Proudly serving Wendell, MA

October at the Wendell Free Library

Events in Brief

All month: Art in the Herrick Room by Julie Pepper: Art from the Fountain of Trabazon Oracle Deck

Every Friday: TGIF Social Hour, Lego, games, pickleball etc. Library hang. 4-5 p.m.

✖️➗New! Every Saturday: Free Math Tutoring with Samara Sawyer, 10-noon. Begins 10/18

Every Sunday: Yoga. 10 a.m.

Every Tuesday: Free Tech Help. Registration required. Call or use the online sign-up at https://engage.gcc.mass.edu/seniors/cyber-seniors/. 3-5  p.m.

Every Tuesday: Adult Art Group. 5 p.m.

🥳Every Wednesday: CNC Playgroup is back! 10-11:30 a.m.

Every Wednesday Matinee Movie. 4 p.m.

Every Wednesday: Yoga. 6:20 p.m.

Wednesday October 1: Guided Mushroom Walk with Jonathan Kranz.

Learn basics of mushroom habits, identification, and ecology, and help prepare participants for safe, exciting forages of their own. All ages, Registration Required. Meet at the Wendell State Forest Ranger Station. 4-6 p.m.

Saturday October 4: Introduction to Pickleball. Free paddles on a first come basis. 10 a.m.

The Wendell Pickleball gang and library are offering two introduction to pickleball classes for adults on the court next to the library. We are a small group of local people who enjoy playing for fun. Our oldest player is in her 80s. We will be there at 9 am on both days playing, if you want to watch before the class. All are welcome to join in from beginner players to experienced.

Mondays, October 6 and 20: Fiber Work & Mending Circle. 6:30 p.m.

Bring a hand work fiber project of your choice and work in community while chatting and swapping tips. Or use the library needle felting supplies to try out a new medium.  6:30-8ish.

Saturday October 11: Costume Swap. 1-3 p.m.

Bring costumes to donate and look for a new costume for yourself! Please only bring costumes that are clean and in good repair. Costumes can be dropped off starting starting the day before (Friday the 10th).

Saturday October 11: Art Opening: Art by Julie Pepper. 1-3 p.m.

The Fountain of Trabazon Oracle Deck celebrates global feminine mythology, featuring contemplative, vibrant characters embodying devotion, movement, and gratitude. Each card offers themes, lessons, and guidance for real-life challenges, inspiring self-discovery and compassion. This deck serves as a navigational tool, connecting users to their true nature and the mysteries of life.

Tuesday October 14:  Last Minute Technology Help for Submitting a Cultural Council Grant. 6:30 pm. This is an opportunity to ask a question directly to a Cultural Council Member who is familiar with the entire grant application process.

Friday October 17: 2-4 p.m. Jigsaw puzzle together. 2-4 p.m.

Come work on a puzzle together with others in the Herrick Room.

Saturday October 18: Practical AI for Everyday Life: Tools You Already Use. 1-3 p.m.

This beginner-friendly workshop explores how AI powers the tools and services you already interact with daily—without the hype or fear. We’ll walk through examples like voice assistants (Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant), smart email features, search engine suggestions, photo organization, translation tools, and more. You’ll learn how to identify AI in common apps, understand what it’s doing, and make informed decisions about using it.

Presented by Steph Stoudenmire of Codeforce Consulting, this program is a partnership with the towns of Northfield, Charlemont, Colrain, Leyden, Wendell, and New Salem, and is funded by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the MassTech Collaborative under the Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program. Funding was provided by Massachusetts ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Tuesday, October 21: Adult Book Group. Klara and the Sun, Kazuo Ishiguro. 10 a.m.

Looking Ahead

Saturday November 1: Ghost Town at Sundown, with rain date of Sunday November 2. Gather near the gazebo at 5:45, 6p.m. procession. Signups for house lots have begun!

Sunday November 9: CookBook Book Club- 4:30 p.m.

Cook a Recipe from Ottolenghi Comfort for a pot-luck style book discussion. Let us know if you are coming by emailing wendell@cwmars.org.

Tuesday November 4 and TBD (not the 11th bc of the holiday, stay tuned for new date): Canva for Beginners: Learn how to design with this free online tool! 6:30-8:30p.m.  

Join us for this two-part workshop where you’ll learn how to design eye-catching flyers, thank-you cards, and posters using Canva. Week One: Get started with Canva. We’ll guide you step-by-step through creating your first design. No prior design experience needed! Week Two: Take your skills further! Learn advanced features and explore how Canva can help you create and promote events, businesses, or services.

