Milton Public Library announces adult programming for April 2024

In April the Milton Public Library is offering some enjoyable programming for adults and families. We will continue to offer virtual job search sessions for 50+ people, drop-in knitting, and adult yoga this month. The MA Library Collaborative’s 50+ Job Seeker Group will meet virtually twice, on these dates: Wednesday, April 3 (the topic is “Cover Letters using AI in the Job Search”) and Wednesday, April 17 (the topic is: “Networking”) and both zoom programs start at 9:30  a.m. This is a nice opportunity for older workers to network with other job seekers, while improving their search skills, facilitated by instructor Deborah Hope, who is an experienced executive career coach. Advance registration is required to attend either session at: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqceChqjgpEty4gffitkRfEYFdVBaGeaJ9#/registration

Then the Library Knitting Group will meet this month on Thursday, April 4, at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, April 13, at 10:00 a.m., both held in the lower level Conference Room. Join other experienced knitters to share your projects, get tips and tricks, and make new friends! There is no signup required, but if you would like to get on the organizer’s list, please email [email protected] and she will make sure you are added to receive updates. Please note that this drop-in is not for beginners wanting to learn the craft, although on Saturday, 5/18, there will be an MPL class held to help you get started. (Keep watch of our program listings for April to register and find out more.)

Instructor Marianne Zullas will teach another Adult Yoga class on Saturday, April 6, at 11:00 a.m. in our Keys Community Room. This program is designed to create movement and space in the body, and students will practice breathing techniques and asanas (yoga poses). They will also be introduced to exercises that open some of the meridian pathways in the body to create a better flow of energy. Go to this link to register, as space is limited: tinyurl.com/bdctwy5f and there you will also learn more details about what to bring to the class.

Prolific author Anthony Sammarco will return to the MPL on Tuesday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the Keys Community Room to give a talk about his book called: The Other Red Line – Washington St from Scollay Square to the Combat Zone. The “other Red Line” is literally the connecting point between Scollay Square to the Combat Zone, the two preeminent adult entertainment districts in Boston. With burlesque houses such as the Old Howard and the Crawford House, movie palaces began to open, showing silent films accompanied by a pianist, news reels and comedy acts. For more details about the book, visit: tinyurl.com/4fr9zujj. No signup is required to attend, and we hope to see you there for a fascinating talk about Boston history!

Also in early April, on Monday, April 8, there will be a new book group starting with Assistant Director Sara Truog. It is called: “Booked for Lunch” and it will be held in the Conference Room from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. This will be a silent book club to include a half hour of socializing and eating lunch together, and another half hour of silent reading time. We’ll talk about what books we’re reading and share our top picks (and maybe the duds too). Participants should bring a bag lunch and a book to read, and this program is for adults only. Registration is required in advance to attend. To sign up, visit: tinyurl.com/yrhkcb9u

 There are 2 gardening programs happening in April. The first will be on Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. in person in the Keys Room and it is called: “Home Herb Gardening” with Master Gardener Barbara McIntosh. Herb gardening has been popular for centuries, but herbs were not grown solely for culinary use, as we think of them primarily today. Herb gardens took care of the family by providing herbs for medicine, herbs for dying cloth, herbs to keep the clothes and house fresh, and many other uses. No advance signup is required to attend, so just come and bring your gardening and chef friends with you!

The second event this month will be held on Monday, April 29, at 7:00 p.m. in the Keys Room and it is called: “Swing into Spring” with Lisa Ahern. Watch and be inspired as Lisa creates arrangements with fresh flowers and plants for your home or garden. She will make several arrangements which will be raffled off during the evening. For more details, visit miltonlibrary.org/events/upcoming-events/

 On Tuesday, April 9, we encourage you to come to a free film program starting at 6:30 p.m. in our Keys Room. It is called: “Movie Talk: Out of the Shadow, into the Spotlight – Hollywood’s History with the LGBT Community” and the presenter will be movie historian and expert Frank Mandosa. If you have never heard Frank’s talks, you do not want to miss this! For over a century, Hollywood and the films it produces have had a troubled history with both onscreen depictions and the real-life interactions with the LGBTQ+ community.

