'Tie-ing' life skills together

Those familiar with Dan Flaherty, the mild mannered leader of the Oil Region Library Association, knows he dresses casual for the most part. He is usually pretty put together,  always neat and generally color coordinated, but he is not necessarily garnished with a tie.

Like many men of his generation or older who have in their basic life-skills toolbox tie tying knowledge, Flaherty admits he really only knows one way to tie a tie.

On Thursday, as part of the Franklin Library series for teens "Adulting 101," Flaherty found himself up in front of a small group of teens showing them how to tie that one neck-tie knot he was taught many years ago and still uses today.

"I wanted to teach them how to tie a Windsor," he said as he struggled through a YouTube tutorial minutes before the start of the class. "Nope, can't figure it out," he reluctantly admitted.

While he demonstrated his technique, he explained some of the practical reasons for having this knowledge in their life-skills bag of tricks.

Job interviews for one, impressing a significant other, being respectful at a funeral or wedding and sometimes just to look a little spiffy, he explained.

​The class was offered as part of the "Adulting 101" April class series about clothing basis. Other classes this month focuses of simple sewing, taking measurements, running a clothing boutique and using a laundry mat. Overall, the nearly yearlong "Adulting 101" will touch on a variety of useful, everyday skills. 

“The overall goal is to equip teens with a wide array of life skills to take with them into their adult lives while also introducing them to different career options and building relationships between the teens and their community,” said Diadre Green, teen services coordinator for Oil Region Library Association.

Themes for the remainder of the year include the following:​

• May – Car Maintenance.
• June – Knowing Your Body & Communication (Learning about vitals, CPR, and the correct way to communicate with your peers).
• July – Budgeting & Handling Money.
• August – Lawn Care & Power Tool Safety.
• September – Connecting to the Arts & Your Community.
• October – IT & Technology.
• November – Electricity & Plumbing.
• December – Safety.

Specific class times, days and locations vary month to month. Contact the library for the details on each month or watch for announcements through their Facebook page. 

"Adulting 101" is being funded by a grant from the William and Elizabeth Fund for the Trades, which means all teens, regardless of their library card status, can participate for free in as many workshops as they would like each month. The only requirement, other than age, is that participants preregister for what they would like to attend.

To sign up, complete the form on the ORLA website at www.oilregionlibraries.org/youth/teens.
Community members may volunteer to help teach classes and host field visits by connecting Green at [email protected].
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To read a previous story on the work shops click here:
http://www.8and322.com/eight--322/new-library-program-aims-to-teach-teens-skills-for-adulthood