Library News: Getting Started With Investing on Oct. 18; Understanding The Aging Brain on Oct. 19

Adult Events

VIRTUAL: JOB SEARCH HELP -- Create A Standout Resume (*RR)

Monday, October 17, 2pm

Searching for a job in today’s competitive, online job market means your experience and skills need to stand out from all the rest. This session will cover current resume best practices, including tips about what information to include, what to leave off, as well as formatting and content guidelines to give your experience more impact. Bring your resume questions for the Q&A afterward. Led by Elizabeth Gross, a former marketing executive at Monster.com and owner of Job Search Divas. 

VIRTUAL: TEWKSBURY WRITING GROUP -- Writing Advice From Horror Author Chris Philbrook (*RR)

Monday, October 17, 7pm

Are you a writer -- or an aspiring writer -- looking for some support? The new Tewksbury Writing Group, which generally meets the third Monday evening of every month, is open to everyone who's interested in writing -- all genres, all skill levels. Each meeting -- which will take place via Zoom -- features a guest speaker (typically a published author or editor) offering some tips of the trade. The October 2022 guest speaker is Chris Philbrook. Philbrook is the creator and author of Adrian’s Undead Diary, The Reemergence, The Darkness of Diggory Finch, Colony Lost, and the fantasy world of Elmoryn. Chris has several years of experience working in game development and editing as well as writing fiction for several major game design companies. He co-owns Latchkey Comics, LLC with friend and artist Jason Casey. He has a business degree as well as a psychology degree. Chris calls the wonderful state of New Hampshire his home. He is an avid reader, writer, role player, miniatures game player, video game player, handmade dice maker, husband, and father to two little girls.

VIRTUAL: Mindfulness & Meditation Class -- Earth Meditation (*RR)

Monday, October 17, 7:30pm

Practice clearing your mind, being in the present moment and reducing stress in this 30-minute class. Participants are welcome to find a quiet, comfortable space to relax and join mindfulness teacher, Lauren Masse. Learn how to practice daily mindfulness and calm your mind and body. Lauren will focus on a different type of meditation for each session. This series runs on Mondays -- October 3 (Gentle Relaxation), October 17 (Earth Meditation) and October 24 (Mindfulness for Stress Relief) -- at 7:30pm. Lauren Masse is dedicated and committed to supporting others in their mental and physical wellness journeys. She studied Psychology and Public Health at UMass Amherst, and has a Master’s of Public Health from Boston University. She is a certified Holistic Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She founded Mindful Minis Boston in 2018 and offers mindfulness classes and private coaching.

IN PERSON: Field Trip To Public Health Museum (*RR)

Tuesday, October 18, 11am

Come explore the Public Health Museum in this special guided tour. The Museum preserves records and artifacts from our nation’s public health history while educating the public about the achievements and contributions of public health. There are exhibits on Tuberculosis, Polio, Patent Medicines, Dentistry, and much more. While visiting the Museum, you will also see the remarkably preserved 1930s Works Progress Administration (WPA) murals which highlight the industries of Massachusetts. Meet at the Museum, located on the grounds of the Tewksbury State Hospital, behind the library. (It's best to enter off of East Street.) Limited to 20 spots.

VIRTUAL: A Trip To Venice's Canals & Islands with Jack Holmes (*RR)

Tuesday, October 18, 2pm

Romantic Venice captures the heart. Its canals and gondolas are legendary. Visit its iconic canals, neighborhoods and islands in this virtual armchair travel presentation from Jack Holmes, a travel photographer and owner of "Images From Near and Far" at Western Avenue Studios in Lowell. A retired high school teacher, Holmes previously served as President of the Greater Lynn Photographic Association and Gallery Manager of the Loading Dock Gallery in Lowell. He regularly gives armchair travel presentations to senior centers and libraries in the area.

VIRTUAL: Indigenous Peoples' Day Panel -- Spirituality, Land Rights & Water Protection (*RR)

Tuesday, October 18, 7pm

Join us as we honor Indigenous Peoples Day with a special program that will open with traditional Danza and prayer, followed by a panel discussion on Water Protection Rights. Panelists include Hiawatha Brown (Narragansett Elder), Liz Santana-Kiser (Nipmuc Elder) Kasike Jorge Estevez (Taino) and Robert Quesada (Mexika/Aztec). Learn about Indigenous Spirituality as it relates to water; issues concerning water quality, fishing rights and industrial pollution; and land rights and what we can do to contribute to equitable access for all.

VIRTUAL: Getting Started With Investing (*RR)

Tuesday, October 18, 7pm

Do you want to begin investing but don't know where to start? This fun and interactive workshop will help you learn about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs, and how to choose investments that make sense for you. Led by instructors from the Babson Financial Literacy Program, a not-for-profit program designed to?help adults acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for long-term financial prosperity and independence.

