by Sharon Tenglin
This year, Attleboro residents read In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick for Attleboro’s 1ABC (One Adventure, One Book, One Community), part of the national Big Read program.
As a 1ABC event, ALT hosted a Whaling Ports of Call Fairy House Exhibit at the Deborah and Roger Richardson Nature Preserve on Wilmarth Street where people could create their own fairy houses inspired by the places sailors visited in the book In the Heart of the Sea.
On Saturday, October 5, there were 45 creative and unique fairy houses, hand-made by local residents of all ages, exhibited at the Preserve. In keeping with the nautical theme, many houses were decorated with shells or driftwood or were made to be ocean-side homes or lighthouses. One even had shell furniture inside.
Approximately 75 adults and children attended this fun event. They enjoyed checking out the houses, meeting people, and going for walks. The kids especially liked making fairy gardens that they could take home, having refreshments, and running around in the sunshine.
Also at this event, the Attleboro Public Library gave away Big Read books, whale activities and information about the library. (For information, visit http://attleboros1abc.org/.)