Altamont Library Notes for Wednesday, July 3, 2019

— 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!