April 2024 Newsletter |
Art this month features the artwork of Jerry Russin. Jerry Russin Jr. is the 7th generation of the Russin Family in Underhill, VT. With direct family roots that date back to the early 1860’s. |
Jerry graduated from Mount Mansfield Union High School in 2015. Jerry has spent his post schooling years working for Brian Bittner of Bittner Antiques in Shelburne, VT, working for The United States Postal Service as the Managing RMPO Clerk of the Underhill Center Post Office, and he has also served nearly a decade as a volunteer firefighter on the Underhill-Jericho Fire Department. In the spring of 2021, Jerry was bestowed Honorary Membership with the City Of Vergennes,VT Fire Department. |
In his personal life, Jerry has a deep passion for collecting and preserving Vermont history. Jerry’s a respected authority in the Vermont antique’s trade regarding the specific categories of antique Vermont bottles, Vermont advertising, Vermont signs, Vermont medicinal ephemera, and antique Vermont tins & containers. Jerry owns his own business called Riverside Antiques, and primarily sells his items online. Offered for display are a small sample of some of the many Vermont historical objects within his personal collection. |
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, April 18th at 7 PM. This meeting will be held in-person. A virtual meeting is available for those who wish to remain remote. Please contact Holly ([email protected]) to receive the link to attend. Library Hours Tuesday & Thursday — 10 AM to 8 PM Wednesday & Friday— 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday — 10 AM to 2 PM Sunday — 1 PM to 4 PM Closed Mondays Masks are recommended but not required. In addition, we continue to offer curbside pickup. You may place items on hold on our online catalog. You will receive an email or a phone call when your item is ready. Just let us know what day you would like to pick it up by calling 802-899-4962 or emailing [email protected]. Curbside Pickup Tuesday & Thursday — 11 AM to 7:30 PM Wednesday & Friday — 11 AM to 5:30 PM Saturday — 11 AM to 1:30 PM |
Master Gardner’s April Update |
The library’s first flowers of the year have bloomed. Miss Abbey and helpers planted these crocuses on November 8th in the garden bed outside the children’s room. Crocus is one of the first flowers to emerge in the spring. It is often referred to as the light bulb flower because it looks like a bright light bulb until the petals unfurl into the cup shaped flower. It is no wonder it has a reputation as a symbol of cheerfulness as it brings the landscape alive with color after a long winter. These flowers bloom long before spring garden clean up begins. |
The Library Master Gardeners’ first job is to pick up sticks from winter windstorms. Next, when the compost pile thaws, we give it a turn. We prune the trees and shrubs. We are checking the benches and trellises and repairing any damage. Vegetable seeds have been started indoors. Many tasks are only to be started when the snow melts, the ground defrosts, and mud starts to drain off and dry. It’s important not to walk or work in soggy soil. We delay clean up. Premature cleaning risks soil compaction and disturbs overwintering pollinators in plant debris. We wait until after several 50℉ spring days to clean up. Some overwintering insects, notably bees and certain butterflies and moths, are triggered by a steady stream of 50-degree days to get moving. They will no longer as vulnerable to our spring-cleaning actions that might kill them or move them away from their host plant. It’s a busy time of year and we are anxiously waiting for warmer days. |
Adult Programs |
Sunday Music Series: The Beeline Ramblers & Grahm and Katie— Sunday, April 7th at 2 PM DRML invites you to join our 24th annual music series! For April, we welcome The Beeline Ramblers with Guest Performers Grahm and Katie. Since 2007, we have been featuring talented songwriters in April for recognition of National Poetry Month. The Beeline Ramblers were part of the initial program and it is our pleasure to welcome them back with guest performers Grahm and Katie. The Beeline Ramblers, Fran Mandeville and Lisa Mandeville have been reviewed as “being created to create.” Both Lisa and Fran are multi-talented musicians and song-writers. Lisa has been writing and singing songs since being introduced to music as a child. Her performances have included festivals and concerts, tours in Africa and an invitation to Geneva, Switzerland for a conference with women world leaders. Fran has been writing and performing songs as he traveled and worked from Colorado to Maine and in-between. Their depth of life experiences is portrayed in their repertoire, which includes blues, folk, and old-time music. In addition to their beautiful vocal harmonies they each bring expertise on instruments including guitar, slide guitar, dulcimer, mandolin, banjo, and limberjacks. We hope that you can join us for what promises to be a delightful performance. Please join us in the Fireplace Room on April 7th at 2 PM for this FREE concert! Masks are not required by are recommended. This performance is in-person only. A Zoom link will not be available. |
Seated Tai Chi for Fall Prevention — Mondays and Wednesdays, 10-11 AM April 1st, 3rd, 10th, 24th and 29th. (No Tai Chi on April 8th) Age Well and DRML are sponsoring Seated Tai Chi for Fall Prevention for those 60+ or those who have limiting conditions that would like to improve their balance, strength, and well-being. We will learn the Sun Style Form and ways to reduce stress and tension for you to apply when needed. The form can be adapted to your personal needs, so all can participate fully. In-person on Monday & Wednesday 10-11 AM at DRML or ZOOM from the comfort of your own home. Zoom link will be provided. Registration required, please contact Certified Instructor Jo Osborne at [email protected]. |
Cribbage — Tuesday, April 2nd at 10:30 AM Underhill/Jericho Cribbage Group meets in the program room at the Deborah Rawson Memorial Library on the first Tuesday of the month, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 or whenever you would like to leave. All levels are welcome! We will split up into pairs, singles, and 3-hand depending on the turnout. Please bring your own deck and board in case we need them. |
