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 March: Mondays: March 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 5:45- 6:45pm. Fridays: March 1, 8, 15 & 22 from 3:15 – 4:15pm.

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 March: Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm.

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 March: Mondays at 7:15pm., March 4, 11, 18 & 25.

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

Monday, March 25 at 1:30pm. Green Book. Starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. Rated PG-13.
Monday, April 8 at 1:30pm. Mary Queen of Scots. Starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie. Rated R.
Monday, April 29 at 1:30pm. Mary Poppins Returns. Starring Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Rated PG.

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, April 10 at 7:00pm the evening book group will be discussing The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. Evening Book Discussion meets at 7:00pm the 2nd Wednesday of each month, September through June.

Told in a series of vignettes stunning for their eloquence, The House on Mango Street is Sandra Cisneros’s greatly admired novel of a young girl growing up in the Latino section of Chicago. Acclaimed by critics, beloved by children, their parents and grandparents, taught everywhere from inner-city grade schools to universities across the country, and translated all over the world, it has entered the canon of coming-of-age classics.
Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes deeply joyous, The House on Mango Street tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, whose neighborhood is one of harsh realities and harsh beauty. Esperanza doesn’t want to belong—not to her rundown neighborhood, and not to the low expectations the world has for her. Esperanza’s story is that of a young girl coming into her power, and inventing for herself what she will become. (From the publisher.)

Book Discussion Questions

Discussion questions:

(Below are two types of questions: 44 chapter-by-chapter questions, followed by 6 broader questions. Both sets are issued by Knopf Doubleday, the publisher.)