VIRTUAL: JOB SEARCH HELP FOR 50 & OVER -- LinkedIn and Personal Branding (*RR)

Wednesday, October 19, 9:30am

The Massachusetts Library Collaborative's 50+ Job Seekers Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 9:30am to 11:30am, via Zoom. 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! Join us in a professional forum for networking with peers in a safe and comfortable environment conducive to developing new relationships and developing skills and strategies to help in your career transition. Each meeting features a new topic. Meetings include a presentation and hands-on workshop on topics relevant to career transition, guest speakers, access to hiring managers, small group breakout rooms to network, and 1-on-1 coaching guidance. Participating on a regular basis will give job seekers the many tools and strategies needed for a successful job search. Each biweekly meeting is facilitated by Deborah Hope, MBA, PCIC, an experienced executive career coach.

VIRTUAL: All About Hawks with the Mass Audubon (*RR)

Wednesday, October 19, 11am

Learn all about the seven species of hawks most likely to be encountered in Massachusetts, including how to tell them apart, their life cycles, and their hunting abilities. Many local hawks migrate to their wintering grounds in Central and South America each fall, which provides a perfect opportunity for observers like you. You’ll also learn about how hawk conservation relies on policies and actions that protect hawk habitats and keep their foods free of toxins. Get introduced to these amazing birds of prey and find out how you can support them. Led by Tia Pinney, a Biologist, Lead Naturalist, and educator at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln. Since 1994, when she first started working at the farm, Tia has overseen efforts to maintain New England’s wildlife on the 206-acre property, managing staff and volunteers in planting projects and citizen science.

IN PERSON: Crafternoon

Wednesday, October 19, 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: Book Launch For Tewksbury Author Valerie Borgal ("The Wonder of It All") (*RR)

Wednesday, October 19, 7pm

Tewksbury author Valerie Borgal will celebrate her new book of art and poems, The Wonder of It All: Revealed Through Poetry & Art, at this book launch event. Val  invites her family, friends, acquaintances and the general public to the event where she'll read selected poems from her book and answer audience questions. Refreshments will be served. Autographed copies of Val's book will be available. Looking for something that will put a smile on your face, make you laugh from deep within, or lift your spirit? The Wonder of It All will do just that! It is a book of poems written by Valerie J. Borgal, beautifully combined with illustrated artwork. Her poems are fun, whimsical, and will make you laugh out loud; some are somber, some will make you think a little deeper, but all will challenge your daily walk with God and others. These poems are creatively portrayed in watercolor and pen and ink, or a combination of both, as well as graphite and scratchboard, to bring a visual complement to each subject.

VIRTUAL: Understanding & Aiding The Aging Brain (*RR)

Wednesday, October 19, 7pm

Our brains work differently as we age or suffer neurological injuries. Understanding and recovering cognitive functions after such losses has been the life’s work of Li-Huei Tsai, a neuroscientist and professor at MIT. Come learn more about how this research illuminated the ways that different cells in our brains work to enable learning and memory, and even how light and sound therapy may help slow progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Tsai directs MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, and founded the Aging Brain Initiative in 2015.

VIRTUAL: Gardening Ergonomics (*RR)

Thursday, October 20, 11am

Gardening is the number one pastime in America. Four hours of gardening can pose more ergonomic stress than a full week of work. Ergonomics is about fitting the task to the person. A good fit improves your performance, comfort, productivity and safety. Learn how your postures, techniques and tools affect your risks and gardening experience. Learn habits to maintain and make correct use of the most valuable tool, your body, so this perfect machine can operate at peak performance and enhance your gardening experience. Led by Nancy Brais, who received her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and retired as an Ergonomics Manager from Raytheon. Nancy is an avid gardener and as such, has personal experience with the aches and pains from the ergonomic risks of gardening tasks. She is a 2018 graduate of the Master Gardener program and became a Landscape Design Consultant through the National Garden Club Federation in 2017.

VIRTUAL: Wives, Lovers and Spies -- Women Of The Civil War (*RR)

Thursday, October 20, 2pm

Explore the lives of some noteworthy women from both the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War. Learn the fascinating stories of women who broke barriers and made bold and courageous efforts to support their individual causes. In the process, the ladies would find themselves in circumstances they never could have imagined. Some were married to Presidents, some were lovers of powerful men and many were spies who played on both sides of the conflict. There were many extraordinary women who were born enslaved and fought for their own personal freedom as well as the freedom of others. Harriet Tubman is one of those people and we celebrate 200 years of her life and legacy. Led by historian Jo Ann Tufo, a writer, lecturer and performer who has over 30 years of experience. Her realistic and haunting portrayals of various historic figures have delighted audiences for more than three decades all over the United States. Tufo has also taught at Coastal Carolina University/OLLI Program since 2012 focusing on a variety of subjects, including the Colonial, Civil War, World War I, World War II and Vietnam eras. Many of her programs focus on the noteworthy contributions of women.

