By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – With the new year in full swing, the Pelham Public Library has announced several events for the citizens of Pelham to engage and participate in.

The Pelham Garden Club is scheduled to meet on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. An Adult Craft Class is being held on Monday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. An event called “The ABC & D’s of Medicare” will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. Finally, three recurring events will also be held at the library: Dungeons & Dragons for Teens & Tweens, Preschool Storytime and PJ Storytime.

Dungeons & Dragons is held each Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. Preschool Storytime is held each Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. PJ Storytime is held each Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Pelham Public Library is also holding an event on the Sultana disaster on Saturday, Jan. 18 beginning at 1 p.m. David Smith, the Library Supervisor at Pelham Public Library, is particularly excited for the Sultana event.

“I am excited about all our programs, but history is my greatest passion, so I am particularly looking forward to the lecture by Professor Mollie Smith-Waters about the old Cahaba Prison and its link to America’s worst maritime disaster, the sinking of the Sultana,” Smith said.

Smith added that while there was no particular theme for events in January, the weather was a factor in deciding which events to hold.

“Because the weather is cold and a bit unpredictable during the month of January, this is definitely a time for some indoor activities,” Smith said. “For kids, it is the middle of the school year, so it is a continuation of planning that started in the fall.”

Smith discussed the first event of the year, the Pelham Garden Club meeting, and added it is a great time to get involved with the club if you haven’t previously.

“This month, the club members will discuss the various projects coming up for 2025,” Smith said. “This would be a great opportunity for those interested to get an insight on club activities. The Pelham Garden Club discusses various topics of great interest to gardeners every month. The club is also involved in various projects that enhance the natural beauty in Pelham. It is a fun way for people to learn new things and make new friends. It is free to join. It is open to any adult within and outside the city. The club does not collect dues, but donations are welcome.”

The Adult Craft Class, like the Pelham Garden Club, is also a recurring event, with Smith emphasizing the class’s fame and membership.

“Our craft class is very popular and fills up quickly,” Smith said. “We provide all the supplies and the class is free. Attendees must be 18 and above. Seating is limited, so those interested must register on our website. Registration opens the morning after the latest class ends. The project for January involves origami. Our instructor is very friendly and talented. The people who attend the classes greatly enjoy them.”

While the first two events offer Pelham citizens to try something new, the library’s third event, “The ABC & D’s of Medicare,” offers a chance for people to learn more about a nuanced topic.

“Medicare is complex and evolves constantly,” Smith said. “It is an important milestone in a person’s life; this class helps those who may not know exactly how to navigate all of its various parts. It is free and open to the public. No registration is required.”

The last three events in January are focused on more of an adolescent audience. The first offers teens and tweens the chance to role play in the world of Dungeons & Dragons.

“D&D for Teens & Tweens is a teen-led program supervised by the Teen Services Librarian,” Smith said. “New players interested should know that it is a dynamic group with an average of three to 10 layers. Programs last for two hours and meet on Tuesday at 5 p.m. Campaigns tend to be ‘homebrewed,’ or created from scratch by the teen dungeon master who leads the group. Walk-ins are welcome, and we generally help newcomers figure things out as they go along.”

Preschool Storytime is an event designed to promote fun and whimsy, according to Smith.

“We focus on a different letter each week, and we also incorporate other concepts such as colors, shapes and counting into the stories we tell,” Smith said. “Our story times are very interactive, including lots of movement, songs, fingerplays and stories told with puppets or a felt display board. Of course, we always finish up with bubbles and a snack as well as a craft kit to take home that matches that week’s letter.”

If the children of Pelham aren’t satisfied with just one story time event, Pelham Public Library also offers a great nightcap for them as well.

“PJ Storytime is a repeat in theme from the weekly Wednesday story time,” Smith said. “Kids often wear their pajamas, although that is not required. We do see more children who are older attending this session versus the preschool Storytimes, especially some of our friends who previously attended on Wednesdays but are now in school.”

The Pelham Public Library is offering a variety of events in January for the young and the old alike. Smith made sure to close by emphasizing the importance of the library in fostering a sense of community and place.

“The library is a place where people who have similar interests can come together and meet others who share common interests through our programs,” Smith said. “Whether it is teens playing D&D, adults learning a new skill together or our youngest patrons making some of their first friendships at story time, we provide the space for these connections to happen. The library serves the community, and we are a reflection of our patrons.”

To learn more about the Pelham Public Library and their events in January, visit its website at Pelhamlibraryal.gov.