“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."-Charles Dickens Great Expectations

If there are any any questions about the library being open during winter weather, please call the library at (845)687-7023 or check our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram before heading out.

March is Women's History Month. For more information click here.

March 2 is Read Across America Day. Click here to learn more.

March 14 is widely known as Pi Day. Want to know more? Click here.

March 16 is Freedom of Information Day. What does that mean? Click here.

Art Exhibit

Dogs Who Love A Great Dump: The Dogs of the Marbletown Transfer Station by Alex Kahana

March-April

Reception March 16, 1-3pm

Artist Statement



I started using a camera at thirteen which started my exploration of the world. My photographs are not planned or staged, but found. It’s instinctive. If something pulls at me, I’ll photograph it. There is something meditative when I am in the zone, a moment of being one with the universe. No thinking, just doing your thing, being aware of your body and surroundings, able to move around objects. It’s almost as good as sitting in meditation for more than an hour. I work for the Marbletown Transfer Station and always visit the dump on my days off. Last summer I thought it would be fun to photograph the dogs that people bring to the dump. So many of them have great back stories and are adopted from rescues. I would go to Center of Photography of Woodstock (a great resource- hi Sarah!), print a few photos and stick them on the door at work. People enjoyed seeing them, so I got a decent printer and made a mockup of a calendar and for fun, titled it “The Dogs that Love a Great Dump.” People loved it and here I am, exhibiting at the Stone Ridge Library.

Alex Kahana

Born in Brooklyn, Alex Kahana’s Jewish roots go back 16 generations to a well-known Jewish Rabbinical Family. Cousin Meir Kahane was the founder of the Jewish Defense League. Cousin Moshe Cahana organized a delegation of Rabbis and marched arm in arm with Martin Luther King from Selma to Montgomery. Another cousin, Rabbi Martin Freedman was one of the “Tallahassee Ten” who in 1961 rode with the Interfaith Freedom Riders to challenge segregation and was arrested while integrating a segregated restaurant. “For me, orthodox Judaism didn’t work, and while I have now found balance, breaking away while younger was extremely difficult. Thanks to the love of Howlin’ Wolf’s guitar player Hubert Sumlin and his wife Willie Bea, who said to call her mama, I started feeling comfortable with myself. Without their love and support I would not have made it. Because of my relationship with them I was able to photograph many blues musicians. Soon I will be digitizing those photos and putting them in book form. In my career I’ve worked in photo labs and started up a juice bar/cafe called Mama B’s, in Brooklyn but whether at a photo lab, my cafe or the Marbletown Transfer Station, my work is always about building community.

Portrait of Alex by Fred Hatt.

Wednesdays March 6, 13, 20, 27

5:30-6:30

Marbletown Community Center

Our partnership with Town of Marbletown Parks, Trails & Rec. Dept. will continue in 2024 with continued free Wednesday yoga classes. Classes will be held at the Marbletown Community Center. All classes will be taught by Laura Brown and we are grateful to be working with her and the Parks and Rec. Dept. to bring these classes to our community.

*This is a very popular program so if you register for a class and cannot make it, please cancel your registration or email us so we can fill the spot with someone on the waitlist.*

Participants must register for each class. To register click on the links below:

• Wednesday, March 6
• Wednesday, March 13
• Wednesday, March 20

**There will be no yoga class on Wednesday, March 27 as it is Spring Break.

Questions? Contact: Programs

Laura loves bringing yoga into people’s lives, encouraging her students to welcome space, breath, and movement to reset their bodies and minds. These classes are perfect class for the absolute beginner, the curious, the seasoned yogi and everybody in-between! All are encouraged to move at their own pace in this hour-long class.

Please be sure to bring your yoga mat and any blocks or straps if you use them. The library will have extra mats and blocks if needed. As with any exercise class, be sure to check with your doctor before starting.

Rosa Bonheur Taking Charge

with Rena Tobey

Thursday, March 7, 7-8pm

via Zoom



Nothing was going to stop Rosa Bonheur from her calling--as an artist and unprecedented, as a woman depicting animals in paint and bronze. She challenged societal rules that restricted where women could go and what they could learn. From the slaughterhouse to public auctions, from the Highlands of Scotland to the forests of Fontainebleau, Bonheur surged forward on her quest to show animals with regal splendor and in all their metaphorical glory.

Led by art historian Rena Tobey, our artistic deep dive will include:



• Learning about the artistic style of Realism in France and the limitations on how most women lived in Paris in the 1800s
• An appreciation of Bonheur's determined boldness and dedication to being an artist, blasting through considerable societal obstacles
• An overview of her tremendous career success, both in the conventional male-dominated world of the animalier--a portrayer of animals--and with the public
• A close look at the story of how her greatest masterpiece, and one of the all-time great French paintings, ended up in an American museum
• A consideration of the unusual friendships Bonheur cultivated, including with Buffalo Bill Cody, and her cloaked personal life, including two devoted lesbian love relationships



Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Rena — any and all questions about these artworks are welcomed and encouraged!

