From Whalers to Neighbors: the Portuguese of Cape Cod and the Islands with Lew White

 

 

This is a Joy of Learning lecture series.

4 sessions, Wednesday mornings, October 1st, 15th, 22nd and 29 from 10:30 to noon (does not meet on October 8th) Please register once for the whole series at this link. Ending time is approximate, based on number of questions at the end. Please register for the whole course below-we look forward to seeing you. It is advisable to attend all sessions if possible, as they build on each other.

Our long-running Joy of Learning program has changed! Instead of two larger sessions in April and October, offer individual classes throughout the year. 

This series of four lectures refines the traditional story of Portuguese immigration by shining a light on its forgotten beginnings and diversity. Learn how immigration began when the Cape and Islands were still part of the British Empire (Province of Massachusetts Bay), their participation in the war of 1812 and developing local economies, and how earlier European colonization shaped their choices. These lectures expand the familiar framework of three immigration waves described in earlier lectures to include both the overlooked 1765–1840 arrivals and Cape Verdean migration in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is a fresh look at how Portuguese and Cape Verdean communities became an enduring part of our region’s heritage.

About the Lecturer: Twenty-five years ago, after retiring as Chief Technical Officer in the high-tech industry, Lewis White began a second career as an independent historian. What started as a genealogical study of his own family soon broadened into a sustained exploration of Portuguese immigration to Falmouth, Massachusetts. His research then expanded across Cape Cod, the Islands, and ultimately to the wider story of Portuguese settlement in Southeastern Massachusetts.

In 2017, he created and presented a four-part lecture series on this subject, offered twice, and has since given additional talks at a variety of venues. His work has also led to the publication of a booklet and an article in a regional historical society journal. As his inquiry deepened, White turned his attention to the earliest Portuguese presence in America, especially along the New England coast. His research now examines how early European colonies took root in Southeastern Massachusetts from the perspective of how their growth shaped the opportunities, challenges, and patterns of Portuguese immigration that followed.  

We are currently looking for instructors for 2026.  We welcome all proposals. Number of meetings and length of classes is flexible. Classes should be ‘beginner-friendly’! If you are interested in teaching a class in the future, we want to hear from you! Please send an email to Adult Services at info@falmouthpubliclibrary.org, or call 508-457-2555 x 7.

 

Estate Planning Strategies

Neighborhood Falmouth and the Falmouth Public Library are jointly offering this program on Wednesday, September 24th at 1:30 pm. Bob Mascali will be discussing estate planning strategies, focusing on advanced planning, the probate process, and how trusts can simplify the administration of an estate for your heirs. If you are planning to attend this event, please register by clicking here, or call the library at 508-457-2555 x 7. 

Bob is a highly regarded trusts and estates attorney with almost 50 years of experience focusing in the areas of trusts and estates, specializing in elder law and special needs and disability planning. Bob develops estate plans that address his clients’ unique needs while protecting assets and minimizing taxes. Bob is of counsel at Mirick O’Connell DeMallie and Lougee and is admitted to practice in both Massachusetts and New York. Bob has received several awards for his pro bono services and remains actively involved in the community. He is currently the Chairperson of the Falmouth Select Board and is a Board member of a number of Cape Cod nonprofits, including Neighborhood Falmouth.

Neighborhood Falmouth is a community-based non-profit membership organization whose mission is to help seniors live independently, safely, and comfortably at home for as long as is practical by providing support, information and services. To learn more about Neighborhood Falmouth visit their website  by clicking here. If you have any questions or are interested in becoming a volunteer, call their office at 508-927-1678.

Amazin’ Gamin’ Video Game Truck!

Kick off the first school year’s early release day by visiting the Falmouth Public Library’s Main Branch for a HUGE truck filled with video games for all ages. On Tuesday, September 23, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM,  get ready for a full blown multi-player experience, the game truck’s theater has 5 gaming stations on the inside that support up to 20 players with space available for 10 additional friends to watch the fun on our stadium seating. In addition, when weather permits, there are 2 more gaming stations on the outside that will support up to 8 additional players.

There is no registration required to come play and access is 100% free. The Gaming Truck will be parked in the library’s side parking lot on Shore Street Extension. The truck will be open from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. If you can’t find the truck, just come in to the library and ask! We’ll point you in the right direction.

All ages welcome! We kindly ask that if the patron is under 10, an adult accompany them.

The truck will be here rain or shine! So don’t let a few drops of water stop you!

