This month we will have a teen talk, an annual crafty adults favorite, and a local author talk. For children, there is the return of both musical adventures with the Concordia Conservatory and canine Story Time with Freckle.
Adult Programs and News
30th Anniversary of the Town of Pelham Public Library
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Town of Pelham Public Library, we share the story of the Library’s journey from a tiny book collection in the basement of Hutchinson Elementary School to its present location, which was initially built as a church. Click here to read more about how it all began.
Adult Summer Reading Bingo Winner is Betsy Wines
Betsy is now the proud owner of a new Kindle! Betsy has completed our Summer Reading Bingo a few times and this is the year she won! Her daughter has been urging Betsy to get a Kindle, so of course she was the first person Betsy told when she won. The whole family loves Reading Bingo. Betsy, her mom, and her daughter have all played the game. Betsy loves that it leads them to read each other’s recommendations. Betsy’s favorite genre is Scottish historical fiction so it was quite the change when her sci-fi loving daughter got her hooked on Becky Chambers this year. She says that the book, A Psalm for the Wild Built filled her with so much hope that she jumped right into the second. Betsy not only completed a row but actually read enough to complete 40% of the Bingo sheet. Maybe the Kindle will get her to 50% or even 100% next year! Congrats to Betsy. We hope you have a great year of reading ahead.
Teen Talk with Hope’s Door
This fall, the Library will host a Teen Talk from Hope’s Door to raise awareness about teen dating violence. This program is specifically for teens ages 13-18.
Hope’s Door is a non-profit that seeks to end domestic violence and to empower victims to achieve safety, independence, and healing from the trauma of abuse. We will dive into information about teen dating violence, visit popular “toxic” celebrity relationships, and discuss Netflix dramas and documentaries depicting domestic violence. Join us for conversations about the things we see and experience and to learn how we can become advocates for ourselves and each other.
This is a drop-in program and registration is not required.
Thursday, November 20 from 5-6 pm
Author Talk with Pelham Author Natasha Girshin
Join us for an author talk and book signing with Pelham author Natasha Girshin. Her debut novella, Burnt Olives, is a contemporary novella about a stunted America, the people sent to fight its wars, and what happens once they come home.
Natasha Girshin has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brandeis University. She aspires to work in mental healthcare and recently conducted research on the evolution of PTSD treatment within the VA system throughout the Global War on Terror.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase from the author. This is a drop-in program and registration is not required.
Thursday, November 6 from 5-7 pm
Ranger Talk from Montezuma Castle National Monument
Note: Subject to change due to the Federal Government Shutdown. Nine hundred years ago, the Sinagua people built their apartments into a towering limestone cliff in present-day Arizona. Despite centuries of looting and exposure to the elements, today Montezuma Castle is one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America. This national monument tells a story of ingenuity, survival and ultimately, prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape. Come take a virtual walk through the past (and present) with a Ranger from Montezuma National Monument! This program takes place on Zoom and registration is required. Click here to register.
Thursday, November 13, 11 am – 12 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 November 3 and 17, 6-6:45 pm
Pets and the City with the New York Historical
From the Lenape and Haudenosaunee, to early European and African settlers, to today’s urban families, New Yorkers have always had their animal companions. Join us for this presentation from the New York Historical to explore the visual history of New Yorkers and their pets, and the evolution of our relationships with our furry and feathered friends over the past two and a half centuries. This program takes place on Zoom and registration is required. Click here to register.
Wednesday December 3, 7-8 pm
Tai Chi at the Library
Join Master Yao-Wah Chan for beginning Tai Chi. 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. Please note the time change. Class now begins at 11:30 am.
Tuesdays in November, 11:30 am to 12:25 pm
Mah Jongg
Join us for a drop-in Mah Jongg program for adults ages 18 and up. 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 is offering beginner Mah Jongg classes. For more information, visit their website or call them at 914-738-0153. Please note the time change. Mah Jongg now begins at 12:30 pm.
Tuesdays in November, 12:30-3 pm
Eating in Harmony with Nature with Dr. Kaushik
This series from Dr. Somesh N. Kaushik discusses the effects 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.
Wednesday, November 5, 7-8 pm
Crafty Adults: Miniature Polymer Clay Bottle-Cap Pies
Join our resident artist/instructor Sara Mallach this month for our annual Crafty Adults tradition of “baking” miniature Polymer clay bottle-cap pies for Thanksgiving. Get fancy with a lattice crust top or keep it simple with a basic pinched crust edge and a dollop of decorative “whipped cream.” We’ll make an assortment of adorable pies to take home and show off to family and friends…sure to delight even the pickiest of holiday guests.
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, November 24, 7:15-8:15 pm
Adult Hybrid Book Clubs
The After-Dark Book Club will meet on Thursday, November 13 at 7:30 pm to discuss The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver and on Thursday, December 4 at 7:30 pm to discuss The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt.
The 2nd-Friday Book Club will meet on Friday, November 14 at 10:30 am to discuss Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout. The 2nd-Friday Book Club will be taking a break in December but will return on January 9 at 10:30 am to discuss The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker.
To join, email [email protected]. 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 needlework group for adults and teens. 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
Digitizing Days are now on Wednesdays
Our Time-Warp Tuesdays have become Way-Back Wednesdays. 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.
The Library Will Be Closed Thursday and Friday in Observance of Thanksgiving
The Library will be closed on November 27 and 28. We will reopen on Saturday, November 29 at 10 am. Celebrate the season by coming into the Library to vote on your favorite pie. Pie votes will be gathered between November 14 and November 29. May the best pie win!
Children’s News and Events
Musical Adventures at the Library with Concordia Conservatory
Join storytellers and musicians from Concordia Conservatory for this special Thursday Morning Story Time! This event is made possible by the sponsorship of the Conservatory Music Outreach Fund. Registration is not required, but this is a popular program and spaces fill up quickly.
Thursday, November 13, 10:30-11 am
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.
Wednesdays in November, 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 librarian at 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 November, 3:30-4:30 pm
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.
Thursdays in November, 3:30-4:30 pm
Albanian for Kids
Would you like 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 in November, 3:30-4:30 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, November 1 and 15, 11 am-12 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
