April 27 - May 10, 2017
Click here to download the May calendar of events.
Click here to download the Kids Events for May. 
Click on a picture to take you to more information.

Two Classic Tales of the Sea. Thursday, April 27, 6:30 pm. 

Two Classic Tales of The Sea, A Discussion: Moby Dick and The Old Man and the Sea. The Camden Philosophical Society will show parts of both films, and discuss. These are the stories of two men in conflict both struggling with their own monsters. In each case they experience a similar encounter. What is their struggle? Do we, in this modern era, still search for the same answers and to overcome the same conflicts? 

These two stories, Moby Dick by Herman Melville and The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, have overarching similarities, as the main characters struggle for recognition and salvation in the face of a fatalistic and indifferent universe. But there are key differences in the ultimate outcome for each man.  Also of interest, as documented in "The True Story of Moby Dick," is Melville's partial use of events based upon "The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex" by Owen Chase. It is this true life adventure from which Melville created one of the most enduring and analyzed works of literature. After viewing parts of the films, we'll explore the themes of these two recognized literary works.

Grown Up Storytime. Fridays April 28, May 5, 1:30 pm. 

Join us on Friday afternoons from 1:30 to 2:00 to hear stories read by our fabulous team of librarians and occasional community members. If you are interested in reading, please contact Cayla at cmiller@librarycamden.org.  Friday, April 28, Dean Jorgenson will read from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Next up, Diane will read on Friday, May 5. 

Tabletop Gaming for Ages 10 - 100. Fridays, April 28, May 5, 3:00 pm.

All ages and experience levels of gamers welcome! Come play old favorites like chess, checkers, or Scrabble. Try something new like Settlers of Catan, Pandemic, or Ticket to Ride! Snacks welcome, please bring a game to share with the group. 

Author Event: Kristin Lindquist Book Launch. Saturday, April 29, 4:00 pm 

Camden poet Kristen Lindquist will be celebrating the release of her latest poetry collection Tourists in the Known World on Saturday, April 29, 4:00 – 5:30 pm in the Picker Room of the Camden Public Library. She will do a short reading from the book, and copies will be available for purchase. Light refreshments will be served. Lindquist’s poetry draws often on the natural world, reflecting her love of birds and well as her strong connection to the Maine landscape. She finds poetry in the everyday, from the lobster festival to the islands of Penobscot Bay to a conversation at the gym, and shares it with accessible, lyrical detail.

“Fred Astaire: A Celebration of His Life” with Michael Lund. Sunday, April 30, 2:00 pm. 

The Camden Public Library welcomes Michael Lund of Serendipity Recordings to speak about the incomparable Fred Astaire. Astaire was an actor, singer, choreographer, and dancer extraordinaire. George Gershwin was the first great pianist who played for him and wrote songs for him. He performed in 35 musicals, 8 non-musical movies and 15 television shows. Some of the songs Astaire introduced were: Night & Day, Cheek To Cheek, Let’s Face The Music & Dance, The Way You Look Tonight, Nice Work If You Can Get It, A Fine Romance, Lady Be Good, One For My Baby, Something’s Gotta Give, Top Hat, Change Partners & Dance, Fascinating Rhythm, & more

Presenter Michael Paul Lund has sung and recorded the American Songbook with members of the original Tonight Show Band in New York City.  He has also written pop songs including one for Shirley Bassey. He also wrote lyrics with composers Bee Walker & Richard Lane.

Estate Planning with Jesse Bilfulco.       Monday, May 1, 3:00 pm.

This workshop covers frequently asked questions and common misconceptions regarding wills and trusts, asset protection, nursing home issues, Medicaid qualifications and estate taxes. 95% of estate plans fail to accomplish their goals. This course offers a way to help you understand the misconceptions that lead to failure of estate plans, why and what can be done to fix them. Taught by Jesse Bifulco, estate planning attorney for over twenty years. This event is free and open to the public. Please note that this workshop is for educational purposes only, no legally binding wills are created during this class, nor will there be any assistance in signing up for Medicaid.

The Sporting Life of Ernest Hemingway with Silvio Calabi. Tuesday, May 2, 7:00 pm

Silvio Calabi has written extensively about Ernest Hemingway’s sporting life, including the book Hemingway’s Guns. He will speak at the Camden Public Library on Tuesday, May 2, at 7:00 pm about his research. Calabi has delved deep into Hemingway’s letters and photos archived at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, in Boston, and at the Finca Vigía, Hemingway’s home in Cuba, and he is a consultant to the Hemingway Letters Project.

A writer, editor and publisher for more than 40 years, Silvio Calabi lives in Camden and travels widely. He has been editor-in-chief of both Shooting Sportsman and Fly Rod & Reel magazines (and is now an editor-at-large for both) and in 2004 was made a Knight of the International Order of St. Hubertus. Calabi has roamed the world on assignment for magazines and newspapers since the 1970s and has written half a dozen books and hundreds of articles related to fine guns and shooting, hunting, fly-fishing, motor-racing and sporting travel.

Midcoast Stroke Support Group. Wednesday, May 3, 10:00 am. 

“We welcome survivors, family, and friends of stroke survivors, or really anyone faced with a neurological challenge,” said Carol Rohl, one of the Support Group organizers. “We share stories and things we have found helpful in this life change. We are finding that encouragement and contact with others in similar situations is very supportive.” For more information call 273-2090. “We look forward to more people joining us,” she added.  Everyone is welcome to join the support group on the first Wednesday of the month at the Camden Public Library at 10:00 am.

