Don’t forget the Haunted Hamlet is coming up on October 25! There will be spooky (and sweet!) activities happening at the library throughout the afternoon. Stay tuned for more details!
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Reminder: New Hours
Our winter hours start October 1. We will be closed on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Wednesday-Saturday hours are 11-4.
2025 Library Crawl Starts October 1!
The annual Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library Crawl, organized by Champlain Memorial Library, starts October 1! Visit as many libraries in the three counties as you can during the month of October to be entered in a raffle drawing. This is a fun way to explore the region during the beautiful month of October and support our libraries at the same time! Come in to pick up your library passport and scavenger hunt booklet anytime starting October 1. For more information, visit: cefls.org/library-crawl.
Children’s Programs *registration required*
| We are partnering with the Cornell Cooperative Extension to present three children’s programs this summer. The descriptions are below. These programs are free, but registration is required and Children must be at least 5 years old to register. Please visit or call the library at 518-963-8079 to register. |
| Science Explorers Monday, July 21 at 3:00 pm Explore, investigate, and experience what it is like to work as a paleontologist or ornithologist. Youth will have the opportunity to visit two stations: one where they will dig, identify, and label fossils, and another where they will examine the world of owls through the pellets they leave behind. |
| I scream, you scream, we all scream…for ice cream! Tuesday, July 22 at 3:00 pm Learn how to create this sweet summertime treat from scratch with Ellie Hoffman, Local Food Educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County. We’ll explore the ingredients, processes, and innovations involved in making ice cream, and mix up our own vanilla ice cream to taste! |
| What do you get when you put heavy cream in a jar and mix it? Tuesday, August 19 at 3:00 pm If you guessed butter, you’d be right…but that’s not the only answer! Find out the rest of the story at this interactive workshop led by Ellie Hoffman of CCE Essex. Come ready to shake up an appetite as we talk about all things dairy, followed by a homemade butter taste test! |
Library Tag Sale Saturday July 19 10:00 – 4:00
The library board will hold a tag sale behind Town Hall to benefit the library. We will have many interesting items for sale and encourage you to come by to support the library while finding your newest treasure. We welcome donations for this sale with the understanding that anything which does not sell will be picked up by the donor at the conclusion of the sale.
Biking the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath with James and Rye Graves Wednesday, June 11 7:00PM
Local resident James Graves and his son Rye recently biked the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath 184 miles from Cumberland, Maryland to Washington D.C.
It was an absolutely splendid experience in so many ways, with incredible weather, aside from one severe thunderstorm that nearly landed a huge branch on their tent and littered the next 25 miles of trail with downed trees.
Join us for what will be an interesting presentation with James and Rye as they share stories and photos of their father/son adventure.
Friday Night Films June 20 7:00 PM
Friday night movies continue with classic musicals, hosted by David Tisdale.
On June 20, David will be showing Guys and Dolls and will share a bit of his extensive knowledge about the movie before the show.
The program is free and all are welcome.
Free In-Person Chronic Disease Management Program – May 6, 13, 20, 27. June 3, 10, 17
Meet Your Neighbors Series Continues with Johnny Gray and Christine Burke – September 4 at 7:00 PM
Johnny Gray and Christine Burke first met in 2018 in Austin, TX, and quickly knew they’d found something special. Eager to share their lives, they spent their first year together meeting each other’s families—one of the earliest and most memorable trips was to Essex, NY, to visit Johnny’s parents, Nick and Carol Muehller, who many of you know as beloved members of the Essex community.
It was over that Fourth of July weekend that Christine first crossed the ferry and fell in love with Essex. The flowers were in full bloom, the lake sparkled, and the small-town charm left a lasting impression. Johnny, a seasoned residential architect, has spent his career designing homes with a deep understanding of how people truly live and interact in their spaces. He’s led architectural teams and contributed to many home designs seen across the country.
Christine, meanwhile, has built a dynamic career in technology sales and consulting, holding leadership roles at IBM, CA Technologies, and Salesforce. She currently leads the Healthcare Delivery Organization for North America at Armis, a cybersecurity company.
Together, Johnny and Christine share a passion for thoughtful design and community. They recently completed the renovation and launch of Lady on the Lake, a collection of six beautifully restored short-term rental cottages right here in Essex. Summers in Essex have become a cherished tradition, full of meaningful friendships and local adventures.
During the winter months, they live in Neptune Beach, Florida, where they enjoy the warm weather and coastal lifestyle while staying connected to their work and passions. Animal lovers through and through, they share their lives with their dogs Travis and Pancho, and Christine—who grew up with horses and was a collegiate barrel racer at Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues to enjoy equestrian life. When winter rolls around, you’ll likely find them on the slopes enjoying their other shared passion: snow skiing.
Johnny and Christine are thrilled to be part of the Essex community and look forward to many more summers filled with beauty, connection, and a touch of adventure.
Light refreshments will be served following the program. There is a suggested doantion of $5.00 to help support the library.
Haunted Hamlet Activities at the Library Stories, Scavenger Hunt and Trivia Saturday, October 26 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
| Find the pumpkins that are hidden around the library! Rinda the Good Witch (no guarantees!) and her familiar, Petey the pet snake will be here to read spooky stories at selected intervals between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Halloween Trivia Saturday, October 26 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Come with a pre-made team of 3-5 people or join a team once here. We need at least two teams of 2-4 adult contestants to play. Call the library at (518) 963-8079 or send send us an email for details. We’re racking our brains all week to come up with questions, so pre-registration is appreciated but not required. |