Register here

About Rena

Rena Tobey is an American art historian whose passion centers on making art accessible, insightful, and fun. She has taught at NYU's School for Professional Studies and Southern Connecticut State University. Rena conducts lively, interactive tours of New York City's museum collections, now online. Her research and writing centers on American women artists working before 1945, with particular interest in the challenges they faced in bucking societal norms.

Saturdays

March 2, 9, 16

9:30-10:30

Rondout Municipal Center (In the former Bistro Space)

1921 Lucas Ave

Cottekill, NY

Get your Saturdays off to a great start with our 6 week session of Zumba Gold Classes. We are again thrilled to be collaborating with the Town of Marbletown Parks, Trails and Recreation Department to offer you these exercise classes free of charge.

Join Zumba Gold instructor Donna Ebanks for a dance fitness program suited for those needing lower impact classes. This class is slower paced and will focus on balance, coordination and flexibility. Its a great way for seniors, anyone with mobility issues or those just starting out on their fitness journey to get started.

*This is a very popular program so if you register for a class and cannot make it, please cancel your registration or email us so we can fill the spot with someone on the waitlist.*

*You should check with your doctor before starting this or any exercise program.*

Registration is required for each class.

March 2 register here

March 9 register here

March 16 register here

March 23 (Make up session) register here

Mindful Aging: Living Life Fully as an Older Woman

Monday, March 18, 2-3:30pm

Activity Room

*Due to the popularity of this program we are thrilled to offer another session of Mindful Aging with Stephanie Speer. This is not a follow up session but a fourth session offering to those who were waitlisted.*

May I meet this moment fully. May I meet it as a friend. This is an opportunity for women over 55 years of age to come together for contemplation and connection to use the tools of mindfulness to meet the joys, sorrows, fears, pleasures and challenges of aging with greater ease, balance, and control. Our time together will include conversation, information, and participation in simple mindfulness meditation practices provided in a safe and supportive environment.

Registration is required. Register here

As an instructor of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Stephanie Speer has been teaching mindfulness practices to individuals and groups for over 30 years. She received her Masters in Humanistic Education from Goddard College and completed her MBSR professional training from Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli of the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Her professional work and personal life has been informed by 35 years of meditation practice and Buddhist studies. As a long term resident of Ulster County, she continues to enjoy the beauty, serenity, and simplicity of living in this rural area which has helped to sustain her meditation practice and enabled her to enter the busyness of the world with greater calm and ease. 

Understanding Medicare with Dan Calabrese

Monday, March 18, 7pm

Via Zoom



If you are new to Medicare, or already in Medicare and confused about the coming Medicare Enrollment Period, this informational webinar will help you to understand your options. A complete discussion of all the parts of Medicare will be reviewed, to allow you to determine what the best choices are for you based on your health circumstances. This goal of this webinar is make a confusing topic much easier to understand.

Register here and be sure to include your email address in your registration so we can send you the Zoom link.

Dan Calabrese began Sunrise Advisors Group specializing in Medicare, Life and Long-Term Care over ten years ago. In addition to meeting with people at their homes or businesses, Dan regularly does Medicare seminars for people new to Medicare at employer groups, railroad retiree events, Kiwanis Clubs and libraries. Dan is certified in Long Term Care Planning and holds the CLTC designation for such planning. He has written and published several articles on Medicare, Long Term Care and life insurance which are available to read on www.sunriseadvgrp.com. 

Let's Move with the Library

2nd and 4th Thursdays each month

from 12-1

Various Rail Trails

The Stone Ridge Library Saunterers are back in action walking various rail trails on the 2nd and 4th Thrusdays each month from 12-1.. All are welcome as we talk and walk getting in our steps and getting to know our neighbors. There is no registration necessary. Just show up with your walking shoes on. All walks are weather permitting. Any cancellations will be posted on social media and on our website.

*Please check with your doctor before starting this or any exercise program.*

Thursday, March 14 O&W Rail Trail parking lot on Rest Plaus Road

Thursday, March 28 Wallkill Valley Rail Trail parking lot parking lot on Binnewater at the Trestle Bridge



Navigating Burnout for Entrepreneurs

Thursday, March 28 6-8pm

Activity Room

The Stone Ridge Library and the Women's Enterprise Development Center are thrilled to offer this in-person workshop. Register now to learn how to uncover resilience, recharge your energy and thrive in business. 

The Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC) opens doors to business ownership for low-to-moderate income women and minorities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Register here

Teen Game Night

Friday, March 1

6-8:30pm

Teens 15+

Join us for after hours game night for teens. If you enjoy group games, come and join in the fun. Games will include HerStory, Flamecraft, Bring Your Own Book, Apples to Apples and more. Snacks will be provided. Registration is required. The library doors will open at 6pm and close at 6:15pm so be here on time for an evening of fun.

