Adult Programs
On Display at the Library:
Community Still Life
Now through August 31
Marking the six month anniversary of beginning our weekly ‘Community Still Life’ program, we are celebrating with an art exhibit on display through the end of August.
All pieces are drawn or painted by participants and created here at the library! Join us on Tuesdays from 2-4 pm to make a creation of your own.
Author Talk: Deborah K. Shepherd,
An Old Man’s Darling
Sunday, July 12 | 1:00 p.m.
In her captivating memoir, former Roe Jan area resident Deborah K. Shepherd examines her first great love, with a man thirty-four years her senior. In 1968 and at age 21, Shepherd ditched college in Tucson for hippie life in New York. When that soured, she found a low-level corporate job, where she met Bill Shepherd, an unhappily married, 55-year-old senior executive. That they had a fling is unsurprising for the time. What is surprising is that they stayed together, for 20 years and two children, despite their age gap, differing religions, and society’s expectations. With today’s perspective, and the benefits of both age and hindsight, Shepherd revisits her past, scouring old letters and asking tough questions, of herself and about romantic love, religious roots, judgement from others, and feminism. But she offers no easy answers in what becomes a powerful, engrossing, and unforgettable read about an unlikely love. Much of the story takes place in our backyard, in Craryville, Hillsdale, and Copake.
Deborah Shepherd’s first novel, So Happy Together, was published in 2021 when she was 74. Her essays have appeared in Oldster Magazine; Fauxmoir; Motherwell Magazine; Herstry; Eat. Darling, Eat; Persimmon Tree, and more, and her Covid-themed essay was a winner in the Center for Interfaith Relations 2020 Sacred Essay Contest. A retired social worker, she spent much of her career focused on the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault and the provision of services to survivors. The mother of two and grandmother of two, Deborah lives in Maine with her husband and one sweet, jaunty rescue dog. Learn more at deborahshepherdwrites.com
‘Read On’ – Book Club
Wednesday, July 15 | 6:00 p.m.
Join us for the June meeting of Roe Jan’s Read On! Book Club. This month, we are reading People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. The book is available to borrow through the Mid-Hudson Library System and Libby. Led by Fran, this fiction book club meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. All are welcome!
For more information, email outreach@roejanlibrary.org
‘Book Marks!’ – NonFiction Book Club
Thursday, July 16 | 1:00 p.m.
Join our nonfiction book club, Book Marks!, led by Circulation Librarian Robin Gottlieb. Meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month. For our July meeting, we are reading The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland by Michelle Young. Copies are available through the Mid-Hudson Library System and Libby.
For more information email circulation@roejanlibrary.org
‘Chapters & Chatter’ – Thriller Book Club
Thursday, July 16 | 6:00 p.m.
This thriller book club for adults meets on the third Thursday of each month, led by Chelsea. This month we’re reading Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. Copies are available through the MHLS and Libby.
For more information email programs@roejanlibrary.org
Keep Cool and Craft On! with Experience Clean Heat
Wednesday, July 22 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Join us for a guided paint and sip with a local artist. Escape the heat and get creative while enjoying coffee, tea, and light refreshments.
Presented by NYSERDA
**VIRTUAL PROGRAM
Unearthing Early American Records
Monday, July 27 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Early American records are much different than the ones found in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Join accredited genealogist Sarah Gutmann to learn what records are available, what information they hold, and where to find them. This genealogical program focuses on colonial through 1870 ancestral records and will benefit both the novice and experienced genealogist.
Click here to register for the Zoom link
This virtual program is hosted by the Columbia County Libraries Association. More info at hudsonarealibrary.org
Tea Time: Baseball in the Hudson Valley
Thursday, July 30 | 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us at the library each month to discuss fun and informative topics – each month’s gathering will have a different theme: listen, discuss, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and some fresh baked goodies!
In July, welcome Marshall Tanick for a discussion about the history of baseball in the Hudson Valley. Marshall Tanick, a well-known attorney, who will review the history and the development of baseball in the Hudson Valley, dating back to the game’s very origins through the Renegades minor league team of the current time. The hour-long presentation will include a discussion of many of the baseball players, managers, and teams from this area over the past nearly two centuries.
New Parent Meet-Up
Every Tuesday
10:30 – 12:00 p.m.
Join our weekly meetup for parents with babies under 1 to connect, share experiences, and get out with your little ones!
Community Still Life
Every Tuesday
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Community Still Life offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where people come together to draw and observe. Enjoy the quiet energy of creating alongside others, slow down, and let simple objects spark inspiration. All levels welcome—just come to draw… or paint.
Some supplies are available or bring your own. There will be a different still life every week for inspiration. Led by Tia!
Qigong & Tai Chi at the Library
Every Thursday
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Qigong and Tai Chi are approaches to movement that have been practiced for hundreds of years and are particularly helpful for dealing with stress, limited ability to move, those wishing to developing better balance and flexibility and can be practiced by nearly everyone young and old. Although Tai Chi is generally practiced standing, Qigong can be modified to allow participants to be seated.
This weekly drop-in class, open to all, is taught by David Haines, who has been a practitioner of Qigong, Tai Chi, and mindful movement for 50 years, a teacher for 40 years, and a certified Trager Movement practitioner for 35 years. Since moving into the area in 2006 he has taught at Omega Institute, Simon’s Rock college, Columbia-Greene Community College, as well as various libraries, senior centers, and school district community education classes.
Classes are held in the Roe Jan Library Community Room or outdoors, weather permitting. Wear comfortable clothes.
This project has been supported by a grant from the Fund for Columbia County of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Job Search and Resume Help
Job search coaching, with an emphasis on resume writing and using online resources to find jobs, is offered by volunteer Career Coach, Beth Gordon. Beth provides help with finding career opportunities, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing preparation and reviewing job resources.
Career Coaching and Job Search Help sessions cover résumé and letter writing, skills assessments, career planning and Internet job search. These one-on-one sessions are designed to help people of all ages seeking career coaching, goal setting, or help updating and improving their professional profiles.
Job Help sessions are by appointment only and are typically conducted via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling or emailing the library or contacting Beth Gordon directly at bagordon323@gmail.com. In person help at the library can be provided with prior arrangements as well.
Senior Balance and Strength Class with Dr. Paul Spector on Zoom
Tuesdays | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION:
https://zoom.us/j/759916157
Meeting ID: 759 916 157
Passcode: 592902
To watch past recordings of Dr. Spector’s class, visit our YouTube channel playlist.
Hatha Yoga with Roberta Roll
Mondays, at the Library | 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
A moderately challenging hatha yoga class for all levels.
Thursdays, on Zoom | 9:00 – 10: 30 a.m.
a gentle hatha yoga class for all levels with lots of time for breath work and meditation
For all Thursday classes, go to
https://zoom.us/j/826782227?pwd=QW9ERm9KbkdHMEFvdCtzYUdKcERLdz09
Meeting ID# 826-782-227 | Passcode: 370455