1. “The House on Mango Street”
In describing her house, or where she lives, what does Esperanza convey about her self-identity? How is the description of her house different from other information about her and her family’s identity, such as a name, an occupation, or a physical description?
2. “Hairs”
What binds the family together in The House on Mango Street?
3. “My Name”
What does Esperanza find shameful or burdensome about her name? Why might Cisneros have chosen this name for her protagonist?
4. “Cathy Queen of Cats”
Why is Cathy’s family about to move, and what does this mean to Esperanza?5. “Our Good Day”
At this stage of her life, what are Esperanza’s friendships based on, and what do her friends mean to her? Does she fit in with an older or younger crowd, and how does she feel about her place in the social hierarchy?
6. “Laughter”
What common traits does Esperanza share with Nenny, and how does she distinguish herself from Nenny?
7. “Gil’s Furniture Bought & Sold”
What makes Esperanza want the music box, and why is she ashamed of wanting it? How does her reaction to the box differ from Nenny’s reaction, and what does this difference tell the reader about the difference between the two girls? As in “Hairs” and “Laughter,” how does Esperanza separate herself from her family?
8. “Meme Ortiz”
How do the residents of Mango Street interact with one another?
9. “Louie, His Cousin & His Other Cousin”
How do Esperanza’s vivid similes such as those in this story (“the nose of that yellow Cadillac was all pleated like an alligator’s” [p. 25]) or those in “Laughter” (“ice cream bells’ giggle” or laughter “like a pile of dishes breaking” [p. 17]) set the tone throughout the novel? As Esperanza matures, does her use of simile change?
10. “Marin”
Does Marin dream of sex, romance or love, or all three? What are her goals? How does Esperanza position herself vis-á-vis Marin, and what is her opinion of Marin? Can she identify with Marin, and how might Marin be or not be a role model for Esperanza?
11. “Those Who Don’t”
How does Esperanza’s view of herself compare to her perception of how others view her?
What is the picture of the neighborhood that Esperanza paints for the reader? Does this picture change the reader’s perception of the neighborhood from this point on in the book?
12. “There Was an Old Woman…”
Like “Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut & Papaya Juice on Tuesdays,” the title of this story is long and filled with detail. What do these and other titles in the book convey about the people and the life surrounding Esperanza? What kind of tone do these longer titles set for the story? What do they suggest about Esperanza’s character? How are children regarded in Esperanza’s community?
13. “Alicia Who Sees Mice”
How has Esperanza’s relationships with Alicia changed since “Cathy Queen of Cats”? How does Esperanza’s portrait of Alicia compare to her portrait of Marin? What do these portraits indicate about the differences between the two girls, and about Esperanza herself?
14. “Darius & the Clouds”
How does Esperanza keep her dreams alive? Does she hold any religious beliefs?
15. “And Some More”
What is the importance of names? How does Esperanza portray names in this story in comparison to her own name in “My Name”? How has her narrative voice changed from that earlier story?
16. “The Family of Little Feet”
To what degree is Esperanza aware of sex and sexuality? What does this indicate to the reader about her age?
17. “A Rice Sandwich”
What kind of person is Esperanza? What does the reader learn from this story about her strengths and weaknesses?
18. “Chanclas”
What stage in Esperanza’s life does this story capture, and how is this stage portrayed? How has Esperanza’s voice changed from the previous stories “And Some More” and “The Family of Little Feet,” and in what ways is her voice still the same?
19. “Hips”
How does Esperanza distinguish herself from Nenny in this story? Does this distinction echo the one in “Gil’s Furniture Bought and Sold”? How does Esperanza distinguish herself from the other girls she plays with, and has her relationship with them changed since the earlier stories such as “And Some More” or “Our Good Day”? Has Esperanza’s comprehension of her own sexuality changed since “Marin,” and, if so, how?
20. “The First Job”
What range of emotions does Esperanza experience in this story, and how does Cisneros convey these emotions to the reader without naming them? How does Esperanza express her emotions in this story differently than those she experienced in “A Rice Sandwich” or “Chanclas” and, if so, why?
21. “Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark”
What is Esperanza’s relationship with her father? How does this story develop Esperanza’s character?
22. “Born Bad”
What clues does this story provide about the roles of women and men in Esperanza’s community? How does this story, like “Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark,” evidence Esperanza’s character development?
23. “Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water”
Does the superstition expressed in this story conflict or coexist with any religious beliefs Esperanza may hold? With what tone does Esperanza describe her visit to Elenita?
24. “Geraldo No Last Name”
What is the significance of this being the last story in the book in which Marin is mentioned?
25. “Edna’s Ruthie”
What does Esperanza learn from Ruthie’s experience that helps her formulate goals?
26. “The Earl of Tennessee”
What does Esperanza learn from Earl that might help her formulate goals?27. “Sire”
How has Esperanza’s awareness of her own sexuality evolved from “Hips” to this story? How have her imagination and her desires moved away from her negative sexual experience in “My First Job”?
28. “Four Skinny Trees”
What do the trees symbolize? What does Esperanza impose of her own character on the trees, and what does she take from the trees? How do the trees compare to the clouds in “Darius & the Clouds”?
29. “No Speak English”
What does Esperanza tell us about her community’s attitude towards non-Mexican Americans? What about the image that the non-Latinos have of the Latinos? How do these views help or hinder Esperanza in the formulation of her own personal identity?
30. “Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut…”
What conflicting needs or desires of Esperanza’s does her description of Rafaela’s situation convey?
32. “Sally”
Compare the portrait of Sally to that of Marin in “Marin.” How is Esperanza’s relationship with Sally different?
33. “Minerva Writes Poems”
With what tone is Esperanza’s plaintive “There is nothing I can do” conveyed? [p. 85] 34. “Bums in the Attic”
Why does Esperanza wish to house “bums” in her attic?
35. “Beautiful & Cruel”
Does Esperanza reconcile the images of herself as “ugly” [p. 88] and “beautiful and cruel,” and what does each self-image imply about her future?36. “A Smart Cookie”
What does Esperanza learn from her mother in this story, and how might their relationship be characterized?
37. “What Sally Said”
With what tone does Esperanza convey the violence Sally suffers? How does this tone convey her attitude toward abuse? Has Esperanza’s attitude changed from the earlier stories? Compare Esperanza’s family’s response toward this abuse with how the community reacts toward domestic violence and abuse in general.
38. “The Monkey Garden”
What is the nature of Sally’s and Esperanza’s friendship? Can Esperanza ever recover what she lost in the monkey garden? What does the monkey garden symbolize?
39. “Red Clowns”
What does Esperanza lose in “Red Clowns,” and how does it compare to her loss in “The Monkey Garden”? What clues does Cisneros provide the reader about the precise nature of the assault on Esperanza?
40. “Linoleum Roses”
How and why has Esperanza’s tone toward Sally changed?
41. “The Three Sisters”
In what way do the Sisters provide the decisive turning point for Esperanza? How does Esperanza’s community fit into her vision of her own future?
42. “Alicia & I Talking on Edna’s Steps”
What is the significance of the fact that the only lasting friendship Esperanza seems to have is with Alicia?
43. “A House of My Own”
How does Esperanza’s dream house in this story and in “Bums in the Attic” differ from Sally’s dream house in “Linoleum Roses”? How does Cisneros utilize the recurring image of a house as a metaphor to tie her stories together thematically and structurally? Is the house a positive or negative image? What does it alternatively preserve or imprison within its walls, and what does it keep out? How is Esperanza’s house on Mango Street alike or different from the other houses portrayed in the stories? [See, e.g., “Meme Ortiz”] 44. “Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes”
Why must Mango say goodbye to Esperanza, and not vice versa? Why is Mango Street personified as a “she”? Might Esperanza’s view of her own name have changed at this point, and, if so, how might she describe it? (Questions issued by the publisher.)

