Ongoing Classes & Events

Conversational Italian Class Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:30 PM 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 Group Thursdays 10 AM - 12 PM Contact Carolyn at cthorenz@rcls.org for more information. Come join the Slow-Stitch Revolution! Hand sewing as a form of meditation, relaxation and socialization. Bring a portable hand-sewing project and enjoy some "me" time while artfully stitching a favorite project. Hand-quilting, embroidery, crewel, linen, ribbon, even crochet! Slow down with slow-stitch. Meets outdoors (weather permitting) or indoors with masks required.
Bird Walks with Minnewaska State Park Educator Nick Martin Fridays 8 – 9:30 AM Meet at the Gardiner Library lower parking lot. Are you interested in birds or birdwatching? Join Nick Martin, Minnewaska Park Educator and enthusiastic birder for bird walks starting at the Gardiner Library. Watch the local landscape change through the seasons as we take an approximately one-mile walk on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and wander through Majestic Park. Although bird-centered, Nick will also take time to explore and identify trees, flowers, rocks and other kinds of animals. Participants are encouraged to wear waterproof boots or shoes, bring binoculars, a birding field guide or a smart device with a field guide installed.
SongClub with Debbie Lan Second Sundays 3:30 – 5:00 PM $10 at the door. Cash only. Meets outdoors weather permitting. When outdoors singers may be unmasked with social distancing protocols in place. SongClub is a drop-in singing experience aimed at bringing communities together through singing original arrangements of familiar songs in a safe and welcoming environment. The audience is the choir! Debbie Lan is a Musician, Singer, Songwriter and Choral Director. She directs and arranges a selection of eclectic songs for adult Community Voice Ensembles: Bloom, The B2’s, Tuesday Evening Voice Ensemble and the Resisterhood Choir.
Slow Jam Third Sundays 3:30 - 5:15 PM Meets outdoors (weather permitting) or indoors with masks 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 – 4:00 PM October book pick is The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson November book pick is The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow Meets outside on the back patio or indoors (masks required inside). 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.
Blue Marble Reads: Environmental Reading Group with Joan Parker Meets second Thursday every other month starting October 14 6:30 – 7:30 PM 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. October's book pick is Reading the Rocks: An Autobiography of the Earth by Marcia Bjornerud. December's book pick is The Meadow by James Galvin. Copies can be checked out from the Gardiner Library.