Coffeehouse with the Gawler Sisters. Thursday, May 4, 7:00 pm. 

The Gawler Sisters are a fun-loving, folk-singing, fiddle-playing trio based in their native Maine. Tickets $10 at the door. Doors open at 6:30. On banjo, fiddle and cello, Molly, Edith, and Elsie bring beautiful songs, tunes, and stories from their roots in the heart of Maine. Their music feels cut directly from their homeland’s fields and forests, and though it is rooted in traditional “downeast” music, years of curiosity and travel into the world beyond have influenced their sense of musicianship. Their extensive collection of rollicking tunes in the Down-East, Franco-American and Scandinavian traditions is complemented by angelic three-part-harmony, gutsy worksongs, folk-blues, and amusing odes to everyday life. This music is part of their heritage as the three sisters were taught to play and sing by their Mom (Ellen Gawler, fiddler, and singer) and Dad (John Gawler, banjo player and songster.)

Navigating the Financial Aid Process with the University of Maine. Friday, May 5, 1:00 pm

The Financial Aid Workshop is an overview of financial basics and the completion of the Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The discussion will include a review of the federal, state, school-based, and private funding sources. Upon completion of this workshop, the student will be able to effectively access the funding they need to complete their college degree. An emphasis will be placed on student responsibility and an understanding of the full financial process and timetable. Participants should bring their family's previous year income details to the workshop. Participants should be current college students or prospective college students.

Volunteers Needed For Amphitheatre Cleanup.  Saturday, May 6, 9:00 am. 

It's time for some springtime care in the Camden Amphitheatre and Harbor Park, and the Camden Public Library is looking for volunteers to take part in its annual Clean Up Day on Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join Parks Director Dave Jackson and help get the library grounds spruced up for the season. Participants are asked to bring their own rakes, pruning shears, and gloves. For more information, contact the library at 236-3440.

Middle School Building Bond Community Forum. Saturday, May 6, 2:00 pm. 

Members of the Middle School Building Committee will be on hand to discuss how and why it was decided to place a bond for a new middle school building on the June 13 ballots of Camden and Rockport, to describe the vision for the proposed project, and to answer any questions that folks may have. Information regarding the bond issue and the proposed project can be found at www.crmsmiddlematters.info

Author Event: Charlie Masalin. Sunday, May 7, 2:00 pm. 

Charlie Masalin was raised in Camden in the 1940s. Leaving high school early to attend Naval Academy launched him into a self described “zig-zag path” from lobsterman to Naval Engineer to blueberry and Christmas tree farmer. He earned a Masters in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from MIT and attended further graduate work at Harvard Business School. His new book, The Zig-Zag Path of One Entrepreneur describes his journey and what he has learned along the way. 

Camden Philosophical Society. Monday, May 8, 4:00 pm

The Camden Philosophical Society is shifting its regular Tuesday reading and discussion session to Monday, May 8, due to scheduling difficulties. The group will continue its consideration of contemporary practical ethics with a series of readings and videos centered on the ideas of Noam Chomsky. The discussion will take place from 4:00  to 5:30 pm in the Picker Room of the Camden Public Library. All are welcome. Noam Chomsky, emeritus University Professor at MIT, is a world famous linguist, philosopher of mind, and political activist. Although it is not his central concern, ethics is a subject that Chomsky has from time to time addressed directly, from both a theoretical and practical standpoint. Many of his voluminous political writings also implicitly point to a variety of moral and ethical precepts. It’s clear, for example, that in singling out global warming and nuclear war as by far the most dangerous contemporary threats humanity faces, Chomsky is implying that all humans have a moral duty to make safeguarding the well-being of future generations an urgent moral priority.

Leer y charlar. Tuesday, May 9, 1:00 pm

Read and chat – entirely in Spanish! This Spanish language reading and conversation group  will continue on second and fourth Tuesday meetings  at 1:00 pm at the Camden Public Library. Chat in Spanish about books, magazines, etc. and decide how to proceed. Bring ideas for future recommendations.

Tuesday Book Club. Tuesday, May 9, 1:00 pm

The book for the May discussion will be Suite Francaise by Irène Némirovsky. The Tuesday Book Club meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 1:00 pm; all are welcome, please call Mary at 763-3035 for more information.

Call For Makers!

Applications are open for the Midcoast Mini Maker Faire taking place September 9 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Space is limited, apply today at midcoastmakerfaire.com! Free to apply and to be a Maker! 

The Midcoast Mini Maker Faire committee is seeking Makers for the 2017 Midcoast Mini Maker Faire, to be held in the Library Amphitheatre on Saturday, September 9. The Faire is hosted and produced by staff and volunteers of the Camden Public Library. The Midcoast Mini Maker Faire is a gathering of not only innovators and tinkerers, but also artists, do-it-yourselfers, craftspeople, and performers, in short, any and all “makers” of all ages. Over the past several years, the Midcoast Mini Maker Faire has hosted homemade cars, power-assisted bicycles, underwater robots, arduinos, a solar-powered merry-go-round, lego robots, cyanotypes, giant bubbles, and a full-scale camera obscura.

The Midcoast Mini Maker Faire is geared towards visitors of all ages and is a family-friendly event. The Faire will provide non-commercial makers a free exhibit space with a table, chairs, power if needed, and wifi. Everyone is encouraged to think of themselves as a Maker and to come for the show!

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