(Flavor, percent preferring) 1. Vanilla, 29% 2. Chocolate, 8.9% 3. Butter pecan, 5.3% 4. Strawberry, 5.3% 5. Neapolitan, 4.2% 6. Chocolate chip, 3.9% 7. French vanilla, 3.8% 8. Cookies and cream, 3.6% 9. Vanilla fudge ripple, 2.6% 10. Praline pecan, 1.7% 11. Cherry, 1.6% 12. Chocolate almond, 1.6% 13. Coffee, 1.6% 14. Rocky road, 1.5% 15. Chocolate marshmallow, 1.3% All others, 23.7% Source: International Ice Cream Association

So don’t feel guilty about enjoying ice cream this month. If you’re feeling really ambitious you could try making your own ice cream–and we’ve got some nice cookbooks you could use. First “The Perfect Scoop” by David Lebovitz. This book is chock full with new and interesting recipes and this instructions are easy to follow. The pictures are wonderul and calorie free! The second cook book is “Ice Cream” by Joanna Farrow. This book tries some new and interesting flavor combinations and also covers other cold options like ices, sherberts, granitas, bombes, tortes and sorbets. If you have super self control and prefer to celebrate with a movie, check out the 1931 Laurel & Hardy ice cream comedy,  “Come Clean.”  So remember to observe this month ”with appropriate ceremonies and activities” by indulging in your favorite flavor.  The only difficult choice will be: sprinkles or jimmies?

We hope to see you at the library this summer!

-Kate

Ahh summer. Warm days, sun, surf, crystal clear lakes, lazy days on the back porch, and books. Lots and lots of books. You know the ones on the list you’ve been compiling all year. If your list is anything like mine, summer will have to be extended to get them all in.

Let’s see, what will it be this week? A mystery. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larssen has been very popular at the library. A computer hacker who uses her skill to solve crimes. It’s part of a series. What if I really get hooked? There goes the summer. But I’ve heard it’s a really great read.

Then there’s Heresy by S. J. Parris, a medieval thriller about a monk who actually lived during the sixteenth century. – Caught reading Erasmus in the privy, he barely escaped the monastery in Italy with his life, and eventually found his way to England and became a spy for the court of Elizabeth I. His mission was to root out religious heretics at Oxford. Quite a role reversal. That could keep me up nights.

Maybe I’d like a change of pace. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson has gotten some great press. Let me think, a retired, very proper British Major, a charming Pakistani store keeper, both widowed; a lovely English village. Sounds promising so far. But can Edgecomb St. Mary get its arms around a multicultural romance among the not so young, with intrusive family on all sides? Add a looming developer with plans to reinvent the village, and things are at the boil. I can’t wait to find out how it all turns out.

So many books … you know the rest.

See you in the Fall.

Lilly the Librarian

Double Vision

Our Family Fare series in the park has been sponsored by the community and the Library Trustees for the past 18 years. The series is for families to come and enjoy entertainment for 6 weeks during the summer. This year’s programs are sure to please all ages. All programs will be held in Victory Park and in the event of rain will be held in the Library’s Auditorium.

FAMILY FARE 2010

July 8, 2010 – 6pm – Victory Park
JUDY PANCOAST
New Hampshire’s own Judy Pancoast, well known to Family Fare audiences, will make her New Hampshire debut with her brand new band, The Groovy Dudes, on July 8th. Judy Pancoast and the Groovy Dudes will rock the park with their signature brand of “Bubblegum Pop for Sweet Kids, ” including new Judy tunes and fan favorites such as “A Little Bit of Elvis” and “Swimming in Jello.” Don’t worry about bringing a chair…you won’t want to sit down!

July 15, 2010 – 6pm – Victory Park
STORYTELLER /SONGWRITER STEVE BLUNT
Songwriter and storyteller, fun for all ages. There will be stories and songs to sing and just plain silliness.

July 22, 2010 – 6pm – Victory Park
DAN GRADY AND HIS MARVELOUS MARIONETTES
Show is fast-paced, stringed puppet production comprised of routines that have that special something which is sure to tantalize, captivate, enchant and delight all those whom attend. The broad range of acts include tightrope and trapeze artistry as performed by Eadarg Bros., to the country western strumming and crooning of the celebrated superstar Conway Kitty.

July 29, 2010 – 6pm – Victory Park
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS – NATURAL SELECTION
Make a Splash! Summer reading program theme. Water animals will include alligator, snake, tree frogs, toad and turtles and many more. The animals have been rescued and captive born / raised non-native (or “exotic”) wildlife, assist us as Ambassadors of Education… spreading the message of conservation, appreciation and respect for all of Earth’s creatures

August 5, 2010 – 6pm – Victory Park
VIC & STICKS
A musical storytelling show performed with a vaudeville/ragtime flair! Mixed with old fashioned vaudeville theatrics, this show will surely entertain.

August 12, 2010 – 6pm – Victory Park
DOUBLE VISION
Double Vision (mime, acrobatics, and juggling). The Scalises always knew they wanted more than anything else to be entertainers. Prepare to be amazed as Jody and Linda Scalise showcase their mime, acrobatics, and juggling talents.

We hope that you will enjoy this year’s Family Fare events and that you all have a safe and happy summer season.  See you at the library!

 The main branch will be open till 8:30 tonight-so come on in and get cool!

On the Run

 Missing – One twenty-four inch toilet bowl plunger with a yellow wooden handle and a black rubber suction-cup. The handle was artfully adorned with one inch blue tape spirally down it’s length. Likewise, the handle was hand painted with stick-figure boys and girls along with colorful flowers. The plunger was signed by the artist. It was last seen standing behind the toilet in the Children’s Room bathroom. It may be accompanied by two red, very unattractive plastic lobsters and the brass clock that sat on security’s desk. If found, please return them to it’s rightful owner, no questions asked. They are missed very much.

For more information contact Mary Gallant at 624-6550 x 311.