Somers Library  
Newsletter 
May 2019 
 
 
Keys to the Past .... Gateway to the Future
80 Primrose Street
Route 139 & Reis Park
Somers, NY 10589
914-232-5717
email: [email protected]  
 
Hours
Mon, Tue, Wed 10am - 5pm 
Thurs 11am - 8pm 
Fri 10am - 5pm 
Sat 10am - 5pm 
Sun - CLOSED 
 
Director's Corner

The Westchester Library System is in a fun new competition.

Learning Upgrade is an interactive, fun and effective way to enrich your studies in reading and math.  Music and graphics make this a good add-on to any other study resource you may be using...or you can just use this tool and go all the way through HS level reading in math.

Download the FREE app to your Android or iOS device. Select GET STARTED and pick the skill you want to build first - English or Math.  Pick a starting level or take a placement test.  Before you begin you'll have the chance to create your account.  Use the special referral code 3355738.  If you practice your skills on three separate days between now and 8/31/2019 you can help WLS win a cash prize that will allow us to make learning learning tools available to you!  Questions? Ask FirstFind!  Email us using the link at the right.

  
Andrew Farber 
Director
 
Our Programs Are Funded By the Friends of the Somers Library.

Adult Events  
* FOR ALL adult programs, call the library at 914-232-5717 or register using our  Online Calendar for upcoming events. All programs take place at the Somers Library unless otherwise noted. Registration required for most programs. 

Senior Benefits Information Center:   Every Wednesday, through December 18, 2019, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm  (No meeting on 11/27). Senior Benefits Information Centers (SBICs) help older adults 60 and over and those caring for the elderly achieve a better understanding of Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage. Information is provided about different types of government programs. Meet with trained counselors in a private setting to get information about:  Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap supplement plans; Part D prescription drug coverage; Medicare savings plans for low-income seniors; Financial benefit programs such as Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), & food stamps (SNAP).  You will be able to meet with trained counselors in a private setting. No appointment is necessary. If you can't visit the library in person, you can leave a message on the SBIC helpline at 914-231-3260 or email us at [email protected] with your name, number, a time to call between 9 am-5 pm and whether your interest is in Medicare services or other benefits. 

Basic Computer Help by Appointment.  Do you need help using your computer? Would you like to learn more about how to work with word documents, spreadsheets, email, etc.? Please call the library to set-up an appointment with a knowledgeable volunteer who will meet with you at the library.  We encourage you to bring your own laptop or tablet to the library to use to practice. For more information or to make arrangements, please call the library (Reference Desk).

Art Exhibit: Paintings by Kathleen Brunke. May 1 -31, during library hours. Kathleen Brunke has been a resident of Putnam Valley for over thirty years with her husband, Charlie.  They have two grown sons. Two years after her retirement as a special education teacher for over thirty years at the Lakeland Central School District, she picked up a paint brush for the first time. It was then that she discovered that she had both an aptness and a passion for painting. Kathleen's works in oil and acrylic on canvas have been displayed at shows at Putnam Arts Council in Mahopac and at the Putnam Valley Library. Kathleen studies painting with Rosalie Marcus at Putnam Arts Council.

TED Talk:  Business - Globalization and Leadership. Thursday, May 2nd from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.  (Other meeting presenting a different topic will be on Thursday 6/6, 1:00 - 2:30 pm). Join host Eugene Ritchie in a discussion after viewing two TED talk speakers who will speak on a this topic. Professor Ritchie's mission is to provide a viewing, discussion, and inspirational forum for library members and the Somers Community of themed TED Talks designed for personal and professional growth. Each program consists of diverse speakers with short presentations of 10 and 20 minutes long. Speakers will be Arindam Bhattacharya: Globalization isn't Declining- It's Transforming" and Jim Whitehurst: "What I Learned From Giving Up Everything I Knew as a Leader."Each talk will be followed by light refreshment. Upcoming Topic: June 6 - Human Relations - Enhancing Personal & Professional Relationships .   

Genealogy Workshop - Beyond Beginners . Saturday, May 4th from 11:00 - 12:30 pm. Now that you've begun the search for your ancestors, have you hit that infamous genealogical brick wall?  Was your ancestor dropped in the middle of a corn field by aliens? Learn how to follow the trail back in time and explore resources that may lead to discoveries about your family's origins. Upcoming  Presentation: Genealogy Workshop - Beyond Beginner- 6/15 from 11-12:30.  

