Wilton Plan of Conservation & Development

Monday, June 1, 7:00-9:30 pm
The Planning and Zoning Commission has drafted a long range land use plan for Wilton. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn about the Plan and tell P&Z if it reflects their visions for Wilton’s future. The draft Plan can be reviewed prior to the meeting online at www.wiltonct.org/departments/planningAndZoning.html. Paper copies will be available for review by May 18 at the Wilton Library reference desk and in the Planning and Zoning Department in the Town Hall Annex. The meeting is open to the public. No registration required.

Weathering the Economic Storm:

Health Insurance Panel Discussion
Monday, June 1, 7–8:30 pm
Wilton Social Services and Wilton Library co-sponsor this Health Insurance panel discussion. Panelists include Kathleen Misset, Organizational & Skill Development Consultant and Project Manager at the Department of Social Services and Larry Cass, President and Founder, Alliance Benefits Solutions. The presentation addresses the HUSKY program for families and the Charter Oak program for adults, with handouts and materials for both programs. Registration suggested.

Hands-on Computer Classes:

Basic Excel
Tuesday, June 2, 6:30-8 pm
CLASS FILLED; SIGN UP FOR WAITLIST.   Mary Anne Franco shows how to create and edit spreadsheets in Excel 2003 in this free class. Basic computer skills, including mouse proficiency, required. Advance registration required. Class limited to 10 students. PLEASE NOTE: When class is full, additional registrants will be added to a wait list. If any original registrants drop out, people from the wait list will be moved up to take the vacated spot. ALSO: To insure the best learning experience for all, latecomers will not be seated ten minutes past the posted start time. The door to the Training Lab will be closed at that time.

Let’s Chat

Learn to Speak Conversational English
Tuesday, June 2, 7-8:30 pm
Learn to speak conversational English in this free 6-week program  for adults. Last of six sessions.  Registration required.

Domestic Violence Task Force

Information and Reception
Wednesday, June 3, 7-8:30 pm
Are you concerned about the high number of domestic violence incidents in Wilton (remember all those purple ribbons on trees throughout Wilton Center last October)? Are you worried about the likelihood that Wilton teens will be victims of dating violence? Do you have a friend, relative, or neighbor that you suspect may be suffering in an abusive relationship? Do you want to help build awareness in our town of both the problem and the help that exists to address it? Please join members of the Wilton Domestic Violence Task Force to learn about the part you can play in educating the Wilton community about the many types of Domestic Violence that occur in our community. Advance registration is suggested.

Divorce: The Three-Legged Stool
Tuesday, June 4, 8:30-10:30 am
A multi-dimensional workshop addressing the legal, financial, and psychological issues involved in divorce. This workshop will consist of a multi-disciplinary panel discussion, then individual breakout sessions concentrating on each “leg of the stool.”  Divorce professionals, attorneys, financial planners, and those contemplating or participating in a divorce will learn practical, cost-effective strategies that will not only benefit the couple, but ensure the particular needs of their children. Presenters include: Elizabeth Cox, Certified Financial Planner, Wilton, CT (www.coxfinancialservices.com); Ann Reeves, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist, Wilton, CT; and Maurice Segall, Esq., Attorney Mediator, Stamford and Wilton, CT (www.ctmediation.com). Registration recommended.

Hands-on Computer Classes:

Basic Excel
Thursday, June 4, 12:30-2 pm
CLASS FILLED; SIGN UP FOR WAITLIST.  Mary Anne Franco shows how to create and edit spreadsheets in Excel 2003 in this free class. Basic computer skills, including mouse proficiency, required. Advance registration required. Class limited to 10 students. PLEASE NOTE: When class is full, additional registrants will be added to a wait list. If any original registrants drop out, people from the wait list will be moved up to take the vacated spot. ALSO: To insure the best learning experience for all, latecomers will not be seated ten minutes past the posted start time. The door to the Training Lab will be closed at that time.

Author Talk: Wilton’s Anna Raimondi

Talking to the Dead in Suburbia
Thursday, June 4, 7-8:30 pm
Anna Raimondi is a wife and mother living the typical suburban life in Wilton, CT. However, unlike many of her contemporaries, Anna communicates with the spirit world! Her mission in life is to bring healing through the spirit realm, providing insight, guidance and direction to others through her intuitive abilities. Anna holds a BA in Clinical Psychology and English Literature, an MBA, and is a Licensed Hypnotherapist. Registration recommended.

Kids Program

WINRs (Wilton Intermediate Nutmeg Readers) Circle
Saturday, June 6, 3-3:45 pm
Come to the WINRs Circle, a book group that discusses the 2010 Nutmeg nominees for kids in grades 4-6. CT’s Nutmeg Award encourages children to read literature selected by a panel of state librarians. The children choose their favorite book out of ten titles. On the first Saturday of each month the WINRs Circle will meet for fun, pizza donated by Wilton Pizza and discussion. June’s book discussion is Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard. Registration is required. Program made possible by HSBC Bank.

