Drop-in Tech Help

The Smith Library is now offering 30-minute one-on-one tech help with Becca throughout the month. Perfect for folks that need a little assistance with new devices, creating accounts, downloading apps or accessing government sites. 

This will be on a first come first serve basis - if help extends the allotted 30-minutes you can always return for another drop-in time. Feel free to call ahead to detail your specific request. 203.484.0469.

Caregivers of Alzheimer's and Other Dementias

Monthly Drop-In Caregiving Support Group: For Dementia and Alzheimer's Caregivers

Caregiving is challenging.

If you're responsible for a loved one, caregiver support groups are a way for you and others to share information, insight, advice, or words of encouragements in a safe and supporting space.

Please join facilitator, Karen LaBanca, for our Monthly Drop-In Caregiving Support Group - a chance for caregivers and their families to take some time for themselves.

Paint-a-Plow

Leave your mark on the Town of North Branford at our Paint-a-Plow event!

Children will be able to paint their hand and stamp it onto one of the snow plows that will be active this winter season. 

Registration is not required.

NOTE: We will be using acrylic paint. Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately as this paint will stain clothing.

The Herbal Apothecary: Making Tinctures, Salves, and Teas from Your Garden

Discover the simple joy of the botanical harvest.

For generations, gardeners have looked to their backyard plots not just for food, but for the traditional plants used in home-brewed teas, soothing salves, and botanical extracts. Join Mark Gostkiewicz of Tri Gable Lea Farm for a practical, down-to-earth introduction to the craft of the home apothecary. This class is about the simplicity and ease of growing your own herbs and processing them into useful, high-quality products for your home.

In this workshop, Mark shares the step-by-step techniques for "closing the loop" on your garden harvest. You’ll learn how to grow versatile plants and master the basic methods of preservation and extraction—all with a focus on tradition, safety, and the satisfaction of a handmade lifestyle.

What will I learn in the Workshop?

• The Apothecary Garden: A common-sense guide to the most versatile and easy-to-grow herbs for the Northeast, from fragrant mints to bright calendula.
• Simple Extractions: Master the basic "folk method" for creating botanical extracts and alcohol-free glycerites using garden-fresh ingredients.
• The Dual-Extraction Method: A technical look at processing mushrooms. Mark will demonstrate the traditional water-and-alcohol extraction used to get the most out of foraged or home-grown fungi like Reishi or Lion's Mane.
• The Art of the Tea Blend: Learn how to properly dehydrate and store your herbs to create flavorful, aromatic tea blends that capture the essence of summer all year long.
• Traditional Salves: How to infuse oils with garden botanicals to create simple, soothing balms and topical salves for your own home use.
• Resources for the Journey: A guide to the best books, safety considerations, and reputable organizations for those who want to dive deeper into the study of plants and fungi.

Whether you are a gardener looking for new ways to use your herbs or a curious enthusiast wanting to learn traditional processing skills, this class offers a clear, streamlined path to getting started.