Friends of the Orange Public Libraries holding annual book sale

ORANGE — The Friends of the Orange Public Libraries will host a book sale at Wheeler Memorial Library on Saturday, June 24.

The sale will start at 8 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. Visitors can stop by the library’s side lawn to check out the items for sale. There will be books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, puzzles, games and more.

“The money raised helps support library programming and the library building fund so that the town won’t have to pay as much to fund the work. We continually give to help improve the library and the community surrounding it,” Deb Kent, a longtime Friends member, said in a statement.

Wheeler Memorial Library is not accepting more donations for the book sale. For more information, or to inquire about the Friends group, call 978-544-2495, ext. 100.

Victoria Rose Scholarship Fund provides first award to dance studio senior

ORANGE — The Victoria Rose Scholarship Fund provided its first scholarship to a graduating senior of The Dance Studio of Orange.

The Victoria Rose Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was founded in 2016 in honor of Victoria Rose Gaignard, an 8-year-old girl who was one of two children who died in a March 2016 house fire. Victoria had attended The Dance Studio. The scholarship fund’s mission is to allow as many children as possible to experience the joy of dance that Victoria loved.

Adrianna Johnson, a 2023 Ralph C. Mahar Regional School graduate, received the $1,000 scholarship at a recital this month. She maintained a 4.16 grade point average and has attended numerous dance classes at The Dance Studio. She plans to attend Boston University in the fall.

‘Boogie’ coming to Wheeler Memorial Library

ORANGE — “The Library Boogie,” Tom Knight’s interactive musical puppet show for children and families, is set to kick off the Orange Public Libraries’ Children’s Summer Reading Program at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 29.

The show will feature hand-made puppets, unique props, catchy original songs and plenty of audience participation to bring the performance to life.

“Tom’s got a great voice and shows lots of enthusiasm and humor when he performs,” Orange Children’s Librarian Jason Sullivan-Flynn said in a statement. “I’m thrilled he’s coming to perform for our children and families. It’s going to be a super fun kick-off for our Children’s Summer Reading Program.”

The Orange Public Libraries are offering two children’s reading programs this summer — “Read and Bead” for children ages 4 and up, and “Rubber Ducky Club” for children ages 3 and under. Families may register for these programs in the Children’s Room at Wheeler Memorial Library.

Each child who registers for Read and Bead will build a personalized necklace during the program, earning beads of different colors and styles to mark reading milestones. They can also earn a bonus prize once they’ve read for 10 hours. Parents who register for the Rubber Ducky Club will earn a rubber duck for their child by completing literacy-building activities.

Visit orangelib.org for information about other summer programs for children at the Orange Public Libraries. The Children’s Summer Reading Program is supported in part by a grant from the Orange Cultural Council.

Museum opens for 2023 season

NEW SALEM — The Swift River Valley Historical Society Museum opened for the season on June 21.

The museum will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays through Sept. 13. Admission is free.

The Swift River Valley Historical Society preserves the artifacts, stories and records of the “lost” towns of the Swift River Valley. The towns were disincorporated on April 28, 1938, and dismantled to create the Quabbin Reservoir to serve as a water source for the Boston area. For a glimpse into the life of each of the four towns (Dana, Prescott, Enfield and Greenwich), visit the Whitaker-Clary House, Prescott Church Museum and Carriage Shed at the Historical Society’s site at 40 Elm St., just west of Route 202.

Talking circle set for Wendell Meetinghouse

WENDELL — Court Dorsey and Chris Queen will host a talking circle on the town common as part of the final event of the May/June “Thursdays at the Wendell Meetinghouse” series on June 29, at 7 p.m.

Dorsey and Queen are president and vice president of the Friends of the Wendell Meetinghouse, respectively. Dorsey is a writer, retired university lecturer and dean, while Queen is an actor, musician and poet. They will bring stories and reflections from years on stage, in the classroom, guiding mediations and leading groups — and as members of families that offer their own challenges.

Other upcoming Wendell Meetinghouse events include a July 11 “sound journey” with Nirmal Chandraratna.

Visit wendellmeetinghouse.org for details about upcoming Thursday presentations. Alternatively, email court@crocker.com or call 413-325-7587.

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