Tewksbury Public Library Events, Week Of Jan. 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.

Adult Events (In-Person Only)

IN PERSON: Joe Leary in Concert -- Acoustic Singer-Songwriters of the '60's & 70's (*RR)

Monday, January 22, 7pm

Enjoy Joe Leary's solo acoustic guitar and vocal performances of the music from some of the well-known singer-songwriters of the 60's & 70's, including James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Jim Croce, Neil Young, and Gordon Lightfoot. The inspirations and background history of this musical era will be presented throughout the performance. A 1979 graduate of Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Leary has spent more than half of his life dedicated to the music education of children in both the public and private sectors while still maintaining an active performing schedule.

IN PERSON: Adult Paint Night (“I Love Coffee”) (*RR)

Tuesday, January 23, 7pm

As Valentine's Day approaches, enjoy a painting class featuring a steaming cup of coffee with a heart made of milk floating in the center. Learn to paint this cozy scene with Pop up Art School's guidance in a relaxed and welcoming environment. A limited number of spots are available. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library through a generous donation from 100 People Who Care Tewksbury.

IN PERSON: Meditation Class (*RR)

Wednesday, January 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 four consecutive Wednesdays -- January 3, January 10, January 17 and January 24 -- in the library's Meeting Room. Classes are designed for both those who are new to meditation and regular practitioners. Participants will practice different types of meditation each week. Classes will begin with a settling-in practice with breath work, followed by a few gentle stretches before settling into a comfortable seat (or in a lying down position if a yoga mat is brought). Connolly will then offer a guided meditation followed by 8-10 minutes of stillness. The class will end with an integration that may include silent journaling or a poetry reading. Connolly, a retired 43-year registered nurse, is a certified 500-hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher, Level 1 iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher, and Reiki II Practitioner.

IN PERSON: Afternoon Movie – Equalizer 3 (*RR)

Friday, January 26, 1:30pm

Enjoy a screening of one of Hollywood's newest DVD releases -- Equalizer 3. Robert McCall finds himself at home in Southern Italy but he discovers his friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends' protector by taking on the mafia. (You can enjoy the third installment of the series without having seen the first two.) Starring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning. Action/Crime/Thriller. Rated R. 1 Hour, 49 Minutes. Doors will open at 1:15pm. Candy & water will be served. A $1 donation is suggested.

IN PERSON: Adult Trivia Night – Mythology Trivia (*RR)

Friday, January 26, 6pm

Test your knowledge of all of things mythology by answering 50 questions (five rounds of 10) created by librarian and trivia host extraordinaire Kat Lewin. Organize a team or play solo and be your own team! Join us for a night of snacks, prizes, and trivia! Please note this trivia night is in-person and after hours at the library.

OUTDOOR: Winter Walk On The Pinnacle Trail + Hot Chocolate At The Library

Saturday, January 27, 10am

Enjoy a guided winter walk of Tewksbury's Pinnacle Trail. This easy hike, which will be led by Open Space & Recreation Committee member Bruce Shick, is a 2.2-mile round trip and will last approximately 90 minutes. The trail features some boardwalks and nice marsh views. Please park at the Ogonowski Memorial Model Flying Field (240 Pinnacle Street). The trail begins across the street from the field. Parking is limited to 20 cars. After the hike, drop by the Library, which is less than a five-minute drive from the trail, to chat with other participants and celebrate your completion of the winter walk with some hard-earned hot chocolate.

Adult Events (Virtual Only)

VIRTUAL: The Making of Mean Girls (and Why We're Still So Obsessed with It) (*RR)

Monday, January 22, 7pm

Author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong will discuss her brand new book, So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls (And Why We're Still So Obsessed with It). Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mean Girls! (Feel old?) Explore the totally fetch story of one of the most iconic teen comedies of all time -- how it happened, how it defined a generation, “like, invented” meme culture, and why it just won’t go away, filled with exclusive interviews from the director, cast, and crew. Get in, loser. We’re going back to 2004.

VIRTUAL: 'All About Agatha' Podcast Host & Author Kemper Donovan Discusses "The Busy Body" (*RR)

Monday, January 22, 7pm

Author Kemper Donovan will discuss his latest mystery, The Busy Body. Veep meets Agatha Christie in this intelligent, wildly funny, literary mystery for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz, and Nita Prose. A ghostwriter is chosen to collaborate on a presidential candidate’s memoir, only to discover just how much trouble a smart woman with time on her hands can get up to! Kemper Donovan, a graduate of Stanford and Harvard Law, is an acclaimed author and host of the podcast “All About Agatha.”

VIRTUAL: Historic New England Armchair Tour (*RR)

Tuesday, January 23, 12:30pm

With 38 historic properties and 1,284 acres of landscapes, farms and gardens in five New England states, Historic New England is the oldest and largest regional heritage organization in the nation. This virtual tour with Melinda Huff, Museum Operations Manager at Historic New England, will showcase examples from the vast collection of buildings, landscapes, and objects, and feature properties such as Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, CT; Eustis Estate in Milton, MA; Beauport in Gloucester, MA; Gropius House in Lincoln, MA; Lyman Estate Greenhouses in Waltham, MA; and Casey Farm in Saunderstown, RI.

