Category: Library

Art in the Stacks at Stockton Springs Community Library Features Binders Keepers Altered Books

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will present a special Holiday Art in the Stacks exhibition featuring altered books by Stockton Springs artist and entrepreneur Chelsea Porter from Monday, November 29th until Thursday, December 23rd.

Porter’s business, Binders Keepers, features books cut and folded into intricate designs. She started using this art form in 2017 when she learned the basic technique from her mother and aunt. Each book is measured, marked, and then folded page by page to make the design. Porter is able to create nearly any design imaginable and is able to personalize the artwork by folding in names or special dates.

Crafting an image or word into the book can take between four and twenty hours to complete. Porter acknowledges that it is time consuming yet therapeutic. Though each design varies, each requires a hardcover book with a minimum of 500 pages. She mainly uses books that are poised to be thrown away. 

Porter markets her work through an Etsy site: www.etsy.com/shop/BindersKeepersArt

Despite the pandemic, Porter has seen her online sales increase, and since joining the platform in 2017 she has shipped her creations to customers in 43 states.

Holiday Art in the Stacks will be open for viewing during library hours: Monday 3 – 5 pm, Tuesday 4 – 7 pm, Wednesday 3 – 5 pm, Thursday 9 am – Noon and 6:30 – 8:30 pm, and Saturday 9 am – 3 pm.

Sale of Porter’s work will benefit the library and the artist.

SSCL is an all volunteer library located in the heart of Stockton Springs. For more information visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org or phone 207-567-4147.

Tai Chi in Stockton Springs

Tai Chi has been fantastic at Stockton Harbor this summer and fall. We had over 20 participants. The healthy practice and camaraderie were appreciated by all. We thank the Town of Stockton Springs for supporting this program.

  • Photo credit: Barbara Clemens
  • Photo credit: Barbara Clemens
Tai Chi at Stockton Harbor

We will begin our Zoom Tai Chi sessions for the winter on Tuesday, October 26th, meeting all winter via Zoom on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 am. We will return to the harbor in the late spring. These Zoom sessions will serve all our members, including year round and summer people.

If you are not already a member of the Stockton Springs Tai Chi group and would like to join please call the library at 207-567-4147 to register.

Halloween Celebration with Trunk-or-Treat Hosted by Stockton Springs Community Library Saturday, October 30th

Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) will host a Halloween celebration for children of all ages on Saturday, October 30th from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM outdoors on the library grounds. 

The Halloween party will include a costume parade, a story, snacks, and trunk-or-treating in the town office parking lot, next to the library. There will be prizes awarded for best costumes in different categories.

The event is free and open to all. 

SSCL is an all volunteer library located in the heart of Stockton Springs. For more information visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org or phone 207-567-4147.

Mac Smith to Speak About His Latest Book at Stockton Springs Community Library November 7th

“Maine’s Hail to the Chief: A History of Presidential Visits to the Pine Tree State” is a new book by Mac Smith of Stockton Springs. He will present his first talk and reading at the Stockton Springs Community library (SSCL) on Sunday, November 7th at 2 pm. Autographed copies of the book will be available for purchase.

A visit from the President of the United States always brings excitement with it. In Maine, part of that excitement stems from the fact that presidents rarely visit the state – only 18 of the 45 presidents have visited Maine in the nation’s 244 year history.

Many of these visits came at significant points in a presidency; and some visits had controversy, conflict, and ironic twists. Each of Maine’s presidential visits left us with great stories, and a detailed view of Maine’s lively history. Mac Smith will share some of these stories at SSCL on November 7th.

Mac Smith is a Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and former reporter for The Bar Harbor Times. He lives in Stockton Springs in the village of Sandy Point and serves as Town Manager for Stockton Springs. He is also the author of Mainers on the Titanic and Peyton Place Comes Home to Maine.

Seating is limited to 25 so pre-registration is necessary to reserve your seat. Call 207-567-4147 to register. The presentation is free and all are welcome. Masks will be required. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

For more information visit www.stocktonspringslibrary.org