__________________

Broader Questions
1. From the beginning, Esperanza senses she does not want to end up inheriting her great-grandmother’s “place by the window . . . the way so many women sit their sadness on an elbow” [“My Name” p. 11]. How does Esperanza emotionally and physically separate herself from the other women: Marin, Sally, Rafaela, Minerva, or Ruthie? Will her solution in “Beautiful & Cruel” [“I am one who leaves the table like a man, without putting back the chair or picking up the plate” p. 89] be an effective one? How is her self-esteem formed, and how does it evolve over the course of the novel? What obstacles will Esperanza have to overcome, and what battles will she have to fight as she carves a future for herself?
2. Can or should The House on Mango Street be categorized as a coming-of-age novel, or is it more complex than that?
3. How do the children who inhabit Mango Street become the men and women portrayed in the novel? For instance, what circumstances explain how the Vargas children, Meme Ortiz, the girls Esperanza plays with, and her own sisters grow into the adults of Mango street such as Esperanza’s parents, the husbands and fathers in the neighborhood, the young wives, and the older single adults such as Earl and Ruthie? Is the children’s fate inevitable? How does Esperanza set an example for how they can shape their own futures?
4. If you have some knowledge of the history of Chicanos in America–how they arrived here and their place in society, how does The House on Mango Street reflect this history? How is the Chicanos’ treatment in society–i.e., their systematic exclusion–alike or different from that of other minority groups?
5. Given that the narrator is a young female, how does Cisneros make Esperanza and her stories accessible to older and/or male readers? Does Esperanza’s youth affect her telling of the story and her reliability as a narrator? Is there a universal message about one’s identity that transcends Esperanza’s individual experience?
6. Cisneros’s prose has been described as “poetic” and “lyrical.” What characteristics of the stories made these critics choose these descriptive words? What other words might be used to describe the selections in The House on Mango Street and why? Are the selections in The House on Mango Street most aptly labeled (a) stories, (b) sketches, (c) vignettes, or (d) poems, and what characteristics make them one or the other? How does Cisneros make the collection of sketches or stories work together as a book structurally and thematically?
(Questions issued by publisher.)

Evening Book Discussion List

Evening Book Discussion List 2018-2019

September – The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
October – Never Let Me Go by Ishiguro Kazuo
November – The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyle
December – Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
January – Exit West by Moshin Hamed
February – The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson
March – One Book, Once County selection
April – The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
May – Less by Andrew Sean Greer
June – The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Adult Coloring Book Class

Monday, April 1 at 1:00pm

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

Monday, April 15 at 1:00pm, we will be discussing Love and Ruin by Paula McLain.

The bestselling author of The Paris Wife returns to the subject of Ernest Hemingway in a novel about his passionate, stormy marriage to Martha Gellhorn—a fiercely independent, ambitious young woman who would become one of the greatest war correspondents of the 20th century. (From the publisher.)

Book Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions:

1. Martha tells us from the outset that, for better or worse, she is a born traveler. What kind of expectation does that set up about her personality and disposition? What character traits might “born travelers” have that others don’t?

2. Just before Martha meets Ernest, her father dies. How might that make her more impressionable or susceptible to Ernest’s influence?

3. How would you describe Martha’s outlook as she heads off to Madrid? What are her reasons for going? What did the war seem to mean to her, and to others who volunteered?