The Beatles: 50 Years Later. Saturday, May 4, 1:00 - 2:30 pm. A respected musicologist once referred to The Beatles as one of the most transforming entities of 20th century music and claimed that they changed the course of popular music forever. What made them such a strong force that they are still popular now, more than 50 years later? Join Barry Wiesenfeld in exploring the phenomenon that was The Beatles - their growth, originality, musical innovations and lyric depth. Space is limited; please register on our online calendar at www.somerslibrary.org or call 914-232-5717.
  
W.I.N.K. (What I Need Known) - Important Information about Me.   Sunday, May 5th from 3:00-5:00 pm - What if you are suddenly incapacitated, hospitalized, or worse?  What vital information about you do family and friends need to know? The Friends of the Somers Library, in collaboration with the library staff and Tracy Christen Reimann, Esq., have created a program featuring a document that each person should complete in case of emergency, called "WINK (What I Need Known) - Important Information About Me".  Join us on Sunday, May 5 from 3 to 5 pm to receive a copy of the document and to discuss its general use.  

Performance: VoiceScapes Audio Theater. Saturday, May 11, 2:00 - 3:00 pm. Brace yourself for the sonic experience of your life! VoiceScapes Audio Theater presents LIVE original audio dramas with a group of award-winning audio actors, directors, sound engineers, writers, and producers, who met and worked together each year in Missouri at the Hear Now Festivals. Their live performance consists of a collection of unique and original short contemporary comedies and thought-provoking dramas.

Summer Drop-In Art . Mondays, 5/13, 20; 6/3, 10 & 24, 10:30 - 12:30 pm. You can begin/continue to explore painting with acrylics. This is a fun, relaxed class with inspirational background music to inspire your creativity! Instruction will include mixing colors and additives and the application of paint with different tools to achieve dramatic effects. Supply List: Charcoal pencil, Sketchpad or paper, Brushes, Canvas or canvas board, Palette knife, Acrylic paints. Optional extras: Sponges, Rollers, Folding easel, Fixative spray/hairspray. A $30.00 fee, payable to the instructor Judika Lieberman, is due the first day of class. Space is limited.

Somers Library Book Club. Tuesdays, 5/14, 6/11, 7/16, 8/13, 9/3, 10/8, 11/12, & 12/10, 6:30 - 8:00 pm. This Somers Library sponsored book club will be led by Diana Cunningham, who will select the books to be discussed at each meeting. The titles will be mostly fiction, but could also be non-fiction or biographical. Any Somers library user can register/attend. At the firsts meeting, the club will be discussing the book: The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See. Copies will be reserved for club members.  Space is limited to 20 people and registration is required; please register online at www.somerslibrary.org or call 914-232-5717. Please include your email address in your registration.

Race Amity Day Discussion Group: The Power of Amity. Sunday, May 19, 2:00 - 4:00 pm. At this meeting, Race Amity of Northern Westchester and Putnam will view and discuss the TED talk by Christian Picciolini about his former life as a white supremacist and how he got out of the movement. The discussion will be led by Professor Eugene Ritchie, who also leads the monthly TED talk discussions at the library. No registration necessary.

Long-Term Care Riders vs Chronic Illness Riders - Understanding the Differences :  Tuesday, May 21 from 6:30-8:30 pm -  Now is the time to know and understand what is available to protect yourself, your family and keep you at home!!! Presenter:  Tracy Reimann.
  • Understand the differences between Long-term Care Riders and Chronic Illness Riders
  • Learn how Consumer Protection Features on LTC Riders provide a higher standard of policy protection
  • Recognize that Long-term Care riders pay all chronic illness claims, but Chronic Illness riders may not pay all long-term care claims
Registration required: Call (914) 232-5717 or come to the Reference Desk.  The library is handicapped accessible.

Screening of Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope. Monday, May 28, 7:00 - 9:00 pm. This documentary explains how adverse childhood events impact physical and mental health outcomes from childhood through adulthood. A community dialogue, facilitated by the Alliance for Safe Kids, aimed at sharing perspectives on how to better support the community's hopes for its youth, families and overall health will follow the screening. Registration not required.     

Ongoing Events
 
Knit and Crochet Club.  Fridays beginning January 11th from 10:30 am -12:00 pm. Join Kathy Neggers (facilitator) and other knitters and crocheters to enjoy working on individual projects together. Bring your project and supplies. Beginners are welcome! Just bring a pair of knitting needles or a crochet hook some yarn and learn the basics!

Spring Into Art. Mondays, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/29 & 5/6, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm. Experiment making art using water-soluble oil pastels and watercolor pencils! Students will learn about the versatile ways each medium can create great effects. No experience required - join us and have fun! Inspirational music will accompany your creative journey.  Suggested Supplies List: Multi-media paper - 98 lb or higher, Water cup, Soft brush, Pencil, Eraser, Water-soluble oil Pastels - Portfolio, AND/OR, Water-soluble pencils (Fantasia, Staedtler, Intense (Derwent). There is a $30 fee to be paid on the first day of class. Make checks out to Judika Lieberman. Registration is required.
Race Amity Day Discussion Group: White Fragility
Sunday, April 7, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Teens
  Teen Events  
* For ALL teen and tween programs, please call us at 914-232-5717,  or register here for upcoming events. All programs will take place at the Somers Library unless otherwise noted. Registration required for most programs.                  
Home Alone Workshop .  Thursday, May 9, 2019 from 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm. What would you do if you were home alone, and there was an emergency? Tweens and the adults who love them will learn how to stay safe with Joan Lloyd, an EMT. Limited seating - registration is required, and each person must register separately. This program is for students grades 6+.

Battle of the Books Team Member Interest Group. Tuesday, May 14 from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. Are you a hard core reader that also loves trivia?  The Somers Library Popcornians are preparing Battle of the Books in the fall -  we still have space for additional dedicated team members! Stop by to learn more, or to get in the game! Registration required - participants must be in grades 6 and up. 

Mehndi Body Art with Margie at the Somers Library. Thursday, May 30 2019 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm. Did you know that henna body art (mehndi) has been practiced by many ancient cultures throughout millennia? Or that mehndi is a tradition that is transmitted between women to ensure love, good fortune and protection?  Come to this hands on workshop, where you will create your very own henna designs and everyone who wants one will go home with a special henna design by Margie! The henna we will be using is all natural, made from finely sifted henna, lemon juice and essential oils. With proper care a henna stain can last between 2-3 weeks.. This program is intended for teens/tweens grades 6 and up. Space is limited. IMPORTANT: All participants must have a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian with them in order to participate in the program. Please contact your YA Librarian at [email protected] to receive a copy of the form.

Margie Nugent is an accomplished body artist and owner of Making Faces Parties who has dedicated her life to sharing the art of Mehndi with the world-from large body art conventions, to corporate and private clients. She is currently based in Mt. Kisco, New York.
paper_cutout_kids_reading.jpg
 
Ongoing Events  
 
Spring Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) Club . Alternating Saturdays on  5/4 and 5/18, from 3:00 - 4:45 pm. Create your own world - join us to play Dungeons & Dragons! Familiarity with Dungeons and Dragons is encouraged, but not necessary. Grades 6 and up. Registration is required.
 
Magic the Gathering Club. Alternating Saturdays on  5/4 and 5/18 from 12:30 - 2:45 pm. Join us to play the popular card game of Magic the Gathering! New players and beginners welcome! Grades 6 and up. Registration is required.
 
Spring Anime/Manga Club.
Wednesdays, from 3:15-4:30 pm on 5/1, /8, 5/15, 5/22, & 5/29. Join us  to watch anime from Crunchyroll on our big screen TV, eat snack, & to hang out with friends. This program is for teens entering 7th grade and up. Registration is required. 
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Children's Events

FOR ALL Children's programs, click on the Online Calendar to register,  or call the library at 914-232-5717.

***

May Specials:


~Romeo (or Mischka) the Therapy Dog returns  on  Wednesdays to the 
Children's Room @ Somers Library!
 This is open to students currently in grades K-5!

 Welsh Corgis Romeo or Mischka are back on Wednesdays from 3:00-5:00pm .
They love to listen to your child read! 
Each of these dogs has been specially trained as a Tail Waggin ' Tutor from Therapy Dogs International.  

 Registration is via phone only!  Call Vicki or Beth at 914-232-5717.

