Skidompha Library's Owl Radio Podcasts

"A Visit from St. Nicholas," more commonly known as "The Night Before Christmas" and " '​Twas the Night Before Christmas" from its first line, is a poem first published anonymously in 1823, and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, who acknowledged authorship in 1837. Our version was wonderfully read by Skidompha Library staffer Terry Hapach in December 2015.

Our resident scientist takes a reflective and amusing look back on his youth, with tales such as the stolen squad car, the hazards of running, grandma's cookies, an obsessive Christmas card habit, a close call with the Real Santa, Christmas morning frustrations on a dairy farm, and...Mr. Kay.

Love You Forever is a Canadian picture book written by Robert Munsch and published in 1986. It tells the story of the evolving relationship between a boy and his mother. The book was written after Munsch and his wife had two stillborn babies. They have since become adoptive parents of three. It was listed fourth on the 2001 Publishers Weekly All-Time Bestselling Children's Books list for paperbacks at 6,970,000 copies (not including the 1,049,000 hardcover copies). In 2001, Maria Shriver wrote in O, The Oprah Magazine: "I have yet to read this book through without crying. It says so much about the circle of life, youth, parenting, and our responsibility for our parents as we grow older. The message is so simple yet so profound. Love You Forever is a great gift for anyone with a child, or even for your own parents."Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association named the book one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children." - Wikipedia For (much) more about Robert Munsch, visit his website a

A mother bird leaves her egg in the nest to go look for some food. While she's gone, the egg hatches, and the baby bird sets off to find his mother - but he doesn't know what she looks like. His search leads him to ask a variety of animals and machines, "Are you my mother?" Finally, a crane deposits him back in his nest, where his mother is waiting. Just the right amount of tension and the happy and secure ending make this an extremely popular story. - From the Barnes & Noble description Read By Dawn Greenleaf, Children's Librarian, Skidompha Library

In this recording, we learn that Bob, the unassuming plant scientist and South Bristol raconteur once wrote regularly for the New York Times, almost got into a fight with an Hasidim Lothario, terrified the State Department by dirt-bombing a Chinese dignitary, and had nightmares about Ninja paratroopers. Then there was the Pony Express tire delivery service that probably didn't save taxpayers even if it was an ingenious idea at the time... You know--the usual stuff we've come to expect from Bob.

From the moment Alexander wakes up things just do not go his way. As he gets up, chewing gum that was in his mouth the night before winds up in his hair, he trips on his skateboard and drops his sweater into the sink while the water was running. At breakfast, his brothers, Anthony and Nick, reach into their cereal boxes and find amazing prizes, while he ends up with just cereal. Things go rapidly downhill from there. A running gag throughout the book is Alexander repeating several times that he wants to move to Australia because he thinks it's better there. It ends with his mother's assurance that everybody has bad days, even those who live there.[1] In the Australian and New Zealand versions, he wants to move to Timbuktu instead (presumably because he already lives in Australia). In 1990 the book was adapted into a 25-minute animated musical television special that aired on HBO in the United States. Illustrated by Ray Cruz. Read by Skidompha's summer librarian Dawn Greenleaf.

This is the story of a very human like little badger girl who is trying to avoid going to sleep as she should! She uses many ploys--a request for milk, more kisses before sleep time and such, and then after she actually gets into bed, her overly active imagination takes over, keeping her awake even longer. Eventually exhausted from her silly antics, our little badger girl drifts off into sleep. Illustrated by Garth Williams. Read by Skidompha's summertime librarian, Dawn Greenleaf.

Here's the 18th installment of Jon LeVeen's Time Machine--an hour long celebration of Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll, Blues and Pop from 1950 to 1964. In this episode, we'll meet Henry and Sam, both of whom suffer from the scourge of flat feet. We'll answer the question: "Can you have a hit song using only one word as its lyric?" (spoiler alert: YES!). And we'll visit with the apes, including King Kong himself. The Time Machine is brought to you by Owl Radio, the streaming audio service provided by Skidompha Public Library in Damariscotta, Maine.

