Tewksbury Library Program Calendar, Week Of April 22, 2024

Information via Tewksbury Public Library

Event Registration

Please register online using our Calendar of Events at www.tewksburypl.org or by calling 978- 640-4490. We strongly recommend registration for programs that are marked *RR. Thank you to the Friends of the Library for generously sponsoring our programs.

All Ages (In-Person)

IN PERSON: Art In Bloom

Friday, April 26, 10am-4pm

Saturday, April 27, 9am-4pm

Sunday, April 28, 1pm-4pm

Spend your weekend exploring the library as it transforms into a vibrant landscape of flowers and greenery! Tewksbury Garden Club members will display original floral interpretations of artwork and books provided by local artists, including Tewksbury Memorial High School Students, Tewksbury Piecemakers Quilting Guild, Tewksbury Historical Society, and Tewksbury Public Library as interpreted and designed by Tewksbury Garden Club members. This event is free and open to all ages. No registration is required to attend.

Adult Events (In-Person)

IN PERSON: Comedian Jerry Caruso Presents "Laughter Is The Best Medicine" (*RR)

Monday, April 22, 7pm

Learn about the many benefits of laughter in this hilarious presentation from stand-up comedian Jerry Caruso. Enjoy some clean family humor about Jerry's life, interspersed with facts about how laughing helps your brain, heart, lungs, stomach, bloodstream, and more. Jerry stresses we must learn to laugh and laugh more often. In addition to his work a stand-up comedian, Jerry is an actor for Murder Mystery USA, an instructor of Stand-Up Comedy at community colleges, a talk show host, a motivational speaker, and the founder of "Comics For A Cure" organization, which raised funds for the Friends of the Tewksbury Library at a Comedy Night this past fall.

IN PERSON: 1950's Sock Hop with Esmerelda Clump (*RR)

Tuesday, April 23, 7pm

Enjoy an evening of music, trivia, dancing and old-fashioned fun at Esmerelda's Sock-Hop. Learn the cha-cha and the stroll. Remember the 1950's along with us. Door prizes. Trivia prizes. Tewksbury's Carol Anne Robitaille ("Esmerelda Clump") has spent most of her life entertaining, choreographing, and directing shows. She is now retired and is a well-known karaoke singer in the area. She also regularly entertains at local nursing homes. (She says they like her there because they don't have up to turn up their hearing aids.)

IN PERSON: Meditation Class (*RR)

Wednesday, April 24, 11am

Chris Connolly, RN, BSN, owner of "Living My Dream Yoga," will lead a 4-week series of meditation classes. Classes will take place from 11am to noon over three consecutive Wednesdays – April 3, 10, 17 and 24 -- in the library's Meeting Room. Classes are designed for both those who are new to meditation and regular practitioners.

IN PERSON: Neverland Book Club

Wednesday, April 24, 1:30pm

The Neverland Book Club is a club for adults, where we read children's books! We will be meeting on the last Wednesday of each month at 1:30pm. This month, we will be discussing Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book One: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan. Books can be picked up at the circulation desk up to a month prior to the book club date. No registration is required. If you would like to join us via Zoom, please contact [email protected] and we will send you the link.

IN PERSON: The Page-Turners Fiction Book Group

Wednesday, April 24, 6:30pm

This month, join us for a discussion of Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. New members are always welcome! Copies of the book are available at the Front Desk one month prior to meeting. We will be meeting in person, in the meeting room on the first floor of the library. Please email Nicole Goolishian at [email protected] with any questions.

IN PERSON: AFTERNOON MOVIE – Napoleon (*RR)

Friday, April 26, 1:30pm

Enjoy a screening of one of Hollywood's newest DVD releases -- Napoleon, which was nominated for 3 Academy Awards this year. An epic that details the chequered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and directed by Ridley Scott. Action/Adventure. R. 2 Hours, 38 Minutes. Doors will open at 1:15pm. Candy & water will be served. A $1 donation is suggested.

Adult Events (Virtual Only)

VIRTUAL: JOB SEARCH HELP -- Avoiding Job Search Scams (*RR)

Monday, April 22, 2pm

There has been a big increase in fraudulent job postings and income scams. This interactive virtual workshop will include tips for spotting scams and learning how to protect your identity during your job search. In addition, we’ll take a look at AARP’s fraud fighting resources on the Fraud Watch Network as well as AARP’s job search resources for 50+ job seekers. Led by Alice Diamond, a career and admissions coach who formerly served as Associate Dean of Career and Community Service at Lesley University in Cambridge. Alice speaks about fraud and identity theft to community groups, libraries and senior centers as part of the Massachusetts AARP Speakers Bureau, and also volunteers on the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline.

