For beginners and experienced knitters alike, you can learn how to knit, fine tune your skills, or finish that unfinished project with certified knitting instructor, Lise Roussell.

For beginners and experienced knitters alike, you can learn how to knit, fine tune your skills, or finish that unfinished project with certified knitting instructor, Lise Roussell.

This month the book is Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-mile journey following the monarch migration by Sara Dykman. Copies available at the Simpson Library.

About the book (from Goodreads):

Sara Dykman made history when she became the first person to bicycle alongside monarch butterflies on their storied annual migration—a round-trip adventure that included three countries and more than 10,000 miles. Equally remarkable, she did it solo, on a bike cobbled together from used parts. Her panniers were recycled buckets.

In Bicycling with Butterflies , Dykman recounts her incredible journey and the dramatic ups and downs of the nearly nine-month odyssey. We’re beside her as she navigates unmapped roads in foreign countries, checks roadside milkweed for monarch eggs, and shares her passion with eager schoolchildren, skeptical bar patrons, and unimpressed border officials. We also meet some of the ardent monarch stewards who supported her efforts, from citizen scientists and researchers to farmers and high-rise city dwellers.

With both humor and humility, Dykman offers a compelling story, confirming the urgency of saving the threatened monarch migration—and the other threatened systems of nature that affect the survival of us all.

Old-time music, also known as Appalachain stringband music, is traditionally played on the fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass. Tunes are learned by ear and are ideal for community participation. The music is the sort that one would naturally hear at a square dance or a contra dance.

Acoustic musicians of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend. The session is free and open to the public. Listeners are encouraged to attend as well.

The East Craftsbury old-time jam session is supported by the Allen Hilles Fund. The session will occur every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 6 - 8pm

Old-time music, also known as Appalachain stringband music, is traditionally played on the fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass. Tunes are learned by ear and are ideal for community participation. The music is the sort that one would naturally hear at a square dance or a contra dance.

Acoustic musicians of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend. The session is free and open to the public. Listeners are encouraged to attend as well.

The East Craftsbury old-time jam session is supported by the Allen Hilles Fund. The session will occur every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 6 - 8pm

Make a joyful noise with others! Heidi Wilson will lead us in a series of seasonal songs and accessible harmonies, starting at 3 pm. All ages and voices welcome. We may be singing outside, so please dress for the weather. Hearty snacks provided.

When was the last time, if ever, that you read through this document, fundamental to our governmental and political organization as a nation? 

This is not a political discussion, everyone is welcome.  This is an opportunity to read together (everyone will be invited to be a reader, but no one is obligated to be a reader - just come as a listener).  

 As we read we will be invited to think about the problems the writers were addressing.   We will also ask ourselves IF  and how our personal lives have ever been directly impacted by the articles of the constitution.

Facilitated by Abigail Stockman

Old-time music, also known as Appalachain stringband music, is traditionally played on the fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass. Tunes are learned by ear and are ideal for community participation. The music is the sort that one would naturally hear at a square dance or a contra dance.

Acoustic musicians of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend. The session is free and open to the public. Listeners are encouraged to attend as well.

The East Craftsbury old-time jam session is supported by the Allen Hilles Fund. The session will occur every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 6 - 8pm

Writing our life stories can be a wonderful way to uncover the personal meaning in our experiences. Whether we wish to create a legacy to share with others, or simply enjoy reflecting on the significant events in our lives, sharing our memories with others brings joy and connection.

Writers of all ages and writing abilities are welcome to a new memory writing group meeting on Tuesdays from 3:00 - 4:30. Meetings will be at the Craftsbury Community Care Center, beginning on September 16th. Drop-ins are fine! Bring a notebook, pen or pencil, and something you've written you'd like to share, if you have it. At the first meeting, we'll make some group decisions about how this will work best for everyone.

Email questions to Kristin Urie at jwsimpsonmemorial@gmail.com or Leslie Taylor at leslietayloretal@gmail.com.

For beginners and experienced knitters alike, you can learn how to knit, fine tune your skills, or finish that unfinished project with certified knitting instructor, Lise Roussell.

