Stonington Public Library

Story Garden: Crops of Indigenous Peoples
2024-09-14 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Deer Isle Community Garden, 70 Church Street, Deer Isle, ME, 04627
Crops of indigenous peoples story time and garden activity with SPL and led by Mary Cevasco.
This month’s event concludes the Story Garden Series. SPL will continue to host a story time and craft on the second Saturday of every month from 10-11am, usually at the library and sometimes offsite. Check back on our Events page for up-to-date information. No RSVP required.

Food & Fiction: Like Water for Chocolate
2024-09-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Our September title is Like Water for Chocolate by Laura. The SPL book club meets the fourth Monday of every month at 6:30pm. Readers can choose to participate either in person at SPL or online via Zoom. Contact SPL at the phone or email below to RSVP and/or to join the book club email list.

Apple Cider Story Time
2024-10-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Bob & Missy Mial’s, 57 Whitman Road, Stonington, ME, 04681
It’s easy to grab a gallon of apple cider off the supermarket shelves, but it’s hard to beat the satisfaction of sipping apple cider made by your own hands with an old fashioned press. SPL is thrilled to give you the chance to do just that! Bob and Missy Mial generously offered to host an apple-themed read aloud and cider pressing at their guest cottage for our October story time. Bring along some apples, if you can.
Fun for all ages, no registration required.

Pat Monaghan & John Rohman Exhibit Reception
2024-10-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Andy Gove shack, Stonington by Pat Monaghan
Fishing pier, Stonington by John Rohman
Join Pat Monaghan and John Rohman for the opening reception of their joint exhibit at Stonington Public Library. Rugosa Rose will perform live music, and small bites and beverages will be served. The exhibit will remain on display through Saturday, January 25, 2025, and can be viewed any time during library hours. The artists will donate a portion of all sales from the exhibit to benefit Stonington Public Library.
Pat Monaghan moved to Stonington from Philadelphia in 2020. He and his wife Shelley have been coming to Maine and Deer Isle for the past forty years. He draws inspiration from the island, Penobscot Bay, and Stonington’s working waterfront. Pat primarily works in oils and paints from both life and photographs. Whenever possible, he takes his art supplies and heads outdoors to paint plein air. He began his art education at Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia in 1994, where he received instruction in portraiture and figure painting. Ever since, he has pursued learning opportunities to define and hone his personal style. Pat has attended drawing and painting workshops in the US and overseas. He previously served as a monitor at Philadelphia Sketch Club, where he was a member for 25 years.
John Rohman spent a significant amount of time with a pencil in hand during his career in the architectural field that spanned over four decades, and he worked with many talented people in the design profession. Although educated and trained as an engineer, John has always been interested in art and interior design. He began his artistic journey in earnest when he took the plunge in his 40s and returned to classes at University of Maine and Boston Architectural College. Early in his painting career he experimented with a variety of mediums and quickly settled on watercolor, which allowed for the rewarding ability to bring an image to life in minutes on paper. More recently, he has started working with Shina wood blocks and oil-based ink to create prints with greater depth than he can achieve in watercolor.

Food & Fiction: The Book Eaters
2024-10-28 18:30 - 19:30 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Our October title is The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean. The SPL book club meets the fourth Monday of every month at 6:30pm. Readers can choose to participate either in person at SPL or online via Zoom. Contact SPL at the phone or email below to RSVP and/or to join the book club email list.

Edible Island: food • culture • community
2024-11-02 14:00 - 16:00 | Healthy Island Project Kitchen, 91 S Burnt Cove Rd, Stonington, ME
Consider the Apple with Out on a Limb CSA heirloom apples
Stonington Public Library and Healthy Island Project team up again to offer a cooking workshop all about apples There will be Out on a Limb CSA heirloom apples along with favorite recipes from Maine Heritage Orchard and islanders. Come explore the possibilities and enjoy delicious apple treats along the way.
Space is limited. To register, contact SPL at the phone or email listed below

Little Monsters Story Time & Craft
2024-11-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Make your own monster at November’s story time & craft.

Food & Fiction: Land of Milk and Honey
2024-11-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Our November title is Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang. The SPL book club meets the fourth Monday of every month at 6:30pm. Readers can choose to participate either in person at SPL or online via Zoom. Contact SPL at the phone or email below to RSVP and/or to join the book club email list.

Edible Island: Cookie Swap & Secret Tree
2024-12-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Edible Island: food • culture • community
Cookie Swap & Secret Tree – a special holiday event
Celebrate the season and share your family’s traditions! Bring two dozen cookies to swap. Stay for a secret tree lighting—you’ll have to come to find out where—and holiday songs. To participate in the tree lighting, arrive at the library by 4pm. Everyone will head out together to the secret location.

A Scallop Christmas Story Time
2024-12-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Discovery Wharf, 13 Atlantic Avenue, Stonington, ME, 04681
Led by Carla Guenther at the Discovery Wharf. Come hear a read-aloud holiday story, learn about scallops, and paint a scallop shell. SPL hosts a monthly story time and activity for kids of all ages on the second Saturday of every month.

