The Wizards of Pod

Link to Episode notes

Since we ranked our top 5 book-based podcasts in August, we decided, for our September show, to rank five podcasts randomly chosen from Podbiblemag.com’s article “10 of the best watch-along podcasts for TV fans.” 

The shows we randomly selected are,

• Buffering: A Rewatch Adventure

• Office Ladies

• Dragoncast

• HBO’s Succession Podcast

• Talking Sopranos

Don’t forget to check out The Guardian’s article  'It's one big conversation': the unstoppable rise of the TV podcast

Podcast Reviewed
Music for this podcast was brought to you by Bensound royalty-free music.  You can check out their great collection of music at www.bensound.com

• Top 10 Book Podcasts to Listen to in 2023 by bookscouter.com

• The 27 Best Book Podcasts from townandcountrymag.com, and 

• Podcastreview.org The 10 Best Book Podcasts

These articles contain many great podcast suggestions, making choosing five podcasts a difficult enough experience, so we suggest checking them out.

Cat Café Podcast

The Community Cats Podcast

1bike1world

The Purrrcast

Nine Lives with Dr. Kat

Cattitude

• The Library’s “Movies On The Great Lawn” film series continues every Monday at dusk throughout August.
• Saturday, August 20 from 9 am - 1 pm, we will be hosting a Plant Swap at the Westhampton Farmers Market.
• KIDS ON THE GREEN also continues throughout August on Tuesdays beginning at 5:30pm.
• Teen Programs taking place in August include…
  • OREO COOKIE CRABS on Sunday, August 7 from 2:00-3:00 pm.
  • WATERMELON PIZZA on Sunday, August 28 from 2:00-3:00 pm.
• Be sure to check our Library’s newsletter and homepage for all the great Children’s and Tween programs for August.  There are just too many to list!

• HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH! We share our favorite podcasts hosted by and centered on members of the Latinx community!

Music for this podcast was brought to you by Bensound royalty-free music.  You can check out their great collection of music at www.bensound.com

Episode Notes

If you’re asking why we decided to choose Star Wars as this month’s theme, May fourth, otherwise known as “Star Wars Day,” is an informal commemorative day observed annually to celebrate the Star Wars media franchise created by founder and former chairman and CEO of Lucasfilm, George Lucas.

To give you a little history, Star Wars Day originated as a pun to the popular Star Wars "May the Force be with you."  Observance of the day spread quickly through media and grassroots celebrations since the franchise began in 1977.  Even though the holiday was not created or declared by Lucasfilm, many Star Wars fans around the world have chosen to celebrate the holiday.  It has since been embraced by Lucasfilm and parent company Disney as an annual celebration of Star Wars.  The first recorded reference to the phrase being used was on May 4, 1979, the day after Margaret Thatcher was elected as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Her political party, the Conservatives, placed a congratulatory advertisement in the London Evening News saying "May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Day

National Financial Literacy Month is recognized annually to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach citizens how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits.

Throughout the month of April, organizations across the U.S. conduct a variety of events and carry out initiatives designed to improve financial literacy, especially among our nation’s youth, while also promoting financial well-being for all consumers.

Music for this podcast was brought to you by Bensound royalty-free music.  You can check out their great collection of music at www.bensound.com

Download Show Notes: WOP Episode: 11

Download Show Notes: WOP Episode #10

• The Black Creators Club
• Jemele Hill is Unbothered
• It’s Been a Minute with Sam Sanders

• LeVar Burton Reads
• The Stoop
• Seizing Freedom

• March is National Women's History Month, so we will be sharing our favorite podcasts about women's history!
  • Let us know about your favorite podcast about National Woman’s History Month!

Download Show Notes: WOP Episode #9

Since we celebrated Oktoberfest and discussed our favorite drink podcasts for October, we thought that November could focus on all things spooky. And, of course, the Spooky season is the best season. Luckily, most of the podcasts that Sara listens to are spooky, whether it be about the paranormal or true crime-related. So, she is very excited about this episode!

• My Favorite Murder
• Haunted Places
• The NoSleep Podcast

Dave:

• LORE
• Magnus Archives
• Old Gods of Appalachia

Thank you all for listening to episode 8! We would like to hear what the listeners think about our podcast and if you have any suggestions, please send us a message on our Twitter @PodWizards!

Our next episode will be out on Thursday, December 2

If you didn’t already know, the Westhampton Free Library offers Library cardholders access to many museums across Long Island and New York City.

• We have passes to the Fink’s Farm, Long Island Children’s Museum, the Parrish Museum, as well as the Museum of Modern Art, and the American Museum of Natural History!
• Call the Adult Reference Desk to ask us all about our passes at (631) 288-3335 x4.

