Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Reduction
2024-10-01 19:00 - 20:15, 2024-10-08 19:00 - 20:15, 2024-10-15 19:00 - 20:15, 2024-10-22 19:00 - 20:15, 2024-10-29 19:00 - 20:15, 2024-11-05 19:00 - 20:15, 2024-11-12 19:00 - 20:15, 2024-11-19 19:00 - 20:15 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Clapp Memorial Library is offering a Stress Reduction Awareness course. The eight-week introductory course starts on Tuesday, October 1 at 7 PM and runs every Tuesday through November 19. The course is designed to teach and practice mindfulness-based skills. Mindfulness meditation skills teach us to be fully present in the moment and, when practiced regularly, help decrease stress levels and improve general well-being and health. Skills covered in the course are gentle and free of judgment. Because each session of this course builds on the previous week, we ask that you register only if you are able to attend all sessions.
Registration closed. If you have any questions please email clapp@cwmars.org
This course will be taught by Magda Bechar, a retired nursing professor who has taught mindfulness meditation skills to many groups, including at the Clapp Memorial Library, for many years.
Sessions will take place on the main library floor, except for October 29th, which will take place in the Activity Room.

Nine Neighbors You Should Know
2024-10-07 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
On Monday, October 7 at 6:30pm, come to the Clapp Memorial Library for “Nine Neighbors You Should Know,” a presentation by Cliff McCarthy, Stone House Museum archivist and author/editor of several books on Belchertown’s history. Do you know which Belchertown native has had a full-length Hollywood movie devoted to his life and has been portrayed by actors John Carradine and James Coburn in other films? Do you know what Belchertown woman drew the plans for remodeling the Stone House into a museum? Do you know of Belchertown’s connection to the first Governor of Kansas? This talk will present nine historical figures connected to Belchertown that will astonish and surprise. Some you will admire, some you will despise, but all have interesting stories to tell.

Ukulele Play Along (Virtual Event)
2024-10-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-11-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-12-02 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-01-06 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-02-03 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-03-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual, MA
Strum along with the Ukulele Play Along on the first Monday every month!
Grab your ukulele and play along – because playing your ukulele is more fun when you do it with others. We’ll be focusing on 3 and 4 chord songs, with lyrics and chords provided on screen. Participants will be muted, so don’t worry about how you sound!
To join, email Julie Stepanek (julie@musicjulie.com) for the Zoom link and to receive the songs for the program. Don’t have a Ukulele? Don’t worry – you can borrow one from us!

Needle Felting Pumpkins
2024-10-21 14:30 - 17:30, 2024-10-23 18:00 - 21:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come learn the art of needle felting at the Clapp Memorial Library on Monday, October 21 from 2:30-5:30 OR Wednesday, October 23 from 6:00-9:00. Local fiber artist Anna Sunschauer will teach you how to sculpt fluffy wool fiber into a pumpkin using felting needles. No prior needle felting experience is necessary, but it is recommended that all participants have good fine motor skills to avoid injury with the sharp needles. All necessary tools and materials will be provided.
This workshop is open to adults and teens. Space is limited and registration is required.
Register here: https://forms.gle/xJp85btxgZxPbg5y8
All adult seats have been filled.
This program is made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

A Narrative of Dwight Village in Belchertown, Part 1
2024-10-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Michael Carolan will provide a two-part documented history and geographical genealogy of the indigenous and nonindigenous peoples, notable events, architecture and landscapes, from the Eighteenth to the Twentieth centuries, and the district’s contributions to art, industry, politics, science and religion, on October 24th and November 14th. Known as Logg-town, Hopetown, Dwight’s Station and Pansy Park, this narrowly-defined, eight-square-mile district has been subsumed historically into the larger community. The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher—the “most famous man in America”—gave his first sermon here. The hamlet was celebrated as the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln’s first biographer, J. G. Holland. Rare aquatic flower gardens drew hundreds through Dwight’s two railroad stops. And its chapel was established after a culmination of efforts said to have been initiated by Poet Emily Dickinson’s sister-in-law. There were feuds, accidents, suicides, drownings, fires, the millwright who outlived six wives and the portrait painter who rendered the place and its characters in colorfully detailed letters preserved to this day.
Michael Carolan writes for The Springfield Republican and his essays appear on New England Public Radio. He taught literature and writing at Clark University for 13 years.

Canning Basics
2024-11-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Always wanted to learn how to can foods but aren’t sure where to start? Well Lindsey Baird of Oak & Ash Farm is here you teach you that you can, can!
Using the USDA guidelines for safe canning, Lindsey will teach you the basic rules and simple tips and tricks. Maybe you want to preserve your harvest, or perhaps you want to have quick and easy meals in a jar ready to go. Or maybe you want to learn how to save money by preserving items you purchase in bulk. You’ll learn how, all while controlling the ingredients and without relying on having enough space in your freezer.
You will leave with a simple guide on how to use both a water bath canner or pressure canner, and the confidence to fill your pantry with safe, home canned foods.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

A Narrative of Dwight Village in Belchertown, Part 2
2024-11-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Michael Carolan returns for the second part of his narrative history of Dwight Village in Belchertown. Known as Logg-town, Hopetown, Dwight’s Station and Pansy Park, this narrowly-defined, eight-square-mile district has been subsumed historically into the larger community. The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher—the “most famous man in America”—gave his first sermon here. The hamlet was celebrated as the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln’s first biographer, J. G. Holland. Rare aquatic flower gardens drew hundreds through Dwight’s two railroad stops. And its chapel was established after a culmination of efforts said to have been initiated by Poet Emily Dickinson’s sister-in-law. There were feuds, accidents, suicides, drownings, fires, the millwright who outlived six wives and the portrait painter who rendered the place and its characters in colorfully detailed letters preserved to this day.
Michael Carolan writes for The Springfield Republican and his essays appear on New England Public Radio. He taught literature and writing at Clark University for 13 years.

