Samuels Public Library Adult Programming Events for May

You can find and register for all library events on our website, www.samuelslibrary.net.

One-Time Events:

Spring Wreath Making Program

Thursday, May 7^th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM

In person. Registration Required.

Love the cottagecore aesthetic? Join us to make a spring garden wreath! Ages 13 & up. Registration required.

*No food or drinks are allowed in the studio, and an adult must accompany patrons between 13-17.

Sewing 101

Wednesday, May 6^th from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

In person. Registration Required.

New to sewing? Sewing 101 is the perfect introduction for beginners to get comfortable with a sewing machine using our SINGER® Heavy Duty 4411 Sewing Machine. Learn how to thread, wind a bobbin, use an owner’s manual, and identify key machine components. We will create a simple project using basic stitches that you can take home.

Author Talk with Steven Wright: “The Weight I Carried: Hiking Through Grief and Healing on the Appalachian Trail”

Wednesday, May 13^th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

In person. Registration Suggested.

Author Steven Wright will be joining us to share his experiences and book “The Weight I Carried: Hiking Through Grief and Healing on the Appalachian Trail”.

There will then be time for a Q&A session, as well as an opportunity for book signing.

Steven C. Wright is a lifelong outdoorsman, thru-hiker, survivalist, craftsman, and storyteller who believes that nature has a way of stripping life down to what is real, necessary, and true.

In 2023, Steven became the last northbound thru-hiker to complete the 2,198-mile Appalachian Trail, a journey born not from adventure alone, but from grief, faith, and a promise to his late wife, Sandy, who he lost to triple-negative breast cancer. That journey — through storms, injury, solitude, and soul-deep reckoning — became the foundation of his memoir, The Weight I Carried: Hiking Through Grief and Healing on the Appalachian Trail, a raw, unfiltered account of love, loss, childhood trauma, resilience, and redemption. But the trail was only one chapter of a life forged in hard places.

Steven is a self-employed slate roofer and coppersmith by trade, spending decades working at heights, shaping metal, restoring historic structures, and building things meant to outlast storms and time. His hands know weight, weather, and endurance — the same qualities that carried him across mountains. He has traveled the world on mission and disaster-relief trips, helping rebuild communities after hurricanes, earthquakes, and devastation, offering not just labor but presence, faith, and compassion in the aftermath of loss.

An outdoor survivalist since childhood, Steven has spent his life in the woods — backpacking, mountaineering, wild camping, trail running, and learning how to live simply and self-reliantly in extreme conditions. From freezing ridge lines to remote forests, his gear has been tested by real storms, real miles, real consequences.

Steven’s mission is simple: To live fully. To tell the truth. To honor the past.

And to help others see that your scars are not evidence that you’re broken. They are evidence that you survived.

Sewing 201- Sew a Book Pillow 2 parts

Wednesday, May 13^{th (Part 1)} AND May 20^{th (Part 2)} from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

In person. Registration Required.

Create a cozy, functional accessory perfect for holding your favorite reads. Participants will sew a custom book pillow complete with a storage pocket. Two-part series. Supplies and materials provided, if you want to bring your own fabric this will use approximately 1 yard.

Registering for Part 1 on 5/13/26 will automatically register you for Part 2 on 5/20/26.

*Must have completed Sewing 101 or have a basic working knowledge of using a sewing machine. Supplies and materials provided. Registration required.

Wildlife Photography & Scavenger Hunt

NOTE: PROGRAM IS OFF-SITE

Saturday, May 16^th from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

In person. Registration Required.

Join local photographer and educator Sharon Fisher for a photography workshop. This program takes place at Raymond R. “Andy” Guest, Jr. Shenandoah River State Park in Bentonville, Virginia.

Using observational and photography skills to document nature, this session will focus on capturing images of the smaller details in our natural world. We will begin with a review of close-up photography techniques, then head into the field to practice these skills by completing a nature-themed scavenger hunt. This is a great family-friendly event. All types of cameras—from smartphones to professional cameras—and all experience levels are welcome. The park’s standard parking fee and rules apply. The library has a limited number of park passes available. This event is open to the public. Registration through the library allows you to receive advance information about the event.

* Meet at the River – Shelter 1

Origami: Legend of a Thousand Cranes & Dragons

Saturday, May 16^th from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

In person. Registration Required.

Origami: Legend of a Thousand Cranes and Dragons is a workshop to learn how to fold an origami crane or dragon.

There will be an optional, simpler origami tutorial available for children to participate (or adults who want to learn another type of fold!).

AIDS Response Effort, Inc. (ARE) Free STI Testing

Wednesday, May 20^th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM

In person.

Winchester’s AIDS Response Effort, Inc. (ARE) will be at the library on February 18, May 20, August 19, and November 18 of 2026 to provide free STI testing for the community.

1 in 5 people in the U.S.A. has an STI

Testing includes:

• HIV
• Hepatitis B & C
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis

Family Memories Preservation Workshop

Thursday, May 21^st from 5:00 to 7:00 PM

In person. Registration Required.

