🎃 Halloween at the George F. Johnson Memorial Library
Spooky season is here! This October, the George F. Johnson Memorial Library invites you to celebrate Halloween with a month full of chills, creativity, and community fun. From scary stories and art classes to classic monster movies, there’s something for everyone.
👻 Special Programs
What is Ghost Hunting? with Phantom Visions Paranormal
Ever wondered what it’s really like to search for spirits? Phantom Visions Paranormal returns to share their ghost-hunting experiences, equipment, and spooky stories from the field. 📅 Tuesday, October 7 at 6:00 PM
Halloween Mocktail & Paint Night
Sip, stir, and paint! Enjoy festive Halloween-themed mocktails while local artist Emily Kniffin guides you step-by-step through a seasonal painting. 📅 Monday, October 13 at 6:00 PM ✨ Registration required. https://gfjlibrary.libcal.com/event/15169309
Scary Stories for Adults
Settle in for an afternoon of eerie live readings of scary tales, from Edgar Allan Poe to spine-tingling ghost stories. A perfect way to spend a fall afternoon. 📅 Saturday, October 18 at 1:00 PM
Halloween/Fall Watercolor Class
Create your own fall or spooky masterpiece with step-by-step instruction from local artist Chris Foxx. No experience needed; all supplies provided. 📅 Tuesday, October 21 at 6:00 PM ✨ Registration required. https://gfjlibrary.libcal.com/event/15155024
Book Club Discussion – Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Join us as we discuss John Berendt’s modern classic of Southern gothic atmosphere, eccentric characters, and true crime intrigue. 📅 Wednesday, October 22 🕐 1:00 PM – In-Person Discussion 🕖 7:00 PM – Virtual Discussion https://tinyurl.com/GFJTC-class
Halloween Trivia Night
Test your knowledge of creepy classics, haunted history, and horror movies! Come solo or with a team for an evening of frightful fun. 📅 Thursday, October at 6:30 PM ✨ Registration encouraged. https://gfjlibrary.libcal.com/event/15155062
🎬 Classic Monster Movie Double Features
Join the GFJ Classic Movie Club every Thursday at 2:00 PM for free screenings of restored classic horror films.
October 2 – The Wolf Man (1941) & Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)
October 9 – The Invisible Man (1933) & The Invisible Man Returns (1939)
October 16 – Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933) & The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
October 23 – Frankenstein (1931) & The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
October 30 – Doctor X (1933) & The Return of Doctor X (1939)
🕸️ Join Us!
Costumes are optional, but fun is guaranteed. Some programs require registration—please call the library or visit our events calendar to sign up.
📍 George F. Johnson Memorial Library ✨ Free and open to the public
Novels and Needles: A Stitch Craft & Book Club – 6:30 pm - Wednesdays through August 13 (starting July 2) Bring your needlework projects and join fellow crafters for casual conversation about books!
Mocktail & Paint – July 7 (Monday) - 6:00 pm Sip colorful, alcohol-free drinks and paint a summer-inspired masterpiece with local artist Emily Kniffin. Registration Required!
Watercolor Class – July 15 (Tuesday) - 6:00 pm Explore watercolor basics in this relaxed class with artist Chris Foxx. All skill levels welcome. Registration Required!
Color Theory Class – July 22 (Tuesday) - 6:00 pm Discover how artists use color to convey mood, emotion, and meaning in this hands-on workshop with Chris Foxx. Registration Required!
Mocktail & Paint (August session) – August 4 (Monday) - 6:00 pm Enjoy creative mocktails and paint a new summer scene with artist Emily Kniffin—perfect for winding down the season with style. Registration Required!
Mysteries, Games & Puzzles
The Masterpiece Caper: Escape Room – July 11 (Friday) - Select Times Work together to solve puzzles and recover a stolen painting before time runs out in this art-themed escape room adventure! Register for Select Times!
Colorful Connections: Summer Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament – July 28 (Monday) - 6:00 pm Team up or go solo to complete a vibrant puzzle in this friendly, timed competition. Prizes for fastest finishers! Registration Required!
Fatal Brushstrokes: Murder Mystery Night – August 1 (Friday) - 6:00 pm A gallery gala turns deadly in this interactive murder mystery event! Help solve the crime before the killer strikes again. Registration Required!
Trivia Night – August 11 (Monday) - 6:00 pm Test your knowledge in a fun, fast-paced trivia night covering books, movies, history, pop culture, and more. Teams and solo players welcome! Registration Required!
Books & Movie Clubs
Classic Movie Club: Summer Screenings – Thursdays, July 3 through August 28 Join us at 5:00 PM every Thursday to enjoy iconic films from Hollywood’s golden age, exploring themes of war, peace, and noir classics.
Yankee Doodle Dandy – July 3 A patriotic musical starring James Cagney as composer George M. Cohan. Part of our “Hollywood in Peace & War” series.
