News and Notes from the Blanding Library

Winter Garden Talk Wed. Nov. 20
Warren Leach from Tranquil Lake Nursery in Rehoboth will speak at the Blanding on Wed. Nov. 20 at 6:30. His topic will be “Plants for the Winter Garden: Perennials, Grasses, Shrubs, and Trees to Add Interest in the Cold and Snow”. This is the title of his new gardening book, which will be published this month.

A Whaling Voyage Sat. Nov. 23
If you have ever wondered what a whaling voyage in the old days was like, come to Goff Hall on Sat. Nov. 23. The Blanding Library and the Carpenter Museum will co-host a special program starting at 2 pm and featuring docents from the New Bedford Whaling Museum Nancy Gentile and Capt. Michael Taylor. This free event is open to all; no registration required.

Also in November: The next selection for the Blanding Book Club is “Finding Freedom” by Erin French on Wed. Nov. 13 at 7 pm. Please call the library for a copy of this memoir by a Maine chef/restaurant owner about overcoming all the odds to pursue her passion.

A Very Successful Book Sale
A big thank-you to all who made our annual used book sale in October our most successful one yet. Thanks to all who worked so hard on the sale, including the Boy Scouts who helped move all the books into the hall for us, and to Hollis Burkhart for her many hours of sorting books. The book sale is the main fundraiser of the year for The Friends of the Blanding Library. We welcome all new members who joined at that time. Your support helps us fund library programs such as those mentioned below.

Coming Up in December

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA will be held at Sat. Dec. 7 with two seatings, 9:30 and 10:30, for children under the age of 12. Registration is required. Call the library at 508-252-4236. Chef Chico will be making his famous pancakes for this event.  Hot chocolate, juice and fruit will also be served.  Santa will be visiting, and photo and letter stations will be available.  Join us for this fun and free event. Breakfast With Santa is generously supported by The Friends of the Blanding Library.

GINGERBREAD HOUSES will also be returning in December. These popular holiday programs for children will be offered on the afternoons of Dec. 10 and 11. Call now to make reservations for one of these days. This holiday program is also sponsored by the Friends of the Blanding Library.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Al Testa’s Renaissance V Brass Quintet will get us in the Christmas mood at Goff Hall on Sat. Dec. 14 from 1-2 pm. This concert will be part of a holiday open house that afternoon at the library.

History Group Continues
The history discussion group that meets at 11 on alternate Wednesday mornings at the library is now focusing on the Roaring Twenties followed by the Great Depression. For more information, contact hjcoleman@comcast.net.

Story Hours & Legos
Ongoing children’s programs at the Blanding include two story hour sessions, one for baby and toddlers and their caregivers on Tuesday mornings from 10:30 to 11. Story and Craft Hours for preschoolers ages 3 and up meets on Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30. Siblings are welcome at both sessions. Drop-ins welcome. No registration necessary.

The next Legos at the Library session will be from 11 to 2 on Sat. Nov. 9. For all ages. We supply the Legos; you supply your imagination.

 The Blanding Public Library, 124 Bay State Rd. Rehoboth, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 to 8, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 to 4. Closed Sundays and holidays, including Monday Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. The library is closing early at 4 pm on Wed. Nov. 27 and will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Phone: 508-252-4236. Information on Blanding events can be found under Blanding Public Library Programs and Events on https://rehobothantiquarian.org/