Tewksbury Public Library Events, Week Of Feb. 16, 2025

Press release 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.

Adult Events (In-Person)

IN PERSON: Crafternoon

Wednesday, February 12, 1:30pm

Calling all knitters, crocheters, needle workers, beaders, and colorers! Bring your own craft project to the Library and work on it while enjoying conversation with other crafters. (Please, no crafts involving glue or paint.) Take advantage of the many books available at the library to get ideas for your next project or to explore a new craft. We will be meeting in person.

IN PERSON: Other Worlds Fantasy Book Group -- Nettle & Bone (*RR)

Wednesday, February 19, 6pm

This month, we're reading "Nettle & Bone" by T. Kingfisher. After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince, if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning.

IN PERSON: Play Retro & Modern Video Games with Hit Save! (All Ages)

Thursday, February 20, 11:30am-4:30pm

Explore the history of video games together with Hit Save!, a video game history and preservation nonprofit. All ages are invited to drop in anytime during this event to play video games from retro video gaming systems (e.g., Atari 2600, NES, and PS1) and modern video gaming systems (e.g., Nintendo Switch).

IN PERSON: AFTERNOON MOVIE – A Real Pain (*RR)

Friday, February 21, 1:30pm

Enjoy a screening of one of Hollywood's newest DVD releases – “A Real Pain.” Mismatched cousins reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother, but their old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. Starring Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg. Comedic Drama. R. 1 Hour, 30 Minutes. Doors will open at 1:15pm. Candy & water will be served. A $1 donation is suggested.

Adult Events (Virtual)

VIRTUAL: A Live Virtual Tour of Siena, Tuscany, Italy (*RR)

Tuesday, February 18, 9:30am

Explore the enchanting city of Siena, one of Tuscany's most celebrated destinations, rich in history, art, and vibrant traditions rooted in its 17 districts, or “contrade,” and the world-famous Palio di Siena. Join a virtual walking tour and travel back in time to uncover the city's medieval glory. Guided by Patrizia, a local expert guide, experience the highlights of this historic gem, including the iconic Piazza del Campo and the breathtaking Siena Cathedral.

VIRTUAL: AUTHOR HOUR IN MASSACHUSETTS: Author Christina Clancy (*RR)

Tuesday, February 18, 7pm

Author Christina Clancy will discuss her new novel, The Snowbirds, in conversation with bestselling author Lynda Cohen Loigman, in this installment of "Author Hour in Massachusetts." Clancy is the author of The Second Home and Shoulder Season. Her work has also appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, The Sun magazine, and in various literary journals.

VIRTUAL: Styling with Vintage and Thrift Finds (*RR)

Tuesday, February 18, 7pm

Did you know that you can create a unique wardrobe that suits your “style personality” without breaking the bank? This fun styling workshop will explore ways to treasure hunt for vintage and secondhand clothing and accessories that speak to you and will inspire a new way of dressing. Fill your own closet with a personalized wardrobe that will bring you joy for years to come. Led by Karen (Ren) Antonowicz, the former owner of Nostalgia Antiques & Collectibles in Providence, Rhode Island. She received her Master’s Degree in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design, with a concentration in Historic Costume & Textiles from the University of Rhode Island. She then taught History of Fashion and other courses full time at the college level for 13 years, and taught part time in the CE Program at the RI School of Design.

VIRTUAL: 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group -- Career Story ("Tell Me A Bit About Yourself") (*RR)

Wednesday, February 19, 9:30am

The Massachusetts Library Collaborative's 50+ Job Seekers Group meets via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 9:30am to 11:30am. Informal networking takes place from 9am to 9:30am and 11:30am to noon. If you are unemployed and actively looking, underemployed, seeking a new career direction, re-entering the job market after a long employment gap, or recently retired and looking for your "Encore Career," this networking group program is perfect for you! Remember, 85% of jobs are found through networking! Each biweekly meeting is facilitated by Deborah Hope, MBA, PCIC, an experienced executive career coach.

