From the

Director's Desk...

Guest Author Pam Stockton:

I am filling in for Charlotte this month, so allow me to introduce myself. I am Pam Stockton, and I have worked at CPL for the past seven years, mostly at the Circulation Desk. I grew up on a small farm in eastern North Carolina, and there was always work to be done. In November we gathered pecans and shelled them for holiday desserts. After Thanksgiving I helped my mother with the laborious process of making fruitcake (hold the jokes please). She saved coffee cans (remember those?) and other cans which we lined with buttered paper.  We hand stirred in an assortment of beautifully-colored candied fruits, raisins, spices, and the pecans into flour, sugar, and eggs, and poured the heavy, rich batter into the prepared cans. Baking was a long slow process, and it filled the kitchen with an enticing spicy aroma.  Once baked and cooled, the fruitcakes were tightly wrapped individually and stored in a cool, dark spot. Some were given to family members and neighbors, and others were served as people dropped by the farm during the holidays.

    Cooking and baking teaches many life lessons about planning, preparation, executing a plan, and improvising when things go off.  They also teach us about teamwork, which I feel is one of our most valuable assets/strengths at CPL.  We help each other out, and everyone is ready to pitch in at a moment's notice. You may see Charlotte removing leaves that have blown into the lobby, which is not something you might expect of a director.  We strive to make CPL a welcoming, clean and safe place for our community.

    This holiday season we encourage you to stop by CPL and check out a holiday movie or music CD to enjoy with your family. Or check out books to cozy up with on these long dark winter evenings. Join us for one of our films, crafts or holiday music programs. Or enjoy a wintry walk and just stop by and say hello.

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday and New Year!

Pam Stockton

pstockton@rcls.org

Holiday Closure

The library will be closed Tuesday & Wednesday, December 24 & 25 for the Christmas holiday.

We will also close early Tuesday, December 31 at 1 pm and remain closed through Wednesday, January 1 for the New Year's holiday.

Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, December 11

7:00pm

Library Community Room



All meetings are open to the public. The current agenda and meeting packet can be found here.

Art Exhibit

Cornwall-Highlands Art Alliance Member Exhibition

Exhibit runs November 1 through January 2



Based in New York’s historic Hudson River Valley, Cornwall-Highlands Arts Alliance is a community organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the Arts in both the Town of Cornwall (which includes the village of Cornwall-on-Hudson) and the Town of Highlands (comprised of the village of Highland Falls and the hamlet of Fort Montgomery). Situated on either side of the Storm King mountain, Cornwall and Highlands communities have long hosted numerous artists, writers, musicians, and performers.

Creative Writers

Every Monday

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Always open to new members.This is an in-person program for adults.

Check website for cancellation information.

Midday Matinee

Tuesday, December 3

12:00 PM

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Running Time:

2 hrs & 24 mins.

Enjoy a break in your day and take in a movie. Unfortunately, due to our licensing agreement we are unable to share the title of the movie online. Please visit the library to learn more about the movie that will be playing.

Synopsis: “The hit Broadway musical about a small-town pie baker with big dreams gets the silver screen treatment.”



Drop-In Event – No Registration Required.

Create a Holiday Boxwood Tabletop Tree

Thursday, December 5

6:00 - 8:00 PM

Munger Cottage

Design a festive Boxwood Tabletop Tree for the holidays with the creative help of Merritt Florist’s Betsy Sharo.

Space is limited! Registration is required, along with a $20 materials fee paid in-person to confirm registration. Please bring clippers, scissors and wire cutters. One lucky winner will take home the evening’s demo creation.

Registration opened November 1 via the library website.

Live in Concert: E'lissa Jones & Company Holiday Music

Sunday, December 8

1:30 - 3:00 PM

Munger Cottage

E'lissa Jones is a beautiful singer, prolific songwriter, violinist, pianist and guitarist who will bring out the holiday spirit in all of us with her merry accompanists.

Registration opened November 1 via the library website.

Teen Tech Tutoring

Tuesday

December 10

3:00 - 4:00 PM

Got tech questions? Let our savvy teen volunteers assist you. Bring your devices and your questions.

No appointments needed - first come, first served

MSLC: Thyroid Disorders

Thursday

December 12

9:00-10:00 AM

Join Dr. Ashok Vaswani, Endocrinologist, for a presentation on the several types of thyroid disease. The thyroid can affect your energy, weight, appetite, muscles, hair, and more. Dr. Vaswani will be reviewing the symptoms and treatment of each type of thyroid disease. Refreshments will be provided.

Registration opened November 5 and can be accessed at this link.

Opera Club

Sunday

December 15

1:00 PM

Join other opera lovers and take in a popular opera at the library.

Unfortunately, due to our licensing agreement we are unable to share the title of the Opera online. Please visit the library to learn more about the Opera that will be playing!

Synopsis: “A young boy, crippled by poverty and illness, receives a miraculous visit from three mysterious strangers who bring gifts of hope and healing. The most frequently performed opera in the history of the genre!”

Drop-In Event – No Registration Required.

