by Kim Brawn
“Over time, people regret what they didn’t do more than what they did do,” writes Daniel Pink
in his bestseller The Power of Regret. Don’t let those missed opportunities gnaw at you, instead
take advantage of what’s possible in the present and use those past regrets to prevent future
ones. This May and beyond, the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft is bursting with things
to do, people to see, and new chances to act and connect.
If you have found yourself saying I wish I had gone to see the giant trolls, taken my kids to a
cool museum, or lounged on a state park beach, then welcome to Pass Season at TFL. We have
three great ones available. The State Park Pass admits a vehicle and all occupants for free.
Checkouts are for three days that we are open. (i.e., if you check it out on Thursday, you will
have it until the next Tuesday.) Some parks, including Baxter, are excluded.
Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor is an exciting place the kids will love featuring floors of
hands-on interactive exhibits. This pass is for one specific day and includes four free admissions
($10 for each additional admission).
New this year, we have a pass for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens located in Boothbay Harbor.
The gardens have so many incredible highlights like the native butterfly and moth house and of
course the giant trolls a.k.a. Guardians of the Seeds—Danish Artist Thomas Dambo’s magical,
mysterious, and mammoth recycled-wood troll sculptures. You can reserve a date and we will
print tickets for that day which will admit two adults and as many children as there are in your
group. (These passes are available to TFL patrons.)
Our Pre-Mother’s Day Book Sale (May 10-13) is the perfect place to find gifts for Mom.
Everything is ten cents: fiction, non-fiction, kids’ book, and DVDs. Show your love without
breaking the bank. (Where: downstairs/When: Weds 12-5, Thurs 9-6, Fri 9-5, & Sat 9-12:30.
Proceeds go to children’s programming. Book donations welcome.)
If you regret not spending more time out in nature, you’ll find inspiration at “Pollinators in Your
Yard 101” on Thursday, May 11 at 1:30 with local honey beekeeper Lynn Lubas. Learn what
pollinators are, why they are important, and find out the best ways to make your property
more pollinator-friendly. Lynn will cover honey bees, native bees, native plants, and more.
You’ll take home many informative handouts and resource lists. Bring your questions!
The Penquis Community Based Program is hosting “Community Coffee & Refreshments” at TFL
on Thursday, May 18 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. It’s an opportunity for the staff and program
participants to get together with the community, share coffee and snacks, and chat.
May means music! Folksinger Bill Berlinghoff visits us again at 6 p.m. on May 18. He plays guitar
and banjo and sings a wide range of songs including traditional Tennessee mountain music, 60s
folk classics, rowdy pub singalongs, and whimsical originals.
Flex your Maine trivia muscles and expand your quirky knowledge of the Pine Tree State with
Tim Caverly’s “So You Think You Know Maine” on Thursday, May 25 at 6 p.m. Discover the
birthplace of Disney’s Bambi, northern forest ice caves, abandoned railroads, and petrographs.
Tim, who is the author of Allagash Tails has worked with both the Maine Forest Service and
Department of Conservation, is eager to share what he calls, “. . . tales that can only be
described as Classic Maine.”
We’re on the fast track to summer and many places are hiring, whether you need help with
online applications, revamping your resume, or getting tips for those tricky interview questions,
the folks from the Career Center can assist you. Stop by Friday May 26 from 12-2 to get your
questions answered. (They will visit TFL the 4 th Friday of each month.)
Looking ahead to Thursday, June 1 at 6 p.m. Maine author Ron Joseph stops by to talk about his
new book Bald Eagles, Bear Cubs, and Hermit Bill: Memoirs of a Wildlife Biologist. Ron shares
his stories of growing up in rural Maine, working as a wildlife biologist, and meeting Mainers
like retired dairy farmers Ruth and Martin French of Dover-Foxcroft, who repurposed their
barn’s empty cow stalls into a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Writer Daniel Pink says that regrets of inaction are far more common than regrets of action.
Translation: you are going to have a very busy May and beyond with the Thompson Free
Library. In between trips to botanical gardens and state parks and museum visits, you can listen
to fascinating talks, get to know your neighbors, learn new ideas and practical tips, buy books
for Mom she didn’t know she needed, and browse the best selection of new releases around!
Now’s the time to get acquainted—or reacquainted—with your local library and become a
patron or update your membership. You won’t regret it.
TFL hours: Tues Thurs 9-7, Weds & Fri 9-5, & Sat 9-1. Visit our website
thompsonfreelibrary.org, our Facebook page, Instagram @tf_library, or contact us
at thompsonfreelibrary@gmail.com or (207)564-3350. All programs are free & open to the
public.