Adult Services | Lower Providence Community Library

Welcome to the Adult Services page of the Lower Providence Community Library website. Find upcoming Programs & Events, check out our Resources for Readers, and send us your recommendations for books, DVDs, and other materials you would like to have in the library. Also, please let us know if you have any ideas for programming. We would love to hear from you!

To register for programs, email Barbara Loewengart or call the library at 610-666-6640 for the Circulation Desk.

Adult Yoga

Classes for January: Mondays: January 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 5:45- 6:45 pm. Fridays: January 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 3:15 – 4:15 pm.
Classes for February: Mondays: February 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 5:45- 6:45 pm. Fridays: February 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 3:15 – 4:15 pm.

Taught by certified yoga instructor Kamini Patel. Bring a mat or a towel and a $5 donation. Funds provide books and supplies to children in India.

Chair Yoga for Adults

Classes in January: Wednesdays at 1:30 pm, January 8, 15, 22 & 29.
Classes in February: Wednesdays at 1:30 pm, February 5, 12, 19 & 26.

Gentle yoga for people with less mobility, led by certified yoga instructor Kamini Patel. Cost is $5/session. Funds provide books and supplies to children in India.

Meditation Sessions

Classes for January: Mondays at 7:15 pm., January 6, 13, 20 & 27.
Classes for February: Mondays at 7:15 pm., February 3, 10, 17 & 24.

Please join us for FREE meditation sessions. Open to all levels. Bring your active mind and wear comfortable clothing. Taught by Roger Shaughnessy, YT-200.

Movie Matinee

Wednesday, February 5 at 10:30 am. Judy. Starring Renee Zellweger. Rated PG-13.
Monday, February 10 at 1:30 pm. The Goldfinch. Starring Ansel Elgort. Rated R.
Monday, February 24 at 1:30 pm. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. Rated R.
Monday, March 9 at 1:30 pm. Ford v Ferrari. Starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Rated PG-13.
Monday, March 23 at 1:30 pm. JoJo Rabbit. Starring Scarlett Johansson. Rated PG-13.

Come to the Movie Matinee and enjoy a free showing of a hit movie! This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Evening Book Discussion Group

On Wednesday, February 12 at 7:00pm the evening book group will be discussing My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite. Evening Book Discussion meets at 7:00pm the 2nd Wednesday of each month, September through June.

A short, darkly funny, hand grenade of a novel about a Nigerian woman whose younger sister has a very inconvenient habit of killing her boyfriends
“Femi makes three, you know. Three and they label you a serial killer.”
Korede is bitter. How could she not be? Her sister, Ayoola, is many things: the favorite child, the beautiful one, possibly sociopathic. And now Ayoola’s third boyfriend in a row is dead.
Korede’s practicality is the sisters’ saving grace.
She knows the best solutions for cleaning blood, the trunk of her car is big enough for a body, and she keeps Ayoola from posting pictures of her dinner to Instagram when she should be mourning her “missing” boyfriend. Not that she gets any credit.
Korede has long been in love with a kind, handsome doctor at the hospital where she works. She dreams of the day when he will realize that she’s exactly what he needs. But when he asks Korede for Ayoola’s phone number, she must reckon with what her sister has become and how far she’s willing to go to protect her.
Sharp as nails and full of deadpan wit, Oyinkan Braithwaite’s deliciously deadly debut is as fun as it is frightening. (From the publisher.)

Book Discussion Questions

Discussion questions:

1. Why does Korede continue cover up for her sister, to protect her? What are the justifications she uses to convince herself that Ayoola isn’t a serial killer or a monster? Given the sisters’ closeness, what would you do in Korede’s place?

2. Why does Ayoola kill? Korede wonders whether the knife she carries has somehow cursed her with a violent streak. Is Ayoola cursed? Does she carry the knife for self-defense, as she claims, to protect her against the men to hurt her? Or are Ayoola’s murders a product of something else entirely?

3. (Follow-up to Question 2) The girls’ father was a violent man—it’s his knife Ayoola carries. How might the knife stand as a symbol of the girls’ family legacy of abuse and violence?

4. (Follow-up to Question 2 & 3) What are the family dynamics? To what extent have the girls’ parents shaped their daughters’ different behaviors?

5. How would you describe Korede? As she tells us, “There never seemed to be much point in masking my imperfections. It’s as futile as using air freshener when you leave the toilet.” What does this comment suggest about Korede’s self-identity: her sense of herself and her place in the world?

6. Korede, who lacks the beauty her sister possesses, believes that “love is only for the beautiful.” What does the novel suggest about the power of beauty: the privileges and authority it commands, both on a personal level and in the wider society? How do you see the role of beauty in real life—our lives, our society?

