Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Town of Pelham Public Library. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.
Start spring off on the right foot with Tai Chi, mah jongg, and baby yoga. You can also make lotus lanterns, learn more about women’s health, and join us for two exciting EcoPel programs.
For all this and more, please see below or check our calendar.
Adult Programs and News
Tai Chi on the Library Lawn
Join Master Yao-Wah Chan for beginning Tai Chi on the Library lawn. He has over 40 years of experience teaching throughout New York City and Westchester, and is trained in multiple Chinese disciplines.
Tai Chi is a series of slow, gentle, and meditative body movements that can help you reduce pain, increase flexibility, improve balance, and cope with stress.
These classes are walk-ins that do not require preregistration.
Tuesdays, April 1, 8, and 15, 11:15 am to 12:15 pm
Meet the Artist! Destination: The Art of Reading with Eddie Grigg
Artist and educator Eddie Grigg has created a series of vibrant French pastel illustrations of countries around the world. Drop in for a meet and greet with the artist! His colorful artwork will be on display at the Library during the month of April.
Thursday, April 3, 6-8 pm
English as a Second/Foreign Language (ESL) for Intermediate Students
Join us for a series of ESL classes for adults with Pelham resident, EJ Sepp!
This class is intended for low-intermediate to advanced students who are learning English as a second or foreign language. (No beginners please!)
EJ Sepp has taught ESL for 20 years and is the co-author of English Express New York: A Cultural Reading & Writing Text for English Language Learners.
These classes are walk-ins that do not require preregistration or attending all sessions.
Mondays, April 7, 14, and 28, 6-6:45pm
Pelham Tree Conservancy Kickoff with Dr. Andrew Reinmann
Join the Environmental Coalition of the Pelham’s launch of the Pelham Tree Conservancy with keynote speaker, Dr. Andrew Reinmann, Assistant Professor at CUNY Advanced Science Research Center. Dr. Reinmann will discuss the critical role trees play in our local environment and share key research on tree canopy loss across Westchester County. The Pelham Tree Conservancy will share efforts to plant 300 native trees this year in backyards and natural areas across the Pelhams.
Registration is suggested but not required. Click here to register. Walk-ins are welcome.
Thursday, April 10, 7-8:30 pm
Eating in Harmony with Nature with Dr. Kaushik
This series from Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik discusses the effect of food on the body and its healing abilities. With over 35 years’ experience as an Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Kaushik is one of the most experienced Ayurvedic physicians in North America. Dr. Kaushik recently founded the Institute for the Advancement of Ayurvedic Sciences, a research and teaching institution. This program will take place on Zoom, and registration is required. Click here to register. The Zoom link will be emailed to you before the presentation.
Tuesday, April 8, 7-8 pm
Plant Pelham Native: How to Create Wildlife Habitats on Public Land
Join the Pelham Girl Scouts Troop #2617 and the Environmental Coalition of the Pelhams (EcoPel) to learn how to transform unused grass spaces into thriving wildlife habitats using bare root seedlings from the New York State Department of Conservation.
What You’ll Learn & Do: Learn how Troop #2617’s Plant Pelham Native initiative helped turn empty lawns into vibrant habitats as part of their Silver Award project; Understand the fundamentals of ecosystem restoration, including native plants, grass removal, digging, and planting; Participate in a hands-on planting workshop to add wildlife habitat to the Town of Pelham Public Library grounds.
Registration is suggested but not required, and walk-ins are welcome. Click here to register.
Saturday, April 12, 10:15 am-12 pm
Author Talk with Pelham Resident Colin Thompson
The Spoils is a ride through the looking glass of the young American Man. Neurotic, hedonistic, sensitive and tawdry, Colin Thompson’s protagonist takes us on a journey through the battlefield of infidelity and integrity, drive and success, love, status, and the ruthlessness of trying to make it in Hollywood.
Join Pelham resident Colin Thompson for a talk on his debut novel. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Monday, April 14, 7-8 pm
Lotus Flower Lantern Workshop
Join us to get ready for Yeondeunghoe, or the Korean Lotus Lantern Festival! Learn more about Korean culture, and make your very own Lotus Flower Lantern.
This popular program is for adults and teens ages 10 and up. It will take place in-person, and registration is required. To register, email Tash at ngross@pelhamlibrary.org. Register soon, as space and supplies are limited!
Monday, April 21, 6:30-7:45 pm
Hormones & (Peri)menopause: What to Expect and How to Thrive with Jayla Health
Dr. Denise Proctor and Jayla Health present “Hormones & Peri(menopause): What to Expect and How to Thrive,” a real talk about what’s happening in your body and what you can do about it. Dr. Proctor, a board-certified OB-GYN and Princeton alumna will break down the hormonal changes, common symptoms, and practical ways to feel better.
This program takes place on Zoom and registration is required. Click here to register
Thursday, April 24, 7-8 pm
Crafty Adults: Festive Fascinators
Join our resident artist/instructor Sara Mallach this month as we celebrate spring with festive Fascinators. Ribbon, tulle, flowers, feathers, jewels, and beads will bring our creations to fruition just in time for the Triple Crown and other fancy spring activities.
This event will take place in-person at the Library and separate registration is required for each attendee. Click here to register. Sign up early, as space and supplies are limited.
Please arrive on time as late arrivals disrupt the class.
