Weekly Updates

July 26, 2024


  • Our Children's Summer Reading Dragons sign-ups have exceeded 1,000 as of now. A new record!
  • In this issue: The Concord Players Show - Adult Programs - Virtual Films at Fowler - Backpack Drive - Children's Programs - Special Collections Highlights: New Acquisition


The Concord Players Performing The Merry Wives of Windsor

The Concord Players Present The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare

Saturday, July 27, 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 28, 5:00 p.m.

Front Lawn, Main Library

(Rain venue: 51 Walden Street, Concord, MA)


The Merry Wives of Windsor is a fun frolic, a comedy that lampoons the idea that the men are the cleverer of the sexes, and that reinforces the concept of true love. With themes of love and marriage, jealousy and revenge, social class and wealth, and plot points such as Falstaff sending identical love letters to two wealthy married women and three different men vying for the hand of the young Anne Page, it is a bit reminiscent of a soap opera. So while remaining true to Shakespeare's language in this condensed version, the Concord Players are presenting this play as a modern-day soap opera, complete with villains, heroes/heroines, clever characters and oafish egotistical suitors. This rollicking comedic romp focuses on the town of Windsor and is the only Shakespearean play located totally in England. This performance is directed by Jim Porter.


A limited number of chairs and open space will be available, but bring a lawn chair for guaranteed seating and comfort. Please feel free to bring a snack or beverage (alcoholic beverages are not permitted). No registration required.

Adult Programs

Gentle Flow Yoga Class at Fowler

Wednesday, July 31, 12:00 - 12:45 p.m.

Meeting Room, Fowler Branch

Join local yoga instructor Jen for drop-in yoga for adults. This gentle flow class is accessible for all levels and focuses on breath, alignment, and truly grounding movement. Yoga mats and blocks are available, but you can also bring your own. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. [Register for Gentle Flow Yoga]

Tuesday Book Discussion: The Stranger by Albert Camus

Tuesday, August 13, 10:00- 11:45 a.m.

Trustees Room, Main Library

Each month, join other readers to discuss a range of books, from classics to contemporary. For August, we will discuss The Stranger by Albert Camus. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library Circulation Desk. E-book copies are available through Hoopla. [Register for Tuesday Book Discussion]

Virtual Films at Fowler

Rio Grande (1950)

Wednesday, August 7, 7:00 p.m.

(Discussion Date on Zoom)


In this classic John Ford Western, Army colonel Kirby York (John Wayne) deals with unexpected family problems while commanding a remote Texas cavalry post.


Please watch the film on Kanopy before the discussion. To register for the discussion and receive a Zoom link, send an email to the Coordinator of the program Randall Warniers at FilmsatFowler@concordlibrary.org. This series is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.


[View Summer 2024 Virtual Films at Fowler Schedule (Revised)]

Back-to-School Backpack Drive

This summer marks the 10th year that Concord’s Community Services will be running a Back-to-School Backpack Drive to distribute backpacks and school supplies to Concord families in need. Donations of NEW backpacks and school supplies for students of any age would be greatly appreciated. Donation boxes are located at Town Hall, 55 Church Street in West Concord, the Beede Center, the Main Library, and the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest.


Donations are accepted until the start of the new school year. For more information contact Bonny Wilbur, Community Services Coordinator, at bwilbur@concordma.gov or tel. 978-318-3034.  

Children's Programs at the Main Library

July Morning Kids' Programs at Main

Mondays: Musical Monday at 10:30 a.m.

Tuesdays: Crafty Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesdays: Toddler Time at 10:30 a.m. and Baby Snugglebugs Storytime at 11:30 a.m.

Fridays: Alphabet Storytime at 10:30 a.m.

Saturdays: Yoga & Movement storytime at 10:30 a.m.

Musical Monday: Alan Goodrich

Monday, July 29, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Goodwin Forum, Main Library

Enjoy music and stories with Alan Goodrich - Alan is a guitarist and singer-songwriter/solo performer who presents live music concerts "for kids of all ages" including classic and current children's songs and original songs. Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. No registration required. 

STEM Explorers with LoveTech

Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.

