-on craft or activity. Locations and themes vary. Check website for details: stonington.lib.me.us/events.
Harvest Book Arts for Kids
Everyone is invited to this family friendly event to make pop-up books to celebrate the harvest season. Shannon Kerner, local book creator and artist, will teach participants how to create their own pop-up books to take home. Many fun ideas will "leap off" from the page; haystacks, vegetables from the garden, a sunset, a dahlia, a scarecrow or a crow. . . whatever your imagination can "spring up" from a square fold, and/or a V fold pop-up. Participants will use paper, scissors, and glue to make their pop-up books and all materials will be provided by the library.
Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Library, this event is free and open to all. For more information, contact Claire at claire.malina@bhpl.net or call 374-5515.
Edible Island
“Out on a Limb Apples”
SPL and Healthy Island Project team up for another cooking workshop with chef Teri Hardy. Learn how to make chicken Normandy and apple fritter cake with Out on a Limb heirloom apples. The workshop will also feature an heirloom apple tasting of many different varieties. Contact SPL at stonington.public.library@gmail.com or 367-5926 to register. Limited space.
Surry Contra Dance
All are welcome at the Surry Contra Dance!
6-7pm Community Dance: easy and fun family-friendly dances. Dance or join the Open Band! No charge, donations welcome.
7-10pm Contra Dance: all dances are instructed, no partner or experience is needed!
$15-$25 suggested, under 18s pay 1/2 their age. These dances are year-round, every 2nd Saturday of the month. Chem-free event!
See performer schedule and get more info at surrycontra.org or follow on FB / IG
The Freedom and Justice Summit: The Sequel
Light breakfast (catered by Conscious Cafe) to thank our sponsors, performers, volunteers and all who made this event possible! A time to all reflection and plan to plan for what is next!
Sound Bath & Discussion 11:00-12:30
Immerse yourself in the healing vibrations of women's voices, drums, singing bowls, wah-wah tubes, chimes and more as The Healing Garden transports you through dimensions to explore your divine spirit and spiritual freedom.
The Art & Sovereignty of Freedom 12:30-2:00
Natasha Sidhu, Co-Founder of Sanctuary on Church and Steamy Buddha shares how to access your own sovereign self and the freedom we all long for in our everyday lives.
Reversing Falls Sanctuary's 25th Anniversary Celebration: Care for Our Common Home
As we look back upon the 25-year journey that Reversing Falls Sanctuary has been traveling, we are filled with gratitude for the many gifts, talents, time and treasure that have been shared with us. So many people have blessed us with their stories, insights, imagination, creativity and elbow grease! As we ponder how we have lived out our mission goals over these past 25 years, we are excited to share our musings with the community in our upcoming Fall series.
From the start, our mission has been to build community, support the arts, care for our sacred Earth, and encourage personal spiritual growth. We have done this by our programming, by the restoration of our historic church building, by creating a safe and welcoming space and by honoring the stories that each person has brought to us.
In order to highlight our mission goals, we are planning 4 sessions which will include an artist, a poet/spoken word, and a musician to share their reflections on how we have honored the commitments we made to this community.
This session will have:
· Artist: Sonia Turanski
· Poet/Spoken Word response: 8th grade students from Penobscot Community School
· Musician: Hawk Henries
Veteran's Luncheon
Penobscot Cafe is inviting Veterans plus one for a special Veterans' Day luncheon on Monday, Nov. 10th - (10 a.m. to 2 p.m, Lunch served at 12 noon). This is being co-sponsored by the Rising Star Lodge #4. Please contact Patty Hutchins by November 7. pattylhutchins@gmail.com or (207) 479-3000.
Blue Hill Chess Enthusiasts
The Blue Hill Chess Enthusiasts meet each Thursday evening for pick-up games of chess. All experience levels are welcome to drop in for friendly games any time between 5:00 and 8:00 PM.
Interested players can also join the Blue Hill Peninsula Chess Nuts group on lichess.org to play online games any time.
Knitting Group
Knitters are invited to come sit by the library fireplace to work on and share projects with fellow knitters.The Knitting Group will meet every Thursday evening at 6 pm. Anyone is welcome to join this free event. Coffee and tea will be available to purchase.