4. When Martha begins to feel Ernest is drawn to her physically, she initially resists, saying he’s “too Hemingway.” What does she mean by that? What is she afraid of?

5. Martha tells us that after three weeks in Madrid she felt she never wanted to leave, saying, “It was like living with my heart constantly in my throat.” How could that feeling be perceived as positive? What are some of things she loves about Spain? About her circle of friends and colleagues at the Hotel Florida?

6. When Martha finds the house in Cuba, the Finca Vigía, she falls in love with it instantly, even though it’s in ruins. Why? What does she hope to gain by restoring the property and living there with Ernest? What are the risks?

7. When Martha accepts the assignment to travel to Finland for Collier’s, Ernest says teasingly to their group of friends in Sun Valley that she’s abandoning him. Is it really a joke or is there significant tension brewing? What are Martha’s reasons for going? How does she feel about her work in relation to her personal life? Can the two coexist? Can she—or anyone—have everything?

8. Though Martha is the one who chooses the Finca as a “beautiful foxhole” to share with Ernest, the house eventually begins to weigh on her. Why? What is draining to her about domesticity? Does Ernest have the same ambivalence? Why or why not?

9. Although Martha loves Ernest and doesn’t want to give up her life with him, she has a lot of trepidation about marrying him. Why? What factors contribute to her anxiety? What does she stand to lose?

10. When For Whom the Bell Tolls is published in 1940, it’s a runaway success, selling more copies than any American novel before it save Gone with the Wind. How do the book’s success and Ernest’s intensifying fame challenge Martha as his wife? What about as a writer?

11. When Martha and Ernest go off to China, they’re both working as reporters in search of a story. How do their journalistic methods differ? Are they different kinds of travelers, with different worldviews? Would you say they’re compatible? Why or why not?

12. As the world plunges toward war, Martha feels increasingly compelled to go to Europe to try to write about what’s happening, while Ernest becomes obsessed with his sub-hunting “mission.” What are the instincts that pull them in opposite directions? Do we understand what drives them? Do they understand and have compassion for each other, or are they spiraling toward an impasse?

13. When Martha is finally convinced she must go to Europe to report on the war if she’s going to live with herself, Ernest feels more and more despondent and abandoned. Finally, he betrays her by taking her correspondent’s credentials from Collier’s, effectively replacing her on the masthead and making a place at the front lines impossible for her. Can we comprehend his actions and find empathy for him? Why or why not?

14. When the marriage disintegrates beyond repair, Ernest almost immediately finds a new love interest in Mary Welsh (who will become Mrs. Hemingway #4), while Martha turns to her work to ease her pain, finding strength in reclaiming her name and her independence. Do you think their contrasting strategies for surviving heartbreak symbolize the essential differences between Martha and Ernest as people? And do you believe that two such very different personalities could ever hope to find lasting happiness together?
(Questions from the author’s website.)

A Different Kind of Book Club

Tuesday, March 19 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 March 19, the club will be discussing Still Life by Louise Penny. On April 16, the club will be discussing Landline by Rainbow Rowell.

Crochet Meet-Up

Wednesdays, March 20 at 6:30 pm.
Wednesdays, April 3 & 17 at 6:30 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 5 years has been crocheting for morethan 30 years.

The Sleeping Mat Project

Wednesday, March 27 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Wednesday, April 10 & 24 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Wednesday, May 8 & 22 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.

Mindful Yoga

Thursdays, March 21 12:00 pm—1:00 pm
Thursdays, April 11 & 25 12:00 pm—1:00 pm
Thursdays, May 2, 16 & 30 12:00 pm—1:00 pm

Mindful Yoga is a focus on Mind/ Body/ Spirit awareness. It is the practice of being in the present moment and is scientifically proven to reduce stress and improve well being. This class is for all levels including beginners. Please wear comfortable clothing. Please bring a mat or towel. Cost: $5 Donation. Taught by certified yoga teacher, Kamini Patel.

Memoir Writing Circle

Monday, April 1 from 6:30 – 8:00pm.

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.

Blood Pressure Screening

Tuesday, April 2 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

According to the American Heart Association one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure. The good news is hypertension is among the leading conditions that can be controlled or managed through early detection. Providence Place at the Collegeville Inn cares about your well-being and is pleased to offer a free blood pressure screening at the Lower Providence Public Library on Tuesday, April 2nd from 11am – 1pm. No reservations required. Stop in and meet our nursing staff for your blood pressure screening.

