By Kim Brawn
“Over time, people regret what they didn’t do more than what they did do,” writes Daniel Pink in his bestseller “The Power of Regret.” Don’t let those missed opportunities gnaw at you, instead take advantage of what’s possible in the present and use those past regrets to prevent future ones. This May and beyond, the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft is bursting with things to do, people to see, and new chances to act and connect.
If you have found yourself saying I wish I had gone to see the giant trolls, taken my kids to a cool museum, or lounged on a state park beach, then welcome to Pass Season at TFL. We have three great ones available. The State Park Pass admits a vehicle and all occupants for free. Checkouts are for three days that we are open. (i.e., if you check it out on Thursday, you will have it until the next Tuesday.) Some parks, including Baxter, are excluded.
Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor is an exciting place the kids will love featuring floors of hands-on interactive exhibits. This pass is for one specific day and includes four free admissions ($10 for each additional admission).
New this year, we have a pass for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens located in Boothbay Harbor. The gardens have so many incredible highlights like the native butterfly and moth house and of course the giant trolls a.k.a. Guardians of the Seeds — Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s magical, mysterious, and mammoth recycled-wood troll sculptures. You can reserve a date and we will print tickets for that day which will admit two adults and as many children as there are in your group. These passes are available to TFL patrons.
Our Pre-Mother’s Day Book Sale (May 10-13) is the perfect place to find gifts for Mom. Everything is ten cents: fiction, non-fiction, kids’ book, and DVDs. Show your love without breaking the bank. (Where: downstairs/when: Weds. 12-5, Thurs. 9-6, Fri. 9-5, and Sat. 9-12:30. Proceeds go to children’s programming. Book donations welcome.
If you regret not spending more time out in nature, you’ll find inspiration at “Pollinators in Your Yard 101” on Thursday, May 11 at 1:30 p.m. with local honey beekeeper Lynn Lubas. Learn what pollinators are, why they are important, and find out the best ways to make your property more pollinator-friendly. Lynn will cover honey bees, native bees, native plants, and more. You’ll take home many informative handouts and resource lists. Bring your questions!
The Penquis Community Based Program is hosting “Community Coffee & Refreshments” at TFL on Thursday, May 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It’s an opportunity for the staff and program participants to get together with the community, share coffee and snacks, and chat.
May means music! Folksinger Bill Berlinghoff visits us again at 6 p.m. on May 18. He plays guitar and banjo and sings a wide range of songs including traditional Tennessee mountain music, 60s folk classics, rowdy pub singalongs, and whimsical originals.
Flex your Maine trivia muscles and expand your quirky knowledge of the Pine Tree State with Tim Caverly’s “So You Think You Know Maine” on Thursday, May 25 at 6 p.m. Discover the birthplace of Disney’s Bambi, northern forest ice caves, abandoned railroads, and petrographs. Tim, who is the author of “Allagash Tails” has worked with both the Maine Forest Service and Department of Conservation, is eager to share what he calls, “. . . tales that can only be described as Classic Maine.”
We’re on the fast track to summer and many places are hiring, whether you need help with online applications, revamping your resume, or getting tips for those tricky interview questions, the folks from the Career Center can assist you. Stop by Friday May 26 from 12-2 p.m. to get your questions answered (they will visit TFL the 4th Friday of each month).
Looking ahead to Thursday, June 1 at 6 p.m. Maine author Ron Joseph stops by to talk about his new book “Bald Eagles, Bear Cubs, and Hermit Bill: Memoirs of a Wildlife Biologist.” Ron shares his stories of growing up in rural Maine, working as a wildlife biologist, and meeting Mainers like retired dairy farmers Ruth and Martin French of Dover-Foxcroft, who repurposed their barn’s empty cow stalls into a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Writer Daniel Pink says that regrets of inaction are far more common than regrets of action. Translation: you are going to have a very busy May and beyond with the Thompson Free Library. In between trips to botanical gardens and state parks and museum visits, you can listen to fascinating talks, get to know your neighbors, learn new ideas and practical tips, buy books for Mom she didn’t know she needed, and browse the best selection of new releases around! Now’s the time to get acquainted—or reacquainted—with your local library and become a patron or update your membership. You won’t regret it.
TFL hours: Tues. & Thurs. 9-7, Weds. & Fri. 9-5, & Sat. 9-1. Visit our website thompsonfreelibrary.org, our Facebook page, Instagram @tf_library, or contact us at [email protected] or 207-564-3350. All programs are free and open to the public.
