Indigenous Peoples' Day, October 10

The Native American Heritage Trail of the Upper Housatonic River Valley is a collaborative project of the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians, and numerous other partners. Weatogue, in northeastern Salisbury, is one of a number of localities described and suggested for a visit. Weatogue is on the Housatonic River at the northern end of Weatogue Road, just south of the Massachusetts border and Bartholomew’s Cobble: "Archaeological evidence suggests that Native American settlement occurred in this area for at least 7,000 years prior to European contact. Locations on the river were favorable for seasonal fishing, and local tradition holds that an Indian fording place was located near here. Weatogue Road almost certainly evolved from an ancient Indian trail."  See: www.nativeamericantrail.org

Current Fiction Book Group – Led by Claudia Cayne

October 15 - 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm 

“Promise” by Damon Galgut

Haunted by an unmet promise, the Swart family loses touch after the death of their matriarch. Adrift, the lives of the three siblings move separately through the uncharted waters of South Africa. Reunited by four funerals over three decades, the dwindling family reflects the atmosphere of its country—one of resentment, renewal, and, ultimately, hope.

In person in the Oak Room for those who are vaccinated and comfortable.

Registration link – register once for all current fiction book groups

Medicare Fundamentals and 2023 Updates

Sunday October 22, 2:45-3:45 

SML, The Oak Room, in person *

Robert Quinlan, an insurance professional and educator, will discuss the pathways to medicare, how and when to enroll, prescription drug plans, and 2023 updates. 

In person

if you prefer to participate via Zoom, please note in registration 

Registration

INSTITUTE FOR AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES, WASHINGTON, CONNECTICUT

As They Speak: Native Voices in Today’s Literature – Virtual Book Club

Wednesday, October 26

7:00 pm on Zoom

October Title: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Looking to expand your reading list and discuss a variety of issues and topics important to Native people? Consider joining the Institute for American Indian Studies' virtual book club, "As They Speak: Native Voices in Today’s Literature." In advance of the author’s visit to Washington, Connecticut, the group will be reading and discussing Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Citizen Potawatomi Nation). As a botanist, Dr. Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer demonstrates how other living beings offer us gifts and lessons, even if we have forgotten how to hear their voices and reminds us that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgement and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. Join the virtual conversation hosted by IAIS staff on Zoom.  In order to have a more intimate conversation, space is limited. 

REGISTER FOR THE TALK  

Further information on programs and exhibitions at IAIS: https://www.iaismuseum.org/

Cast Plaster Magic

Saturday, October 29

2:00-3:15  

Grace Bristow, a recent graduate of Washington University and an accomplished sculptor, will lead a class in creating small sculptures with cast plaster. The class is equally suitable for adults who wish to learn the basics of cast sculpture and for children who may wish to create special objects for this Halloween weekend. (Children will need to be accompanied by an adult.) Attendees may bring in small, handheld objects that may easily be imprinted such as leaves, twigs, or miniature charms. SML will provide a number of Halloween-themed objects, such as plastic spiders and miniature witch’s broomsticks for the same purpose. All attendees are welcome to take their sculptures home. 

Grace Bristow is a multimedia artist who misuses materials to explore structural and metaphorical integrity, time, and the accidental. She holds a BFA in Studio Art from Washington University in St. Louis, where her focus was primarily sculpting in plaster. Having grown up in Lakeville, she is influenced by natural phenomena: weather, topography, and the mysteries of intuition.

Registration requested. 

SML will supply clay, plaster, objects, and work tables.   The event will take place outside in the Buttons Garden.  In the event of rain, we will move to the Wardell Community Room.

Nonfiction Book Talks, with Special Guests

Beginning Sunday,

November 13, 4.00- 5:00 p.m.

The Oak Room, SML 

Readers are invited to take part in a presentation and discussion of one book almost every month. The selection of books will include current and older books representing a variety of nonfiction forms including memoir, biography, history, and natural history. Whenever possible we will invite a special guest with an affinity for a particular book to present and lead the discussion. 

The first book to be presented will be Oliver Sacks’ The Island of the Color Blind (1997), an enchanting memoir that features the natural history of a chain of South Pacific islands. May Castleberry, Coordinator of Adult Programs at SML (and the editor of an artist’s book inspired by Sack’s text which she will bring to the meeting) will lead the discussion. SML will make books available in advance of the meeting, although reading the book in advance is not required. 

The meeting will be held in person. Please come if you are vaccinated and comfortable. Or you are welcome to join by Zoom. 

Registration encouraged

Sign up for  Zoom

Therapeutic Breath and Movement with Suzanne Mazzarelli

Thursdays, 10:30 AM, Zoom

A sampler of gentle somatic movement, Yoga, Qi Gong, and more! No experience is necessary. This class is easily adaptable for people of all ages and ability levels. Suzanne is a certified Yoga Therapist who believes strongly in the body’s innate ability to heal, and the power of mind-body practices to support wellness at any age.

Join here

Bridge with John Dippel at SML

Classes meet on Wednesdays, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Local resident John Dippel is offering a course on “Bridge Basics," held in the main circulation room of SML. The course will cover evaluating your cards, bidding fundamentals, and playing the hand. It will run through the fall. If you want to join, send an email to [email protected]. Please include your phone and email address, as well as the level of bridge you’re interested in. Couples and singles are both welcome. Dippel, a historian, and author returned to playing bridge when he moved to Salisbury ten years ago and took a similar course. He has been playing regularly in town ever since.

The Scoville Memorial Library is pleased to offer Passes to institutions including the Mark Twain House, Hartford, the White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield, and many others.

For more information:

Read Here  Or stop by the Library.

Visit Our Website