It’s Fair Time! Over the next week, we will welcome thousands of visitors to our village from all over the Capital District.
If you’re in from out of town, please visit us here at the Altamont Free Library. If you happen to live in Albany or Rensselaer counties, you’re welcome to borrow from our great collections of books, movies, and music!
If you’re from further afield, we’d love for you to check out our unique library building, housed in the historic Altamont train station right in the center of the village. We’ve got free 24/7 wifi and computers to use as well as toys and games for children. Also, air-conditioning!
In addition, we’ve got wonderful fruits and veggies on sale on Monday, Friday, and Saturday at the farmers’ market right outside the library. Throughout the village, you’ll also notice another new addition, the Altamont Museum in the Streets self-guided walking tour, and we’ve got brochures inside to guide to all of the cool, historic locations around town.
So, if you need a break from the excitement of the fair, please pay us a visit.
Summer Reading Celebration
We’ve nearly arrived at the end of another wonderful Summer Reading Program. I’m so proud of all of the building, making, thinking, and especially reading that our friends did this summer. We built robots, and made Lego movies, made masterpiece artworks and planted a garden that’s already sprouting, met Southpaw and a bunch of wild animals, and much, much more!
You also did some great sleuthing and found Astro the Monkey Bear everywhere she hid! Good work, friends!
But just because the Summer Reading Program in almost finished, that doesn’t mean that it’s time to stop reading. There’s still plenty of summer left and plenty of time to discover a new author or dig back into a favorite series, to find a new role model or learn a cool new skill.
There’s still time to bring in your bingo sheets to get raffle tickets for awesome prizes before we wrap up the SRP on Friday, August 16th. Please join us at 5pm on the 16th in Orsini Park for our raffle drawing, prize pickup and to celebrate all of the reading, building, crafting, and learning you’ve done all summer with a Stewart’s ice cream sundae.
To qualify for the prize drawing, all bingo sheets must be in by 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, so get reading!
Farmers’ market
The Altamont Farmers’ Market is back! This year, the market will be running on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
We have two excellent farms running the market this year, Fort Hunter Farms (Mondays) and Altamont Orchards (Fridays and Saturdays). Come on out and support local farmers while at the same time bringing home fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables.
It’s a win-win! Thanks to Fort Hunter Farms and Altamont Orchards for making this happen!
Concert feedback
Last week, we held the last concert of the 2019 AFL Summer Concert series in Orsini Park, and all we can say is: Thank you!
Thank you, first of all, to Lori McCutcheon, our concert coordinator, for putting together such a fantastic slate of concerts for the third straight year. Thank you to the performers who come out to rock the park.
But most of all, thank you to everyone who came out for the concerts week after week, in great weather and not-so-great weather without fail. It takes a lot of work to put these concerts together, but it’s always worth it when we see so many friends and neighbors enjoying the park, the music, and each other.
Thank you also for your generous financial support of the concert series. Every dollar you threw in the basket when it came around goes to pay for next year’s concert series, so we literally couldn’t do it without you.
If you forgot your wallet every Tuesday, or we missed you with the basket, and you’d like to help pay for the next great concert series, stop on by and we’ll make sure your contribution is earmarked for the concerts.
Also let us know what you thought about the concerts, what you liked, and what you want to see more of. You heard from us, now we want to hear from you!
Even though summer is not nearly over yet, we’re winding down two of our biggest summer programs here at the Altamont Free Library, the Summer Concert Series and the Summer Reading Program.
Thanks so much to everyone who made both programs so special, especially Lori McCutcheon, our concert coordinator, and Erika Peterson, who ran our awesome Summer Reading Events.
Thanks most especially to the record number of young people who signed up for Summer Reading and who have been absolutely rocking it with the amount of reading they’ve been up to. Thanks all for making this summer such a memorable one!
Aldi, Verrigni & Payette
End Summer Concert Series
We’ve had a five weeks of wonderful music, great weather, friendly neighbors, and awesome music. Now we have just one more concert, and it’s a corker.
The Altamont Free Library Summer Concert Series in Orsini Park series will conclude on Tuesday, Aug. 6, with AVP: Aldi, Verrigni & Payette! This area supergroup of bassist Steve Aldi, drummer Tommy Verrigni, and guitarist Alan Payette perform standards, smooth jazz, pop, rock and R&B.