Family treasures like photo albums, scrapbooks, and bibles connect us to our past and inspire future generations. Preserving them ensures these stories last.

Join Samuels Public Library and the Warren Heritage Society for a special Third Thursdays event featuring Kristi Wright, principal of Wright Conservation & Framing. Kristi is a book and paper conservator in private practice based in Front Royal, Virginia. She will demonstrate practical ways to store, handle, and care for your family memories to include photo albums, family bibles, and scrapbooks.

Walkabout Wednesday: Best Pots for Indoor Plants

Wednesday, May 27^th from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Last Wednesday of every month.

In person.

Join Extension Master Gardener Volunteers as they discuss and care for the indoor plants at the library!

This month, join us to learn about what type of pot may be best for your indoor plant!

Recurring Programs

Love and Logic: Parenting with Empathy Session 2

Every Thursday, March 14^th to June 18^th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

In Person. Registration Required. Sessions run for 6 weeks at a time.

Warren County Social Services partners with Samuels Public Library to present Love and Logic, equipping young people with character, compassion and problem solving skills.

Parents will gain practical and proven tools for raising respectful, responsible and happy kids.

To register for this session of class (or the next available session), or ask questions contact:

Lillian Johns at lillian.johns@dss.virginia.gov or by calling 540-635-3430 ext. 3386

Bad Romance

Wednesday, May 6^th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

First Wednesday of every month.

In person. Do you consider yourself a hopeless romantic?  Are bad romances a guilty pleasure of yours? Then you should join us for Bad Romance, where Samuels Public Library will have a themed discussion for the romance genre every month. May’s theme is people in uniform!

Indulge us with your favorite romance books, movies, music or other media related to the topic, and possibly discover a new treat in this awesome informal discussion! New members are always welcome!

Studio 330: Personal Archiving Series

Saturday, May 9^th from 12:00 to 1:30 PM

Second Saturday of every month.

In Person: Discover practical, beginner-friendly ways to organize, preserve, and make accessible your photos, documents, videos, and memorabilia during our monthly Personal Archiving Series. Each month will feature a stand-alone topic including organizing photos, scanning and digitizing your media, and sharing your collections with family. Make sure to check our calendar for monthly features.

Studio 330: Genealogy Club

NOTE: Program is Off-site

Monday, May 11^th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Second Monday of every month.

In person. Interested in your family’s history? Already done extensive research and want to be able to share your finds? Join our genealogy club where both novices and experts alike can come together and talk about different genealogy topics.

May’s Topic: National Preservation Month

Join us May 11th, 2:00-4:00PM, at the Warren Heritage Society for a lecture and hands-on demonstration on preservation techniques. Utilizing records within the Laura Virginia Hale Archives, this session will provide you with ways to approach digitization, storage methods, documentation of materials, and so on. Come prepared with questions on how to preserve your photos, scrapbooks, family bibles, and more!

Books & Beyond Book Club

Thursday, May 14^th from 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM

Second Thursday of every month.

In person. Do you love books and sharing them as much as we do? Join us to delve into new worlds of conversation about new books at your community’s public library!

May’s theme is “Books to Production”.

Scary Words Book Club

Saturday, May 16^th from 2:30 to 4:30 PM

Third Saturday of every month.

In person. A horror book club for people who should be afraid of the dark. This month’s title is “Metropolis Down” by local author Vesper Doom.

Phoenix Project- Hope For New Beginnings

Tuesday, May 19^th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Serving all members of the Front Royal/Warren County community who have experienced or are currently experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, Phoenix Project Advocates are available to provide crisis intervention, supportive counseling, safety planning, information, education, and more. Their services are free, confidential, and trauma-informed. Hope. Help. Healing.

What the Tech!

Every Tuesday from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

In person. Need help with technology? Come by the library’s Studio 330 where we will be going over computers and other technology basics. Having trouble with your phone, tablet, laptop, or other device? Bring it in, and we’ll help!

Studio 330: Embroidery Club

Every Thursday from 10:00 PM to 12:00 PM

In person. Join us for Hand Embroidery Stitchers every Thursday morning! Bring your own needlework project to work on for a morning of crafting and socializing.

*No food allowed in the studio and patrons between 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Studio 330 Walk-in Hours

Every Thursday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

In person. Come tour Studio 330 or bring your project to work on. Walk-In hours are provided on a first come, first serve basis.

*Glowforge is not available during walk-in hours. No food allowed in the studio and patrons between 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Studio 330: String Theory- A Fiber Arts Club

Every Saturday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

In person. Welcome to a fiber arts community for experienced, novice, or first-time artists 13 and up looking to meet other artists, relax, and/or share their expertise! Bring your own knitting, crochet, weaving, or other project to Studio 330 on Saturdays 2pm to 4pm

*No food allowed in the studio and patrons between 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult.