Hillary Bush, Nathan Lewis and Malia Lewis drop off a greeting card for Suzan Hawkins expressing their thanks and well wishes to the former library director who recently retired. Community members stopped by the Meetinghouse on Feb. 13 and Feb. 20 to record messages for a video being made for Hawkins. Patti Mikkelsen / For Lakes Region Weekly

‘Sue Stories’

The New Gloucester Public Library Board of Trustees wanted to show their appreciation for Suzan Hawkins, who recently retired after serving as a librarian there for 38 years, but a party was not an option given the pandemic. Board member Tim Terranova devised a COVID-compliant plan: recording a video featuring community members recounting library “Sue Stories” and expressing their thanks to her on camera.

Featured on the video were Lenny Brooks, Cathy Driscoll Gregory, Julie and Michael Fralich, Patti Mikkelsen, an email from Claire Tisdale (read by Tim Terranova), Lila Littlefield, Grace Christian, Joanne Rawlings-Sekunda, Lori Fowler, Nona Wills, Rebecca Klotzle with her dog Fozzie, Beth Sutherland and Terranova.

The masked speakers recorded their congenial messages at the Meetinghouse in a safe, socially distant manner. Two volunteers from the town’s Cable TV Committee provided the technical work necessary to prepare and finalize the video to be given to Hawkins.

Library ‘lobby service’

Director Lee Shaw and assistant librarian Emily Martin have been setting up computers and preparing for the return of service at the New Gloucester Public Library. They are referring to it as “lobby service.”

Requests can be made by calling 926-4840 during library hours, which are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; emailing newgloucesterlibrary@gmail.com; or through the “Online Catalog” menu at newgloucesterlibrary.org.  Log on using your library card number and password. Search for the desired title, click on it and then click on the “go to reserve” button to make the reservation. You will receive email or text confirmation when your item is ready for pick up. Requested material will be in labeled bags on carts inside the lobby.

Nomination papers

Nomination papers for local elected offices will be available at the town office, 385 Intervale Road, on Monday, March 1. Nomination papers must be signed by a minimum of 25 registered New Gloucester voters, but not more than 100. Signed papers must be returned by April 8 for certification.

Patti Mikkelsen can be contacted at mikks@maine.rr.com.

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