VIRTUAL: Food History Horror Stories (*RR)

Thursday, October 20, 7pm

Lean in to the macabre with three scary stories from food history. Sarah investigates the fungus that many scholars believe caused the Salem Witch Trials, how brewers became the architype for classic witches, and when women murder why they choose poison--along with stories of some of the most infamous poisoners of the 19th century! Led by culinary historian Sarah Lohman, author of the bestselling book Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine. Formerly the Curator of Food Programming at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Lohman has lectured at hundreds of universities and institutions nationwide, including the Museum of Science, Boston, the American Museum of Natural History, and The New York Public Library.

Teen Events

IN PERSON: Teen Genre Book Club For Grades 6-12 (*RR)

Monday, October 17, 3:30pm

Join us in person for the first of a monthly book club! Each month we'll read a book from a different genre. October's book is Small Spaces by Katherine Arden.  You can pick up your copy to read in the teen dept. starting October 3.  This event is open to teens in grades 6-12.

IN PERSON: Halloween Peeps Houses For Grades 6-12 (*RR)

Tuesday, October 18, 3:30pm 

We are celebrating Halloween in a a yummy way, by making edible Halloween Peeps Houses! We will be constructing 'houses' for our Halloween-themed Marshmallow Peeps using chocolate-layered wafers, frosting, sprinkles, and assorted candy! You will be shown different techniques you can use to make it look like our example house, or free-style and decorate it with your own creative flair and finesse! If you have any food allergies or restrictions and/or would like a full list of food we will be having, please let us via the email below know prior to the event. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please email Kate, our Teen Library Assistant, at: [email protected]

IN PERSON: Stranger Things Party For Grades 6-12 (*RR)

Wednesday, October 19, 3:30pm

Welcome to the Upside Down!   Join us for a Stranger Things party to celebrate all things Hawkins.  We'll be making our own waffles, have a photoshoot wall, watch episodes of the show, play games and have a contest for the best Stranger Things costume. Winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.  This event is for teens in grades 6-12.  Stranger Things is rated TV-14. This program is made possible by the Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library

Children’s Events

IN PERSON: Tiny Tykes

Monday, October 17, 10:30am

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: Munchkin Music & Movement

Monday, October 17, 2pm

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

IN PERSON: Sprouts Story Time

Tuesday, October 18, 10:30am

Sprouts Storytime is designed for is designed for little ones 18 months through 4 years. Get your early literacy skills on with stories, songs, movement, instruments, dancing and more!

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

Tuesday, October 18, 4:30pm-5:30pm

For students reading INDEPENDENTLY in Grades K to 5. 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! Sign up for your 15 minute time slot by registering online or by calling the Children’s Room Desk at 978-640-4496.

IN PERSON: Graphic Novel Club (*RR)

Tuesday, October 18, 7pm

Each month, we will meet and discuss a popular graphic novel. This program is intended for children ages 8 to 11, and is limited to 15

IN PERSON: Nursery Rhyme Baby Time

Wednesday, October 19, 10:30am

Join Miss Haley for some early literacy fun with stories, songs, and nursery rhymes at this story time. No registration required. Please drop in!

IN PERSON: Maker Craft

Wednesday, October 19, 3:30pm

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

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

Wednesday, October 19, 4pm-5pm

For students reading INDEPENDENTLY in Grades K to 5. 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! Sign up for your 15 minute time slot by registering online or by calling the Children’s Room Desk at 978-640-4496.

IN PERSON: Preschool Playgroup

Thursday, October 20, 11am

Introducing our brand new Thursday morning Preschool Playgroup! Learn some literacy skills and have some fun while you're at it! This program is cohosted by Community Teamwork.

IN PERSON: Sprouts Messy Craft

Friday, October 21, 11am

For ages 2-6. Older and younger siblings are always welcome. Join us in this new program to explore different messy crafts! We'll have paint, stamps, shaving cream, and Play-Doh available to play with and have fun. While we have smocks available, we encourage wearing old clothes just in case. No registration required.

IN PERSON: Parent Meet-Up

Saturday, October 22, 10:30am

Calling all parents! Are you tired of having no other adults to talk to? Do you find yourself humming "Baby Shark" all day? Do you want to meet other parents? Come to our Parent Meet-Up! We will have toys and coloring out for the kids, and coffee and conversation for the adults. This is a very casual gathering, and all are welcome. Children are welcome and there will be coloring books and toys for them, but we are not providing childcare.