(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?

Many countries have bicycling tours but the most famous of all of them is the Tour de France. Three things set this race apart from all the rest: money, size, and prestige. The Tour de France started on July 3rd with a total of twenty-two teams competing this year. In this competition there is an individual winner and a winning team. The race is held in stages and teamwork is very important because the race consists of groups of riders who bicycle together in groups called the peletons. To quote wikipedia: “The Tour de France, and other bicycle stage races, are decided by totalling the time each rider takes on the daily stages. Time can be added or subtracted from this total time as bonuses or penalties for winning individual stages or being first to the top of a climb or for infractions of the rules. The rider with the lowest overall time at the end of each stage receives a ceremonial yellow bicycling jersey and the right to start the next stage, usually the next day, of the Tour in the yellow jersey. The rider to receive the yellow jersey after the last stage in Paris, is the overall (or ultimate) winner of the Tour.” Of course, one of the most famous individuals to wear that yellow jersey is our fellow American, Lance Armstrong.
I can only imagine how wonderful it must be to bicycle through the French countryside experiencing the atmoshphere and geography of a proud, ancient and beautiful country.  If you should wish to read further about the history and rules of the Tour de France we have several books on the subject as well as some books for the more modest bicyclist, like myself. Happy bicycling and have a fun and active rest of the summer. See you at the library!
~ Yvonne ~

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.

Participation is easy, each time you read a book fill out a short form with the book information.  These forms double as raffle tickets.  Attend one of our teen programs and earn two raffle tickets just for showing up.  To learn more visit the library or contact Kate for more information.  We’re only promising you a summer of fun!

MCL Notes – Summer 2010

If you want to be among the first to know about the latest news and programs, you should sign up to receive the newsletter via email.  It only comes out four times a year, so you don’t need to worry about us cluttering your inbox.

-Amy G.