All are invited to join the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library annual meeting in the Meeting Room at the Mattapoisett Library on Sunday, October 23 at 1:00 pm. Bring a friend of your own to learn about the Friends, what they’ve been up to this past year, to become a member, or to renew your membership. After our business meeting, we will be joined at 2:00 pm by the Bard himself, William Shakespeare, in the form of actor Stephen Collins. Collins makes Shakespeare’s words come alive, from the evil machinations of Richard III, to the philosophical bantering of Falstaff, to the brilliant oratory of Brutus and Antony, Shakespeare’s tragedies, comedies, histories, and sonnets are all represented.

The next Knights Teen Dance at The Knights, 57 Fairhaven Road in Mattapoisett, is on Friday, November 4 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm for $8. Teen dances are a safe place for 6th, 7th and 8th graders to have a good time socializing, dancing and listening to their favorite music on a Friday night. Knights of Columbus chaperones and a uniformed police officer are on site at all of our dances.

The October Historical Society meeting will be in a different format this month. There will be a tour and talk about the Woodside Cemetery (next to the East Rochester Church Museum at 355 County Road. The tour on Wednesday, October 19 will start at 5:00 pm (please note the time) and the talks will be given by Linda Ames, Betty Beaulieu and Barbara Bailey. Some of the families in the cemetery will be highlighted (i.e., Morse family, Gault family, Allen family). Connie Eschbach will talk on some of the military buried in the cemetery. Following the outside tour/talk, everyone is invited into the museum for some hearty hot and cold appetizers. All are welcome.

As a reminder, the museum is open on Sundays in October from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Stop in to check out the displays/ artifacts/ gift shop and cook book sale.

Travel Talk on Cuba: Tuesday, October 18 at 6:30 pm. Ever wish you could travel to exotic places to learn all about the history, culture and more? Well, now you can just by coming to the Elizabeth Taber Library. Join us on Tuesday, October 18 at 6:30 pm as Ms. Arlene Lowney RN, MBA takes us on a journey through Cuba while showing her pictures of the beautiful sites, and sharing her experiences with Cuban history and culture.

Thoughts on the Presidential Election with Larry DiCara: Friday, October 21 at 7:00 pm. Join us for a special program at the Marion Music Hall to discuss the upcoming presidential election with Lawrence DiCara. A long-time Marion part-time resident, Larry has been thinking, teaching and writing about politics for almost 50 years. Mr. DiCara served 10 years on the Boston City Council and has been a member of the Democratic State Committee for over 40 years. He is the author of many articles for Commonwealth Magazine and other publications and Turmoil and Transition in Boston: a Political Memoir from the Busing Era, his recently published book.

Cartooning with Cara: For Teens on Saturday, October 22 at 1:00 pm. Join us at the Elizabeth Taber Library for a cartoon workshop with Cara Bean. Drawing is for everyone. You don’t have to be the best, just willing to try. In this workshop, Cara will guide participants through a series of playful drawing activities. The sketches you’ll create will culminate in a complete creative experience, which is often surprising and always fun.

Registration is required. Please call the Elizabeth Taber Library at 508-748-1252 to reserve a spot.

Senior Fitness Class (“Senior Stretch & Exercise”) meets every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the Congregational Church Fellowship Hall in Marion. The cost for a 10-week session, which meets three times a week, is $45. The first class is free, and you may join at any time. The Friends of Marion Visiting Nurses partially fund this program. Each class includes low impact aerobics, strength training, stretching, and balance exercises that are suited to all fitness levels.

The class is led by Karen Corcoran who is a certified “Specialist in Senior Fitness” as well as CPR-, AED-certified. A new 10-week session begins on Tuesday, November 1. Come and try the first class for free; you’ll enjoy it.

If you any questions about the program, you may call Karen at 508-295-1567.

We’re celebrating the colors of fall: gold, russet, cranberry red, loden green and Patriots’ royal blue! Tom Brady is back and so is Open Table, both just a little later than usual! The next Open Table is set for Friday, October 21. Doors open at 4:30 pm and supper will be served at 5:00 pm. There is no charge for the meal, although donations are gratefully accepted. Invite a neighbor, friend or family member. We look forward to seeing you on Friday, October 21.

The Women’s Guild of the First Congregational Church of Rochester will hold its annual Christmas Fair on Friday, November 4 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm and Saturday, November 5 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm in the church hall, 11 Constitution Way, Rochester. There will be many handmade items, an abundant food table, indoor yard sale and silent auction (with a beautiful handmade quilt, china, a Coach purse, painting and much more). A light supper of hot dogs and chips will be served on Friday night and a delicious luncheon will be served on Saturday.