SPRING 2026 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Expressions of Health: DMYFS (Durham Middlefield Youth & Family Services) will create a series of 10 workshops to help with coping skills and self-awareness. An exhibition gallery will be held at the end of the series. This continues a successful pilot project.
Human Library: The International Human Library is a Danish concept that was piloted last year in our community, led by Carol Bufithis. People will sign up (at Levi Coe Library) to learn from human “books” about, for example, religion, natural disasters and nationality.
Music Jams: Middlefield Park & Rec will sponsor weekly jams with musicians and volunteers to acquaint beginners in various styles such as bluegrass, jazz, singer-song writing, ukelele, etc. Jam etiquette and different instrument sounds will also be taught.
Lego Robotics: The Durham Public Library’s popular robotics project will expand to older kids, grades 5-8. This STEM program is already available to younger grades, 1-4, and now it will be available with kits and workshops for older grades.
Pop Up Art: Levi Coe Library will offer four sessions in various art mediums – two for kids 8-12 and two for adults 13+, with 15 participating in each session. The goal is to expand creativity, reduce stress and encourage use of craft books.
Storytelling: Two storytellers will be engaged by the Middlefield Historical Society to research and teach the history of the Middlefield waterways. Part of the town’s 250th celebration, the storytellers will work with RSD 13 students in grades 2-4.
Strong Sensory Walk: Girl Scout Troop 62027 will plan, get permits for and create a sensory walk down the paved sidewalk on Pickett Lane, from Strong School to the Gaga Pit, focusing on sensory activities painted on the ground along the way.
Memory Kits: Levi Coe Library will create kits recommended by the Alzheimer’s Association for library patrons to utilize, including simple puzzles, matching cards and games. All components are designed to encourage positive interaction.
Prepared and Empowered: Following up last year’s successful discussion series, Durham and Middlefield Social Services will again run classes for age 55+ residents in life planning and navigating senior living challenges, including a new section on Artificial Intelligence.
While the grants were awarded in June, representatives of the 18 grants were invited to an October reception and introduced to those attending. Pictured are the grantees who were at the gathering and talked about their projects: l-r, Andrew Ehler (soccer coach training); Aubrey Keurajian (outdoor enrichment programs on raptors and foraging); Kathy Bottini (CRHS and first graders reading program on sharing and kindness); Allison Glassman (CRHS unified cooking club); Leah Gastler (Durham’s America 250 Revolutionary War reenactment); Claudia White (DMYFS, towns’ senior services and Giving Garden cooking/meal program for seniors and youth); Leslie Bulion (two grants, providing workshops at Durham Library and CRHS for poetry writing, with time spent at White’s Farm).