Art Show Open Reception
Lamoine Artist Terre Lefferts will show her artwork in the Blue Hill Public Library’s Britton Gallery and Howard Room during the month of November, in a show titled “Local Colors: Oil and Pastel Paintings of Regional Scenes.” The show will feature Blue Hill Peninsula and Mount Desert Island landscapes. The public is invited to a reception on Friday, November 14, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The show will be available for viewing starting November 5, subject to the Howard Room meeting schedule. For more information, contact the library at 374-5515.
Maine's Young Entrepreneur Market
The markets showcase local youth in 8th grade and younger who bring their talents to life through handmade crafts, baked goods, farm-fresh products, jewelry, and creative services. Each event celebrates creativity, entrepreneurship, and community spirit, giving kids real-world experience in marketing, customer engagement, and small-business operations.
This fall, the market will expand to an event at the Friend Memorial Public Library in Brooklin and young entrepreneurs have been invited to participate in the Holly Berry Fair in Castine on Saturday, December 6th, from 3–7 PM.
All children are welcome to participate, regardless of where they live. Parents are encouraged to register their child’s booth in advance to help organizers plan accordingly. To register, please email youthmarketcastine@gmail.com.
Graphic Novel Book Group Meeting 1
“Kate Beaton's Ducks”
Join us for the first ever meeting of Deer Isle Adult and Community Education's Graphic Novel Book Group!
Island Institute Fellow, avid reader, and former bookseller Grace will lead discussion of some first-rate graphic novels. Meeting monthly on 3rd Wednesdays.
Through stunning visuals and storytelling, Ducks transports readers from a close-knit Nova Scotia community to the harsh and bewildering landscape of Alberta’s oil sands. A fiercely true-to-life and insightful tale of determination and persistence.
Visit https://campscui.active.com/orgs/MAEADeerIsleAdultEducation?season=3664339&session=68035243 to register and reserve a library copy of Ducks. Or email gupham@su76.org/phone 207-656-6262.
Beginner’s Contra Dance
This new Beginners Contra Dance series is a small, casual contra dance, suitable for newbies and experienced dancers alike! Dance or join in the open band with any instrument. $5 suggested, no charge for musicians. Chem-free event!
These dances are generally 1st, 3rd & 5th Thursdays of the month at the Surry Grange, 1229 Surry Rd. See calendar at surrycontra.org or follow on FB / IG
This dance is part of the Surry Contra Dance series. Join us every 2nd Saturday of the month for the full contra experience!
Reversing Falls Sanctuary's 25th Anniversary Celebration: Building Community
As we look back upon the 25-year journey that Reversing Falls Sanctuary has been traveling, we are filled with gratitude for the many gifts, talents, time and treasure that have been shared with us. So many people have blessed us with their stories, insights, imagination, creativity and elbow grease! As we ponder how we have lived out our mission goals over these past 25 years, we are excited to share our musings with the community in our upcoming Fall series.
From the start, our mission has been to build community, support the arts, care for our sacred Earth, and encourage personal spiritual growth. We have done this by our programming, by the restoration of our historic church building, by creating a safe and welcoming space and by honoring the stories that each person has brought to us.
In order to highlight our mission goals, we are planning 4 sessions which will include an artist, a poet/spoken word, and a musician to share their reflections on how we have honored the commitments we made to this community.
This session will have:
· Artist Annie Poole
· Poet Emily Blair Stribling
· Musician Estelle Poole
Beginner’s Contra Dance
This new Beginners Contra Dance series is a small, casual contra dance, suitable for newbies and experienced dancers alike! Dance or join in the open band with any instrument. $5 suggested, no charge for musicians. Chem-free event!
These dances are generally 1st, 3rd & 5th Thursdays of the month at the Surry Grange, 1229 Surry Rd. See calendar at surrycontra.org or follow on FB / IG
This dance is part of the Surry Contra Dance series. Join us every 2nd Saturday of the month for the full contra experience!
Surry Contra Dance
All are welcome at the Surry Contra Dance!
6-7pm Community Dance: easy and fun family-friendly dances. Dance or join the Open Band! No charge, donations welcome.
7-10pm Contra Dance: all dances are instructed, no partner or experience is needed!
$15-$25 suggested, under 18s pay 1/2 their age. These dances are year-round, every 2nd Saturday of the month. Chem-free event!
See performer schedule and get more info at surrycontra.org or follow on FB / IG
Beginner’s Contra Dance
This new Beginners Contra Dance series is a small, casual contra dance, suitable for newbies and experienced dancers alike! Dance or join in the open band with any instrument. $5 suggested, no charge for musicians. Chem-free event!