Don’t miss out on the programs that the Westhampton Free Library has for the months of November and December!

• On Saturday, November 20 from 12:00-3:00 pm, a Bide-A-Wee adoption van will be visiting our parking lot. It’s never too late to introduce a new friend into your life and a FUR-ever friend is one of the best kinds, that's F-U-R-ever, of course. Your new best friend could be waiting for you!
• Wednesday, December 8 is our Do Your Own Thing Bus Trip to New York City, registration is $28.00 with the Adult Reference Department. This program usually fills up fast, so register as soon as possible if you’re interested!
• And, if you’re looking for some family events for the holidays,
  • On Saturday, December 4 between 1:00-3:00 pm there will be a Family Holiday Wreath program where you can get all the fixings to make a wreath for $10.00 per kit. Registration for this program is limited to one wreath per family, and you can register through the Children’s Department.
  • On Friday, December 10 from 6:00-7:00 pm we will be holding a holiday gingerbread house kit for $15.00 per kit.  Sign up with the Children’s Department now!

Registration for these programs is now open, so call the library at (631) 288-3335 and choose the department you’d like to speak with!

• You can also register online at westhamptonlibrary.net/programs. Or, stop in and visit us to register in person!

For more podcast News and updates, follow us on Twitter @PodWizards.

• Music for this podcast is provided by Bensound royalty-free music
  • Take a look at their great collection of music at www.bensound.com
• Spooky background sounds provided by freesound.org.

• The Swirl Suite
  
• Life Behind Bars
  
• The Speakeasy

• The Sour Hour
  
• The Beerists Craft Beer Podcast
  
• Unreserved Wine Talk

• If you have a favorite Spooky-themed podcast, let us know on Twitter @PodWizards, and we’ll include it with ours!

Download “The Wizards of Pod” Episode 7 Notes”

• This trip is scheduled for Thursday, September 23rd and tickets are on sale now for $70 and that includes the bus seat and access to both exhibits. So, if you are interested you can come to the Library to register in person, or give the Adult Reference Desk a call at (631) 288-3335 ext. 4.  You can also register online at westhamptonlibrary.net/programs.
• We believe art is fascinating because even the concept of art has been around since the Paleolithic period when it was said that these pieces of art were being made with paint, shells, and stones and now, there are so many art styles and art forms that artists can dip into and try their hands at.
• An artist might paint, draw, sculpt, do pottery, or even use a whole other avenue to create their art form, and we think it's wonderful how versatile artwork can be!

• ArtCurious
• Savvy Painter Podcast with Antrese Wood
• Hashtag Authentic

• The Great Women Artists Podcast
• The Potters Cast
• Talk Art

Bottles of Beer, Anyone? Our Most Enjoyed Adult Beverage Podcasts of 2021 (It’s Oktoberfest!)

• For October, we will be reviewing podcasts based on our most enjoyed Adult Beverages in celebration of Oktoberfest.
• If you have a favorite Adult beverage-themed podcast, let us know, and we’ll include it with ours!

Visit the library for a look at September’s Artist of the Month, Robert Knepper, on display in the Reference Department.

Music for this podcast was brought to you by Bensound royalty-free music.  You can check out their great collection of music at www.bensound.com

“The Wizards of Pod” Episode 6“The Wizards of Pod” Episode 6“The Wizards of Pod” Episode 6“The Wizards of Pod” Episode 6

Download Show Notes

According to NationalDayCalender.com, August is National Dog Month, allowing us to celebrate our loveable canine pals smack in the middle of the dog days of summer!

The J.M. Smucker Company, makers of the Milk-Bone brand dog biscuits, founded National Dog Month in 2020 to recognize all the ways dogs improve our lives. The Registrar at National Day proclaimed National Dog Month to be observed each year in August.

Here are a couple of awesome facts about our amazing canine colleagues:

• Dogs are the #1 most commonly owned pets on the planet, and
• Scientific studies prove our canine companions make us happier, less stressed, and more optimistic.
• The list of benefits to spending time with a dog goes on and on, but it all proves one thing––that a month-long celebration of our furry best friends has been a long time coming.
• Whether your dog burrows under the blankets with you at night, plays in the sprinkler, or alerts you to a health need, we know they are constantly improving our lives and making them more fun.
• The companionship and affection we share with them make not only our lives, but their lives better, too.
• Dog lovers know life without dogs is a life missing something special, and that’s a fact worth celebrating.
  

• Take an extra-long walk.

• Play fetch or spare an extra Milk-Bone treat.

• Get your dog the toy he’s been wanting or visit the dog park.