All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and will be moved to Bozenill Park pavilion in the event of rain. Mark it on your calendar and join us in the park a beautiful night of great neighbors and great music.
Summer Reading Program
The Summer Reading Program is coming in for a landing here at Altamont Free Library! We have just two more weeks to finish up all our bingo activities before you turn them in from Aug. 9 to 15, then join us in Orsini Park for our annual Summer Reading Celebration and Prize Pickup at 5pm on Friday, Aug. 16.
The Summer Reading Program is a super fun series of programs and events that encourage kids to keep reading through the summer vacation and to use their creativity and imaginations and to explore topics they may not have read about before. This year the Summer Reading Program our theme is “A Universe of Stories!” and our programs are all centered around space, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Every Thursday and Friday throughout the Summer Reading Program, we’ll have drop-in crafts from 10 to 11:30 a.m., where you can learn and craft all about a different space subject each week. While you’re here make sure to pick up the Summer Reading Program schedule for more information and grab a Summer Reading BINGO Card to keep track of your reading and win fabulous prizes!
Geocaching 101
Have you heard about geocaching? It turns out that there are little treasures all around you, and you just have to know how to find them! Join geocaching enthusiast Jonathan Lane on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. to learn how you can use satellite navigation to find hidden containers called geocaches that have been hidden all over!
This program is aimed at younger and first-time geocachers, but is open to all! See you all at 42.701085,-74.033286! (That’s Altamont Free Library in geocaching language.)
Empire and museum passes
With summer here, it’s time for an adventure. Why not hop in your car and head out to one of our beautiful New York State Parks or Beaches? With nearly 150 to choose from, from the Niagara to the Adirondacks and from Jones Beach the Catskills, there are wonders to be found everywhere.
To get you started on your adventure, check out an Empire Pass that can grant you free admission to the parks and beaches, which you can check out just like a museum pass! Keep it for three days and return it when you’re done.
You can even use it at Thatcher Park if you like. (Just leave it on your dashboard and you won’t have to pay for parking!) Summer adventures are just a checkout away!
Shades of Grey will perform in Altamont’s Orsini part at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23. The free concert will feature songs from the 1970s to now.
The Summer Reading Program is rolling on here at the Altamont Free Library! If your young folks haven’t signed up yet and would like to participate, come on in any time the library is open to get registered
The Summer Reading Program is a super-fun series of programs and events that encourage kids to keep reading through the summer vacation and to use their creativity and imaginations and to explore topics they may not have read about before.
This year, the Summer Reading Program our theme is “A Universe of Stories!” and our programs are all centered around space, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Every Thursday and Friday throughout the Summer Reading Program, we’ll have drop-in crafts from 10 to 11:30 a.m., where you can learn and craft all about a different space subject each week.
While you’re here, make sure to pick up the Summer Reading Program schedule for more information and grab a Summer Reading Bingo Card to keep track of your reading and win fabulous prizes!
Orsini Park concerts
We’ve had four fantastic concerts so far and have just two more to go. The Altamont Free Library Summer Concert Series in Orsini Park series continues on Tuesday, July 23, with Shades of Grey!
Shades of Grey is a collection of seasoned musicians whose experience covers many decades. Performing songs from the ’70s through today, Shades of Grey plays songs to bring back fun memories, toe-tapping, smiles, and good times. These guys were just about everyone’s favorite performers of last summer’s concert series, so you won’t want to miss them.
We’ll wrap up the concert series on Aug. 6 with AVP: Aldi, Verrigni & Payette. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and will be moved to the Bozenkill park pavilion in the event of rain. Mark it on your calendar and join us in the park for a beautiful night of great neighbors and great music.
Geocaching 101
Have you heard about geocaching? It turns out that there are little treasures all around you, and you just have to know how to find them!
Join geocaching enthusiast Jonathan Lane on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m. to learn how you can use satellite navigation to find hidden boxes called geocaches that have been hidden all over, and how you can create one yourself.
This program is aimed at younger and first-time geocachers, but is open to all. See you all at 42.701085-74.033286! (That’s the Altamont Free Library in geocaching language.)
Empire and museum passes
With summer here, it’s time for an adventure. Why not hop in your car and head out to one of our beautiful New York State parks or beaches?
