Tewksbury Public Library Events, Week Of Nov. 17, 2025

Event Registration

Please register online using our Calendar of Events at www.tewksburypl.org or by calling 978- 640-4490. We strongly recommend registration for programs that are marked *RR.

Adult Events (In-Person)

IN PERSON: The 100 Greatest Sitcoms Of All Time (*RR)

Monday, November 17, 7pm

Award-winning author and pop culture historian Martin Gitlin hosts this fun and enlightening presentation based on his book, The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time. He is the only author to actually rank the best of the best sitcoms, including I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart, All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cheers, The Golden Girls, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond and The Big Bang Theory. He will show funny snippets from those shows and others, challenge patrons with sitcom trivia (including identifying cool theme songs!), discuss the criteria he used to rank 70 years of sitcoms and talk about how they have evolved over the decades in humor, presentation and content.

IN PERSON: Book a Tech Help Appointment! (*RR)

Tuesday, November 18, 2pm-3pm

Wednesday, November 19, 3pm-4pm

Thursday, November 20, 3pm-4pm

You can book a TPL Librarian for 30 minutes to help you with your technology questions. You may book up to twice a month, one question per session. Ask about: Using Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy and other library resources; Basic computer skills; Basic tablet skills; Basic phone skills; Using email; and Using Microsoft Office and comparable programs.

IN PERSON: Adult Board Game Night (*RR)

Tuesday, November 18, 6pm

Enjoy playing board games while socializing with others! This month, board game extraordinaire Jonah McCreary will be teaching us how to play Vale of Eternity. Additionally, several tables will be available for "open play" if you'd like to bring your own games or borrow one of the library's games to play. Complimentary pizza will be provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library through a generous donation from 100 People Who Care Tewksbury.

IN PERSON: Crafternoon

Wednesday, November 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: Other Worlds Fantasy Book Group (*RR)

Wednesday, November 19, 6:30pm

For the month of November, we are reading Brian Jacques' "Redwall". When the peaceful life of ancient Redwall Abbey is shattered by the arrival of the evil rat Cluny and his villainous hordes, Matthias, a young mouse, determines to find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior which, he is convinced, will help Redwall's inhabitants destroy the enemy. Copies of the book are available at the Front Desk one month prior to meeting.

IN PERSON: The Page-Turners Fiction Book Group (*RR)

Wednesday, November 19, 6:30pm

This month, join us for a discussion of The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. The last thing the construction workers expected to find was a skeleton at the bottom of a well. Who the skeleton was and how it got there were two of the long-held secrets kept by the residents of Chicken Hill, a dilapidated neighborhood of shared ambitions and sorrows. New members are always welcome! Copies of the book are available at the Front Desk one month prior to meeting.

IN PERSON: MOVIE NIGHT – Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (*RR)

Friday, November 21, 7pm

Enjoy a screening of one of Hollywood's newest DVD releases -- Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. When Mary finds herself in a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future. Starring Dominic West, Marilyn Cutts and Lorna Nickson Brown. Period Drama. Rated PG. 2 Hours, 3 Minutes. Doors will open at 6:30pm. Film will start at 7pm. Pizza & water will be served. A $2 donation is suggested.

Adult Events (Virtual)

VIRTUAL: Early Rock & Roll Novelty Songs (*RR)

Monday, November 17, 2pm

A novelty song is a type of song built upon some form of novel concept, such as a gimmick, a piece of humor, or a sample of popular culture. Such numbers have long pre-dated the 1950’s and ‘60’s but it wasn’t until the beginning of the early years of Rock and Roll that they reached the height of their popularity. During this multi-media presentation, revisit a number of these memorable numbers such as “Witch Doctor” and “The Chipmunk Song” by David Seville, “The Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley, “Alley Oop” by the Hollywood Argyles and “Charlie Brown” by the Coasters, as well as examine how pop culture trends impacted their record sales. Led by Rich Knox, a retired school teacher and administrator, who lectures on musicals, films, and opera to libraries across the country.

VIRTUAL: Holiday Romance Book Recommendations with 'Library Journal' Reviewer John Charles (*RR)

Monday, November 17, 6pm

With the holidays right around the corner, take an hour to relax and find some good holiday romance reads! John Charles will give us his "best of" list of 2025 that will have your to-be-read pile tipping over and your holidays spent cozying up to a good book. Attendees will receive the list via email after the session. A retired public librarian, Charles is a book reviewer for Booklist and Library Journal, and the co-author of Romance Today: An A to Z Guide to Contemporary American Romance Writers.