Tuesday Night Movie

Tuesday

December 17

5:45 PM

Rated: R

Running Time:

2 hrs. & 12 mins.

Enjoy free popcorn and a classic movie at the library! Now on TUESDAYS! Unfortunately, due to our licensing agreement we are unable to share the title of the movie online. Please visit the library to learn more about the movie that will be playing.

Synopsis: “During a Christmas party in a high-rise building, a lone officer must outsmart a group of terrorists who have taken hostages, using his wits and resourcefulness to save the day. As the holiday spirit clashes with danger, one man’s bravery becomes the ultimate gift.”



A Drop-In Event; No Registration Required.

Cornwall Canasta Card Crusaders

Weekly Wednesdays

@ 12:00 PM

Join us for a meeting of the Cornwall Canasta Card Crusaders!

Meet other local people interested in canasta: learn, inspire, encourage & have fun. All skill levels welcome.

Drop-in event- no registration required! There will be no meeting on December 25 or January 1.

Tuesday Night Movie

Tuesday

December 3

6:00 PM

Rated: PG-13

Running Time:

1 hr. & 47 mins.

Enjoy free popcorn and a classic movie at the library! Now on TUESDAYS! Unfortunately, due to our licensing agreement we are unable to share the title of the movie online. Please visit the library to learn more about the movie that will be playing.

Synopsis: “Two dim-witted friends embark on a cross-country road trip to return a lost briefcase, encountering a series of hilarious mishaps along the way. Their misguided adventures reveal the chaos that ensues when ignorance meets ambition.”



A Drop-In Event; No Registration Required.

Member's Choice

Book Group

Wednesday, December 4

6:30 PM

And Then There Were None

by Agatha Christie

Join our Member’s Choice Book Group for a lively discussion on titles chosen by the group. This group typically meets the first Wednesday of each month and is always eager to welcome new people. Will meet in the STUDY ROOM this month.

Hard copies are available at the library; eBooks and eAudios are available on Libby and Hoopla.

Book Chat & Chocolate

Thursday, December 5

7:00 PM

All the Colors of the Dark

by Chris Whitaker

New members are always welcome...and chocolate is always served!

Hard copies are available to pick up at the library. E-books and e-audios are available on Libby.

Candle Making Workshop

2nd Date!

Friday, December 13

3:30 - 6:00 PM

Munger Cottage



Discover the art of candle making as you create your own masterpiece with its own unique scent. Cherish your personal product for yourself or as a holiday gift.

In-person registration began November 19. A $5 fee is required along with registration to confirm your participation. Seating is limited!

Creative Escape- No Stress Crafting

Friday, December 13

12:00 - 1:30 PM

Relax for an afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. All materials for collaging, coloring, and journaling will be provided. Feel free to bring your own personal project and supplies, and enjoy the company of other crafters while you work on your own creations! This is an Adult program.

Registration started on November 13, and space is limited! Light refreshments will be served.

MSLC: Hypertension

Wednesday

December 18

10:00-11:00 AM

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, affects nearly half of American adults, but many do not experience symptoms. How can high blood pressure affect you? How can you treat it? Refreshments will be provided. Presented by Dr. Nirav Shah.

Registration opened November 15 and can be accessed at this link.

Mystery Book Group

Thursday, December 19

2:00 PM

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

by PD James



New members are always welcome.

Hard copies are available to pick up at the library. eBooks and eAudios are available on Libby.

Family Story Time

Select Tuesdays

December 3

9:30 AM OR 10:30 AM

Enjoy a story time at the library with your whole family. All ages are welcome.

Please register your child(ren) via the online calendar the week before each event. Adults do not need to register.

Gingerbread House Decorating

Thursday, December 12

Grades K-5

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

_______



Grades 6-12

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Build memories, one candy at a time, as you unleash your creativity, crafting a colorful festive masterpiece

All materials will be provided! Dress for mess!

Space is limited! Registration is required through our online calendar and opens a week prior to the program!

Family Game Day

Monday

December 30

3:00-4:30pm

Join us for an afternoon of fun and free play. We provide the games and puzzles; you provide the players (bring a friend!)

Geared toward school age children, but all are welcome. A drop-in event for the whole family.

Dog Tales

Select Mondays

December 2

For Grades K-12

6:00 PM

Read independently to a furry friend from Hudson Valley Paws for a Cause.

Please register via the library website for a 15-minute time slot of your choosing. Registration required through our online calendar one week prior to the program.

Chess Time

Saturday, December 7

11:00 AM

An informal time to relax and enjoy a match with a friend or play with someone new. Open to all ages! For any skill range from beginner to accomplished players.

A drop-in event – No registration required.

PJ Story Time

Select Thursdays:

December 12

6:30 PM

Put on your PJs and join us for a special evening story time at the library. All ages are welcome.

Space is limited. Registration required through our online calendar one week prior to program.

Family Build-It with LEGOs

Friday

December 27

3:00-4:30 PM

Bring the kids and build a masterpiece! A family drop-in event – no registration required.