Clapp Memorial Library

Saving Nature with Doug Tallamy: A Film Viewing & Discussion
2023-09-05 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | 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

Ukulele Play Along (Virtual Event)
2023-10-02 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-11-06 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-12-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-01-01 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-02-05 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-03-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-04-01 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!

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.

Focus on Youth
2024-02-11 12:00 - 13:00 | MA
Join Youth Services Librarian, Jennifer Whitehead, at the DCR Les and Terry Campbell Quabbin Visitor Center for some fun with photography. This event is for families with preschool to 4th grade students. We will meet as a group at noon on Sunday, February 11th. After a brief discussion where we’ll share ideas on where and how to take photographs of the Quabbin, families will venture off to explore on their own. Wear proper clothing and footwear for hiking and the weather. Bring your cameras, binoculars, and sense of adventure.
Registration required – click here to sign up.
For youth grades 5-12, check out our Teen Beginner Photography Workshop!

Teen Beginner Photography Workshop
2024-02-11 13:00 - 14:00 | MA
The Clapp Memorial Library is offering a Beginner Photography Workshop for students in grades 5-12 on Sunday, February 11th at 1:00PM. This program will take place at the Les and Terry Campbell Quabbin Visitor’s Center.
Learn basic nature photography (landscape and wildlife) from local photographer Ed Comeau who will present on different topics like photography techniques, composition, lighting, etc. There will be a short discussion about nature and wildlife at Quabbin followed by opportunities for photography in the Quabbin. Students are asked to register by emailing clapplibrarytab@gmail.com or by visiting the library at 19 S. Main Street.
For youth preschool-grade 4, check out our Focus on Youth photography program!

Nature Photography Workshops
2024-02-24 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-03-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Saturdays, February 24 & March 2, at 2pm
Participants in the workshops will learn more about wildlife and landscape photography from photographer Mark Lindhult, who leads the Quabbin Photo Group. The first session will focus on technique during a lecture format and the second session will meet at the library before heading outside to practice using the techniques in the first session. The Belchertown Wildlife & Landscape Photography program is an intergenerational opportunity to participate in learning, exploration, and expression. It’s a partnership between the Clapp Memorial Library, Town of Belchertown Planning Department, and Town of Belchertown Conservation Commission. Meet other local photographers while learning new skills, build a portfolio of work, and then submit your top photos to the photo contest.

Seascapes: An Ocean of Possibilities with Pastel Painting
2024-03-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Registration Required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/a1Yz7Rxjb9rVxdAm9
Artist Greg Maichack returns to the Clapp Memorial Library on Thursday, March 21 at 1pm for a hands-on pastel workshop inspired by Winslow Homer: Seascapes: An Ocean of Possibilities with Pastel Painting. This program serves beginners to advanced artists and is open to adults. All materials are provided including professional grade pastels, paper, and pencils. Registration is required. This program is funded by the Belchertown Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Disability History & the Belchertown State School
2024-03-22 18:30 - 19:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us for a lecture led by Katherine Anderson, a renowned historian and disability rights advocate, on the history of Belchertown State School and its implications for the broader disability rights movement. Kate will use artifacts and documents from the state school to discuss institutionalization practices and the evolution of the state school and its role in shaping disability advocacy and policy reform. A Q&A will follow.
All are invited to stop by the following day from 10am-2pm to view the traveling exhibit of state school artifacts, documents, photographs, and more. Members will be on hand to answer questions both about the state school and about membership in the Friends. Donations to the Friends are welcome.

Herb Garden Starter Kit
2024-04-12 15:30 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
PROGRAM & WAITLIST FULL
Come to the Clapp Memorial Library on Friday, April 12 at 3:30 pm to learn about the properties of popular flowers and herbs and then plant your own! Dave Wheeler from Therapy Gardens will be on hand to address such topics as growing small flowers and herbs indoors and outdoors, including different presentation ideas. He will also review what herbs are both edible and ornamental. Participants leave with a small seed starter kit and their choice of a variety of seeds. Please note – seed selections are limited by availability and season. This program is made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
Space is limited and registration is required.

Make Your Own Tea Blend
2024-04-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
PROGRAM IS FULL
On Friday, April 12 at 6pm at the Clapp Memorial Library, join Dave Wheeler from Therapy Gardens for a journey into the art and science of tea blending. Participants will explore a variety of herbs, spices, and teas, learning about their flavor profiles and health benefits. Attendees will then craft their own unique tea blend, mastering the balance of flavors and aromas. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or a curious beginner, this workshop provides the tools and knowledge to create your own soothing or invigorating blends. Take home your custom tea mixture and the confidence to continue experimenting on your own. This program is made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
Space is limited and registration is required.

The Rabbit Run Railroad: An Art and History Project
2024-04-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
On Tuesday, April 16 at 7pm at the Clapp Memorial Library, Ken Levine of Petersham, an artist and railroad fan will present a program about the Rabbit Run Railroad, his creation of a 24’ diorama at the Swift River Valley Historical Society in North New Salem, and a brief history of the era of steam railroads in America.
The 4 Lost Towns that the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir required removal of were the inspiration for this memorial to those communities who were forced to relocate in the early 20th century. Using archival photos from the archives of the MDC and other sources, Ken spent over 5 years creating a miniature recreation of the Swift River Valley, its towns, farms, industries and landscape, including working HO model trains of the steam era, 1871-1930, the Rabbit Railroad. As the train journeys from South Athol to Enfield the seasons unfold and the various towns go about their business. In a brief video using Go-Pro mini cams on the trains you are actually aboard the train as it winds its way along the Swift River, which completes the illusion of riding the Rabbit.
A NBC Boston Affiliate interviewed Ken for a movie, The Scar which was shown on TV and relates the story of the Quabbin and the Swift River Valley and the Lost Towns. Also, the SRVHS Facebook page has the video of the diorama and other information about the history of the Quabbin Reservoir.
Program made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library

Earth Day Ceremony with Ray LaChance
2024-04-29 15:30 - 16:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Community members from age 10 through adult are invited to join us on the front lawn of the Clapp Memorial Library on Monday, April 29 at 3:30 pm for a very special Earth Day Ceremony and Celebration of Indigenous People presented by Raymond LaChance (Nouba Tewk Tomakwa). The program will include a recognition of the land being the territory of the Indigenous Nipmuc People, flute playing and other music, interactive smudging of a tree in recognition of Earth Day and seed planting, and the making of an Indigenous Necklace.
This program is made possible by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.
Space is limited and registration is required, sign up here: https://forms.gle/xQiLqvCu25mQ3DKD8. In the event of rain, the program will take place in the Town Hall Auditorium.
