Local sewing enthusiasts are invited to join the Guernsey Stitchers from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month to work on projects and swap ideas with other sewers. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — The Guernsey Memorial Library has something for everyone this holiday season and year-round, from club meetings, crafting groups, and workshops.

Area residents with an interest in sewing are invited to join the Guernsey Stitchers on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to work on projects and share ideas.

The group was started by Julia Whitney, Carol DeJager, Karen Voorhis, and Jen Hendrickson. Whitney said they formed the group because they wanted a place to meet in person with other local sewing enthusiasts.

"We used to have the Sew Nice quilt shop here in Norwich up at the north of town, and they retired and moved away. So it kind of left a lot of us scrambling of how we could get together again. So we approached the library about starting something here," she explained.

Guernsey Library provides irons, cutting mats, and space in the conference room. Stitchers should bring their own machines, supplies, and projects.

"We don’t do instruction or anything like that, it's just everybody just brings whatever they’re working on and we just hang out for the day," said Whitney. "You just basically need to bring your own sewing machine and whatever project you’re working on, and it’s a lot of fun."

She said the group is also a great motivator to continue working on projects, as well as an opportunity for sewers to share project ideas, techniques, and sometimes even supplies.

"We get ideas from each other. You might see somebody working on a bag and you like it, so we can share patterns and ideas," said Whitney. "We had one woman come and she brought a whole tote of fabric that she wasn't using and let everybody go through, if there’s something you can use please help yourself. So sharing materials is easier to do."

Stitchers who plan to attend should contact the Guernsey Memorial Library at 607-334-4034 ahead of time to sign up, as space is limited. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, December 9.

The library also hosts an LGBTQ+ support group each month, and their next meeting will be held on Saturday, December 23 at 1 p.m. The group began around a year ago and serves as a neutral, accepting space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to meet new friends.

"I started it because I left a very strict religion and I wanted to be able to meet other people and start a support group for myself, and I figured other people also needed that," said Organizer Evander Caron. "People can just walk right in, there’s no limit of people or anything. You don't have to have gone before. It’s just to help meet other people."

While the group is a supportive space of members of the LGBTQ+ community, Caron said the meetings are open to everyone.

"You don't have to be queer in order to go to the group either, as long as you're supportive," he said. "It’s just a welcoming space that’s very nice, because you don't always know where you can find that."

Caron said the meetings are fairly unstructured, with optional games and activities to participate in, or visitors can use question prompts to get to know others in the group. Each monthly meeting also has a specific theme, with the next meeting focusing on the holidays with a group gift exchange.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a gift, with a $5 spending limit. Gifts can be purchased, something found around the house, or handmade.

After the new year, LGBTQ+ support group meetings will be held on the third Saturday of each month from January through August, and the fourth Saturday of each month from November through December.

For more information, contact Caron at norwichlgbtqgroup@gmail.com.

The library has plenty more to offer throughout the month. There will be three adult craft workshops in December, including milk jug ring wreaths on December 7, pom pom gnomes on December 13, and craft paper ornaments on December 16. All workshops are free to attend, and supplies will be included.

Improv workshops are held every Tuesday, with a beginners class beginning at 5:30 p.m. Artsy individuals can join the Guernsey Artists on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m., and avid readers are encouraged the join the Book Lovers Club, which will be meeting at 5:30 p.m. on December 19.

Additionally, family support group meetings will be held at 6 p.m. on December 5 and 19, a kidney disease education group meeting at noon on December 11, and a Chenango Pride Alliance meeting at 6 p.m. on December 26.

For kids, Guernsey Library will be hosting a holiday sun catcher craft workshop at 4 p.m. on December 11, Lego Club at 6 p.m. on December 18, and offering a teen movie screening of "Barbie" at 4 p.m. on December 21.

There is so much to do at the Guernsey Memorial Library, with activities and events for all ages and interests. For more information on the Guernsey Library, visit GuernseyMemorialLibrary.org or the Guernsey Memorial Library Facebook page.