These dances are generally 1st, 3rd & 5th Thursdays of the month at the Surry Grange, 1229 Surry Rd. See calendar at surrycontra.org or follow on FB / IG
This dance is part of the Surry Contra Dance series. Join us every 2nd Saturday of the month for the full contra experience!
Knitting Group
Knitters are invited to come sit by the library fireplace to work on and share projects with fellow knitters.The Knitting Group will meet every Thursday evening at 6 pm. Anyone is welcome to join this free event. Coffee and tea will be available to purchase.
Blue Hill Chess Enthusiasts
The Blue Hill Chess Enthusiasts meet each Thursday evening for pick-up games of chess. All experience levels are welcome to drop in for friendly games any time between 5:00 and 8:00 PM.
Interested players can also join the Blue Hill Peninsula Chess Nuts group on lichess.org to play online games any time.
Tick Awareness Webinar and Watch-party
Halloween is around the corner, and we're recognizing the holiday with a FREE webinar about a pressing real-life spook: ticks and the disease they spread!
Join us Wednesday, October 29th, 6-7:30pm for a talk and Q+A session. You can participate in this event via Zoom or join a watch-party in the Island Connectivity Hub.
To join via Zoom: bit.ly/47nmDWR
To register for the watch-party: https://campscui.active.com/.../MAEADeerIsleAdultEducatio...
Or get in touch with Grace: gupham@su76.org/207-656-6262.
This event is an Island Connectivity Hub collaboration with Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety, Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, Deer Isle Adult and Community Education, and Town of Stonington
Healthy Peninsula Walk-In Cafe
Join Healthy Peninsula on Wednesday mornings for a casual social gathering, Including refreshments, conversation and fun! Our cafe is held in the basement (Fisher Hall) of the Blue Hill Congregational Church. It is an opportunity to connect with new and old friends in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. All ages welcome! Come at 9:30 and stay until 11:30 or pop in anytime.
For more information, call 207-374-3257.
Drop-In Tech Help
Get help from our volunteers with your laptop, tablet, Kindle or smartphone.
Drop-In Tech Help is available on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Our volunteers will not be able to service your device, but they will walk you through your problem and do their best to help you resolve it. Just bring your device and your questions. Sessions are first come, first served, and may be time-limited based on demand.
Handwork In The Library
Grab your handwork* and enjoy some company in our lovely sun-soaked back room. Come right at 1:00, or drop in whenever you please. We're open until 4:00 on Tuesdays. *handwork is optional
Kairos: Angels and Animals - Franz Kafka and Walter Benamin
The library is sponsoring a series of discussions with Denis Sweet, a former teacher at Bates College, investigating our current moment by making use of contemporary and classic writings in literature, social criticism, biology, and philosophy.
To facilitate discussion, the number of participants is limited to twelve. Registration can be done through the library's online calendar. For more information, please email Assistant Director Kayleigh Thomas at kayleigh.thomas@bhpl.net or call 374-5515.
Reader’s Choice: James
Reader’s Choice: Katherine Page
Monthly SPL book club that meets on Zoom.
James by Percival Everett
MILS catalog record
“When Jim hears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond. This brilliant and tender novel radically illuminates Jim’s agency, intelligence, and compassion as never before.” – From cover jacket
The Simmering Pot
Free community meals are served in Jonathan Fisher Hall at the First Congregational Church of Blue Hill year-round, except major holidays. All are welcome to eat in or take out. There is never a charge, but a donation basket is available. Donations from individuals and businesses help sustain the program.
For more information, see Simmering Pot | Healthy Peninsula.
The Hidden Impact of Hearing Loss on Relationships
When we understand each other’s challenges, communication becomes easier.
Presented by: Pat Dobbs
President of Hearing Loss Association of America, HLAA Downeast Chapter
Staff Writer, Hearing Health Foundation Committee Member, Maine Department of Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Reversing Falls Sanctuary's 25th Anniversary Celebration: Supporting the Arts
As we look back upon the 25-year journey that Reversing Falls Sanctuary has been traveling, we are filled with gratitude for the many gifts, talents, time and treasure that have been shared with us. So many people have blessed us with their stories, insights, imagination, creativity and elbow grease! As we ponder how we have lived out our mission goals over these past 25 years, we are excited to share our musings with the community in our upcoming Fall series.