With nearly 150 to choose from, from Niagara Falls to the Adirondacks and from Jones Beach the Catskills, there are wonders to be found everywhere. To get you started on your adventure, check out an Empire Pass that can grant you free admission to the parks and beaches, which you can check out just like a museum pass.
Keep it for three days and return it when you’re done. You can even use it at Thacher Park if you like. (Just leave it on your dashboard and you won’t have to pay for parking!) Summer adventures are just a checkout away.
The Summer Reading Program is rolling on here at Altamont Free Library! If your young folks haven’t signed up yet and would like to participate, come on in any time the library is open to get registered.
The Summer Reading Program is a super fun series of programs and events that encourage kids to keep reading through the summer vacation and to use their creativity and imaginations and to explore topics they may not have read about before.
This year, the Summer Reading Program our theme is “A Universe of Stories!” and our programs are all centered around space, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Every Thursday and Friday throughout the Summer Reading Program, we’ll have drop-in crafts from 10 to 11:30 a.m., where you can learn and craft all about a different space subject each week.
While you’re here, make sure to pick up the Summer Reading Program schedule for more information and grab a Summer Reading Bingo Card to keep track of your reading and win fabulous prizes!
Orsini Park Concerts
We had a fabulous kickoff to the 2019 Altamont Free Library Summer Concert Series, and the series continues on Tuesday, July 23, with the classic rock and oldies of Doug Lieby & Anthony Verrigni, which can be enjoyed by listeners of all ages.
After that, on July 16, we’ll hear from last year’s favorite act Shades of Grey! We’ll have a concert every Tuesday evening through Aug. 6. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and will be moved to Bozenkill Park pavilion in the event of rain. Mark it on your calendar and join us in the park a beautiful night of great neighbors and great music.
Empire & Museum Passes
With summer here, it’s time for an adventure. Why not hop in your car and head out to one of our beautiful New York State Parks or Beaches?
With nearly 150 to choose from, from Niagara Falls to the Adirondacks and from Jones Beach to the Catskills, there are wonders to be found everywhere. To get you started on your adventure, check out an Empire Pass that can grant you free admission to the parks and beaches, which you can check out just like a museum pass!
Keep it for three days and return it when you’re done. You can even use it at Thatcher Park if you like. (Just leave it on your dashboard and you won’t have to pay for parking!) Summer adventures are just a checkout away!
Brock cards
Back in 2009, while the library renovation was still ongoing, the library held a bicycle race as a fundraiser, and esteemed local artist Mary-Ann Brock created a beautiful, and colorful painting of it!
Ten years later, we’re pleased to be able to offer note cards featuring a reproduction of that painting, made up for us Jim Gardner of Enterprise Printing and Photo and donated by the Honorable James Gaughan. These cards, which we’re selling for four for $5, will brighten anyone’s day, while benefiting your favorite library. It’s a win-win!
— From The Art D’echo Trio Facebook page
The Art D’echo Trio will play on July 9 at 7 p.m. in Altamont’s Orsini Park, part of the free Altamont Free Library Summer Concert Series.
We had a fabulous kickoff to the 2019 Altamont Free Library Summer Concert Series last week, and the series continues on Tuesday, July 9, with the masterful jazz and swing musicianship of Art D’echo Trio. The Art D’echo Trio is a jazz piano trio enjoyed by listeners of all ages.
Whether playing hard-swinging classic jazz arrangements or grooving on a Latin jazz tune, the interplay between master musicians defines the group. Even better, they’ll be joined by saxophonist extraordinaire Keith Pray.
After that, on July 16, we’ll hear from Kim Buckley & Rob West. We’ll have a concert every Tuesday evening through Aug. 6. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and will be moved to the Bozenkill Park pavilion if it rains. Mark it on your calendar and join us in the park for a beautiful night of great neighbors and great music.
Summer Reading Program
The Summer Reading Program is in full swing here at Altamont Free Library! If your young folks haven’t signed up yet and would like to participate, come on in any time the library is open to get registered.
The Summer Reading Program is a super fun series of programs and events that encourage kids to keep reading through the summer vacation and to use their creativity and imaginations and to explore topics they may not have read about before.
This year, the Summer Reading Program our theme is “A Universe of Stories!” and our programs are all centered around space, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Every Thursday and Friday throughout the Summer Reading Program, we’ll have drop-in crafts from 10 to 11:30 a.m., where you can learn and craft all about a different space subject each week. This week, Friday, July 5, will be all about stars. (We’ll be closed Thursday, July 4.)