Wednesdays with Romeo or Mischka :   
May 1
May 8
May 15

 Each child will read for 20 minutes . Arrive early to pick books, or bring your own!
Call now to reserve your child's spot!  You may select one or more slots to read!

~Mother's Day Ddrop-In Craft~ Make Your Own Mother's Day Cards!
Saturday, May 4 from 10:00-4:00.
Use our materials to make a thoughtful card!

~Save the Date:  Summer Reading Kick-Off will be on Wednesday, June 26 @ 1:00.

*************

See website for specific dates:  www.somerslibrary.org

PreSchool Story Time & Craft~ 
(for ages 4-5 years old~ without caregivers); 
Registration required~ minimum of 5 (five) registrants to run program.
Somers residents only
-Tuesdays 1:00-1:45 

K- 2 Book Clubs~
Kindergarten will meet Mondays
1st Grade will meet Tuesdays
2nd Grade will meet Wednesdays
Time:  3:30-4:15
*Children must be in the grade for which they are registering.  
Registration required.
Somers residents only.  
Vicki DiSanto (Children's Librarian) will run these book clubs.

Grades 3-5 Book Clubs~ 
Meeting day is Thursday from 3:45-4:45  
Bus transportation available- bus #K
Registration required. 
Somers residents only. 
Children must be in the grade for which they are registering.  
Beth Levine (Library Assistant) will run these book clubs.

Babytime for children ages 0-2 with caregivers on Tuesday @ 10:30.
      
Toddler Story Time for children ages 2-3 with caregivers @ 10:30:
Thursday
OR
Friday

Registration is now necessary, and you must have a Somers Library Card.

See the Story Time, Book Clubs and Program schedules  here.   

Bits and Pieces

Flowers 
The flowers that you see at the library are sponsored by the Friends of Somers Library and donated by local businesses. We thanks Mary Ward of Houlihan Lawrence  for donating this month's flower arrangement.

Art Gallery
May Artist:  Kathlenn Brunke - Paintings
Kathleen Brunke has lived in Putnam Valley for over thirty years with her husband, Charlie.  They have two grown sons.  Kathleen worked as a special education teacher for over thirty years at the Lakeland Central School District.  Upon her retirement two years ago, she picked up a paint brush for the first time and immediately discovered that she had a certain aptness and a passion for painting!  Kathleen's works in oil and acrylic on canvas have been displayed at shows at Putnam Arts Council in Mahopac and at the Putnam Valley Library.  Kathleen studies painting with Rosalie Marcus at Putnam Arts Council.
 

Please join the Friends of the Somers Library at these upcoming May events:

 

W.I.N.K.: What I Need Known 

 

Event Type: Adult Program
Date: 5/5/2019
Start Time: 3:00 PM
End Time: 5:00 PM

Description:

 What if you are suddenly incapacitated, hospitalized, or worse? What vital information about you do family and friends need to know? The Friends of the Somers Library, in collaboration with the library staff and Tracy Christen Reimann, Esq., have created a program featuring a document that each person should complete in case of emergency, called "WINK (What I Need Known) - Important Information About Me". Join us to receive a copy of the document and to discuss its general use. 


Location: Program Room
Presenters: Tracy Christen Reimann & Susan Berkow

 

 

Race Amity Discussion: The Power of Amity

 

Event Type: Adult Program
Date: 5/19/2019
Start Time: 2:00 PM
End Time: 4:00 PM

Description:

 At this meeting, Race Amity of Northern Westchester and Putnam will view and discuss the TED talk by Christian Picciolini about his former life as a white supremacist and how he got out of the movement. The discussion will be led by Professor Eugene Ritchie, who also leads the monthly TED talk discussions at the library.


Location: Program Room

   

News from the Somers Library Foundation

Did you know.... That the Somers Library Foundation is enrolled in the AMAZON.SMILE program? AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at www.smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support.
Please enter "Somers Library Foundation" as your charitable organization and start contributing a portion of your purchases toward the Foundation's efforts to providing Somers with a modern and welcoming place to read and explore ideas, to connect with others, and to learn and grow.

Please tell your family and friends. Thank you.

For more information about the many ways you can help continue to spark imagination, inform inquisitive minds and create lifelong learners, please visit www.SomersLibraryFoundation.org or call us at (914) 361-9979.
Somers Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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