Native Histories: Recovering Understandings of the Indiginous Past with Dr. Margaret Bruchac
2024-11-19 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Pelham Library, 2 South Valley Road , Pelham, MA, 01002, United States
Native American communities in Nonotuck (now Amherst, Pelham, Hadley and Northampton) in the Kwinitekw (Connecticut River) Valley, were long supported by reciprocal trade and diplomacy with their Native neighbors, including Nipmuc to the east and Abenaki to the north, yet the increase in colonial warfare during the late 1600s-1700s forced many Native families to relocate.
This talk by Dr. Margaret M. Bruchac, Professor Emerita of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, offers insights into regional Native histories by critically revisiting colonial records, antiquarian histories and Native memories.
This event is co-sponsored by the Pelham Historical Society

In-Person Forum with State Senator Jo Comerford
2024-11-26 18:30 - 20:00
We will be hosting an in-person forum with our recently re-elected State Senator, Jo Comerford. She will provide a sense of what lies ahead in the next legislative session for our town and our Commonwealth and hear from constituents about our concerns in anticipation of the changes on the national level.
Meet up with your neighbors, bring your questions, learn more about the many ways that Senator Comerford represents our interests at the State House. If there are particular issues that you would like to hear discussed, please email Anne Nugent at nugeae@comcast.net

CLOSED: Thanksgiving
2024-11-28 - 2024-11-29

Make a Medieval Board Game with Castle Nitor
2024-12-04 16:00 - 19:00
Board games have been around for a very long time! Join the staff of Castle Nitor to get a bit of a history lesson and make your own medieval board game. All materials will be provided. This program is for teens and adults. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAAA72EA3FEC61-53095333-make

State Rep. Aaron Saunders Open Office Hours
2024-12-09 14:30 - 15:30
Come meet your state representative. Bring your questions and concerns.

BOOK GROUP: "Remarkably Bright Creatures
2024-12-11 19:00 - 21:00
This month’s title for the Pelham Library Book Group is “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. Copies are available at the desk and all are welcome.

Artist's Reception: Diane Steingart's "Stories I Tell Myself"
2024-12-14 11:00 - 13:00
Diane Steingart is a mixed media artist and painter whose work explores the inner world of feeling, memories and dreams. Her work is both psychological and spiritual, and can be both abstract and semi-representational. Her work is therapeutic for herself, and she finds the work resonates for others, too. Meet the artist. Refreshments will be served.

CLOSED: CHRISTMAS EVE
2024-12-24
To allow our staff to spend time with their families we will be closed this evening.

CLOSED: Christmas
2024-12-25

CLOSED: New Years Eve
2024-12-31

CLOSED: New Year's Day
2025-01-01
The Library will be CLOSED today. Happy New Year!

West African Drumming Workshop
2025-01-11 12:00 - 13:00
Come out to play with the Wendell Warriors drumming ensemble and led by Jafar Manselle. Jafar will show you how to make different tones on the drum and introduce African rhythms used for village celebrations. As a group, we will all play together and celebrate the day. A drum class is always a celebration. Together we’ll have fun and learn at the same time. This program is open to adults and teens ages 15 and up. Space is limited. Register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAAA72EA3FEC61-52174419-west
This program is made possible through the generosity of the Pelham Cultural Council.

Sustainability Series: Hand Sewing and Mending 101 with Meguey Baker
2025-01-14 17:30 - 19:00
In our modern world, mending instead of buying new is a radical act! Come learn hand-sewing techniques that were once part of everyone’s skill set, and can be again! Materials provided in this hands-on make-and-take covering the basics you need to do routine mending and alterations on your wardrobe.

CLOSED: MLK Day
2025-01-20

Sustainability Series: BYO Mending Project with Meguey Baker
2025-01-21 17:30 - 19:00
Have you ever wondered how to fix that favorite item of clothing but were not quite sure how? Bring it along and find out! Some materials provided, BYO if you have them, especially fabric for matching or patching! Space is limited. Please contact the library to sign up.

BOOK GROUP: "The Remains of the Day"
2025-01-22 19:00 - 21:00
This month’s title is “The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ichiguro. All are welcome and copies are available at the desk.

Friends of the Library Meeting
2025-02-06 19:00 - 20:30
Join the Friends of the Library for our next meeting. We’ll discuss ideas for programming, special events and more. Bring your ideas, energy and a friend!

