Thursday, March 30, 2017

Flora White

A new book in the Heath Free Public Library collection:  Flora White: In the Vanguard of Gender Equity by Linda Morice.


Flora White  was born in Heath, her family's home for four generations, on April 4, 1860. She had a difficult early life, a remarkable career in education, and she returned to Heath in her later years. She died on February 14, 1948, and is buried in the South Cemetery in Heath.

From the publisher's website:
Flora White: In the Vanguard of Gender Equity draws on a collection of personal papers (only recently made available to scholars) to present the life of a colorful New England educator who lived from the Civil War to the Cold War. Throughout her career, White worked to promote the physical and intellectual growth of girls and young women beyond the narrow gender stereotypes of the day. Although White’s name is not a household word, this book represents a newer form of biography in which the life of a lesser-known individual serves as a lens for understanding larger social and cultural developments.

In Flora White’s case, this newer biographical approach produced findings to inform research in both educational history and gender studies. For example, White’s papers correct some longstanding misconceptions about the origins of the progressive education movement and the role women played in it. White’s sources also shed light on the complicated relationships of educated (but marginalized) U.S. women and the prominent men who mentored them. In addition, White’s papers show that--in order to protect herself from those who might find her words objectionable—she used coded language (such as poetry) to counter sexist stereotypes and advance her desire for a fuller life for her students and herself. Although, upon her death, a newspaper obituary praised White for being recognized by “men of note” in educational circles, her efforts to promote the physical and intellectual development of girls and women helped to create opportunity that is still unfolding today.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Art Show at the Library

Reception:  Saturday, April 1, 2017, 11:00 AM.

Everyone is welcome!

Come and see the wonderful paintings from our fellow Heath townspeople.

All new works of art on display from the Monday Heath Senior Center Painting Workshop. Paintings by Don Dekker, Juliet Seaver, Lynn Perry, and Nancy Thane. One example from each artist is shown below.





Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Workshop: Caring for Our Own After Death

Sponsored by The Friends of Heath Free Public Library. Pre-registration is required.

People have been caring for deceased loved ones at home for millennia. The experience, while sad, is ultimately healing and beautiful. Beginning the grieving process in the privacy of our homes allows for sharing and support on a deeper level.

You may not realize that... You can care for your loved one at home... Embalming is not required... A family can fill out and file the death certificate... A family can transport the deceased to the cemetery or crematory.

Saturday, March 25, 1 PM to 4:30 PM

Pre-Registration is Required 
Contact Rol Hesselbart 413-337-6659 rolhesselbart@gmail.com
Registration will be limited.

Location
Heath Community Hall
1 West Main St. Heath, MA
The Workshop is offered free of charge. Donations will be accepted

This program will introduce you to home wakes and funerals. It will describe the enormous personal benefits that come with this profound moment in a family’s life. It will also include the legal facts and logistical details. There will be time for discussion, questions and answers. An excerpt from the PBS documentary “A Family Undertaking” which follows the story of four families who chose home funerals will be shown. The final hour will include a hands-on demonstration for those who are interested in the details of a home wake and funeral such as bathing, dressing, cooling and carrying the body.


This workshop will be led by Peg Lorenz, home funeral guide, consultant and founder of Peaceful Passage at Home. Peg has 20 years of experience with hospice care. Peg was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Home Funeral Alliance. She has a certificate in end-of-life care from the University of Southern Maine and has completed the training taught by Crossings: Caring for Our Own at Death, a resource center for home funeral care.