• Speaking of visits, make your next veterinarian appointment to ensure your pet stays healthy and strong.

• Donate to your local shelter or to a larger dog nonprofit.

• You can also volunteer your services.  Not only will the dogs appreciate the support, but so will their future human companions.

• However you celebrate, be sure to use #NationalDogMonth to post on social media

• A Hot Dog Is A Sandwich
  
• The Sporkful
  
• Wine for Normal People
  

• The Splendid Table
  
• Doughboys
  
• Gastropod
  

July/August newsletter is out, so don’t forget to register for our upcoming Link and Learns and exercise classes! A couple of the classes will be offered as in-person meetings at Roger’s Beach Pavilion and our Sunday Sunrise Yoga class is back at the Westhampton Dunes.

Our Monday Night Movies at the Great Lawn on Main Street will be July 12 through August 30.  Movies include:

• Shrek 2,
  
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,
  
• Legally Blonde 2: Red White and Blonde,
  
• Toy Story 2,
  
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,
  
• Paddington 2,
  
• Back to the Future II, and
  
• How to Train Your Dragon 2.
  

There is no registration required for the movies, and we will be providing attendants with bagged popcorn, too.

You can visit the library website at westhamptonlibrary.net and our events calendar, which is accessible from our homepage, at westhamptonlibrary.librarymarket.com.

We also welcome any and all feedback on our episodes and if anyone would like to hear about a certain podcast topic, please let us know!

The Stonewall Riots are widely considered one of the most important events leading to the gay liberation movement and the twentieth-century fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in the United States.

Pride Month is celebrated every June in tribute to those involved in the Stonewall Riots.

For those who are wondering what LGBTQIA+ stands for, this acronym equates to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual and Asexual. Sometimes, the Q stands for Questioning and the A stands for Ally.

• And That’s Why We Drink
  
• Queer Serial: American LGBTQ+ History Before Stonewall
  
• Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness

• Geeky Gay
  
• Making Gay History: LGBTQ Oral Histories from the Archive
  
• A Gay and NonGay
  

1. About LGBT Pride Month from the Library of Congress
   
2. Acronyms Explained from Out Right Action International
   
3. About Martha P. Johnson from Queer Portraits in History
   

Mental Health Awareness Month (Wikipedia Article) has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. The month is observed with media, local events, and film screenings.

Mental Health Awareness Month began in the United States in 1949 and was started by the Mental Health America (MHA) organization (then known as the National Association for Mental Health). Each year in mid-March Mental Health America releases a toolkit of materials to guide preparation for outreach activities during Mental Health Awareness Month. During the month of May, MHA, its affiliates, and other organizations interested in mental health conduct a number of activities which are based on a different theme each year.

Sara's Podcasts - The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych, Celeste The Therapist, and Radio Headspace

Dave's Podcasts - The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos, Mental The Podcast to Destigmatize Mental Health, and No-Bullsh!t Vegan

Library News

• Recently, the Westhampton Free Library will allow patrons to enter the building without an appointment beginning Monday, May 10, 2021.  
• It will be very exciting to actually have people in the library again at a larger capacity. 
• The pandemic surely put a damper on many activities that people would be used to, such as coming to the library, and quarantining has been tough on many that struggle with mental health. 
• Many people look forward to using the library for not only books but for social interaction and there wasn’t much room for that in the last year, but we are hoping to see more of that with safety precautions included!

Helpful Links

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please know that you are not alone and there are some great resources for you to access for help and guidance.

• https://www.mentalhealth.gov/
• https://www.samhsa.gov/
• https://findtreatment.gov/

Music for this podcast was brought to you by Bensound royalty-free music.  You can check out their great collection of music at www.bensound.com

• The Public Library Association (PLA) is partnering with the Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA) office of the American Library Association to launch a new project for census data literacy.  http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2021/03/free-training-boost-census-data-literacy-skills-improve-planning-and-programs.  

• The Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC), a non-profit affiliate of the ALA, was awarded with the 2021 American Library Association Equity Award, consisting of $1,000 and a framed citation.  http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2021/03/joint-council-librarians-color-named-winner-2021-ala-equality-award

• New York State Citizen Public Health Training Program by Cornell University.  Cornell University’s Public Health Program has developed a four-part online training program to help build community-led initiatives and support surrounding prevention, detection, and response in the event of public health emergencies. With two hours of content per week, each module will build up your core knowledge, skills, and abilities, along with specific “calls to action” to help you translate learning into action within your community and network. Each module will also have one or more live (and recorded) conversations with experts to share up-to-date information and to answer key questions. https://nypublichealth.cornell.edu/nyspublichealth/