New events lined up for library's children's program

AMENIA — A new Mothers Play Group is starting up to add even more to the Amenia Free Library’s children’s programming.

The play group will be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The first date, Sept. 14, will be an informal opportunity for discussion and to generate ideas for future dates, but a few events are already in the works, including a Parents as Teachers workshop hosted by the Sharon Healthcare Center.

Other ideas include field trips, clothing swaps and even an energy conservation workshop at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Millbrook.

“Parents just really seemed to be saying that they wanted a venue for the kids to be able to socialize and for themselves to gain parental support and conversation,†said Lesley Gyorsok, the children’s activities director at the Amenia Free Library. “I think the goal is to get parents connecting and give them a support network of other parents and resources in the area.â€

All the events will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and are free to everyone, including non-Amenia residents. Child care will  be available on site by student volunteers from The Maplebrook School.

The mothers’ group is an addition to the library’s children programming, which also includes story hour every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

“We’ve been coming here since it first started,†said Kent parent Alli Vitolo, who with her daughters are  two-year veterans. “We like it because it’s open and not too structured. It’s a lot of fun and really benefits them. And Lesley’s a great teacher. My kids love her.â€

Story hour and the mothers’ group meetings, unless otherwise noted, are held at the Beth David Synagogue on Route 343 in Amenia, just up the road from the Amenia Free Library.

“The library is a beautiful building, but way too confined to fit a large group of moms and their kids for two-and-a-half hours,†Gyorsok said. “Beth David is a great space. They have been very accommodating to let us use it.â€

To sign up for any of the events or for more information, e-mail Gyorsok at ameniastoryhours@gmail.com.

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