Seabrook Public Library has some creative programs coming up for both young and the not-so-young.
For adults, the library is hosting a special dining experience from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 28. Titled "Julie & Julia and Ann," the event consists of the movie "Julie & Julia" and library director Ann Robinson's special cooking talents producing some of the recipes discussed in the movie.
A popular movie, "Julie & Julia" is about a young Internet journalist named Julie, who spent a year cooking the recipes of famed cooking icon, the late Julia Child. Those who attend the library event get to sample several of the dishes featured in the movie, Robinson said. However, seating is limited and registration is required for the event, which is free.
During the upcoming winter school vacation, there will be events every day at the library for children and teens, Robinson said, including National Pig Day on Thursday, March 1. For teenagers, a Hunger Games Trivia Contest will be going on all week.
The library is also planning a new exhibit on local bird decoys, with specimens from the collections of Seabrook Historical Society, Eric Small and Evelyn Fowler.
A folk art tradition, the carving of bird decoys was a significant part of local culture in New Hampshire seacoast communities, and birds carved by local and regional craftsmen have commanded large sums at auctions, especially those by George Boyd.
Along with samples of his work, the new display will include examples of the talents of Henry H. Boyd, Hervey Emery, as well as Archie Beckman, Percy L. Perkins, Herb Randall, Ed Knowles and George Fowler.
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Seabrook Middle School wrestlers Robbie Maclean, Michael Brown, Jaden Lesperance and Mike Dow traveled to Manchester recently to compete in the Manchester Crusaders Wrestling Tournament. All four faced tough opponents from all across New England, with MacLean and Brown having their best matches to date and Lesperance making it to the championship round, finishing second. Dow finished third.
This week the team is preparing for the state regionals.
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The Seabrook School District is responsible for identifying children from 21/2 to 6 years of age who may require special education services. A Child Find Screening will be held on Thursday, Feb. 16.
Parents who have concerns about their child's development in the areas of speech and language, motor coordination, social/emotional growth, vision and hearing or learning abilities are urged to call Carol Brickett at 603-474-8017 to schedule an appointment for this screening.
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A reminder that Town Meeting season begins next week when the deliberative sessions for both the town and Seabrook School District take place.
The deliberative Town Meeting for the town of Seabrook is on Tuesday, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Community Center. The Seabrook School District deliberative session is Monday, again at 7 p.m., taking place at the Seabrook Middle School Library.
This is the time when voters can ask questions about the articles on both the town's and school district's warrants they'll be voting on at the election on Tuesday, March 13. With majority votes, articles can even be amended by those who attend deliberative sessions.
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Seabrook's Smithtown Methodist Cemetery on Lafayette Road is now on the New Hampshire Register of Historic Places. It's the second property in Seabrook to make the state registry. The first is the Brown Library, Seabrook's first public library, which was moved from its original site (where CVS is today) and attached as an annex to the new library.
The honor makes the cemetery and Brown Library eligible for state grants for improvements, such as repairs to the retaining walls.
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Seabrook recently got excellent marks from the accountants who audited the town's 2010 financial records. According to Certified Public Accountant Sheryl Pratt of Plodzik and Sanderson, all the town's financial records are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, getting the town an "unqualified opinion" from the accountants, the best result possible.
In addition, selectmen learned that the town is in compliance with all the GASB, or Government Auditing Standard Board, requirements, a rare achievement in the state. According to Pratt, only 10 percent to 15 percent of the state's 234 cities and towns can make that claim.
"You should be very pleased," she said. "Most don't comply with all of GASB."
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A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall concerning a citizen's petition that appears as Article 38 on this year's Town Meeting warrant. Presented by Albert "Max" Abramson and the required number of town voters, the question asks voters to adopt a state statute that would delegate the creation of the annual default budget to the Budget Committee and not the town officials, such as the town manager and those in the finance office.
The default budget comes into play only when voters reject the proposed operating budget. It includes the budget from the previous year, plus the increases due to legal obligations from contracts, bonded debt, etc.
According to town officials, a public hearing on the article is required by law.
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The AARP Tax Aid program is back, headquartered at the library beginning Monday. It runs every Monday, from noon to 7 p.m. through April 16.
This is a chance to have taxes professionally prepared by AARP volunteers and submitted electronically to the IRS on the spot.
There is no cost for the service.
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Angeljean Chiaramida covers Seabrook for the Daily News. She can be reached at 978-462-6666, ext. 3271 or at achiaramida@newburyportnews.com.
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