Adult Programs
July and August Adult Programming 2024
Ongoing Library Programming
Tuesday Night Knitting Group
Tuesdays 6 pm – 8 pm
Trustees Room
Join the library's Tuesday Night Knitters for some quality knitting and crocheting time. All skill levels are welcome.
Hello Sunshine Book Club
First Wednesday Evenings of the Month at 6:30 pm
Trustees Room
A book discussion group focusing on selections from Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine book club.
Gatehouse Writer’s Group (Online Writing Group)
Every Friday Online via Zoom from 10 am – Noon
Contact Linda Rowland-Buckley at rowbuc1998@gmail.com
Our library writing group, the Gatehouse Writing group, the Gatehouse Writers, is a supportive peer-led environment open to all levels and styles. The group philosophy is a simple one: every person is a writer, and every writer deserves a safe environment in which to experiment, learn and develop their craft. This group is led by Linda Rowland-Buckley and Richard Buckley.
Mahjong at the Library
First and Third Friday’s of the Month from 1 pm – 4 pm
For experienced Players
Spanish Conversation Circle
3rd Saturdays of the Month at 10:30 am
An opportunity for Spanish speakers to practice their language skills. Participants should have some basic conversational skills to join the group. This is NOT a language class.
In-Person Programming
South Hadley DPW: Recycling from Beginning to End
Wed, July 10 at 6 pm
During my lecture on July 10th, I intend to address what happens with our residents recycling from the moment it is picked up by Republic Services, delivered to the Material Recycling Facility (MRF), processed, separated and shipped to additional locations for further handling. I will also address the recycling done at our Transfer Station, where it is transported, how it is processed, the companies we use and the costs associated with all the recycling we do in town. I plan to discuss the different ways recycling is completed i.e., single stream or dual stream. I will bring some educational material with me for the residents also.
Upcycle DIY Stencil T-shirts with Carla
Wed., July 17 from 5 – 7 pm
Must Sign Up at shadleylib.org or call 413-538-5045.
Bring a single dark colored plain cotton or poly cotton T-shirt.
Sign up will begin at the end of June.)
Growing Wild - Why It Makes a Difference
Wed., July 24 at 6 pm
The Conservation Commission's Growing Wild initiative is quickly gaining momentum to increase native pollinator species across the community. Small backyard efforts make a big difference across greenway connections. This talk will discuss the importance of Growing Wild in your yard, how you can get started, tips for success, and what changes you'll see in your yard by changing the habitat. It will also discuss challenges land conservation faces in a changing climate such as invasive species management and sustainable land use development. Rebekah Cornell is the Conservation Administrator/Planner/Tree Warden for the Town of South Hadley.
Connecticut River Source to Sea Clean Up
presented by the Connecticut River Conservancy
Wed., July 31 at 6 pm
Are you concerned when you see plastic bottles and other trash polluting your local parks and rivers? Join Connecticut River Conservancy’s Source to Sea Cleanup Coordinator, Stacey Lennard, as she shares how the nonprofit organization coordinates a massive annual cleanup throughout 4 states of the Connecticut River watershed. The Source to Sea Cleanup, which will be in its 28th year in 2024, coordinates thousands of volunteers to remove trash from waterways and communities, resulting in not only cleaner water and healthier habitats, but also a greater sense of connection to our shared environment. Learn more about the cleanup, trash tally data, current legislation to reduce plastic pollution, and how you can get involved in this important community effort.
August
The Fascinating Story of Where our Vegetables Came From presented by the MA Master Gardner’s Program
Wed., Aug, 7 at 6 pm
What do you know about the vegetables you eat? What is an heirloom tomato? Does it look like the original wild tomato? What group of people were responsible for breeding 4 major food crops? What popular vegetables were bred from kale? Where did sweet onions originate? Eggplant? Peas and beans? Watermelon? Bonnie will talk about the fascinating origins of the vegetables we eat each day: where they originated and what they looked like when they grew in the wild before people started breeding them for better yields and flavors.
Upcycle Purse Earrings
August Take Home Craft
All materials provided. Just sign up at www.shadleylib.org or call 413-538-5045.
Sign up will begin at the end of June.
Magic Wings Butterflies Program for All Ages
Sat., Aug. 10 at 10 am.
Community Room.
Come learn about and meet butterflies and insects from all over. Observe, learn and experience the magic of these delicate but wonderful insects.
Magnificence Mysteries and Death: Geostories from W. MA presented by Professor Richard Little
Wed., Aug. 14 at 6 pm
Western Mass. is the best place in the world to study geology, but this magnificence has many mysteries that will be explained, such as deep holes in the Conn. Riverbed, weird post-glacial river directions, how the Conn. River cut through the Holyoke Range, and why the Glacial Potholes can't be glacial. Our magnificent local geology can kill you! I will tell you how to save your life (really!).
Fall School Sports Equipment Swap
Sat., August 17th from 10 - 11
Calling all students from 1st Grade through High School. Do you play Field Hockey, Soccer or Football? We have a swap for you. Bring your cleaned sports equipment, and gear and trade them for something your size! Drop offs will begin on Monday, July 29th until Friday, August 16th. You will receive a ticket for each item. Example: a pair of cleats equals one ticket for a pair of gloves, etc. Bring your ticket to swap on Sat., August 17th. The library doors open at 9:30 am. You can begin to line up at the Community Room Door then. Doors don’t open until 10 am.
Paint and Sip for Parents and Kids/Teens
Wed., Aug. 21 from 5 – 7
Kids and Teens take your parents out for some fun. Come and paint a summer painting with them. Drink some sweet tea or lemonade. Have a nice time! All materials provided.
Sign up will begin at the end of June,
Matt York Concert: Willie Nelson
Wed., Aug 28 at 6 pm
Longtime New England singer/songwriter Matt York will perform songs and tell stories about the great Willie Nelson. York will focus on Willie's long and illustrious music career that has spanned over seven decades. In both 2022 and 2023, York was nominated for the Boston Music Award for Best Country Artist and last year, his album, Gently Used, was named one of the top albums by Worcester Magazine. This program is supported in part by a grant from the South Hadley Local Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency