Tewksbury Public Library Events for the Week of October 21st

Library To Hold 23 Programs this Week, Including Paint Night, Cooking Class, Meditation, Teen Craft & Halloween Family Fun.

Event Registration

Please register online using our Calendar of Events at http://www.tewksburypl.org or by calling 978- 640-4490.  We strongly recommend registration for programs that are marked *RR.

Adult Events (In-Person)

IN PERSON: Adult Paint Night – Watercolor Fall Leaves (*RR)

Monday, October 21, 7pm

Learn the basics of watercolor painting with an autumn twist! Whether you prefer to draw your own leaves or use our traceable templates, you’ll enjoy watching the vibrant colors mingle and blend using the wet-on-wet technique. Perfect for beginners, this program will ignite your creativity and you’ll leave the class with beautiful fall-themed artwork. Led by an instructor from the Pop Up Art School. All supplies will be provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library through a generous donation from 100 People Who Care Tewksbury.

IN PERSON: Adult Cooking Class – How To Make Hot Sauce & Mash (*RR)

Tuesday, October 22, 7pm

In this class, learn the principles of fermentation via a demonstration of how to make a lactofermented hot sauce and hot pepper mash. Instructor Emily Makrez will show you how to turn hot peppers into a fiery and delicious condiment that will last. The demonstration will include the basic principles of fermentation so you will leave with the knowledge and confidence to be able to safely ferment practically anything! Also learn about the benefits of lacto-fermented food and how adding these foods to our diets are a benefit to our overall health. Emily is the owner of F-Word Farm in Dracut. (The “F” stands for farming, foraging and fermenting.) Sponsored by the Friends of the Library through a generous donation from 100 People Who Care Tewksbury.

IN PERSON: MORNING MOVIE — Inside Out 2 (*RR)

Wednesday, October 23, 10:15am

Enjoy a screening of one of Hollywood’s newest animated films — Inside Out 2. A sequel that features Riley entering puberty and experiencing brand new, more complex emotions as a result. As Riley tries to adapt to her teenage years, her old emotions try to adapt to the possibility of being replaced. Starring the voices of Amy Poehler and Maya Hawke. Animated Coming-Of-Age Comedy. Rated PG. 1 Hour, 36 Minutes. Doors will open at 10am. Candy & water will be served. A $1 donation is suggested. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library and Tewksbury Lions Club.

IN PERSON: Meditation Class (*RR)

Thursday, October 24, 3:30pm

Chris Connolly, RN, BSN, owner of “Living My Dream Yoga,” will lead a 5-week series of meditation classes. Classes will take place from 3:30pm to 4:30pm over five consecutive Thursdays — October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 — in the library’s Meeting Room. Classes are designed for both those who are new to meditation and regular practitioners. This series is sponsored by Winchester Hospital to support safe events for the LGBTQIA+ Community. These classes are open to all.

IN PERSON: AFTERNOON MOVIE — The Boy In The Woods (*RR)

Friday, October 25, 1:30pm

Enjoy a screening of one of Hollywood’s newest DVD releases — The Boy In The Woods. The remarkable true-life survival story of a Jewish boy hiding and being hunted in the forests of Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe. Historical Drama. 1 Hour, 36 minutes. PG-13. Doors will open at 9:30am. Candy & water will be served. A $1 donation is suggested. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library and Tewksbury Lions Club.

Adult Events (Virtual)

VIRTUAL: JOB SEARCH HELP — Insider Insights on the White-Collar Job Market (*RR)

Monday, October 21, 2pm

Delve into the white-collar job market’s future for Q4 of 2024. Using historical economic data from past election years and real-time insights from the presenter’s private clients and recruitment firm, this session will provide a comprehensive analysis of market trends and predictions. Discover how political and economic factors influence job opportunities and get ahead with actionable strategies to navigate the evolving landscape. Gain valuable perspectives to stay competitive and informed. Led by Teegan Bartos, an award-winning resume writer and certified career coach.

