Lots to Do at the Library During School Vacation Week

On Monday, February 23, there will be a free matinee screening of “Disneynature: Earth” at 2pm. This epic adventure follows three animal families: polar bears, elephants, and humpback whales, on a planet-wide journey. That evening at 6:30pm, girls in grades 3-6 are invited to join our STEM program. Miss Rachel, an engineer, will lead participants in building simple structural designs that are amazingly sturdy. Females are underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and math fields and Miss Rachel hopes to help change that. Of course, boys are welcome to attend too!

       On Tuesday, February 24, join us for a fascinating program about Marine Mammals by docents from UNH's Sea Grant Sea Trek Program. A 2pm session is tailored for pre-K to 2nd graders and a 3pm session will welcome 3rd graders and up.  If families want to be in the same time session, that’s fine too---our goal is to keep the activities to small groups.  The docents will illustrate the characteristics and physical and behavioral adaptations of a variety of marine mammals. Through hands-on activities, children will then explore the similarities and differences between marine and land mammals, and the special adaptations that allow for finding food, breathing, and staying warm in the Atlantic sea water.

         On Wednesday, February 25 at 10am, Miss Tina will conduct a winter wildlife-themed drop-in story time in the Lecture Hall. All ages are welcome to attend.

         On Thursday, February 26, the Seacoast Science Center’s Marine Mammal Rescue Team will be here at 2pm to talk about their efforts to help stranded, injured or diseased seals, whales, porpoises and dolphins along the NH seacoast. Their “Save a Seal” program will help children learn about native Gulf of Maine species and what to do if they spot an animal washed up on a beach. After performing a mock rescue, children will earn a special “Seal of Approval” for participating.

          On Friday, February 27, educators from York’s Center for Wildlife will be at the library at 10am    presenting their new program, “Winter Wildlife Adaptations”. Their animal assistants will include an assortment of live raptors, reptiles and mammals, so be prepared to be amazed and see some local wildlife up close!

          All week long, children of all ages are invited to make a “Polar Bear” at the Creation Station in the Children’s Room. All materials will be provided.

          Wrapping up Wildlife Week will be a showing of “Big Hero 6” (PG; 1 hr., 22 min) on Saturday, February 28 at 2pm in the Lecture Hall. None of the library’s School Vacation Week programs require pre-registration and each program is offered for free. For more information on any of these programs, please call the Dover Public Library’s Children’s Room at 603-516-6052.

Rescheduled: "Peak Bagging the New England 4,000-footers" with Allison Nadler Feb. 25, 7pm

    

      If you’ve ever thought about hiking the 67 highest peaks in New England– or are just curious about this undertaking – come to the Dover Public Library on Wednesday, February 25 at 7pm to hear Allison Nadler. Allison is an avid, ultralight peak bagger who has hiked all of the 4000-footers in New England three times!

      An Amesbury, MA resident, she is the founding organizer of Northeast Peak Baggers, a MeetUp group designed to help other hikers reach their goals. When not leading hikes, Allison can often be found hiking solo day or night on the trail. She is currently attempting a personal goal of hiking each of New Hampshire’s 48 4000-footers in each of the four seasons. She has also completed the Presidential Traverse (7 NH peaks spanning 20 miles) and a 15-day, solo 220 mile hike along California’s John Muir trail.

       She documents all of her adventures on her website www.trailtosummit.com.  Learn about the beauty and challenges of peak bagging through Allison Nadler's eyes and get inspired to plan your own adventure, big or small.

       This program is free and open to all. .For more information, call the Dover Public Library at 603-516-6050.

School Vacation Week Fun, Feb. 21-28

     February School Vacation Week activities at the Dover Public Library kick off with a Legos Day in the Children’s Room on Saturday, February 21. Legos will be available all day for creative fun, plus Gordon Lubbers, owner of Bricks 4 Kidz, will be here from 10am to 2pm with specially engineered Lego motorized model kits and instructions. At 2pm, there will be a free showing of “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” (PG; 1 hr., 21 minutes) in the Lecture Hall.