VIRTUAL: How 500 Years of Colonization Has Impacted the Abenaki Peoples of the Northeast (*RR)

Tuesday, January 23, 7pm

The "People of the Dawnland" (Abenaki/Wabanaki) of New Hampshire and the Northeast are the first Indigenous peoples in North America to have had contact with Europeans. In this presentation ("Who Now Shall Judge The Indians"), examine how European colonization of North America impacted generations of Abenaki/Wabanaki people. Discover the ways in which the Abenaki/Wabanaki peoples have acted as agents of their own change through education, self-advocacy, efforts to revitalize their languages and traditional arts, and by working with archeologists, anthropologists, and scientists to recover and reveal more about their history and traditional knowledge. Led by Anne Jennison, a traditional Native American storyteller and historian of European and Abenaki heritage. She is the current Chair of the New Hampshire Commission on Native American Affairs, a member of the the Indigenous New Hampshire Collaborative Collective, and an affiliate faculty member for the University of New Hampshire Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) Minor.

VIRTUAL: The Life & Legacy of Hedy Lamar -- The Beauty & The Inventor (*RR)

Tuesday, January 23, 7pm

Hedy Lamarr was the “bombshell” actress who starred in such hit films as Algiers (1938), Lady of the Tropics (1939), Boom Town (1940) and Samson and Delilah (1949). But she was also an inventor who created technology that is still used today in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi systems. Lamarr was an eccentric shoplifter and a famous recluse who spent much of her last thirty years communicating with the outside world for six or seven hours a day via telephone. She was all of these things and so much more. Discover one of the more fascinating life stories of the 20th century. 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. He holds a Ph.D. in English, with minors in theater, art history and music history.

VIRUTAL: Growing Blueberries in Your Home Garden (*RR)

Wednesday, January 24, 10:30am

The Center for Disease Control calls them a Powerhouse Fruit, the Mayo Clinic calls them a Superfood, but we just call them delicious. Blueberries are small dark indigo berries that grow on flowering bushes; they're especially popular in Maine. Sweet and tasty, blueberries are an easy low-calorie snack. Not just a versatile treat - blueberries also have many health benefits. Blueberries can be consumed fresh or frozen, without losing any of the health benefits, vitamins, and minerals. Today we will present successful practices for growing this wonderful, healthy fruit. Led by Barb McIntosh, a gardener for more than 40 years and a certified Massachusetts Master Gardener since 2016.

VIRTUAL: Another Look Inside the Hammond Castle Museum (*RR)

Wednesday, January 24, 1pm

Get a virtual tour of the Hammond Castle Museum, the unique, medieval-style, castle-like home and museum of noted scientist John Hays Hammond Jr. Learn about Hammond's incredible life as one of the most prolific inventors in U.S. history with over 500 patents registered throughout his career. Known as "the father of radio control," Hammond was a pioneer in many technologies, including television and sound recording, and was friends with Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, and Alexander Graham Bell. Also explore Hammond's incredible collection of ancient, medieval and Renaissance artifacts. Led by John Leysath, Curatorial Director at Hammond Castle Museum, located in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

VIRTUAL: Crows in Winter with the Mass Audubon (*RR)

Thursday, January 25, 10:30am

Crows gather by the thousands each late afternoon during the Massachusetts winter, a spectacular natural history event that takes place in urban areas across the state and beyond. It is an amazing sight to see huge numbers of birds streaming across the skies, resting in trees, and flying in circles before settling down for the night. Why they do this, where are they located, and what we can observe at these communal roosts will be answered, as well as learning the habits and identification of this common bird with uncommon intelligence. Led by Patti Steinman, the Education Coordinator for Mass Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries, based out of Arcadia in Easthampton and Northampton. She has worked at Mass Audubon for 30 years, developing and overseeing programs for adults, families, and children, and she currently oversees Arcadia’s outdoor nature preschool.

VIRTUAL: Andy Warhol’s Fifteen Minutes of Fame (*RR)

Thursday, January 25, 7pm

Pop artist Andy Warhol famously elevated everyday objects - like soup cans - to works of fine art. His paintings, silkscreens and photography often focused on American consumerism, not just of products, but of celebrities and images themselves. Explore the abbreviated life, artwork and enduring legacy of the artist who predicted “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for fifteen minutes." Led by art historian Jane Oneail, founder of Culturally Curious, a company that curates and delivers art appreciation programs for audiences worldwide. With a Master’s in Art History from Boston University and a Master’s in Education from Harvard University, Oneail has worked at some of New Hampshire's most esteemed cultural institutions, including as Executive Director of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and Senior Educator at the Currier Museum of Art.

VIRTUAL: The Current State of Marriage and Family in America (*RR)

Friday, January 26, 10:30am

Explore the latest research and trends in America as it pertains to marriage, divorce, cohabitation, family formation, courtship and dating, and the intersection of religion and family. Led by Skip Burzumato, Senior Instructor of Sociology at Bridgewater College. He previously served as Associate Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, as well as the Executive Director of the Institute for Family Studies.

Children’s Events (In-Person Only)

Tiny Tykes Story Time

Monday, January 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.

Music & Movement

Monday, January 22, 2pm

Get your dance on with Munchkin Music & Movement! Join us for songs, dances, rhymes, and fun!

Sprouts Story Time

Tuesday, January 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.

Maker Craft

Wednesday, January 24, 4pm

Join us and learn how to make a really cool craft! This activity is designed for at ages 7-11.

Lego Club

Wednesday, January 24, 6pm

Join Miss Kat for Lego Cub every other Wednesday night. 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.

Preschool Playgroup

Thursday, January 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.

Teen Events (In-Person Only)

IN PERSON: Yarn-Wrapped Crafts (*RR)

Tuesday, January 23, 3:30pm

Join us for a unique and fun craft--yarn-wrapped creations! We will be gluing cardboard together either using pre-cut patterns or creating your own, and we will wrap them in colorful yarn to make them come to life. Use it as a decoration, a keychain, an ornament, or anything you'd like! Materials will be provided for every registered attendee, so be sure to register! 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.