The public is invited to enjoy free refreshments on Saturday, March 8 from 2-4 p.m. at an artist’s reception honoring Therese Desmond whose landscape oil paintings will be on display throughout the month of March.  Her fanciful, colorful landscapes, often with an ocean theme, will be displayed in the Wotiz Gallery on the main floor of The Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue in Milton.

Ms. Desmond said, “A painting should be something you enjoy and that transports you to an imaginative, whimsical place.” Painting is a creative outlet and hobby she practices by observing the changing colors in nature and by emulating the art and techniques of artists she admires.  She majored in art at the University of Massachusetts and earned her graduate degree in landscape design from the Conway School of Landscape Design. Ms. Desmond, a Milton resident, presently works as Superintendent of the Milton Cemetery.  Please come and view her lovely display of oil paintings throughout March and enjoy the March 8 reception at the Milton Library!

For information about displaying art at the library, contact Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian, at (617) 698-5757. Visit the Milton Library’s event calendars for more events information:  www.miltonlibrary.org

What fuels and creates writing success for longtime op-ed writers like Ellen Goodman and others?  Suzette Martinez Standring reveals the answers at the launch of her new book, The Art of Opinion Writing: Insider Secrets from Top Op-Ed Columnists on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 2 p.m. in the Keys Community Room, lower level of the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue in Milton, MA. Readings from the book, book signing, and refreshments and food will follow.  All are welcome and admission is free.

Milton resident Suzette Standring is a syndicated columnist with GateHouse Media and former president of The National Society of Newspaper Columnists. The Art of Opinion Writing features advice from op-ed columnists who are winners of the Pulitzer Prize and many of journalism’s highest awards, and represent both liberal and conservative commentary. The fifteen columnists featured include Ellen Goodman, Derrick Jackson, Connie Schultz, Cal Thomas, Kathleen Parker, Dave Lieber, Mike Masterson, Joanna Weiss, Jeffrey Seglin, Joel Brinkley, Clarence Page, Dave Astor, Mark Hopkins, Lynne Varner and Robert Koehler.

In their own words, they share motivations, what has sustained and contributed to career longevity, as well as techniques and strategies for writing outstanding commentary. Specialties within opinion writing are examined, such as politics, foreign affairs, pop culture, race, gender, education, investigative, and spiritual op-ed perspectives.

“I’m thrilled The Art of Opinion Writing will be used in journalism programs at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maine, and Penn State,” said Standring who gives writing workshops nationally.

“Standring masterfully delves deep into the thought processes of some of the nation’s best-known op-ed writers. This insightful, inside look at how they frame their writing is a must-read for anyone interested in learning how to craft high-quality opinion and commentary pieces,” said Eric Heyl, 2013 President of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.

Visit Suzette Standring’s website, (www.readsuzette.com)  The Art of Opinion Writing is available on Amazon.

Oil paintings depicting fanciful moments, and colorful landscapes often with an ocean theme, by artist Therese Desmond will be on exhibit ALL MONTH BEGINNING MARCH 2 in the Wotiz Gallery on the main floor of The Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue in Milton.

Also mark your calendar for MARCH 8 from 2-4 p.m. for an artist’s reception, open and free to the public. Ms. Desmond said, “A painting should be something you enjoy and that transports you to an imaginative, whimsical place.”

Painting is a creative outlet and hobby she practices by observing the changing colors in nature and by emulating the art and techniques of artists she admires.  She majored in art at the University of Massachusetts and earned her graduate degree in landscape design from the Conway School of Landscape Design. Ms. Desmond, a Milton resident, presently works as Superintendent of the Milton Cemetery.  Please come and view her lovely display of oil paintings throughout March.

For information about displaying art at the library, contact Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian, at (617) 698-5757. Visit the Milton Library’s event calendars for more events information:  www.miltonlibrary.org

On Saturday, March lst at 2 PM,  singer and guitarist Jeff Snow will entertain in a one-hour concert at the library with Celtic songs and stories, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.  Much of the history of Scotland, England and Ireland will be told in music, and his performances both educate and delight the audience.  Please come, clap and sing along.  These songs are sure to bring lots of smiles and laughter to the listeners.

Joseph Carvalho III, President of the Springfield, MA museums, says: “Jeff Snow brings the rich tradition of classic Celtic music to life.  His vibrant arrangements of the classics blend perfectly with his original Celtic compositions.”  And Meg Sullivan, who organizes concerts at the Captains House in Agawam, MA, says: “Jeff is an extraordinary guitar player and the magical sounds from his instruments create a delightful program of traditional and original tunes and songs.”  Mr. Snow is a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays six and twelve string guitar, autoharp, Celtic Bouzouki and Bodhran.   He hails from western MA and he also plays the drums and a variety of other percussion instruments.