Young Mr. Lincoln – July 10 Henry Fonda portrays Abraham Lincoln’s early years in this powerful historical drama.
All Quiet on the Western Front – July 17 A haunting anti-war film following German soldiers during World War I, based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque.
This Is the Army – July 24 A wartime musical starring Ronald Reagan, celebrating military service and the American spirit.
Thank Your Lucky Stars – July 31 A star-studded morale booster featuring musical numbers and appearances from classic Hollywood actors.
Murder, My Sweet – August 7 Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe comes to life in this stylish noir mystery.
Out of the Past – August 14 An ex-private eye is pulled back into a deadly love triangle in this noir classic starring Robert Mitchum.
Armored Car Robbery & The Narrow Margin – August 21 Enjoy a thrilling noir double feature packed with heists, intrigue, and fast-paced drama.
The Asphalt Jungle – August 28 A gritty, groundbreaking film about a jewel heist gone wrong—one of noir’s finest.
Dinner and a Book – July 14 (Monday) - 6:00 pm Share what you’re reading or planning to read this summer over a casual meal and great conversation. No required reading—just book lovers talking books! Registration Required!
GFJ Book Club: The Art Thief – July 23 (Wednesday), 1:00 PM (in person) & 7:00 PM (virtual) Discuss Michael Finkel’s true-crime account of one of the world’s most prolific art thieves.
I’d Rather Read YA Book Club – Sunshine – July 30 (Wednesday) - 6:00 pm Join us to discuss Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, a moving YA graphic memoir about hope and healing during a summer at a camp for children with cancer.
Book Club Movie Night: The Phantom of the Opera (2004) – August 12 (Tuesday) - 5:30 pm Watch the stunning film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera, featuring lavish visuals, unforgettable music, and timeless romance.
GFJ Book Club: The Phantom of the Opera – August 13 (Wednesday), 1:00 PM (in person) & 7:00 PM (virtual) Compare the original novel by Gaston Leroux with its 2004 movie adaptation in this unique This or That book club discussion.
I’d Rather Read YA Book Club Extra Session – I Know What You Did Last Summer – August 13 (Wednesday) - 6:00 pm Unpack the suspense and secrets in Lois Duncan’s gripping YA thriller—an excellent classic YA read for fans of mystery and suspense.
GFJ Book Club: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow – August 27 (Wednesday), 1:00 PM (in person) & 7:00 PM (virtual) Discuss Gabrielle Zevin’s bestselling novel about friendship, creativity, and the shared love of video games and storytelling.
Outreach with Cornell Cooperative Extension & Vision Federal Credit Union
Blood Drive with American Red Cross – July 2 (Wednesday) - 1:30 - 6:00 pm Help save lives this summer by donating blood. All presenting donors will receive a small thank-you gift while supplies last. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and use the keyword: EndicottCommunity to make your life-saving appointment today!
Financial Safety for Seniors with Vision Federal Credit Union – July 2 (Wednesday) - 4:00 pm Presented by Visions FCU, this workshop offers essential tips to help seniors protect themselves from scams, fraud, and financial exploitation. Registration encouraged!
Weed ID/Management – July 16 (Wednesday) - 6:00 PM Learn how to identify common garden weeds and discover effective, eco-friendly strategies for managing them. Presented by Cornell Cooperative Extension, this class will help you keep your garden healthy and thriving all season long. Registration Required!
Season Extension for Fall Crops – July 21 (Monday) - 6:00 pm Learn how to grow your garden longer with expert tips from Cornell Cooperative Extension. Registration Required!
Eat the Rainbow: A Colorful Path to Nutrition – July 29 (Tuesday) - 6:00 pm Discover how colorful fruits and vegetables can support a healthy, balanced diet—presented by CCE. Registration Required!
Natural Watercolor Paint-Making Workshop – August 5 (Tuesday) 6:00 pm Create stunning artwork using plant-based watercolor paints made from natural materials. Discover traditional techniques while exploring the beauty and vibrant colors of the natural world. Led by CCE. Registration Required!
Color Walk – August 9 (Saturday) - 1:00 pm Location TBA Take a guided walk through nature as we explore color, mindfulness, and the beauty of the outdoors. Led by CCE. Registration Required!
Seed Saving Workshop – August 27 (Wednesday) - 6:00 pm Learn how to save seeds from your garden to grow future crops—an eco-friendly skill for gardeners of all levels. Registration Required!
Tech Center Classes
July & August Class TBA Soon!
Keep checking back!
GFJ Book Club
Book club meetings are monthly on the fourth Wednesday from 1:00 to 2:00pm and via Zoom from 7:00 to 8:00pm. More information on 2025 dates and titles below! Please contact the library for information on attending. Click here to register!
