News

Massachusetts Residents on Bridgewater Dean’s List

The following local Massachusetts residents were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester at Bridgewater State University: Rehoboth

Abby R. Behm, Jaden R. Deblois, Chris Estes, Jillian A. Ferrara, Kaitlyn L. Gorton, Marisa Guertin, Kara J. Hermenegildo, Sarah Howard, Samantha K. Malloy, Sara G. McNaughton, Hudson M. Nees, Shayne M. O’Neil, Emma E. Paulhus, Vanessa L. Ripley, Amber M. Wells

Seekonk

Madison M. Armell, Kristyn C. Botelho, Ashley N. Boutin, Kendal A. Cacchiotti, Mya J. Ferreira, Michael J. Gilmore, Joseph Grossi, Ethan Hill, Emma E. Hindle, Sabrina L. Howarth, Melanie E. Keough, Mya Lamonte, Tyler J. LaMonte, Cameron McClintock, Brooke T. Michaud, Erin E. O’Halloran, Jolie R. Pontes, Felicia A. Prata, Julia R. Walters and Maddie R. Whelan.

Local Student Named to Dean's List for Fall 2022

Fitchburg, Mass.—Fitchburg State University President Richard S. Lapidus has announced that Lauren E. Cavanagh qualified for inclusion on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2022 semester.

Rehoboth Resident Makes Keene State Dean’s List

Keene — Matthew Proctor of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, has been named to the Dean’s List at Keene State College for the fall 2022 semester.

A sophomore, Proctor is a Construction Management major. This degree prepares students for a leadership role in the design/ build process as a Construction Manager. He is the son of Marlene and Robert Proctor of Rehoboth.

Rehoboth Resident Earns Dean’s List Honors at Providence College for Fall 2022 Semester

Erica Duncan, daughter of Sue and Jim Duncan of Rehoboth, has earned Dean’s List honors at Providence College for the fall 2022 semester in addition to her previous six semesters.

Erica is an Accountancy and Finance double major and is a member of the Liberal Arts Honors Program. She was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma in April of 2022.

Area Residents Named to Dean’s List at University of New England

Biddeford And Portland, Maine | Tangier, Morocco - The following students have been named to the Dean’s List for the 2022 fall semester at the University of New England:

Rehoboth: Sydney Cordeiro, Aidan Fontaine, Jacob Suprenard

Seekonk: Jared Moran, Brooke Parks

Rehoboth Resident Earns Dean’s List Honors at RPI for Fall 2022 Semester

Troy, NY - Alexander Cote of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, has been named to the Dean’s List at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for the fall 2022 semester.

Looking Back . . .

It’s All about Love

By Phyllis Dupere

Supposedly, St. Valentine’s Day had its beginnings in early Rome, with both pagan and Christian roots. Stories vary as recorded history was not as detailed with what we are used to today with all our modern technology - and even that gets questioned.

While some of the stories were too bloody and/or gruesome to include here, two of the Valentine stories found were both “familyfriendly'. The first story is that at the beginning of February, all the single young ladies would place their names in a vessel. In mid-February, the young men would gather together at a specified location and one-by-one pick a name out of the vessel. The male and female were expected to remain a “couple” until the following year. If the joining turned into a romance, the couple got married the following spring. If not, the participants were free and able to continue looking for a suitable partner elsewhere.

The other tale mentions a prisoner and his jailer. A male was arrested and placed in jail, usually located at the jailer’s home. When the jailer was too busy or chose not to bring a meal to the prisoner, the criminal either did not eat or a member of the jailer’s family would bring food to the jailed man. Now, this becomes a “love story” as the jailer’s daughter and the criminal fell in love (Was it really love or just a flirtatious offering of food to a starving male prisoner?) The man, who was executed on February 14th, wrote his last words in a letter to his “Beloved”. On that letter, he signed it, “From your Valentine”. One must note here that Valentine was a very popular name in the 4th century.

Over the years the tradition of sending cards has continued. Valentine’s Day has blossomed into a commercial extravaganza. Just about all retailers offer something related to the holiday. It is probably one of the largest “sale” days of the entire year that is not a federal holiday. Candy, flowers, clothing, toys, games, books, jewelry, food/restaurants, and so much more are offered to consumers.

As a child, how many of us had three school days of parties? In October, we had a Halloween party. We were able to bring our costumes to school and change into them after lunch. December brought the Christmas party. THEN, there was the Valentine’s Day Party. I feel this was the ultimate of events.

It took the first two weeks of February to get ready for this gala! On the home front, it meant I needed to go to the store, Woolworth’s 5&10 in Taunton, to pick out a box of kids’ cards and then carefully print my name on each one and address the envelopes. Deciding what I would wear to school on Valentine’s Day usually was easy, my red Christmas dress! Also, I had to find out what Mom was baking – cupcakes or cookies and report back to the teacher. During Art class, we would decorate our “shoe box” mailboxes for all our expected Valentine Day cards from our teacher and classmates. Once those were done, we made Valentine cards for our parents, which went home a few days before the holiday…after all we had to wait for the giant glops of white paste to dry completely (Remember how good it smelt (and tasted)?

