Bremen Library Newsletter

February 2026

Dear Bremen Library Patrons,

New books have finally started to arrive from our new book vendor! I have been busy cataloging them and getting them up on the shelf. It is so nice to look over and see all the books we have been waiting for. Thanks for your patience while we were transitioning vendors!

I would like to have an “Art of Bremen” show in the gallery, featuring YOU! Instead of just a single artist of the month, I’d love to showcase the talents of local people of all ages who may not have a studio or enough to fill a room, but have one or two special pieces that they’re proud of and would like to show off. Come into the library, give me a call or send me an email if you’re interested. If I have enough people respond, I will get it set up.

Speaking of Bremen talent, if you or someone you know is a musician interested in performing on our new deck for a summer music series, please get in touch! I’m starting to contact some performers, and I’d love to include community members in the lineup!

Stay safe and be well!

Melissa Chase , Director (207) 529-5572 bremenlibrary.mchase@gmail.com

An Evening With Storytellers

The Bremen Library is pleased to be collaborating with the Waldo Theatre for the first time! Join us on Thursday, February 12 at 5:30 for an intimate evening of storytelling, with 4 community members sharing true, personal stories drawn from real life and lived experience. Through humor, vulnerability, and reflection, this community storytelling event, with contributing members Jan Arabas (Simple Gifts), Lexi Nelligan (Louisa), Jade Nelson(Smoke Signals), and Rick Ochberg (Christmas Story) will explore the messiness and meaning of being human—navigating the highs and lows of dating, a chilling encounter with the unexplained, the power of music to connect us, and the bond between parent and child. Each story is unique, but together they weave a night of shared experience, reminding us how our stories can connect us. This free event is geared toward adults but is open to all, and will take place in the meeting room gallery of the Bremen Library

We are excited to be hosting Liliana Thelander as our February Artist of the Month!

Liliana Thelander started her art career with stained glass. She had the desire to improve her ability to design and draw her own patterns. While taking drawing classes, she discovered a whole new side of art. Drawing led to painting, opening up a whole new world of color and observation. Liliana was born in Caracas, Venezuela where she studied Computer Science at Nueva Esparta University. She went into the banking industry and needed to learn English, which brought her to Virginia Beach. Here she met her soon to be husband Edwin Thelander, a Navy SEAL. In 2006, Liliana relocated with her husband and three young children to Mid Coast Maine. Her contemporary realistic style of painting strives to build form and create mood by emphasizing atmosphere with a dramatic use of light. Her paintings are meant to be enjoyed at a distance and close up where they are filled with nuances. She uses oils to make her paintings come to life, with a natural eye for detail, and a keen observation of light and color. Her subjects are inspired by moments in family life, weathered objects like bottles, toys, marbles or old boxes with lots of texture, the Maine scenery and animals, either birds, pets or in the wild. She does commissioned work and her favorite genre is still life and animal portraits.

Some of the places where her work has been exhibited are Mast Cove Galleries, the Kefauver Studio & Gallery in Damariscotta, Summer Island Studio in Brunswick, the Maine Art Gallery in Wiscasset, the Boothbay Region Art Foundation, the Tidemark Gallery in Waldoboro, the TIME Gallery in Portland, River Arts in Damariscotta, the Damariscotta River Grill, the National Audubon Society’s Project Puffin and Landing Gallery in Rockland. She is represented by Lincolnville Fine Art Gallery in Lincolnville, Pemaquid Art Gallery in New Harbor, and in Gifts at 136 in Damariscotta, ME. She is a member of Oil Painters of America.

No formal reception is planned, but her art may be enjoyed in the gallery throughout the month

Ongoing Programing

All ongoing programming is free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted

Monthly Book Club: February’s selection is James by Percival Everett. Copies will be available to borrow at the desk for the February 5 discussion (meeting time is back to 3 pm). March’s book will be The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Tech Help 10-12 : Saturday Feb 21 and 28 , - Tech helper Caleb Pusey will answer your tech questions at the library

Knit & Stitch Group Thursdays 1-2:30 Bring your current fiber project and meet and support other like minded folks!

FIRST FRIDAY FUN Mixed ages storytime! Feb 6 from 10:30-12

This mixed-ages storytime will take place on the first Friday of each month. We will start with some stories and songs, and then kids and their caregivers are welcome to stay and play and socialize together in the Big Room until noon. Registration is not necessary, but I’d appreciate a call if you plan to come!

And just a quick note- Melissa will be away the first Friday of March, so March’s storytime will bump up to Friday March 13 at 10:30.