Food & Fiction: Heartburn
2024-12-16 18:30 - 19:30 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Our December title is Heartburn by Nora Ephron. The SPL book club meets the fourth Monday of every month, except December to accommodate holiday plans, at 6:30pm. Readers can choose to participate either in person at SPL or online via Zoom. Contact SPL at the phone or email below to RSVP and/or to join the book club email list.

What If We Get It Right? Public Conversation Series
2025-01-22 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-02-05 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-02-19 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-03-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
A four-part public conversation series on Visions of Climate Futures based around the book of the same name by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. Participants are welcome to join in person at SPL or by Zoom. The conversation dates are Wednesday, January 22nd, February 5th and 19th, and March 5th from 6-7:30pm. Reach out to SPL at the contact information below to sign up.

Reader's Choice: How to Read a Book
2025-01-27 18:30 - 19:30 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Reader’s Choice: Ellen Shockro
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
MILS catalog record
“Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from rural Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher. Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest. Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn’t yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed. When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland, their lives drastically change course.” – From cover jacket
About Ellen
Hometown: I was born in Brooklyn, but from age 4 lived in Scarsdale, NY, where I also attended high school before leaving for college.
Current residence: I currently live in Newport Beach, California.
Connection to the island: My island connection was through Peggy McIntosh, who owns the iconic small yellow house on Indian Point Road. I met her in 1981. Her parents found the house when sailing by, and they came up the hill to knock on the door—sometime in the late 1950s I believe. I visited and stayed there probably half a dozen times before buying our own home in 2001. I come in mid-May, and sometimes have a few trips in between, but I leave sometime in late September or early October.
Why do you read? Reading is a large part of my life. I do not watch much television. When I find an author I like, I tend to read all of their books. I read both fiction and nonfiction. In an average summer, I read 40-50 books.
What genre do you hate to read? I don’t like rambling and overly detailed books. I really dislike poor writing. I do not like so-called “romance” novels nor do I like fantasy, with a few exceptions.
Last book you LOVED: I LOVED Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. I had never read anything about gaming, plus I was taken up by the relationships among the three main characters. I also LOVED Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See. I’ve read each of those through twice.
Currently reading: I usually read three books at once, depending upon my mood. So I am reading Fiona Hill’s book, There is Nothing for You Here, for one. I have just started James by Percival Everett. My third book currently is The Fraud by Zadie Smith. I’ve read all of her books, this one is so different.
Why did you choose How to Read a Book? I like Maine authors. Monica Wood, Lily King, and Christina Baker Klein are among my favorite Maine writers—there are others. I have read all of Monica Wood’s books. I went to her talk at the Chase Emerson in July 2024; I have watched two very long interviews or discussions with her online; and I find her extremely thoughtful. She also has a good sense of humor. I think the main characters in the book are well drawn and are each very interesting in themselves. I am fascinated by programs trying to help inmates. I wished that the book club itself was more of a focus in the book. My sister teaches at San Quentin, which is all men. I have visited there most years, although not during Covid. I reread this book, and it was even better the second time around.

Read with Tenny – a Pre-K program
2025-02-11 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-03-11 11:00 - 11:30 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Visit and read with certified therapy dog, Tenny, on the second Tuesday of every month at 11am. His person, Jessica Shively, will bring him by SPL to meet some of our youngest patrons and their families. It’s a chance for kids to learn new ways of interacting with a dog and with each other in a (loosely) structured activity. Tenny is a 3 year old, 105 pound Great Pyrenees mix who grew up on the Maine coast. He loves love and sharing it with other people. His human, Jessica, moved to Stonington from Castine in the summer and spends her days beachcombing with Tenny and exploring new hiking trails.

Build Your Own Board Game!
2025-02-15 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-03-01 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-03-15 12:00 - 14:00 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Do you have a knack for design, math, art, or Dungeons & Dragons? Then join Jordan in making your very own board game this winter. By the end of the workshop, you will have a game that you can take home and force your friends and family to play! All ages.
The workshop will meet on Saturday, February 15th and March 1st, 15th, and 29th from 12-2pm. It will be offered in person at SPL.
Jordan Ramsey is an active member of the board game community of Deer Isle. He volunteers at the Deer Isle-Stonington After School Program and leads board game afternoons at the Island Community Center on Sunday afternoons. He has also created a handful of his own games that he and his friends playtest once a month.

Island Artist Group Exhibit Reception
2025-02-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Fox (oil) by Patrick Monaghan
Reception for the fourth annual island artist group exhibit at Stonington Public Library. Light bites and beverages will be served. Live music performed by island trio Rugosa Rose.
The exhibit runs from February 4 through April 26 and can be viewed during library hours.