Crafters Group — Thursdays, April 4th and 18th from 6-8 PM Join as at DRML for a couple of hours of crafting and conversation with your neighbors. All are welcome – beginner to expert – in any craft you can transport. Hope to meet you there! Questions? Please contact Amy Tower at 802-355-9671 or [email protected] OR Julie Hehir at 802-343-0034 or [email protected]. |
Deborah Rawson Book Lovers — Tuesday, April 9th at 7 PM DRBL is a monthly adult book discussion group. This month’s selection is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab. New members are always welcome to drop in on any meeting, which is always the second Tuesday of the month at 7 PM. For more information on how to join, contact [email protected]. |
Legislative Update – Thursday, April 11th at 6 PM Your local representatives Edye Graning and Trevor Squirrel will be here to provide a legislative update and answer your questions. Please feel free to join us and meet with your representatives. |
Mah Jongg — Monday April 15th at 1pm and Thursday, April 25th at 6:30pm Please join us as we explore the ancient Chinese tile game of winds, dragons, and number tiles. If you like Rummy-style card games, you’ll love Mah Jongg! All are welcome—no experience necessary! |
Mystery Book Club — Tuesday, April 30th at 7 PM We will be discussing The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman. If you need a copy, call the library or request a copy on our online catalog using your library card. We meet in-person in the program room. A Zoom link is available. Email Holly at [email protected] for a link. |
Chez Henry — Tuesday, April 30th at 7 PM Chez Henry: un cercle francophone à la bibliothèque Deborah Rawson |
FR: Venez nous rejoindre notre cercle de conversation de retour à la bibliothèque Rawson dès mardi le 30 avril à 19 heures. En hommage affectueux à notre cher raconteur en chef défunt, Henry Weinstock, nous vous prions de venir partager vos idées pour cette série de réunions dans une ambiance de décontraction et d’amitié. Ce cercle n’est pas visé à faire apprendre la langue, mais les francophones de tous niveaux et ceux qui ne sont que des « French curious » y seront bien accueillis. EN: Come join our informal French conversation group back up and running at the Rawson Library. Named in fond remembrance of our past leader and “raconteur sans pareil,” Henry Weinstock, come share your ideas for a new series of informal Tuesday gatherings beginning April 30 at 7 pm. This is not intended as a language class and we welcome all levels of French speakers as well as the French curious. |
(Unless otherwise noted, programs are free and open to all, but registration is required for all programs.) |
Ongoing |
Baby Toddler Storytime — Tuesdays at 10:30 AM [ages 0-5] April Dates: April 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th Join us for a baby and toddler focused story time with tickles, bounces, songs, rhymes, and, of course, stories. Story Hour with Beth and David London — Fridays at 11 AM [ages 0-5] April Dates: April 5th, 12th What makes Friday so great? Songs and stories with Beth and David London. Hope to see you there! |
Here is what’s going on this month! |
All programs meet in person at DRML, unless otherwise specified. |
Animation Club — Thursdays, April 4th and 18th from 3 to 5 PM [ages 8+] Create a claymation masterpiece, or try out an animation app. The library has what you need to get started animating your very own videos. Please sign up when you call, email or visit the library. |
Solar Eclipse — Monday, April 8th from 1 to 4 PM [all ages] Join Ms. Abbey and our friend Scott Turnbull from the Vermont Astronomical Society on the back lawn to view the total solar eclipse! We will have a limited number of eclipse glasses available. |
Warrior Cats Club — Wednesday, April 10th from 4 to 5 PM [ages 10+] Do you love the Warriors books? So do a lot of people. Join us to chat about your favorite characters, make art and talk all about the story. No registration needed. Hope to see you there! |
Craft Stick Catapults – Thursday, April 11th from 3-4pm [ages 6+] Build mini catapults out of popsicle sticks, glue, rubber bands, and other little crafty things, and then compete to see which design can chuck various projectiles the furthest. Space is limited. Please sign up by stopping by the library, calling us at 899-4962 or emailing [email protected]. |
LEGO Club — Fridays, April 12th and 26th from 3 to 4 PM [ages 6+] Build a flower, a tractor or an alien spaceship! Anything you build will be on display in the kids room until the next LEGO club. Please sign up when you call, email or visit the library. |
Welcome New Baby Social — Saturday, April 13th from 10 to noon [all ages] Welcome all babies born in 2023! We’re happy to be hosting our new baby social once again. We’ll have folks from the Vermont Literacy Network, Let’s Grow Kids and some local schools and daycares there to show you just how supported you and your new baby can be in our community. We also invite you to pick a picture book to dedicate to your little one with a stick in book plate and a special message from you. Light refreshments available. |
Tissue Paper Flowers Craft – Tuesday, April 16th from 3 to 4pm [all ages] Turn tissue paper into beautiful April flowers. This craft is adaptable to any age. No sign up needed. Hope to see you there. |
Read to Wyatt — Wednesday, April 17th from 3 to 4:30 [all ages] Spring might be here, but it’s always a good time to cozy up with Wyatt and read some stories. Therapy dogs don’t care how well you read, or if you get all the words right and that helps build a more confident reader. Sign up for your spot with Wyatt when you call, email or visit the library. |
Taylor Swift Poetry Club – Friday, April 19th from 3 to 4pm [ages 8+] Celebrate the release of Taylor Swift’s newest album “Tortured Poets’ Department” with us! We’ll make T. Swift friendship bracelets, talk about her lyrics as poetry and write some of our own. |
Poetry Workshop – Thursday, April 25th from 11 to 12 [ages 6+] Celebrate National Poetry Month when you drop in and create black out poetry, acrostics, haiku, free verse and more. We will talk a little bit about what makes a poem, write some and read some too. |
(Unless otherwise noted, programs do not require registration and are free and open to all.) |