Milton Public Library announces adult programming for February 2024

During the month of February, the Milton Public Library has a lot of enjoyable and educational events to offer to adults and families. Our ongoing programs continue this month, with the Library Knitting Group meeting on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, Feb. 17, both at 10:00 a.m., to meet in the Conference Room. Come to this fun drop-in gathering to share your knitting project with others, and meet new friends in the process!  No sign-up is required to attend, but if you would like to get on the organizer’s list to receive program reminders, Email [email protected] and she will make sure you are added.  Please note that this is not an instructional class for knitting but instead a group activity with other knitters who might share tips and tricks about their projects.

Also the Massachusetts Library Collaborative’s Online 50+ Job Seekers Group continues on Wednesdays, Feb. 7 and Feb. 21, at 9:30 a.m.  The topics to be discussed are: “LinkedIn – Part #1” and “LinkedIn – Part #2” respectively.  Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link and you must sign up for each meeting individually. To register, visit miltonlibrary.org/events/upcoming-events. For questions, please call the Reference Dept. at (617) 898-4964.

Prolific author Prof. Ye Chun will present her work of fiction virtually on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7:00 p.m. and it is called: Straw Dogs of the Universe. The story centers around true historical events with a Chinese father and his daughter, and she is desperate to find him against all odds.  After her village is devastated by famine, 10-year-old Sixiang is sold to a human trafficker for a bag of rice and six silver coins. Her mother allows this due to the promise of a better life for her beloved daughter, but upon arriving in America with a single photo of her father, she makes her way through an unforgiving new world where he is working to build the California transcontinental railroad. Please join host Jean Hlady to learn about the courage it takes to survive in a country that rejects you, even as it relies upon your labor. Please sign up in advance to receive the zoom link here: http://tinyurl.com/4jyfkmcj.  We hope you might join us!

Next there will be a meeting of the Cookbook Club on Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m., in the Keys Community Room with Connie Spiros and Sara Truog.  The book assigned for this month is: The Mediterranean Dish by Suzy Karadsheh and only registered cooks may attend to share food and companionship. To reserve a copy of the book, go online with your library card at our website or call us to place a hold. To register or for more information, visit miltonlibrary.org/events/upcoming-events..  If you need help registering, please call the Reference Dept. for help.

A very talented vocalist named Michelle Brooks Thompson will perform in a free, one-hour concert on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 2:00 p.m., in our Keys Community Room. This event is titled the “Iconic African AMerican Female Voices Tribute Show” and Ms. Brooks Thompson, who is from Springfield, MA, won NBC’s “The Voice” and also was the Grand Champion winner of the legendary Apollo Amateur competition.  In the incredible one-woman show, this singer will bring us the hit songs of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, and other female powerhouse vocalists, in a high-energy event!  This is an unforgettable presentation that pays homage to the timeless music of many voices we miss, as Michelle entertains us with her soaring vocals.  No registration is required, so please just come and bring your friends and family!

World traveler Barry Pell will bring us a virtual talk on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 7:00 p.m., called: “Armchair Travel: Persian Glory and Islamic Revolution” which describes the history and culture of thisa.m.azing country which dates back 2,500 years, and it will be illustrated by Barry’s wonderful photographs.  The Persian Empire was the largest of ancient times, extending from Central Asia to North Africa.  The legacy of this power and wealth is manifest in the stunning tiled architecture of mosques and secular mansions, the distinctly spiced cuisine, the country’s arts and crafts including their beautiful rugs, and the very diverse population.  Having crossed 4,000 miles during his travels in Iran, Mr. Pell will share his experiences with us in this excellent presentation. To attend, please register in advance here: http://tinyurl.com/mtv3hhdz We hope you might join us!

Our free monthly Wednesday movie series will happen this month on Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Keys Community Room with the film: “Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World” (2023).  It is rated PG-13 (for sports violence and kissing) so is not appropriate for young children. It stars Khris Davis, Jasmine Mathews, and Sullivan Jones.  George Foreman aspired to overcome significant odds and achieved greatness in the sport of boxing.  Fueled by an impoverished childhood, George channeled his anger into becoming an Olympic Gold medalist and World Heavyweight Champion, followed by a near-death experience that took him from the boxing ring to the pulpit.  Please come (and bring a snack) to enjoy a riveting dramatized biopic at the MPL!  No sign-up is required.

Adult Yoga continues in February on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 11AM in our Keys Community Room with the excellent instructor Marianne Zullas.  This ongoing program is a one-hour in person gentle vinyasa flow class designed to create movement and space in the body.  Students will practice breathing techniques, and asanas and exercises that will open some of the meridian pathways in the body to create a better flow of energy. Advance registration is required as space is limited, and please use this link to do so: http://tinyurl.com/2p9ypku9

And finally, Historian Bob Begin will be back in person at the MPL to give a talk called: “Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt” on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 7:00 p.m. in our Keys Community Room. Lawrence, an Englishman who felt the “pull of the East,” dedicated his life to learning and loving the Arab way of life in the Middle East in the early 1900s.  He absorbed their culture, values, and became completely accepted by the Bedouins and other peoples of the desert.  Here was an Englishman who respected and dedicated his effort to help the Arabs become self-governing.  Many of today’s problems in the Middle East stem from decisions made which Lawrence opposed.  Bob Begin is an avid history fan and devotes his research to interesting and inspiring topics from American chronology.  To read more, please visit our website although no signup is required to attend, so just come and bring any history fans with you!

These events are kindly sponsored by the Friends of the Milton Public Library.

For questions, please call the Reference Dept. at (617) 698-5757 or email [email protected]

We hope to see you visit us in February!