“‘Is the spring coming?’ he said. ‘What’s it like?’... ‘It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine, and things pushing up and working under the earth.’” “The Secret Garden” Frances Hodgson Burnett
It’s officially spring in the Catskills! With April’s arrival the library is here to help welcome spring as the winter months are dusted off. From music and movies to crafting, puzzling, and bingo, there’s something for everyone at the library this month.
Ogden Library Events
Sensory Playgroup - Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. Join us every Tuesday for engaging, hands-on play sessions designed for little ones from birth to age five and their caregivers. Each week features themed free play, creative activities, and sensory-rich materials that spark curiosity and support early learning.
Knit & Crochet Group - Tuesdays, 3-4:45 p.m. Community members gather every week on the main floor for yarn crafts and conversation. Bring your current project and enjoy friendly conversation as you knit or crochet.
Mahjong: Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Everyone who loves Mahjong or wants to learn is welcome. All skill levels are welcome.
Storytime: Fridays, 10:30 a.m. on the lower level. Songs, rhymes, stories, and crafts sure to entertain your littles.
Chef Series - Registration is full. Pillowy Perfection: Handmade Potato Gnocchi - Wednesday, April 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Workshop participants will learn how potatoes, flour, and eggs work together to create tender gnocchi, and practice shaping gnocchi using a fork. The class will also cover how to correctly cook and sauce gnocchi, leaving participants with the confidence to recreate pillowy, homemade gnocchi. Participants will leave with a batch of fresh gnocchi.
Cereal Cinema: Saturday, April 4, 10-11:30 a.m. showing: Madagascar (2005). Start your weekend with a spoonful of fun at Cereal Cinema, a cozy morning featuring a family-friendly movie and an all-you-can-eat cereal buffet. A simple craft will be offered as your child enjoys the movie.
Crafterwork: Birch Tree Watercolor - Wednesday, April 8, 6-7:30 p.m. This month, adults and teens 16+ are invited to paint a birch tree watercolor scene. Learn simple watercolor techniques and create a one-of-a-kind painting—no experience needed. Supplies are provided free of charge, but space is limited, so register by calling the library. Come relax, paint, and leave with a piece of art you’ll be proud to display.
Mobile Office Hours with Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) - Thursdays, April 9 and 23, 1-3 p.m. This is your chance to get one-on-one help from Congressional staff with Medicare, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, passport delays, or any other issue involving a federal agency. No question is too small; no appointment needed.
Armchair Adventure: Across Asia: Thursday, April 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Travel the world without leaving Walton. The next installment of the Armchair Adventures Series features local resident Caren Shapiro who will share highlights from the journey she and her mother took in January across East and Southeast Asia. Through photos and stories, Caren will take us through Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore. Bring your curiosity and enjoy an evening of travel, culture, and storytelling—no passport required.
Puzzle Swap - Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.-12 noon. Have too many puzzles? Exchange your puzzles for new-to-you puzzles. Bring as many puzzles as you want, just tape the boxes or place the pieces in a sealed bag inside. Volunteers will collect your puzzles when you arrive so you can browse. If pieces are missing leave a note on the box with details. White Mountain puzzles are popular, so the limit for taking those is three, but you can bring as many as you’d like. Please no dollar store or puzzle bug puzzles. No puzzles to swap? Stop anyway and grab one or two - we have extras to share. Puzzles you take home do not need to be returned. Keep them, share them, or bring them to the next swap.
Cabin Fever Bingo - Wednesday, April 15, 6-7:45 p.m. Free for adults and teens 16+; we’ll play a variety of traditional game layouts for a total of five games. Each round will have a prize for the winner, and there will be door prizes between the rounds. Enjoy a free night out with entertainment, friends, and prizes. Space is limited so sign up today by calling the library.
Author Talk - Thursday, April 16, 6:00-7 p.m. Join us for an evening with Chelsea Haverly, Walton native and coauthor of “Trauma-Informed Bodywork: A Professional’s Guide to Somatic Awareness, Movement Techniques, and Nervous System Regulation.” Guided by the principle that if trauma happens to the body, healing happens through the body. This book offers an inclusive, consent-driven, and empowering approach to trauma-informed healing. This thoughtful presentation will explore how somatic awareness and body-centered practices can support healing, resilience, and well-being. All are welcome.
Lego Club - Friday, April 17, 3-4:30 p.m. On third Fridays of the month right after school elementary-age children and older can enjoy free building time, choosing from the large selection of LEGOs. Let your creativity soar as you construct and explore. Light snacks provided.
East Tennessee State University Bluegrass Band - Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m.-12 noon. A special pre-concert workshop at the library presented by the Grant Rogers Project, a collaborative initiative of the Ogden Library and Music on the Delaware. That evening at 7:30 the band will perform on the mainstage at the Walton Theatre and this engaging morning workshop will celebrate the rich traditions of American roots music, including old-time, bluegrass, country, and folk. Families and music lovers of all ages are invited to experience the musicians in an informal setting. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the instruments, hear stories behind the songs, and ask questions of the performers. Made possible through the generous support of the Francis Watson Memorial Fund, this special appearance offers a rare chance to connect personally with artists who carry forward the musical heritage of Appalachia.
Book Club Discussion - Wednesday, April 22, 7-8 p.m. The book club meets monthly on the lower level of the library. This month’s book is “The Women” by Kristin Hannah ©2024. Copies can be reserved through interlibrary loan - call the library at 607.865.5929 or visit www.4cls.org Women can be heroes. When 20-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path. As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost. But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America to angry protesters and a country that wants to forget Vietnam.
Library News
Adventurers Wanted
If you have traveled somewhere memorable, the library’s event organizers are looking for people to share their travel experiences at an Armchair Travel Adventure Series event. Those interested should email Heather at wa.heather@4cls.org or call the library.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
This ongoing program encourages caregivers to read 1,000 books with their child before Kindergarten to build strong early literacy skills and reading confidence. It’s self-paced, fun, and flexible. Sign up at the library’s front desk to get your reading record and earn prizes along the way.
Fishing Poles Available
Fishing season officially starts April 1. The library has five fishing poles available for public checkout, through a partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s I FISH NY Program. Library patrons can borrow a pole for up to two weeks and enjoy the great outdoors. Remember, individuals 16 years or older must have a valid freshwater fishing license—but this is a fantastic way to cast a line without the cost of buying gear.
