Ongoing Adult Classes & Events

Genealogy Live Help with Alexis Graham Free 1 hour sessions available (up to 2 sessions per person) Contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org to schedule a virtual (phone or Zoom) appointment. Genealogy is the new pastime focused on tracking down old ancestors. Whether you’re a beginner just getting started, have hit a brick wall, or interested in exploring additional free resources; check out the new service for our library patrons provided by Alexis Graham. Alexis has over twenty-five years of genealogy and family history experience and excels in the English language field, archival, and internet research. She is a Boston University Genealogy certificate recipient; has served on the board of the Capital District Genealogy Society, and assisted East Greenbush and Colonie library patrons in researching their family histories. Currently, she is working on a 10-generation manuscript documenting her maternal ancestor’s journey from Scotland to Ireland and eventually to the Colonies.
Chair Exercise Class with Anne Rogers Mondays 9:30 - 10:15 AM Registration required. Cost: $60 (for 8 classes) Classes do not need to be taken consecutively - attendance will be recorded by instructor. All ages and abilities welcome. Register here. A forty five minute class for anyone looking to strengthen and relax, and improve joint mobility, posture and balance. Whether you are interested in maintaining healthy movement without needing to get on the floor, or rehabbing an injury , chair work can help give you life long tools you can use for any anytime in your life. Anne Rogers has shared the beauty and benefits of yoga and movement for forty years. She received a degree in physical education and health and became certified in yoga, thai yoga massage, plant based nutrition, and reiki. She also practices qigong, meditation, breathwork and loves to dance. If we can learn to listen to our bodies Anne believes we can gain strength safely , and find the fluidity in our movements to release pain and tension.
Virtual Conversational French Class with Céline Lana Sahulka Mondays 7 - 8 PM Register on the online calendar to receive the Zoom link to join. Practice your French conversation skills in a relaxed, friendly setting! This weekly online meeting hosted by experienced French teacher Céline is the perfect place to chat en français. We welcome all intermediate to advanced French speakers who are comfortable engaging in spontaneous conversation. Each session, we'll discuss everyday life, current events, and whatever interesting topics come up. This is not a formal French class - the goal is to have fun, make new friends, and give your French a workout through natural discussion. Céline will help guide the conversation and make sure everyone gets a chance to participate. Whether you're looking to stay fluent, gain confidence for travel, or simply connect with fellow francophiles, joining our weekly French conversation group is a great way to build your skills. New members are always welcome to take part. We look forward to having you chat with us bientôt! Céline Lana Sahulka is an experienced French and Montessori teacher with over 20 years of experience educating children. She has taught French at all grade levels in the United States and France. Céline is passionate about creating engaging lessons that foster a love of learning French language and culture. Most recently Céline has been a French teacher at the Dwight Global Online School. She enjoys developing curriculum, mentoring new teachers, and finding creative ways to make French come alive for her students.
Mah Jongg, Mexican Train and Scrabble Group Meet-Up Wednesdays 1 - 3 PM Mah Jongg is a 2,000 year old Chinese tile game of skill and chance for all ages and genders. The game is sociable, competitive, addictive, and FUN!!! It’s also known to help to improve your memory skills. Whether you are an experienced player or newbie, now is your chance to play Mah Jongg at the library, meet new people and have fun!
Virtual Conversational Italian Class Wednesdays (on summer break, will resume in September) 5:30 - 6:30 PM Register. This weekly class is designed for people who have some knowledge of the Italian language and would like to improve their conversational skills. The group is facilitated by Dr. Ornella Lepri Mazzuca, a native speaker of Italian. She graduated from the University of Urbino, Italy, with a Doctorate in English, French and Italian. She later earned an MA in Spanish and Linguistics and a PhD in Spanish Literature from the University at Albany.
Slow Stitch Club Thursdays 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Contact Carolyn at cthorenz@rcls.org for more information. Pack up your thread, needles, yarn, or hooks and join the slow stitch revolution. Any portable project qualifies: quilt, knit, crochet, felt, sew, embroider and more. Enjoy some "me time", a bit of socializing, show and share while artfully stitching a favorite project. Be privy to library tutorials and helpful services.
Local Knit and Crochet Circle Sundays 1 - 3 PM Join local knitters and crocheters to come together for Knit Circle! Knitters and crocheters come together to work on their own projects and show off their work. Bring your own project and join us. Please note: this is not a class to learn how to knit/crochet.
Al-Anon Meetings Sundays 6:30 - 7:30 PM Al‑Anon is a mutual support program that welcomes people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. The best place to learn how Al-Anon works is at an Al-Anon meeting. Personal contact is an important element of the Al-Anon program. Additional Al-Anon meetings are listed on www.al-anon-ulster-sullivan-ny.org and www.al-anon-orangecountyny.org.
Chess Club Meets first and third Wednesdays 6:30 - 8 PM For all levels and ages. Details to come.
