Join us for an in-person and virtual event with Jennifer Haigh, The Community Library’s Writer-In-Residence at the Hemingway House, and contributor to the new book “One True Sentence: Writers and Readers on Hemingway’s Art.” Jennifer joins us in person, and we’ll connect virtually with writer and fellow “One True Sentence” contributor Andre Dubus III and the book’s editor, Mark Cirino, who will be in person at Porter Square Books in Boston. A streaming link for those wishing to join virtually is available. Registration is required to attend in person at The Community Library. Presented in partnership with Porter Square Books, Godine (publisher of One True Sentence), and Grub Street Creative Writing Center in Boston.
“To Taste Life Twice” Seminar
Join The Community Library and Story Forward for three days of writing, reading, and connecting over words. All events are free! Some events require pre-registration. The seminar opens at the Library on Thursday evening, May 18, at 6:00 p.m. with “Reader’s Corner,” a talk by Bob Kustra, the host of Reader’s Corner on Boise State Public Radio and BSU President Emeritus & Professor of Public Service. Reader’s Corner is a weekly radio show and podcast featuring lively conversations with leading writers, including many winners of top literary prizes and best-selling authors. Kustra will discuss his interviews and their issues and ideas that matter today. All are welcome, through registration is recommended to save your seat. On Friday, attendees can register to attend one of two afternoon breakouts: “Capturing the Unsung Power of Point of View in Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry” with Christian Winn, or “Untangling the Difficult Narrative: Using Form, Language, and Self-Care to Access Our Wounds” with Rebecca Evans. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required. Both breakouts run 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 19 at the Library. Saturday morning, May 20, at 10:30 a.m. the seminar’s breakout instructors–Idaho writers Christian Winn, Rebecca Evans, CMarie Fuhrman, Alan Heathcock, and …
Nature Journaling with Leslie Rego
An intimate journey into the sketchbook world and how drawing can offer a moment of stillness and peace within an often chaotic world. This weekly drop-in workshop offers a welcoming and supportive space for both beginners and seasoned sketchers to draw together. Focus will be on nature journaling, but any type of drawing is welcome. Prompts will be offered as well as guidance. Each session we will jump down a “rabbit hole” and study in depth one plant or landscape element or learn about different brushes, paints, papers, and other art supplies. Leslie will also show nature journals kept by different artists for inspiration. For supplies bring a current sketchbook, if you are working in one, travel-size water color set and brush, or just a pencil or pen and paper. Leslie Rego has drawn in journals for years. She carries sketchbooks and paints with her while enjoying the national forest and will take time to draw and paint landscapes and flowers on her many hikes. Leslie wrote the “Sketchbook Hiking” article in The Weekly Sun for many years. She has artwork in private collections, The Sun Valley Lodge and around the world.
“Wonder Travels” with Writer-In-Residence Josh Barkan
Join us for a conversation with Josh Barkan, Writer-In-Residence at the Hemingway House, who will share selections from his forthcoming memoir Wonder Travels (Roundabout Press, September 2023). He’ll be joined by Martha Williams, the Library’s director of programs and education, for a conversation about his new memoir and the craft of writing. A book signing will follow. Josh Barkan won the Lightship International Short Story Prize and was runner-up for the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, the Paterson Fiction Prize, and the Juniper Prize for Fiction. He is the recipient of a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, and his writing has appeared in Esquire. He has taught creative writing at Harvard, NYU, the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, Hollins University and MIT. His books include the novel Blind Speed and short story collections Before Hiroshima and Mexico (Hogarth/Penguin Random House)—named one of the five best story collections of 2017 by Library Journal. He lives in Boston.
Learning from Peer Communities: Housing Lessons and Opportunities with Summit County, Colorado’s Housing Director
Jason Dietz started in 2018 as Summit County, Colorado’s Housing Director, focusing on programs to create affordable housing in the area. He spent the previous decade running the Summit Combined Housing Authority, as a construction manager, in property management, and in land acquisitions and development. In many respects, the Summit County is a peer community and as such has similar struggles. Jason will describe these struggles and successes, what makes resort communities’ housing challenges unique, and what solutions and tools work well there. One such solution is deed-restricting housing units to people who live and/or work in the area and by income – which can be accomplished with a range of tools including homeownership assistance and public-private partnerships to develop housing. Other initiatives include incentivizing accessory development units (ADUs) and the lease to locals program. Jason Dietz will be joined by Carissa Connelly, Housing Director of the City of Ketchum. Ketchum is implementing its year-one Housing Action Plan adopted May 2022, which includes many actions that mirror Summit County’s efforts. This program will be livestreamed and available to watch later. Link forthcoming. In collaboration with the Spur Community Foundation.
