February 28, 2025  |  By Judi Byron

The Waterbury Public Library’s calendar reflects the season as it opens March with Celtic songs and stories. Other programs coming up cover timely topics such as seed-starting and tips on property improvements that could add a new dwelling unit to your home.

The latest Mindful Movement series wraps up; puzzle fans have an event; there’s another silent reading party (at a beer and wine shop) and a local speaker visits to share tales of adventures at sea.

Below are some highlights of upcoming (mostly) adult programs. For a full schedule of events and activities, including children’s and youth programs, visit WaterburyPublicLibrary.com online.

March 7: Celtic Songs, Stories & History

*Instruments for Jeff Snow's Celtic music and story program on March 7. Courtesy photo*

Jeff Snow, singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, storyteller and Celtic historian is back from his travels and giving a farewell “Celtic Songs, Stories & History” concert for the Waterbury Public Library before his retirement.

Jeff previously visited the library with a delightful Christmas concert and he returns with more stories, songs and instruments including his autoharp, bouzouki, guitar and bodhran drum as he combines his music with his love of the history of the Celtic Isles, where much history was preserved in song.

Jeff engages his audience in history and sing-alongs. From the haunting melodies of Scotland to the foot-stomping tunes of Ireland, audiences find tears mixed with laughter. Some tunes may be familiar mixed with others that are new. All will be entertaining.

This program is in the Steele Community Room on Friday, March 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This program is for the whole family with delectable refreshments provided by the Friends of the Waterbury Public Library, sponsors of the event.

Along with their support in bringing talented artists to our area, the Friends are involved with book sales and contributions to the library’s digital services, the Books for Babies program, the Children’s Garden and Word Garden, and various passes to area museums.

March 8: Thrive in ’25 final session

Thrive in ’25 has one more session on March 8 with Becky Widschwenter. This class offers instruction in enhanced posture through mindful movement breath and core exploration, and personalized accountability journaling. Come with curiosity and leave with a sense of direction, confidence, clarity, and community bonding. Bring a journal and wear comfy clothes. The movement practice is done mostly from a seated position. All are welcome. Class is limited to 24. Sign up for Thrive in ’25! Self-exploration, Discovery & Practice Designed to Support Intentional Change here.

March 15: Seed Starting 101

There’s still snow on the ground, but spring is on its way and now is the time to be thinking about seed starting. Enter Master Gardener Rachel Babin, a local garden designer, who will lead Seed Starting 101 on March 15, from 10 a.m. to noon. Rachel will demystify indoor seed starting with practical advice and hands-on demonstration. She is passionate about helping solve environmental and food insecurity problems with equitable, nature-based solutions that strengthen our communities and preserve our planet for future generations. To that end she created her business, Goldenrod Design in 2024, to share the love and help her clients and customers cultivate their “happy place” in their own gardens. This will be held in the Steele Room. Open to all, kids welcome too. Register in advance here.

March 18: Building Better Waterbury, Part II

The second in the Waterbury Housing Task Force’s monthly education series will focus on design and construction on March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library and on Zoom. Building Better Waterbury: Homeowner Solutions for Housing Growth and Resilient Living is a town effort to address Vermont’s housing crisis.

The task force approaches a different aspect of small-scale development for each of the four scheduled monthly gatherings. This meeting will include an overview of accessory dwelling unit types and a look at how they comply with current regulations. Leaders will review sample ADU designs and cost breakdowns, design considerations including layout, accessibility, utilities, and surrounding built environment. It will take into consideration designing for flood resilience and navigating the design approval process.

Speakers will include Mike Dacey from the long-term flood-recovery group CReW to discuss flood-resilient design. The panel also will include an architect. The program includes a panel discussion about an actual ADU project.

The Waterbury Housing Task Force aims to ensure the availability of safe, decent and affordable housing for all current and future Waterbury residents. It also looks to create new housing in locations that maintain the integrity of neighborhoods while increasing density, respecting the natural environment, and minimizing the need for infrastructure improvements.

March 19: Silent Reading Party

This month’s Silent Reading Party happens at the Vermont Beer Collective/Wine Vault, at 3 Elm Street, on March 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Read silently and save a bit of time at the end to share a brief bit about your book. (Totally optional.) These meet-ups are such a fun and chill gathering of bibliophiles. Carve out some time for yourself to join other book lovers and enjoy the silence!

March 22: Great WPL Puzzle Race

Don’t miss the Great WPL Puzzle Race, on Saturday, March 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the library for families of all ages. Five teams can sign up to play, with a maximum of four players per team. The competition: Each team receives the same 500-piece puzzle and the first to complete it wins. If there is no winner by the two-hour allotted time, the winner will be determined by whichever team has the fewest remaining loose pieces. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams. Registration is required. Stop by the front desk to sign up or call 802-244-7036.

March 26: Around the World in 120 Days

*Bill Nowlan during his Semester at Sea adventure in 2024. Courtesy photo*

Join Moretown resident and retired physician Bill Nowlan as he shares adventures and misadventures from a recent trip in which he circled the globe with Semester at Sea, certainly the world’s most unique college campus. On the four-month journey, 450 college students traveled to 10 countries, 11 cities, and three continents. Founded in 1963, each year Semester at Sea’s passenger ship brings together undergraduate college students with learners of all stages of life to study with world-renowned professors in both shipboard classrooms and ashore in countries around the globe. Bill began 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, and traveled to Malaysia, India, and all around the coast of Africa, touching Portugal before disembarking in Bremerhaven, Germany. He says he came home a changed man.

Bill shares his many human interest stories, his quirky experiences, and illustrative photos with a signature self-deprecating delivery. He also reflects on more somber topics, such as the legacy of slavery and America’s rapidly changing position in the world. Don’t miss this special program, “Around the World in 120 Days” on Wednesday, March 26, beginning at 6 p.m. at the library. No need to register.

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

March at the library: Celtic songs, stories; Housing series continues; Hear of a Semester at Sea