Nature Walks with Minnewaska State Park Educator Nick Martin Fridays 8:30 - 10 AM (September and October) Second Friday 9 - 10:30 AM (November through March) Meet at the Gardiner Library lower parking lot. See a list of all the species of birds found on Nick's bird walks here. Gardiner Library Birding Walks 2021: A Summary Through Photos and Words. Gardiner Library Birding Walks 2022 Join Nick Martin, Minnewaska Park Educator, for a nature walk starting at the Gardiner Library. During this program, take an approximately one mile walk on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and wander through Majestic Park. On this slow-paced walk, we will be looking at whatever natural curiosities intrigue the group, from birds to trees. Participants are encouraged to wear waterproof boots or shoes and bring binoculars.
Slow Jam Third Sundays 3:30 - 5:15 PM No registration required. Are you new at playing an acoustic instrument and would like to practice with some friendly, local musicians? Come join the Gardiner Library Slow Jam. The Slow Jam meets on the third Sunday of every month (outdoors) to play Old Time, Folk songs, Bluegrass, Western and other home spun type songs. Participants play at a slower pace so everyone will have a chance to learn the songs. All musicians and acoustic instruments are welcome. No audience, no pressure, just lots of fun.
Peg's Reading Circle - Book Club First Wednesdays 3 – 4 PM Go to the calendar to see book picks. Join Gardiner Library's first director, Peg Lotvin, and discuss books chosen by the group. Originally called "The Teeny Tiny Book Club", Peg and a friend started this book club almost 20 years ago.
Bluegrass Jam with Deb Murphy Meets fourth Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:30 PM Interested in playing bluegrass with other local musicians? Join us on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 for a Bluegrass Jam. All are welcome to share songs, learn new tunes and make new friends in an inviting and relaxed atmosphere.
Senior Resource Help Desk with Karen Harding Fourth Thursdays 3 - 4 PM Do you have questions about Medicare or Prescription drug plans? Do you need help understanding Medicare in general, or how the plans work ? Do you need help finding out how to access services for seniors? Do you have questions about dental care or how your dental insurance works? Join Karen Harding for coffee and donuts at these informal meetings where she can answer your questions about any of these things and direct you to help in applying for Medicare, Extra Help, Medicaid and other services. Karen Harding is an Independent Insurance Broker from Gardiner. She specializes in Medicare Supplement and Advantage plans and Life Insurance. Karen also has a background in teaching and dentistry and enjoys helping people understand their insurance options.
Community Reiki: Individual 20 Minute Reiki Sessions Meets first Sundays noon - 2 PM First-come, first-served. See COVID protocols below. Reiki is both the energy of the universe and the Japanese system of sharing this energy with others. Recipients sit in a chair or lie on a comfortable table, clothed, while the practitioner lightly places hands on or above the recipient. The effect is of peace and deep rest for the recipient. HV Community Reiki has been providing Reiki sessions to the public since 2017 at the Gardiner Library. When the pandemic began, the group continued to send distant Reiki to one and all, each month. H.V. Community Reiki practitioners possess multiple certifications that can include Reiki I and II as well as Master level certifications in various styles including Usui/Tibetan, Komyo, Karuna, and Animal Reiki. Reiki practitioners and clients will remain masked at all times. Reiki tables will be spaced a safe distance apart and windows will be open for airflow. Reiki tables will be sanitized between clients, and practitioners will begin each session with sanitized hands. All practitioners are fully vaccinated and boosted.
Community Writing Workshop with Grace Bialecki Meets Second Tuesdays of the month (on hiatus August and September) 7 - 8:30 PM Registration requested for each monthly meet-up. Register on the calendar for the date you wish to attend. Walk-ins also welcome. Gardiner Library's community writing workshop will encourage participants to start writing creatively and learn how to develop a writing practice. Explore different avenues for inspiration via reading and discussion of outside texts, writing prompts, and reading our work aloud. By emphasizing open exchange and exploration, the workshop will leave its attendees with tools to develop their writing in the genre and form of their choice. The goal of the course is to encourage artistic exploration and writing in any form, so the classroom environment will be welcoming, supportive, and consistently respectful. While giving feedback, the focus will be on what the author is aiming to achieve, as well as the work’s positive elements and potential. Grace Bialecki is a writer, literary coach, and workshop facilitator. Her work has appeared in various publications including Catapult and Epiphany Magazine where she was a monthly columnist. Bialecki is the co-founder of the storytelling series Thirst, and the author of the novel Purple Gold.
Genealogy Help "Desk" with Alexis Graham Virtual appointments (phone or Zoom) One hour "tutoring" sessions (up to 2 free sessions per individual) Contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org or call the library at 845-255-1255 to sign up. Genealogy is the new pastime focused on tracking down old ancestors. Whether you’re a beginner just getting started, have hit a brick wall, or interested in exploring additional free resources. Alexis has over twenty-five years of genealogy and family history experience and excels in English-based (or it could read English language) field, archival, and internet research. She is a Boston University Genealogy certificate recipient; has served on the board of the Capital District Genealogy Society, and assisted East Greenbush and Colonie library patrons in researching their family histories. Currently, she is working on a 10-generation manuscript documenting her maternal ancestor’s journey from Scotland to Ireland and eventually to the Colonies.