New to Medicare

Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30 pm

Are you almost eligible for Medicare?
Not sure which Medicare plan is right for you? If you turn 65 this year, you are eligible for Medicare.If your 65th birthday is within the next 3-6 months, you should learn about this important benefit.

Medicare can be quite confusing. Donna Uhler, a state-trained volunteer APPRISE counselor, will be offering a FREE presentation describing Medicare and providing information on the health insurance options that are available to you. She is here to help you understand your health insurance choices. APPRISE counselors are sponsored and supervised by RSVP of Montgomery County. Registration required.

Learn Web Design – THIS PROGRAM IS FULL

Thursdays, March 7 & 21 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Have you ever wanted to make a web site? Do you have some experience with HTML but aren’t really sure how to build modern web applications? Are you just curious about how the web works? If so, this course is for you. This course teaches some of the fundamentals of the modern web including HTML, CSS, and Javascript and general internet architecture. This course is open to all and does not require any programming background. A laptop is not required but would be useful for following along.

Ryan Kadri studied Computer Engineering and Computer Science at Rutgers University. He worked at SEI for 3 years where he worked on financial web applications and automated testing. He is currently working independently to develop a customer support application.

Slow Down and Look – Art Appreciation Workshop-THIS PROGRAM IS FULL

Fridays, March 15 & 22, from 10:30am – 12:00pm

Do you like art or wish you liked it more? Do you wonder what to look for in a work of art or how to express your thoughts about it? You’ll be surprised how easy it can be to develop your skills of observation, understanding and self-expression. Did you know most people spend less than a minute when looking at an art work? Join this participatory workshop to gain the conﬁdence to stop, look closer and discover ways to engage more fully in a work of art. The workshop is suitable for both the timid and for the experienced art lover who want to deepen knowledge about art. Each session will include guided observation, discussion and lecture as well as a short writing activity. We will discuss one art work per session from Lower Providence Community Library’s National Endowment for the Humanities portfolio, Picturing America. No prior knowledge of art history or writing experience is necessary. Bring paper, pen or pencil and a willingness to open your mind and eyes and heart to the world of art.
Judy Gordon is an artist and art educator who has been inspiring students for more than forty years in both public school and museum settings. She has a BFA in Art Education and a Masters in Education. She has volunteered as a docent at Woodmere Art Museum and as an Art Goes to School presenter.
Limited to 15 participants. Registration required.

Microsoft Word Basics

Wednesday, March 20 at 10:30am

Participants will be given an overview of the different features of Microsoft Word . You will learn to use Microsoft Word to produce professional-looking documents. Class size is limited. Registration required.

Rain Gardens: An environmentally-friendly approach to storm water management

Wednesday, March 20 at 6:30pm

Do you have areas in your yard that get flooded during heavy rains, and then the water sits for days after the storm? Come learn about the latest trend in home gardening; Rain Gardens. You will learn new gardening techniques to help you soak up much of that excess run-off and discover how your property can look beautiful as well.
Karrie Hontz is a Master Gardener from the Penn State Cooperative Extension of Montgomery County. She has been a Master Gardener for more than 16 years, and lectures throughout the county on various horticultural topics.

Air-Fryer Workshop

Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30pm

Learn to use the hottest new countertop appliance, the Air-Fryer – what a fast and easy way to cook more healthfully. You can enjoy all of your favorite fried foods without the grease and guilt. Join us for a demo and tasting.
Presented by Kitchen Wizards. Kitchen Wizards is a spinoff division of Kathy’s Just Desserts. Kitchen Wizards helps kids of ALL ages (4-94) to discover the magic of cooking, one bite at a time ®. Limited to 20 participants.

Sentimental Journey – Songs from the World War II Era

Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30pm

Jazz Singer, Maggie Worsdale takes us back to the songs that became hits during the World War II era. I’ll be Seeing You, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Taking a Chance on Love, You’ll Never Know are just a few of the songs presented in this 1 hour program. Many of the tunes Maggie sings have terrific “stories behind the song”. Worsdale shares the stories along with the songs.