From the start, our mission has been to build community, support the arts, care for our sacred Earth, and encourage personal spiritual growth. We have done this by our programming, by the restoration of our historic church building, by creating a safe and welcoming space and by honoring the stories that each person has brought to us.
In order to highlight our mission goals, we are planning 4 sessions which will include an artist, a poet/spoken word, and a musician to share their reflections on how we have honored the commitments we made to this community.
This session will have:
· Artist: Daksha Baumann
· Poet: Kate Dyer
· Musician: Deb Bernal
Blue Hill Mountain Bittersweet Management Event
Join volunteers working in cooperation with Blue Hill Heritage Trust who will be cutting back invasive bittersweet on the Hayes Trail on Blue Hill Mountain. Meet in the parking lot at the foot of the trail on Mountain Road. Wear gloves and bring pruners or loppers if you have them. Questions? contact: Kenton Jakub at roundleafbittersweet@gmail.com
Paint & Sip
Help Strong’s Public House & Patio celebrate fall and learn watercolor!
Water-colorist Liz True will be teaching you to paint maple leaves. Workshop includes everything you need to paint, beverages are extra. They encourage you to come early to dine then paint the evening away.
Space is limited to 20. Tickets available here.
Author Event for Kids: Phuc Tran
Kids are invited to a read-aloud and draw-along event with Phuc Tran, author of the best-selling CRANKY series, illustrated by Pete Oswald, on Saturday October 25 at 10 a.m. Phuc will talk about the CRANKY series, read aloud the latest CRANKY book, and lead the audience in a draw-along activity so they can unleash their inner CRANKY. This event is geared towards kids ages 5-8, but older kids are welcome too.
Phuc Tran is a writer, tattooer, and classicist. His memoir SIGH, GONE won the 2020 New England Book Award for Nonfiction and the 2021 Maine Literary Award for Memoir. He has been a high school Latin teacher and a tattooer for over twenty years, for which he has won no awards. His TED talk “Grammar, Identity, and the Dark Side of the Subjunctive” was featured on NPR’s TED Radio Hour. He has a children’s book series in collaboration with best-selling illustrator Pete Oswald entitled CRANKY. He is currently working on a novel that he is certain no one wants to read.
This workshop is part of Word, the October 23-26 Blue Hill literary arts festival, and is cosponsored by the Blue Hill Library. The event is generously funded by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. For more information about the Word Festival, visit https://www.wordfestival.org/.
Holmes and Watson
This fall, The Thespians of GSA will present Jeffrey Hatcher's captivating one act thriller, Holmes and Watson . The play takes place three years after the great detective , Sherlock Holmes, presumably died alongside his mortal enemy, Professor Moriarty. A cryptic telegram has arrived at the home of Holmes's best friend Dr. Watson, summoning him to a remote island asylum where three mysterious men have appeared, each claiming to be the real, very much alive, Holmes. As it quickly becomes apparent that nothing is what it seems and no one is safe, it's up to Watson, and the audience,to solve the increasingly twisty mystery...before it's too late...
This year, we were thrilled to have eighteen talented actors appear on day one to try out for the nine roles available in this show. To honor both our "veteran" actors, and our new members, we will be offering two special runs of this show:
Round one: October 24 th at 5:00Pm and October 26th& Nov 2nd at 3:00pm, our Veteran cast will perform the show. Please call 207- 374-2808 for reservations as seating is limited. All shows are free, though donations for our program are always gratefully accepted.
Round two: On December 12th at 5:00Pm and Dec 14th at 3:00pm, our Next Generation cast will make their debut, performing all of the roles and demonstrating their own spin on the show.
Teen Anime Club
Teens ages 12+ are invited to join Teen Services Librarian Kendall Chapman in the library's Howard Room on Friday, October 24 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm for the monthly Teen Anime Club! Each meeting the group will select an anime show or movie to watch, participate in an anime themed activity and have an opportunity to socialize. Manga, anime drawing guides and drawing supplies will also be available for those interested and cosplay is always welcome. Come hang out, talk about your favorite series and enjoy all the anime fun.
This program is free and sponsored by the library. For more information contact Kendall at kendall.chapman@bhpl.net or call 374-5515.