Next week, it’s planets! While you’re here, make sure to pick up the Summer Reading Program schedule for more information and grab a Summer Reading Bingo Card to keep track of your reading and win fabulous prizes!
Wildlife presentation
Please join us on Wednesday, July 17, at 6 p.m. to meet some local animal friends. We’ll be joined by a variety of wild local animals as wildlife rehabilitator Kelly Martin teaches us all about our animal neighbors and about her years of experience in reintegrating animals into the wild.
Her presentations here over the years have been huge hits, so don’t miss this one!
Mystery Book Club
Please join the Mystery Book Club on at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, for a deep dive into “The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon,” from Alexander McCall Smith’s beloved No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
This delightful series in set in Botswana in sub-Saharan Africa and stars the highly intuitive detective Precious Ramotswe and her quirky friends and neighbors. This is a perfect summer read, and we have plenty of copies left, so come on along!
Empire Passes
With summer here, it’s time for an adventure. Why not hop in your car and head out to one of our beautiful New York State parks or beaches? With nearly 150 to choose from, from Niagara Falls to the Adirondacks and from Jones Beach to the Catskills, there are wonders to be found everywhere.
To get you started on your adventure, check out an Empire Pass that can grant you free admission to the parks and beaches, which you can check out just like a museum pass! Keep it for three days and return it when you’re done. You can even use it at Thatcher Park if you like. (Just leave it on your dashboard and you won’t have to pay for parking.) Summer adventures are just a checkout away.
Mary Ann Brock cards
Back in 2009, while the library renovation was still ongoing, the library held a bicycle race as a fundraiser, and esteemed local artist Mary Ann Brock created a beautiful, and colorful painting of it. Ten years later, we’re pleased to be able to offer notecards featuring a reproduction of that painting, made up for us Jim Gardner of Enterprise Printing and Photo and donated by the Honorable James Gaughan.
These cards, which we’re selling for four for $5, will brighten anyone’s day, while benefiting your favorite library. It’s a win-win!
Al Santoro with Al Santoro & Friends will be kicking off the 2019 Altamont Free Library Summer Concert Series in Orsini Park on Tuesday, July 2.
School’s out; the pools are open; and, despite all the rain, the days are as long as they can be. At long last, summer is officially here!
Here at the library, that means that it’s time to get going with the Summer Reading Program. The Summer Reading Program is a super fun series of programs and events that encourage kids to keep reading through the summer vacation and to use their creativity and imaginations and to explore topics they may not have read about before.
This year, the Summer Reading Program theme is “A Universe of Stories!” and our programs are all centered around outer space. We’ll be launching the Summer Reading Program this Friday, June 28, at 5 p.m. in Orsini Park.
We’ll have stories, games, snacks, and crafts, and you can register for the program and get your Summer Reading Bingo card. It’s going to be a great summer here at the library, so please join us to blast off into an awesome adventure!
Al Santoro & Friends
It’s nearly time once again for the Altamont Free Library Summer Concert Series in Orsini Park. We think you’re really going to enjoy what we’ve got in store this year.
We’ll kick the series off next Tuesday, July 2, with Al Santoro & Friends! Al Santoro is a peerless entertainer. Whether it’s from behind the drums or out in front of his band, his energy and unique jazz and standards stylings help make him one of the most sought-after acts in the Northeast.
We’ll have a concert every Tuesday evening through Aug. 14. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and will be moved to Bozenkill Park pavilion in the event of rain. Join us in the park for a beautiful night of great neighbors and great music.
Juice & Jammies Story Time
On Friday, June 28, at 7 p.m., put on your pj’s and join Ms. Erika for a pre-bedtime story, snack, stretch and craft! This easygoing story time will be just the thing to prepare your kiddos to count sheep.
Please register ahead of time. Please note: This will be the final Juice & Jammies until September.
Book talk
Please join us the First Monday Book Club for a discussion of Susan Orlean’s “The Library Book” on Monday, July 1, at noon.
This acclaimed non-fiction book investigates the burning of the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986, and the history of public libraries in America. If you love libraries like I do, I think you’ll love this book.
Empire Passes
With summer here, it’s time for an adventure. Why not hop in your car and head out to one of our beautiful New York State parks or beaches? With nearly 150 to choose from, including Niagara Falls, the Adirondacks, Jones Beach, and the Catskills, there are wonders to be found everywhere.