VIRTUAL: Environmental & Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet (*RR)

Monday, October 21, 7pm

Meat production and commercial fishing consume lots of natural resources while generating significant amounts of pollution. Learn how to minimize your environmental impact – and benefit your health – with a plant-based diet. Led by Sara Sezun, a volunteer of the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter. She is founder and Chair of their Plant-based Planet Team.

VIRTUAL: Armchair Travel To Saudi Arabia (*RR)

Tuesday, October 22, 10:30am

Saudi Arabia, the largest nation on the Arabian Peninsula, has witnessed enormous changes during the last hundred years – notably, the rise in power of strict religious conservatives and untold wealth from the discovery of the world’s largest source of petroleum. The country’s image internationally has suffered in recent decades as the home of most of the September 11th hijackers and Osama Bin Laden, and most recently the killing of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudi royal family, who has ruled the country since the 1930s, is now embarked on a new course – reducing the nation’s dependence on oil in part by opening the country for tourism, and eliminating the religious police and severely curtailing the influence of religious leaders. It’s far too early to predict whether this new vision will succeed, but based on the travels of the presenter, Barry Pell, this is an exciting time to observe a country on the cusp of change and to meet its warm and hospitable people.

VIRTUAL: The Anglo-Saxons — The Beginnings of England (*RR)

Tuesday, October 22, 2pm

In the early fifth century, Britain was a ruined Roman province – a land of crumbling temples and abandoned villas. By the early eleventh century, it was dominated by a newly forged kingdom called ‘England’–a country of shires, sheriffs, bishops and boroughs. That transformation was caused by the Anglo-Saxons, who arrived as immigrants at the start of the period and quickly established themselves in positions of power. Explore their journey from warlords to kings, from paganism to Christianity, and from a galaxy of competing peoples to a single, unified nation. Led by Dr. Marc Morris, a historian who specializes in the Middle Ages. He studied and taught at the universities of London and Oxford and is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He is the author of the bestseller The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England, as well as The Norman Conquest and biographies of Edward I and King John.

VIRTUAL: The Haunting of Edgar Allan Poe (*RR)

Tuesday, October 22, 7pm

The life of Edgar Allan Poe is as haunting as the ones that fill the stories and poems he composed in his short, often tumultuous life. He was a prominent critic, a short fiction master, a competent poet, and a husband obsessively devoted to his child bride. Now considered one of the great literary geniuses of world literature, in his life Poe was the epitome of the tortured artist who was perpetually misunderstood by family and friends–the mad intellect often derailed by circumstances of his own making. Led by Dr. Bill Thierfelder, a retired college professor who taught a variety of Arts and Humanities courses for 32 years at several New York universities and colleges, including St. John’s University and Dowling College.

VIRTUAL: The History of the Ouija Board (*RR)

Wednesday, October 23, 7pm

Explore the history of the Ouija board, its various uses throughout the ages, and its past and present reputation. Led by Shannon Sylvia, author of Paranormal Unwrapped. Sylvia is a popular paranormal investigator who was a Season 1 cast member of Ghost Hunters International on SyFy and appeared in an episode of Paranormal State on A&E. Her book explores the business side of ghost hunter, whether popular television shows are helping or hindering paranormal research, and how close the scientific community is in proving the existence of ghosts.

VIRTUAL: The Origins and Evolution of Project 2025 (*RR)

Wednesday, October 23, 7pm

Project 2025 has been in the news lately but, for some, it seemed to come out of nowhere. Delve into the history of this document and its origins, which can be traced back through the Reagan Years to a meeting of prominent conservative thought leaders in 1979. Led by Brian M. Conley, Ph.D., a Professor and Chair of the Political Science & Legal Studies Department at Suffolk University. He is the author of The Rise of the Republican Right: From Goldwater to Reagan.