The Workshop, Main Library

Students from the LoveTech organization will be hosting a STEM workshop for school age kids. They aim to empower kids by offering hands-on opportunities to create and innovate. They will have multiple experiment options to appeal to and satisfy a wide variety of interests and skill levels. [Register for Monday] [Register for Tuesday] [Register for Wednesday] [Register for Thursday] [Register for Friday]

First Annual Worm Race

Tuesday, July 30, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Children's Garden, Main Library

Little worms win big - Name your worm, decorate a pennant and cheer your contestant to the finish line in our first annual worm race. Races will be conducted in heats and prizes will be awarded to the owners of the first, second and third place Worm Racers. Bring one of your own worms or pick one at the Library. If you bring your own, we suggest transporting your worm in a container of dirt to keep your Worm Racer happy. No registration required.


For more Children's programs at the Main Library, visit here.

Fowler Branch Children's Programs

CCM Takes Over Fowler Storytime (Ages 5 & under)

Tuesday, July 30, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. & 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Meeting Room, Fowler Branch

Join us for a morning of music making and fun at Concord Conservatory of Music's Family Notes class, led by instructor Holly Jennings. Discover musical experiences that your whole family will love in a social setting that is celebratory of all ages, stages, and skill levels. Weather permitting, we will meet across the street at the labyrinth garden at the West Concord Union Church (1317 Main St). No registration required.

250th Lanterns at Fowler (All ages)

Wednesday, July 31, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Meeting Room, Fowler Branch

Join artists from Art for All to make soda-bottle lanterns for the 250th. All participants will keep their lanterns, but they will bring them when they attend evening events in the lead up to next year's 250th anniversary of the historic battles of Concord and Lexington. No registration required.

Sustainability Lab at Fowler (Ages 12 & under)

Wednesday, July 31, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Meeting Room or Backyard, Fowler Branch

Join members of Mothers Out Front to celebrate Plastic Free July with stories and a craft. Let's think of ways to limit our use of plastic. We will meet in the Fowler backyard, weather permitting. No registration required. 


For more Children's programs at Fowler, visit here. 

Highlights from Special Collections: New Acquisition: British Report on the Battles of Lexington and

Concord

Special Collections recently acquired a British report on the battles of Lexington and Concord, published in an issue of The matrimonial magazine, or, Monthly anecdotes of love and marriage, for the court, the city and the country, May 1775, and reprinted from the May 30 London Daily Advertiser. 


The women's magazine, published between January and June 1775, was printed for the proprietors and sold by W. Nicoll, London, includes essays on romance and relationships, excerpts from romantic fiction, music, poetry, theatrical news and announcements, lists of new books, and current events in various parts of Europe and the British Isles, and summaries of the increasing tensions in America.


In its May issue, under the heading "Fresh Advices from America," it prints the April 25 report on the battles at Lexington and Concord from the Essex Gazette of Massachusetts, a weekly newspaper established in 1768 by Samuel Hall in Salem, Massachusetts. 


The report arrived by ship from Boston on May 29, 1775, in a packet of dispatches from General Gage at Boston to Lord Dartmouth's Office. In addition to reporting in detail on "the hostilities upon the people of this Province" in Concord and Lexington, the dispatch includes" a "List of the Provincials who were killed and wounded" on April 19. It lists one of the casualties as Capt. James Miles of Concord. That is not correct.


No Concordian who engaged at the Concord Bridge died on April 19. Only Jonas Brown of Concord was injured. The paper probably meant Concordian Charles Miles, Captain of one of the minute companies, who served on April 19 but died in 1790. The only colonists killed at the Concord Bridge were Capt. Isaac Davis and Abner Hosmer, who were both from Acton.


Do you want to learn more? Find an exceptional report on the Concord250 History & Education Subcommittee's work and progress on this research here: History & Education Subcommittee Report. Learn who fought from Concord during the entire eight years of the war. Learn who from Concord died in service during the Revolutionary War. Learn where they are buried. The History and Education Subcommittee has also compiled a draft directory of individuals who fought for Concord in the War of Independence. Beth van Duzer, Co-Chair and Clerk of the Subcommittee invites you to peruse the document and identify possible omissions or other edits.

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Munroe Gallery July Exhibition: Following Henry - From Walden to Cape Cod

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