Simple picture books, big books, finger plays, songs and movement for children 18-35 months with a parent/caregiver.

 

Drop-in, no registration needed.

This playgroup, sponsored by the South Shore Family Network, is for children age three to five years.  Each week has a different theme and involves multiple fun experiments and activities.

 

When you register, you are registered for the six-class session that runs November 6, 13, 20, 27 and December 4 and 11.

The Arc of the South Shore and Little Bee Yoga present a magical story time followed by a fun and therapeutic yoga class all designed to bring the featured book to life!

 

Join local author Berline Rousseau as she discusses her new book, Grace For Mothers.  Grace for Mothers is more than just a book; it is a call to action for single mothers to come together in support of one another. Berline advocates for the creation of a non-judgmental, supportive community where single mothers can find the grace they deserve. The book also addresses the often-overlooked plight of the “hidden children of the ordained,” particularly those abandoned by religious leaders who have taken vows of celibacy. Grace for Mothers seeks to bring attention to these silent pains and offer solace and support to those who need it most.

 

Berline Rousseau is a published author of 3 books. She holds a Master’s Degree in Management Science and a Graduate Certificate in Women in Politics and Public Policy. As a passionate communicator, Berline believes in the power of words to educate and inspire others, which has driven her to write on topics close to her heart. Her latest book, Grace for Mothers, was inspired by the verse, “To whom much is given, much is required,” a message that deeply resonates with her and serves as the foundation for the book’s unique and vital cause.

 

Come join Certified Aromatherapist Kim Larkin as she shares some ancient healing therapies using essential oils in their body care recipes. In this workshop, we will create three stimulating/calming products that will nurture our bodies using natural products. The three include a Peppermint Aloe vegan foot crème, a Coffee and Cacao leg scrub and and an essential oil inhaler. Herbal tea will be served to calm the spirit as you take time to learn about the art of self-nurture.

 

Margie Benedict is the award-winning author of nine published novels in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and thriller, including the Thieves of Magic young adult fantasy trilogy (Dreadmarrow, Gravenwood, and Kingshackle) and the Before Series of time travel mysteries. She has recently completed a tenth novel that kicks off a new dystopian fantasy series, to be published soon.

 

Margie earned a B.A. in English from Stanford University. In addition to her novels, she has written five produced screenplays. Her script, Dead in the Room, was made into an award-winning film starring Patrick J. Adams (of the TV show 'Suits' fame). An engineer in her prior career, Margie designed text-editing software for the Macintosh at Apple Computer.  Before the Killing is set in a fictional town based on Cohasset, MA, where Margie grew up. She now lives in neighboring Scituate with her husband Brian and Australian shepherd Winston.

Join us for the Out of This World Science Fiction / Fantasy Book Club! We meet on the last Monday of the month, and alternate between science fiction and fantasy titles.

 

Imagine you're transported back to Tudor England and had to start a new life there, without smartphones, satnav or social media, how will you know where you are or where to go? Where will you live and where will you work? And who can you turn to if you fall ill or God forbid if you upset the king? In a period when execution by beheading was the fate of thousands how can you keep your head in Tudor England? We're thrilled to welcome back author and historian, Toni Mount, as she discusses how it was done and what we would need to do if time travel ever became a thing and we had an opportunity to travel back. This is going to be a fascinating conversation!

 

Please register

 

We're so happy to be partnering with representatives of Needham Bank to discuss how to get through the holidays with your money and sanity intact! We'll be chatting about topics ranging from protecting your credit and debit cards, saving for the holidays, strategies to budget for the holiday season and not overspend, and watching out for holiday scams. There is something for everyone and every age so we hope you can join us for this important conversation and Q&A.

 

Representatives from Needham Bank will be joining to share important information for consumers during the rushed holiday time. Whether you live in a community where there is a Needham Bank Branch or not, they'll be sharing tips and tricks to make sure you come out of the holidays with less stress and more joy. 

 

Please register

 

The prolific American artist and illustrator Norman Rockwell produced more than 4,000 works that chronicle not only ordinary moments from everyday life but also important social and political issues. Examine why and how he has remained a beloved American original, despite being dismissed by many of the serious art critics of his time. Explore many of his iconic paintings, as well as some that may surprise you. Led by Janet Mandel, a retired 32-year art history teacher, who now presents illustrated talks on a variety of art history topics at colleges & universities, libraries, museums, senior centers, and community centers.