VIRTUAL: Exploring Our National Parks (*RR)

Tuesday, November 18, 2pm

Embark on an unforgettable trip through America's pristine wilderness. Professional traveler Chris McCormack will share the beauty, adventure, and cost-saving tips for exploring our most breathtaking national parks in the United States. His stories, accompanied with his photos, will leave you amazed.

VIRTUAL: The Life & Music Of Lena Horne (*RR)

Tuesday, November 18, 7pm

Explore how Lena Horne, one of the great beauties of Hollywood's golden age, blazed a trail where few if any black women had gone before. Examine how her roles in several film musicals paved the way for future generations and established her as one of the icons of the 20th century. Horne is known for her performance of many songs, including "Stormy Weather", "The Lady Is A Tramp," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man of Mine," "A Fine Romance," and "I Got Rhythm." Led by Clint Edwards, a New York-based composer, arranger, and pianist, who lectures on the history of music.

VIRTUAL: TEWKSBURY WRITING GROUP -- Advice From Author Emily Karmazin (*RR)

Tuesday, November 18, 7pm

Are you a writer -- or an aspiring writer -- looking for some support? The Tewksbury Writing Group 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 November 2025 guest speaker is mystery, fantasy and erotica author Emily Karmazin. An avid reader and traveler, Emily lives in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah currently. She wrote her first book in third grade, a fanfic of Little House on the Prairie. Emily is interested in true crime, learning new things, hiking, all things strange and unusual, and baking. Her books include The Final Request, The Case of the Filthy Beast, and The Case of the Kona Curse.

VIRTUAL: 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group -- Interview Strategies (*RR)

Wednesday, November 19, 9:30am

The Massachusetts Library Collaborative's 50+ Job Seekers Group meets via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 9:30am to 11:30am. Informal networking takes place from 9am to 9:30am and 11:30am to noon. 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 interactive 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.

VIRTUAL: Celebrating 25 Years Of Gilmore Girls -- Q&A with Gilmore Book Club Blogger Kristine Eckart (*RR)

Wednesday, November 19, 7pm

If you are a Gilmore Girls fan, join us for this rapid paced Q&A with The Gilmore Girl Club Blogger Kristine Eckart. We'll be chatting about her new book, Meet Me at Luke's: Lessons in Life and Love from Gilmore Girls, Rory's Reading Challenge, three generations of Gilmores (or, is it four with Trixie?), and all things Gilmore! If you're a Gilmore Girl fan, you won't want to miss this discussion!

VIRTUAL: Great American Unsung Heroes Who Changed The Course Of History -- George Marshall (*RR)

Wednesday, November 19, 7pm

Retired Massachusetts Superior Court Justice Dennis Curran is excited to continue his "Great American Unsung Heroes Who Changed The Course Of History" series. This month, learn about General George Marshall, an American statesman and soldier who is one of the most underappreciated leaders in American history, and certainly of the 20th century. Marshall was the organizer of victory and the architect of peace during and following World War II. He won the war - and won the peace. Roosevelt found him indispensable as his Army Commander; Winston Churchill called him “the true architect of victory” in the War, and incredibly, Stalin claimed he would personally trust his life to Marshall. As Secretary of State, he gave his name to the Marshal Plan, saving millions of Europeans from starvation and abject poverty while rebuilding the allied countries of Europe. Few Americans in the 20th century have left a greater legacy to world peace than George C. Marshall, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

VIRTUAL: Bernini As A Sculptor Of The Baroque Era (*RR)

Thursday, November 20, 11am

Bernini is said to have defined the drama and movement of Baroque sculpture of 17th-century Italy and beyond. His skill in unifying sculpture, architecture, and painting in the same setting is unsurpassed. Explore Bernini’s earliest successes in the statues of David and Apollo and Daphne, which set the tone for a new exuberance in sculpture. Examine the unity of sculpture and architecture in his Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, the richness of his work on St. Peter’s, and the vividness of numerous portrait busts executed throughout his long career. Led by art historian Martha Chiarchiaro, owner of Seeing History.

VIRTUAL: Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Recommendations (*RR)

Thursday, November 20, 6:30pm

Love Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction, and Fantasy but not sure what to read next? Join Kristen, blogger for Fantasy Cafe, for this quarterly session of her recommendations of some of the best of SciFi/Fantasy books out there.

