Adult

(2006)  Starring Angela Bassett, Keke Palmer and Laurence Fishburne.  This is the inspirational story of Akeelah Anderson, an eleven-year-old girl from south Los Angeles with a gift for words. Despite the objections of her mother, Akeelah enters various spelling contests, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee, her principal Mr. Welch and the proud residents of her neighborhood.

(2017)  Starring Kenneth Brannagh, Fionn Whitehead and Mark Rylance.  It is World War II, and Allied forces are under attack by Germany. The setting is Dunkirk, France, and their only hope for survival is evacuation. Along the way, the beauty and resilience of the human spirit is tested. Allied forces have been outmaneuvered and outnumbered, but somehow find it within themselves to start plotting their great escape. With so many factors in play, it seems as though they will never make it. But with a lot of strategy and a little luck, just one chance emerges.  Rated PG-13; 107 min.

(2017) Starring John Corbett. All Saints is based on the inspiring true story of salesman-turned-pastor Michael Spurlock, the tiny church he was ordered to shut down, and a group of refugees from Southeast Asia. Together, they risked everything to plant seeds for a future that might just save them all.  Rated PG; 108 min.

Chester (N.Y.) historian Clifton Patrick and researcher Ginny Privitar present evidence and discussion of the enslavement of Native Americans in the early colonial period in our area.

(2015)  Starring  Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay.  Room is the extraordinary story of Jack, a spirited five-year-old who is looked after by his loving and devoted Ma. Like any good mother, Ma dedicates herself to keeping Jack happy and safe, nurturing him with warmth and love and doing typical things like playing games and telling stories.

(2016) What do your pets do when you're not home? When their owners leave for the day, pets from the building gossip with their friends, satisfy their sweet tooths, and throw outrageous parties. But when a pampered terrier and his unruly new 'roommate' from the pound  get lost in the urban jungle of New York City, they must put aside their differences to survive the epic journey back home. Rated PG; 87 min.

(2017)  Starring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawkes.  Maud, a bright-eyed, intelligent woman, hunched and with hands disabled by arthritis, yearns to be independent from her overly protective family. She answers an advertisement for a housekeeper by a 40-year-old bachelor, Everett, who owes nothing to anyone. She is a terrible housekeeper and spends most of her time painting. But over time, she wins his heart. When they realize people will actually buy her cards and paintings, he supports and encourages her.

The Hudson River School was a mid-19th century American art movement embodied by a group of landscape painters whose aesthetic vision was influenced by romanticism. The paintings for which the movement is named depict the Hudson River Valley and the surrounding area, including the Catskill, Adirondack, and White Mountains. Hudson River School paintings reflect three themes of America in the 19th century: discovery, exploration, and settlement. This discussion explores its founder, Thomas Cole, as well as Church and Durand, and the importance of European masters Turner and Constable.

What exactly is a learning disability?  Can my child be gifted and still have a learning disability?  Join Jessica Poggioli, Psy.D., for a conversation about assessment of learning disabilities and the educational issues that arise once they are diagnosed.  Gain new insights and learn what questions, issues, and comments you and other parents share.  For parents and caregivers of children of all ages.

Are you looking to have more compassion in your life?  To strengthen your communication with others?  Share deeper and more meaningful connections?  Join us for an introduction to Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a new generation of human connection and peacemaking skills that’s changing the way we think about conflict, compassion and our future. Come learn about this transformative practice.  Ideal for couples, families and anyone looking to improve their relationships within themselves and with others.