Presented by Steph Stoudenmire of Codeforce Consulting, this program is a partnership with the towns of Northfield, Charlemont, Colrain, Leyden, Wendell, and New Salem, and is funded by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the MassTech Collaborative under the Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program. Funding was provided by Massachusetts ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Free Math Tutoring with Samara Sawyer

Every Saturday beginning Oct. 18

10-noon

Drop in math tutoring for elementary and middle school kids, consisting of homework help, strengthening of concepts, and fun interactions with math.  (Library policy is that all youth under grade 4 must be attended by a caregiver).

About Samara: “Hi! My name is Samara Sawyer.  I am a junior at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts. I have always been passionate about math and education. I am so excited to use this program to further my love for both while helping the community.

Matinee Movies

Every Wednesday at 4 p.m.

October 1

PAPER MOON (1973; Peter Bogdanovich, director; with Tatum O’Neal, Ryan O’Neal, Madeline Kahn; 1h: 42m)

During the Great Depression, a con man and a young girl who may or may not be his daughter forge an unlikely partnership. Beautifully shot in black & white, with the usual outstanding production design from Polly Platt. Ten year old Tatum O’Neal’s performance won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and she remains the youngest actor to earn an Oscar.

October 8

THE FORTUNE COOKIE (1966; Billy Wilder, director; with Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Ron Rich; 2h: 5m)

Two years before they teamed up as The Odd Couple, Matthau and Lemmon starred in this black comedy. Lemmon plays a cameraman who suffers minor injuries when a football player runs into him while filming a game. Matthau is his brother-in-law, a corrupt ambulance-chasing lawyer determined to sue for a large settlement.

October 15

THE GRIFTERS (1990; Stephen Frears, director; with John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, and Annette Bening; 1h: 50m)

Cusack is a small-time conman who has his loyalties torn between his estranged mother (Huston) and his new girlfriend (Bening), both of whom are high-stakes grifters with their own angles to play. A fine neo-noir with an impressive pedigree: Donald Westlake wrote the screenplay based on a novel by the great Jim Thompson. Nominated for four Academy Awards.

October 22

THE LADY EVE (1941; Preston Sturges, director; with Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda; 1h: 34m)

One of the best screwball comedies from the golden age, written and directed by Preston Sturges during his peak. Stanwyck is Jean Harrington, a beautiful con artist. Accompanied by her equally corrupt dad, they book passage on an ocean liner and set out to separate rich, naive Charles Pike (Fonda) from his fortune.

October 29

THE HUSTLER (1961; Robert Rossen, director; with Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott; 2h: 15m) Paul Newman is Fast Eddie Felson, a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a self-destructive attitude. His bravado causes him to challenge the legendary Minnesota Fats (played by Jackie Gleason) to a high-stakes match.

Tech Help at the Library

Every Tuesday 3-5 p.m.

Register for a 30min, 1 or 2 hour appointment.

Support offered: Basic Computer Skills, Using the Internet, Email Support, Setting up New Devices, Accessing Services , affordable internet and device programs, library resources, health portals, entertainment, and so much more!

To sign up visit https://engage.gcc.mass.edu/seniors/cyber-seniors/ or speak tolibrary staff.

CNC Playgroup at the Wendell Free Library

Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. beginning Oct 1.

Free play, time to socialize with other families. Circle time with books, finger plays, favorite songs, and activities.  Opportunities to play outside on the playground.

The Gentle Healthy Bones and Balance Exercise Program

Wednesdays 10:00-11:00 am and Fridays 10:00-11:00 am

Presented by the Wendell Free Library via ZOOM.

For seniors who wish to improve or maintain strength, mobility, flexibility,

balance and bone health.

To join, please contact:

Marianne Vinal

Email: mariannevinal@gmail.com

Telephone: 978-544-6122 call or text

or

The Wendell Free Library

Email: Wendell@cwmars.org

The monetary support of the Friends of the Wendell Free Library makes so much possible!!

Events in Brief

All month: Art in the Herrick Room. Paper and Photo Collages by Susan Dorais

Every Friday: TGIF Social Hour, Lego, games, pickleball etc. Library hang. 4-5 p.m.

Every Sunday: Yoga. 10 a.m.

Every Tuesday: Free Tech Help. Registration required. Call or use the online sign-up at https://engage.gcc.mass.edu/seniors/cyber-seniors/. 3-5  p.m.

Every Tuesday: Adult Art Group. 5 p.m.

Every Wednesday Matinee Movie. 4 p.m.

Every Wednesday: Yoga. 6:20 p.m.

Mondays, September 1 and 15: Fiber Work &  Mending Circle. 6:30 p.m.

Bring a hand work fiber project of your choice and work in community while chatting and swapping tips. Or use the library needle felting supplies to try out a new medium.  6:30-8ish.

Wednesday September 10, Friends of the Wendell Free Library Annual Meeting. On zoom, email for meeting link. 5-6 p.m.

