Driver safety class in Canastota Driver safety

The AARP will sponsor a driver safety class on Monday, May 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Rusty Rail Restaurant, Route 5, Canastota.

Pre-registration is necessary. The cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. A lunch buffet is available for $10. To reserve a seat in the course, call the instructor, Ken Hawks at 533-5293. Participants are asked to arrive by 8:30 a.m. to complete the registration process and to bring their driver’s license, a pen and a check payable to AARP for the course fee.

Canastota Library

The Canastota Public Library, 101 W. Center St. will hold its annual May plant exchange beginning Monday, May 9. The public is invited to bring seed- lings, plants or bulbs to exchange or share with others.

The plant exchange will be located near the library’s main entrance.

Also during May there will be a “Bike Basics and Beyond” workshop with David Pratt on Wednesday, May 18 at 7 p.m. Those attending will learn which bicycle is right for them, how to tune up a bike, how to correctly ride in traffic and how to use the gears.

The Perra Comings Art Sale will continue for the month of May.

The Book Chat Club will meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31 to discuss “The Inheritance of Loss” by Kiran Desai, a book which is about the rigid class system that still exists in India today. For more information call the library at 697-7030.

Oneida Library news

This week at the Oneida Public Library the AARP Driver Safety Program will be held May 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. To register call the in- structor, Bob Fish at 3630455.

Tuesday, May 10 at 2 p.m., Coffee, Cookies and Crayolas for adults looking for a relaxing, satisfying pastime sampling coloring books for adults along with coffee and cookies. All supplies will be provided.

Tuesday, May 10 at 4 p.m., After-school Art: Gift for Grandma. Elementary school children can create personal gifts and cards for their grandmothers. All materials supplied.

Wednesday, May 11 at 4 p.m., After-school Science: Pop Up Grocery Tour. Educators from Eat Smart NY at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County will show students how to be smart supermarket shoppers, saving money and making healthier food choices. They will offer delicious samples of healthful snacks.

Free movie

The Wednesday matinee at the Sullivan Free Library in Chittenango on May 11 at 1 p.m. is ti- tled “The Lady in the Van,” 2016, PG-13, running 104 minutes, starring Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings. The movie is based on a true story by playwright Alan Bennet. Admission and popcorn are free; viewers can supply their own snacks and beverage.

Chicken barbecue

The Town of Madison Historical Society will host a chicken barbecue at the Madison Historical Society building (the old American Legion) at 3606 South St. on Saturday, May 14 beginning at 10:30 a.m.

This is a take-out meal only. Call Ed Jeffers at 368-3871 or Diane Van Slyke at 729-8323 to preorder.

Tickets are $10 for a full meal, $7 for a half chicken.

As part of Madison’s bicentennial, the Town of Madison Historical Society will host Linda Ford, who will give a free presentation on “Madison Foremothers: Wives and Wanderers” at the historical society on Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m.

After the presentation, Ford will lead a cemetery walk behind the building with refreshments following.

For more information or directions, call Van Slyke at 729-8323.

Garage sale

Garage sale items have been coming in and there are many wonderful items from furniture, antiques, art and decorative objects for the Madison County Historical Society’s Garage Sale Fundraiser on May 20 and 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Madison County Historical Society’s Restoration Fund.

Restoration of the 1850 Gothic Revival period home is an ongoing process.

The society is still accepting donations, so please contact them to make last minute arrangements.

All items accepted are tax deductible to the full extent of the Internal Revenue Code.

Tax receipt forms will be furnished when items are received.

It is hoped you will donate an item, join them and tell your friends about the historical society’s garage sale fundraiser on May 20 and 21 at the Madison County Historical Society at Cottage Lawn.