 

Please register

 

 

Travel to the Galapagos Islands made famous by Charles Darwin and his theories of evolution in his book, The Origin of Species, aboard the ship, HMS Beagle. Examine the unique wildlife and gorgeous vistas of this isolated group of islands, located 600 miles west of Ecuador’s Pacific coast, which is home to large tortoises, iguana lizards, sea lions, and a menagerie of exceptional birds from blue-footed boobies to red pouched frigate birds. Appreciate the nearly pristine showcase of biodiversity as told through videos and photos. Led by world traveler Dana Zaiser, a retired local pharmacist who has also visited Switzerland, Australia, Ireland and The Amazon. In addition to his love of travel, Zaiser is an amateur historian and current President of the Old Colony Civil War Roundtable.

 

Please register 

 

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

 

 

Learn how to use an artificial intelligence (AI) tool -- ChatGPT -- while conducting genealogical research. Examples will be provided where ChatGPT can assist with queries about genealogical facts, historical background, image interpretation, content generation, and information extractions from PDF documents. Led by Robert Cameron Weir, a professional genealogist who specializes in early New England research. He has a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University’s Center for Professional Education and is a member of the Association for Professional Genealogists, as well as former Vice President of its New England chapter.

 

Please register

 

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

 

We are so excited to be chatting with author Alexandra Vasti about one of our very favorite genres - regency romance! We always wonder, were there really that many Dukes and, if so, were they really healthy, wealthy, and handsome? Let's find out as we chat with Alexandra about her most recent book, "Ne'er Duke Well" and her upcoming book, "Earl Crush". Bring your questions as this will be a rapid fire Q&A!

 

Alexandra Vasti comes from a long line of romance-reading Vasti women. She lives in Louisiana, where she teaches literature at a university by day and writes USA Today bestselling romance by night. Somewhere in there she also raises three kids and two mostly feral kitties. She’s powered by guacamole and oat milk lattes, though not usually at the same time.

 

Please register

 

The holidays are bearing down on us and coming up with new and nutritious options (really, is that even a thing?!?!) can be challenging. If you are looking for a sweet treat for the holidays that won't sabotage your healthy eating goals, join registered dietitian Heidi McIndoo to make mini pumpkin pie tartlets.

 

Heidi Reichenberger McIndoo, M.S., R.D., L.D.N. is a nutrition consultant, spokesperson, author and freelance writer with 25 years experience as a registered dietitian. She loves helping people realize that eating nutritiously doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor and pleasure. And, that giving up favorite foods is not a must.  She currently works with Hannaford Supermarkets and in corporate wellness. She’s the author of When to Eat What and the co-author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to 200-300-400 Calories Meals. In addition, she has written for several magazines including, All You, Today’s Diet & Nutrition, Parents, Family Circle, Self, Prevention, Fitness, Shape and Woman’s Day; and newsletters such as Environmental Nutrition and Women’s Nutrition Connection. As a former national media spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association (now the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) she’s been quoted as an expert in hundreds of magazine articles and television broadcasts.   She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

 

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Take a virtual cruise with stops on the Falkland (Malvina) Islands, South Georgia Island, Elephant Island, and the Antarctic Peninsula. Enjoy stunning photographs of the abundant wildlife (e.g., Gentoo and Adelie penguins, Southern Giant-Petrels, Leopard Seals), as well as the many places made famous by Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition. Led by Bill Gette, Founding Director of Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport, who has over 30 years of experience leading groups to exciting local, domestic, and international destinations. He has visited all seven continents, led groups on over 50 international travel programs, and conducted hundreds of field trips locally and throughout the United States.

 

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RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

 

 

The Shamus Award is awarded by the Private Eye Writers of America for the best detective fiction novels and short stories of the year. The Prize is given annually to recognize outstanding achievement in private eye fiction. Enjoy a panel of Shamus Award winners and nominees discussing their works and their detective fiction genre, including Gabriel Valjan (2024 winner for Best Original PI Paperback for Liar's Dice); J.R. Sanders (2023 winner for Best Original PI Paperback for Dead-Bang Fall); and Liz Milliron (2024 nominee for Best Original PI Paperback for The Truth We Hide). The panel will be moderated by Agatha Award-winning and Macavity Award-winning Anjil Babbar, who is a lecturer of Humanities at Boston University.

 

Please register

 

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

 

 

 

Native history predates 1492. Native peoples have been on the North American continent for centuries before colonization began. Learn about U.S. History but from the perspective of Native Americans. From the formation of the Iroquois Confederacy to landing on Plymouth Rock and the Lost Colony of Roanoke to the tribes that participated in the American Revolution and the move westward, discover the creation of the treaties between the United States and Native Nations. The beginning of the end for Native Nations with the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears will also be covered. This lecture begins in the 1100s and ends just before the Civil War in 1860. Led by Heather Bruegl, a public historian, activist, and decolonial education consultant who works with institutions and organizations for Indigenous sovereignty and collective liberation. She is an Oneida Nation of Wisconsin citizen and first-line descendent Stockbridge Munsee.

 

Please register

 

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.