VIRTUAL: A Migrant Family's Search For Home in Massachusetts (*RR)

Wednesday, February 19, 7pm

Join WBUR journalist Simón Rios as he shares his journey reporting on the plight of migrants in Massachusetts amidst changing shelter policies and shifting political climate. Rios is an award-winning bilingual reporter. At WBUR he covers the ways Greater Boston is changing, with an eye on demographics, immigration and inequality. His most recent work is a 3-part series supported by the Pulitzer Center that follows one family's decision to flee Caribbean nations and migrate to the U.S. The stories reveal the challenges the Eduoards face to find home in Massachusetts. We'll listen to an 8-minute clip and hear from Rios about his reporting, with time for Q&A.

VIRTUAL: The Peace of Lake George Through the Centuries (*RR)

Thursday, February 20, 10:30am

Considered the Queen of American Lakes, Lake George in the Adirondack mountains of New York has inspired numerous artists from the 18th into the 21st century. Explore the Lake George paintings of 19th artists such as Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, Martin Johnson Heade, and John Frederick Kensett. Both Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz were inspired by their summers at Lake George in the 1920s. 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: AUTHOR HOUR IN MASSACHUSETTS: Bestselling Author Sue Lynn Tan (*RR)

Thursday, February 20, 7pm

Bestselling author Sue Lynn Tan will discuss her new romantic fantasy, Immortal, in this installment of "Author Hour in Massachusetts." Tan writes fantasy inspired by the myths and legends she fell in love with as a child. Her books have been nominated for several awards, are USA Today and Sunday Times bestsellers, and has been translated into sixteen languages. Born in Malaysia, Sue Lynn studied in London and France, before moving to Hong Kong.

VIRTUAL: Laura Ingalls Wilder & Charles Wood Irish (*RR)

Thursday, February 20, 7pm

Author Cindy Wilson will deliver a presentation based on her books, The Beautiful Snow: The Ingalls Family, the Railroads, and the Hard Winter of 1880–81 and We Suffered Much: Charles Wood Irish and the Dakota Territory Railroad Survey of 1879–1881. Learn about Charles Wood Irish and his connection to the Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family via the contractors on the railroad and shared time at the Silver Lake railroad camp. Explore Irish’s diaries and letters as well as the writings and history of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

VIRTUAL: Green(er) DeathCare -- Alternatives To Traditional Cemetery Burials & Cremations (*RR)

Thursday, February 20, 7pm

Learn about some of the impacts of what the funeral industry calls traditional deathcare and explore choices people can make now to make more environmentally friendly, green(er) choices. Led by Patti Muldoon, President of Funeral Consumers Alliance of Eastern Massachusetts, a volunteer-run organization promoting a consumer’s right to choose dignified, meaningful and affordable after-death care. She is also an active certified Death Doula, and the Aging Resources Coordinator for New England Quakers.

VIRTUAL: Inclusive & Diverse Book Recommendations

Thursday, February 20, 7pm

Looking for the best books with diverse characters (e.g., BIPOC/LGBTQ+/Neurodivergent, etc.) or by representative authors but not sure what to read next? Join bookstagrammer Leelynn Brady (aka @sometimesleelynnreads), monthly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations by diverse authors and with inclusive storylines.

VIRTUAL: A Visit with the Seashore Trolley Museum & National Streetcar Museum (*RR)

Friday, February 21, 2pm

All aboard! Learn about the history of the trolleys in America in this visit from the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine and its satellite location, the National Street Car Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts. Founded in 1939, the Seashore Trolley Museum is the world's first and largest electric railway museum. The museum is operated by the New England Electric Railway Historical Society, which works to preserve knowledge, context, and resources for future generations by collecting, restoring, operating, and exhibiting significant public transit vehicles and artifacts.

VIRTUAL: AUTHOR HOUR IN MASSACHUSETTS: Bestselling Author Victoria Christopher Murray (*RR)

Friday, February 22, 7pm

Bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray will discuss her new historical fiction novel, Harlem Rhapsody, in this installment of "Author Hour in Massachusetts." Murray is a New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including The Personal Librarian, a Good Morning America book club pick, and The First Ladies, Target’s 2023 Book of the Year, both of which she coauthored with Marie Benedict. She is a NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work for her novel Stand Your Ground, which was also a Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Victoria holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.

