Photo by Marion Ettlinger

Chelmsford's One Book read for 2013 will be Townie by Andre Dubus III. You can pick up a copy at Chelmsford's WinterFest Community Social at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts (CCA) on Friday, February 1, 2013. This special event kicks off our "One Book Chelmsford" townwide reading campaign. We are planning book discussions, memoir writing workshops, a presentation by the Fatherhood Project at Mass General Hospital and other programs related to topics in the book. Watch this webpage for more details. Andre Dubus III will be visiting Chelmsford in April 2013. (Juniors and Seniors at the high school will meet with him on April 23rd.) On the afternoon of Sunday, April 28th the general public will have an opportunity to hear from Mr. Dubus at the McCarthy Middle School.

Programs related to Townie our "One Book Chelmsford" selection:

One Book Flim Series "March Movie Madness!" -movies about boxing

Memoir Writing Programs - Get inspired to pick up your pen!
"Keeping Your Heart Open in Hell: Jump Start Your Memoir" by Nancy Slonim Aronie, author of "Writing From The Heart"
- Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the main library

"From Memory to Memoir: How do we turn fragments of memory into stories that others care about?" by Mimi Schwartz, author of "Writing True, the Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction"
Please register for this program on the library's calendar, at the Senior Center or email kcryanhic@mvlc.org
- Wednesday, April 3, 2013 10 a.m. - noon at the Senior Center

"Connecting Boys with Books" presented by Michael Sullivan
Tuesday, March 26 at 7 p.m.
Michael Sullivan brings more than fifteen years experience as a Children’s Librarian and Library Director, storyteller, chess teacher, and author of the book "Connecting Boys With Books" ( ALA , 2003), "Connecting Boys With Books 2: Closing the Reading Gap" ( ALA , 2009) and The Fundamentals of Children’s Services ( ALA , 2005). He will share practical, proven, and sometimes off-beat suggestions on how to turn boys into life-long readers.

Dr Ray Levy from "The Fatherhood Project" at Mass General Hospital
Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the main library
Dr. Levy will speak about the importance of nurturing good father child relationships and will offer some important information and tips on how to connect with your child.
"At The Fatherhood Project, we believe that good parenting is about connecting with the emotional world of your child."


"Why Write Memoir?" presented by Professor Maureen Stanton (This was rescheduled)
Now taking place on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the main library
Professor Maureen Stanton will talk about the history of memoir, the recent criticism of the form, and discuss the literary, social, and historical value of memoir writing.

Participate in a Book Discussion on"Townie"
Monday, April 1, 2013: the Evening Book Group will discuss "Townie" at 7 p.m. in the fireplace room at the main library.

Friday, April 5, 2013: the Novel Conversations Book Group will talk about "Townie" at noon at the MacKay Library.

One Book Author Visit
Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 1 p.m. Andre Dubus III will speak at the McCarthy Middle School

Past programs:
WinterFest/One Book Community Social:
Kick off event - Friday, February 1, 2013 at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts (CCA)
The WinterFest Social offers dancing to live music, Townie Trivia, food & drinks, and you'll be able to pick up your copy of "Townie."

Local History programs for the "townies"!

   New England Stone Walls
   with Kevin Gardner -Jan 17, 2013

   Canals of the Merrimack River
   with Bill Gerber -Feb 21, 2013

Click here to read about past One Book programs