      On Monday, February 23, there will be a free matinee screening of “Disneynature: Earth” at 2pm. This epic adventure follows three animal families: polar bears, elephants, and humpback whales, on a planet-wide journey. That evening at 6:30pm, girls in grades 3-6 are invited to join our STEM program. Miss Rachel, an engineer, will lead participants in building simple structural designs that are amazingly sturdy. Females are underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and math fields and Miss Rachel hopes to help change that. Of course, boys are welcome to attend too!

       On Tuesday, February 24, join us for a fascinating program about Marine Mammals by docents from UNH's Sea Grant Sea Trek Program. A 2pm session is tailored for pre-K to 2nd graders and a 3pm session will welcome 3rd graders and up.  If families want to be in the same time session, that’s fine too---our goal is to keep the activities to small groups.  The docents will illustrate the characteristics and physical and behavioral adaptations of a variety of marine mammals. Through hands-on activities, children will then explore the similarities and differences between marine and land mammals, and the special adaptations that allow for finding food, breathing, and staying warm in the Atlantic sea water.

         On Wednesday, February 25 at 10am, Miss Tina will conduct a winter wildlife-themed drop-in story time in the Lecture Hall. All ages are welcome to attend.

         On Thursday, February 26, the Seacoast Science Center’s Marine Mammal Rescue Team will be here at 2pm to talk about their efforts to help stranded, injured or diseased seals, whales, porpoises and dolphins along the NH seacoast. Their “Save a Seal” program will help children learn about native Gulf of Maine species and what to do if they spot an animal washed up on a beach. After performing a mock rescue, children will earn a special “Seal of Approval” for participating.

          On Friday, February 27, educators from York’s Center for Wildlife will be at the library at 10am    presenting their new program, “Winter Wildlife Adaptations”. Their animal assistants will include an assortment of live raptors, reptiles and mammals, so be prepared to be amazed and see some local wildlife up close!

          All week long, children of all ages are invited to make a “Polar Bear” at the Creation Station in the Children’s Room. All materials will be provided.

          Wrapping up Wildlife Week will be a showing of “Big Hero 6” (PG; 1 hr., 22 min) on Saturday, February 28 at 2pm in the Lecture Hall. None of the library’s School Vacation Week programs require pre-registration and each program is offered for free. For more information on any of these programs, please call the Dover Public Library’s Children’s Room at 603-516-6052.

    

Experience Opera at the Library on February 21! Bring the kids!

The Dover Public Library is pleased to host the 8^th in their series of free musical concerts on Saturday, February 21 at 11am in the library’s Lecture Hall. Seven talented area musicians, led by Youth Opera Program director and UNH lecturer Melissa Manseau, will perform selections from well-known operas. Some of Melissa’s voice students will be singing, accompanied by Minako Merritt on piano. This program is a great way for families to introduce their children to the wonders of opera in a relaxed setting and it’s free! The performers enjoy singing for an audience, so bring your enthusiasm and excitement! 

Performers are:

Audrey Craft has been a student of Melissa Manseau’s for several years. She loves opera, but also enjoys singing everything from gospel to Broadway. Her main instrument is piano. After studying with Minako Merritt for about 7 years, she graduated from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. She is currently a piano teacher with a growing studio.

Kamerin Hermenau has performed at the Seacoast Repertory Theater and the Ogunquit Playhouse.  She has been singing opera for the past 7 years.  She recently performed as Maggie in “Lend me a Tenor” and sings with Melissa Manseau’s Youth Opera Program. Kamerin is thrilled to educate and inform others about her passion for opera.

Druinn Johnston has been a student of Melissa Manseau for 9 years and previously studied at the Boston Conservatory.  She lives in Durham and is expecting her first child next month.

Soprano Melissa Manseau is delighted to perform again at the Dover Library!  She graduated with a B.A. in Music Education from UNH and a M.M. in Vocal performance from the University of Northern Iowa.  She has performed with Opera North, Opera by the Bay, Boston Vocal Artists, Salt Marsh Opera, Cape Cod Opera, Bronx Opera, Granite State Opera and Sarasota Opera.  Ms. Manseau is the founder and director of Youth Opera Workshop, now in their 13th season performing opera with singers ages 11-28.  She is a full time Lecturer in Voice at UNH.   Melissa's 10 year old son, Jackson Walsh, also performs on stage and film in the greater Boston area, as well as her husband, SAG actor, Michael Walsh.  For more information about Youth Opera Workshop, private lessons, or performance, visit www.melissamanseau.com.

