• Welcome Home, Japan – on Tuesday, August 9, at 10:30 am. This program invites kids to learn about and compare traditional Japanese homes with our own homes in the USA. The program uses International children’s art to enhance the experience. Participants will have the opportunity to view and examine authentic Japanese objects and to create a Japanese craft. The program is led by Sheileen Landrey of the World Awareness Children’s Museum in Glens Falls. Class size is limited, so call to reserve your spot for this great program; ages 8 – 12.
• Multicultural Music & Movement with Beth Jacobs – on Wednesday, August 10, at 10 am and 1:30 pm. The morning session at 10 am is aimed mostly at pre-schoolers. It is a basic introduction to dance and stretch combined with sharing of rhythm instruments and accompaniment by world music. We will use library books to find images for the dances which are accompanied by the singing of rhyming song and maybe the instruments and/or world music. The afternoon session at 1:30 pm is for older, school age children and the participants will have a dance/movement class and then create a “movement play” by individually referencing something in a book, creating a move for it and talking briefly about the subject. It is meant to be an informal, impromptu, off the cuff type of production. Come join the fun!
• Wanted for Craft Activity – bring us your clean, empty metallic juice pouches from Capri Sun or other juice drinks. We are using them for a craft on August 11. Thank you!
• Drop In Crafts for Kids – Join us for some crafty fun at the Library! On Tuesday, August 9, at 1:30 pm we will make planters with duct tape in a variety of fun and funky colors and patterns. On Thursday, August 11, at 1:30 pm we will make wallets using Capri sun packets. Both crafts will be led by Heather Ryder. On Tuesday, August 16, at 1:30 pm we will make woven jewelry items with Theresa Mateer. On Thursday, August 18, at 1:30 pm we will explore the wonders of Origami and make a variety of creatures with Maddie Teachout. Come for lunch at 12 and stay for a craft!
• Editor/Food Historian Linda Murray Berzok will give an illustrated talk on Tuesday, August 16, at 7 pm at the Library. What does a woman do when a favorite cake recipe is lost to the flood waters of Katrina? How does a mother with limited economic means manage to make meals for her 16 children? Why is a spunky, adventurous grandma baking bread for hobos who come to her door? Come to hear these stories and more from Editor/Food Historian and Stephentown resident Linda Murray Berzok from her book Storied Dishes: What Our Family Recipes Tell Us About Who We Are and Where We’ve Been. This will be an interesting, illustrated talk and all are welcome. What family does not have a cherished recipe that is passed along from generation to generation? But it’s not the recipe alone that makes the memories so indelible. It is the stories behind the recipes. Come listen, share your own stories and enjoy a taste of one recipe from the book
.• Author Event – Rebecca McBride – On Thursday, August 18, at 7 pm freelance writer Rebecca McBride, from Old Chatham, will read from, discuss and sign her book, Traveling Between the Lines: Europe in 1938. From May to September 1938, one year before the start of World War II, McBride’s parents, John and Margaret Randolph, traveled from the U.S. to Europe. At ages 34 and 27, they were on an adventure, traveling by train, renting bicycles, and sleeping in youth hostels – a typical tour in an atypical time. They traveled to Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, England and Wales before finding passage home on a freighter. John Randolph, a mathematician who had just spent two years at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, kept a daily journal of the trip. After his death, McBride came across the journal. Knowing what took place in Germany in 1938 and what would follow throughout Europe, she began to research the historical context for the trip and ask, how much did they know and what did they see? The book combines his journal and photographs with her historical and personal commentary. Light refreshments will be served.
Ongoing Events
• Free Daily Lunch & Snack for Kids – We are pleased to have been chosen as a feeding site through this federally funded lunch program. We will be serving a healthy bag lunch each weekday from 12 to 1 pm in the community room. From 3 to 3:30 pm we will serve a snack. There is no charge and no income or residency requirement. All children under age 18 are encouraged to take advantage of this program. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The program will run until August 19, Monday through Friday.
• Zumba Classes – weekly on Wednesdays at 7 pm. Zumba is an exhilarating Latin inspired dance fitness class designed to benefit anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Zumba Instructor Kim Conley is also a certified Kripalu yoga teacher, pilates instructor and personal trainer who works with people of every age and ability all over the Berkshires. Each one hour class costs $5 per participant. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.