Adult Events

If you have too much stuff and not enough time this program is for you! Join author and de-cluttering humorist Jamie Novak when she shares her tips for clearing clutter. She’ll share her secret for how to decide what to keep and how to let stuff go (even if you are a saver.) Learn which papers you need to keep, how to sort boxes of photos and recipes. And how to get it all done when you are short on time or motivation. This year keep your promise to get organized with this brand-new program!

This program will be held via Zoom.  You will receive Zoom instructions and online meeting information in your registration confirmation email in addition to a reminder email prior to the date of the program.  Sponsored by Friends of Madison Public Library.

Mike Ivankovich is back with the very popular "What Its Worth" program.  Mike will introduce you to “What Determines Value"…and reveal what your Antiques, Collectibles, and Personal Treasures are really worth today.  Mike will begin with a 20-minute discussion on “10 Factors That Will Always Impact the Value of Your Treasures”. He will then immediately transition to the appraisal portion of the program, evaluating each attendee’s treasures, one-by-one. Proper camera positioning will be important because if Mike can’t see the item, he won’t be able to appraise it. Since he can’t actually see the item in person, he’ll probably ask a few questions about markings, condition, etc. Participants should have one back-up item for Mike to appraise. That way if he can’t virtually appraise the primary item, he can appraise the back-up item. We’ve seen that a Virtual Background can distort how an item looks so we will ask that Virtual Backgrounds be turned off when showing their items.


This program will be held via Zoom.  You will receive Zoom instructions and online meeting information in your registration confirmation email in addition to a reminder email prior to the date of the program. 

Katy Kinsolving’s presentation Food and Climate, The Path Forward examines the many connections between climate change and the methods we use to grow our food and raise livestock. Kinsolving looks at which agricultural systems increase greenhouse gasses as well as how the changing climate will affect where and how we grow food. The presentation delves into the natural farming systems that can be used to reduce carbon emissions and, most importantly, how individual action can have a significant impact on reducing food-related emissions. 


Katy is co-author of the cookbook Essential Flavors, published by Viking; has developed recipes in the test kitchens of national American magazines; has worked in food public relations; and has taught cooking for over twenty years, both in England and in this country. A Vassar College graduate, Katy also has a blue-ribbon diploma from the Institute for Culinary Education. She is the creator of Good Food Naturally, a blog that encourages healthy and delicious eating. Katy is a co-founder of C-Change Conversations, a non-profit that promotes non-partisan discussion about climate change, and is the Vice Chair for Food and Agriculture on GCA’s Conservation and NAL Committees. Currently she works for Cary Institute of Ecosystem, running the Institute’s capital campaign. She lives in rural Connecticut and serves on the Energy and Environment Commission of her town. In her spare time, Katy speaks to libraries and garden clubs about the connections between food and climate change and offers the occasional cooking class. 

This program will be held via Zoom.  You will receive Zoom instructions and online meeting information in your registration confirmation email in addition to a reminder email prior to the date of the program.  Sponsored by Friends of Madison Public Library and the Garden Club of Madison.

In this talk, we'll explore the history of art crime, from famous cases like the Isabella Stewart Gardner theft and the story of the Ghent Altarpiece recovery, to current issues with the black market. 

Furthermore, we will focus on the extensive, prolific, and organized art looting perpetrated by Nazi and Fascist aggression during the 1930's and 40's and how a brilliant woman brought their empire tumbling down. One of the greatest weapons of the Nazi party were their organizational and administrative skills, allowing them to give an appearance of legitimacy to their art thefts. Rose Valland and the Monuments Men turned these strengths against them by using their own organizational method to return art to their owners. 

This program will be held via Zoom.  You will receive Zoom instructions and online meeting information in your registration confirmation email in addition to a reminder email prior to the date of the program. 
 

Those interested in organic gardening practices will benefit from this presentation.  This talk will address the key issues and choices in planning, planting and caring for your garden or community garden plot with emphasis on organic gardening practices. Advice on determining the best location, choosing seeds and/or seedlings, crop rotation, successive plantings and all the tasks and issues for the entire growing season will be provided.

Presented by Rutgers Master Gardener and local member of the Madison Environmental Commission: Brian Monaghan

This program will be held via Zoom.  You will receive Zoom instructions and online meeting information in your registration confirmation email in addition to a reminder email prior to the date of the program. 

Not happy with your lawn? If at least half of your lawn is in good condition, why not renovate the rest for the  picture-perfect turf you desire. Learn the how, when and why plus the correct method of organic lawn care. The selection of the right grass seed for your specific needs and soil conditions plus other lawn care tips will be  discussed. Rutgers Fact sheets and other handouts will be provided.  Presented by Rutgers Master Gardener and local member of the Madison Environmental Commission: Brian Monaghan

This program will be held via Zoom.  You will receive Zoom instructions and online meeting information in your registration confirmation email in addition to a reminder email prior to the date of the program.