This talk explores not only the ongoing evolution of this dynamic before, during, and after the cameras roll, but also different portrayals of the LGBTQ+ experience in films of all genres, both past and present. For 8 years Frank hosted “Reel Life,” a Stoughton-based cable program, so please come try out his interactive trivia questions, movie-themed door prizes, photo displays, and free handouts! You may register in advance here, but also drop-ins are welcome: tinyurl.com/mswmkmjt

The Cookbook Club, led by local chef Connie Spiros and staff member Sara Truog, invites you to its next session which will be held on Thursday, April 11, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Keys Room. Calling all cooks! Each club meeting will feature a selected cookbook, and members will prepare a tasty treat from the book to bring to the Library and share. The cookbook chosen for April is Good Enough by Leanne Brown. Advance registration is required, so use this link to sign up: tinyurl.com/ym6b7xvr

On Tuesday, April 16, at 7:00 p.m., join local real estate attorney Kathleen O’Donnell and real estate agents Carolyn Cahill and Mary Beth Grant in a free workshop called: “Selling Your House.” This in person program will cover where to start, paperwork from contracts to title work, and what should or shouldn’t you do to your home before listing. No advance registration is required so just come and bring your friends to this informative talkheld in the Keys Community Room.

The Wednesday Monthly Movie continues on April 17, starting at 6:15 p.m. and it is called: “Gran Turismo” starring Archie Madekwe, Orlando Bloom, and more. This is a 2023  a.m.erican biographical sports drama directed by Neill Blomkamp and it tells the true story of British teenager Jann Mardenborough, a teenage Gran Turismo player who became a professional racing car driver. Due to intense action and some strong language, it is rated PG-13 so is suitable for teens and adults, but not for children. The running time is 134 minutes and racing fans will love it! For more details, go to our website and no signup is required to attend. Please note earlier 6:15 starting time in the Keys Room.

The final concert in our Spring series is happening on Saturday, April 20, at 2:00 p.m., in the Keys Room and it will be a musical hour by the fabulous band called: “The Boston Saxophone Quartet.” This fun group of 4 very talented musicians will entertain all ages with their lovely and unique arrangements of lots of tunes we know and love. The group includes Jim Repa, saxophonist, flutist, composer and teacher; Lou Stamas, alto sax player, freelance performer, and clinician; Robert Chadwick, instrumental band instructor, principal bassoonist who doubles on woodwinds; and director and woodwind specialist, Peter Cokkinias. All of these fine players have incredible experience and have performed with so many other groups like The Boston Pops, Guy Lombardo, Aretha Franklin, Andrea Boccelli, the Boston Ballet, Springfield Symphony, Berklee College of Music groups, and so many more.. Please do not miss this great musical opportunity! No signup is required so just come and bring the family!

And last but not least, there will be a virtual talk on Tuesday, April 23, at 7:00 p.m. called: “Armchair Travel: The History and Wildlife of Nova Scotia” with naturalist Joy Marzolf. In this program, you will learn about this fascinating Canadian province, as well as its long ties to New England. Visit the historic port and homes of Yarmouth and learn about the “Age of Sail” and the role it played in the 18th and 19th centuries as people traveled back and forth to the U.S. See how farming has changed in the Annapolis Valley from the unique techniques of the earliest French settlers of Grand Pre, to the vineyards of today. This program will also show migrating wildlife who move back and forth between the two countries, in this Zoom visit to our neighbor to the North! Advance registration is required, so please sign up here to receive the link: tinyurl.com/bdhvu5wp

 All of these adult programs are kindly sponsored by the Friends of the Milton Public Library and are free and open to all. The Milton Public Library is located at 476 Canton Avenue, and for questions, call the Reference Dept. at (617) 898-4964 or email [email protected].

You may also go to: www.miltonlibrary.org for more information.