The holidays are upon us, and soon we will welcome in 2022! The staff of Waterford Public Library would like to let you know how much we’ve all enjoyed seeing our patrons again these past few months.

We’ve created something new and fun for our patrons this winter holiday season – Movie Binge Bags! Grab a bag of three or four movies, based on a theme or an actor, along with a bag of popcorn. Themes such as ‘Tis the Season, Marvel(ous) Superheroes, Never Travel with Tom Hanks, Call me Bond, Best Westerns, and many more! Snuggle up with a good movie and some popcorn on a cold winter’s night.

Our annual holiday book sale began last month and runs through the end of the December. Thanks to all the donations received from our community over the past few months we have a nice selection to offer.

Also this month we’ll have a Holiday Book-in-a-Jar contest. Guess the shredded book that is in the jar and enter a drawing to win a bag of goodies! The drawing will be held on Monday, Dec. 20.

Several members of our community are new authors and will be giving book talks this month. Ray Dimmock will discuss his book about the Dimmock Dairy Farm on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. The talk and book signing will be at Blue Gene’s Pub on the Eugene O’Neill Theater grounds where the Dimmock cows would spend their leisure time in the old barn on the property — which is now the theater! The Waterford Historical Society will co-sponsor this event and provide light refreshments.

On Tuesday evening Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. we welcome back Sydney Sherman who will present “Missing a Loved One During the Holidays” via Zoom. When the holidays come around and you’ve lost a loved one, coping is difficult and yet different for everyone. Sydney will discuss how a favorite dish, a song, or a silly joke or phrase can remind us of our loved ones and how even an extra chair and place setting at the table may be all you need to start the connection. And there is no better gift than that.

Sydney Sherman is an author, Reiki therapist and aura consultant.

On Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., the library is hosting the first of a series of community dialogues by Waterford RISE (Residents for Inclusion and Social Equity). This first dialogue will reflect on two recent reports: The Waterford 2021 Equity Profile compiled by DataHaven and Waterford School District’s Report Card published by the Connecticut State Department of Education’s EdSight. The session will be repeated at the Waterford Senior Center on Friday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m.

Space is very limited for these intimate events, so please register early. If the sessions fill and there’s continued interest, additional sessions may be added.  For more information, contact wtfdRISE@gmail.com.

Are you interested in aromatherapy but never took the time to discover the health benefits? Saturday morning, Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. Kim Larkin will present “Come to your Senses: Aromatherapy 101.” Once you register, aromatherapy kits will be available for pickup at the library. Please register for this event as space is limited.

As the weather gets colder and the nights come earlier, our Monday Night at the Movies have moved to Friday Film Matinees at 2:30 p.m. beginning in December and running through March 2022.

Our children’s room continues to offer fun and creative Grab & Go Crafts throughout the month: snowmen, ornaments and a Grab & Go New Year’s Party kit to welcome in the New Year!

Further details about all of our events are found on our websitewaterfordpubliclibrary.org and then by clicking on the Calendar of Events tab. Registration is required for most events. While at our website, be sure to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter for the latest information on all library events and services.

Jill Adams is the director of adult services at Waterford Public Library.