Children’s Events (In-Person)

IN PERSON: Kids Test Kitchen (*RR)

Tuesday, February 18, 11am

Parents report that kids come home from Kids’ Test Kitchen EXCITED about fresh ingredients and new recipes! Reluctant eaters learn that food is safe and fun! And everyone practices essential life skills like teamwork, time management, patience, along with the obvious skills like slicing, measuring, and cooking! On a mission to redefine kid food; Kids’ Test Kitchen’s enthusiastic Facilitators get eaters of all ages and abilities, cooking, tasting, and thinking about healthy ingredients! Kids’ Test Kitchen presents kids the opportunity to explore new or familiar foods in their raw, unmanipulated state. Then, working as a team, they’ll slice, dice, peel, measure, and cook until they’ve prepared the finished dish. Class closes with an opportunity to taste the result of their hard work. Students receive a printed recipe card and the focal ingredient - or a sample of the finished dish - so they can show off what they learned! Kids Test Kitchen is open to children in grades 4-5 only.

IN PERSON: Mini Makers (*RR)

Wednesday, February 19, 2:30pm

A variety of craft materials will be provided to inspire kids and unleash their creativity! This event is open to children kindergarten through grade 5. Drop in any time during this time period, but please note that space and supplies are limited.

IN PERSON: Kids Craft – Cardboard Tube Snowman (*RR)

Wednesday, February 19, 4:30pm

Join us to make a snowman to take home and stay with you as winter wraps up! Crafts help us learn critical thinking skills, develop motor skills, and have fun socializing together. Cardboard Tube Snowman is open to children in grades 1-3.

IN PERSON: Preschool Playgroup

Thursday, February 20, 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 Incorporated in collaboration with Tewksbury Public Library.

IN PERSON: Play Retro & Modern Video Games with Hit Save! (All Ages)

Thursday, February 20, 11:30am-4:30pm

Explore the history of video games together with Hit Save!, a video game history and preservation nonprofit. All ages are invited to drop in anytime during this event to play video games from retro video gaming systems (e.g., Atari 2600, NES, and PS1) and modern video gaming systems (e.g., Nintendo Switch).

IN PERSON: Kids Craft – Puppy Puppets

Friday, February 21, 11am

Come make a paper bag puppy puppet! Crafts help us learn critical thinking skills, develop motor skills, and have fun socializing together. Puppy Puppets is open to children in grades 1-3. Registration is not required, but supplies are limited.

Teen Events (In-Person)

IN PERSON: Dino Adventures (Kids & Teens) (*RR)

Tuesday, February 18, 6pm

Dino-Adventures! Featuring fossils, dinosaur skulls, velociraptor claws, dinosaur skin and more Dino artifacts that our audiences can see and touch as well as live animals such as monitor lizards, alligators, scorpions, birds, and snapping turtles, this is a program to excite any dinosaur lover.

IN PERSON: Learn to Play Dungeons & Dragons (*RR)

Wednesday, February 19, 6pm

Always wanted to play D&D but no idea how to get started? Join John Palmer as teaches you the ins and outs of Dungeons & Dragons. After he sets you up with the basics, you'll play in your very first one-shot game! As creativity can take us down many roads, this event may end anywhere between 8:00-8:30pm. This event is open to teens entering grades 6-12. Registration is required. If you are unable to attend after registering, please let us know so we can give your space to someone else. If you know you'll be late, please email Emily at eleggat@tewksburypl.org so we can know to expect you.

IN PERSON: Play Retro & Modern Video Games with Hit Save! (All Ages)

Thursday, February 20, 11:30am-4:30pm

Explore the history of video games together with Hit Save!, a video game history and preservation nonprofit. All ages are invited to drop in anytime during this event to play video games from retro video gaming systems (e.g., Atari 2600, NES, and PS1) and modern video gaming systems (e.g., Nintendo Switch).