November Adult Programs At The Middletown Public Library

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Here's what's planned for adults in November. Additional information and registration can be found at mtpl.org. Any questions, please contact the reference desk at 732-671-3700, ext. 320.

Virtual Talk | Reclaiming Your Inner Wisdom: Sacred Indigenous Teachings with Asha Frost

Join us online 2 p.m. Nov. 3 for a conversation with indigenous medicine woman Asha Frost about her book, You Are the Medicine: 13 Moons of Indigenous Wisdom, Ancestral Connection, and Animal Spirit Guidance. Through storytelling, ceremonies, and Shamanic journeys, Frost guides you along the path of the 13 Ojibwe Moons to connect with your own inherent healing power, while honoring the lands, lives, and traditions of Indigenous peoples. Visit mtpl.org to register for a link to join this virtual presentation.

Draw & Discover: Charcoal for Non-Artists with Jenny Santa Maria

Join Teaching Artist Jenny Santa Maria 6 p.m. Nov. 5 for an expressive, hands-on drawing workshop designed for those with no artistic experience. Inspired by the American landscape, from coastlines to deserts, participants will use charcoal, kneaded erasers, and touch to draw by revealing rather than outlining, watching a landscape emerge from the page. Wear an old shirt, as this workshop can get messy. All supplies are provided and no prerequisite skills are required. For adults only. Registration is required and limited.

Garden State: Living Off the Land in 19th Century NJ

2 p.m. Nov. 6, join the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts in the Community Room for a presentation on New Jersey’s agricultural history and its influence on farming today. Middletown was largely farmland before the railroad arrived in the mid-19th century, and this program uses the museum’s collection of farming tools to show what it was like to live and work on a 19th-century New Jersey farm. No registration is required.

New Jersey Book Club: In the Unlikely Event

12 noon Nov. 9 join the NJ Book Club to discuss this month's title, In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume. Set in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1951-52, this novel follows teenager Miri Ammerman and her tight-knit community as three plane crashes in just 58 days upend their town and their lives. Attend in person in the History Room or register at mtpl.org to receive a Zoom link.

The Roots of Country Music with Richard Stillman

Join us in the Community Room at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9 for an evening of country and bluegrass music with actor, musician, and tap dancer Richard Stillman. Playing the banjo and guitar, Stillman will perform the hits along with rope tricks, Country Clog dancing, and plenty of cowboy hat tricks. Register to save your seat and get reminders and updates about the performance.

Virtual Talk | A City on Mars: The Science and Absurdities of Space Settlement with Kelly and Zach Weinersmith

Join us online at 2 p.m. Nov. 10 for a conversation with New York Times bestselling authors Kelly and Zach Weinersmith about their book, A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through? After years of research, the Weinersmiths investigate whether the dream of new worlds might create nightmares for settlers and the people they leave behind, tackling questions from babies in space to space law with expertise and humor. Visit mtpl.org to register for a link to join this virtual presentation.

Tech Tuesday: Design with Canva Basics

A 2:30 p.m. Nov. 10, join us in the Makerspace to learn the basics of Canva, a free online design platform that makes it easy for anyone to create graphic designs. Discover how to build eye-catching digital designs, even if you’ve never designed anything before.

Virtual Talk Day of the Dead Celebrations with Julia Fuchs

Join us online 7 p.m. Nov. 10 via Zoom for a conversation with professional archaeologist and Middletown native Julia Fuchs. Fuchs will explore the history and meaning of Día de los Muertos, how the holiday evolved over centuries, and the traditions families and communities observe today. Visit mtpl.org to register for a link to join this virtual presentation.

Virtual Talk How Money Became God: Rethinking Wealth and Greed in Modern Society with Paul Vigna

Join us online 2 p.m. Nov. 11 for a conversation with veteran journalist Paul Vigna about his book, The Almightier: How Money Became God, Greed Became Virtue, and Debt Became Sin. Vigna traces the history of money from Renaissance Florence to today’s global markets, exploring how wealth accumulation went from a moral failing to an unspoken civic virtue and why money has no power apart from the power we give it. Visit mtpl.org to register for a link to join this virtual presentation.

Twilight Trivia

Join us in the Community Room 7 p.m. Nov. 12 for a trivia night devoted to the Twilight books and movies. Whether you’re Team Edward or Team Jacob, test your knowledge of the Cullens, the Quileute wolf pack, the Volturi, and everything from Twilight to Breaking Dawn. For adults 18 and up. Registration is required.

A Potpourri of Show Tunes: Broadway, Popular, and Patriotic

Join us in the Community Room 2 p.m. Nov. 14 for a concert by local musician Nancy Scharff. The program ranges from Broadway and popular favorites to patriotic and classical melodies, a fitting way to kick off a holiday-filled November. Register to guarantee your seat and receive a reminder about the performance.

Virtual Workshop De-Risk Your Retirement: Protect Your Income, Lifestyle, and Legacy

Join us online 7 p.m. Nov. 17 via Zoom for a presentation by Carl Barling and Jodi Bloom of Cornerstone College and Wealth Solutions, designed for those nearing retirement or recently retired. Learn how inflation, market dependency, withdrawal strategies, Social Security, healthcare costs, and tax allocation can affect your retirement plan. Visit mtpl.org to register for a link to join this virtual presentation.

Virtual Talk Epic Worlds and Celestial Prophecies with Rebecca Roanhorse

Join us online 7 p.m. Nov. 19 for a conversation with New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse about her Hugo Award-winning Between Earth and Sky trilogy: Black Sun, Fevered Star, and Mirrored Heavens. Inspired by the cultures of the pre-Columbian Americas, the series weaves together celestial magic, political intrigue, and ancient prophecy. Whether you’re a longtime fan or looking for your next immersive fantasy read, step into the world of Tova. Visit mtpl.org to register for a link to join this virtual presentation.

Fall Speed Puzzling Challenge

Calling all puzzling enthusiasts! Test your skills in the Community Room at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 28 at MTPL’s Fall Speed Puzzling Challenge. Teams will race to complete the same 500-piece puzzle, and the first team to finish wins. At least one member of each team must be 18 or older.