VIRTUAL: A History Of Shipwrecks Near Massachusetts (*RR)

Thursday, October 24, 1pm

The ocean waters off of Massachusetts have been called the Graveyard of the North Atlantic with over 3,000 wrecks here since European sailors first began exploring the shores of the western Atlantic. Because of the hazards experienced by early coastal and trans-Atlantic shipping while sailing these waters, Massachusetts was the 18th century birthplace of the modern United States Coast Guard. Advances in navigation, weather forecasting, response resources, and vessel technology over the past two centuries may have reduced the risks but have not eliminated them. Learn about some of the historic shipwrecks that have occurred south and east of Massachusetts, their causes, and the evolution of response resources and programs. Led by Greg Ketchen, a retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain and President of the Coast Guard Heritage Museum in Barnstable.

VIRTUAL: Art History’s Best Dressed (*RR)
Thursday, October 24, 7pm

Satins, silks, velvets and furs – through the years, artists have flattered their subjects with beautiful clothes rendered with awe-inspiring detail. This lighthearted program reviews some of the great fashions throughout the history of painting (with a few wardrobe malfunctions thrown in for good measure!). Led by art historian Jane Oneail, founder of Culturally Curious, a company that curates and delivers art appreciation programs for audiences worldwide.

VIRTUAL: New England Ghost Stories (“Nefarious New England”) (*RR)

Friday, October 25, 2pm

There’s nothing quite like a New England ghost story. From Peter Rugg’s ghostly carriage ride to the haunting of the Sterling Opera House, there is a wealth of spooky tales that are told all over the northeast. Come hear the cases of the most famous hauntings from each New England state, and decide for yourself if you ought to sleep with the lights on. Led by Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, a librarian by day and a frequent speaker at ComicCons, conferences, and libraries on nights and weekend.

Teen Events (In-Person)

IN PERSON: Teen Homeschool Board Games (*RR)

Monday, October 21, noon

Want to meet other teens? Love playing board games? Join us for a meet and greet geared towards homeschooled teens!  We’ll set up a bunch of board games, grab some new friends and play.  Due to the ability to host multiple people at this event, we will not all be playing the same game.  There will be multiple games happening at different tables so everyone can find a game that they enjoy! This event is for teens in grades 6-12 (ages 11-18) only.

INDOOR: Teen Mini Pumpkin Wreath (*RR)

Tuesday, October 22, 3:30pm

In celebration of autumn, we will be making a fall-themed craft–a mini pumpkin wreath! As always, our events are FREE and supplies will be provided for every registered attendee! If you have any questions, please email Kate, our Teen Library Assistant, at kjennings@tewksburypl.org. This event is open to anyone in grades 6-12.

IN PERSON: Teen Gingerbread Zombies (*RR)

Wednesday, October 23, 6:30pm

Get ready to celebrate October with a creepy, delicious spin!  Get creative and use different edible supplies to decorate your very own gingerbread zombie. 

Children’s Events (In-Person)

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

Monday, October 21, 4pm-5pm (4 15-minute sessions)

Children (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!

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

Tuesday, October 22, 4:30pm-5:30pm (4 15-minute sessions)

Children (especially those struggling with reading) are invited to sign up for a one-on-one session with our service dog Benny on Tuesday afternoons. Barks and Books are open to children reading independently.  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!

IN PERSON: Preschool Playgroup

Thursday, October 24, 11am

Preschool playgroup is a weekly group where kids can meet, play, and learn. Pick up some literacy skills and have some fun while you’re at it! This program is hosted by Community Teamwork.

IN PERSON: Tiny Tykes Story Time

Friday, October 25, 10:15am

Tiny Tykes Storytime is designed for young children ages 0 to 2 years old. Join us for a fun session of stories, songs, fingerplays, and gentle movement that help build early literacy skills. Babies experience the sounds and structure of language through rhythm, rhyme and repetition.

IN PERSON: John Wolforth’s Halloween Story (*RR)

Saturday, October 26, 2pm

John Wolforth will read his spooky Halloween story, The Witch’s Revenge, followed by a craft. This will be fun for the entire family.