Then, the actual party. Those moms that worked full-time sent in bottles of soda or chocolate hearts for the students…all greatly appreciated by us kids. Some room mothers would come in to help the classroom teacher prepare for the festivities while the class was outdoors at noon recess. After we put our coats, hats and mittens in the cloak room, it was party time until 2:30pm. Then, we had to get ready for the 3pm announcements and dismissal over the intercom.

Once home, we got to open our “mailbox”. Some of the greetings were:

1. A drawing of a kitten with the included verse “Hello! Let’s Be Valentines!”

2. A dachshund “I’m longing to be your Valentine.”

3. A spaceman “Be My Valentine”

4. A chipmunk and acorn “May be a-corny idea, but I need you for my Valentine!”

Nowadays, few if any, school parties are held for a variety of positive reasons. That does not change the fact that most schoolaged children still LOVE the month of February. Just think for a moment: at most, there are only 29 days to the month. This means, counting weekends and the vacation week, a student basically attends school for half the month, not counting a couple of snow days, delayed starts and/or early dismissals thrown in.

Whether it be flowers and chocolates, sunshine or snow, hugs and kisses, or hot chocolate and a good book, may your Valentine’s Day be as sweet as you!

Anniversary in Our New Location

Know Your Shopping Rights

Wednesday, February 8 at 6 PM

Have you had a negative shopping experience lately? Find out how you can get shopping problems resolved by attending Know Your Shopping Rights at Seekonk Library on Wednesday, February 8 at 6 PM. In this program presented by Robin Putnam, Events & Outreach Manager from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, you will learn about support available for you regarding expressed & implied warranties, return policies, defective merchandise, pricing discrepancies, and shopping online, through mail or television. This program is free and open to the public; tell your friends! Please register in the online calendar at seekonkpl. org/events to receive any program updates.

For more information, call Adult Services at the library at (508) 336-8230 or email library@seekonkpl.org.

Understanding Cannabis: A Virtual Presentation

Wednesday, February 15 at 6 PM

Seekonk Public Library invites you to the program Understanding Cannabis: A Virtual Presentation on Wednesday, February 15 at 6 PM presented online. From THC to CBD, this program addresses everything you ever wanted to know about cannabis but were afraid to ask! Come and learn about medical vs. recreational marijuana, CBD and THC strains and their various benefits. This is a researchbased, unbiased, nonaffiliated presentation to separate fact from myth. Attend and get your questions answered! This free program will be held in Zoom; register in the online Events Calendar at www. seekonkpl.org/events to receive the login information to attend.

For more information, call Adult Services at the library at (508) 336-8230 or email library@seekonkpl.org.

Nonfiction Book Club: Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke

Tuesday, February 28th at 6:00 PM

Join us for a lively discussion of Elephant Company: The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero and the Animals Who Helped Him Save Lives in WWII by Vicki Constantine Croke on Tuesday, February 28th at 6:00 PM at Seekonk Public Library. The title is available as an ebook through Libby, a digital audiobook through Hoopla, or you may place a hold and pick up a print copy at the library. New members are always welcome!

J.H. “Billy” Williams always had an affinity for animals. So, when he responded to a job offer with the East India Company to work with logging elephants his family wasn’t surprised, though worried that he had already come back from World War I in one piece, would he be so lucky with India? Not only did he find his calling with the elephants in India, Billy and his elephants became war heroes. At the onset of World War II, Williams formed Elephant Company and was instrumental in defeating the Japanese in Burma and saving refugees, including on his own “Hannibal Trek.” Billy Williams became a media sensation during the war, telling reporters that the elephants did more for him than he was ever able to do for them, but his story has since been forgotten. Part biography, part war story, and part wildlife adventure, Croke delivers an utterly charming narrative and an important, little-known piece of the legacy of World War II.

For more event information, visit www.seekonkpl.org or email library@seekonkpl.org.

Friends of the Seekonk Public Library News

The Friends have had questions about accepting puzzles. We have limited space for storage and display, but we will accept puzzles during the month of February and save them for our next big sale. Please make sure the puzzles have all of their pieces.

