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From Pelham Public Library: “Mud Week” Children’s Programs

Family Movie: Disney’s “The BFG” (Big Friendly Giant)

Wednesday, February 22, 2 – 4 p.m.

This free family movie during the February break is a Roald Dahl classic, directed by Steven Spielberg. When a young girl crosses paths with a mysterious giant, she’s launched on an adventure filled with magic, wonder and unexpected friendship in this imaginative tale. For ages 4 and up. Registration is not required. This afternoon at the movies is made possible by the Friends of the Pelham Public Library.

Cereal Box Collage Making

Thursday, February 23, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

This “Mud Week” program for ages five and older will let children create their own colorful collage, using boxes and cereal boxes! Participants should bring an empty cereal box. Pop artist Michael Albert, who is leading this program, will bring all other needed materials, but feel free to bring your own cereal boxes or corrugated boxes. Registration is required. This program is funded by the Friends of the Pelham Library. Watch the Bookmark, Library Facebook page and pelhamlibrary.org for further information about February vacation children’s programs.

Movie Screening: “Middle School: The Worst Years Of My Life”

Thursday, February 23, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

This 2016 movie, based on the bestselling series, chronicles the trials and triumphs of Rafe as he battles bullies, hormones and the tyrannical Principal Dwight. Intended for tweens and older, registration is not required. This evening at the movies is sponsored by the Friends of the Pelham Public Library.

An Afternoon of Coloring

Friday, February 24, 2 – 3 p.m.

Come to the Library for a relaxing afternoon of coloring! The Library will provide all of the supplies. This program is for ages four and up and registration is not required. This event is generously funded by the Friends of the Town of Pelham Public Library.

Ongoing Children’s Programs

Spanish-English Story Time

Every other Saturday, 10:30 – 11 a.m. Upcoming dates: February 18; March 4, 18.

The Library’s Spanish-English Story Time program has returned to the Library, again led by Michelle Simon, a local mom. It alternates on every other Saturday with Chinese-English Story Time. Registration is not required.

Chinese-English Story Time

Every other Saturday, 10:30 – 11 a.m.; Upcoming dates: February 11, 25; March 11, 25.

Ni Hao!—or “Hello” in Chinese! The Library’s Chinese-English version of Story Time, organized by bi-lingual Pelham parents, is held every other Saturday and is for any family who’d like to introduce their young children to a second language. This program alternates on Saturdays with Spanish-English Story Time (see below). Registration is not required.

Homework Help

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

Homework Help is held every Tuesday and Thursday except for school holidays and when Pelham Memorial High School students have statewide testing. (PMHS students volunteer to run this program.) Homework Help is for children in grades K – 8, and students must bring their written assignments and accompanying textbooks. Students are free to drop in and leave when they've completed their assignments. Homework Help is also a good opportunity for beginning readers to read aloud to an interested teen. Snacks are provided.

Story Time

Tuesdays for ages 3 – 5, 10:30 – 11 a.m.; Wednesdays for children ages 2 and under, 10:30 – 11 a.m.

Take the little one in your life to the Library's Story Time for preschoolers. Caregivers must be in attendance and are welcome to participate with the children they accompany -- that makes it a pleasurable experience for all! As such, we request there be no phone use or talking during Story Time. Because of Story Time's popularity, a ticketing system will sometimes be used to prevent overcrowding.

Adult Programs

Hemingway in Paris

Thursday, February 9, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

In this talk, travel expert Elizabeth Kemble will discuss the places that Hemingway frequented in Paris, such as La Closerie des Lilas, the café where he wrote his masterpiece, The Sun Also Rises. Kemble will also talk about the famous people he associated with, such as Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald and the painters that influenced his prose style, such as Cézanne and Picasso. Using period and contemporary photos of the spots where Hemingway lived, worked, and partied, she will highlight the reasons Hemingway went to Paris and how he met so many famous and influential people. She will also touch upon his relationships with his mentors, such as Sherwood Anderson and Stein, and his relationships with his "Paris" wives, Hadley and Pauline. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Town of Pelham Public Library. Registration is not required.

2nd-Friday Book Club

Friday, February 17, 10:30 a.m. (This is a date change from February 10)

Following its January hiatus, the Club will discuss the novel Plainsong, by Kent Haruf, which takes place in the fictional town of Holt, Colorado, located in the high plains east of Denver. This National Book Award finalist sketches out the world of Holt, a place where two young brothers, Ike and Bobby, watch their mother lose her mind and where a pregnant teenager, Victoria, is finally taken in by two elderly, unmarried brothers, who decide late in their lives that they want change.

WEBS Career Development Seminar: “Managing Your Career in Changing Times”

Tuesdays, February 21 (orientation session), and February 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4; Thursday, April 13; all sessions 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, April 18 will be a make-up session.

This eight-week program is once again returning to the Library and is designed to help people assess – or re-assess – their careers. The program is designed to evaluate your skills, interests, personality; teach you how to use online career information; explore career alternatives; find out about educational and training programs in Westchester, and learn effective job strategies. People must register in advance and plan on attending not only the February 21 orientation session but all following sessions. To register, and for more information, please call (914) 674-3612. This program is funded in part by a gift in memory of Karin and Ted Mayer.

After Dark Book Club

Thursday, March 9, 7:30 p.m.

The club will discuss Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter, by Nobel Prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa. This comic novel was originally published in Barcelona in 1977 by the Peruvian author. It intertwines the story of a young man named Mario who falls in love with and marries the older "Aunt Julia," who is not a blood relative but is the sister of his uncle's wife. But the other key character is the scriptwriter with whom Mario works at a radio station -- Pedro Camacho -- who is eventually driven to confusion and madness with the intertwining plots of his soap operas. All are welcome to the Library's book clubs and copies of the books are usually available at the circulation desk.

One-to-One Computer Instruction

Want to learn how to use the Library’s e-resources on your computer, tablet or phone? Or learn how to use popular computer programs, such as Microsoft Word and Excel? Call the Library for individualized instruction.

Library Notes

The Library will be closed on Monday, February 20, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

For programs requiring registration, please call the Library at (914) 738-1234. Programs for young children require adult supervision.

Photo courtesy of Pelham Library