WAYLAND FAVORITE POEM PROJECT Have you sent us your favorite poem yet? Are you interested in seeing what your neighbors picked as their favorites? You do both of these things by going to the Wayland Reads section of waylandlibrary.org or by emailing it directly to waylandreadspoetry@waylandlibrary.org. The poems can be anything from a nursery rhyme that your mother sang to you to doggerel to a sonnet by Shakespeare, just as long as it means something to you. We’re planning a reading of some of these Favorite Poems at the end of April. Also, WayCAM is planning to record people who are willing to read their favorite poems in front of a camera. Recording sessions are scheduled for Thursday, March 21, and Wednesday, March 27, from 2:30-7 p.m. at the WayCAM studios. For more information about this, contact Ann Knight. The only rule is that you cannot read a poem you or your family members have written.
FAMOUS POETS COMING TO WAYLAND! We are so thrilled to have a fabulous line-up of nationally known poets coming to town to read their poetry in March and April. We will start with former U.S. Poet Laureate poet and B.U. professor Robert Pinsky kicking off our series with a poetry reading at the Wayland Middle School on the afternoon of Sunday, March 24, at 4 p.m. Alert viewers may have noted that 2012 National Book Award winner David Ferry was interviewed last week on the PBS News Hour. Ferry will be appearing at OUR library to read on April 14 at 3 p.m., along with his friend Gail Mazur, another distinguished poet. One week later, on April 21, Pushcart Prize winners Jill McDonough and David Rivard will be at the library to read their exciting new poetry.
1st Poetry Discussion Our first poetry discussion will be on Thursday, April 4, from 2-3 p.m. in the library’s Raytheon Room. It’s a chance to share thoughts about two of our Anchor Poems, “Books” by Billy Collins and “Out at Lanesville” by David Ferry. If time permits, other Anchor Poems may be included. No prior knowledge of poetry is necessary. Wayland Poetry Workshop members Nancy Geiser and Debra Martin will be the group leaders. Copies of the Anchor Poems are available here waylandlibrary.org or in print at the library and will also be available at the discussion.
APRIL KIDS’ POETRY WORKSHOP WITH JANET WONG Janet Wong, author of more than two dozen books for children and teens will lead a poetry workshop for children ages 7 and up on April 24 at 7 p.m. Ms Wong (who has a J.D. from Yale) left the law to write for children because she has a passion for children’s literature. She has been honored with the Claremont Stone Center Recognition of Merit and the IRA Celebrate Literacy Award, speaks frequently in schools, and has performed at the White House. For more information about this program, call Children’s librarian Pam McCuen at 508-358-2308.
CREATURE TEACHERS. On Saturday, March 23, from 11:00 a.m. to noon, “Creature Teachers” will bring in many exotic animals from around the world to the library’s Raytheon Room and show children how these animals have adapted themselves to different habitats. For ages 3 and up.
COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT) FOR ADULTS WITH EMOTIONAL HEALTH DISABILITIES. As part of our Navigating the Path to Independence series, on Monday, April 29, at 7 p.m. Daniel Beck, LICSW, (son of Aaron Beck MD, the “father of Cognitive Therapy”) will discuss CBT, a tested and effective therapy program for many mental health disorders. Individuals learn specific thinking skills for their emotional health such as identifying distorted thinking patterns and modifying limiting beliefs. The goal is for them to gain a greater measure of control over the emotional aspects of their lives.
PARENT CHILD BOOKGROUP Our Parent-Child Book Group will meet on Monday, March 18, at 7 p.m. It’s a book group for children in 4th or 5th grades, with a parent. Each month we will discuss a different book. This month’s selection is We Can’t All Be Rattlesnakes by Patrick Jennings. For more information, call Children’s Librarian Pam McCuen at 508-358-2308.
Children’s Poetry Workshop Our next workshop will be on Wednesday, March 20, from 7-8 p.m. In this workshop children will listen to, read, and write poetry. Led by Children’s Librarian Pam McCuen.
Information Session on the Home Selling Process So you haven’t sold a home lately? Need a review of what is required? Joanne Berry, Senior Associate at Hammond Residential Real Estate, and real estate attorney Amy Reich Weil, Partner at Kertzman and Weil and Adjunct Professor at Babson College, will present a program on Tuesday, March 19, 7-9 p.m. on the process and procedures involved with the sale of single family homes and condominiums, from pre-listing activities to transaction management and closing preparation. Topics will include: Title 5 Certification, Lead Paint Law, environmental issues, inspections, financing, and recent changes in the law. A question and answer period will follow. Location: Raytheon Room
EVOLUTION: IT’S ONLY A THEORY On Tuesday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. atmospheric physicist James Metcalf will give this month’s Great Presenters program. According to Metcalf, “Darwin’s theory of evolution remains a topic of intense controversy 153 years after its initial publication. Although it is the central organizing principle of modern biological science, it receives little or no emphasis in many public school biology courses, and a 2009 Gallup poll found that only 39% of Americans said they believe in it. Despite its contentious history, there are possibilities for settling the controversy.”
James Metcalf is an atmospheric physicist who worked for more than 30 years in the Air Force Research Laboratory at Hanscom Air Force Base. His background is in radar meteorology and magnetospheric research.
MARCH ART EXHIBITS During March the Raytheon Room contains the first solo exhibit of Wayland resident, “Suni” Natividad Lopez Ortiz. Suni was born in Spain and has lived in Brazil, South Africa, England, and Mexico. Her diverse background and extensive travel is reflected in the breadth of media and subject matter that she has used to explore and test her talent. She has worked in most media, but watercolor is the one that challenges and intrigues her the most. Meanwhile in the foyer, Gertrude Drobnis exhibits photographic prints made from her oil paintings.
