How to Make a Lantern

The Newbury Town Library Lantern Festival and Concert is a month away! Wow!

I have provided a step-by-step guide for those who might want to get started on their lanterns, or who may want to make some additional lanterns for the event.

They are so, so fun to make and super easy too!

Okay . . . Are you ready?

Materials Needed:

• Plastic bottles (we like 1 or 2 liter soda/water bottles, but any plastic jar will do)
• Scissors
• White School Glue (like Elmer's)
• Water
• Soft bristle paint brush
• Hole punch
• String or ribbon for handle
• Tissue paper of various colors
• Glow stick or LED (The library will be handing out glow sticks to those with lanterns at the event, but feel free to bring your own!)

1. Take your emptied, clean and dry plastic bottle and cut of the top at the widest part of the bottle. We pinched the plastic to make a small cut. Then the scissor easily cut around the entire top. You will have a wide-mouth cylinder, with the bottle's bottom intact.

2. Chose a design for your lantern. Get creative! You can tear tissue paper or make detailed designs. Work with scissors, and cut out your shapes. Sometimes it helps to double or triple-up your paper, since it is very thin, depending on how transparent you would like your design.

 3. Make your glue mixture. 1 to 1 ratio of glue and water works great and a little can go a long way! Start with a small amount of each in a small cup or bowl.

 4. Apply the glue mixture to your bottle, covering the entire outer surface. Begin to add your tissue paper. Paint the mixture over the tissue paper. Add more paper and then more glue. Repeat all over as you build on your design and adhere it to the bottle.

5. When the bottle is dry, use your hole punch to add two holes to the top of the bottle, one across from the other. Tie on your string for a secure handle.

6. Add your light source (we recommend an LED tea light or glow stick) and enjoy your beautiful, unique glowing lantern!

Record Breaking Origami

Wow! What a spectacular turn out for Michael Lafosse's Origami workshop here, this past weekend.

Thank you everyone for making it such a great turn-out! Love seeing families create together!

The Library Lantern Festival

Mark your calendars! 

Saturday, May 11th at 6 PM

On the Upper Green in Newbury

Join us as we light up the night and rock out to the awesome band KAREN K &THE JITTERBUGS, as they bring their family-friendly retro-rock to Newbury. Bring a picnic, a blanket, dancing shoes and all your friends!

 As the sun sets over the Green, we'll light our beautiful homemade lanterns and parade around the Green to the magical music of Zach Fields' Student Steel Drum Band.

Lantern making workshops will be held prior to the event. All you need to bring is a plastic one or two liter bottle and we'll provide the rest. No need to register, just stop on in during one of these workshops!

• Wednesday, April 24th at the Newbury Town Library
• Wednesday, May 1st at the Newbury Town Library
• Thursday, May 2nd at PITA Hall, Plum Island

If you want to make your own lantern at home or with a small group, stay tuned . . . detailed instructions on how to make these simple-yet-beautiful up-cycled lanterns to come.

If you want to donate materials or funds for the event or volunteer for the event, please contact Miss Olivia at ogatti@mvlc.org or The Friends on the Newbury Town Library!

Plant & Bake Sale

Please join us for the Friends of the Newbury Town Library…

Annual Plant Sale and Bake Sale

Fundraiser

Saturday, MAY 18^th, 10am-2PM

Newbury Town Library

0 Lunt Street

Byfield, MA 01922

Please email

 friendsofnewburytownlibrary@gmail.com

if you would like to volunteer or donate plants and/or individually wrapped baked goods.

All proceeds go directly to the Friends of the Newbury Town Library, a volunteer organization primarily interested in raising funds

to support the Newbury Town Library.

Please visit our web site for more information: http://fontl.wordpress.com/

Origami with Michael LaFosse

How much fun is origami? It seems like you just mention the word, and young or old, boys or girls, everyone kind of goes, "Ooooh. I love origami." Well, so do we. And we happen to know a great teacher: Michael LaFosse, author of nearly 75 titles on origami and paper arts!

Michael LaFosse, who also just happens to be an international origami master, and lucky for us, a neighbor. Michael's studio Origamido is in Haverhill, and he is more than happy to come our way  to teach us some tricks with paper art.

Please join us as we welcome Michael back to the library, Saturday, April 6th at 11:30 AM. Ages five to 100 welcome! We are going for full capacity, but would appreciate it if you call the library at 978-465-0539 or email me at ogatti@mvlc.org to let us know if you plan to attend.

Hope to see you there!

Books & Bread with Play Makers

Have you ever wanted to test drive a Play Makers' class? Well here is your chance! We are so pleased to partner with this wonderful family resource and play center, located in neighboring Rowley! Children aged 3-6 are invited to come learn how to make and bake bread, as well as share a story while our delicious food is in the oven. Carole Funchion, local mom, library lover, and Play Maker, will leads us through this delicious class! Books & Bread will take place Wednesday, April 3rd at 10:30 AM. Class is free! Registration is limited, so please contact the library to save your spot today! Call 978-465-0539 or email me at ogatti@mvlc.org!

Want to know more about Play Makers? Check out their website here!

Wednesdays This Spring

I am so pleased to announce not one, not two, but THREE new partnerships with local teachers to offer you more wonderful (and free) children's programming here at the library on Wednesdays, starting in April.

Roots to Wings Yoga for PreK at The Newbury Town Library
Beginning Wednesday April 10th at 1 PM and continuing every 2nd Wednesday through November

Beth Houlihan and Candy Blaxter will lead our kids (3-5) with caregivers in a special yoga class designed to help preschoolers learn how to care for their body, mind and spirit. This fun and lively yoga class will include hatha yoga, playful games, music and more. The Roots to Wings Mission is to help children reach their highest potential physically, emotionally, academically and socially; ultimately helping each child have a deeper understanding of themselves and develop skills that enable them to achieve and make a positive difference in the world.

Crafternoon with Rani MacNeal at The Newbury Town Library
Beginning Wednesday April 17th at 1:30 PM and continuing every 3rd Wednesday through November

Rani MacNeal, a marine biologist, home-schooling mother of three, and earth-momma-extrodinare will lead children of all ages through a seasonally-themed craft once a month. Great for big hands or little hands with some help, we will use all types of materials and mediums and walk away with a wonderful craft to share with our families.

Creative Movement with Julie Pike Edmond at The Newbury Town Library
Beginning Wednesday, April 24th at 11:45 AM and continuing every 4th Wednesday through November

Julie Pike Edmond uses her experience as a professional dance, choreographer, and body worker to teach students how to move in concert with their natural abilities -- simultaneously encouraging young dancers to push their creative boundaries while maintaining happy, healthy bodies.

Julie's class will explore the concepts of space, time and energy, while developing self-awareness, flexibility and coordination. Each class is 45 minutes long, and is geared for children ages 3-5, who can be dropped off for the class. Please come in comfortable clothing for moving and dance!


All these programs are free! Please register for your space today, as each class has limited capacity. Call the library at 978-465-0539 or email Miss Olivia at ogatti@mvlc.org