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Adult Programs
URI's Subseafloor Hydrogeology: Moving Beyond Watersheds / Kingston Free Library
Wednesday, February 1, 1:00 PM
Join us at the Kingston Free Library as we partner with the University of Rhode Island’s College of Enviornmental and Life Sciences department to host a lecture focusing on subseafloor hydrogeology. Dr. Alicia Wilson, professor of hydrogeology; School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment at the University of South Carolina, will be leading the lecture.
The field of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) was launched in the 1990s by the remarkable discovery, via naturally-occurring isotopic tracers, that saline groundwater was discharging to the South Atlantic Bight in very large volumes. Subsequent studies confirmed that saline groundwater discharges to the Atlantic Ocean in volumes that rival river discharge. All available evidence indicates that this saline groundwater is highly enriched in nutrients compared to river water, so the nutrient contributions of this submarine discharge exceed that of river discharge. These findings have been slow to find widespread acceptance, however, because it has been exceedingly difficult to confirm this flow by means other than the original isotropic tracers. This discharge does not occur near the shoreline, and no conceptual models for SGD far from shore existed. This changed recently when new studies using heat as a tracer identified clear pulses of groundwater discharge 10-15 km offshore in the South Atlantic Bight. This talk investigates this 20-year mystery and the recent discoveries that suggest that it may be time to rewrite chemical budgets for the coastal ocean.
All are welcome to attend. There will be snacks and refreshments available after the lecture. For questions, please contact Britta Obertello at 401-783-8254 ext. 4303 or bobertello@skpl.org.
All Aboard the Seaview: South County's Trolley to the Beach / Kingston Free Library
Wednesday, February 15, 6:00 PM
Join us at the Kingston Free Library for a presentation about the historic Seaview Trolley Company in South County. Local author and historian, Brian Wallin will be giving the presentation.
By the 1870’s, Narragansett Pier was firmly established as a summer resort. At first, it was a vacation spot for people of means, but by the turn of the century, it became a popular daytime destination for residents of Providence and other communities, thanks largely to the scenic and affordable Seaview Trolley Company that ran from East Greenwich down to the Pier. There were plans to run the line into Wakefield, but the line ran smack into the competing Narragansett Pier Railroad right in the middle of the town’s Main Street. The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, which had been assembling a transportation monopoly in New England also threw a curve ball at the Seaview, with a surprise alternative service. Tracked trolleys in Rhode Island fell victim to the arrival of the automobile age after World War One. By 1920, the Seaview would be bankrupt, its tracks torn up and sold for scrap. Today, its only visible remains are the power lines along the right of way, now under control of National Grid. This well-illustrated tale takes a ride on the Seaview, with some detours to share stories of the people and places that made the line so popular in its heyday.
Presenter, Brian L. Wallin, is a graduate of Stonehill College and earned his master’s degree from American International College. He spent the first half of his career as a radio-television reporter-anchor in New England, then turned to health care administration, serving in many executive positions. He is a recognized author and historian and a frequent lecturer throughout the state. He narrates the Rhode Island Fast Ferry Narragansett Bay Lighthouse Cruises. Brian is a faculty member of the URI OLLI program, and a consultant to the Narragansett Historical Society.
For more information or to register, email Britta at bobertello@skpl.org or call 783-8254 ext. 4303.
A Readable Feast: A Cookbook Book Group / Kingston Free Library
Thursday, February 16, 6:30 PM
Participants bring a dish to share prepared from that month's cookbook. There is a discussion about the book while we sample all the dishes. This month we will be reading and cooking from these cookbooks by Black chefs:
- Jubilee: recipes from two centuries of African American cooking / Toni Tipton-Martin (2019)
- Cooking with Love : comfort food that hugs you / Carla Hall with Genevieve Ko (2012)
- Black Girl Baking : wholesome recipes inspired by a soulful upbringing / Jerrelle Guy (2018)
- Son of a Southern Chef : cook with soul / Lazarus Lynch (2019)
Registration is required; we are unable to accommodate walk-ins. Contact Britta at bobertello@skpl.org or 783-8254 ext. 4303 for more information.
Ocean State Libraries E-Zone: downloadable books, audiobooks, movies. Any valid Ocean State Libraries card will work, and you can download up to 8 items at a time.
Hoopla: downloadable books, audiobooks, movies, tv series, comics, and music. You need a South Kingstown Public Library card for Hoopla, and you get 3 checkouts per month.
Ongoing
If you have a tech and/or reference question, or would like to learn a new skill, email our reference librarian Britta at bobertello@skpl.org to set up an appointment. Please put "Tech Help" in the subject line of the email and let us know what project or skill you need help with.
We have options for you at each of our 3 locations! - Many of these are now being held virtually!
Peace Dale Library: Evening Book Group, meets 1st Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
Peace Dale Library: Afternoon Book Group, meets 2nd Fridays at 2 PM
Kingston Free Library: Brown Bag Book Group, meets 1st Thursdays, 12:15-1:15
Kingston Free Library: Beyond Words Book Group, meets 2nd Wednesdays at 7 PM, except July and August
Kingston Free Library: A Readable Feast, meets 3rd Thursdays, 6:30 PM
Robert Beverly Hale Library: Bookmarks, meets last Thursday of the month, September--May