Social Security

Wednesday, April 3 from 6:15pm to 8:15 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

Ancestry 101

Fridays, April 5 & 12 (2-part class) 10:30 am – 12:00 noon

Participants will learn to use Ancestry Library Edition, available at the library. The focus will be on the nuts and bolts of using this popular genealogy database, including an Introduction to Family History, How to Search Using Filters, and How to Save and Print. You will learn how filters enable family history hobbyists to narrow results down to a manageable size.
The second week we will cover How to Use Census Records and How to Use Ancestry’s Public Trees. The focus will be on using the United States Federal Census, which was taken every 10 years and is available from 1790 through 1940.
Participants will be able to use Ancestry Library Edition following class as space permits, so plan to stay afterward for help from the instructor with your own family tree. If possible, please come with the full names of your grandparents or great-grandparents, their date and place of birth and death. Participants should have basic computer skills and plan to attend both sessions.

Lorraine Crist-Campman has been doing genealogy since a great aunt died in 1979 and she found a copy of a family tree that was done for a 1939 reunion. Lorraine had taken numerous genealogy classes, and has a certificate in Foundations of Genealogy from the Historical Society of Philadelphia. She was also past Historian at the Trappe Historical Society.

Spring/Easter Card Making

Monday, April 8 at 7:00pm

Sheetal Wagh will show you how to create Spring/Easter Cards for you to take home. All materials provided. Registration required and limited to 15 participants.

Meal Plan to Balance Blood Sugar

Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30 pm

Learn about The Magic Plate Meal Plan to Balance Blood Sugar
Are you confused about what foods to eat to improve your health conditions?
Anu Tharmaraj will talk about the 3 essential macronutrients and why they are important to focus on at each meal. She will also discuss the top 3 challenges you face when your blood sugar is out of balance and how to avoid the blood sugar roller coaster.
Anu is a Certified Health and Lifestyle coach from the Health Coach Institute and holds an MBA from Alagappa University in India. She is dedicated to helping people with blood sugar challenges by teaching them balanced meal planning according to their current lifestyle. With changes, pleasure and fun while eating can be yours and in turn create abundant energy in the body to enjoy daily life.

Medicare One-on-One

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

Discuss your Medicare questions with Donna Uhler, an APPRISE counselor. 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.

Montgomery County Libraries celebrates ONE BOOK, ONE COUNTY, with Tony’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani.

Thursday, April 11 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

Bestselling author, Adriana Trigiani, is scheduled to be in Montgomery County this spring! Come see her on Thursday, April 11 at 2:00 pm at Ursinus College’s Bomberger Auditorium in Collegeville or at 7:00 pm at Keneseth Israel Synagogue in Elkins Park. Her two appearances are the main feature of the fourth annual ONE BOOK, ONE COUNTY community wide event hosted by Montgomery County Libraries. Book sale and signing to follow both events.
Adriana Trigiani’s Tony’s Wife is “set in the lush Big Band era of the 1940s and World War II, this spellbinding saga from beloved New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani tells the story of two talented working class kids who marry and become a successful singing act, until time, temptation, and the responsibilities of home and family derail their dreams.
Shortly before World War II, Chi Chi Donatelli and Saverio Armandonada meet one summer on the Jersey shore and fall in love. Both are talented and ambitious, and both share the dream of becoming singers for the legendary orchestras of the time… All goes well until it becomes clear that they must make a choice: Which of them will put their ambitions aside to raise a family and which will pursue a career?”
Tickets are $15-$20 each plus a service charge. Ticket sales offset program expenses and ensure future One Book, One County events. For more information and tickets click, http://www.montcolibraries.org/

The Good Neighbors Time Bank

Thursday, April 25

The Good Neighbors Time Bank is coming to your area! This local membership based non-profit is a community dedicated to celebrating our gifts and honoring how those gifts can benefit others. The Good Neighbors Time Bank is committed to serving all of the members of the community including those who experience disabilities, poverty, homelessness or illness.

How does a time bank work?
A time bank is a community of people who exchange volunteer hours instead of money for the things they need. If a member gives one hour of service to another member, they will receive one time credit. This non-monetary exchange helps everyone in the community have access to the things they may need without having to spend money. This concept builds a strong community of friends and people who are committed to helping one another. A time bank is a way to create community and support members while saving money and using time for important meaningful relationships.
Join us on April 25th at 6:30PM to learn more about time banking and how you can get involved. Light refreshments will be served.

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.

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.

Crafters 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.