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s causes changes in memory, thinking and behavior that are not normal aging. Join us to learn about: The difference between normal aging and Alzheimer’s. Common warning signs. The importance of early detection and benefits of diagnosis. Next steps and expectations for the diagnostic process. Alzheimer’s Association resources. Gini Ballou has been a resident of the Wood River Valley for over 40 years. Since her mother’s death in 2008, Gini has been an advocate for those with Alzheimer’s and the families that care for them. She regularly speaks with leaders at the Statehouse and is the Alzheimer’s Association’s Ambassador to Congressman Simpson. This program is presented in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association®. The program will be livestreamed and available to watch later. Vimeo link forthcoming.
Lunch & Learn: Living with Alzheimer’s Part 1 – 10 Warning Signs with Dr. Carol Stephens
In partnership with the Greater Idaho Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, HPL is launching Living with Alzheimer’s, a 4-part monthly series starting Tuesday, April 11; Noon-1:00 PM. In Part One, The 10 Warning Signs, Dr. Carol Stephens, PsyD, will look at the difference between normal aging and Alzheimer’s, the importance of early detection, the benefits of diagnosis and next steps. Held at Town Center West.
Lunch & Learn: Grow Your Own Medicinal Herbs
Join Master Gardener and Qigong teacher Manon Gaudreau in a discussion about the rewarding experience of cultivating healing plants and producing one’s own medicines on Tuesday, April 4 from noon-1:00 PM. This talk, part of the Hailey Public Library’s occasional Lunch & Learn series, is co-sponsored with the Wood River Seed Library and will be held at HaileyTown Center West.
“How to Overcome Writer’s Block” A Workshop with Margaret Meehan, Writer-In-Residence
The blank page can be scary, because we often don’t know how or where to start. Even the most seasoned writers panic at the dreaded blinking cursor—you’re not alone! Writing can feel like fumbling through a dark, unfamiliar room, but, good news, that’s part of the magic of great storytelling. In this workshop, we’ll embrace the chaos and uncertainty. Through tips, prompts, and the wisdom and struggle of fellow writers (Kafka once wrote in his diary: “Again tried to write, virtually useless.”), you’ll learn how to fumble confidently, even joyfully, toward the light. We’ll also discuss practical steps for creating and sustaining a writing practice. Whether you’re embarking on a novel, memoir, short story, or journaling, you’ll walk away knowing EXACTLY what to do—no, just kidding! You’ll walk away accepting that no one, not even [insert your favorite genius author], knows exactly what to do, which, in turn, will free you of fear and free you to write. Margaret Meehan is the 2023 Writing by Writers Writer-In-Residence at the Hemingway House. Meehan’s short stories have been published in Fence, Joyland, and Electric Literature’s Recommended Reading. She received her MFA in fiction from Columbia University, where she was awarded the Felipe P. De …
Youth Emotional Health in Education Panel
Parenting is hard. Add in the complexities and uncertainties of the last couple of years and it can feel downright impossible. As a parent it is easy to feel unsure of how best to guide your children through their school experience, support their emotional wellness and know when it is time to seek additional support. Join our panel of local experts as they share what to look for, what to do, and who to contact for those times when you or your child needs a little extra help. These local educators and mental health professionals can relate to the challenges you face as a parent and are ready to share tips and strategies to help you support your child through the sometimes rocky teenage years. Panelists: • Ellie Newman – Parenting, divorce, teen and life coach, Ellie Newman Coaching • Jami Delgado – School Psychologist, Blaine County School District • Naomi Runkel – Tutor & Educator, The Space • Ruby Garcia – Bilingual Community Outreach Coordinator, St. Luke’s • Sara Shafer – Educator, Wood River Middle School • Tod Gunter – Social Worker, Hailey Elementary In partnership with The Space. This program will be livestreamed and recorded for later viewing. Click here …