Monday, April 28, 7:15-8:15 pm
Mah Jongg
The Library will offer a drop-in mah jongg program for adults ages 18 and up on Tuesdays from noon to 2:30 p.m. beginning April 29. This program is for participants of all abilities who know how to play American mah jongg. No beginners, please. The Library will provide mah jongg sets, but please bring your own mah jongg card. The Pelham Recreation Department plans to offer mah jongg lessons for beginners later this year. We will provide more information when it is available.
Tuesdays starting April 29, 12-2:30 pm
Adult Hybrid Book Clubs
The After-Dark Book Club will meet on Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 pm to discuss March by Geraldine Brooks and on Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 pm to discuss Yellowface by R.F. Kuang.
The 2nd-Friday Book Club will meet on Friday, April 11 at 10:30 am to discuss James by Percival Everett and on Friday, May 9 at 10:30 am to discuss North Woods by Daniel Mason
To join, email library@pelhamlibrary.org. For more information about the 2nd-Friday Book Club click here and for the After-Dark Book Club click here.
Fiber Fridays
Love to knit or crochet? Gather your needles, hooks, and yarn, and join us every Friday afternoon for an informal adult needlework group. Knitters, crocheters, and needle point enthusiasts of all abilities are welcome, but please note that no instructors will be present.
Every Friday, 1-3:30 pm
Tuesdays are Digitizing Days
Our Time-Warp Tuesdays continue. This program for digitizing photos has been a great success. Bring in your family photos and our librarians will assist you with scanning them to a USB drive using our new high-speed scanner. Appointments are required for a 45-minute session. To learn all of the details and to register, please click here.
Children’s News and Events
Playful Yoga for Toddlers & Babies
Looking for some summer Saturday fun? Join us for an outdoor parent-child Yoga & Play session! Geared towards toddlers and babies (and their grown-ups). Older siblings are also welcome to join the fun! Led by local yoga instructor & twin-toddler mom Samantha Scinta.
This program will take place outdoors. In case of inclement weather or high temperatures, we will move indoors. Please bring yoga mats, towels, or outdoor blankets.
Saturdays, April 5, 19 and 26 10:30-11 am
Gnomes and Ungnomes: Poetry and Crafts for Kids with local author Karen Gardner
Celebrate mythical, magical creatures like gnomes, mermaids, centaurs, and dragons with poet Karen Gardner. We’ll learn about these special creatures through words and art, and search for hidden gnomes among the pages of Gnomes & Ungnomes: Poems of Hidden Creatures. We also invite you to come as your favorite mythical creature! This program is for children ages four and up. No registration is necessary.
Thursday, April 17, 10:30-11:30 am
Express Yourself! Music and Crafts for Neurodiverse Kids
Music and art aren’t just fun: they can help kids to develop speech and language skills, reduce stress, and cope with all sorts of daily challenges. Join Concordia Conservatory student Shay Armand for expressive drawing, finger painting, sing-alongs, and more fun activities to promote learning and relaxation for children ages five and up!
Although this program is open to all children ages five and up, we would like to extend a special invitation to neurodiverse and intellectually disabled children.
Saturdays, April 12 and 26, 11 am-12 pm
STEM Story Time by Pelham High School Student
Join us for a special STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Story Time and craft!
This program is for children ages five and up. Registration is not required, but please arrive on time: first come, first served.
Saturdays, April 5 and 19, 11 am-12 pm
Musical Monday Morning Story Time with Concordia Conservatory
Join storytellers and musicians from Concordia Conservatory for this special Monday Morning Story Time! This month, we will be reading Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Kess Keating and Marta Alvarez Miguens.
Monday, April 21, 10:30-11 am
Homework Help
Pelham Memorial High School students will be available to provide children in grades K-6 with help completing their homework. Participants should bring their own study materials. This is a drop-in program. First come, first served.
Tuesdays April 1, 8, 22, and 29, 3:30-4:30 pm
Lego Club!
Join us for an hour of open Lego play at the Library! This program is for children ages six and up, and will take place in-person at the Library. Registration is not required but an adult must accompany the child.
Please note the date change! Lego Club will now be meeting on Wednesday afternoons.
Wednesdays in April, 3:30-4:30 pm
Canine Story Time
Join Lisa and her furry friend Freckle from The Good Dog Foundation for a special kind of Story Time. This time, it won’t be adults reading to kids: it will be kids reading to dogs! Young readers ages six and up can sign up for 10-minute sessions, during which they will be able to read to Freckle, Lisa’s adorable canine companion. This will give kids a safe space to become comfortable reading out loud.
To reserve a spot, join us at the Library on the day of the program, and see the reference desk to sign up for your 10-minute session. We will start accepting reservations at 3 pm (not earlier!). First come, first served.
Thursdays in April, 3:30-4:30 pm
Albanian for Kids
Are you looking to learn Albanian, or brush up on language skills you already have? Are you curious about Albanian music, festivals, or history? Join Pelham High School student Selena Nezaj for this Albanian language and culture class just for children ages six to 13!
Fridays, April 4, 11, and 25, 3:30-4:30 pm
Outdoor Story Time
Join us for our popular Story Time for infants and toddlers outside on our front lawn. Story Time is designed to enhance early literacy skills and features diverse children’s books in which all children can see themselves represented… plus we have a lot of fun! Please bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Story Time will be held outdoors throughout the year, but will be cancelled on days when the temperature is above 90° or below 40°, or if it is raining. You may call the Library when we open at 10 am to inquire.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:30-11 am