7. Talk about the menace and corruption that permeates Lagos, as well as the daily humiliations or sense of entitlement to which its residents are subjected.

8. (Follow-up to Question 7) Consider the incident when the policeman bribes a frightened Korede; she knows that “Educated women anger men of his ilk.” How would you describe the place of women in Nigerian society as depicted in the novel?

9. One of Ayoola’s boyfriends challenges Korede about her sister: “There’s something wrong with her, he says. “But you? What’s your excuse?” What specifically prompts his query? And how does, or how should, Korede respond?

10. What was your overall experience reading My Sister, the Serial Killer? The book is considered by most critics/reviewers as “darkly humorous.” Do you find it funny; if so, where do you find the humor?

(Questions by LitLovers.)

Evening Book Discussion List

Evening Book Discussion List 2019 – 2020

September – Transcription by Kate Atkinson
October – An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
November – Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
December – Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
January – The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea
February – My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
March – Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
April –
May –
June –

Adult Coloring Book Class

Monday, February 3 at 1:00 pm

De-stress and get creative! Join in for a fun, relaxed afternoon with pencils and markers at our Adult Coloring Book Class. We have lots of beautiful coloring book pages to choose from. You’re never too old to color! All materials provided. For more information, contact Barbara Loewengart.

Afternoon Book Discussion Group

On Monday, February 17 at 1:00pm, we will be discussing The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant.

The Boston Girl is unforgettable novel about family ties and values, friendship and feminism told through the eyes of a young Jewish woman growing up in Boston in the early twentieth century.
Addie Baum is The Boston Girl, born in 1900 to immigrant parents who were unprepared for and suspicious of America and its effect on their three daughters.
Growing up in the North End, then a teeming multicultural neighborhood, Addie’s intelligence and curiosity take her to a world her parents can’t imagine—a world of short skirts, movies, celebrity culture, and new opportunities for women. Addie wants to finish high school and dreams of going to college. She wants a career and to find true love.
Eighty-five-year-old Addie tells the story of her life to her twenty-two-year-old granddaughter, who has asked her “How did you get to be the woman you are today.” She begins in 1915, the year she found her voice and made friends who would help shape the course of her life. From the one-room tenement apartment she shared with her parents and two sisters, to the library group for girls she joins at a neighborhood settlement house, to her first, disastrous love affair, Addie recalls her adventures with compassion for the naïve girl she was and a wicked sense of humor.
Written with the same attention to historical detail and emotional resonance that made Anita Diamant’s previous novels bestsellers, The Boston Girl is a moving portrait of one woman’s complicated life in twentieth century America, and a fascinating look at a generation of women finding their places in a changing world. (From the publisher.)

Book Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions:

1. Early on it is clear that Addie has a rebellious streak, joining the library group and running away to Rockport Lodge. Is Addie right to disobey her parents? Where does she get her courage?

2. Addie’s mother refuses to see Celia’s death as anything but an accident, and Addie comments that “whenever I heard my mother’s version of what happened, I felt sick to my stomach” (page 94). Did Celia commit suicide? How might the guilt that Addie feels differ from the guilt her mother feels?

3. When Addie tries on pants for the first time, she feels emotionally as well as physically liberated, and confesses that she would like to go to college (page 108). How does the social significance of clothing and hairstyle differ for Addie, Gussie, and Filomena in the book?

4. Diamant fills her narrative with a number of historical events and figures, from the psychological effects of World War I and the pandemic outbreak of influenza in 1918 to child labor laws to the cultural impact of Betty Friedan. How do real-life people and events affect how we read Addie’s fictional story?

5. Gussie is one of the most forward-thinking characters in the novel; however, despite her law degree she has trouble finding a job as an attorney because “no one would hire a lady lawyer” (page 145). What other limitations do Addie and her friends face in the work force? What limitations do women and/or minorities face today?

6. After distancing herself from Ernie when he suffers a nervous episode brought on by combat stress, Addie sees a community of war veterans come forward to assist him (page 155). What does the remorse that Addie later feels suggest about the challenges American soldiers face as they reintegrate into society? Do you think soldiers today face similar challenges?

7. Addie notices that the Rockport locals seem related to one another, and the cook Mrs. Morse confides in her sister that, although she is usually suspicious of immigrant boarders, “some of them are nicer than Americans” (page 167). How does tolerance of the immigrant population vary between city and town in the novel? For whom might Mrs. Morse reserve the term “Americans”?

8. Addie is initially drawn to Tessa Thorndike because she is a Boston Brahmin who isn’t afraid to poke fun at her own class on the women’s page of the newspaper. What strengths and weaknesses does Tessa’s character represent for educated women of the time? How does Addie’s description of Tessa bring her reliability into question?