This free program is sponsored by The Friends of the Milton Public Library, and light refreshments will be served.  It is free and open to the public, and great for families.  Bring the children too for a fun hour!  For more information, contact Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian, at (617) 698-5757, or go to the library’s website: www.miltonlibrary.org

Chessapalooza is on but advance registration is required!  Kids in Milton can join International Master David Vigorito, tournament director for the 3^rd annual “Chess-a-Palooza!” – a fun and friendly scholastic chess tournament open to all Milton school students. It starts at 9:30am in the Keys Community Room of the Milton Public Library at 476 Canton Avenue. Players of all abilities are welcome. The tournament will be limited to the first 50 entrants. Trophies and prizes will be awarded in grades K-2, grades 3 – 5, and grades 6 – 9. Sections may be modified depending on the number of entrants. This event is sponsored by The Friends of the Milton Public Library.

Cost is $10 and registration in advance is required. Please make checks payable to “The Friends of the Milton Public Library” and mail them to Christy Daniels, 17 Carlson Road, Milton MA. Payment must be received by February 24^th.  To register, please visit www.miltonlibrary.org and click on Event Calendar. For more information contact Christy Daniels at is2cd@gwmail.gwu.edu.

We dream of spring and flowers!  Master Gardener and author Thomas Mickey will be at the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue, on Sunday, February 23, from 2-3pm, to share stories from his book, America’s Romance With The English Garden. For example, as mass advertising and national magazines flourished in the 1890’s, seed and nursery catalogs were marketed across the country. These catalogs encouraged the romantic English garden style in essays, illustrations, and ads.  At a time when homeowners were eager to learn how to garden, it was no surprise that Americans everywhere loved the English garden, and that same style of garden soon appeared from California to Maine.

Thomas Mickey is a graduate of the Landscape Institute at the Boston Architectural College.  He posts regularly on his blog americangardening.net, and his garden column appears in the Patriot Ledger.  His book will be available for purchase and signing.

This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Milton Public Library, and is open to the public.  For more information, contact Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian, 617-698-5757, or email:  jhlady@ocln.org.  Visit the Library’s website, www.miltonlibrary.org.

Who sings your favorite songs? Bet you can name the lead singer, but can you name the backup singers who make that song so unforgettable?   A documentary film called “20 Feet from Stardom,” the story of these singers, will be shown at the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue, on Monday, February 24, at 6:30pm as part of our “Monday Night at the Movies” series.

Director Morgan Neville introduces you to some of the backup singers who joined Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and Mick Jagger, to bring shape, style, harmony and zing to some of their most popular songs. Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill, can you name some of their songs? After watching “20 Feet from Stardom,” you’ll not only be able to name the songs, but you will be singing right along with them.

The screening of this film is sponsored by The Friends of the Milton Public Library and is free to the public. For more information, visit www.miltonlibrary.org or contact Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian, at (617) 697-5757.

Milton Library cardholders get five FREE music downloads weekly from the Sony catalogue which offers thousands of popular songs and albums by such modern artists as Adele, Pitbull, Shakira, and hundreds of classic favorites by iconic singers such as Elvis Presley.

Freegal downloads are taken through the Milton Library website (www.miltonlibrary.org) and is sponsored by The Friends of the Milton Public Library – five downloads per library cardholder.  It’s free to get a library card for any age at the Milton Public Library!

One of thousands of artists, free Sony downloads through Freegal

            As part of the Mobster Film Series, a 1973 movie, The Friends of Eddie Coyle starring Robert Mitchum will be shown on Thursday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Keys Community (lower level) of the Milton Library, 476 Canton Avenue in Milton.  The free event, sponsored by the Friends of the Milton Library, is open to the public.

            Based on the best-selling novel by George V. Higgins, The Friends of Eddie Coyle chronicles the last days of a weary Boston-based weapons dealer. Eddie Coyle (Robert Mitchum) doesn’t want to serve a life sentence, so he becomes an informant for both the police and the treasury department. Yet Coyle continues his illegal gun running operation for the underworld. The mob finds out and sends Eddie’s best friend, Dillon (Peter Boyle), to rub him out.   The crime thriller is rated R.

            For more information, contact Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian, at (617) 698-5757 or email: jhlady@ocln.org.  Visit the library’s website, www.miltonlibrary.org

Free movie, 2/13/14