Post-Pandemic Life: How to Move Forward

Fourteen months have elapsed since the world changed drastically due to Covid-19. Many stayed safe, continued working and met each new challenge of the pandemic as it arrived. Yet with Covid cases declining and vaccinations widely available, the mental burden from this last year may hinder progress, causing people to “languish” as identified in a May article of The New York Times. In this virtual presentation on Thursday, June 3, at 5:30 p.m., Kelly Kandra Hughes focuses on the science behind languishing and the steps that can be taken to reclaim our lives. Please register on the Norfolk Library website or call 860-542-5075. Following this program, the library will offer a 12-week discussion series, based on the book “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear. For more information about the series, please contact kkandrahughes@biblio.org.

Pet Parade and Fridays on the Green Kick-Off

Head to the Village Green on Friday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. as the Norfolk Library kicks off its summer reading “Tales and Tails” program with a pet parade. Prizes will be given in many categories, so be sure to register all pets by June 9 on the library website or by calling 860-542-5075. Stay tuned for June art and science-based summer reading programs on Mondays beginning June 14. Check the library website for details.

A Celebration of Emancipation Day

The Norfolk Library will celebrate Juneteenth, Emancipation Day, on Saturday, June 19, at 11 a.m. with a program of Dagomba music on the library grounds. Performed by Serena and Enoch Agbeli, a native of Ghana, Dagomba music comes from the northern region of Ghana. The Agbelis will use two drums, the lunga and gungon, known as talking drums because the rhythms recreate the language of the Dagomba people and have been a tool in passing down their history.

Ornamental Plant Exchange

The Norfolk Conservation Commission invites Norfolk residents to remove their ornamental winged euonymus (“burning bush”), Japanese barberry, buckthorn, honeysuckle and multiflora rose from their yards and get a free native plant to replace it. Bring in evidence of removal (such as a photo or a branch) to the Norfolk Farmers Market on June 26. Receive one free native plant per participant. The native plants are a variety of shrubs and perennial flowers, so come early for the best selection.  

Breaking Free from Plastics Hub Talk

On Monday, June 28 from 5-6 p.m., Sasha Adkins, lecturer at Loyola University and author of “From Disposable Culture to Disposable People”, will speak on the problem of plastics ahead of Plastic Free July, when many people take the challenge of eliminating plastic from their lives for just one month. A truly zero-waste lifestyle calls for a re-examination of our relationships, particularly our responsibilities to the workers who manufacture plastics and those who handle our waste. Adkins will address questions such as: what does it mean to be plastic free? Is it possible? How would you go about it and why? The talk is co-sponsored by the Norfolk Conservation Commission, the Norfolk Foundation, the Norfolk Library and the Church of Christ Green Group. Registration for this Zoom talk is required at: norfolkfoundation.net/hub-events.

A Series of Virtual Studio Tours

This summer the Norfolk Library will offer a series of studio tours by local artists and craftspeople. The Tuesday Tours will be on Zoom, beginning June 29 at 5:30 p.m. with Tom Hlas presenting his work and answering your questions. Please register on the library website or call 860-542-5075 to be emailed the Zoom link.