The happiest and healthiest New Year to you all from the Northampton Area Public Library board of trustees, staff and Friends group!

If your resolutions have anything to do with eating well, exercising and self-care, the library has you covered. Want to learn a new craft or hobby? We can help with that, too.

We’re here to help support you in your 2024 endeavors.

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We’re coming upon that time of year again when football is winding down, and we’re eating hot soup and chili to keep the cold at bay. The library is having another food fundraiser with Island Expressions to keep you from having to cook on the days when you just don’t have time.

Soup and sandwiches will be available to order Jan. 3-31. With a wide variety of choices, there’s something for everyone.

Everything is delicious, and nothing is more than $6! Every purchase earns a bit of money for the library.

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Pickup starts 9 a.m. Jan. 8 for the glitter-lined envelopes kit for adults and the whipped peppermint lotion kit for teens.

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The Teen Advisory Board is meeting 6 p.m. Jan. 9.

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The adult Stitch and Chat group will be meeting 6 p.m. Jan. 9.

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The game club for grades 3-5 meets 6 p.m. Jan. 11.

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The library’s board of trustees meets 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11.

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New kids craft bags will be available for pickup Jan. 16.

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Storytimes are scheduled for January. Lapsit storytime will begin 10:30 a.m. Jan. 16, toddler storytime will start 10 a.m. Jan. 17, and preschool storytime begins 10 a.m. Jan. 18.

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The game club for teens will meet 6 p.m. Jan. 16.

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The anime club for teens is scheduled to meet 6 p.m. Jan. 16.

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The STEAM craft club for grades 3-5 will meet 6 p.m. Jan. 18.

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Storycraft for kids in kindergarten to second grade will be 4:30 p.m. Jan. 21.

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The Friends of NAPL will hold its next meeting 7 p.m. Jan. 23.

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The book club for tweens will be meeting 5 p.m. Jan. 23 to discuss “The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl” by Susan McAnulty.

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The book club for teens will meet 6 p.m. Jan. 23 to discuss “Radio Silence” by Alice Oseman.

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Once Upon a Crime will meet 6 p.m. Jan. 29 to discuss serial killers.

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The Well Read, Badly Behaved book club meets 1:30 p.m. Jan. 30 to discuss “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris.

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The Laid Back book club is reading “Five Tuesdays in Winter” by Lily King.

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Sunshine the therapy dog will be returning to the library. Keep an eye out for upcoming dates and times.

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The library will be hosting a chili cook-off contest 1-3 p.m. March 2. To enter your spectacular chili recipe, register as a contestant by 4 p.m. Feb. 17.

We must have at least five contestants for the contest to take place. The grand prize includes a first-place medal and 20% of all entry fees in cash.

Flights of chili will be on sale starting Jan. 29. With your purchase of a flight of chili, you get a guaranteed taste of each entry and the chance to help our judges vote for the winners.

Starting 2 p.m., the general public is welcome to join us for $3 to sample the rest of the chili. Should any chili be left over in the last 15 minutes of the event, portions will be for sale.

All sales will be cash or check only before Feb. 17.

We’re also looking for contest judges. Calling all EMTs, firefighters, police and local government officials, we need you to eat chili and cast your vote!