Feb. at the library: silent reading, de-cluttering

January 28, 2025  |  By Judi Byron

A library program in February offers strategies to tackle clutter in your home. Courtesy photo

The Waterbury Public Library’s calendar is busy heading into February. 

Here are some highlights from adult programs coming up. For a full schedule of events and activities, including children’s and youth programs, visit WaterburyPublicLibrary.com online.

Feb. 8: Saturday ‘Thrive in ’25!’ movement series begins

Becky Widschwenter of Mindful Movement with Becky has a new three-part workshop series beginning Saturday, Feb. 8, running every other week through March 8. Expect to connect with your authentic values and desires, create inspired action through movement & awareness, learn practical tools for getting unstuck and holding yourself accountable, and be part of a supportive community.  Becky will introduce “deliberate journaling” using Brene Brown’s “Living into Our Values” exercise.  Participants will explore dynamics that keep you from “doing what you say you want,” to learn to use Mindful Movement to pursue an empowered way of being.  

The class will meet in the Steele Community Room from 10:30-11:30 a.m. This class is for anyone ready to build sustainable wellness habits, those seeking guidance during a seasonal-life-shift, anyone new to the community looking for connection, or those who simply want to feel inspired and intentional in the year ahead. Come with curiosity and leave with a sense of direction, confidence, clarity, and community bonding.

The first workshop will cover the “Live Into Your Values” exercise, Mindful Movement with Becky, and Have a Plan & Ride the Wave activities. The Feb. 22 session brings Mindful Movement with a concentration on neck stretches and a voice clearing/activation, goal supporting system journaling, and thought ladder exercise. The last class on on March 8 offers enhanced posture through Mindful Movement breath & core exploration, and personalized accountability journaling. Participants will need: a journal, comfy clothes and sock-feet recommended. Movement practice will be done mostly from a seated position. All are welcome.  Class is limited to 24 participants. Register in advance here.

Feb. 18: ‘Lightening the Load’ tips on de-cluttering

Got clutter? The library has a program to tackle it. Courtesy photo

Do you have trouble throwing things away?  Does stuff pile up and you don’t know where to begin?  Do you lose things and can’t find them? If any of this is true, check out a new program at the library in collaboration with CReW (Community Resilience for the Waterbury Area). 

Given recent flooding in Vermont and our community, it may be helpful for local residents to clear out no-longer-needed possessions. Should disaster strike and your basement floods, can you simply clean it, or would you have to wade through years of ruined items? 

Enter Ellen Gurwitz whose business is called De-clutter Me! Ellen delights in seeing the transformation on her clients’ faces from concerned frowns and anxious gazes to joy and happiness. A clear space can lead to a clear mind, she says.  Ellen founded her business in March 2013 and since then she has helped clients de-clutter kitchens, dining areas, bedroom closets, home offices, basements, garages and even vehicles! She will share a presentation on the hows and whys of de-cluttering on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the library. To register for this free event, send an email to judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com. 

Feb. 28: Silent reading at Red Poppy

The monthly Silent Reading Party for February will take place at Red Poppy Cakery at the corner of Elm and Main Street on Feb. 28, starting at 5:30 p.m. These monthly get-togethers sponsored by the library and Bridgeside Books involve no reading list, no registration. Just bring a book, read a book – that’s it! These events are held monthly, switching locations, times and days of the week to give as many people as possible a chance to join in. Watch for more dates for upcoming months. 

Judi Byron is the Waterbury Public LIbrary’s Adult Program Coordinator. Contact: 802-244-7036 or judi@waterburypubliclibrary.com.