Writing My Memoirs-- the Easy Way

…One story at a time. We ALL have childhood memories. When I started writing my memoirs about 10 years ago, I began with my earliest memories as a young child. Once I began to write, I discovered that once I began writing about a certain period in my life, other memor......More

…One story at a time. We ALL have childhood memories. When I started writing my memoirs about 10 years ago, I began with my earliest memories as a young child. Once I began to write, I discovered that once I began writing about a certain period in my life, other memories and the people there and then came to mind, or became a little clearer. After writing about going to see the Harlem Globetrotters when I was 12, I remembered other places and events in my hometown. The same is likely to happen with you. Research has shown that writing is good for memory and recall, and problem-solving. Writing about our past helps to solidify memories in our brains. But where do we start? We have many ways to think of the past. I will be bringing various writing resources for you to discuss. We remember our earliest crushes. We remember certain music. We remember our early sports experiences like gym class and little league. We remember our heart being broken. We remember our marriages – and our divorces. We remember our connections between people. We remember our ancestors and their roles in our lives. We remember places. And, much more. In this workshop, every week you will have a chance to write about certain events in your life that you have selected. After we write short episodes about our past, we will ask our colleagues in the workshop for their suggestions. Everyone else will be asked to give you feedback or feedforward about what you wrote. We will ALL learn from one another. I invite all participants to be supportive of one another. You can bring your laptop, or a simple note pad to write, available at the Dollar Store for about $1.25, or something else. When approaching writing, start with small chunks or paragraphs that describe a memory. For me, I found ways to add significant detail to the memory, such as descriptions of people, distances, or colors to make it more interesting for my kids and grandkids to read. I added humor here and there, such as jokes I have heard, or a funny event at a gathering.  Some may wish to read their paragraphs or stories. This is helpful to you in that it immediately gives a sense of the “flow” of your writing—how it sounds. This is helpful for all participants (you are not students). Alternatively, you could wait until you have had a chance to read and do a re-write before printing and handing out your story. If you would prefer NOT to read you excerpt, you may also ask someone else to read it for you. We will begin with 1-hour sessions, once-a- week, and if needed, we can discuss if we would like to expand to 1.5 hours. About the presenter:  Thomas Charles Belanger (named for both grandfathers) is the author of 10 books, about 25 training manuals, over 100 articles in various publications, since 1980. He has facilitated many workshops throughout the USA and parts of Canada on Business Writing, Program Management, Project Management, and other topics, training nearly 20,000 participants over a 40+ year career. He delivered his last workshop for Boston University in 2018, after many years and many workshops. He also facilitated workshops for the clients of Northeastern University since the 1990s. Tom began writing about his memories in 2014. He currently has nearly 200 pages in 2025. He has written stories about many of his childhood, teen, adult, and senior experiences, including military service, international travel, cross-country travel. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/writing-my-memoirs-the-easy-way-21/

Conference Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Storytime with Miss Jane

Join us at the library's temporary location, 166 Boulder Drive, for a fun storytime! This storytime is for all ages and includes songs, finger plays, movement, & stories. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/storytime-with-miss-jane-68/

Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Teen Craft: Scarf Charms

Teens, Do you have a plain scarf that just needs...something? Learn how to crochet cute applique items, such as flowers, to decorate your scarf with! A refresher and any new skills needed will be taught. For ages 12-18. Registration recommended--scarves provided f......More

Teens, Do you have a plain scarf that just needs...something? Learn how to crochet cute applique items, such as flowers, to decorate your scarf with! A refresher and any new skills needed will be taught. For ages 12-18. Registration recommended--scarves provided for registrants. Registrants may provide their own! Registration opens March 2nd https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/teen-craft-spruce-up-a-scarf/

Teen Center Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Family Craft Night: Bird Wind Chimes

Get crafty at the library! For ages 5 & up. Today's project: Bird Wind Chimes https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/family-craft-night-31/

Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Storytime with Miss Molly

Join us at the library's temporary location, 166 Boulder Drive, for a fun storytime! This storytime is for all ages and includes songs, finger plays, movement, & stories. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/storytime-with-miss-molly-53/

Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

MOC CFCE Playgroup

The library is hosting the MOC CFCE Playgroup this week. Families with young children (ages 0-6) are invited to join us at the library's temporary location, 166 Boulder Drive, between 10-11 am. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/moc-cfce......More

The library is hosting the MOC CFCE Playgroup this week. Families with young children (ages 0-6) are invited to join us at the library's temporary location, 166 Boulder Drive, between 10-11 am. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/moc-cfce-playgroup-10/

Children's Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Knitting Group

Stop by the weekly knitting group! Stay for the full meeting to socialize, or just drop in for a little while. All experience levels welcome - members can help answer any knitting/crocheting questions. Join us every week, or pop in for a meeting or two! https://fitc......More

Stop by the weekly knitting group! Stay for the full meeting to socialize, or just drop in for a little while. All experience levels welcome - members can help answer any knitting/crocheting questions. Join us every week, or pop in for a meeting or two! https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/knitting-group-74/

Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

STEAM Activity: Fingerprint Science

In partnership with the Fitchburg Parks Department, the library will be hosting weekly STEAM activities for ages 6-12. Registration is recommended. Registration begins February 16 for March activities. This program was made possible through a grant from the United W......More

In partnership with the Fitchburg Parks Department, the library will be hosting weekly STEAM activities for ages 6-12. Registration is recommended. Registration begins February 16 for March activities. This program was made possible through a grant from the United Way of North Central Mass and DESE. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/steam-activity-51/

Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Computer Skills Class

Do you want to develop computer skills and receive a FREE Chromebook that you can keep? Join us for a weekly computer class on Friday afternoons! Classes begin March 20, and run through April 24. Classes are free to attend! Learn a range of skills, like protecting yo......More

Do you want to develop computer skills and receive a FREE Chromebook that you can keep? Join us for a weekly computer class on Friday afternoons! Classes begin March 20, and run through April 24. Classes are free to attend! Learn a range of skills, like protecting your privacy online, accessing a world of information, connecting with loved ones, and expanding your social circle. You must attend and complete the full course receive the free Chromebook. Open to adults 18+. Registering below will sign you up for all 6 classes. Classes are made possible by UMASS Lowell and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/computer-skills-class-2/

Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Pet First Aid with WMRC

Learn the basics of providing first aid to your pets in this presentation from the Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/pet-first-aid-with-wmrc/

Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Parachute Play

Come play with the parachute at the library! Make new friends, play with toys, & have fun learning new songs & rhymes with the parachute! For ages 1-6 with a caregiver. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/parachute-play-16/

Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Writing My Memoirs-- the Easy Way

…One story at a time. We ALL have childhood memories. When I started writing my memoirs about 10 years ago, I began with my earliest memories as a young child. Once I began to write, I discovered that once I began writing about a certain period in my life, other memor......More

…One story at a time. We ALL have childhood memories. When I started writing my memoirs about 10 years ago, I began with my earliest memories as a young child. Once I began to write, I discovered that once I began writing about a certain period in my life, other memories and the people there and then came to mind, or became a little clearer. After writing about going to see the Harlem Globetrotters when I was 12, I remembered other places and events in my hometown. The same is likely to happen with you. Research has shown that writing is good for memory and recall, and problem-solving. Writing about our past helps to solidify memories in our brains. But where do we start? We have many ways to think of the past. I will be bringing various writing resources for you to discuss. We remember our earliest crushes. We remember certain music. We remember our early sports experiences like gym class and little league. We remember our heart being broken. We remember our marriages – and our divorces. We remember our connections between people. We remember our ancestors and their roles in our lives. We remember places. And, much more. In this workshop, every week you will have a chance to write about certain events in your life that you have selected. After we write short episodes about our past, we will ask our colleagues in the workshop for their suggestions. Everyone else will be asked to give you feedback or feedforward about what you wrote. We will ALL learn from one another. I invite all participants to be supportive of one another. You can bring your laptop, or a simple note pad to write, available at the Dollar Store for about $1.25, or something else. When approaching writing, start with small chunks or paragraphs that describe a memory. For me, I found ways to add significant detail to the memory, such as descriptions of people, distances, or colors to make it more interesting for my kids and grandkids to read. I added humor here and there, such as jokes I have heard, or a funny event at a gathering.  Some may wish to read their paragraphs or stories. This is helpful to you in that it immediately gives a sense of the “flow” of your writing—how it sounds. This is helpful for all participants (you are not students). Alternatively, you could wait until you have had a chance to read and do a re-write before printing and handing out your story. If you would prefer NOT to read you excerpt, you may also ask someone else to read it for you. We will begin with 1-hour sessions, once-a- week, and if needed, we can discuss if we would like to expand to 1.5 hours. About the presenter:  Thomas Charles Belanger (named for both grandfathers) is the author of 10 books, about 25 training manuals, over 100 articles in various publications, since 1980. He has facilitated many workshops throughout the USA and parts of Canada on Business Writing, Program Management, Project Management, and other topics, training nearly 20,000 participants over a 40+ year career. He delivered his last workshop for Boston University in 2018, after many years and many workshops. He also facilitated workshops for the clients of Northeastern University since the 1990s. Tom began writing about his memories in 2014. He currently has nearly 200 pages in 2025. He has written stories about many of his childhood, teen, adult, and senior experiences, including military service, international travel, cross-country travel. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/writing-my-memoirs-the-easy-way-22/

Conference Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Storytime with Miss Jane

Join us at the library's temporary location, 166 Boulder Drive, for a fun storytime! This storytime is for all ages and includes songs, finger plays, movement, & stories. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/storytime-with-miss-jane-69/

Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Storytime with Miss Molly

Join us at the library's temporary location, 166 Boulder Drive, for a fun storytime! This storytime is for all ages and includes songs, finger plays, movement, & stories. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/storytime-with-miss-molly-54/

Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420

Adult Craft Night: Spring Baskets

Join us to make spring baskets! Free, all materials provided. Space is limited, please register below. https://fitchburgpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/adult-craft-night-12/

Program Room Fitchburg Public Library Temporary Location, 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, MA, 01420