The sun is squirreling itself away for the winter, as all creatures human and otherwise follow suit. Whether flying south or saving resources to hibernate, we step into our routines to prepare for the cold and dark of the season. The clouds roll in ahead, the trees bow and quake against the gales, and the light of day puts itself to bed earlier with each sunset.
This chill, this shiver tempts us to solitude, to shut our eyes to the night and await better days for seeing each other. We must hold to what light we have with fragile care. We must work against this instinct to retreat and offer our greatest resource: ourselves. When we reach out our hand and find another in the cold alone, it means we know that we will reach brighter days together.
Light a candle for your neighbor. Experience this quiet calm of long nights together, in community and comfort.
As we enter into the busy winter season, here’s a taste of what Presque Isle’s Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library has coming up through the end of the year.
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 5 p.m. — Have you ever wanted to see a real-life humpback whale? Well, that might be a little tough, but next week we’ll be visited by Within The Whale, an educational program that brings an inflatable life-size whale to teach about marine science and what makes these coastal creatures so fascinating. With great thanks to the University of Maine at Presque Isle for use of the Campus Center (believe it or not, we can’t fit a whale inside of the library), come enjoy a tour inside the whale and educational activities with this educational event open to all ages.
Friday, Dec. 5, 3:30 p.m. — Local author Robin Elsbeth Jenkins joins us for an author event surrounding her debut middle-grade novel, “The Secret of the Catapus.” The novel follows 12-year-old Ellie Andrews through a story about “finding friendship, purpose, and magic as she becomes a young climate activist on the Maine Coast.”
Friday, Dec. 5, after the 5:30 p.m. tree lighting — Molly the Trolley is escorting kids to Mrs Claus’ Library for a special story time with the elves. Make your way to City Hall with your mittens in tow and jingle all the way through a winter wonderland.
Saturday, Dec. 20 — This is the deadline for student to register if they wish to participate in Poetry Out Loud. Returning to Presque Isle for a second year, Poetry Out Loud is an annual scholarship competition in which high school students compete at the local, state and national levels with recitation and performance of selected poems from an extensive anthology. Maine’s northern regional competition will be hosted here at the Library in February 2026 (stay tuned).
To learn more about Poetry Out Loud, its scholarship opportunities and how to participate, reach out to the Maine Arts Commission.
Elyse M. Kiehn is the deputy library director at the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle, and can be reached at 764-2571 or via email at ekiehn@presqueisleme.us.
