September Morsel – Stone Soup!

What’s Cooking at NAHSL 2009? Stone Soup!

On Monday, October 26 during our conference luncheon, we will enjoy each others’ company, and discuss the story of Stone Soup! This classic folktale of creativity and community during difficult times will have meaning for many of us! The folktale can be found online but many beautiful illustrated editions are also available. Check one out from your local library!

Stone Soup (1947) by Marcia Brown. French folktale of three hungry soldiers. 1948 Caldecott Honor Book.

Stone Soup (1992) by Tony Ross. A hen prepares stone soup to delay a wolf who is impatient to eat her.

Stone Soup (2003) by Jon J Muth. A retelling of the story, set in China and starring 3 Zen monks.

Cactus Soup (2004) by Eric Kimmel A Mexican village is featured in this adaptation.

Some Friends to Feed (2005) by Pete Seeger. Children respond to the soldiers’ plea when the adults turn them away.

The Real Story of Stone Soup (2007) by Ying Chang Compestine. Based on a Chinese legend – 3 wily brothers trick their uncle.

Stone Soup (2007) by Jess Stockholm. For those who like “lift the flap” books…

So bring your special ingredients and join us as we discuss our favorite stone soups. For more conference information, visit http://nahsl.org/2009/index.html.

August morsel: Raffle to win free night at hotel!

The kids are back in school, Labor Day approaches, and summer is coming to an end. That means, NAHSL 2009 can’t be too far away! Register by September 14 and you will be entered in a raffle to win one free night at the Samoset, a $139 value. Use your free night for the conference, or save it for another visit. Already registered? No problem-you’re already entered in the raffle!

Why did we pick the Samoset?

· Relaxed, yet sophisticated environment

 · Luxurious hotel rooms and suites, each with a private balcony or terrace

 · Indoor pool and hot tub

 · Four Diamond dining at Marcel’s

 · Voted one of the best meeting sites in the east for 2009 .

Take a peek at all the amenities at http://www.samosetresort.com/. 

And then register for NAHSL 2009, by September 14 (http://www.nahls.org/2009 ).

July Morsel

NAHSL ’09 and Artful Options.  Our 2009 conference setting is home to artists and artisans, museums, and galleries.  Visit the Camden area Chamber of Commerce web site at http://www.camdenme.org/attractions/arts_entertainment.php for an extensive list of activities. 

The following are just a few of your gallery options:

• Belfast, The Working Art Gallery, www.TheWorkingArtGallery.com
• Camden, Small Wonder Gallery, www.smallwondergallery.com
• Rockland, Jonathan Frost Gallery and Frame Shop, www.jonathanfrostgallery.com
• Rockport, Prism Glass Gallery and Café, www.prismglassgallery.com

While in Rockport, visit the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA).  The CMCA is dedicated to advancing contemporary art through exhibitions and educational programs.  The museum will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM, Sunday 1 PM – 5 PM (closed Mondays).  For more information, go to http://www.artsmaine.org.

In nearby Rockland, you can celebrate Maine’s role in American art with a visit to the Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center.  Current exhibits include works by sculptor Louise Nevelson (through January 4, 2010), Achieving American Art – American Art Between the Wars (through January 24, 2010), and N.C. Wyeth-Painter and Illustrator (through November 15, 2009).  In October, the Main Museum will be open 10 AM – 5PM, Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays).  For more information, go to http://www.farnsworthmuseum.org.

Ready to register?  Go to http://www.nahsl.org/2009/, and get cooking!

June Morsel

October in Rockport: Weather Etc.

Rockport, ME is located in Knox County, bordered by Penobscot Bay and the Gulf of Maine (part of the Atlantic Ocean). For the navigators in our group, the coordinates are Longitude W 69:05:36 and Latitude N 44:10:10. Expect cool fall weather when you visit in October. The average daily high temperature is 56ºF, and the average daily low 39ºF. While October can be wet (average rainfall for the month is between 4.5” and 5”), overall most of the days are clear and sunny or partly clear.

As we get closer to conference time, check http://weather.com  for the monthly weather planner for Rockport, ME.

Because Rockport is bounded by the bay and the ocean, tidal influence can be an important factor to include in planning. Go to http://www.maineboats.com/tide-charts/midcoast  to view the projected tides for the Camden-Rockport area.

And for a “visual morsel”, go to http://www.midcoastcompass.com/ . The Glen Cove web cam gives a current view of the coastal scene. More web cam views, including Rockland Harbor, Rockland Breakwater, and Camden Harbor, are at http://www.maineharbors.com/camindex.htm.

Need more conference information? Ready to register? Visit our conference web site at http://www.nahsl.org/2009/index.html . See you in October!

