Happy Windjammers week! Thank you to all who joined us at the Merry Barn on Sunday for our first annual Stories of the Sea! Folks from age five to eighty-five came together to partake in song, story, and art.

Round Pond duo Castlebay treated us to a decade of their research in sea shanty history, and sung to us of fisherman, ships, storms and mermaids. Stephanie read “The Sea Chest,” a mysterious story inspired by a legend from Southport, and together we painted lobsters, whales, fish, and selkies on a huge mural. There were jigs, songs, laughter and paint, and a wonderful sense of connection from all corners of the region.

We love bringing together our community in this way- to explore all the things that bring out joy, vibrancy, creativity, and curiosity. These Community Literacy Events will be taking a pause over the summer while the barn is filled with other wonderful programs, and will resume in the fall. Save the dates for Community Literacy Events next season:

Sept 17 - International Dot Day

Oct 15 - Indigenous People’s Day

Nov 5 - Day of the Dead

Dec 17 - Celebrating the Season

In the meantime, join us for Summertime Snapshots, our community writing series, on the first and third Wednesday of each month. 5:30-7:30 p.m., on July 6 and 20, Aug. 3 and 17. The next one is next Wednesday! Feel free to drop in to explore your own unique stories, and be guided to memories that need to be told! $10 at the door.