Clapp Memorial Library

Frisbee Fun with Todd Brodeur
2022-07-27 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Jabish Brook Middle School, 62 North Washington St, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Hosted by Clapp Memorial Library at the gym at Jabish Brook Middle School
Frisbee Fun with two-time Freestyle Frisbee Champion, Todd Brodeur.
Todd educates, entertains and motivates his audience with his captivating Frisbee show. He promotes staying active throughout your life by playing disc sports. He focuses on healthy lifestyles, creativity, flexibility and balance, all aimed at improving self-esteem and confidence.
Before the show, stop by the Library between 10:00 am and 5:45 pm to enter a raffle to win a Frisbee!
This raffle is attended only for children registered for our summer reading program and planning to go to the Frisbee show.

Virtual Knit Along: The Lopapeysa Sweater
2023-02-09 19:00 - 20:00 | MA
Calling all Knitters & Adventurers!
Join knitwear designer Joan of Dark (Knockdown Knits, Knits for Nerds) & photographer Kyle Cassidy (This is What a Librarian Look Like) on Zoom to knit and discuss their new book, The Lopapeysa Sweater, a travel adventure with knitting patterns, horses, volcanoes, adventure & a historical mystery!
Event hosted at the library

Introduction to Homesteading
2023-05-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED – Click here to sign up for one, two, or all three sessions
All are welcome to our series of Homesteading Workshops, by local teen Zackery W. Zawalski. You can come to one, two, or all three, and learn about ways to grow and raise your own food and make use of the land you live on.
Tuesday, May 2: Introduction to Homesteading
Tuesday, May 16: Livestock Basics
Tuesday, May 30: Gardening Basics
Zackery Zawalski has raised livestock since 2010, including ducks, chickens, goats, doves, dogs and a pig. He has helped his parents with their local 4-H club and has been a member of 4-H since 2013. Zackery takes pleasure in helping with his family garden since he could walk and still enjoys it to this day.
All workshops start at 6:00 PM in the Clapp Memorial Library’s Activity Room and include a presentation and activity.

Indoor Herb Gardening
2023-05-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library invites everyone interested to attend their upcoming program, Indoor Herb Gardening. On Wednesday, May 10 at 7pm, Kate Donovan, owner of Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens, will discuss how to grow your own herbs indoors. Donovan helps clients grow food through lectures, garden planning, soil testing, tilling, and building raised beds. She’s the founder of a 69,000-member Facebook gardening group called “Vegetable, Fruit, Herbs and Flower Gardening.” Kate maintains seven extra-long raised beds, considers her home her horticulture laboratory, and tries new varieties and techniques every year. Instead of buying herbs at the grocery stop, come find out how to grow your own!

Livestock Basics
2023-05-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States

Gardening Basics
2023-05-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States

Backyard Orchards
2023-06-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
On Thursday, June 22 at 7 PM, Kate Donovan, owner of Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens, will present Backyard Orchards at the Clapp Memorial Library. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to grow fruit trees on your own property, this program is for you. Donovan helps clients grow food through lectures, garden planning, soil testing, tilling, and building raised beds. She’s the founder of a 69,000-member Facebook gardening group called “Vegetable, Fruit, Herbs and Flower Gardening.” Kate maintains seven extra-long raised beds, considers her home her horticulture laboratory, and tries new varieties and techniques every year.

Ticks & Mosquitos: An Educational Presentation
2023-06-26 15:30 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
June 26, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Learn about:

Ticks and mosquitos
Mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses
Protecting yourself

Exploration and activities for kids!
The bite lab contains illustrations about the life cycles of mosquitos and ticks, myths and facts about mosquitos, ticks, and protecting yourself. It also has a display case with 15 species of mosquitos found in Massachusetts and examples of ticks. There are also a couple of videos talking about ticks and mosquitos.
Presented by:
Kirsten Krieger RN
Public Health Nurse
Quabbin Health District
Quabbin Health District
126 Main Street, Suite D | Ware, MA 01082 | 413-967-9615 |
www.quabbinhealthdistrict.com
Director: Andrea Crete MPH, RS / Public Health Nurse: Kirsten L Krieger
RN, BSN

Needle Felting Workshop - Program Full
2023-07-10 18:00 - 19:00, 2023-07-12 14:30 - 15:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
PROGRAM FULL
Come learn the art of needle felting at the Clapp Memorial Library! Local fiber artist Anna Sunschauer will teach you how to sculpt fluffy wool fiber into a bluebird ornament 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.
The Library is offering this workshop at two different times: Monday, July 10th at 6 PM and Wednesday, July 12 at 2:30 PM.
This workshop is open to adults and teens ages 12 & up, and is limited to 8 participants per session. All necessary tools and materials will be provided.
Program is currently full, all new sign-ups will be added to the waitlist
https://www.instagram.com/whimsical.fiber/

Critters of Lake Wallace
2023-08-05 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-08-05 10:30 - 11:30 | Foley Field, 66 State Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
UPDATE: PROGRAMS FULL
Join us on Saturday, August 5th at 9:00 AM or 10:30 AM to investigate fascinating creatures and critters in Lake Wallace. Join local biologists and parents Caralyn Zehnder and Will Duncan as we learn about the life cycles of aquatic invertebrates like dragonflies and damselflies and sample the lake to see what we can find.
Geared towards ages 4 years and up.
Registration and confirmation required – sign up here (https://forms.gle/aMWEeARa5LLVdnXb9). Registration open until all slots are filled. If the program is full you will be placed on a wait list. Confirmations and program information will be sent out several days before the program starts.
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program! Make sure to sign your child up for Summer Reading at clapplibrary.beanstack.com or via the Beanstack app.