For beginners and experienced knitters alike, you can learn how to knit, fine tune your skills, or finish that unfinished project with certified knitting instructor, Lise Roussell.

Old-time music, also known as Appalachain stringband music, is traditionally played on the fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass. Tunes are learned by ear and are ideal for community participation. The music is the sort that one would naturally hear at a square dance or a contra dance.

Acoustic musicians of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend. The session is free and open to the public. Listeners are encouraged to attend as well.

The East Craftsbury old-time jam session is supported by the Allen Hilles Fund. The session will occur every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 6 - 8pm

Old-time music, also known as Appalachain stringband music, is traditionally played on the fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass. Tunes are learned by ear and are ideal for community participation. The music is the sort that one would naturally hear at a square dance or a contra dance.

Acoustic musicians of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend. The session is free and open to the public. Listeners are encouraged to attend as well.

The East Craftsbury old-time jam session is supported by Cabot Arts’s Music Mentoring Program whose mission is to revive community fiddling and to encourage participatiton in traditional music. The session will occur every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 6 - 8pm

Architectural Historian Polly Seddon Allen will discuss the cultural and physical development of the J.W. Simpson Memorial Library from nineteenth century general store to community library.  Ms. Allen recently authored a National Register of Historic Places Nomination for the library, and will share the significant contextual strands that underlie the property's nearly two hundred years of development as a dynamic community center.  The discussion will be joined by stories from community members who grew up in and around the library and its steward, Miss Jean Simpson.  

 When was the last time, if ever, that you read through this document, fundamental to our governmental and political organization as a nation? 

This is not a political discussion, everyone is welcome.  This is an opportunity to read together (everyone will be invited to be a reader, but no one is obligated to be a reader - just come as a listener).  

 As we read we will be invited to think about the problems the writers were addressing.   We will also ask ourselves IF  and how our personal lives have ever been directly impacted by the articles of the constitution.

Facilitated by Abigail Stockman

Join local artist and teacher Tule Fogg to learn some fun bookmaking techniques to try with kids. A great workshop for parents, teachers and anyone working with kids. This month, the focus will be on making flag books.

This group is open to anyone wishing to practice American Sign Language. We use a combination of Lifeprint lessons, games, and conversation.

Old-time music, also known as Appalachain stringband music, is traditionally played on the fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass. Tunes are learned by ear and are ideal for community participation. The music is the sort that one would naturally hear at a square dance or a contra dance.

Acoustic musicians of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend. The session is free and open to the public. Listeners are encouraged to attend as well.

The East Craftsbury old-time jam session is supported by Cabot Arts’s Music Mentoring Program whose mission is to revive community fiddling and to encourage participatiton in traditional music. The session will occur every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 6 - 8pm

Join founder and director of Get Thee to the Funnery, Peter Gould, for a community read-through of Macbeth by William Shakespeare. This year’s Funnery camp will be performing their version of Macbeth on Old Home Day following the parade.

Supported by a grant from the Pleasants Fund of the Greensboro United Church of Christ.

We hope you will join us for this Simpson Library fun-raiser at the Brassknocker Farm barn. You’ll enjoy dinner, entertainment, and six lively rounds of quizzing. Each table of eight works as a team on six rounds of trivia questions plus two “table quizzes” to complete over the course of the evening. Suggested donation $25. To secure your spot, or for more information, please email James Blue (james.blue@gmail.com).

An overview of dying textiles with plants through the ages, and a look at how this traditional skill connects us with the natural world and cultures past and present.

Join us for a discussion of this past year’s Vermont Reads book, Gather by Kenneth Cadow. Books available at the library. The discussion will take place at the Craftsbury Community Care Center, and is facilitated by Rachael Cohen. Supported by a grant from Vermont Humanities.

About the book:

Just when Ian Gray is about to need it most, an enormous dog wanders out of the woods and into his life. Ian would love to avoid school altogether and fix small engines, track deer, and care for the historic but dwindling family farm. But school is the only certain thing in his life: the food, the sober people, the reliable heat, and the people who love him. Things get complicated when Sylvia moves to town. Sylvia's highly academic and wealthy family loves many of the things that Ian does, and Ian falls for Sylvia, but there are also strong differences in their approaches to life.

