The Cosmic Knitting Wizards Want You!

On Wednesday's from 2:30-4:00, a special group meets at the Wheeler Memorial Library -- The Cosmic Knitting Wizards! Come learn how to knit with knitting experts Karl and Elizabeth Sladek. Young people grade 5 and up are welcome, as well as adults of any age. Homework help also available. It's fun and free! (The group does not meet during school vacations.)

Orange Library Awarded Prestigious Federal Grant for Very Young Children

Babies will be the focus of programming and purchases made possible by an important grant won by The Wheeler Memorial Library from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. Through the Library Services and Technology Act, as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Wheeler Library Children’s Room applied for and was granted $7,500.00 to develop the early literacy program known as Mother Goose on the Loose. Created by Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen, this unique award winning program uses rhymes, songs, finger plays, puppets, musical instruments and more to help pre-reading children and infants get ready for speech and reading while they and their accompanying adults enjoy time together. Brain research shows immersing very young children in pleasurable language experiences on a regular basis increases the brain capacity that will prepare children and infants for later speech, reading and writing activities. And Mother Goose on the Loose aims to provide an educational model through which parents and other care-givers are empowered to be the first teachers of very young children. But best of all, the serious benefits of this time-tested program are all arrived at through joyful and nurturing, adult and child supportive events.

So starting January 24, 2010 every Monday morning at 10:30 in the meeting room of the Wheeler Memorial Library, Candy Cross will lead the group of gathered adults and children in a fun and educational half-hour of movement, music and words accompanied by age appropriate props and instruments. This all group activity time will be followed by the opportunity to socialize while playing with the library’s selection of toys intended for adults to explore with children up to the age of three years old. Being mindful of the fact that life with very young children is very unpredictable, no registration is required for the MGOL programs. Anyone is welcome to join in at any point in the series. Candy can answer questions at 978-544-2495 x103, Mon through Thursday. Of course, the children’s room at the Wheeler Memorial Library is open to babies and all others Monday and Tuesday 10:00am - 6:00pm, Wednesday and Thursday 1:00pm – 8:00pm, and Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm.

As MGOL progresses, the grant funds will also be used to provide special programs for the very young, their parents and caregivers. For example, award winning musician and educator, Lui Collins will bring a series of her movement and music classes to the Wheeler Library. And at another time Tim Van Egmond will be with the group for an interactive and enchanting music morning. The library’s collection of board books, music, and toys for the very young will be further supplemented as Candy gathers input from those involved with MGOL. And already on hand are some materials Candy hopes will add to the coziness of the meeting room. Anyone involved in the life of a child younger than three is invited to participate in this exciting new offering at the Wheeler Memorial Library.

Got Cabin Fever?

The Orange Ad-hoc Energy Committee and the Moore-Leland Library present a “green” Cabin Fever night on Friday, January 14, 2011 at 7 PM at the library in North Orange. This should be a profitable and fun evening for the whole family. Refreshments will be served.

Warwick author, Clare Green, will read her new book “The Little Pine Tree” adapted from the Grimm’s fairy tale and illustrated by Zackery Zdinak. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.

Materials will be provided to make a door draft stopper. Placing one at the bottom of a door will save energy and make you more comfortable this winter. The Energy Committee will also share other easy energy saving tips.

People of all ages are invited to play board games that require no energy except from the library’s recently installed energy saving lights. Attendees can bring along a favorite game to share if they wish.

Snow date for the event is Friday, January 21, 2011. Call 978-575-0444 or 978-575-0131 if the weather is questionable.

The Orange Energy Committee is looking for new members. If you are interested speak to a committee member at the program or call the Orange Administrative Coordinator at 978-544-1100 x 106.