This is the Gamin’ Truck’s 2nd appearance at FPL! If you missed it on CapeCon, here’s your chance to join in on the fun! Also, the Gamin’ Truck is a local Cape Cod business, so let’s bring the community together!

This program and all Early Release Day programming is generously funded by the Falmouth Public Library Support Fund.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to cjohnson@falmouthpubliclibrary.org or by phone at 508-457-2555.

Thank you to the Falmouth Public Library Support Fund for making our Early Release Programming possible!

Friday Films in the Fall

With the summer ending, the library’s Friday Films resume! Starting Friday, September 26th, the library will be showing two movies this Fall.
 
Scroll below to find out which movies will be playing, view the movie trailers, and register to attend as seating is limited.  English subtitles will be used if available.
 
These movie showings are free to the public and are supported by the Friends of the Falmouth Public Library.
 

Queen of Katwe
Friday, September 26th, 3pm-5:10pm . . . . . . REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

“Based on the vibrant true story of a young girl, chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi.  In the slums of Katwe, Uganda where she is forced to abandon her schooling at the age of nine, Phiona is introduced to the game of chess at a youth-outreach program.  A result of the support she receives from her family and community, Phiona is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.” Rated: PG; Running Time: 2hrs 4mins

 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Friday, October 31st, 3pm-4:45pm . . . . . . REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

“Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.” Rated: PG; Running Time: 1hr 44mins

New fiction book club schedule!

Welcome to the library’s longest-running book club! We are back, after a summer hiatus. We read a combination of classics, older literary fiction and newer titles. We look forward to seeing you. You can pick up a library copy of the book at the Reference Desk, or download most titles as ebooks or eaudiobooks on Libby (ask us how!). We appreciate registration, so we know how many to expect! Just go to our online calendar at falmouthpubliclibrary.org and find the meeting date, or give us a call at 508-457-2555 x 7.

This club meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 4 pm, in the Bay Room (except in September 2025, when it will meet on the fourth Tuesday).

Here is what we are reading in upcoming months:

September 23rd, North Woods by Daniel Mason
October 21st, Project Hail Mary by Andrew Weir
November 18th, 2025 Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
December 16th, 2025 The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
January 20, 2026 The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Concert on the Lawn: Matt York!

Tuesday, August 12th from 6-7:30 PM. Bring your chair or blanket and enjoy some music! The concert will be canceled in the case of rain (we will reschedule if possible).

Longtime New England musician/author Matt York will return to perform the songs of classic country and honky-tonk artists and tell stories of their careers. Starting with artists like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and many more, York will discuss the origins of Western Swing music and the heroes of the Texas and Nashville honky-tonks. York has twice been nominated for the Boston Music Award for Best Country Artist and he recently released his second book, The Wisdom of Willie Nelson. Check out Matt’s website for more information about him and his music!

Author Peter Abrahams, AKA Spencer Quinn

We are excited to welcome back Cape resident Peter Abrahams, also known as Spencer Quinn, on Monday, 8/4 at 4 pm for a reading, talk, and book signing for his newest book, Mrs. Plansky Goes Rogue!  The book will be available for purchase and signing from Eight Cousins Books after the author talk and reading. Please register for the event by clicking here

Mrs. Plansky Goes Rogue is the second novel in his Mrs. Plansky series, although it can stand alone, continuing the irresistible and unforgettable Mrs. Plansky, in a story perfect for mystery readers. It is perfect for “fans of Only Murders in the Building, Richard Osman’s “Thursday Murder Club” series, and senior detectives” (Library Journal).

Peter Abrahams is the Edgar-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Chet and Bernie mystery series, as well as the #1 New York Times bestselling Bowser and Birdie series for middle-grade readers. He lives on the Cape with his wife Diana and their two dogs. Read more about Peter and his books by clicking here.

Come and join us!    Please register below or visit/call the reference desk at 508-457-2555 x7.  More about the book:

“Mrs. Plansky is fresh off of winning a thrilling senior tennis championship with her doubles partner, Kev Dinardo, and is gearing up to celebrate with him on his yacht. That is, until the yacht is destroyed in a fire. Kev claims the fire was caused by a lightning strike, pure bad luck, but there’s one small problem—Mrs. Plansky didn’t see any lightning.

Already certain there’s more going on than she’s being told, Mrs. Plansky’s curiosity turns to concern when Kev goes missing. Her suspicion gets the better of her and leads her to break into his house, only to find it ransacked.