As things unravel in Ian's home life, a whole lot of folks lean in to help, drawn to him by his wry wit and resourceful attitude. But the state agencies that step in do not have a protocol that will necessarily support the kindness of others.

Calling all Girl Scouts, young and old, near and far!

Miss Jean (the founder of the John Woodruff Simpson Memorial Library in East Craftsbury) led a troop of Girl Scouts in Craftsbury from the early 1940's through the early 1960's. Four years ago, we had a wonderful Girl Scout reunion at the library, for those who were part of the Girl Scouts with Miss Jean, and we have gathered every July since, last year broadening the invitation to anyone who has ever been a Girl Scout, in any place, at any time.

We welcome you to stop by the library this Saturday, to share stories, view the historic photos and films from the library archives, browse the vintage Girl Scout handbooks, compare badges, and eat cake together.

Join local artist and teacher Tule Fogg to learn some fun bookmaking techniques to try with kids. A great workshop for parents, teachers and anyone working with kids. This month, the focus will be on pamphlet stitch and variations.

Old-time music, also known as Appalachain stringband music, is traditionally played on the fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass. Tunes are learned by ear and are ideal for community participation. The music is the sort that one would naturally hear at a square dance or a contra dance.

Acoustic musicians of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend. The session is free and open to the public. Listeners are encouraged to attend as well.

The East Craftsbury old-time jam session is supported by Cabot Arts’s Music Mentoring Program whose mission is to revive community fiddling and to encourage participatiton in traditional music. The session will occur every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 6 - 8pm

Old-time music, also known as Appalachain stringband music, is traditionally played on the fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass. Tunes are learned by ear and are ideal for community participation. The music is the sort that one would naturally hear at a square dance or a contra dance.

Acoustic musicians of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend. The session is free and open to the public. Listeners are encouraged to attend as well.

The East Craftsbury old-time jam session is supported by Cabot Arts’s Music Mentoring Program whose mission is to revive community fiddling and to encourage participatiton in traditional music. The session will occur every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 6 - 8pm

Join local artist and teacher Tule Fogg to learn some fun bookmaking techniques to try with kids. A great workshop for parents, teachers and anyone working with kids. This month, the focus will be on simple book structures.

A performance of Modern Times Theater’s Baffo Box Show, followed by a free community meal. This is a collaboration between the Simpson Library, Craftsbury Saplings, the Craftsbury Rec. Committee, and the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church. It is free, for all ages, and will take place at the church.

The Baffo Box Show: A Compact Cardboard Comedy

Performed in a one-of-a-kind suit-stage, this show packs classic hand puppetry, Dadaist ventriloquism, and stand-up comedy into a cardboard box and delivers it, with impeccable timing, live on stage.

Inside the box are the Baffos — two slapstick chaps who keep the sun, moon and everything else running on schedule. From the moment the lid opens, audiences are captivated as the Baffos juggle and dance their way through the day’s chores, despite the undeniable evidence that their world is changing.

A daring work of puppetry and object manipulation, full of beautiful images, junk music sonatas, and Modern Times Theater’s unique brand of all ages comedy. This re-envisioning of classic hand puppet forms is digital entertainment as it was meant to be: two hands, ten fingers, and no camera tricks.

Puppeteered by Justin Lander and directed by Rose Friedman, The Baffo Box Show was supported by a 2022 Family Grant from the Jim Henson Foundation.

Modern Times Theater has been making and touring puppet shows and variety acts, and creating public community events since 2007. They pursue a radically divergent model of art making, creating venues in unlikely locations, and revitalizing the historic, run-down, and defunct. Working in populist theater forms, they seek to reinvent and reimagine classic American entertainment.

Co-founders Rose Friedman and Justin Lander are a husband and wife duo, producers for Vermont Vaudeville, founders of the Civic Standard and alumni of the Bread and Puppet Theater.