VIRTUAL: A Conversation About Signs, Messages & Visits From The Dead (*RR)

Thursday, November 20, 7pm

Have you ever been “visited” or received some kind of “message” from someone you love who had died? If so, you have plenty of company. Research suggests that between 30% and 50% of us will have some kind of after death communication (ADC) at some point in our lives. These “visits” occur in many forms, including seeing a deceased person or sensing their presence, hearing a voice or feeling a touch, and symbolic events such as usual animal behavior, electronic activity, or a particular song coming on the radio that feels synchronized and associated with a loved one in a way that is beyond mere coincidence. Despite being common, and the fact that such communications are often meaningful and profound to those who report them, many hesitate to discuss them for fear of having an important experience dismissed, or worry about what others will think. What do these experiences look like? Where do they come from? How can we normalize them among those who are grieving so they can be shared without fear of ridicule? This exploration and discussion of after death communication is led by Scott Janssen, MA, MSW, LCSW, who has served as a hospice social worker for over thirty years and has written about ADC and other end-of-life transpersonal experiences like near death experiences (NDEs), and end-of-life dreams and visions (ELDVs).

VIRTUAL: The Mysterious Dreamscapes of Salvador Dali (*RR)

Thursday, November 20, 7pm

Salvador Dalí, the enigmatic Spanish Surrealist, left an indelible mark on the world of art with his striking and often bewildering creations. But what drove this eccentric artist to produce such dreamlike and provocative works? From melting clocks to elephants with spindly legs, Dalí's paintings challenged reality and invited viewers to explore the depths of their subconscious. This program delves into the life, inspirations, and enduring fame of Salvador Dalí, unraveling the mysteries behind his fantastical visions. Led by art historian Jane Oneail, founder of Culturally Curious.

Teen Events (In-Person)

IN PERSON: Beginner Basket Weaving (*RR)

Tuesday, November 18, 3:30pm

Learn how to weave a basic basket with us in this intro basket weaving craft, where we will be using templates and twine cord to weave with. Use to hold fruit, bread, trinkets, or anything that strikes your fancy! This event is for teens in grades 6-12.

IN PERSON: Gnome Ornaments (*RR)

Wednesday, November 19, 3:30pm

Celebrate the “Gnome-vember” with this adorable craft! We will be decorating wooden gnome ornaments. This event is for teens in grades 6-12.

Children’s Events (In-Person)

IN PERSON: Toddler Story Time

Monday, November 17, 10:15am

Join us for stories, songs, movement, instruments, dancing and more. Get your early literacy skills on! All of our story times are interactive for children and their caregivers. Please be ready to participate and play. Don't worry, we will have a printout with all of the songs and rhymes we are using so you can follow along! Story Times run in sessions. You can drop in one week, every week or however works best for your schedule. No registration is required. Toddler Story Time will run every Monday from September 8 - December 15 (excluding closings and other exceptions).

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

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

Children (especially those struggling with reading) are invited to sign up for a one-on-one session with our service dog Benny on Tuesday afternoons. Barks and Books are open to children reading independently. 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!

IN PERSON: Lego Club

Tuesday, November 18, 6pm

Calling all young builders! Join us for Lego Club, where kids can get creative, build cool creations, and explore fun building challenges. Whether you're a master builder or just getting started, there's something for everyone. Bricks provided, so just bring your imagination! This event is open to children in grades K-5. Registration isn't required.

IN PERSON: Baby Story Time

Wednesday, November 19, 10:15am

Join us for a fun session of stories, songs, fingerplays, and gentle movement that help build early literacy skills. Babies experience the sounds and structure of language through rhythm, rhyme and repetition. Baby Story Time is designed for young children ages 0 to 2 years old and their caregivers. All of our story times are interactive for children and their caregivers. Please be ready to participate and play. Don't worry, we will have a printout with all of the songs and rhymes we are using so you can follow along! Story Times run in sessions. You can drop in one week, every week or however works best for your schedule. No registration is required. This session is Wednesdays from September 10 - December 17 (excluding closings and other exceptions).

IN PERSON: Preschool Playgroup

Thursday, November 20, 11am

Preschool playgroup is a weekly group where kids can meet, play, and learn. Pick up STEM and literacy skills, and have some fun while you're at it! Sponsored by Community Teamwork Inc's Family Resource Network. The Family Resource Network is funded by the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant (CFCE) from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

IN PERSON: Melty Makers (*RR)

Thursday, November 20, 3:30pm

It's time to get creative! Make the Perler Bead pattern we have available, or try your own ideas. You'll have 30-45 minutes to create, and we'll spend the last 15-30 minutes ironing your creations. This event is open to children in grades 3-5. Registration is required.