Ukulele Play Along (Virtual Event)
2023-08-07 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-08-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-09-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-10-02 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-11-06 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!

Saving Nature with Doug Tallamy: A Film Viewing & Discussion
2023-09-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us at the Clapp Memorial Library on Tuesday, September 5th at 7pm for a showing of “Saving Nature with Doug Tallamy” followed by a discussion led by Heidi Dollard. In his presentation, Dr. Tallamy breaks down the concept of “You don’t have to save biodiversity for a living but you CAN save it where you live” with specific strategies to improve your own immediate local ecology. After the presentation, Heidi Dollard will invite attendees to dive into the topics introduced in Dr. Tallamy’s presentation, and how to apply these ideas to our homes and town!
Heidi Dollard will return to the library on September 19 to present “Transform Your Yard to Support Pollinators: A 12 Step Program” and this film provides excellent background information for that talk

Drum Away the Blues
2023-09-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Using assorted percussion instruments, music educator/percussionist Craig Harris provides adults and children with the key to stress relief tools for emotional balance. “Stress is about dreading the past or fearing the future,” said Harris, “When one plays a drum or percussion instrument, they’re immediately transported into the present.
His workshops, classes, and performance are multi-faceted experiences. To guide his vocal, imagery, and drumming exercises and interactive participation, preschoolers to senior citizens discover the joys of creating music, strengthen their ability to work with a group, cooperate with others, follow directions, make decisions, build self-esteem, improve abstract thought processing, creatively express themselves, foster a lifelong love of music, establish a positive mood, and relieve stress.

Transform Your Yard to Support Pollinators: A 12 Step Program
2023-09-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Many people now realize the importance of pollinators and other essential wildlife. They want to make their yard pollinator-friendly, but don’t know where to start. This talk will step you through the process of evaluation, planning, and implementation, with many options for large and small changes.
Heidi Dollard is Co-chair of the Massachusetts Pollinator Network’s Steering Committee. She works to educate gardeners and homeowners on how they can support pollinators and other beneficial wildlife while creating a beautiful and low maintenance landscape. She has a MS in Biology and is a Master Gardener. She has been an enthusiastic native plant gardener for many years.

The Jellyfish: A Pastel Painting Workshop
2023-09-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED – click here to sign up. Program full, waitlist open.
Artist Greg Maichack returns to the Clapp Memorial Library for another pastel painting workshop, this time featuring the jellyfish for adults (18+) on Tuesday, September 26th from 1pm to 3pm.
This is a pastel painting workshop designed for both sheer beginners to advanced participants. In this new, fun, two-hour workshop, all participants produce their very own personalized and original pastel based on these captivating sea creatures. Maichack guides everyone in drawing, blending, and layering.
All materials supplied (pastels, paper, blending material, etc.) with the process broken down into easy steps and methodically planned out to make it so easy. Participants will come out with a lovely pastel painting to keep.
Space is limited! Confirmations will be sent out before program confirming enrollment or waitlist status.

Let’s Talk Emergency Preparedness
2023-09-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
September is Emergency Preparedness Month! Join Kirsten Krieger, Public Health Nurse for the Quabbin Health District, for a presentation and learn about preparing for an emergency.

Historical Crafts from Ancient to Renaissance
2023-09-29 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
What did people do all day without computers, phones, and tablets? How did people copy a poem in Ancient Asia? How did we decorate our clothes in the past?
Come get hands-on with history with Castle Nitor. Learn about daily life and try a few crafts. We often think of the past as a foreign land that we can’t understand, but their lives were very similar to ours. Enjoy a break in a different time!
This class is run by Allison, the Lady of Castle Nitor; she is a history lover who collects craft skills and loves teaching and creating a fun, relaxing environment for all. Castle Nitor helps people live fully by learning from historical daily life and bringing the arts of the past to life again.
Program is outside on the Library lawn, all welcome

Crafternoon: Fingerloop Braiding
2023-10-06 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Registration Required – click here to sign up.
Can you braid a 10-strand braid? Finger loop braiding goes back 2500 years or more, and there are texts from different periods with unique techniques and patterns.
Come get hands-on with history with Castle Nitor. We will show you the fundamental techniques as you create your own piece of history. Learn how to make your own bracelets, trims, and more with finger loop braiding. It can be a relaxing and fun fidget or something to do with family and friends. We will have all the supplies and tools needed for you to make a fun project. Enjoy a break in a different time!
This class is run by Allison, the Lady of Castle Nitor; she is a history lover who collects craft skills and loves teaching and creating a fun, relaxing environment for all. Castle Nitor helps people live fully by learning from historical daily life and bringing the arts of the past to life again.

