Just like that, it’s September. How is it that summer seems to go by faster every year?

Summer Reading wrapped up on Saturday, Aug. 17 with an ice cream social for both the kids who participated in that and for our donors. It was a sweet afternoon topped off with hot fudge, whipped cream and sprinkles.

A big thank you to the Ice Cream Factory for providing their most delicious ice cream; and to Gloria Taliana, BHML trustee, for bottom lining the event. 

Last week, we drew names for the Summer Reading grand prizes. Seven readers won brand new bicycles, generously donated by the Masonic Seaside Lodge #144. One committed bookworm won the basket of books and four passes to Dolphin Mini Golf, after aptly noting that the odds of winning that one basket were dim compared to the bicycles. 

BHML would like to thank Orne’s Candy Store, the Ice Cream Factory, Finn McCools, Wannawaf and Coastal Maine Popcorn for donating the tasty “Time Travel Treats” throughout the summer, and Cameron Clan Snack Co. for giving the “Signup Snack” during the Windjammer Days Summer Reading Kick-off. Our summer readers were super excited to earn these goodies! Thank you for helping us nurture the youth’s love of literature.

We didn’t have many teenagers signing up for the Summer Reading passports, but we did have a big crowd of them on Wednesday mornings throughout the summer for college admissions counseling with Jane Hahn. Jane runs an admissions consulting business (check her out at mycollegeadvocate.com), and for the last two summers has generously donated her services to our local teens. Jane helped kids with everything from finding the right college, to writing essays, to filling out the common application.

Admissions counseling was followed by SAT prep all summer long. I did that, so I’m not going to thank myself, but I will graciously accept pats on the back for keeping a room full of teenage boys focused on math and reading once a week. What I wouldn’t give for some of that energy!

We’ll miss seeing the Critter Campers on Wednesdays and the Scampers on Fridays. Miss Harolyn says she’ll even miss the rainy Fridays that packed story hour with 40+ kids and caregivers.

Of course, the kids aren’t gone just because they’re back at school. We’re looking forward to our fall programming starting up in October, with Minecraft Club for 3rd and 4th graders and Lego Club for 1st and 2nd graders, both on Wednesdays from 2-3 p.m. And on Fridays, beginning Oct. 4, we’ll host a Coding Club for 5th and 6th graders from 3-4p.m.  

PJ Storytime returns on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. starting Oct. 3, so come dressed in pjs, bring a favorite stuffed animal, and listen to some stories while sipping hot chocolate. As always, our Friday 10:30 a.m. storytime continues throughout the year.

Adults can have a taste of fall’s back-to-school time, too. September programs offer a chance to learn about Louis Francis Sockalexis (1871-1913), nicknamed The Deerfoot of the Diamond, an American baseball player and a member of the Penobscot tribe in Old Town, Maine. 

You can also join us for an author talk with Christy Day, who walked El Camino de Santiago de Compostela when she was 66 years old. 

At the end of the month, BHML will welcome Mr. John Dieffenbacher-Krall, chair of Episcopal Committee on Indian Relations and former executive director of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission for a talk on the Christian Doctrine of Discovery in the context of Maine and its Indigenous Nations.  

Upcoming events

Louis Sockalexis talk: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Author Talk: Walking el Camino: Author Christy Day, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Storytime: Fridays, 10:30 a.m., birth to age 5.

Monday Night Book Group: Monday, Sept. 9, “Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter. 7 p.m.