June brought with it the grand opening of our summer reading program, complete with this year’s theme: Plant a Seed – Read! The theme came just in time for our community gardens, too! Between our exciting Bio Blitz, Dump Truck Day with our very own town moderator, a visit from the third grade at Troy Elementary, summer reading sign-ups, Escape the Greenhouse programming, and getting those gardens planted, we’ve gotten this summer off to a great start at Gay-Kimball Library look forward to quite the memorable summer!
With our gardens working their way toward their first harvests, many are asking what we will do with the vegetables we grow. The answer is simple: Share! We planted our gardens as a community, and we will share (free of charge) our harvests of tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, chives, peas, beans, lettuce, and more with the community. As we pick our crop, we will make anything we grow available to anyone in town. We plan on having a free vegetable stand inside the library for anyone who wants to try our fruits and vegetables! Maybe you don’t want to run to Keene for those extra tomatoes you need for taco dinner on a Tuesday. Stop by the library. Maybe money is tight, and you are looking for fresh vegetables, same idea. We will have more than enough to share throughout the summer.
Depending on how things go, we may offer a stand outside the library as well. We only ask that you do not pick from the gardens without prior permission from library staff, as some of the picking will be done as part of programming by groups like Storytime, volunteers, or visiting groups by invitation. Watch our Facebook page or website to see what is available when.
Curious about what else is planned for July at Gay-Kimball Library?
Join us for the following fantastic summer events:
Thursday, July 16, 4 pm: Toad Tea with MaryLee – Make Way for a Garden Tea by our new community garden! Join us for an afternoon tea, story, and craft with Marylee Obert as she shares her very own book and treats us to a magical world all her own! This enchanted afternoon is appropriate for kids ages four to twelve and their caregivers and stuffed or imaginary friends. You do not need to sign up in advance to attend, and you only need to bring your imagination. Dressing up is encouraged but not required.
Saturday, July 25, 11 to 2 pm – The science of it! – We couldn’t say no when we were challenged to join in on 250 million acts of science for the nation’s 250th celebration! Join us for a Science Across America Community dialogue and science fair! We will celebrate all things science, and families are encouraged to attend! We will have several booths set up for this event, where you will get to learn more about many types of science and try your hand at science experiments through our Science Across America grant.
Thursday, July 30, 6-8 pm: What’s your story? Cultivating community: An evening of getting to know our neighbors – sponsored by New Hampshire Humanities – the importance of storytelling and how it unites us – with special guest Veronica Francis. This program is meant for adults.
Veronica Francis, author of Circus Towne, is a New Hampshire storyteller, keynote speaker, and technology coach who helps people navigate change with clarity, confidence, and a sense of humor. Known for her warm presence and relatable storytelling, Veronica blends real-life experience with practical insight – reminding audiences that adaptability matters more than perfection, especially when the plan falls apart.
Her life story reads less like a straight line and more like a series of detours – and that’s exactly the point.
Saturday, August 8, noon to 2 pm – Ice Cream Social, Celebrating the end of summer reading – come on down to the library to celebrate your reading goals and the community’s achievements this summer! This is a free event for all Troy residents, and you don’t have to participate in summer reading or any of the programming to attend. We welcome everyone at Gay-Kimball Library!
