Born in Gloucestershire, England, Simon moved to the United States in 1994. He has been a professional storyteller since 2003. He has captivated people all over New England with his musical instruments, such as the bodhrán and very special drums, and his stories. He is known for extraordinary voices he uses which leave audience members wondering how so many memorable characters came out of one man.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Holiday program with Simon Brooks - Sunday 12/2 @ 4PM
Born in Gloucestershire, England, Simon moved to the United States in 1994. He has been a professional storyteller since 2003. He has captivated people all over New England with his musical instruments, such as the bodhrán and very special drums, and his stories. He is known for extraordinary voices he uses which leave audience members wondering how so many memorable characters came out of one man.
Friday, August 31, 2012
October adult programs
Feasting on 10-Minute Harvest MealsTuesday, October 2, 6:30 to 8:30
We all want to eat well but our busy schedules often keep us from taking the time to cook healthy meals. Understanding what ingredients to stock up on at the local farm and what to have in your refrigerator, pantry, and freezer is key to whipping up a fast, healthy, and delicious meal. Join chef Liz Barbour to learn how to use your pantry and your local market to create and cook delicious, healthy meals in 10 minutes
The Joy of Getting things Done
Thursday, October 11 7 to 8:30 PM
Antiques Roadshow: What's my Antique worth Plus tips of the trade
Tuesday, October 16, 7 to 9 PM

Halloween Special - The Vampire in Literature and Film: A Very strange love story
Tuesday, October 23, 7 to 8:30 PM
Dr. Sue Weaver Schopf, Associate dean and director of the Master of Liberal Arts Program, Research advisor in the humanities and lecturer at the Harvard Extension School, explores the evolution of the myth of the vampire. The vampire is everywhere in popular culture today, Although this mythic creature has occurred in diverse mythologies for thousands of years, and occupied the literary imagination of authors and audiences for over two hundred, at no other time has it been represented in such an intriguing variety of ways. With what fears and fantasies in the human psyche does it connect?
Monday, April 9, 2012
Right Here in New Hampshire - April Programs
Tuesday April 10, 2012
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Kevin Gardner, author of The Granite Kiss:Traditions and Techniques of Building New England Stone Walls, will talk about the history of New England stone walls and their cultural significance. Touching on history, technique, stylistic development, and aesthetics, Kevin explains how and why New England came to acquire its thousand miles of stone walls, the ways in which they and other dry stone structures were built, and how their styles emerged and changed over time. Differences in approach between historical and contemporary wall-builders, a discussion of restoration tips and techniques, and information about design, acquisition of materials, preservation, and analysis will be included along with a question and answer period. Along the way, Kevin occupies himself building a miniature wall or walls on a tabletop, using tiny stones from a five-gallon bucket.
Kevin, for more than thirty years, has been a stone wall builder in a family business widely known for traditional New England stonework, particularly for historic restoration of antique structures. In addition to The Granite Kiss, he has published poetry, songs, and essays. From 1985 to 2010, Kevin was also a performance critic, feature writer, and producer for NH Public Radio; as well as a longtime professional actor, director, and teacher of theatre.
New Hampshire Master Chorale with
Dr. Daniel R. Perkins, Music Director, holds the degrees Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in Choral Music from the University of Southern California, and Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Brigham Young University. He continued his studies as a Fulbright scholar in Helsinki, Finland. While there, he worked as the associate conductor of the Finnish Chamber Choir and associate conductor of the Savonlinna Opera Festival Chorus.
We thank the Friends of the Amherst Town Library for the funding of the Sundays at 4 music series this year.
'Uprooted': Heartache and Hope in New Hampshire - Facilitated film discussion
Tuesday April 17, 2012
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
'Uprooted' is a 30-minute documentary based on interviews collected during the New Hampshire Humanities Council's Fences and Neighbors initiative on immigration. It tells the story of five refugees who escaped from war-torn countries to resettle in New Hampshire. The film explores what it means to be a refugee, how it feels to make a new life in a strange place, often without English language skills, family, jobs, or community contacts. The film leaves us pondering questions of belonging and citizenship. What does it mean to be an American? Once a refugee, are you destined always to be a refugee? What are our responsibilities toward one another?
