The Milton Public Library announces adult programs for January 2025

The New Year starts off with a fun slate of programs geared to adults for the month of January at the Milton Public Library. Our ongoing programs continue with the MA Collaborative Online 50+ Job Seekers Group to meet on Wednesday, January 15, starting at 9:30 a.m., via Zoom. (There will only be one meeting of this career networking program held this month, but starting in February, keep an eye out for two Wednesday morning meetings per month.). The topic to be discussed on January 15 is “Self-Assessment” and the facilitator is Deborah Hope, who is an experienced job coach and recruiter. If you are unemployed and actively looking, underemployed, seeking a new position in the job market after a long gap, or recently retired and looking, this program is perfect for you! You do need to register for each meeting individually so please go to our website’s program link to find out how to sign up in advance: https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13624647 There you will find a special URL from the collaborative where you may register to receive the Zoom link. Questions? Email [email protected] or call the Reference Dept. at (617) 898-4964. We hope you might join us!

The Library Knitting Group starts up again in January,, having now switched to two Saturdays per month (instead of one Sat. and one Thurs.). The dates for this fun, drop-in get together are January 4 and January 18, both at 10:00 a.m. in the Conference Room. This is a nice opportunity for people to meet new friends, bring a project to work on, and have others nearby for occasional advice. Knitters and other fiber artists over the age of 13 are invited to attend. Please note that this is not a class for beginners, but instead a chance to share current projects with others and learn tips and tricks. No registration is required for these drop-in sessions, but if you would like to get on the organizer’s list to receive Email reminders, send a message to [email protected] and she will make sure you are added. Here are our program links to read more: https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13567959 and https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13732995.

The Honorable Judge Dennis Curran, who served as a Massachusetts trial judge for 15 years, will give a virtual talk called: “The Boston Massacre Trials – Blood in the Snow.” This will be a zoom presentation about the history and legal topics associated with the American Revolution and it will be held on Tuesday, January 7 starting at 7:00 p.m. Denounced as an act of unprovoked violence and villainy, this event is one of the most familiar incidents in American history, yet one of the least understood. We will revisit this dramatic episode and the resulting trials, the competing narratives that molded public perceptions, and the unheralded courage of one lawyer and a future President – John Adams – tasked with the defense of the captain of British troops charged with murder. This year marks the start of the Boston 250 Project, a series that celebrates the American war for independence. If you love history, you will love this program! Please go here to register and receive the Zoom link: https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13430367

Next, on Tuesday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m., Naturalist and Photographer Bob Michelson will be back to give a virtual talk about New England Bobcats, as his animal series continues into 2025. These programs have proved very popular, and in this one-hour presentation, Mr. Michelson will follow Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection researchers as they study the expansion of the bobcat population throughout the state. This program will be enhanced by some wonderful photos, and you must sign up here in advance to attend and receive the Zoom link: https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13430401 We hope to see you online for an interesting and educational program!

The next meeting of the Celebrity Book Club with Sally Lawler and Sara Truog will be held on Thursday January 16, at 7:00 p.m. in our Keys Room, and the book to be read in advance is: Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra. Sally and Sara will lead you in a fun, relaxed discussion of books recommended by popular celebrities and this title was enjoyed by Jimmy Fallon. Registration opens Thursday, December 26 and to sign up, which is required, please go here: https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13489899 To reserve a copy of the book, either go to our website (www.miltonlibrary.org) or call the Reference Dept. at (617) 898-4964.

The Milton Public Library is teaming with the Milton Council on Aging to bring a new virtual series to our offerings. It is called: “The Unique Planning Needs of Solo Agers” and it is a 5-part series. The Milton COA is thrilled to announce this partnership to bring speaker Ailene Gerhardt, MA, BCPA, CSA Independent Board-Certified Patient Advocate (bcpa) and Solo Aging Educator and Advocate, to these sessions via Zoom. Research tells us: 27% of U.S. households have one person who lives alone; 36% of “Baby Boomers” live in single-person households; and 30% of respondents in a Pew Research survey with children would prefer not to involve them in their care as they age. The January dates for this series are: Thursdays, January 16 and January 30, starting at 7:00 p.m. (and additional sessions will be held on 2/6, 2/20 and 2/27) online. Registration in advance is required to receive the Zoom link and please go to these links for January 16 and January 30 respectively to sign up: https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13430112 and https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13430120. Please join us for an important and educational series this winter.

There will be two free yoga classes held this month. “Adult Yoga” with Sheila Armstrong will be on Tuesday, January 21, at 7:00 p.m. in the Keys Community Room. This is a one-hour gentle fluid yoga class where we will practice asanas (yoga poses) and breathing techniques to come into the present moment, and create more space in our minds and bodies. For all the details, go to this link as registration is required in advance to attend, and space is limited: https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13627766

The second yoga program will be “Chair Yoga” with Marianne Zullas and it is scheduled for Thursday, January 23 at 3:00 p.m., also in the Keys Room. This is a very beneficial practice for teenagers, adults, people in wheelchairs or those with physical disabilities or medical concerns. You can gain core strength, improve mobility, reduce stress, and aid mental clarity. You can sign up here, as this is required and again space is limited: https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13642040 Please join us!

Also on Thursday, January 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the under 40 “Boozy Bookworms” group is eager to connect with fellow book enthusiasts! These meetings take place offsite at Steel & Rye, located at 95 Eliot Street, Milton, and it is facilitated by staff members Tory Fiske and Micaela Soucy. Attendees are responsible for purchasing their own food and refreshments, and we recommend arriving 15 minutes early if you plan to order. This month we are reading Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie. This book group is for OCLN library card holders under the age of 40 only and registration is required for this in-person event as space is limited. Please go here to sign up: https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13527343

Prolific author Anthony Sammarco will be back at the MPL on Tuesday, January 29, at 7:00 p.m., in our Keys Room in person to give a talk about his latest book called: The Christmas Tree Shops (c2024). The Christmas Tree Shops was not just an icon of New England, but it was a destination with stores that boasted a diverse assortment of merchandise from seasonal decorations, home decor, housewares, food, giftware and just about everything else that the public just had to have. Founded in 1970 in Yarmouthport, it was “like walking into a closet full of surprise treasures.” For more details about this fascinating book and about the author, please go to this link: https://miltonlibrary.libcal.com/event/13430424 Anthony’s presentations are always so fun and interesting, and I am sure you will enjoy this one!

And our final program for January is the Monthly Wednesday Movie which will happen on January 29, starting at 6:00 p.m. (please note earlier than usual time). The film will be “Elvis” which is an epic biographical drama, directed by Baz Lurhmann and starring Austin Butler, with supporting roles by Tom Hank, Olivia DeJonge and many more wonderful actors. The story is seen through the prism of Elvis’ complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks). The movie is rated PG13 for substance abuse, strong language, suggestive material and smoking, so is not appropriate for young children. The running time is 159 minutes and you do not need to sign up to attend. Just come and enjoy an excellent film, if you have not seen this one yet!

All of these events are kindly sponsored by the Friends of the Milton Public Library and are free to all.

Questions? Email [email protected] or call the Reference Dept. at (617) 898-4964.

We hope you might visit us for a fun activity during January!

The Milton Public Library’s website is www.miltonlibrary.org and we are located at 476 Canton Avenue, Milton.