Maine children’s author Fran Hodgkins visited Aroostook County recently for a four-stop tour to share her newest book, “The Secret Galaxy.”
Her program was the centerpiece of Astronomy Day at Limestone’s Robert A. Frost Memorial Library. She also gave presentations at Dawn F. Barnes Elementary School in Caswell, the Fort Fairfield Public Library, and the Francis Malcolm Science Center in Easton.
The Frost Library received a grant from the Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Trust of the Maine Community Foundation, which provided the majority of funding for the programs, and the Science Center contributed the remainder.
“Children at our library were very enthusiastic,” said librarian Jessica Givens. “Fran’s presentation was captivating and the kids loved getting a chance to try out the telescopes. The adults seemed to enjoy the program just as much.”
Hodgkins spoke to attendees about stars, planets, black holes, and other fascinating parts of the galaxy and the universe. She ended each presentation with a reading from “The Secret Galaxy,” a children’s book written from the point of view of the Milky Way. This visit was her first trip to the County.
Frost Memorial Library’s Astronomy Day also featured a special demonstration by Larry Berz and the MSSM Astronomy Club, who brought several telescopes into the library, including the aptly named Goliath. Children then got to decorate their own paper tube “telescopes” to take home.
For patrons who would like more opportunities to practice their stargazing skills, Frost Library will have a telescope available for in-library use through May 26. That telescope was borrowed from Cornerstones of Science, a Maine nonprofit that works with libraries to encourage a passion for science.
“I don’t think you ever outgrow the fascination with the mysteries of our universe,” Givens said. “We’re grateful for the collaboration of all involved and hope to offer many more programs like this in the future.”