Write Yourself Free:

A Workshop for Writers and Others Who Want to Write
Monday June 8, 7-9 pm
This two-hour workshop is designed both for published writers and for those who feel that they want to write, but don’t have a writer’s toolbox. ‘Write Yourself Free’ is designed by Susan Bedsow Horgan, CPCC, Emmy award-winning producer/writer from daytime television, screenwriter, and personal life coach and by Patrick McCord, a college professor specializing in writing instruction and cognitive narration. Susan and Patrick bring their varied experience to address some of the intrinsic issues and difficulties in creative- and nonfiction-writing. This workshop will offer strategies for conceptualizing projects, tapping inspiration, overcoming blocks, and understanding the story as a fundamental form of logic and communication.  Patrick McCord has a PhD in Cognitive Narrative Theory (English) from the University of Georgia; he is an award-winning poet, published short story author, and he has sold teleplays and a screenplay. Before launching his own writing career, he worked in project development at both NY’s Circle in the Square and LA’s Mark Taper Forum. As a college professor, he has specialized in story- and identity-cognition in film and literature. His writing students at the University of South Carolina, Upstate, were regular award winners in the annual university-wide competitions. Patrick believes that a lively imagination is essential to enjoying life, and that writing can charge and even transform the imagination.

Reception for Weir Farm Artist in Residence

Frank Meuschke
Wednesday, June 10, 6–7:30 pm
Frank Meuschke is an artist whose work explores landscape via paintings, photography, and sculpture. His most recent work focuses on painting landscapes of the lower Hudson River. He will be in residence at the Weir Farm Art Center May 18 through June 14. Co-sponsored by Weir Farm Art Center and Weir Farm National Historic Site and presented by Wilton Library.  Registration suggested.

Wilton High School Film Festival
Wednesday, June 10, 7:30–8:30 pm
For the sixth consecutive year, Wilton High School Video Production students have assembled the best of their video projects to be viewed by the public. The screenings take place in Wilton Library’s Brubeck Room. Advance registration is suggested. Co-sponsored by Wilton High School and Wilton Library.

Day Trip to Kykuit

and Historic Union Church
Thursday, June 11, 8:30 am
Wilton Library and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church co-sponsor a day trip to Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate, includes a tour of the house, art galleries, gardens close to the house, golf room, and Coach Barn with its collection of classic autos and horse-drawn vehicles. Day also includes Union Church of Pocantico Hills. Lunch at Sunset Cove overlooking the Hudson River. Cost of trip, including lunch – $75. Bus leaves promptly at 9 a.m. Payment with registration must be complete by Thursday, June 4, in order to finalize luncheon plans. To register, call 203-762-3950 or stop by the Circulation Desk.

Wilton Energy Commission Meeting

Thursday June 11, 7-9:30 pm
The Wilton Energy Commission meeting will include introductions of Matthew Salla – a WEC Summer Intern leading the ICLEI analysis, and Natalie Berland – Clean Air-Cool Planet’s Summer Climate Fellow. Natalie is developing an overview of what local communities across the state are doing on climate and energy and beginning to draft a handbook for community energy action. Other topics to be addressed during the meeting include the approach to the ICLEI Carbon Footprint Analysis project, an update on Wilton P&Z’s Plan of Conservation and Development, workgroup status updates, publication of biweekly conservation and sustainability articles in local Wilton newspapers and an outline of topics for future articles, along with Phase II Communications Strategy. This meeting is open to the public.

Adair Burlingham Memorial Lecture:

J. Alden Weir at The World’s Columbian Exposition
Thursday, June 11, 7:30 – 9 pm
Joan Kaskell discusses J. Alden Weir’s commissioned work for the 1893 World’s Columbian Fair in Chicago providing insight not only into his own work and artistic development, but also to an aspect of the development of the burgeoning nation. Art historian Joan Macy Kaskell did her undergraduate work at Wellesley College, later receiving her MA in art history from Hunter College in New York. For many years Staff Lecturer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  Joan also gives gallery talks and has spoken on a variety of art topics at the Wilton Library. Talk is co-sponsored by Weir Farm Art Center and Weir Farm National Historic Site and presented by the Wilton Library. Reception follows. Registration encouraged.

“Cast of Beatlemania”

Fund-raiser for Wilton Library
Saturday, June 13, 7:30 pm
Wilton Library presents the “’Cast’ of Beatlemania” at the Clune Center at Wilton High School, featuring an A-List Beatles tribute band in concert performing all your favorites. Sponsored by two anonymous Friends of Wilton Library. Tickets are $100, $60, and $30. The $100 ticket includes a pre-performance meet the musicians, cocktails & light supper at Wilton Library from 5:30 – 7:15 p.m. Reservations highly encouraged – only a limited number of tickets will be available at the door.

Online ticket sales have closed.
Tickets are still available at the Library or you may purchase tickets at the door starting at 6:45 pm on Saturday at the Clune Auditorium. Both $30 and $15 student tickets will be available.

