Main Street News

NorthEast-Millerton

Were I a schoolgirl within the environs of the NorthEast-Millerton Community Library, I might consider signing up for the library’s Girls Who Code club, overseen by Youth Services Coordinator Naomi Schmidt, who runs the grades 3-5 club. 

“There are three different levels of Girls Who Code clubs. I’m doing the grades 3-5 club,” said Schmidt. The club meets from 3:45-5 on Thursday afternoons though mid-June. 

She stressed the club is not restricted to those in the Webutuck Central School District, but to anyone who would like to attend — although the club has already met several times, joining at any time is fine. Transportation is available from Webutuck Elementary School and Eugene Brooks Middle School. 

“We talk about coding, but also, Girls Who Code is about more than just coding. It’s about getting girls more interested in STEAM fields – there’s a big push for being brave and supporting other girls in what they’re doing,” said Schmidt.

“There are some books that are aligned to the ideals of the club. We’ve started to read one of the books that talks about coding and different coding concepts,” she added. “It’s another way for the younger children to understand how these coding concepts apply in life as well as in the code itself.”

“Learn to Code,” “Change the World,” and “The Friendship Code” are the three books referenced by Schmidt.

Virtual Author series

On the adult side of things, on March 4 from 2-3 p.m., the library’s Virtual Author Series will hear a talk from New York Times bestselling author of “Population: 485,” and his latest, “The Jesus Cow.” The latter, Perry’s fiction debut, is described as “a hilarious yet sincere exploration of faith and the foibles of modern life.

On March 12 from 7-8 p.m., the Series welcomes Kate Quinn for a virtual chat on her latest fantastical work, “The Astral Library,” which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures. Visit the library’s website to register. 

Quinn, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, has penned “The Alice Network” and “The Rose Code,” among others.

Chatham Public Library

Protecting Our Landscapes: Managing Invasive Plants and Insects

This online program will be held on March 9, 6 p.m., on Zoom. It will be led

led by Frieda Pearce, and is presented by the Columbia County Libraries Association. Email columbiacountylibraries@gmail.com for the Zoom link.

Protecting Our Landscapes: Managing Invasive Plants and Insects presents an opportunity to learn about invasive species — plants, insects, or microorganisms that are not native to a particular ecosystem — and their risks to human health, environmental damage, and potential economic harm.

“Much of the responsibility for managing invasive species falls on landowners and farmers,” notes the library. “In New York State, the Department of Environmental Conservation works in partnership with Cornell and other state agencies through the Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs), which focus on identifying and responding to new invasions to minimize the impacts of existing invasive species across the state.”

Roeliff Jansen Community Library

Not sure which one of these I’d take a try at first, seein’ as how they’ve each piqued some level of interest over time. Maybe both!

Every first and third Wednesday of the month, from 4-6 p.m., experienced fly-tyers will help newcomers to the sport of fly fishing learn the art of tying flies. At the same time, the more experienced are welcome to join in and socialize while tying flies. Sounds like a deal to me.

Feeling a bit out-of-sorts or otherwise not as flexible as you might? 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.

The library’s website notes that 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.

Classes are held in the Roe Jan Library Community Room or outdoors, weather permitting. Attendees are advised to wear comfortable clothes.