Mary Anning was born to a poor family on the southern coast of England in 1799 and used her talent for spotting fossils on the beaches to help support her family. Though she had no way of determining what they were upon extracting them, she was responsible for discovering fossilized ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs among her many other fossils finds. There’s an interesting article about her life here.
Mary Anning is a main character in Tracy’s Chevalier’s Remarkable Creatures. The novel is narrated by a middle-aged spinster whose complicated friendship with Mary develops over their mutual love of fossil-hunting. The story beautifully deals with the time period’s constraints of gender roles and the complexities of social classes.
It was a great look at an overlooked figure whose work contributed to major scientific breakthroughs. Tracy Chevalier’s meticulous research and incorporation of facts in her fiction makes her work all the more readable and enjoyable. – Sara Wedell, Head of Adult Services
Are you, or is someone you know, unable to get to the library to select and pick up materials? Through our Homebound Service, Chelsea District Library delivers books to library district residents who cannot get to the library due to permanent or temporary disability or illness.
Homebound patrons may request specific materials (books, audiobooks, magazines, nonfeature dvds) or have a librarian select from specified genres.
The service is free.
To register, call us at 475-8732 x401 or e-mail ckamil@chelseadistrictlibrary.org.
On this day in 1750, “King Richard III” was performed in New York City. It was the first Shakespearean play to be presented in America.
In honor of Richard III’s American premier, let me highly, highly recommend Ian McKellen’s 1995 film version, which reimagines Richard as a 1930s Fascist. It’s incredible. It’s available in the Chelsea District Library’s media collection. To further convince you, I offer the film trailer below. Enjoy!
Join us tomorrow, Saturday, March 6 at 10:30 a.m. for Michael Brian Ogden’s “Detachment.” The play, set in Afghanistan, tells the story of an embedded New York Times journalist and an American soldier facing the difficult choice between love and duty. Or as Guy Sanville, PRTC Artistic Director, so succinctly boils down the crux of so many excellent plays: it comes down to a man, a woman and a problem. This problem – war, responsibility, danger, security - should make this reading a fascinating one.
Tomorrow’s free reading will feature PRTC regulars, including Matthew David, Michelle Mountain, Michael Brian Ogden, Jim Porterfield and Rhiannon Ragland.
Click below to register online for the upcoming concert readings as well:
Though it may have been a while since you last read Green Eggs and Ham, or Horton Hears a Who-today we celebrate the birthday of beloved children’s author and illustrator Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Seuss Geisel).
Did you know that Seuss is also known for his World War II-era political cartoons? From 1941 to 1943 Seuss was chief cartoonist for PM, where he drew over 400 cartoons. These cartoons are currently kept by the Mandeville Special Collections Library at the University of California-San Diego, and are available online.
Next Sunday, March 7, we will be continuing our Wheels to Reels series with special Victorian Tea and a screening in celebration of the film Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve.
1:30-2:30pm | Chelsea House Victorian Inn | 118 East Middle St | Registration Required
Join us for a special Victorian Tea, held at the Chelsea House Victorian Inn, in celebration of the film Somewhere in Time, being shown at the library at 2:45pm.
2:45-4:00pm | McKune | Drop-in
Join us for a viewing of this 1980 film. Filmed on Mackinac Island, in and around the Grand Hotel, this time travel romance has earned a large and loyal following and regarded by many to be a cult classic.
The Purple Rose Concert Readings series has becoming extremely popular-with registration sometimes filling up long before the performance! Don’t miss out!
Registration is open for the next reading on Saturday, March 6, at 10:30am in the McKune Room. Call or visit the Adult Services desk or register online to reserve your seat.
To celebrate our Chelsea Reads Together 2010 Wheels to Reels book and film selection, Anatomy of a Murder, the Library is featuring an exhibit about the making of the film and the book’s lasting fame.
The exhibit was generously loaned from Northern Michigan University and will be on display in the CDL lobby throughout the month of March. We hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at the making of a famous Michigan-made film!
Join us Sunday, February 28th at 1:30 for our Kick-off event -
a screening of Anatomy of a Murder and a film discussion led by UM professor Dr. Howard Brick!
We’re so excited about Chelsea Reads Together that we are happy to inform you of two different opportunities to explore Robert Traver’s Anatomy of a Murder in a community reading group:
at the Chelsea Senior Center (512 E. Washington) Great Books @ the Chelsea Senior Center
Friday, March 5th | 1pm
(In partnership with the Chelsea Senior Center)
and at the library Books & Banter
Thursday, March 18th | 1:30pm
(hosted by Michaelina Brown)
Registration required for both book clubs. Books are available at the Adult Services desk.
Our Spring newsletter is out with a list of programs and events from March through May. Newsletters will be mailed tomorrow, due to the holiday, but can be viewed online from our homepage, or here. Registration starts today and is now available online and by phone. Try out our online registration here! Programs requiring registration will be underlined on the calendar. Our new calendar allows you to manage your program registration and will send e-mail reminders for programs you have registered for. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:
(734) 475-8732
