Pride Month at the Library

Join the LGBTQ+ Group in welcoming transgender advocate Gerri Cannon to the library on Wednesday, June 19 at 7 PM. We invite all to join us for conversation and pizza with Gerri. Please register for this free event on our website.

For over 15 years, Gerri has been discussing transgender topics for Speak Out Boston and PFLAG NH. Last year, she ran and won a seat as a New Hampshire State Representative in District 18 of Strafford County (Somersworth and Rollinsford).

Gerri was a member of the Freedom NH Steering Committee and a spokesperson for the transgender equality legislation that was passed last year. For over 30 years, she worked for the combined companies of Digital, Compaq, and Hewlett Packard in a wide variety of engineering and marketing roles. She ran her own carpentry business in Merrimack, NH and later she drove tractor trailers cross-country.

Gerri is also a member of the New Hampshire Conference of UCC Open and Affirming Concerns Committee. She has been a member of the United Church of Christ for the past 12 years.

NH State Representative Gerri Cannon

The library staff is honoring the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising by featuring our LBGTQ+ collection throughout the library. Our LGBTQ+ Group, run by Pepperell resident J.D. Melendez, will be meeting on June 26 from 7 PM – 8:30 PM. The adult group meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. We also offer an LGBTQ+ Youth Group, which meets on the first and third Wednesday of every month.

The library remains a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. We are located at 15 Main Street, Pepperell, MA and can be reached at 781-433-0330

Calling All Peeps

Jurassic Peep – a diorama entry from last year’s contest

Create a diorama of your favorite book, movie, TV show or music group using Peeps! Bring your diorama to the library from March 23 through April 5 to participate in our third annual contest.

A winner in each category will be announced on Saturday, April 6 at 11:00 AM. Winning entries will receive a prize and be featured on our Facebook page and website. Winners need not be present.

The fine print:

• Each diorama must use Peeps.
• Dioramas should be no larger than a copy paper box (17″ x 11″ x 9″).
• The three categories are: Children (Ages 12 and under), Teen/Adult (Ages 13 and older), and Family/Group.

LGBTQ+ Groups’ New Times

New year/new start time! The LGBTQ+ groups have moved their start times to 7 PM. Each month, the youth group meets on the first and third Wednesdays. Our LGBTQ+ adult group meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays. The groups are scheduled to end at 8:30 PM.

The groups are co-facilitated by Pepperell resident J.D. Melendez and Library staffer Amy Lordan.  Both facilitators have backgrounds in working with LGBTQ+ folks. If you have any questions, please contact Amy at alordan@cwmars.org or call 978-433-0330.

Holiday Happenings at the Library

The Lawrence Library has an abundance of programs scheduled in December! Celebrate the holidays with your friends, family, and neighbors at our annual holiday tree lighting on Friday, December 7 at 6:45 PM. There’ll be music, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa!

The annual Holiday Tree Lighting will be held on Friday, December 7 at 6:45 PM

We have a bunch of other events sleigh-ted for December. On Wednesday, December 5, Jennifer will lead an adult craft night at 6:30 PM. Adults and kids ages 10+ (accompanied by an adult) can learn how to make small gift boxes out of festive winter and holiday scrapbook paper.

On Sunday, December 9 at 2 PM, “Holiday Music with touch of Jazz” will be performed by the Nick Goumas Quartet, featuring Geraldine Bergonzi on piano and vocals on Sunday. They will be performing Christmas classics and holiday gems.

Get in the holiday spirit by crafting your very own ugly – or cute! – Christmas sweater at our Ugly Christmas Sweater Workshop. You bring in a sweater or shirt that you would like to decorate, we will provide all the crafting materials. Drop in between 6:30 and 8:00 PM on Thursday, December 13. This program is for adults and older kids/teens (with an adult).

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with a free henna tattoo from Mandy of Wicked Good Henna on Thursday, December 20 from 6:30 to 8 PM. Winter Solstice Henna is open to all ages.