Sustainabilty Series: Knife Sharpening Workshop
2025-02-15 11:00 - 13:00
Has your favorite knife lost its edge? Would you love to get it sharpened and learn more about how to care for your blades so they’ll last you a lifetime? James from Sharpen Something! will bring his sharpening equipment and expertise. Come learn knife care and get something sharpened! Please feel free to bring one knife for sharpening – serrated or straight edged. Please no blade lengths longer than 10 inches.

CLOSED: Presidents Day
2025-02-17

Opioid Rescue (Naloxone/Narcan) Training
2025-02-18 17:30 - 19:00
Join us for this training with Kristen Kreiger, RN BSN from the Quabbin Health district. Topics covered include:
-Understanding what opioids are and why people become addicted.
-How to recognize and respond to an overdose
-How to use Narcan (naloxone) safely and effectively
All participants will receive a Naloxone kit free of charge!

Hand Sewing for Young People with Meg Baker
2025-02-19 14:00 - 16:00
Make a drawstring bag with an inside pocket, and learn hand-sewing skills that are the basis for all other fiber arts. Materials provided in this hands-on make-and-take class, but if you want to bring your choice of fabric, you will need ONE 18″ square of fabric for the bag and ONE 6″ square for the pocket.
Registration is required. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAAA72EA3FEC61-54723808-hand

Sustainability Series: "What Do We Do With the STUFF?" with Meguey Baker
2025-02-25 18:00 - 19:00
Your high school yearbook. Your kid’s art from grade school. Grandma’s wedding dress. Dad’s Army uniform. Great-grandpa’s piano. The attic, the basement, the shed, the stacks by the bed. What do we do with all the STUFF??? Meg Baker, curator of the Hatfield Historical Society, has some tips to share.

BOOK GROUP: "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store"
2025-02-26 19:00 - 21:00
The next title for the Pelham Library Book Group is “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride. All are welcome and copies are available at the desk.

"Ask a Nurse" with Kirsten Krieger, RN BSN
2025-03-07 10:30 - 12:00
Kristen Krieger, Public Health Nurse for the Quabbin Health District, will be available on the first Friday of each month to offer blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, answer health questions and assist with or connect people to resources.

Monthly Community Reiki Share with Kristen Famighette
2025-03-11 18:00 - 18:45
Join us for a monthly Reiki circle to share and receive Reiki.
This monthly program is open to both Reiki practitioners and members of the community. No prior reiki or meditation experience is required. Learn more about Kristin at www.sharesoulmagic.com

"Ready to Learn Reiki" for 6th to 8th Graders
2025-03-15 11:00 - 12:00
Join Kristin Famighette Certified Reiki Master Teacher, to learn the basics of reiki along with meditation and mindfulness techniques for every day. Learn more about Kristin at www.sharesoulmagic.com

Eyes on Freedom: Evolving Gifts of Simple Nonviolent Living
2025-03-18 17:00 - 19:00
Folklorists Michael and Carrie Kline present a community listening session of Eyes on Freedom: Evolving Gifts of Simple Nonviolent Living, an episode from their audio podcast, Talking Across Lines. Eyes on Freedom tells the story of Wally and Juanita Nelson, civil rights activists, peace activists, war tax refusers, subsistence farmers, and advocates for simple living.
The Klines have created an hour-long oral tapestry that weaves oral testimonies and interviews from those who knew the Nelsons and who were deeply impacted by them. They have created a conversation on the themes of the Nelsons’ lives: nonviolence, war tax refusal, joy, dance, land trusts, the action around the Kehler-Corner home seizure in Colrain by the IRS, the local food movement, questioning the idea of race, and simple living. Listen to the podcast with us and then join us for a discussion on the Nelsons’ legacy.

History of the New England Maple Sugar Harvest
2025-03-25 19:00 - 21:00
Museum professional and historian Dennis Picard will walk us through the history of maple sugaring, a story of romance, folklore and science. The “gold of the forest” in the form of maple syrup or maple candy is still a treat for us today and a valued part of New England’s economy. This event is co-sponsored with the Pelham Historical Society.

Teens & Tweens: Make a Dragon Dice Box
2025-03-26 16:30 - 18:00
Craft a stunning custom dice box topped with a glass eye, surrounded by your own unique needle-felted design. Add a personal touch by painting the sides of your box with vibrant acrylics. Use your box to store treasures or your D&D dice. Bring the box to your next campaign and wow your friends! This program is open to youth ages 12 & up. Registration is required. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAAA72EA3FEC61-55688902-teensmake

BOOK GROUP: "How to Find Your Way in the Dark"
2025-04-02 19:00 - 21:00
This month’s title for the Pelham Book Group is “How to Find Your Way in the Dark” by Derek Miller. All are welcome and copies are available at the desk.