9. Addie’s parents frequently admonish her for being ungrateful, but Addie feels she has earned her freedom to move into a boarding house when her parents move to Roxbury, in part because she contributed to the family income (page 185). How does the Baum family move to Roxbury show the ways Betty and Addie think differently than their parents about household roles? Why does their father take such offense at Harold Levine’s offer to house the family?

10. The last meaningful conversation between Addie and her mother turns out to be an apology her mother meant for Celia, and for a moment during her mother’s funeral Addie thinks, “She won’t be able to make me feel like there’s something wrong with me anymore” (page 276). Does Addie find any closure from her mother’s death?

11. Filomena draws a distinction between love and marriage when she spends time catching up with Addie before her wedding, but Addie disagrees with the assertion that “you only get one great love in a lifetime” (page 289). In what ways do the different romantic experiences of each woman inform the ideas each has about love?

12. Filomena and Addie share a deep friendship. Addie tells Ada that “sometimes friends grow apart…But sometimes, it doesn’t matter how far apart you live or how little you talk—it’s still there” (page 283). What qualities do you think friends must share in order to have that kind of connection?
(Questions issued by the publisher.)

Crochet Meet-Up

Wednesday, February 5 & 19 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.

Join Colleen Ochotny, certified crochet instructor, for a casual crochet meet-up. Bring your projects and/or ideas and talk with other crochet enthusiasts. All are welcome.
Colleen Ochotny is a certified crochet instructor through the Craft Yarn Council. She has been teaching crochet for more than 6 years has been crocheting for more than 30 years.

A Different Kind of Book Club

Tuesday, February 18 at 6:30pm.

A Different Kind of Book Club will focus on reading books with happy endings (romance, light fantasy, cozy mysteries and the occasional nonfiction). The group will meet the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. On February 18, the club will be discussing To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han.

The Sleeping Mat Project

Wednesday, January 29 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Wednesday, February 12 & 26 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Did you know those plastic bags taking up space in your closet can be woven into sleeping mats for people who are experiencing homelessness in our community?

Join Bev Weinberg for this innovative, hands-on project. People of all ages and abilities are welcome. You will learn how to make plarn (plastic yarn) and weave it into colorful mats to make a difference for homeless people in our area. This project is sponsored by Integrate for Good, a project designed to expand opportunities for individuals of all abilities to share their time and talent through volunteerism in Montgomery County.

Bev Weinberg received her Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Temple University. Bev returned to and received her clinical doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy in 2016, along with a Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Fox School of Business.

Bev is the project director of Integrate for Good, an innovative initiative designed to expand opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to contribute their time and talent through civic engagement.

Memoir Writing Circle

Monday, February 3 at 6:30 pm.

Join writers in finding their voice through memoir writing. The group will use writing prompts, poems, journal entries and images to discover the compelling themes and stories that comprise a memoir. The Circle will share their writing and read aloud to each other. Suitable for writers of all levels and experience.

2020 Census Information and Job Application Session

Friday, January 31 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday, February 14 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

A recruiter for the 2020 Census will be available at Lower Providence Library to answer your questions and assist with applications for the 1000s of census jobs available in Montgomery County.

Model Train Exhibit

Friday, January 31, 10:00-4:00 pm
Saturday, February 1, 10:00-3:30 pm

Come see S Gauge model trains in action! Promoting S Gauge 3/16” scale model railroading including:
·Scale
·Narrow gauge
·Hi-Rail
·American Flyer
All ages welcome! This program is free and no registration is required.

For more information on Train Exhibit

Chalk Craft Class

Wednesday, February 5 @ 6:30 pm

Beth Shaw of Chalk Couture will show you how to create fun, fast, affordable & fabulous home décor. Even if you don’t consider yourself “crafty” or artistic you truly can create custom pieces in a matter of minutes.
We will be making a Valentine’s Day garland with fabric and double sided chalk circles. All materials provided to make a beautiful holiday decoration for your home. Limited to 15 participants. Registration required.

Turkish Coffee Reading

Thursday, February 6 @ 5:30 – 8:00 pm

Back by popular demand! Join us for a night of Turkish Coffee Reading with Neslihan. The practice of Turkish coffee reading, sometimes referred to as tasseography, is descendant from the tradition of tea leaf reading. The Turkish coffee reading begins with the traditional preparation of a Turkish coffee, which is then served in a traditional demitasse cup. Once the seeker has finished the cup of coffee, the reading can begin.
Limited to 22 participants. Registration required.

Valentine’s Day Card Making

Monday, February 10 @ 7:00 pm

Sheetal Wagh will show you how to create Valentine’s Day cards for you to take home. All materials provided.
Limited to 15 participants. Registration required.