The Story of Ferdinand is the best known work written by American author Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson. The children's book tells the story of a bull who would rather smell flowers than fight in bullfights. Read by Terry Hapach at Skidompha Library 2015

Delightful cumulative rhyme leads up to the consequences of piling too many sleepy people and animals in a cozy bed. Read by Terry Hapach 2015.

Our Resident storyteller from South Bristol recently informed us that he was a Boy Scout troop leader when he lived in upstate New York a while back. When prompted to tell us about some of his experiences, we had the tape rolling, as it were. The statute of limitations about the exploits of his...challenging troop of boys has passed--we hope.

Our Resident Classic Rock raconteur Bobby Whear details the remarkable talents of one of Damariscotta's brightest musical stars, the Scotti River Trio. Whear describes their truly unique sound as "smoky, rocky," but as you'll hear, they're definitely a group whose mix of abilities makes for a fine blend of styles. The tracks produced here by Paul Mellyn, Stephen B. Jones, and Scott Elliot explore many challenging depths, including an amazing version of the Rollings Stones' "Hipshake," which appeared on Exile on Main Street that is, simply, BETTER than the original. Also sampled in this session are tunes by Bob Dylan ("Blind Willy McTell"), a wonderful medley of Neil Young songs, an updated version of "A Man of Constant Sorrow," and several more. Check this out.

This 1938 classic children's book by Esphyr Slobodkina is a sly take on the saying, "Monkey see, monkey do'" This story will engage and amuse young listeners with its repetitive theme and silly monkey sounds. Read by Terry Hapach, Skidompha Library's associate development director.

Spring is here at last! But where to begin one's selection of garden crops? So many choices and considerations can be overwhelming to even "seasoned" gardeners. The latest recording from South Bristol resident and plant expert, Bob Emmons, can help clarify the differences between heirlooms, hybrids, GMO's, and organics, as well as make some specific suggestions to try--or avoid in Maine's challenging growing conditions. This is Part 2 of 2 recordings.

Spring is here at last! But where to begin one's selection of garden crops? So many choices and considerations can be overwhelming to even "seasoned" gardeners. The latest recording from South Bristol resident and genuine plant expert Bob Emmons can help clarify the differences between heirlooms, hybrids, GMO's, and organics, as well as make some specific suggestions to try--or avoid in Maine's challenging growing conditions. This is Part 1 of 2.

This fable-like story, which won a Newbery Honor Award, is similar to other stories in which a childless old man and woman wish for a baby-replacement. In this tale the old couple decide to get themselves a cat. The old man sets out and finds a hill covered in cats--millions and trillions of them. He falls in love with all of them, and takes them home. Chaos ensues. Read by Terry Hapach, Skidompha Library assciate development director. 5:37

"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return. (Credit: Goodreads.com) Read by Terry Hapatch, Skidompha's development associate.

Meet Horton the elephant, one of the most famous characters in children’s books. “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. . . . An elephant’s faithful, one hundred per cent!” Horton is kind and trustworthy, but unfortunately, the lazy bird Mayzie takes advantage of his good nature when she leaves Horton to watch her unhatched egg. Told with Dr. Seuss’s signature rhymes and trademark illustrations, this is a tale that will be enjoyed over and over, by reader and listener alike. Read by Children's Librarian Terry Hapach 2015.

Bing Bang Boom! Were there any good groups from Washington, DC in the 1950's and 1960's? What is the Brill Building? How long is an hour? These questions and more are answered in this latest installment of "Jon LeVeen's Time Machine" - an adventure in doo-wop, R&B, Rockabilly and early Rock 'n Roll. This program is brought exclusively to you by Owl Radio, the streaming audio service offered by Skidompha Public Library in Damariscotta, Maine.

Hosted by Jon LeVeen, this is special edition of the Time Machine, showcasing the music and career of Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. The songwriting team wrote hit songs for Elvis, The Coasters, Lavern Baker and many others. In so doing, they had a big impact on R&B and rock and roll in the 1950's and 1960's. As always, The Time Machine is part of Owl Radio, a streaming internet radio service provided by Skidompha Public Library in Damariscotta, Maine.