Community Mosaics in Guatemala
2024-11-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Cynthia Fisher has been making trips to Guatemala since 2013 creating community mosaic murals. Come learn how she got started and how a small lakeside town is filling up mosaics that represent the indigenous community and beautiful natural environment.

POSTPONED: Outdoor Survival Skills Workshop
2025-01-08 13:30 - 15:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Due to severe cold, program is being rescheduled. We are reaching out to registered participants.
Outdoor Survival Skills Workshop with Frank Grindrod, author and director of Earthwork Programs LLC
Students under the age of 10 must have a caregiver who is 14 years old or older on Library property during the workshop. Registration is required.
Learn how to make a Survival Shelter like in Hatchet, how to set a survival trap like Katniss from The Hunger Games, and how to tie Buck’s # 1 Call of the Wild Rescue Knot, and so much more. Students will get items during the course to start building their own outdoor survival kit.
The workshop starts indoors with a basic discussion of a few very popular outdoor themed books and then quickly moves outside to learn Outdoor & Survival Skills Hands-On. Students will build a primitive survival shelter, learn how to use an emergency survival blanket, signal for rescue, and learn what to do when lost!
Students are encouraged to read a survival themed book such as Hatchet, Hunger Games, The Wild Robot, My Side of the Mountain, The Last Beekeeper, Night of the Howling Dogs, Colonization and the Wampanoag Story and more.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Belchertown Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

You Wrote a Book, Now What? Session I: Publishing Tips
2025-01-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Calling all writers! The Clapp Memorial Library invites you to learn about getting published and receive feedback on your work from a literary agent! Registration required, program is full. Thank you!
Session I: Publishing Tips – Saturday Jan 18, 2pm
Gain an insider’s view of book publishing with literary agent Jan Kardys from Black Hawk Literary Agency, Jan will share her 40 years of experience inside 10 major NYC book publishers on such topics as developing a concept, writing a manuscript, editing, finding a literary agent, book proposals, how to get the attention of a literary agent, components of a novel, self-publishing vs. traditional book publishing, subsidiary rights, marketing, utilizing the most cutting-edge technologies and social media services to increase visibility to literary agents, publishers and readers alike.
Session II: Manuscript Feedback – Saturday Feb 8, 2pm
Interested in getting feedback on your manuscript? In this session, writers may submit their query letter along with the first 15 pages of their manuscripts for Black Hawk’s editorial comments and feedback. Instructions on how to write a query letter will be provided in the first session. We encourage you to bring your 15-page manuscript to the first session to allow time for editorial feedback in the second session.
Both sessions will take place on the main floor of the library.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

Wildlife on Wheels
2025-02-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-02-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Programs are full, waitlist is open.
Register to learn about animal ambassadors from The Zoo in Forest Park. Saturday, February 1st for ages 5 to 10. A child can be registered for one of the two time slots; 10:00 am or 11:00 am.
Registration is required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/13gXnu5BuFBHJKRWA
Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver that is 14 years old or older.
Funded in part by a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care, administered by Collaborative for Educational Services, a donation in memory of David Goff, and the Friends of Clapp Memorial Library.

You Wrote a Book, Now What? Session II: Manuscript Feedback
2025-02-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States

NEW DATE: Be Ready to Save a Life with Hands Only CPR
2025-02-13 15:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
NEW DATE – program has been moved to 2/13 at 3PM.
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside a hospital each year. Learn how to deliver lifesaving CPR care without rescue breaths. When you immediately provide Hands-Only CPR, you can increase the chance of survival.
Program will take place in the Town Hall Auditorium. Registration required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/UHZmg5ikZHu7mjfB9

Pokémon Cross Stitch Demo and Instruction with Jon Rymaz
2025-02-27 15:00 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Part of our Pokemon day festivities!
Learn how to cross stitch a Pokémon or two or more! Rymaz will demonstrate cross stitching and assist others in learning on the main floor of the library. (Open to all patrons old enough to use a needle. Patrons under 10 must be accompanied and continually supervised by a parent or caregiver while in the Library per our Unattended Child Policy)

Create Better Health
2025-03-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, in partnership with SNAP-Ed, offers a nutrition education program at the Clapp Memorial Library. Learn about Explore MyPlate healthy eating guidelines, learn to decipher the nutrition facts labels and how to make a budget-friendly meal, and get tips to add more exercise into your daily routine.

Mindfulness Meditation
2025-03-13 19:00 - 20:15 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Clapp Memorial Library is offering a Stress Reduction Awareness course. The eight-week introductory course starts on Thursday, March 13 at 7 PM and runs every Thursday through May 1. The course is designed to teach and practice mindfulness-based skills. Mindfulness meditation skills teach us to be fully present in the moment and, when practiced regularly, help decrease stress levels and improve general well-being and health. Skills covered in the course are gentle and free of judgment. Because each session of this course builds on the previous week, we ask that you register only if you are able to attend all sessions.
Registration required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/rFqoLh2NCX1QHSWB8. If you have any questions please email clapp@cwmars.org
This course will be taught by Magda Bechar, a retired nursing professor who has taught mindfulness meditation skills to many groups, including at the Clapp Memorial Library, for many years.
Sessions will take place on the main library floor, except for April 3 and May 1, which will take place in the Activity Room.
