written by Beverly Ewart
Life is Beautiful and Challenging
Those of us who have experienced loss—the loss of a loved one, a friendship, a home, a job, our health, a beloved pet—know the isolation that can accompany emotional pain. When we choose to love someone or something, we also accept that one day we may grieve their loss. And yet, we still believe it is worth it: to embrace the pain along with the joy, and to remain creatively and emotionally engaged in our lives.
When the Ache Remains is a thoughtful guide for navigating life’s unexpected and unwelcome changes. Check it out:
When the Ache Remains: Lessons on Tending to the Unfixable and Finding Beauty Anyway by Lisa Olivera. “Emotional pain, of all kinds and magnitudes, is part of life. We’ll never be able to find ourselves free of it; no meditation or amount of therapy will cure us of the harder parts of being alive. The practice of turning toward the ache with care – reverence, even – might be one of the most meaningful gifts we can give ourselves; it might even save us.”– Provided by the publisher.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2026, from 2:30pm – 4pm in our Paige Room, Cornell Cooperative Extension/St. Lawrence County will present a free workshop on Invasive Species in and Around the Home. Call the front desk at the library for more information. Register: bit.ly/invasives2026
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CFL will be closed for JUNETEENTH on Friday, June 19, 2026.
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Chess Club at CFL meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3–4. Tuesday is free play with Ryan Nolan and designed for those that have some experience.
Thursday’s weekly session is with Zachary Woodley-White and is designed for beginners who would like to learn how to play. We offer rudimentary instruction and a judgement free space for younger players to establish and build on their fundamentals. No registration needed, ages 12 and below. Questions? Contact Zach at zwoodleywhite@ncls.org
Grab a board, find a friend, and start a game at any open table in the Main Reading Room. Other board games are available or bring your own.
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TEEN ANIME meets on Thursdays from 5-7pm.
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Dungeons and Dragons: The Canton Free Library is running a Dungeons and Dragons campaign! This program is a beginner level program aimed at teens who are looking to learn how to play Dungeons and Dragons. Limited to ages 13-18, with no registration necessary. We will meet on the last Wednesday of each month from 4-6. Contact Zach at zwoodleywhite@ncls.org for any questions. Currently playing Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition.
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Children’s Programming at the Canton Free Library is taking a break for the month of June.
For questions, email Ms. Val at vwhite@ncls.org or
call 315-386-3712 ext. 4
Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Canton Free Library and the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau.
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MORLEY BRANCH is open Tuesday 1pm-3pm; Wednesday 4pm-6pm; Thursday 10am-12pm. Call for more information: (315) 379-0066.
RENSSELAER FALLS BRANCH is open on Tuesdays from 11am – 5pm. Call the library at (315) 344-4155 for more information.
CANTON BRANCH is open 9am-6pm Monday – Friday; 10am-3pm Saturday. Contact us at (315) 386-3712 or cantonfreelibrary.org.