July 2023 Milton Public Library events are ready for your calendars

The Milton Public Library is offering some fun and educational events for adults and families during the month of July. Our ongoing MPL Walking Club will meet on Thursdays, July 6 and July 20, for a one hour hike, gathering in the parking lot at 12 noon. Come join like-minded people to get some exercise in the neighborhood, to chat about books and more, and to meet new and old friends. We do ask you to register in advance for each session to attend at: miltonlibrary.org/events/upcoming-events.

On Tuesday, July 11, starting at 6:30, there will be a virtual photography workshop called: “Learn to Take Great Photos and Videos with your Smart Device.” The instructor will be Bob Michelson, who is a very experienced photographer and diver. You will learn why and how to take photos/videos successfully, and how the type of phone we use can affect how we edit and store them. Whether you plan to print, create digital slideshows, publish photo books, or post to social media, this class will help you learn to download, backup, and organize your photos and videos. No photography experience is required to attend this program, but we do ask you to please register in advance on our website, and you will then receive the Zoom link to participate. We hope you will join us!

Our monthly Monthly Wednesday Movie series continues on July 12 in the Keys Community Room with the film “The Fabelmans.” The free show starts at 6:30 p.m. and this narrative, inspired by true events, follows Sammy Fableman on a journey of self-discovery. At the age of 7, Sammy lives a simple life with his parents, but after finding out an unsettling family secret, he falls in love with cinema and its power to tell stories. Read more about this wonderful film on our website’s events list. The movie is rated PG-13 and the running time is 151 minutes long. No registration is required to attend, but please bring your popcorn!

Next, our Food Series continues with a once-a-month presentation about the menus and cooking from several cultures, and this one is called “A Taste of Israel: Experience the Middle East.” The talk will be held on Tuesday, July 18, starting at 6:30. As the only democratic country in the Middle East, you read about Israel all the time. But what is it really like to be there? Find out about the culture of the Holy Land through a special one-hour tour of the land, people, and food. A small sampling of authentic Israeli food will be provided to the audience. Registration is required in advance as space is limited, and we hope you might join presenter Dave Williams and host Jean Hlady for a fun evening!

There will be an in person program on Tuesday, July 18, from 1-3 p.m., in the Keys Community Room called: “Milton Grows Film: “The Gardener.” This 2016 documentary reflects upon the meaning of gardening and its impact on our lives. Shortly before his passing at the age of 86, influential gardener and plantsman Frank Cabot recounts his personal quest for perfection at Les Quatre Vents, his 20-acre English-style garden and summer estate that was opened to a film crew for the first time ever in 2009. Nestled among the rolling hills of Charlevoix County in Quebec, Les Quatre Vents has become one of the world’s foremost private gardens. Created over 75 years and three generations, it is an enchanted place of beauty and surprise, a horticultural masterpiece of the 2st century. We hope you will join us to experience this wonderful film! No registration is required and drop-ins are welcome. Feel free to bring your own lunch or snack to enjoy while you watch too.

On Tuesday, July 25, starting at 7 p.m. via Zoom, web producer and online security expert Ken Gagne will teach us all about: “Online Security – Best Practices.” When using your Email or the Internet, are you concerned about the security and safety of your personal information? What does it mean to get doxxed? What do you do if it happens to you, and how do you prevent it in the first place? Whether you’re worried about your address, cell phone, or credit cards, this virtual workshop gives you both preventative and reactive steps you can take to protect your digital identity and maintain your peace of mind. Please sign up via our website in advance to receive the Zoom link to attend this informative session.

And the last program for adults this month will be a Milton Grows initiative talk called: “Seed Saving” which will happen on Wednesday, July 26, at 7 p.m. in person in our Keys Room. Saving seeds is a great way of preserving plants that perform well in this area, and to also get next year’s plants for free. Learn to tell if a plant will “breed true,” and also how to collect and preserve seeds for next year’s garden and harvest. This information will be presented by Gretel Anspach, a retired systems engineer for Raytheon. She is a trustee of the MA Horticultural Society and a lifetime master gardener with MMGA. For more details and to register in advance, please go to our website: miltonlibrary.org/events/upcoming-events.

The film on July 18^th and the talk on July 26^th are part of Milton Grows, a year-long initiative for all ages focused on gardening and sustainability. It is funded by the federal Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the MBLC, and supported by our partners Sustainable Milton and the Friends of the Milton Public Library. And all of these July events are kindly supported by the Friends of the Milton Public Library and are free and open to all. For questions, Email [email protected] or call the Reference Dept. at (617) 898-4964. We hope you might consider joining in for a library program this month!