Our days here at Bartleby’s Books are typical summer: familiar faces and new visitors, book discussions, and village strolls.  We are also reminded daily how far Wilmington has come since the flood, and how far there is still to go.  Many visitors to the area are not aware of the extent of the flooding and many people are coming back to Vermont for the first time since last summer.  We spend our days talking about the flood and the outpouring of support we experienced after.

Would you like to share some of your stories about the flood?  Bartleby’s Books is teaming up with Robin White of Starting Over Strong Vermont to provide an opportunity for people to share their experiences inside and outside of a story circle. Starting Sunday July 22nd at 3 pm Robin has booked Memorial Hall for a traditional Story Circle dedicated to the downtown business owners. But we also felt drawn to offer an individual approach allowing you to share your story 1:1, instead of writing it down.  If you would like share some stories that might be included in a book documenting the flood, please respond to Stevie Cunningham-Darrah to set up an appointment.  Stevie and Robin will be setting up appointments for the afternoons of July 24 and 25th between the hours of 3pm and 7pm.  if you think you have a story you’d like to share, please make an appointment.  Stories can be about anything related to the flood: what happened that day, something you worked on after the flood, how someone helped you, how you helped someone else, anything you’d like to share.  We’ll ask your permission to tape your story for us to possibly use in the book.  Stevie works for Bartleby’s and is working on the book, and Robin works for Starting Over Strong Vermont and is available for counseling this summer.  RSVP to floodbook@myvermontbookstore.com or 464-5425 if you’d like to set up an appt.  Ask for Stevie.

This weekend is a concert raising money for the Rebuild Dot’s.  Saturday, July 14th at 8pm at Memorial Hall: John Pousette-Dart and Aztec Two Step.  See http://www.facebook.com/events/308004125953595/ for more info.  

My kids, Ally and Zach, and their friends, Jillian and James, will be selling baked goods and lemonade outside Memorial Hall during the concert, so come on by and get a slice of pie or a cookie!   

Lots of work has been underway in town including fixing up the back parking lot and adding in a wooden walkway from West Main Street to the parking lot.  All volunteer effort.  Great work!

Preservation Trust of Vermont held their annual conference here in Wilmington in June and gave out awards to many in the town for their work on recovery post Irene.  Bartleby’s won an award for our efforts during the flood.  The presentation was much more than Phil and I were expecting - very emotional.  So many people helped so much here in Wilmington.  Here’s a link to the presentation on youtube in case you want to see the awardees.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKRkyNeb7sA

See in the store.

Lisa

Here’s a new feature for our blog.  Those of us that work at Bartleby’s get to experience the fun of having carpenters on site nearly every day.  Always fun with their musical choices, hammering, compressors and brute force.   Both Chris and Bob have objected to being called the Boys of Bartleby’s because they think it makes them seem like a boy band and they are serious men!  But we like it, so we’re going with it anyway.  

Look for posts with pics of construction at Bartleby’s.  Because most of the work is now happening in other parts of the building, customers have been missing out - so here you go!

Today, a beam needed removing - here’s a cool shot.  Lots of sawdust in my hair trying to get this shot. 

That’s Chris on the left and Bob on the right. 

More to come soon!

Lisa

Thanks to our customers, authors, staff and friends who made this Memorial Day weekend a blast!  We were a bit nervous heading into this weekend that town might not be too busy with the ducks not racing, but you turned up anyway and made the weekend festive!

Saturday’s event with Abigail Gehring and her mother, Marty Gehring, was a great party with friends old and new.  Signed copies of their book: The Simple Joys of Grandparenting are available at the store or online (ask for a signed copy in the notes field if buying online).  

Abigail and Marty signing books and chatting with customers.  Look at those delicious treats!

Speaking of treats, I couldn’t be more proud of my kids, Ally and Zach, and their friends Anders, Laina, Katje, Jillian and James.  They manned a lemonade and cookie stand all weekend raising money for the Dot’s rebuild fund.  I’ve got to count again, but I think they raised about $630.  Wow!   Speaking of wow, Anders Buursma created a series of cardboard box arcade games (inspired by the kid in Los Angeles) and fund-raised 25 cents a try this weekend!  Great job kids - you’re an inspiration!

Just look at those smiles!  

Sunday brought one of our favorite storybook characters to town: MAX from Max and Ruby!  Without his sister to spoil his fun, Max was out and about around town: having his picture taken, getting lots of hugs, dancing to the music from the duck event.  What fun!

Me and Max!  That big smile because I was not INSIDE the costume anymore!

Max story-time with a great crowd of excited kids.  Thanks Ana!

Great to see town alive this weekend!  Stay tuned for more exciting times ahead.  

See you in the store,

Lisa

Bartleby’s Books will publish a book this summer about Irene flooding and its aftermath.  We are actively looking for photos and stories of flooding, aftermath, rebuild efforts from community members.  The book will consist primarily of photos and personal stories from Wilmington and surrounding towns.  Please send photos and stories to floodbook@myvermontbookstore.com or drop off a disk to the store if lots of high-res photos.  Thanks for your assistance and please let us know if any questions.  

Last Monday there was a great piece on the valley on ABC 5 out of Boston.  Here are the links to the episode (4 segments).  I think they did an excellent job of showcasing different things we have to offer.  And Bartleby’s is featured in the program!  

One thing that really stood out to me is how much progress we’ve made since the show was filmed in early January - check out the front of Bartleby’s in the clip (still tar paper and plywood) and the picture above, with the new front complete.  Phil and crew have been steadily working and the building is looking beautiful.  More to come soon.  Lisa

Ally and Zach work on finishing the new stairs with their dad, Phil.  Thanks kids!