To get you started on your adventure, check out an Empire Pass that can grant you free admission to the parks and beaches, which you can check out just like a museum pass! Keep it for three days and return it when you’re done.
You can even use it at Thacher Park if you like. (Just leave it on your dashboard and you won’t have to pay for parking!) Summer adventures are just a checkout away!
Mary-Ann Brock cards
Back in 2009, while the library renovation was still ongoing, the library held a bicycle race as a fundraiser, and esteemed local artist Mary-Ann Brock created a beautiful, and colorful painting of it!
Ten years later, we’re pleased to be able to offer note cards featuring a reproduction of that painting, made up for us Jim Gardner of Enterprise Printing and Photo and donated by the Honorable James Gaughan. These cards, which we’re selling for four for $5, will brighten anyone’s day, while benefiting your favorite library. It’s a win-win!
BBQ thanks
Finally, thanks to everyone who came out for our annual chicken BBQ last week. It was a slightly chilly day made warm by the friends and neighbors we were able to share the evening with.
Thanks especially to Squeeze Play for providing the music, and to Wagon Train BBQ in Schenectady for doing all the cooking, so that we could concentrate on hanging out with all of you.
It’s nearly time once again for the Altamont Free Library Summer Concert Series in Orsini Park! Summer Concert Committee Chair Lori McCutcheon has organized a fantastic lineup of performers, so please thank her when you see her out and about.
We think you’re really going to enjoy what we’ve got in store this year. We’ll kick the series off on Tuesday, July 2, with Al Santoro & Friends. Al Santoro is a peerless entertainer.
Whether it’s from behind the drums or out in front of his band, his energy and unique jazz and standards stylings help make him one of the most sought-after acts in the Northeast.
We’ll have a concert every Tuesday evening through Aug. 14. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and will be moved to the Bozenkill Park pavilion in the event of rain. Mark it on your calendar and join us in the park for a beautiful night of great neighbors and great music.
“Sulfur Springs” discussion
Please join us for a meeting of our newest book club, which is focused exclusively on mysteries! We’ve got members interested in every subgenre from intense psychological thrillers to low-key cozy mysteries and every type of mystery in between.
If you love a good whodunit, please join us on Thursday, June 20, at 7 p.m. as we try to crack the case of “Sulfur Springs” by William Kent Krueger.
Next month will be “The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon” by Alexander McCall Smith, part of the ever-popular No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
Teen Cook-Off
Teens, looking to test out your cooking skills? If so, join us Saturday, June 22, at 1 p.m. for our first ever Teen Cook-Off. Ingredients and utensils will be provided, all you have to do is bring your creativity and a fun apron if you have one.
Please sign up at the front desk and let the library know ahead of time about any dietary restrictions. Ages 13 and up, please.
Tanzanian Potluck
It’s almost time again for another of our ever-popular Eat Around the World Potluck dinners! Come broaden your culinary horizons and share a meal a bunch of friendly people.
This month, we’re taking a trip to the East African nation of Tanzania. Please join us at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 24 to join in the festivities and bring a dish to share. If you don’t already have a favorite recipe from that part of the world, come on in and grab a cookbook.
Summer Reading kicks off
Are you ready for another summer full of games, crafts, puzzles, and reading adventures? If you are, join us Friday, June 28, at 5 p.m. for the kickoff, or should we say liftoff, party for the 2019 Summer Reading Program.
Pick up your Summer Reading Bingo card, and join us for games, crafts, and snacks. This year, our Summer Reading Program is all about space, so join us to blast off into an awesome summer!
Juice & Jammies Story Time
On Friday, June 28, at 7 p.m., put on your pj’s and join Ms. Erika for a pre-bedtime story, snack, stretch, and craft. This easygoing story time will be just the thing to prepare your kiddos to count sheep. Please register ahead of time.
Please note: This will be the final Juice & Jammies until September.
Mary Ann Brock cards
Back in 2009, while the library renovation was still ongoing, the library held a bicycle race as a fundraiser, and esteemed local artist Mary-Ann Brock created a beautiful, and colorful painting of it.
Ten years later, we’re pleased to be able to offer note cards featuring a reproduction of that painting, made up for us Jim Gardner of Enterprise Printing and Photo and donated by the Honorable James Gaughan.
