A Fun Appraisal Day

The Friends’ Antiques Appraisal Day on Saturday July 11th was a fun day amid other events at the branch library–girl scouts met in Menino Hall in the morning, followed by a community meeting with Mayor Martin Walsh.   Our event was as well-attended, and many happy owners learned more about their objects.  This Pilgrim pitcher was valued at about $200-300.

 

Patrick from Cobwebs Antiques in Jamaica Plain points out a detail on the back of a canvas painting.

 

 

 

The antique clock here is handsome!

 

 

 

 

This Civil War-era sword had the highest estimated value of the day at $12,000!

 

 

 

Friends Board President Vicky and Emeritus Board Member Claire look over some of Claire’s items.

 

 

 

Banjoist John added his musical flair during the entire event.  Thank you very much, John!

Joining him here are Friends volunteer Diane, Friends Board member Barbara and branch staffer Yosefa.

This summer Dream Big – READ! in Hyde Park

Come join us for dreamy Fridays at the branch library with the Dream Big – READ! programming starting at 10:30am:

Jul 20     Destination Dreamland with Scott Kepnes
Performing a participatory selection of songs, stories and poems that celebrate Reading, Night Dreaming, Summertime and all things Night time and Nocturnal, Scott plays guitar, harmonica and percussion.

Jul 27     Dream Big – READ Magic Show
Magician Debbie O’Carroll is looking for a bedtime book! Will she choose an adventure, a fairy tale, a mystery, a history or a biography? The Dream Big – Read Magic Show delights youngsters of all ages with stage magic, physical comedy, and an innovative script. A summer treat for young readers!

Aug 3     Sweet Dreams – Magical Bedtime Tales
Tuck yourself in at your neighborhood library and enjoy the best-ever bedtime stories filled with fairytale magic.  These stories, fully enacted by master storyteller Diane Edgecomb, are entertaining and participatory – A fun-filled performance filled with magical tales for the whole family!

Aug 10     Animal World Experience  
A live animal show, “Nocturnal Nights” showcases night-time animals, and explores all of the great reasons animals come out at night such as lack of predators, availability of food, better weather conditions, camouflage and much more!

Dream Big – READ! is sponsored by the Boston Public Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Roundup: April Vacation Events

Children had a great time this week attending April school vacation week events sponsored at the branch library.  On Tuesday, cartoonist Andy Fish presented a manga/cartoon workshop to teens and a pair of enthusiastic youngsters.   Green Golly‘s Little Kids Little Songs kicked off the afternoon with a well-attended presentation introducing young ones to music, comedy, and theater.

Wednesday featured magician Debbie O’Carroll as Debra Cadabra lost in the Magic Library.  Debbie led the children through different styles of literature, incorporating magical interludes that entertained all who attended.  Pictured at left is a young audience member assisting Debra in making waffles in her hat. 

Rounding out the week on Saturday, solo puppeteer Jonathan Keezing and his Caravan Puppets led the children around the world with tales new and familiar.  Here young volunteers assist Jonathan in telling the tale of the 3 Little Pigs.  Later in the afternoon Delta Blues guitarist Erin Harpe presented an introduction to the Blues for teens and young adults.

Debbie O’Carroll is sponsored by the Friends of the Hyde Park Branch Library.  Andy Fish is sponsored by the Friends of the Hyde Park Branch Library and supported by a grant from the Blue Hills Bank Charitable Foundation.  The Green Golly Project and Caravan Puppets are sponsored by the Boston Public Library.  Erin Harpe is sponsored by the Boston Public Library in collaboration with Artists-at-Large, Inc.

Books to Life with Su Eaton

Join us Thursday evening, April 5, 2012, at 6:30pm for a special family literacy event featuring creative arts educator Su Eaton.  A children’s favorite at the Hyde Park Branch Library, Su will bring stories from popular picture books to life with songs, stories, and movement to create a fun learning experience for kids and their parents.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Hyde Park Branch Library and supported by a grant from the Blue Hills Bank Charitable Foundation.

Voices of the Stage

For aspiring young vocalists, the Handel and Haydn Society’s Vocal Quartet will present on Monday, March 19, 2012, at 2P.M., selections from classical to contemporary opera and musical theater productions that demonstrate how stories are told through music.  Participants can enjoy a broad range of music and have an opportunity to talk with the performers.  This program is free to all ages.

Halloween Doings for Kids

In celebration of Halloween, the Hyde Park Branch Library will be hosting 2 events for children on Friday, October 28, 2011:

At 11am, the ReadBoston Storymobile’s Halloween Event will be offering young attendees (don’t forget to wear your costumes!) stories, free books, crafts and fall treats. Registration is required; please contact Erin DeMarco at 617-918-5289. This event is sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation.

In the afternoon between 3:30pm and 4:30pm, children ages 5 and up, and their caregivers are invited to the branch library to hear Spooky Stories, to participate in a scavenger hunt, and to make a paper craft. No registration is required for this afternoon event, and while small groups are welcome, group leaders are asked to call the branch library in advance of their arrival.