March 8,2010, first spring travel lecture-"Inside IRAN Today" and other events

Book Talk Lunch Break with MCMA member Mahala B Bishop,Thurs. March 11,@noon,Mahala will discuss her book"Sunshine & Shadows,my battle with bipolar disorder". Bring your lunch, Drinks and dessert provided.FMI you can call Pat during library hours@773-8396,snow date will be Thursday March 18,2010'

First Friday artist on March 5th will be -Jill Cournoyer, showing her Water Impressions and Photography.

Some more info on the Paintings of Stacy Tolman that hang in the stairwells, and a big thanks to Maureen O'Brien from the Museum of Art in Rhode Island who responded to our inquiry.

The two murals by Stacy Tolman were, interestingly, based on work by two other artists. His patron must have requested these to set the tone for his dance studio.

The first is a version of a painting by the 19th century Spanish painter Palmaroli, the second by the American painter Toby Rosenthal who studied in Munich. Both seem to represent dancing "in olden times" -- a type of nostalgic realist subject that was very popular in the 19th century, even though it depicts earlier eras.

I am attaching jpegs of the "sources" that Tolman copied.

Maureen C. O'Brien

Curator of Painting and Sculpture

Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, RI 02903

Work continues on the exhibit in the Portland room of the Portland Public library featuring the history of the MCMA.Abraham hopes to have it done in time for the library opening in the second week of April.

FEBRUARY NEWS IN THE MECHANICS LIBRARY

First Friday February 5th Crystal Erickson will be exhibiting her Photography between 5::00-8:00 pm in the Mechanics Hall Library and during Library hrs. the rest of the month.We have been researching artist Stacy Tolman(1860-1935) who painted two large mural(5'x8') that are now hanging in the stairwell leading up to the library on the second floor and Studio 1 photography on the third floor.We believe that they used to decorate the walls of the third floor Ballroom, beginning with Melvin B. Gilbert's Dance Academy in 1890.Gilbert also has a painting that stills hangs on the wall in Studio 1,the former ballroom which is dated 1892.The Tolman paintings probably also date from this era and has not been confirmed yet.Information that has been found on these two artists can be found in our library.We are gathering pictures and artifacts to embellish the Portland Room's collection for an exhibit on our Mechanics Hall in the Portland Public library.It should be ready by April1st in time for reopening of the remodeling work that is now going on phase one.Stop by and see Pat and check out the latest news and books in the library and maybe a cookie.

The picture on the left is looking east on Congress St. at Mechanics Hall ca.1878 and the one on the right is ca. 1872

MCMA QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION

A quarterly meeting of the Association will be held in the library at 9:00 am on January 7,2010.

Member and library patron, Nancy Noble has written a great article in the Portland Monthly magazine-"Secret Gardens-Visit hidden enclaves where reading is sexy".some extra pictures that do not appear in the magazine can be viewed in the Portland Magazine web site-http://www.portlandmonthly.com/portmag/2009/11/december-2009/

MCMA LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE,WITH GUEST SPEAKER-COLIN SARGENT

museum of Human Beings

Colin Sargent

Maine Charitable Mechanic Association

Library Open House 11-2:00-THURSDAY-DEC.17,2009

Reading at 12:00

Author

Colin Sargent gives a reading from his book at noon in the MCMA library during our holiday open house. The public is

welcome to meet the author and find out whatever happen to (Lewis&Clark’s guide ) Sacagawea’s infant son."There's so much to recommend this book. Fans of American historicals such as James Thom or Allan Eckert will definitely enjoy this, but so would fans of T. C. Boyle

or William Vollmann or WayneJohnston as well.

Literate historical Americana--what a treat!"-- Amazon.com

Colin

Sargent is a playwright and author of three

books of poetry. A graduate of the United

States Naval Academy, he has been awarded

the Maine individual artist fellowship in

literature and earned a Stonecoast MFA in

creative writing. His screenplay Montebello

Ice is under option at Gideon Films. The

Portland, Maine resident is founding editor

and publisher of award-winning Portland

Magazine as well as a board member of the

literacy organization Maine Reads. Museum of Human Beings is his first

novel. According to Publishers Weekly,

“Playwright Sargent’s debut novel is a

stylish look at the fate of Sacagawea’s baby

son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau… An

impressively rounded portrait of the laidback,

introspective, nomadic Baptiste, this

novel will satisfy fans of American history.”