These cards, which we’re selling for four for $5, will brighten anyone’s day, while benefiting your favorite library. It’s a win-win!
It’s almost here! This coming Friday, June 15, please join us for our eagerly anticipated annual Chicken BBQ fundraiser.
Our regular crew of volunteer chefs will not be cooking this year, instead leaving the hard work to Wagon Train BBQ, but we’ll still be breaking out the library’s chicken costume for the occasion. Every $12 ticket ($13 the day of the BBQ) gets you a dinner that includes a half-chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, roll, drink, and a cookie — and best of all, all proceeds go to benefit Altamont Free Library.
Pick up your dinner any time between 5 and 7 p.m. and, once you’ve got your dinner, you can either take it home with you or spread out on the lawn in Orsini Park with your friends and neighbors and listen to live music in the gazebo!
“Sulfur Springs” discussion
Please join us for a meeting of our newest book club, which is focused exclusively on mysteries! We’ve got members interested in every subgenre from intense psychological thrillers to low-key cozy mysteries and every type of mystery in between.
If you love a good whodunit, please join us on Thursday, June 20, at 7 p.m. as we try to crack the case of “Sulfur Springs” by William Kent Krueger. Next month will be “The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon” by Alexander McCall Smith, part of the ever-popular No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
Teen Cook-Off
Teens, looking to test out your cooking skills? If so, join us Saturday, June 22, at 1 p.m. for our first ever Teen Cook-Off. Ingredients and utensils will be provided; all you have to do is bring your creativity and a fun apron if you have one!
Please sign up at the front desk and let the library know ahead of time about any dietary restrictions. Ages 13 and up, please.
Summer Reading liftoff
Are you ready for another summer full of games, crafts, puzzles, and reading adventures?
If you are, join us Friday, June 28, at 5 p.m. for the kickoff , or should we say liftoff, party for the 2019 Summer Reading Program.
Pick up your Summer Reading Bingo Card, and join us for games, crafts, and snacks. This year, our Summer Reading Program is all about space, so join us to blast off into an awesome summer!
Juice & Jammies Story Time
On Friday, June 28, at 7 p.m., put on your pj’s and join Ms. Erika for a pre-bedtime story, snack, stretch, and craft!
This easygoing story time will be just the thing to prepare your kiddos to count sheep. Please register ahead of time. Please note: This will be the final Juice & Jammies Story Time until September.
Brock cards
Back in 2009, while the library renovation was still ongoing, the library held a bicycle race as a fundraiser, and esteemed local artist Mary-Ann Brock created a beautiful, and colorful painting of it.
Ten years later, we’re pleased to be able to offer note cards featuring a reproduction of that painting, made up for us Jim Gardner of Enterprise Printing and Photo, and donated by the Honorable James Gaughan.
These cards, which we’re selling for four for $5, will brighten anyone’s day, while benefiting your favorite library. It’s a win-win!
Back in 2009, while the library renovation was still ongoing, the Altamont Free Library held a bicycle race as a fundraiser, and esteemed local artist Mary-Ann Brock created a beautiful, and colorful painting of it!
Ten years later, we’re pleased to be able to offer note cards featuring a reproduction of that painting, made up for us Jim Gardner of Enterprise Printing and Photo and donated by the Honorable James Gaughan. These cards, which we’re selling for four for $5, will brighten anyone’s day, while benefiting your favorite library. It’s a win-win!
Chicken BBQ
Tickets are now available and going fast! We’re approaching June, which means that it’s almost time for our famous annual chicken barbecue fundraiser on Friday, June 14 from pickup from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Our regular crew of volunteer chefs will not be cooking this year, instead leaving the hard work to Wagon Train BBQ, but we’ll still be breaking out the library’s chicken costume for the occasion.
We’ve already had a ton of people in at the library asking for tickets, which are now available. Every ticket gets you a dinner which includes a half chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, roll, drink, and a cookie. Once you’ve got your dinner, you can either take it home with you or spread out on the lawn in Orsini Park with your friends and neighbors and listen to the always enjoyable Traditional Strings.
If you’d like to help us serve the meals, we can always use an extra set of hands, so give a call to 518-429-8354 or send an email to director@altamontfreelibrary.org.
Book discussion
Please join us for a meeting of our newest book club, which is focused exclusively on mysteries! We’ve got members interested in every subgenre from intense psychological thrillers to low-key cozy mysteries and every type of mystery in between.