Author Event: Helen Whybrow
The Blue Hill Library and Blue Hill Books are cosponsoring an event with author Helen Whybrow for her new book The Salt Stones. Helen will be joined in conversation by her friend, author and Blue Hill resident Tom Wessels on Thursday October 23 at 7:00PM in the library's Howard Room.
Knitting Group
Knitters are invited to come sit by the library fireplace to work on and share projects with fellow knitters.The Knitting Group will meet every Thursday evening at 6 pm. Anyone is welcome to join this free event. Coffee and tea will be available to purchase.
Blue Hill Chess Enthusiasts
The Blue Hill Chess Enthusiasts meet each Thursday evening for pick-up games of chess. All experience levels are welcome to drop in for friendly games any time between 5:00 and 8:00 PM.
Interested players can also join the Blue Hill Peninsula Chess Nuts group on lichess.org to play online games any time.
Word Festival of Blue Hill
Thursday, October 23:
4 pm. Word.Art opening at Cynthia Winings Gallery.
The art show opens on Thursday, October 23, at the Cynthia Winings Gallery, with a reading a 6 pm. by poets Arisa White and Annaliese Jakimides. In addition to Jakimides, visual artists include Kristie Billings, Marechal Brown, Katy Helman, Stu Kestenbaum and Susan Webster, Cynthia McGuire, Jan Owen, Elaine Sexton, and Sandy Wiseman. The gallery will be open 2-4 p.m. every day of the Word Festival of Blue Hill, October 23-26. www.wordfestival.org.
Friday, October 24:
7 p.m. Paul Doiron and Elizabeth Hand in conversation.
Maine crime fiction novelists Paul Doiron and Elizabeth Hand will join in conversation at the Blue Hill Congregational Church. Doiron is famed for his series featuring Maine game warden Mike Bowditch, and Hand’s 19 award-winning novels include the psychological thrillers about photographer Cass Neary. The two will discuss the challenges and rewards of writing Maine-set crime fiction. www.wordfestival.org.
Saturday, October 25:
7 p.m. Colin Woodard “Nations Apart,” in conversation with Alicia Anstead.
Celebrated journalist and historian Colin Woodard, best known for books examining how American’s historically distinct regional cultures shape its politics, introduces his latest book “Nations Apart: How Clashing Regional Cultures Shattered America” on Saturday, October 25, at the Blue Hill Congregational Church. He will be in conversation with fellow journalist Alicia Anstead.
Word, the Blue Hill literary arts festival (Oct. 23-26), continues with writing workshops in memoir, poetry, “How to Scare Your Reader,” email newsletter and blog writing, arresting first pages, and song-writing. A panel composed of Michelle Lewis, Audrey Gidman & Cynthia Thayer discuss “Writing Rural.” Children’s program featuring Phuc Tran’s “Cranky Makes a Friend.” Poetry crawl with John Reinhart, Annaliese Jakimides, Ed Go, Christian Barter, Melissa Christine goodrum. Registration required for workshops, chowder supper. All other events are free and open to the public. www.wordfestival.org.
Sunday, October 26:
4 p.m. Film. “Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light” with Roxana Robinson.
Word, the Blue Hill literary arts festival, concludes the weekend at the Bay School Emlen Hall with a screening of “Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light,” a new, live-action documentary featuring interviews with Roxana Robinson, whose definitive biography of the artist has been reissued in expanded form. Robinson will be present to offer insights into O’Keeffe and the documentary after the screening.
Also: a word game party with Andrew Innes, creator of “Anomia,” 1 p.m. at Blue Hill Congregational church. Registration required for workshops; other events free and open to the public. www.wordfestival.org.
Pumpkin Carving
Families and community members welcome to join the after school program in carving pumpkins.
Darlings Ice Cream Truck will be there selling delicious treats and donating funds to our after school program, cash only.
Pumpkins and carving tools provided.
Healthy Peninsula Walk-In Cafe
Join Healthy Peninsula on Wednesday mornings for a casual social gathering, Including refreshments, conversation and fun! Our cafe is held in the basement (Fisher Hall) of the Blue Hill Congregational Church. It is an opportunity to connect with new and old friends in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. All ages welcome! Come at 9:30 and stay until 11:30 or pop in anytime.
For more information, call 207-374-3257.
Handwork In The Library
Grab your handwork* and enjoy some company in our lovely sun-soaked back room. Come right at 1:00, or drop in whenever you please. We're open until 4:00 on Tuesdays. *handwork is optional