MAMEALIE BEAUTIFUL IN THE MCMA LIBRARY

Jen and Amelie davis displayed some wonderful & fun works of art for display and to sell.It was well attended and received.Their works will be on display during the month of Dec. during Library hours,stop in and visit Pat and maybe you'll find a couple of" have to have" things for Christmas.I saw a few things that found a new home at the end of the evening.A few more pictures are posted on the MCMA site-MAINE CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSOCIATION -It was a fun show with something for everybody ,thanks Jen and Amalie and MCMA libraian Pat Larabee for all of their work.

"MAMELIE'S BEAUTIFUL"-Jen & Amelie Davis

Strolling Portland's downtown during this Holiday season Art Walk, make sure you take the time to stop into Mechanic's Hall (519 Congress St.)to the second floor library and visit Jen and Amelia and their presentation of "Mamelie's Studio"-books,paintings,birds,photos,clay,quilts and books.

5-8:00 pm.

MCMA Past President Jack Gray dies peacefully Fri. Nov.20,09

John "Jack" Gray

May 21,1931-Nov.20,2009

Jack was a member of the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association since 1981, serving as Trustee-1990-92,Vice President-1994-96 and 12 years as President-1997-2009, guiding us with dedication through hard times and troubled waters, we thank you for your unyielding leadership.

Obit as it appeared in the Portland Press Herald

John E. 'Jack' Gray, 78 PORTLAND -- John E. 'Jack' Gray, 78, died peacefully Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 at the Gosnell House. He was born in Portland, May 21, 1931 a son of Sherman W. and Berta Chase Gray. He moved to Freeport when he was six and back to Portland when he was 15. He attended local schools, winning the National Essay Contest and a six week Mediterranean cruise. He graduated from Deering High School in 1949 and then attended the University of Maine at Orono. Following high school, Mr. Gray went to work for F.W. Woolworth Co., where he managed four stores through out New England and New York. In 1960, he joined the Wellwood Co., retiring after 27 years as store manager. For several years he worked as a bookkeeper for Roak's Seven Acres Greenhouses. Mr. Gray was member of Deering Lodge #183 where he served as master from 1976-1977, was a charter member of the Lodge of Research, was bestowed the 33rd degree in Milwaukee in 1990, member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Portland where he served as Most Wise master from 1983-1985 and where he also served on the make-up crew. He was Assistant Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of Maine from 1979-1984, served as Deputy District Grand Master from 1984-1986, served on the Masonic Education and Lodge Services Committee for eight years, member of DeMolay and a member of Kora Temple Shrine and the Kora Royal Guards. Mr. Gray was also a charter member and past president of the Deering Lions Club where he had 22 years of perfect attendence. He was a member of the Woodfords Club and served as president from 1980-1981, member of the Maine Charitable Mechanics Association serving as vice presdent and president from 1977-2009 and had been a member of Central Square Baptist Church and Stevens Avenue Congregational Church. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean M. (Dodge) Gray; one daughter, Deborah Jean Alexander and her husband Michael of So. Natick, Mass., two sons, John Edward Gray Jr. and his wife Patricia of Wellesley, Mass. and William Alan 'Bill' Gray of Buxton; four grandchildren, Christina Gray, John Edward 'Jet' Gray III, Caroline Gray, David Gray; and one sister, Virginia Chretien of Gorham. Relatives and friend are invited to call at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St, Portland, Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. where a masonic service will be conducted at 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held Wednesday Nov. 25, 2009 at 11 a.m. from the funeral home. The Rev. Daryl Lavway will officiate. Contributions in his memory may be made to: Gosnell House 11 Hunnewell Rd. Scarborough, ME 04074 or: The Masonic Learning Center for Children 1903 Congress St. Portland, ME 03102 John E. Gray Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763