If you love a good whodunit, please join us on Thursday, June 20, at 7 p.m. as we try to crack the case of “Sulfur Springs” by William Kent Krueger.
Next month will be “The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon” by Alexander McCall Smith, part of the ever-popular No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
Local author
Please join us on Wednesday, June 12, at 7 p.m. for a presentation by local author Joe Vinette. Mr. Vinette will be giving an uplifting discussion, entitled “Encourager: Overcoming Learning Disabilities” about his experiences and observations of overcoming learning disabilities.
He will discuss tools and strategies that he has discovered in his own life to successfully deal with issues related to education, self-esteem, and much more.
Ongoing displays
We’re so lucky here in Altamont to be surrounded by extraordinary artistic talent, and this week we have some new artwork that we get to show off.
First of all, in our vestibule we are featuring a beautiful collection of wooden bowls and dishes, all handcrafted by local woodturner Bob Bernardi. These one-of-a-kind pieces are minimally adorned to show off the beauty of the wood itself. They’ll be on display for a few weeks so come check them out.
We have also received a new donation of a painting from renowned artist and longtime Altamont resident, the late Bob Cartmell. His painting, entitled “Lightning,” is on display above our audiobook shelves and makes a striking addition to the building.
Finally, we continue to feature an exhibit of pastels by Christine Capuano in our community room, which will be hanging for the next few weeks. Thanks to all of our local artists for letting us enjoy the fruits of your creativity, talent, and hard work.
We’re so lucky here in Altamont to be surrounded by extraordinary artistic talent, and this week we have some new artwork that we get to show off.
First of all, in our vestibule we are featuring a beautiful collection of wooden bowls and dishes, all handcrafted by local woodturner Bob Bernardi. These one-of-a-kind pieces are minimally adorned to show off the beauty of the wood itself. They’ll be on display for a few weeks so come check them out.
We have also received a new donation of a painting from renowned artist and longtime Altamont resident, the late Bob Cartmell. His painting, entitled “Lightning,” is on display above our audiobook shelves and makes a striking addition to the building.
Finally, we continue to feature an exhibit of pastels by Christine Capuano in our community room, which will be hanging for the next few weeks. Thanks to all of our local artists for letting us enjoy the fruits of your creativity, talent, and hard work.
Note cards
Speaking of great local artists, here’s another: Mary-Ann Brock!
In 2009, while the library renovation was still ongoing, the library held a bicycle race as a fundraiser, and out friend Mary-Ann Brock created a beautiful, and colorful painting of it. Ten years later, we’re pleased to be able to offer note cards featuring a reproduction of that painting, made up for us Jim Gardner of Enterprise Printing and Photo, and donated by the Honorable James Gaughan.
These cards, which we’re selling for four for $5, will brighten anyone’s day, while benefiting your favorite library. It’s a win-win!
Chicken BBQ
Save the date! We’re approaching June, which means that it’s almost time for our famous annual chicken barbecue fundraiser on Friday June 14 from pickup from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Our regular crew of volunteer chefs will not be cooking this year, instead leaving the hard work to Wagon Train BBQ, but we’ll still be breaking out the library’s chicken costume for the occasion.
We’ve already had a ton of people in at the library asking for tickets, which are now available. Every ticket gets you a dinner which includes a half chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, roll, drink, and a cookie. Once you’ve got your dinner, you can either take it home with you or spread out on the lawn in Orsini Park with your friends and neighbors and listen to the always enjoyable Traditional Strings.
If you’d like to help us serve the meals, we can always use an extra set of hands, so give a call to 518-429-8354 or send an email to director@altamontfreelibrary.org.
Juice and Jammies Story Time
On Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m., put on your pj’s and join Ms. Erika for a pre-bedtime story, snack and craft! This low-key storytime will be just the thing to prepare your young folks to count some sheep.
“Behold the Dreamers”
Please join the First Monday Book Club at noon on June 3 for a discussion of the wonderful novel “Behold the Dreamers” by Imbolo Mbue! Set during the 2008 financial crisis, this novel follows two families, one headed by a high-powered financial services executive, the other of recent immigrants to the United States from Cameroon.
This wonderful novel was a pick for Oprah Winfrey’s book club, and if it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for us. There are plenty of copies still available and plenty of time to finish, so grab your copy today.