News & Notes from the Blanding Library

Gingerbread Houses for Kids
The popular holiday gingerbread house afternoons are back! These will take place on Tues., Wed. and Thurs. Dec. 14, 15, and 16 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. each day. Only 25 houses will be available each afternoon, so call 508-252-4236 to reserve your space (advance registration is required). This program is for children ages 5 and up, though younger children may work along with an older sibling. This program is made possible by the support of the Friends of the Blanding Library.

Holiday Book Craft
Come to the library on Thurs. Dec. 2 at 6:30 and turn a to-be-recycled book into a festive holiday decoration. All supplies will be provided at this free event. Space is limited; call the library at 508-252-4236 to register.

Holiday Centerpiece Workshop
Sharon from Brilliant Dahlia Flower Farm will host a special program on Wed. Dec. 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on how to use your backyard treasures to build a beautiful holiday centerpiece. Participants should bring a small-to-medium bowl or vase and a small pair of clippers. Mixed greenery, pine cones, berries, chicken wire, and glue guns will be provided. To register for this program, call the library (508-252-4236) by Dec. 6.

Sharon suggests using such native plant items as winter berry, unusual evergreens, small pine cones and dried perennials. She says, “There are so many wonderful things to gather from your garden. It’s your chance to let nature help you celebrate the season.” She encourages participants to avoid invasive species such as Japanese barberry or oriental bittersweet vine. You can find out more about invasive plants at www.massaudubon.org.

Library Holiday ToileTREE
The Blanding’s Christmas tree this year will be decorated with tags with toiletry items written on them. We are collecting these items to benefit the Rehoboth Food Pantry. Here’s how it works: stop by the library and choose a tag from the tree. Purchase the item on the tag and return the items to the donation bin for the food pantry, located right inside the door at Goff Hall. Let’s fill the bin with these much needed items.

More for Children
Story Walks continue this fall with “Pumpkin Soup” by Helen Cooper, a beautifully illustrated story about friendship, sharing and caring. Make your way reading page by page around the library's front garden area.  Enjoy this story outdoors and be sure to collect a small "thank you" from our library staff after you've completed this adventure about a squirrel, a cat, and a duck.

“Through Me to You Puppetry” presented puppet Newton & Friends November 2 at the Blanding Library for a fun and story-filled morning.  Leigh Baltzar, the puppeteer behind the scenes offers our library two virtual stories told by her puppets.  These programs are geared to young preschoolers; however, all ages enjoy them.  Click on the events page on the library’s website to enjoy and share them with your family.  Both are available during November and early December, and can also be found on our Facebook page.

Miss Joyce and Miss Cathy join forces for weekly Story Times held in Goff Hall at the library for books, music, movement, and fun!  We offer these times for children from babies to preschoolers (siblings are welcome).  Registration is encouraged.  Please check our website calendar; as we approach the holidays, schedules may change.

Elf on the Shelf: The holidays approach and Elvis is back in the building!  Our Elf on the Shelf, Elvis, will be up to mischief in the library from Dec. 1 until Christmas. Stop in and see if you can find out what he’s up to.       

The Blanding Library (www.blandinglibrary.net) is located in Goff Hall, 124 Bay State Rd., (phone: 508-252-4236). It is open Monday through Thursday from 10 until 8, and on Friday and Saturday from 10 to 4. Closed Sundays and holidays. The library will be closed for Veterans’ Day on Thurs. Nov. 11 and on Thurs. Nov. 25 for Thanksgiving (and closing early at 4 p.m. on Wed. Nov. 24).