Rosswords: Crosswords with Chris
2025-02-23 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-03-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Grab your pencils and sharpen your minds. The key to becoming a better solver is not knowing lots of trivia BUT in training your mind to stay flexible when solving. Don’t get boxed in, think outside the box! Ideally for solvers ages 14 & up.
The workshop will meet on Sunday, February 23rd and March 9th and 23rd from 11am-1pm. It will be offered in person at SPL.
Chris Ross is obsessed with word games. Yes, he solves Wordle and Connections and Spelling Bee every day, and he’s completed the New York Times crossword for 2,531 consecutive days and counting. He loves the challenge of puzzles that bend his brain and lives for the AHA! moment when everything falls into place.

Reader's Choice: The Island of Sea Women
2025-02-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Reader’s Choice: Kendra Chubbuck
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
MILS catalog record
“Set on the Korean island of Jeju, The Island of Sea Women follows Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls from very different backgrounds, as they begin working in the sea with their villages’s all-female diving collective. Over many decades—through the Japanese colonialism of the 1930s and 1940s, World War II, the Korean War, and the era of cellphones and wet suits for the women divers—Mi-ja and Young-sook develop the closest of bonds. After hundreds of dives and years of friendship, forces outside their control will push their relationship to the breaking point.” – From cover jacket
About Kendra
Hometown: Bath, Maine.
Current residence: Isle au Haut.
Connection to the island: My connection dates back five generations on my mother’s side to the late 1790s. I live on Isle au Haut year-round—all 12 months.
Why do you read? My mother was an avid reader, and she taught us to love books at a young age. So I would say I’m a lifelong learner from reading various genres of books. I read for information, escape, relaxation, knowledge, understanding of certain subjects, and to escape from life sometimes.
What genre do you hate to read? I will not read horror. I don’t like the feeling of being petrified and being shocked or scared. I have nightmares and bad dreams.
Last book you LOVED: The Convenant of Water and Cutting for Stone. Both are by Abraham Verghese.
Currently reading: Walking Sacred Sites: Listening to Their Stories by Maine author Margaret W. Jones.
Why did you choose The Island of Sea Women? I can’t swim, and I’m just not a water person. Yes, I live on an Island! It is a very scary read for me, and it isn’t one that I would have picked up on my own without it coming recommended. The women in this book are something else. They have amazing physical strength; they’re hardworking, resilient, and no-nonsense. In addition to their demanding job, they lived through historical upheavals and massive shifts in their daily lives: from WWII to the Korean War and from pigsty latrines and oil lamps to toilets and electricity. These women worked hard to support their families while the husbands took care of the kids and did very little else. Each female character is deeply flawed and was given lots of room to grow throughout this book, so I could think of these two women as real people upon which this book is based. It was fascinating to learn about their lives, but I don’t think I could have lived their shoes.

Music with Abby – a Pre-K program
2025-02-25 11:00 - 11:30 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Let’s get musical! Explore rhythm and music with island singer, songwriter, and musician Abby Litman on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 11am. Kids won’t be hushed for making noise in the library. In fact, they’ll be encouraged.

Rosswords: Crosswords with Chris
2025-03-02 11:00 - 12:00 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Grab your pencils and sharpen your minds. The key to becoming a better solver is not knowing lots of trivia BUT in training your mind to stay flexible when solving. Don’t get boxed in, think outside the box! Ideally for solvers ages 14 & up.
The workshop will meet on Sunday, February 16th and 23rd and March 9th and 23rd from 11am-1pm. It will be offered in person at SPL.
Chris Ross is obsessed with word games. Yes, he solves Wordle and Connections and Spelling Bee every day, and he’s completed the New York Times crossword for 2,531 consecutive days and counting. He loves the challenge of puzzles that bend his brain and lives for the AHA! moment when everything falls into place.

Story Time with Stonington Fire Department
2025-03-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
SPL story time returns to Stonington Fire Department! The fire department crew will come to the library to read aloud to kids and their families, and following the story, they’ll invite everyone over to the fire department for a guided tour and look behind the scenes. All welcome, no registration required.

Edible Island: Irish Soda Bread
2025-03-08 13:00 - 16:00 | Healthy Island Project Kitchen, 91 S Burnt Cove Rd, Stonington, ME
Edible Island is back with another workshop, and just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Learn how to make Irish soda bread with Lorraine Coakley. RSVP by contact information below.

Rosswords: Crosswords with Chris
2025-03-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Stonington Public Library, 64 Main Street, Stonington, ME, 04681
Grab your pencils and sharpen your minds. The key to becoming a better solver is not knowing lots of trivia BUT in training your mind to stay flexible when solving. Don’t get boxed in, think outside the box! Ideally for solvers ages 14 & up.
Chris Ross is obsessed with word games. Yes, he solves Wordle and Connections and Spelling Bee every day, and he’s completed the New York Times crossword for 2,531 consecutive days and counting. He loves the challenge of puzzles that bend his brain and lives for the AHA! moment when everything falls into place.