New Hampshire Humanities Council facilitator John Krueckeberg will introduce the film and lead the post-film discussion. A Professor of History at Plymouth State University with expertise in American social and cultural history, John taught four years in Arizona near the U.S./Mexico border. This program is made possible through a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities Council.
Drawing heavily on the repertoire of traditional singer Lena Bourne Fish (1873-1945) of Jaffrey and Temple, New Hampshire, musician Jeff Warner offers the songs and stories that, in the words of Carl Sandburg, tell us 'where we came from and what brought us along.' These ballads, love songs, and comic pieces reveal the experiences and emotions of daily life in the days before the movies, sound recordings, and for some, books. Songs from lumber camps, the decks of sailing ships, the textile milss, and the war between the sexes offer views of pre-industrial New England and a chance to hear living artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries.
New Hampshire Humanities Council presenter, Jeff Warner, connects 21st century audiences with the music of everyday lives of 19th century people. He presents musical traditions from the Outer Banks fishing villages of North Carolina to the lumber camps of the Adirondack Mountains and the whaling ports of New England. Warner accompanies his songs on concertina, banjo, guitar, and several 'pocket instruments,' such as bones and Jew's harp. Warner is a Folklorist and Community Scholar for the New Hampshire Council on the Arts. He has toured nationally for the Smithsoniam Institution and has recorded for Flying Fish/Rounder Records and other labels. This program is offered with funding support from the New Hampshire Humanities Council.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
March Programs - It's a Mystery to Me!
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Take the Mystery out of Gluten Free Cooking and Do some Detective Work on Other Food AllergiesTuesday March 20
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Chef Oonagh Williams returns by popular demand to offer a wealth of knowledge on gluten free cooking and demonstrate and share delicious samplings of her excellent creations!
Wednesday March 21
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Come and discover the wonderful world of Heritage Chickens! Explore how to raise and maintain these hardy, productive and beautiful birds right in your own backyard. Presenters David and Jennifer Valentine, whose farm is located in Mont Vernon, NH, will cover an array of topics including: a brief history of heritage chickens, general husbandry, coop building and designs, bio-security and disease control, predator control, chick hatching/raising and how to order these amazing rare and endangered breeds.
Crime in Literature: Exploring Mystery and Detective FictionTuesday March 27
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Professor Melissa Pennell (UMass Lowell) loves discussing mystery and detective fiction with other readers! Be it talking about the legacy of Robert Parker, the fiction of Dennis Lehane, the history of the mystery genre, the topic of reinventing the Hard-Boiled Tradition, the Police Procedural, New England Mystery and Detective Fiction, Culinary Mysteries, or classic and contemporary works of detective fiction, Melissa can share all kinds of interesting information.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Button Up NH and Sundays at Four
In other news, we're halfway through our Sundays at Four music series, which is generously funded by the Friends of the Amherst Town Library. Please stop by next month for our March and April concerts:
Sunday, March 18 at 4 PM
Aubrie and Piper have played together for several years. They debuted as a duo with the Lakes Region Symphony, performing the Mozart Harp and Flute Concerto. Other performances include the Manchester Chamber Players, Plymouth State University Faculty Concert Series, and the Nashua Library Music's on the Menu concert series.
Sunday, April 15 at 5(not 4!) PM
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Human Spirit: Adventures and Challenges
Tuesday February 7 7 to 8:30 PM
This program presents the latest research on the physiology of aging and longevity enhancement by exploring four areas of the world where people live the longest. Learn how specific lifestyle changes can biologically slow down the aging process. Explore the role of genetics in aging and how lifestyle choices affect the expression of our genes. Discover how to create a plan or 'roadmap' that will incorporate this important research and protect your most important asset: your health and vitality. Presenter Paula Koppel is a registered nurse and geriatric nurse practitioner for over 25 years. Paula is a graduate of Duke University School of Nursing and has a master's degree from Boston University and advanced certificate in counseling and psychology from Lesley University. Paula was the Director of Geriatrics at Winchester Hospital for many years. In 1999, she established her own consulting company and is known for developing innovative approaches to healthcare for middle-aged and older adults.
