Library to hold discussion for ‘Banned Books Week’

NEW SALEM — To acknowledge the American Library Association’s “Banned Books Week,” the New Salem Public Library and the Friends of the New Salem Public Library plan to host a discussion on various aspects of book challenges and censorship in local communities at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

This is an opportunity to hear from Javier Luengo-Garrido and Olivia Santoro of ACLU Massachusetts, one of the foremost groups working to protect civil liberties throughout the state. In addition to general information about censorship issues, they will share insights gained from working with specific communities currently or recently dealing with book challenges and censorship in schools or libraries. Refreshments will be served.

Banned Books Week 2024 was from Sept. 22 to Sept. 28. For more information, call the library at 978-544-6334 or email nsdirector@cwmars.org.

Author to speak on history of Lake Pleasant

NEW SALEM — David James, who co-authored “Spirit & Spa: A Portrait of the Body, Mind and Soul” with the late Louise Shattuck, will talk about the history of the Lake Pleasant spiritualist community at the New Salem Public Library at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

Lake Pleasant was founded in 1870 as a camp and meeting grounds for spiritualists, and lays claim to being the oldest continuously existing spiritualist center in the United States.

James will share memories and archival photographs from the book.

Registration is not needed. For more information, call the library at 978-544-63340 or email nsdirector@cwmars.org.

Cultural Council accepting grant applications

NEW SALEM — The New Salem Cultural Council is accepting funding proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities and science programs for 2025. The deadline for organizations, individuals and schools to submit grant applications is Oct. 16.

Priority will be given to local applicants whose proposals pertain to, affect and can be easily accessed by townspeople, and will directly enhance the cultural strength and diversity of our community. Priority will also be given to applicants who have made prior arrangements for a local venue and have an approved budget in place. Grant awards typically range from $250 to $500.

Applications must be done at massculturalcouncil.org. For local guidelines and more information on the New Salem Cultural Council, contact Ami Fagin at amyfagin@gmail.com.

Grout descendant visits Orange

ORANGE — The Orange Historical Society welcomed Larry Grout Kennedy, a great-great-grandson of Grout Brothers Automobile Co. industrialist patriarch William L. Grout, hours before closing its doors on the 2024 season on Sept. 29.

The pioneering auto manufacturer had been located on East Main Street, where Pete’s Tire Barn now operates. Erected in 1900, the building was among the country’s earliest auto factories. Grout operations ceased 13 years later.

Kennedy, 77, and his wife had traveled with two friends from their home in California to Orange. They were greeted by Historical Society member and reputed “Grout guru” Walter Pollard, with whom Kennedy had formed an online connection. For this occasion, Pollard created a large display of textual and photographic materials on Grout history from his personal collection.

Pollard, who is preparing to write a book on the Grout subject, also treated the descendant to a building tour that culminated in a viewing of the Grout automobile.

William L. Grout had also co-owned the New Home Sewing Machine Co. New Home shipped all over the world and, in the early 1900s, employed 700 people. The Historical Society keeps a collection of artifacts hailing from that company as well.

Though the society will not reopen for regular weekly tours until next summer, guided visits can still be arranged by appointment by calling President Kathryn Schiappa at 978-544-6814.