More than 80 pumpkins carved for jack-o’-lantern display

Photo by Jessica Scriver.
It was an enthusiastic group that turned out to the library on Oct. 26. There was a lot of cutting up going on since the occasion was pumpkin carving for the jack-o’-lantern display for the town green. — Photo by Jessica Scriver. It was an enthusiastic group that turned out to the library on Oct. 26. There was a lot of cutting up going on since the occasion was pumpkin carving for the jack-o’-lantern display for the town green.

More than 80 folks of all ages brought their creativity and carving skills to another successful pumpkin carving at the Charlotte Library. The library is grateful to Jessica Scriver her contributions to the fifth annual jack-o’-lantern display.

Need some inspiration for Thanksgiving? Check out the library’s cookbook section for menu ideas, pie recipes and more.

The Wildcard Wednesday crew will be baking cookie place cards and other edible decorations. Stop by to take a look on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Check out our best picks for the readers on your gift list. On display at the library in time for your holiday shopping and available at the Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne.

Nathaniel Akselrod’s entry won first place in the People’s Choice Award, for which he received a $50 gift card to the Old Brick Store.

Programs for kids

Preschool story time
Tuesdays, 10 a.m.
Come to the Charlotte Library for preschool stories, crafts and activities. No registration required. Age 2 and over.

Preschool free play
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
Play in the preschool years enables children to explore and make sense of the world around them, as well as to use and develop their imagination. Explore the sensory table, sorting, playing with blocks, playdoh — these are a few of the open-ended projects planned for Wednesday morning play-based learning at the Charlotte Library.

Wildcard Wednesdays
Wednesdays, thru Nov. 20, 2-3:30 p.m.
Who knows what Wednesday will bring? Science sessions? Crafts and games? Sign up and show up on Wednesdays to join in the fun activities for kids fourth grade and up. For registration information, contact the library. On Wednesday, Nov. 20, it will be Edible Creativity. Make edible decorations for Thanksgiving tables, including cookie place cards and candy flowers.

Babytime
Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. & first Saturdays, 10 a.m.
You’re invited to an unstructured hour for parents, caregivers and babies to play, explore books and chat in the young children’s area. Ages birth to 18 months.

Let’s Lego
Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Drop-in for Lego free play. We’ll have loads of Lego bricks out, along with some books and prompts for inspiration. For all ages. Please note: Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Programs for adults

Stillwater meditation
Saturdays, 9 a.m.
Poetry and meditation are offered freely and in person to the Charlotte community. Come for quiet reflection, contemplation and gentle meditation instruction. Respect for all beings and faiths is a foundational quality of our time together. Beginning and experienced meditators are welcome.

Zachary DeFranco & Chris Gribnau music
Saturday, Nov. 16, noon-1 p.m.
Enjoy folk tunes and instrumentation with these two Charlotte musicians. They will be playing a mix of oldtime Irish and Quebecois tunes on fiddle and mandolin. Between songs, they will answer questions and discuss the history of the tunes they are playing.

Mystery book group
Monday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m.
In “The Murder of Mr. Wickham,” a summer house party turns into a whodunit when Mr. Wickham, one of literature’s most notorious villains, meets a sudden and suspicious end in this mystery featuring Jane Austen’s leading literary characters. As tempers flare and secrets are revealed, it’s clear that everyone would be happier if Mr. Wickham got his comeuppance. Yet they’re all shocked when Wickham turns up murdered, except, of course, for the killer hidden in their midst. Copies available at the library circulation desk.

Better-together book club
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m.
The better-together book club will be reading “What Alice Forgot” by Lianne Moriarty. Alice Love is 29, crazy about her husband and pregnant with her first child. However, she is surprised when she comes to on the floor of a gym and is whisked off to the hospital where she discovers the honeymoon is over — she’s getting divorced, she has three kids and she’s actually 39 years old. Copies available at the library circulation desk. Look for the audiobook and e-book on Libby.

Recurring programs

Book chat
Wednesdays, 3 p.m.
Meet each week to discuss new books, old books and books we might have missed. Each week, library director Margaret Woodruff selects a theme and highlights related titles from the library collection. No registration necessary.

Crochet & knit night
Wednesdays, 5-6:30 p.m.
Join in a casual weekly session of crocheting and chatting, knitting and catching up. Bring your project or start a new one with yarn and needles available at the library, along with plenty of books to instruct and inspire. For teens and adults.

Short story selections
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1 p.m.
Join library director Margaret Woodruff to share and discuss short stories old and new. Group meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Join Zoom meeting.

Note: The library will be closed Thursday & Friday, Nov. 28 & 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday. See you on Saturday, Nov. 30.

Library contact information:
Margaret Woodruff, director
Cheryl Sloan, youth services librarian
Susanna Kahn, tech librarian
Phone: 802-425-3864
Email

For the latest information about programs, books and activity kits, sign up for the newsletter.

The Charlotte Library Board of Trustees meets the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., unless otherwise rescheduled following the Opening Meeting Law. Contact the library or visit the library website for more information.