For kids, we have Candy Cane Science and Crafts on Saturday, December 15 at 11:30 AM. On December 29, children can Countdown to Noon with New Year’s Eve-themed crafts in the Children’s Activity Center at 11:30 AM.

Many of our regularly scheduled programs will also be happening in December. On Thursday, December 6 at 7 PM, our Nonfiction Book Club will be discussing The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. Meditation will be held on Tuesdays at 7 PM. Make sure you register in advance for Yoga with Meagan, being held Wednesday, December 19 at 7 PM.

Our LGBTQ+ Youth group will meet on both December 5 and December 19 at 6:30 PM. The LGBTQ+ Adult group will have its first LGBTQ+ Holiday Potluck meeting on Wednesday, December 12 at 6:30 PM. Bring something savory or sweet to share with the group!

Teens (ages 12+) are invited to our SWITCH Super Smash Bros. Tournament! Have fun competing, enjoy some snacks, and maybe win a prize. Please register online.

Please note that the library will be closed on:

• Tuesday, December 25
• Wednesday, December 26
• Tuesday, January 1

All library events are funded by the Friends of the Lawrence Library and are free and open to the public. We welcome donations for PACH, our local food pantry, at all of our music programs.

Chill Out In the Library

Feeling stressed out? The library offers two programs that can help you relax: a weekly meditation group and a monthly yoga class. Both are free, thanks to the funding of the Friends of the Library!

The meditation group is led by Pepperell resident Brian Findlay and is held on Tuesday nights from 7 PM – 8:45 PM. This group is open to everyone from beginners to experienced meditators.

Brian says, “Meditation covers a variety of practices that are designed to promote relaxation, build internal energy, and develop compassion. Benefits of meditation include calming and clarity of the mind and decreased anxiety, stress, anger, fear, jealousy, and destructive thoughts. Over time, meditation can help us to better relate with others and become more empathetic in all situations.”

Photo by Prasanth Inturi | Courtesy of Pexels.com

Yoga classes will be held on Wednesday, November 14 and Wednesday, December 19 at 7 PM. Join instructor Meagan for Hatha Vinyasa Flow-a balanced combination of sustained poses and poses flowing in a mindful progression. This class is suitable for all levels.

To register for a yoga class, please click on the date(s) that you would like to attend: November 14 and/or December 19. Please arrive a few minutes early, wear comfortable clothing, and bring a yoga mat, water, and if you have them-yoga blocks and straps. Registration is only required for yoga; it is not necessary for meditation.

Questions about meditation can be directed to Brian at brfindla@yahoo.com. For details about the yoga class, please email Library Director Deb Spratt at dspratt@cwmars.org.

Food for Fines

During the first week of November, the library will be taking donations for PACH Outreach in lieu of overdue fines! You can donate personal care products and non-perishable food items at the library and we will waive overdue fines on your library account. Please note that this offer does not apply to replacement charges for lost items.

The Food for Fines event will run from November 6, 2018 – November 10, 2018. Contributions must be made at the library in order for fines to be waived.

Suggested food donations include:

• Canned meats, including tuna, salmon, ham, and chicken
• Healthy cereals
• Peanut butter and/or jelly
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Pasta, pasta sauce, and macaroni & cheese
• Baked beans, soups, chili, and canned stews
• Canned ravioli, canned soups
• Juice and juice boxes (preferably 100% fruit juice)
• Milk (shelf-ready, non-perishable)
• Children’s snacks
• Cake and brownie mixes
• Gluten-free, sugar-free, low-sodium, and vegetarian items for clients with special dietary needs

Personal care items:

• Diapers (especially larger sizes)
• Depends & adult diapers or protective panties (especially larger sizes)
• Shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and toiletries
• Toilet paper, paper towels, tissues

Please check expiration dates! We cannot accept any items that are past their expiration dates. Items for holiday dinners would be appreciated.

PACH (Pepperell Aid from Church to Home) is a volunteer-staffed, community-based non-profit organization that provides short-term assistance to Pepperell residents during difficult times. The library accepts donations year-round at our monthly music series as well as in a bin that’s located near the circulation desk.

You can drop off donations year-round in our PACH bin