Adult Events

VIRTUAL: JOB SEARCH HELP -- Offer Letters and Employment Contracts (*RR)

Monday, October 3, 2pm

What are standard clauses in employment contracts and offer letters? What can be negotiated? What should you be looking for? Join employment law attorney Joshua Robbins for this interactive session. Robbins is a Senior Associate Attorney at Maura Greene Law Group in Boston. He represents individuals in career transitions, offers of employment, discrimination claims, sexual harassment, and unpaid wage cases.   

IN PERSON: Science Squared Book Discussion (*RR)

Monday, October 3, 7pm

Enjoy reading and discussing science and sci-fi books? In October, we’re discussing All Systems Red by Martha Wells. Books are available at the Front Desk one month before the discussion. Contact Diane Giarrusso at [email protected] for questions or to participate.

VIRTUAL: Mindfulness & Meditation Class -- Gentle Relaxation (*RR)

Monday, October 3, 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. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Presented in collaboration with the Chelmsford Public Library and Memorial Hall Library in Andover.

VIRTUAL: The History of Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center (*RR)

Tuesday, October 4, 2pm

In the late 1970s, Disney decided to build a new theme park in Florida. However, there were two competing themes; which one would be built? Examine the history of EPCOT Center -- Walt’s dream vs. what was eventually built. Also take a virtual tour of the park and discuss the history of some of the popular attractions. Led by Valerie Gugala, a historical presenter and lecturer specializing in Abraham and Mary Lincoln, presidential history, the Victorian era, and all things Disney. She has spent 40+ years researching the Lincoln family and has been performing as and speaking about Mrs. Lincoln for more than 25. Gugala is a co-founder of “Mary Lincoln’s Coterie,” a group dedicated to the memory and legacy of Mary Lincoln, which holds lectures and discussions every month, and, since 2001, has hosted a symposium every summer in Springfield, Illinois.

VIRTUAL: JOB SEARCH HELP FOR 50 & OVER -- Create A LinkedIn Profile (*RR)

Wednesday, October 5, 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. Deborah is a former Fortune 500 executive, investment banker and entrepreneur and transitioned to executive coaching over 10 years ago.

VIRTUAL: Killer Soundtracks -- The Effects of Music In Horror Movies (*RR)

Wednesday, October 5, 11am

From hidden voices to dissonant chords, tritones to infrasound, music in horror movies is meant to do more than just set the mood. Composers such as Harry Manfredini (Friday The 13th) and Charles Bernstein (A Nightmare On Elm Street) use certain tricks in their scores which can literally shake you to the core. Explore the spine-tingling affects of how music in horror films keeps you on your toes and forces you to sleep with one eye open. Dan Lupo, creator of FiveMinuteMozart.com, a music education platform with over 2 million views and 20k+ subscribers, will present an incredible music education program that consists of a spoken lecture as well as live performances. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

IN PERSON: The Armchair Detectives Mystery Book Group -- Wicked Autumn

Wednesday, October 5, 1:30pm

Do you love a good mystery? Join the library's Book Club, "The Armchair Detectives!"  Max Tudor has left MI5 for a quieter life in the countryside of Nether Monkslip. Now the vicar in the small town, Max is living the restful, routine life he’s dreamed of until this year’s Harvest Fayre goes terribly wrong.    Copies of the book are available at the Front Desk.  We will be meeting in person, but will have ZOOM up for anyone who can't make it to the Library. Please email Jeanne at [email protected] and she will send you the link to the meeting.

VIRTUAL: A Trip To Transylvania with The Traveling Librarian (*RR)

Wednesday, October 5, 7pm

Join Jeff Klapes, the Traveling Librarian, for another of his popular armchair travel presentations. This series highlights travel photography and stories and travel tips about destinations around the world. This month, journey to Transylvania. Known for its connection to Vlad Dracul, the real life Dracula, this mountainous region of Romania has so much more to offer than creepy history. Castles, fortified churches, deep forests, and beautiful baroque towns await the visitor who’s willing to explore off the beaten path. Jeff is the recently retired Head of Reference Services at the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in Wakefield and an avid traveler and photographer. Presented in collaboration with the Chelmsford Public Library.