Crafternoon: Tablet Weaving
2023-10-13 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Registration Required – click here to sign up
Was the Iron Age dull and drab? Certainly NOT! Learn a simple no loom required weaving technique that has been used for centuries to create beautiful trims, belts, and more.
Come get hands-on with history with Castle Nitor. Learn how to set up and weave using tablets to create a beautiful bookmark or short belt. We will start with a simple project and explore the basics of tablet weaving so you can design your own future projects. We will show you the fundamental techniques as you create your own piece of history. We will have all the supplies and tools needed for you to make a fun project. Enjoy a break in a different time!
This class is run by Allison, the Lady of Castle Nitor; she is a history lover who collects craft skills and loves teaching and creating a fun, relaxing environment for all. Castle Nitor helps people live fully by learning from historical daily life and bringing the arts of the past to life again.

Crafternoon: Mail Bracelet
2023-10-20 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Registration Required – click here to sign up
Are you curious about mail armor? Mail dates back to the 5th century BC in texts and is still used today to protect people from cuts. Throughout history and today, mail is used as decoration.
Come get hands-on with history with Castle Nitor. Learn how to make your own mail bracelet. You will leave with a bracelet and some extra rings to play with. We will show you the fundamental techniques as you create your own piece of history. We will have all the supplies and tools needed for you to make a fun project. Enjoy a break in a different time!
This class is run by Allison, the Lady of Castle Nitor; she is a history lover who collects craft skills and loves teaching and creating a fun, relaxing environment for all. Castle Nitor helps people live fully by learning from historical daily life and bringing the arts of the past to life again.

A Pleasant Pairing: Tea & Fine Chocolate
2023-10-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
REGISTRATION REQUIRED – Click here to sign up.
Join the Clapp Memorial Library on Saturday, October 21 from 2 – 4p.m., when we welcome Kim Larkin of Klassic Kreations for a tea and chocolate workshop & tasting. This is an educational talk highlighting the history and health benefits of tea and dark chocolate (cacao) with insights from Kim’s commercial chocolatier background. This program includes samplings of tea, tea infused food, various chocolates, trivia, poetry, and an antique teapot/lace display. Kim Larkin of Klassic Kreations has been teaching students 5 – 75+ for over 20 years. She has a commercial chocolate business and she is a licensed chocolatier. She holds programs at libraries, schools, women’s groups, retirement communities, and fundraising events in Connecticut and Massachusetts. You can find out more information about Kim Larkin at klassickreations.weebly.com.
This library program is free and open to the public. Due to the popularity of programs, registration is required. This program has limited space.

Things That Go Bump in the Night: The History and Impact of the Horror Film
2023-10-26 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Come join film historian Frank Mandosa at the Clapp Memorial Library on Thursday, October 26 as he shows us the fascinating history of horror films on the big screen – just in time for Halloween! You will view all kinds of spooky and outrageous bits from great scary films through the ages in this fun event and learn more about them.
Even if you have never been a fan of horror movies, this funny, entertaining look at snippets of some brilliant films produced by American cinema shown on our big screen will send some thrills your way! Hopefully this program might entice you to then maybe watch a spine-chilling film all the way through! Mr. Mandosa is a very entertaining speaker and has tons of movie information to share.

Crafternoon: Block Printing
2023-10-27 15:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Registration Required – click here to sign-up
Potato decorating your clothing? YES! Block printing is a fun way to decorate paper, fabric, and any flat surface. Block printing is a craft thought to be thousands of years old.
Come get hands-on with history with Castle Nitor. Learn how to make your own block from a potato. Then print a sample or two with our replica blocks and your own potato blocks. If you would like to bring a garment or two to embellish, please do, only natural materials please. We will show you the fundamental techniques as you create your own piece of history. We will have all the supplies and tools needed for you to make a fun project. Enjoy a break in a different time!
This class is run by Allison, the Lady of Castle Nitor; she is a history lover who collects craft skills and loves teaching and creating a fun, relaxing environment for all. Castle Nitor helps people live fully by learning from historical daily life and bringing the arts of the past to life again.

Stone Medicine with Leslie Franks
2023-11-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join local author Leslie Franks for a talk about her newly released book, Stone Medicine: a Chinese medical guide to healing with gems and minerals. She’ll be taking a look at how crystals and stones are used in healing Body, Mind, and Spirit, from both a Chinese medical and a western mineralogical perspective.
Leslie Franks is retired from more than 30 years practice in a Chinese Medicine clinic, where her modalities of treatment were bodywork, Chinese herbs, essential oils, and stones.
