Gilford library offers full array of summer programs

GILFORD — The Gilford Public Library is taking storytime on the road and will be hosting its very first Storytime at the Beach this summer at the Gilford Public Beach. Every Wednesday from July 8th through August 1st, one of the children's librarians will be at the beach with plenty of exciting book for a mid-afternoon storytime from 12:00-12:30 pm.

Parents can help themselves to a free book from Gilford Public Library's on-site Little Free Library while the little ones are being entertained. Contact the Gilford Public Library at library@gilfordlibrary.org or 524-6042 for more information.

On Thursday, July 9th, the Gilford Public Library will host its annual Storywalk at Ramblin' Vewe Farm! We'll meet at the Ramblin' Vewe trailhead off of Boyd Hill Road in Gilford at 10:30 am and take a leisurely stroll through the forest, reading a story posted along the way. The rain date for this walk will be Friday, July 10th. The Storywalk will be hung up until the end of Summer Reading (Friday, August 7th) so be sure to go back and enjoy the story again.

On Thursday, July 9th, the Gilford Public Library will host a Make It! Homemade Ice Cream program for kids and teens in Grades 5 and up. Participants will learn how to make their own ice cream, and then celebrate their creations with ice cream sundaes. This activity is part of an ongoing series of monthly Makerspace-themed programs geared towards kids in Grades 5 and up.

Make It! Homemade Ice Cream will run from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Sign up for this program at the Circulation Desk or by calling the library at 524-6042. Participants must be Gilford Library Cardholders.

On Thursday, July 9th, the Gilford Public Library will host paranormal researcher and journalist Jeff Belanger for an exploration into the unexplained. The host of New England Legends, Jeff is a local expert on the supernatural. A multi-media lecture, Q&A, and book signing, the evening will explore not only ghost stories, but the reasons behind the phenomena. Jeff will explain the investigation process, and highlight some of his spooky adventures around the world. This program is free and open to the public and will run from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

People of all ages love the music from the World War II era, 1939-1945. On Monday, July 13th the Gilford Public Library will host Songs and Stories from the War Years presented by Richard Kruppa. This entertaining and informative program, which runs from 2:30 – 3:30 pm, focuses on some of the most beloved songs from that era. Songs like "Bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover," "Sentimental Journey," "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition," and "Harbor Lights." Richard not only sings the songs, accompanying himself on guitar, 5-string banjo, and baritone ukulele, but he tells their fascinating and unfamiliar stories as well; their meaning, how they came to be, and their significance.

Richard asks interesting and thought-provoking questions, such as "What popular song was written in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor?" "What song was popular world-wide and thought to be from each country where it was popular?" and "What WW II-era song was a top hit written and recorded by a state governor?"

Richard Kruppa, known musically as "Ramblin' Richard," is a member of the New England Foundation for the Arts, and a retired professor from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

The event will be held in the Gilford Public Library's meeting room at 31 Potter Hill Road.