But Kev isn’t the only person Mrs. Plansky has to worry about. A conversation with her dad reveals that not long ago, he’d introduced Kev to Jack, Mrs. Plansky’s wayward tennis pro son. And now, her dad—distracted by arrangements for his upcoming wedding—either can’t remember or has no interest in divulging any details.

Worse? Now Jack has gone missing, too. (from the publisher)”

Lawn Concert: the George Gritzbach band!

We are excited to welcome back Falmouth’s longtime favorite roots and blues legend, George Gritzbach and his band for a live, outdoor performance on the lawn on Tuesday evening, July 22nd from 6-8, weather permitting (rain date will be Tuesday, July 29th). Bring your chair or blanket!

George Gritzback is known for his innovative original songs. The Boston Globe called him a “sizzling hot, no-holds barred electric bluesman” and “one of the finest guitar players in America.”  The Washington Post referred to him as an “exceptional songwriter” and described a recent CD “as good and surprising as he is in person, with wonderful original material and knockout slide guitar work.” Gritzbach has released a new album of original songs titled Full Circle. Full Circle is his sixth studio release and showcases his first-rate songwriting talents coupled with a range of roots-blues musical styles he describes as roots rhythm & blues. Gritzbach’s expressive vocal style infuses the ten songs on the album with grit and honesty.

Gritzbach is supported throughout, and on tour, by a seasoned rhythm section featuring Scott Lariviere on bass, Christian McCarthy on drums, Johnny Menezes on keyboards with Peter Murray on saxophone. Funky horn lines add flavor, spice and texture throughout the album. The album also features guest appearances by critically acclaimed harmonica great Jerry Portnoy. Portnoy was a fixture in the Muddy Waters Band and toured with Eric Clapton.

We thank the Board of Library Trustees for sponsoring this concert.

Resident Ospreys: A Bird’s-Eye View into the Daily Life of an Osprey Family, Live from the Nest

Friday, July 25th, 2025 at 1:00 PM in the Hermann Room

Ever wonder what really goes on in an Osprey nest from spring to fall? Join us for Resident Ospreys: A Bird’s-Eye View into the Daily Life of an Osprey Family, Live from the Nest, a fascinating presentation that offers a unique, up-close look into the life of an Osprey family through the lens of the Osprey Cam.

The event will take place in the Hermann Room at the Falmouth Public Library and will be led by Glenn Davis, President of the Friends of Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge, Inc. (FMNWR). Davis will share captivating footage and stories from the past three years of the live-streaming camera project, which records around the clock and reveals both heartwarming and surprising moments in the nest.

“This project gives people a real-time connection to nature,” says Davis. “From dramatic weather to unexpected visitors, what we’ve seen in this nest has been both educational and unforgettable.”

What to Expect:

  • Rare video highlights from the Osprey Cam
  • Fascinating insights into Osprey behavior and parenting
  • Surprising interactions with other wildlife
  • A deeper understanding of local conservation efforts

Whether you are a birder, a nature enthusiast, or simply curious about the lives of these iconic raptors, this event will leave you inspired and informed.

To register to attend, go to the Falmouth Public Library’s online event calendar or visit/call the Falmouth Public Library’s adult services desk at 508-457-2555 x7.

 

Wednesday Evening Movies Under the Stars returns in July!

BYO blankets and chairs and join us on the library lawn to enjoy some outdoor family fun with Movies Under the Stars! The 2025 movie season will begin on Wednesday, July 16th!  The first movie will start at 6 pm, and the second at approximately 8 pm.  These movies are weather dependent and are free to the public.  No registration is required. Most movies are great for all ages-some might have a PG-13 rating!

Read below to find out the Wednesday night movie dates, themes, and selected movies!

On July 16th 
6:00 PM Barbie (rated PG13)
Then around 8:00 pm Grease (rated PG)
 
On July 23rd
6:00 PM October Sky (rated PG)
Then around 8:00 On the Basis of Sex (rated PG-13)
 
On July 30th
At 6:00 PM How to Train your Dragon (rated PG) 
Then around 8:00 Wonka (rated PG)
 
On August 6th 
At 6:00 PM Night at the Museum (rated PG)
Then around 8:00 Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (rated PG-13) 
 
And then to finish the 2025 Movies Under the Stars season  
On August 13th 
at 6:00 PM The Iron Giant (rated PG)
Then around 8:00 Wicked (rated PG)