Social Security

Tuesday, February 11 @ 6:15 pm

This informative workshop covers the basics of social security and reveals strategies for maximizing your benefits. Learn the answers to your questions:
Will social security be there for me?
How much can I expect to receive?
When should I apply for social security?
How can I maximize my benefits?
Will social security be enough to live on in retirement?
Other information offered includes how to minimize taxes on social security benefits, how to coordinate benefits with your spouse, why you should check your earnings record for accuracy, and how to decide whether or not to delay your benefits. This program is most beneficial to those between the ages of 58 & 67. Presented by John J. Crowley, MBA

Medicare One-on-One

Wednesday, February 19 – Schedule a 40 minute appointment at 10:00am, 10:40am, 11:20am or 12:00pm

Do you have questions about Medicare? Need assistance with what Medicare options are available? Need to know what plan is right for you? Donna Uhler, an APPRISE counselor, will answer your Medicare questions.
APPRISE is a program funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and other agencies designed to help Medicare beneficiaries understand their Medicare and health choice options. APPRISE counselors are sponsored and supervised by RSVP of Montgomery County. Registration required.

Documentary Film Night – Honeyland, a Sundance Award winning film

Thursday, February 27 @ 6:30 pm

The last female beehunter in Europe must save the bees and return the natural balance in Honeyland, when a family of nomadic beekeepers invade her land and threaten her livelihood.

Top IRA Mistakes

Wednesday, March 18 @ 6:30 pm

Top 10 IRA Mistakes and How to avoid the IRS “Tax Traps”
Most Americans have made substantial contributions to their IRA’s, 401k’s and other retirement accounts. These accounts represent the majority of their retirement savings. The IRS has a set of complex rules, regulations and hidden tax traps lurking around the corner. Most of these mistakes are irreversible. This workshop will educate you on what they are and how to avoid them. It’s better to learn from other people’s mistake than to learn the hard way.
Presenter: John J. Maioriello, Esq. is an accomplished speaker and lecturer on estate planning and tax planning. He is the founder and executive director of the LIFE Long Learning Company of the Delaware Valley which is a Non Profit Organization providing Legal, Insurance, Financial Education. He speaks primarily to AARP groups and to the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Associations. John is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey.

Martha Washington – A One-Woman Show

Thursday, March 19 @ 6:30 pm

Professional Actress, Maggie Worsdale, portrays Martha Washington, a woman who wanted nothing more than a peaceful domestic life only to find herself in the unwanted glare of a national spotlight. Through it all Martha Washington maintained her natural, unassuming presence. Cheerful, attentive, and appreciative: the very model of a President’s Lady.

Martha Washington lived in the shadow of her husband’s greatness. However, she emerged as the most famous woman of her time. In the words of her obituary, to the foremost man of his times Martha Washington was truly a “worthy partner”.

Maggie Worsdale holds a B.A. degree in Theater and English from Marietta College. Performing professionally as a jazz singer, Worsdale has entertained throughout the U.S. and Europe. Sharing the stage with Bob Hope and George Burns opened the door for her first recorded album and she has since recorded 4 personal albums and has been featured on 3. In 2005, Worsdale began producing traveling literary programs with a small troupe of trained, professional actors. In 2012, TRAVELING LITERARY THEATER was recognized nationally with the production of 100 Years – TITANIC – survivors and their stories. In the spring of 2013, after 18 months of research and writing, Maggie began her historical figure portrayal as Martha Washington. Worsdale is a member of NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY PROJECT – Writing Women Back into History.

New to Medicare

Wednesday, March 25 @ 6:30 pm

Cercle Francais

Every Tuesday at 10:30am until 12 noon.

This is not a formal language instruction class, but is for individuals wishing to practice and improve their French language conversation skills. Native speakers are most welcome. We need you, too! Please register and we will notify you three days prior to each weekly meeting.

Choose Your Game Monday

Meets every Monday at 10:30 am until 1:00 pm in the café area.

Join this casual gathering each Monday to play and learn an eclectic group of games such as UNO, 5 Crowns and Qwirkle. All are welcome! For more information, email Barbara Loewengart.

Canasta

Meets every Thursday at 11:45 until 2:00 in the Main Library.

Join us each Thursday to play and learn the social and exciting game of Canasta. Newcomers and experienced players welcomed! For more information, email Barbara Loewengart.

Mahjong Club

Meets every Tuesday at 12:30pm in the Community Room.

Are you interested in playing Mahjong? You are welcome to join our Mahjong club! You will need a playing card, available for purchase ($7.00) at http://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org For more information, email Barbara Loewengart.

Crafter’s Club

Meets every Wednesday at 10:00 am in the upstairs Board Room.

Do you have a craft you enjoy, or are you trying to finish a project? Meet with other knitting, crochet, jewelry making and cross stitching enthusiasts. All crafts welcome. Bring your own supplies. Learn and share ideas. All are welcome! For more information, email Barbara Loewengart.