May Morsel

Rockland, Maine: One of Top 10 Coolest Towns in America
Need another reason to come to NAHSL 2009? Rockland, ME was just voted into the Top 10 of America’s Coolest Towns. Budget Travel Magazine asked small town fans to vote for the “coolest.” Rockland, #2 on the list, received 23, 261 votes. What makes Rockland so cool?
Cool Critters. Project Puffin Visitor Center www.projectpuffin.org
Cool Eats. Amalfi on the Water www.amalfionthewater.com, Atlantic Baking Company www.atlanticbakingco.com, Brass Compass Café www.brasscompasscafe.com, Thorndike Creamery www.villagesoup.com/thorndikecreamery/, and many more
Cool History. Rockland Harbor Trail http://www.therealmaine.com/historic.html
Cool Museums. The Farnsworth http://www.farnsworthmuseum.org/ and the Maine Lighthouse Museum www.MaineLighthouseMuseum.org
Cool Theater. Strand Theater www.rocklandstrand.com
To read the full article on America’s Coolest Towns, go to http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/15/earlyshow/living/travel/main4946306.shtml
For more info about the Camden/Rockport/Lincolnville area, go to http://www.camdenme.org/
And for more info about NAHSL 2009, go to http://nahsl.org/2009/index.html

The fun things…

Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of hard work left to do for the conference. In some ways, however, I feel like the fun begins when the framework is in place.  We have built the house, now it’s time to decorate!

One of the fun things we get to do is promote the conference. This year, we decided to do away with a paper postcard save the date notice. NAHSL members will receive a virtual postcard.

We love to show off our pretty state. Hope you will be joining us!

We are also getting to the nitty gritty with our schedule and the “script” that tells everyone where they need to be and when! Oddly enough, I find this fun and very reassuring! It is a way of mentally rehearsing the conference and addressing any gaps in our planning.

We do continue to get requests for blocks of time. The MLA leadership has requested that we allow for time for the president – Connie Schardt – to meet with students and new members. Although we will need to do some planning to make this happen – a request like this reminds us of our role as a chapter, the importance of our “newbies” and the best part of putting on a conference – bringing people together!
-Dina

Visit to the Samoset

The committee’s most recent meeting was at the Samoset.  It was lovely and green – a real treat after a long winter! 

Most of the time was spent reviewing the schedule of speakers and activities and assigning rooms. We have a much better sense of what the conference will “look” like now!  It’s interesting what questions come up when you are in the physical space.  The layout of the rooms can impact the schedule, and vice versa of course.

One discussion was around whether we should remain in one room on Tuesday morning, and simply open the divider doors to transition from break out sessions to the plenary session.  It’s a smoother transition and will keep everyone engaged through the end of the conference.

The conference planning committee pulling it all together.  We have really become a team on this project, and I can tell from the enthusiasm and thoughtfulness of the group that everyone is committed to a great ’09 conference. YAY Team!

April Morsel

 April is the month for thinking green-spring, new growth, and Earth Day.  A visit to the Camden/Rockport area in October offers a variety of “green” entertainment options:

• Merryspring Nature Center (http://www.merryspring.org/) has many types of display gardens, and 66 acres of meadows and forests for easy hiking
• Aldermere Farm (http://www.aldermere.org/programs/index.html) is owned and managed by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, an organization that promotes conservation and sustainable agriculture. Aldermere is a working farm and education center, and sponsors bird, wildflower, and nature walks on its 136 acres
• You can support other sustainable agriculture endeavors by visiting Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery (http://www.sweetgrasswinery.com) and the Sewall Organic Orchard (http://www.midcoast.com/~sewall/details.html)
• In addition to walking the towns of Camden and Rockport, and strolling the waterfront, you can also tour these areas by bike. Bikesenjava (www.haybikesenjava.com) rents bicycles for $20/day, including a helmet, bike lock, and suggestions on where to ride.

 

And while you’re thinking “green,” think about saving “green” and sharing a ride to the NAHSL conference.  You’ll reduce you’re personal conference costs by sharing the travel cost, be more efficient in your use of fuel, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality.  Use the regional listservs and membership lists to find a travel buddy (or two).

 

For more information about the 2009 conference, visit http://www.nahsl.org/2009/index.html

Great New Look for our Conference Website!

Thank you to Cindy White and everyone who worked together to spruce up the conference website!  The conference planning committee had fun looking at some patterned backgrounds. The content on the page is really great too – lots of information on our terrific program and many many links to local information. And more to come!

Our monthly “Morsels” will be archived here. We hope to use those emails to the list to get people excited about the conference, and also to inform them a bit about the area they will be visiting. An upcoming Morsel will also give money-saving tips for your trip to Maine. We’re a thrifty bunch here in Maine, ya know!

-Dina

March Morsel

When you’re here, you can get there-by boat, plane, or train.

The Camden/Rockport/Lincolnville area boasts a diversity of sightseeing options. Take time to enjoy the coast while sailing on a windjammer cruise, or learn more about lobsters in their native habitat via an eco-friendly tour boat.

Maybe you’d like to view Penobscot Bay from above, by taking a “Spirit Soaring” glider ride.

If you prefer to stay on land, Maine Eastern Railroad passengers enjoy the mid-coast scenery while relaxing in restored vintage railcars.

Boats, planes, trains, or a little of each-it’s your choice. For more details, visit the “Local Information” section of the NAHSL 2009 Conference website.