VIRTUAL: Author Michelle Collins Anderson Discusses "The Flower Sisters" (*RR)

Monday, April 22, 7pm

Author Michelle Collins Anderson will discuss her new historical novel, The Flower Sisters. Drawing on the little-known true story of one tragic night at an Ozarks dance hall in the author’s Missouri hometown, this beautifully written, endearingly nostalgic novel picks up 50 years later for a folksy, character-driven portrayal of small-town life, split second decisions, and the ways family secrets reverberate through generations. Anderson grew up on a farm in the Missouri Ozarks — a place and a way of life that has shaped her writing. A graduate of the University of Missouri with an MFA from Warren Wilson College, she previously worked in advertising and public relations, taught elementary school creative writing, and was an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri and Stephens College.

VIRTUAL: The History of Ireland -- The Great Famine To Present Day (*RR)

Tuesday, April 23, 10:30am

Enjoy an overview of Irish history from the Great Famine to present day. During the 19th Century, the Great Famine and huge emigration led to land reform, revolution and Irish Independence. A great deal of unrest followed but the Good Friday agreement and the Celtic Tiger improved conditions greatly. Today, most Irish are happy with current living conditions and optimistic about the future. Led by Tom Toohey, a modern day Irish storyteller who has traveled to Ireland 19 times and collected hundreds of stories. He comes to this tradition naturally as his parents were great storytellers. In the last few years, Tom has recorded his family stories in a four-volume book called Images of Other Lives. Tom was a teacher over 40 years, having taught all levels from elementary school through graduate school as a public school teacher, adjunct professor and educational consultant. Tom has a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and a M.M. from the University of Hartford.

VIRTUAL: JOB SEARCH HELP -- The Importance of LinkedIn (*RR)

Tuesday, April 23, 6:30pm

Did you know that there are over 467 million LinkedIn users worldwide? Two people join every second of every day. Review best practices as they relate to online profile creation and managing one’s account. Then discuss the many additional usages of LinkedIn including the importance of joining groups and getting others to offer testimonials. Led by Gary Gekow, a Senior Employment Specialist/Career Coach with 30 years of recruiting and employment services experience in the Boston staffing industry.

VIRTUAL: The Holmes You Never Knew -- Black American Adaptations Then & Now (*RR)

Tuesday, April 23, 7pm

Audiences worldwide recognize Sherlock Holmes as the archetypal founding father of all great (white) fictional detectives. What they don’t know is that, almost from his very inception, there has been an important yet mostly unknown counter tradition of Black American Sherlock Holmes characters reaching back as far as 1903. Explore the fascinating— and sometimes troubling —media history of Black Sherlock Holmes adaptations across genres as wide-ranging as Broadway musicals and silent film to American jazz, graphic novels, dystopian fiction, and fan fiction. Led by Dr. Ann McClellan, the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at State University of New York Cortland, and former professor of English and department chair at Plymouth State University. She is the author of Sherlock's World: Fan Fiction and the Reimagining of BBC's Sherlock.

VIRTUAL: Inside Vernal Pools with the Mass Audubon (*RR)

Wednesday, April 24, 10:30am

As winter comes to an end, woodland depressions and low-lying areas fill with water from melting snow and spring rains. The resulting vernal pools provide a critical breeding habitat for a variety of organisms. Discover what constitutes a vernal pool and what organisms rely on them for part of their life cycle. Led by Ian Ives, Director at Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture, Ashumet, Barnstable Great Marsh and Skunknett River Wildlife Sanctuaries on Cape Cod.

VIRTUAL: The Best Small Museums in Massachusetts (*RR)

Wednesday, April 24, 7pm

Take a peek inside the collections of some of the dozens of unique, esoteric and fascinating museums scattered across the state. In her quest to visit as many Massachusetts museums as possible, author Alison O'Leary (often accompanied by mom, Mavis) finds mind-blowing exhibits, kooky artifacts, and fascinating backstories of how these repositories were developed. O'Leary is the author of several books, including Best Day Hikes Near Boston, and co-author with Michael Tougias of Attacked at Sea. She is a longtime journalist who has worked for a number of publications, including as a correspondent for the Boston Globe and editor of The Boston Parents' Paper.

VIRTUAL: Floral Paintings Through The Centuries (*RR)

Thursday, April 25, 10:30am

Flowers have been an inspiration to artists for centuries. Explore the changes in artistic style from the Dutch floral artists of the 17th century, including several outstanding women artists, through the sunflowers of Van Gogh and the irises of Georgia O’Keeffe. The paintings of contemporary floral artists will also be seen. Led by Martha Chiarchiaro, owner of Seeing History, who has brought history to life through the art of the times for more than 30 years. She received her Masters’ degree in the History of Art from Williams College and provides a variety of art history presentations at the Worcester Art Museum, the Worcester Institute for Senior Education (WISE), libraries, senior centers, and garden clubs.