Register here

Crochet Club for Tweens and Teens

Tuesdays 3:00-4:00

March 5, 12, 19

Get hooked on crocheting!! For ages 9 and up.

All levels welcome! No experience needed, just bring your patience.

Heather and Julianna will be assisting participants in this crochet craze.

Please register here



After School Story Hours

for children in grades K-3

Wednesdays 3:30-4:30

March 6, 13 and 20

Get a Clue at the Stone Ridge Library during our upcoming after-school Story Hours for children in Kindergarten-third grades

Stories and crafts all with a mystery theme.

*Please Note: If Rondout is closed for inclement weather, or if they close early, or cancel after school activities, then this Library program will be cancelled as well.*

Register here

Take and Make Mystery Theme stories and craft

Take and Make kits with a pre-recorded video are available weekly for the Mystery theme story hours. Sign-up to reserve your kit and receive information about pickup times and video links.



Register here

Preschool Story Time

For children ages 3-5

Thursdays  10:00-11:00

March 7, 14, 21

Join Jess and Lyndsey for stories, songs and crafts in this preschool level program.

*Please Note: If Rondout is closed for inclement weather, or if they close early, or cancel after school activities, then this Library program will be cancelled as well.*

Register here 

Reading Dragons and Friends is a card collecting, independent reading, incentive program through the library.



This is a fun card collecting & reading INCENTIVE activity where children can earn a new dragon card for every 30 minutes of reading.

How do you get started and acquire a Reading Dragon?

Pick up a free Reading Dragon tracker, instructions, and some special starter cards at the library.

The more you read, the more dragons, unicorn, and griffin cards you can collect!

Each set includes an egg, a baby, a teenager, and an adult form of your dragon, unicorn, or griffin.

Take home your tracker, READ!! Then bring your completed tracker to the front desk to choose your cards!!



Collect them ALL!

Friday, March 15

12:15pm, Activity Room

Registration Required

In honor of Pi Day, (3.14) we will be cooking from Erin Jeanne McDowell's The Book on Pie.

Erin Jeanne McDowell, New York Times contributing baker extraordinaire and top food stylist, wrote the book on pie, a comprehensive handbook that distills all you'll ever need to know for making perfect pies. The Book on Pie starts with the basics, including ways to mix pie dough for extra flaky crusts, storage and freezing, recipe size conversions, and expert tips for decorating and styling, before diving into the recipes for all the different kinds of pies: fruit, custard, cream, chiffon, cold set, savory, and mini. Find everything from classics like Apple Pie and Pumpkin Pie, to more inspired recipes like Birthday-Cake Pie and Caramel Pork Pie with Chile and Scallions. Erin also suggests recommended pie doughs and toppings with each recipe for infinitely customizable pies: Mix and match Pumpkin Spice Pie Dough and Dark Chocolate Drippy Glaze with the Pumpkin Pie, or sub in the Chive Compound-Butter Crust for the Croque Madame Pielets . . . the possibilities are endless. With helpful tips, photographic guides, and inspirations--pie-deas--it's almost like having Erin in the kitchen baking pies with you.

The Cooks & Books group is a cookbook group. We meet the 3rd Friday of each month and take turns choosing a cookbook or theme to cook from. Each member then makes a chosen dish to bring to the meeting where we feast and discuss the cookbook and recipes. It’s a whole lot of fun and great food. 

Participation is limited so if you are interested in joining this group, please contact Sarah Robertson at programs@stoneridgelibrary.org or call (845) 687-7023 ext. 8.



New Fiction

The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West by Sara Ackerman

Fourteen Days by Margaret Atwood and Douglas Preston

The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry

Three-Inch Teeth by

C. J. Box

A Quantum Love Story by Mike Chen

The Chaos Agent by Mark Greaney

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Exiles by Jane Harper

Burma Sahib by Paul Theroux

Angelina's Secret by Diane Merrill Wigginton

Isabella's Heart by Diane Merrill Wigginton

Olivia's Promise by Diane Merrill Wigginton

New Non-Fiction

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

Under The Henfluence by Tove Danovich

Otter Country: An Unexpected Journey in the Natural World by Miriam Darlington

When They Call You A Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele

Behind The Seams by Dolly Parton with Holly George-Warren

Black Fortunes by Shomari Willis

New DVDs

Four Daughters

Fremont

The Holdovers

Joan Baez: I Am A Noise

The Royal Hotel

Story Ave

Waitress The Musical

• Go to stoneridgelibrary.org.
• Click on either Home or Books & More.
• Click on Mid-Hudson Catalog.
• Log in using red button on right.
• You will need your Library Barcode (on back of your Library Card) and your PIN. (If you don't have a PIN you can set it up yourself.)
• Search for your item.
• Click the Request It button.
• Submit your request.