VIRTUAL: Beauport -- A Dream Realized (*RR)

Thursday, October 6, 11am

Beauport is the evocative name for a wondrous confection of a house dreamed of and brought to reality by Henry Davis Sleeper. He was one of America’s first interior designers, Massachusetts-born and mostly self-taught. A close friend of Isabella Stewart Gardner, he shared her passion for collecting and creating beautiful living spaces. Beauport was begun in 1907 and would probably still be in a state of re-design and renovation except for his death in 1934. This magnificent sea side “cottage” has been in the care of Historic New England since 1937 and in this illustrated talk, we will uncover of some of its mysteries and treasures. Led by art historian Mary Woodward, who serves as a guide at several Historic New England properties. She previously served as Public Programs Coordinator and Educator at the Concord Museum. Woodward has a B.A. in Art History from Furman University and a M.A. in Art History from Emory University. She has 40+ years of experience in museums of all shapes and sizes, from the comprehensive collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art to the one-room log cabin birthplace of President James K. Polk.

VIRTUAL: Billy Joel -- The Piano Man (*RR)

Thursday, October 6, 2pm

Though Billy Joel has not released a new rock album in over 27 years, he remains one of the world’s most popular live performers. Using performance and interview video clips, we’ll trace the arc of Billy’s career from his humble beginnings in Hicksville, NJ, to his slow rise to fame, to his long string of hits including “Just The Way You Are”, ”It’s Still Rock N Roll To Me”, ”Uptown Girl” and “River Of Dreams.” to his love life including his marriage to supermodel Christie Brinkley, and finally to his current status as one of the world’s most successful touring acts. “If you’re in the mood for a melody, the Piano Man will make you feel alright.” Led by Gary Wenstrup, who has taught courses on the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and Motown Records for the Continuing Education Departments of College of DuPage and Oakton (IL) Community College. Wenstrup has  lectured at over 80 public libraries. Besides being featured on radio broadcasts and in newspaper articles, he is also a reoccurring guest on the widely respected podcast “Something About The Beatles.”

VIRTUAL: King Charles III -- The Royal Ghostbuster with U.K. Ghost Hunter Steve Parsons (*RR)

Thursday, October 6, 7pm

As Great Britain and the Commonwealth welcomes its new King Charles III, we'll examine some of the stories that have circulated about his fascination for ghosts. His interest may point to a much deeper interest in the paranormal and the mystical within the Royal Family, going back to the reign of Queen Victoria and spanning many of the generations of the oldest and greatest monarchy in the world. Led by Steve Parsons, which the Wall Street Journal called "The Gold Standard in Ghost Hunting." Parsons began his search for answers as a child and subsequently has spent more than 30 years as a full-time investigator of ghosts, poltergeists, haunted houses and related phenomena. He is currently acknowledged by his peers and leading academic parapsychologists to be one the best investigators in the UK. He is the author of two highly regarded books, “Ghostology: The Art of the Ghost Hunter” & “Paracoustics: Sound and the Paranormal.” In addition to his writing, Parsons has featured and contributed in many TV documentaries for broadcasters worldwide, including The Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and the BBC. He has worked as an investigator and presenter on hit TV ghost hunting shows including "Most Haunted" & "I’m Famous and Frightened." Steve is a co-founder of Para.Science and a contributing member of the prestigious Society for Psychical Research (founded in 1882) and is an Advisor to the world’s oldest ghost group, The Ghost Club (founded in 1862).

VIRTUAL: The Challenge Of Democratic Legitimacy In Turbulent Times (*RR)

Friday, October 7, 10am

There was a lot of talk about voter fraud after the last election. While those theories have been widely debunked, what damage have they caused? Examine the root causes of the rumors that swirled, their impact on our confidence in our election system, and their effect on citizens' distrust in our democracy. Led Professor Rachael V. Cobb, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor of Government at Suffolk University. Cobb specializes in U.S. elections, election administration, electoral politics, civic engagement, and political participation. She established the University Pollworkers Project, a nonpartisan program designed to recruit college students as poll workers as a response to reports of an estimated shortage of 500,000 poll workers nationwide. Since 2006, more than 1,000 students from the Greater Boston area have received training and worked as poll workers. Her work as appeared in the Quarterly Journal of Political Science and Studies in American Political Development. Cobb serves on the board of MassVOTE and the Boston Election Advisory Committee. She received her Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her AB from Bryn Mawr College. Presented in collaboration with the Ashland Public Library and others.

IN PERSON: Intro To Palmistry with Diane DiPietro (*RR)

Saturday, October 8, 10:30am

Learn the origins, history and various uses of palmistry over the centuries. Explore the major lines on our hands and discover what they mean. Led by Diane DiPietro, who has been reading palms for over two decades and teaches palmistry classes at Tintagles Gate ~ Flowerland in Athol.