Ongoing Classes & Events

Virtual Conversational Italian Class Wednesdays (break from 12/22/21-1/12/22) 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 Register. 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.
Nature Walks with Minnewaska State Park Educator Nick Martin Second Fridays 9:00 – 10:30 AM (rain dates third Friday) Meet at the Gardiner Library lower parking lot. See a list of all the species of birds found on Nick's bird walks here. Read Gardiner Library Birding Walks 2021: A Summary Through Photos and Words. 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.
Ukuleleans! Ukulele Club Second Wednesdays 6:00 - 8:00 PM (no club in January) No registration required. Currently meets indoors with masks required. All ages welcome, from beginner to experienced. Join The Ukuleleans! Our aim is to encourage one another along as we have fun with this uniquely upbeat instrument. Individuals will have the opportunity to perform for the group, if they desire, building confidence to perform in front audiences. Jeff Pfeffer has been playing the ukulele for 20+ years, giving lessons to beginners along the way. He has performed locally in nursing homes and hospitals, as well as open mics and other venues. He particularly enjoys tin-pan-alley, novelty songs, and sing-a-longs, with a focus on performance.
Slow Jam - On Winter Intermission (resumes April or May) 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 3:00 – 4:00 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.
Hybrid Blue Marble Reads: Environmental Reading Group with Joan Parker Meets second Thursday every other month beginning February 2022 6:30 – 7:30 PM Register. Meets in-person or via Zoom. Contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org for the Zoom link if attending virtually. Read a combination of modern fiction and non-fiction works through a filter to illuminate the relation humans have with our Blue Marble, a.k.a. Earth. Explore authors who are written word artists, experts in their field, and who share their wisdom. Meets at the at the library (masks required) and remotely if unable to attend in person. Go to the calendar to see book picks. Copies can be checked out from the Gardiner Library.