It's Not About the Hike
Tuesday, February 21 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Exploring America's Tackiest Tourist Photos with humorist Darren Garnick
Tuesday, February 28 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Fun at the Zentangle Workshop!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
November Programs
Aine Greaney Memoir Writing Workshops
Tuesday November 8th and 15th* 6:30 to 8:30 PM
We are very grateful and delighted that Irish-born author, Aine Greaney, (now living on the North Shore of Boston) is coming to our library to lead a two-part memoir writing workshop series
*Participants must attend both sessions.
Mixed Media Art Journaling Workshop
Saturday, November 12th 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Emily Martina is a BFA candidate at the Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine. She has a background in printmaking, and enjoys combining this with her love of mixed media art and paper crafting to create unique works of art.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Upcoming programs
Super Savvy Shopping Secrets
Tuesday, September 20 6:30 to 8:30
Come to the library and learn ways to $AVE on everything from groceries to home appliances from savvy shopper and Amherst resident Julie Koitzsch. Things you'll learn: the WHERE and WHEN to shop, understanding sales flyers and cycles, coupon shopping, store rewards and MORE!
"Soup-erb" Soups with Elizabeth Skipper
Tuesday, September 27th 7:00 to 8:30
Soup making is an art that should not be lost. In an era where canned, dried and prepared foods abound, still nothing tastes like home made. Soup is versatile, nutritious, delicious, and easy on the budget. Local chef Elizabeth Skipper of the Everyday Epicure will present this mini-tutorial on making soups from scratch, beginning with stocks and broths. She will also make a chicken broth and a French carrot soup for sampling.
First-Quarter Moon Skywatch
Tuesday, October 4th - Talk starts at 7:00, Skywatch at 7:30
If you missed our first skywatch in February (brr!), come in learn the basics of astronomy with Ed Ting, amateur astronomer and resident of Amherst. After his talk, members of the New Hampshire Astronomical Society will have telescopes set up so everyone can check out the First-Quarter moon and other objects in the sky. Also don't forget we have a telescope, generously donated by NHAS available for checkout.
If the weather does not cooperate, our Rain Date will be Thursday, October 6th
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Summer Reading Wrap up
Glad to report that our summer programming has been a success! We had great attendance for some awesome programs, thank you everyone for coming! We'd love to hear your feedback on the programs we had. Feel free to pass along any comments to cpearman@amherst.lib.nh.us.
Local news website, Amherst Patch has some great write ups on our Drum Circle with Julie Corey, which was a blast! Also featured was the great Petting Zoo our children's department put on last week!
Don't forget our end-of-summer-reading BBQ out on the Town Green on Thursday, August 18 5:00 PM. We'll have some great food, and some games for the kids. We'll also have Tom "T-Bone" Stankus, a great kids musician perform at 6 PM. Head on down and bring the whole family!
Also, just so you know, we now have a Facebook site. Check out our page and add us as a friend!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Adult Summer Reading Program
A four part programming series (click the links to sign up and for more information) :
- Life in Paris : Pictures and Stories with Professor Henry Smith on Tuesday, June 28th at 7:00 PM
- An evening of adventure with international motorcycle traveler Ben Slavin on Tuesday, July 12th at 7:00 PM
- Community African Drum Circle Workshop with musician and drum circle facilitator Julie Corey on Wednesday July 27th at 1:00 PM
- Decor from the Ground Up with certified interior designer Kelly Murphy on Wednesday, August 10th at 1:00 PM
International Movie Nights on Thursdays at 6:30 , Featuring:
- July 7th - An acclaimed modern French Drama
- July 21st - A classic romantic comedy set in Rome
- August 4th- An award winning Japanese slice-of-life
Last but not least, a raffle featuring prizes from local businesses! Just read a book or attend a program and enter for a chance to win every week! You'll also be entered for a grand prize drawing at our End of Summer reading program BBQ
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Spring!
While I've been slow on the updates due to time constraints, we've had a wonderful Spring of programming here at the Amherst Town Library.
In February we had some great Maritime Adventures and were treated to presentations on the Boston Harbor Islands, and the submarine USS O-9. We also cooked some delicious seafood with Oonagh Williams, a local favorite.