VIRTUAL: Claude Monet -- Impressions From Nature (*RR)

Thursday, April 25, 7pm

Claude Monet was the founder of French Impressionism, a revolutionary style that involves working outside and rapidly executing sketchy paintings to capture momentary effects of light and shadow. Monet returned to familiar outdoor subjects throughout his career, culminating with his beloved series on the water lilies in his garden in Giverny. Trace the artist’s life and career, including many of his most beloved works. Led by art historian Jane Oneail, founder of Culturally Curious, a company that curates and delivers art appreciation programs for audiences worldwide.

Teen Events (In-Person)

IN PERSON: Teen Friendship Bracelets (*RR)

Tuesday, April 23, 3:30pm

Swing by and join us in making Friendship Bracelets! We have wide selection of beads and materials to choose from--whether you are creating bracelets with your favorite lyrics, your name, or even matching bracelets for you and your BFF--the possibilities are endless! Materials will be provided for every registered attendee, so be sure to register below while supplies last! If you have any questions, please email Kate, our Teen Library Assistant, at [email protected]. This event is open to anyone in grades 6-12.

IN PERSON: Teen Anime Club (*RR)

Wednesday, April 24, 3:30pm

Join Kate for snacks and anime at our Anime Club meeting in person. This month we'll be watching "Welcome to Demon-School, Iruma-kun!". This anime is rated TV-14. This event is open to grades 6-12.

Children’s Events (In-Person)

IN PERSON: Tiny Tykes Story Time

Monday, April 22, 11am

Tiny Tykes Storytime is designed for young children ages 0 to 18 months. Older siblings are always welcome to join in. Join us for a fun session of stories, songs, fingerplays, instruments, and gentle movement that help build early literacy skills. Babies experience the sounds and structure of language through rhythm, rhyme and repetition.

IN PERSON: Barks & Books with Diamond (*RR)

Monday, April 22, 4pm-5pm

Kids (especially those struggling with reading) are invited to sign up for a one-on-one session with our service dog Diamond on Monday afternoons. Each session lasts for 15 minutes in private - just you, Diamond, and her human Mom, Suzanne. Bring your own book or borrow one of ours to read. This is a great way to build literacy confidence and fluency with a non-judgmental canine reading partner! For students reading independently in Grades K to 5.

IN PERSON: Sprouts Story Time

Tuesday, April 23, 11am

Join Miss Kat for stories, songs, movement, instruments, dancing and more, and get your early literacy skills on! Sprouts Storytime is designed for is designed for little ones 18 months through 4 years, but siblings are always welcome.

IN PERSON: Barks & Books with Benny (*RR)

Tuesday, April 23, 4:30pm-5:30pm

Kids (especially those struggling with reading) are invited to sign up for a one-on-one session with our service dog Benny on Tuesday afternoons. Each session lasts for 15 minutes in private - just you, Benny, and his human Mom, Melanie. Bring your own book or borrow one of ours to read. This is a great way to build literacy confidence and fluency with a non-judgmental canine reading partner! For students reading independently in Grades K to 5.

IN PERSON: Lego Club

Wednesday, April 24, 4pm

Join Miss Kat for Lego Club! We'll provide the Legos, and you can build whatever you can dream up in sixty minutes. This program is intended for kids ages 6-11. No registration is required.

IN PERSON: Barks & Books with Misty (*RR)

Wednesday, April 24, 4pm-5pm

Kids (especially those struggling with reading) are invited to sign up for a one-on-one session with our service dog Misty on Wednesday afternoons. Each session lasts for 15 minutes in private - just you, Misty, and his human Mom, Dianne. Bring your own book or borrow one of ours to read. This is a great way to build literacy confidence and fluency with a non-judgmental canine reading partner! For students reading independently in Grades K to 5.

IN PERSON: Pokémon Club

Wednesday, April 24, 6pm

Calling all Pokémon trainers! TPL is starting a Pokémon Club for fans like you! Bring your cards to trade and show off! Battle a friend! Learn to draw Pikachu! No registration is required, please just come on by!

IN-PERSON: Preschool Playgroup

Thursday, April 25, 11am

Preschool Playgroup is back! Learn some literacy skills and have some fun while you're at it! This program is hosted by Community Teamwork.

IN PERSON: Haitian Creole Bilingual Story Hour (*RR)

Thursday, April 25, 3pm

The Community Teamwork Family Resource Network is here weekly! Practice using your home language with us! Our staff will be here with an interpreter speaking Haitian Creole. At our playgroup we will work on Early Literacy skills and more! Ask CTI about any resources they can help provide for you and your family. This program is for children aged 0-5. The Family Resource Network is funded by the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant (CFCE) from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

IN PERSON: Sprouts Craft

Friday, April 26, 11am

Join us to make a fun craft! This craft is designed for kids aged 2-6.