Saturday, September 13: The Ecology of Sound. Music From Nature

with Ricardo Frota. 2 p.m. Ricardo brings an exciting and dramatic performance that inspires children and parents to absorb the rhythms, sounds, and music from around the world. Ricardo entertains and educates while playing multi-cultural songs from indigenous peoples from many cultures. He incorporates African, South American, Native American, and Brazilian music into an interactive and exciting experience for people of all ages. His performance uses traditional rhythm instruments, and instruments made of recycled materials and objects found in nature. All Ages,

Saturday September 20: Successful Grant Writing Info Session with the Wendell Cultural Council. 11 a.m.

Tuesday, September 23: Adult Book Group. 10 a.m.

Elif Shafak, The Island of Missing Trees.  Pick up a copy on the book group shelf.

Friday, September 26: Friday Night at the Library. Extended Friday hours (open til 7 p.m.) and a picnic potluck.

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, October 1: Mushroom Walk with Jonathan Kranz.

Learn basics of mushroom habits, identification, and ecology, and help prepare participants for safe, exciting forages of their own. All ages, Registration Required. Meet at the Wendell State Forest Ranger Station. 4-6 p.m.

Saturday November 1: Ghost Town at Sundown, with rain date of Sunday November 2.  Begins at dusk. It’s not too early to start brainstorming how you want to be involved!

The Ecology of Sound, Music From Nature

Saturday September 13, 2 p.m.

Ricardo Frota brings an exciting and dramatic performance that inspires children and parents to absorb the rhythms, sound and music from different global cultures and the natural world that surrounds them. He entertains and educates while playing multi-cultural songs and improvising with Earth elements. Ricardo grew up in Brazil surrounded by an infinite variety of natural sounds. He incorporates those sounds with African, South American, Native American and Brazilian music into an interactive and dynamic experience for people of all ages. His performances use traditional rhythm instruments, and instruments made of recycled materials and also objects found in nature. This program is supported in part by the Wendell Cultural Council.

Matinee Movies

Every Wednesday at 4 p.m.

September 3rd: BREAKING AWAY

This understated and inspiring coming of age comedy-drama won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. It follows a group of four teenagers in Bloomington, Indiana, recently graduated from high school and unsure of their futures.(1979; Peter Yates, director; with Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, Barbara Barrie; 1h: 41m)

September 10th: NICKEL BOYS

Based on the 2019 novel by Colson Whitehead, The Nickel Boys follows two Black teenagers, Elwood and Turner, who are sent to an abusive reform school in early-1960s Florida. Using a wide and effective array of bold, stylistic narrative techniques, the film is largely shot from a first-person point-of-view. You haven’t seen anything quite like it. Nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, and a mainstay of best-of-the-year, best- of-the-decade, and best-of-the-century lists. (2024; RaMell Ross, director; with Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater; 2h: 20m)

September 17th: DR. STRANGELOVE

This groundbreaking 1964 satirical black comedy takes aim at the Cold War theory of mutually assured destruction and still holds up 60+ years later (and after repeated viewings): Funny, sharp, frightening. Peter Sellers is a force of nature, playing three roles, George C. Scott and Sterling Hayden are perfectly cast. (1964; Stanley Kubrick, director; with Peter Sellers, Sterling Hayden, George C. Scott; 1h: 34m)

September 24th: THE TALL BLOND MAN WITH ONE BLACK SHOE / Le grand blond avec une chaussure noire

This French spy comedy film was suggested by one of our regular matinee attendees. A hapless orchestra player becomes an unwitting pawn of rival factions within the French secret service. (1972; Yves Robert, director; with Pierre Richard, Bernard Blier, Mireille Darc; 1h: 30m)

Tech Help at the Library

Every Tuesday 3-5 p.m.

Register for a 30min, 1 or 2 hour appointment.

Support offered: Basic Computer Skills, Using the Internet, Email Support, Setting up New Devices, Accessing Services , affordable internet and device programs, library resources, health portals, entertainment, and so much more!

To sign up visit https://engage.gcc.mass.edu/seniors/cyber-seniors/ or speak tolibrary staff.

CNC Playgroup at the Wendell Free Library

Every Wednesday at 10 a.m. beginning Oct 1.

Free play, time to socialize with other families. Circle time with books, finger plays, favorite songs, and activities.  Opportunities to play outside on the playground.

The Gentle Healthy Bones and Balance Exercise Program

Wednesdays 10:00-11:00 am and Fridays 10:00-11:00 am

Presented by the Wendell Free Library via ZOOM.

For seniors who wish to improve or maintain strength, mobility, flexibility,

balance and bone health.

To join, please contact:

Marianne Vinal

Email: mariannevinal@gmail.com

Telephone: 978-544-6122 call or text

or

The Wendell Free Library

Email: Wendell@cwmars.org

The monetary support of the Friends of the Wendell Free Library makes so much possible!!