In March we traveled through time and were amazed by Mentalist Rory Raven, discussed the future of film with Boston Globe Film Critic Ty Burr, debunked the Mayan doomsday prophecy of 2012 with R. P. Hale, and even had visit from Shakespeare!
In April we went to France and learned how to paint impressionist paintings with Greg Maichack, learned to cook delicious crepes with Elizabeth Skipper.
Along the way we had our Sundays at Four concert series, funded by the Friends of the Amherst Town Library. We were treated to some great guitar music from the Back Bay Guitar Trio, enjoyed the Celtic stylings of Long Time Courting, and listened to the classic Brazilian and American sounds of Sonny and Perley.
Lest you think otherwise, we are currently planning a number of events for our Summer Reading program, starting on June 28th with a wonderful presentation by Professor Henry Smith entitled Life in Paris - Pictures and Stories. Professor Smith travels to France every year, and is happy to share his insider's knowledge of the City of Light.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Benny and Beyond!
Hello All! Interested in hearing some great jazz music? Come to the library Sunday, January 9th at 4 PM to catch Benny and Beyond, a great jazz concert featuring Todd Brunel on Clarinet and Joe Klein on Piano. Todd and Joe are both highly regarded veteran musicians who have played a number of venues in New England and nationally including Carnegie Hall, the New England Conservatory, and the Ryles Jazz Club. The show will feature works of Benny Goodman, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Lionel Hampton, and will also include classical works by Copland, Mozart and Stravinsky. Check out Todd's website for some videos and sounds!
Register now!
Email us: library@amherst.lib.nh.us
Call us: 673-2288
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
On Location : Italy

Hello all, Just writing to inform you all about our upcoming programming series in January titled On Location : Italy. This programming series will feature the cuisine, art, and history of this diverse and beautiful country. Below is a list of the programs featured!
Tuesday, January 11, 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Travel to the Amalfi Coast and Rome, along with Vienna, Slovenia, and Croatia
Do some armchair travel with a trip to the Amalfi Coast and Rome. Along the way, we will also be visiting Vienna, Slovenia, and Croatia through the wonderful visual and audio presentations of David and Nancy Dillon.
Tuesday, January 18, 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Caesar: The Man from Venus
In this living history presentation, meet Caesar as he grows up in a Rome that is recovering from one civil war and headed for another. Meet the powerful women in his life who help him achieve his destiny. Presenter Sebastian Lockwood is a professional storyteller who teaches cultural anthropology and storytelling at New Hampshire Institute of Art and is involved with storytelling curriculum at Lesley University Creative Arts program and Endicott CollegeTuesday, January 25, *6:30PM – 8:30PM:
Italian Trattoria: Classic Flavors from an Italian Café
Unfortunately, this program has filled up!
Wednesday, January 12 and 19 1:00 PM
Florence : Lilies, Marble, and all the vanities
Nancy Baker presents this fascinating two-part series , which will take you through the neighborhoods of Florence, Italy and discover how Florence has always been about style, and balances everything well – politics, art, architecture, literature, and a love of fine living.
If you are interested in reading more about this diverse and wonderful country, we have many books to whet your appetite. Check back soon for a reading list!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Happiness Advantage

The Amherst Town Library will be hosting a community book discussion of Shawn Achor's The Happiness Advantage on Tuesday, November 16th from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Several members from the faculty and staff of Souhegan High School as well as librarians from the Amherst Town Library will facilitate the discussion. Feel free to sign up even if you haven't read the book!
A list of resources related to happiness and mental health can be found here. Don't forget to sign up!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Picturing America
Hello All!
Welcome to the Amherst Town Library programming blog. Here you’ll be able to find news about programs and events being held at the library.
The first program we’ll be featuring is Picturing America: Art and the American Identity, the fourth program in our American Connection series. Professor Martin Fox of the New Hampshire Institute of Art will give a multimedia presentation and speak about the relationship between American art and the American consciousness. To sign up, call 673-2288 or click on the library calendar link to the right, find the program and sign up!
If you'd like to read further on the subject of American art, click HERE for a list of some of the resources that we have available on that subject. If you'd like to browse, you can find most of the books in the 790 call number area.





