Lunch and Learn

"If I should not be learning now, when should I be?

Lacydes (c.241 b.c.e.) 

When asked why he was learning geometry late in life

 

Here at the Wells Public Library we strongly believe in the adage, "You're never too old to learn," and we strive to make learning opportunities available to everyone. Here are a few examples of what's available in the next few weeks.
 
Last month we started a new series here at the library that we're calling "Lunch and Learn."  Held on the 1st Friday of each month at noon, it is an opportunity to take time out of your busy day and learn something new.  Last month, Traczie Bellinger from the Maine Audubon Society told us about the piping plovers here in Wells, and just today Carol Steingart and Alyssa Lyon presented a fascinating program on the amazing horseshoe crab.  I have learned so much already.  For example, did you know that the blood of the Horseshoe crab is used to detect the presence of bacteria in medical equipment?   I can't wait for next month's presentation on June 7th when Jim and Lee Anderson will be here  to inform us about their travels in China and the "stan" countries of Asia.  

If you can't make it to the Lunch and Learn programs, we have a couple of evening coming up this week.  This Tuesday, May 7th at 6:30 p.m., Sue Dahlgren Daigneault will talk about her recently published memoir, In the Shadow of a Mountain.  Sue's father, Ed Dahlgren was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Truman in recognition of his heroics in World War II.  But when he returned to post-war life in Maine, his war experiences continued to haunt him.  Years later he realized that he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Daigneault wanted to tell her father's story not only as a way to honor him and to record the suffering of those who fought in World War II, but to help us become aware of the difficulties faced by soldiers of all wars.  I'm looking forward to hearing more of Ed Dahlgren's story and learning how it can help today's veterans.

Finally, this Thursday, May 9th at 6:30 Library Assistant Kayla Thompson and I will be presenting "Playing with Pinterest."  If you're not familiar with this online bulletin board, it has become one of the fastest-growing websites with millions of members "pinning" all sorts of online information in an attempt to help organize their lives.  Pinterest is a place to find and store recipes, craft ideas, and home design plans.  You can even use it to help plan a wedding. If you're already pinning but want to find out some new techniques, or if you've never seen it and want to learn more, we'd love to have you join us.  We will also serve refreshments made from some of our Pinterest recipes.  We do ask that you register for this program so we know how many treats to prepare.

For more information on any of these programs, please call the library at 646-8181, or email me at cschilling@wellstown.org.  We look forward to seeing you at the library.