We continue to look for more volunteers in the lobby. If you would like to volunteer but work or go to school during the day, we have openings until 7:45 PM Monday through Thursday and until 5:45 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Programs for Children and Families

Children’s Winter Reading Challenge 2023

“All the Feels” now through February

Join our Winter Reading Challenge for children from birth through grade 5. Log your reading minutes, write reviews, and complete activities to earn virtual badges and raffle tickets for a chance to win fantastic prizes! Register at Seekonkpl.beanstack.org

The Boston Bruins 16th Annual Pajama Drive

February 1 – March 10

From February 1 through March 10, Seekonk Library will once again partner with the Boston Bruins to be an official drop-off location for the collection of new pajamas for children living in low-income and homeless situations. Donated pajamas will be distributed by the organization Cradles to Crayons to children who “don’t know the comforting feeling of putting on PJs before settling down to sleep.” All donations in sizes 0/3 months through teen are gratefully accepted with a particular need for pajamas for older children and teens. Donations may be left in the collection box in the lobby at Seekonk Library through March 10. The statewide goal for the 6 week drive is 10,000 pairs with Seekonk’s goal being 150 pairs. The Boston Bruins thank everyone in advance for donating pajamas to their 16th Annual PJ Drive! This project is a collaboration between Seekonk Public Library, the Boston Bruins, Cradles to Crayons®, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and Wonderfund. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) works with the Boston Bruins to coordinate library participation in the drive.

Write On!

Mondays, February 6, 13, 4 PM

Calling all writers in grades 2-5! Come be the author of your own story using the fun and interactive tool, Book Creator. Learn how to add text, video, images, gifs, and so much more while creating your own book. Whether you’d like to write a story, make a comic or create a presentation, this program is for you. Get creative and “Write On!” Grades 2-5. Registration required This is a two week program, led by Colleen Terrill, Director of Digital Learning and Technology for the Seekonk School Department. Chromebooks provided by Seekonk Library and the Seekonk School Department.

Minecraft Club

Tuesdays, February 7, 14, 21, 6:30 PM

It’s a Minecraft adventure! Utilizing Minecraft Education Edition, we’ll meet weekly via Zoom and join Minecraft worlds together. Our focus is on teamwork to achieve building goals while teaching one another how to navigate around. We visit Minecraft worlds such as deep oceans, Mars, Ancient Egypt and more, learning along the way. For grades 3-5. Registration required.

No Sew Pet Blankets

Starts February 15

Families may sign up to take part in Seekonk Library’s No-Sew Pet Blanket Project to make a fleece blanket for a pet that is adopted out through the Seekonk Animal Shelter. Register in advance then come to Seekonk Library starting February 15 and pick up a free, no-sew blanket kit*. Families will make the blanket at home and bring it back to Seekonk Library by February 28. The Library will deliver the blankets to Seekonk Animal Shelter and the blankets will be given to pets who are adopted out into their “forever home”. The blankets are no-sew and easy to make. Join us for this great family project that supports OUR community’s animal shelter. *Kit includes fabric and instructions. Supplies limited. Registration required.

February Vacation Specials

Mystic Touch Tank

Tuesday, February 21, 1- 3 PM

Families are invited to “Touch and Learn” with Mystic Aquarium’s Touch Tank. This hands-on program includes live, local invertebrate including lobsters, horseshoe crabs, snails, and shellfish. A wonderful, educational event for families with children of all ages! Registration required.

Slime-Lab

Wednesday, February 22, 2 PM

School vacation week Slime Lab for grades K-5! Let’s make a mess! We’ll mix slime and then use additives to make unique, slimy creations! Experiment with textures and additives to make your very own slime! Registration required.

Family Movie

Thursday, February 23, 1 PM

A family movie matinee on the big screen! Based on a beloved children’s book about a boy and his new best friend, a crocodile named who loves to sing, take baths, enjoy great music and eat caviar. Rated PG. Running time 1 hour, 46 minutes. Drop in.

Storytimes

Seekonk Library storytimes focus on talking, singing, reading, writing and playing- important principles for your child’s reading readiness. Please bring your SAILS library card so your child can browse and select books to take home. Siblings are always welcome.

Baby & Toddler Storytime

Monday, February 6, 13 at 10 AM

Join Miss Sharon for a weekly storytime that includes a book or two followed by music, fingerplays, movement and yes, even bubbles! Please bring your SAILS Library Card so your child may browse and select books to take home. Ages birth - 36 months. Siblings always welcome! No registration required, just drop in.

Preschool Storytime - Weds, Feb 8, 15 at 9:30 AM

Join Ms. Sandie for storytimes filled with books and activities for ages 3-5. Siblings always welcome! Bring your library card to check out some great books. Drop in. No registration required.

Storytime with Seekonk’s Fire Chief Sandra LoweryTuesday, February 28, 10 AM

It’s storytime with Fire Chief Sandra Lowery from the Seekonk Fire Department! Meet and talk to the Chief, hear stories including Fire Chief Fran, ask questions and do an activity. Suitable for ages 2-5. Registration required.

Storytime on the Go! - On-going in February

Stop in anytime and create a storytime experience at home with Storytime On The Go packets. Each packet will include 6 or more books to check out and an age appropriate early literacy activity. The activities will support one or more of the five early literacy practices: talking, singing, reading, writing and playing. Drop by and pick one up for your child!