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Community Corner

Update: Is it Stone Soup Yet?/Thursday Author Series Returns With 'The Widower's Tale'

The annual fall celebration is almost here.

Happy Wednesday, everybody!

I don’t relish being the bearer of bad news, no one does, but alas, 'tis the final day of August. That means September arrives tomorrow, and with it comes Labor Day, which traditionally marks the end of summer. September is a good thing, though. For starters, my father was born in September. Yes, school starts soon, but that is also a time for friends to reunite and share their summer stories. It also means the kids aren’t around all day, so for many parents, it’s free time at last. Within a few weeks, we will all be back into our comfort routines and, as my husband informs me, September marks the start of the regular football season and sports pages fill out to their normal size. So, when you get down to it, September is not all that bad — trust me on this. Oh, and don’t forget to take a little time to get out there for some apple picking.

The Return of the Authors

Another delightful thing about September is that it is the beginning of another season of the Thursday Author Series, hosted by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library. One Thursday night each month, we — yes ‘we,' I am a friend — feature a published author to speak about his/her work. All you have to do to enjoy the benefits of the program is to show up, listen and feel free to ask any questions you’d like. You may also purchase one of the author’s books, or if you already own it, bring it for the author to sign. These evenings are a wonderful way for you to meet and mingle with some of your favorite writers.

That said, I am thrilled to inform you that our first author for the 2011-2012 season is Julia Glass. Julia grew up in Lincoln and graduated from Concord Academy. Her debut novel, "Three Junes," won the National Book Award in 2002. Julia recently came out with her fourth highly-acclaimed novel, "The Widower's Tale," which will be the topic of her talk. This is a great coup for the Author Series, and we have Library Friend Melissa Saalfield to thank for it. Nice work, Melissa! Joining Julia for the evening program will be former Concord Free Public Library director Barbara Powell, who will serve as the host and interviewer.

The program will kick off Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Library. I realize it can be difficult to get out weekday nights, so if you are unable to attend the evening event, there will be a discussion of the book that Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the Trustees Room, hosted by the Library Tuesday Book Discussion Group. All are welcome to come and join in the lively discussion. Julia is not expected to be at the morning program, but plenty of her fans will be. There is no charge for either the morning or evening event.

You may pick up a copy of "The Widower's Tale" at the Circulation Desk of the Main Library, or at the Concord Bookshop. The Concord Bookshop has always been most helpful in providing the books for sale that are featured in the library’s discussion programs and the Thursday Author Series.

This promises to be an exciting evening. Everyone is invited, and I do hope to see many of you there. I know I will be. I downloaded both books on my Kindle and expect to have read them by the big night. Julia will glady sign books you bring from home, but we have yet to figure out how to get an author to sign your Kindle. Ideas, anyone?

Is it Stone Soup Yet?

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It’s that time again! The annual , an event hosted by the Agriculture Committee, is Sunday, Sept. 18 at 4 p.m., at . The new locale will provide more seating so more of us can enjoy the festivities without traffic hassles.

Drinks and apps begin at 4 and dinner, a little something from each of the farms in Concord, begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $38 a person and are available at , and farms, West Concord Wine & Spiritis and Profits are given back to the farms in our community. More to come, so stay posted!

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Do you have something you would like to share? Contact me at mcb23@comcast.net or Stefanie at stefanieac@comcast.net, and we will be happy to help you spread the good news.

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