Pianist Minako Merritt, a long-time resident of Dover, is a graduate of the Musashino Music Academy in Tokyo.  Prior to moving here, she taught piano for several years at the Kawai and Yamaha Music Schools.  Minako teaches privately now from her home and   can be found most Sunday mornings playing at the Christian Science Church in Dover.

Eric Radcliffe has sung regional opera in the area for many years.  Formerly  a member of the Lakes Region Opera Company,  Eric has performed all over the six state region.  Most recently he performed as Joseph in the “Bus Stop Atheist” at the Merrill Auditorium. He is excited to be performing at the library, singing opera for the community. 

Anna Woodbury graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance. She has been a soloist with the Rockingham Choral Society, and has performed as a professional soloist at several local churches. Anna will soon begin work on her master’s degree in Music Therapy.

Selections will include “Batti Batti O bel Masetto” and “Vedrai carino” from Mozart’s Don Giovanni   (Kamerin Hermenau and Druinn Johnston, performers); “Come in quest’ ora bruna” from Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra” (Melissa Manseau);  “O Soave Fanciulla” (Audrey Craft and Eric Radcliffe) and “Quando men vo” (Kamerine Hermenau) from Puccini’s “La Boheme”; “Una voce poco fa” from Rossini’s “Barbiere di Siviglla” (Anna Woodbury);  “O mio Fernando” from Donizetti’s “La Favorita”  (Druinn Johnston); “Nessun dorma” (Eric Radcliffe) and “Signore, ascolta!” (Audrey Craft) from Puccini’s “Turandot”;  “Parigi O Cara” from Verdi’s “La Traviata” (Kamerin Hermenau and Eric Radcliffe); “Qui Vivra Verra” from Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliette” (Anna Woodbury); and “Pleurez! Pleurez, mes yeux!” from Massenet’s “Le Cid” (Melissa Manseau).

Please join us for this inspiring and lively performance and remember that children are most welcome to attend too! A goal of these concerts is to instill a love of music at an early age. For more information, call the Dover Public Library at 603-516-6050.

Come to our "SkyWatch" on February 17, 6:30pm

 Bundle up for the cold weather and come to the Dover Public Library on Tuesday,February 17, at 6:30pm to participate in a “SkyWatch”, under the tutelage of the New HampshireAstronomical Society.  We’ll start out inside with a brief (about 20 minutes) informational session and slide show on “What’s up in Tonight’s Sky”. Then we’ll move outside to set up telescopes and dosome star-gazing!

What happens at a "SkyWatch"?  It’s simply a gathering of amateur astronomers with a focus on public outreach and education. It is "beginner-friendly." NHAS members will set up their equipment and choose their celestial targets. The equipment (telescopes and binoculars) is the property of the member and will be carefully aligned and focused for you on an interesting celestial target. Your observer will explain what you will be seeing. Many celestial objects, while beautiful, are quite dim and it may take some time before you begin to see all the detail. Atmospheric turbulence may also come and go, so you may suddenly experience moments when the view is spectacularly better – watch for them! This is your special time at the telescope so we encourage you to make the most of it. Do ask any questions that come to mind, and if you don’t see anything please say “I don’t see anything!” since objects do sometimes drift out of view.

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It’s important to stay warm! Bring about twice as much warm clothing as you think you 'll need. Winter calls for insulated boots, thermal underwear, corduroy jeans, parka, flannel shirt, gloves, and, very important, a warm knit cap!

Participants may bring their own telescopes if they desire, but the Library’s telescopes, as well as

Society members’ telescopes, will be available to use. In the event of a cloudy night, the informational

slide show will still take place at 6:30pm. Families are encouraged to attend. This program is free and

open to the public. For more information call the Dover Public Library at 603-516-6050.