Lakes Region of Maine, USA

NEWS FROM THE RAYMOND VILLAGE LIBRARY

Meet the Author
Babs Murdock on Wednesday, September 24, 7 P.M. at the Raymond Village Library.

Babs was born and grew up in Raymond. She attended Raymond Elementary School and Fryeburg Academy, graduating as an English major from the University of Maine. Throughout her school years, she was encouraged to write, however, it wasn’t until much later, after returning from a two- week trip to Africa, that she began her writing career.

Inspired by a simple exchange of comments about bears with her African driver, she began the adventure tale of Raymond Floyd, a wee teddy bear, for her grandchildren. Her cousin, Christa Pauley, provided the illustrations, and technical support for the publishing process. Currently Babs and her husband divide their year between Raymond and St. Simons Island, Georgia , where Raymond Floyd has been much loved by many young school children.

Ms. Murdock will talk about her experiences that led to the writing of her children’s book, “Raymond Floyd Goes to Africa”. She will also discuss the illustrating and the publishing of the book. She will read selections from the book and while Raymond Floyd did not come to Maine this year, he will be represented by several of his relatives who are in residence.

This program is open to the public and will enthrall 4 year-olds to 94 year-olds alike.

EXHIBITING ARTIST
Cathy Dodge’s
paintings are now being exhibited at the Raymond Village Library. Cathy has lived in Raymond for seven years following a move from California with her husband and three children. Ms. Dodge has been featured previously in the Raymond Village Library’s art exhibits, as well as having contributed to the library’s Silent Art Auction. A realtor by profession, Cathy makes time to pursue her art, having also studied with Charlene Lee. Starting in oils, she switched to watercolor and among her favorite themes are still life of fruits and flowers, fish and seashells. Her lovely work can be viewed during regular library hours through September.

READING GROUP
On Thursday, September 25, the book group will be discussing selected poems by Edna St. Vicent Millay. Copies of the poems are available at the desk at the library. New participants are welcome. For more information please call Jane at 655-5354.

BOOK REVIEW
Galileo’s Daughter by Dava Sobel
This book gives a fascinating insight into the lives of the people of the 1500’s and 1600’s. It shows the overarching power that the Roman Catholic Church had over all facets of society. This includes the development of scientific thought, administration of law, commerce and art to mention just a few. In this historical memoir, Dava Sobel weaves the monastic religious life of two of Galileo’s illegitimate daughters with the scientific discoveries of Galileo based on previous work by Copernicus.

The role of the Inquisition in suppressing scientific thought which did not conform to the beliefs of the Church hierarchy is one of the key premises of this book. It shows how jealous scientific competitors of Galileo used the Inquisition to suppress and control and cause him to be placed under house arrest for many years. It also provides considerable information about the lives of monastic nuns and the rules by which they lived. This was of importance to Galileo because he provided substantial financial support to his two daughters and their community.

The correspondence of Galileo with his oldest daughter, Virginia, who became Suor Maria Celeste, is the framework on which Ms. Sobel develops this intriguing story of love, respect and support between a brilliant father and daughter. It also gives us exceptional insight into the truly remarkable mind of an original thinker whose discoveries and inventions were of astounding importance to the development of science, as we know it today.

“Galileo’s Daughter” offers much delightful and interesting historical information in a well-written format. I highly recommend this book to any reader. It is not written for just history or science “buffs”, but for anyone who is interested in interpersonal relationships as well. I found this book to be appealing and interesting on many different levels and rank it as one of the best books I have read recently.
Reviewed by Charles Murray

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NEWS FROM THE RAYMOND VILLAGE LIBRARY Meet the Author Babs Murdock on Wednesday, September 24, 7 P.M. at the Raymond Village Library. Babs was born and grew up in Raymond. She attended Raymond Elementary School and Fryeburg Academy, graduating as an English major from the University of Maine. Throughout her school years, she was encouraged to write, however, it wasn’t until much later, after returning from a two- week trip to Africa, that she began her writing career. Inspired by a simple exchange of comments about bears with her African driver, she began the adventure tale of Raymond Floyd, a wee teddy bear, for her grandchildren. Her cousin, Christa Pauley, provided the illustrations, and technical support for the publishing process. Currently Babs and her husband divide their year between Raymond and St. Simons Island, Georgia , where Raymond Floyd has been much loved by many young school children. Ms. Murdock will talk about her experiences that led to the writing of her children’s book, “Raymond Floyd Goes to Africa”. She will also discuss the illustrating and the publishing of the book. She will read selections from the book and while Raymond Floyd did not come to Maine this year, he will be represented by several of his relatives who are in residence. This program is open to the public and will enthrall 4 year-olds to 94 year-olds alike. EXHIBITING ARTIST Cathy Dodge’s paintings are now being exhibited at the Raymond Village Library. Cathy has lived in Raymond for seven years following a move from California with her husband and three children. Ms. Dodge has been featured previously in the Raymond Village Library’s art exhibits, as well as having contributed to the library’s Silent Art Auction. A realtor by profession, Cathy makes time to pursue her art, having also studied with Charlene Lee. Starting in oils, she switched to watercolor and among her favorite themes are still life of fruits and flowers, fish and seashells. Her lovely work can be viewed during regular library hours through September. READING GROUP On Thursday, September 25, the book group will be discussing selected poems by Edna St. Vicent Millay. Copies of the poems are available at the desk at the library. New participants are welcome. For more information please call Jane at 655-5354. BOOK REVIEW Galileo’s Daughter by Dava Sobel This book gives a fascinating insight into the lives of the people of the 1500’s and 1600’s. It shows the overarching power that the Roman Catholic Church had over all facets of society. This includes the development of scientific thought, administration of law, commerce and art to mention just a few. In this historical memoir, Dava Sobel weaves the monastic religious life of two of Galileo’s illegitimate daughters with the scientific discoveries of Galileo based on previous work by Copernicus. The role of the Inquisition in suppressing scientific thought which did not conform to the beliefs of the Church hierarchy is one of the key premises of this book. It shows how jealous scientific competitors of Galileo used the Inquisition to suppress and control and cause him to be placed under house arrest for many years. It also provides considerable information about the lives of monastic nuns and the rules by which they lived. This was of importance to Galileo because he provided substantial financial support to his two daughters and their community. The correspondence of Galileo with his oldest daughter, Virginia, who became Suor Maria Celeste, is the framework on which Ms. Sobel develops this intriguing story of love, respect and support between a brilliant father and daughter. It also gives us exceptional insight into the truly remarkable mind of an original thinker whose discoveries and inventions were of astounding importance to the development of science, as we know it today. “Galileo’s Daughter” offers much delightful and interesting historical information in a well-written format. I highly recommend this book to any reader. It is not written for just history or science “buffs”, but for anyone who is interested in interpersonal relationships as well. I found this book to be appealing and interesting on many different levels and rank it as one of the best books I have read recently. Reviewed by Charles Murray