Friends of the Wilton Library

Annual Meeting
Sunday, June 14, 4-6:30 pm
Wilton Library Association’s Friends of the Library 114th Annual Meeting: general meeting and election of officers; Exit 43, a folk/rock/gospel acoustic band with local Wiltonian Andy ‘A.J.’ Gundell and Scarlett Lee Moore, Suzanne Sheridan and Ed Thompson performing harmonies reminiscent of Crosby, Stills & Nash meets James Taylor.  Reception after meeting. Open to the public.  Registration recommended. Library closes at 4 pm. Call library for details. 203-762-3950 ext270

Third Tuesday Songwriters’ Circle

Tuesday, June 16, 11–12:30 pm
Monthly get-together for songwriters “in the round,” followed by time for a brown bag lunch in the Courtyard, weather permitting. Participants are encouraged to share work or work-in-progress, listen, meet writing partners. Registration preferred.

Hands-on Computer Classes:

Basic PowerPoint
Tuesday, June 16, 6:30-8 pm
CLASS FILLED; SIGN UP FOR WAITLIST.  Mary Anne Franco shows how to create presentations for PowerPoint 2003 in this free class. Basic computer skills, including mouse proficiency, required. Advance registration required. Class limited to 10 students. PLEASE NOTE: When class is full, additional registrants will be added to a wait list. If any original registrants drop out, people from the wait list will be moved up to take the vacated spot. ALSO: To insure the best learning experience for all, latecomers will not be seated ten minutes past the posted start time. The door to the Training Lab will be closed at that time.

Social Networking for Adults

Keeping Abreast of New Ways to Network Online
Tuesday, June 16, 7–8:30 pm
Rich Gee returns to Wilton Library to give an overview to adults of Internet sites that can be used for networking such as Facebook and Twitter. Advance registration suggested.

Services for Seniors:

Helping Seniors to Remain in Their Own Homes
Wednesday, June 17, 10:30 – noon
Lea Mintz, the community liaison with the Family and Children’s Agency in Norwalk, returns with an encore discussion about helping seniors maintain their independence by remaining in their own homes, so very important not only to many seniors, but also to their children or caregivers. The talk provides tips and strategies for keeping seniors safe and independent at home. A LifeLine coupon for free installation and 2 months free service will be available for each attendee. Advance registration suggested.

Author Talk: Dr. Richard Frank

Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope
Thursday, June 18, 11 am–12:30 pm
Dr. Richard Frank discusses his recently published book Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope, a guide for patients, caregivers and health professionals that allows patients and family members to understand important concepts about treatment and care. Dr. Frank provides a ‘how-to’ approach for all of those involved in the decision-making that occurs when confronted with a diagnosis that can lead to a bewildering array of questions and options. He suggests questions to ask the physician and reviews the different choices in treatment in simple terms the layman can understand. Richard C. Frank, M.D., is director of cancer research, Whittingham Cancer Center, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, CT, and medical director, Mid-Fairfield Hospice. Registration suggested. Talk followed by a Q&A. Books available for purchase and signing following the talk.

Hands-on Computer Classes:

Basic PowerPoint
Thursday, June 18, 12:30-2 pm
Mary Anne Franco shows how to create presentations for PowerPoint 2003 in this free class. Basic computer skills, including mouse proficiency, required. Advance registration required. Class limited to 10 students. PLEASE NOTE: When class is full, additional registrants will be added to a wait list. If any original registrants drop out, people from the wait list will be moved up to take the vacated spot. ALSO: To insure the best learning experience for all, latecomers will not be seated ten minutes past the posted start time. The door to the Training Lab will be closed at that time.

Drop-in Father’s Day Crafts

Saturday, June 20, 10 am–5 pm
Children of all ages can stop by during regular library hours and make a craft to take home. No registration, made possible by the Coyle Family Young Readers Fund.

Dive into Reading

Summer Reading Program at Wilton Library
Monday June 22 through Saturday, June 27
This is registration week for Wilton Library’s summer reading program for kids, “Dive into Reading.” Program activities begin June 24 through Aug. 14 with crafts, story times, movies, musical entertainment and much more for kids up to age 12. Children can register for the program this week and color in their Dive into Reading posters.

Seaside Carnival

Monday, June 22, 2-4 pm
Come one, come all to Wilton Library’s Seaside Carnival to celebrate the beginning of the summer reading program, “Dive into Reading.”  Have fun with games, entertainment, food, activities and a bounce house.  Enjoy a special visit from SpongeBob!  Children of all ages are invited.  No registration required.  Sponsored by The Coyle Family Young Readers Fund.

Red Cross Baby Sitting Training

Tuesday, June 23 and Wednesday, June 24, 10 am–1:30 pm
CLASS FILLED; CALL TO BE PLACED ON WAIT LIST.  Two-day workshop conducted by the Red Cross for students ages 11-15. Upon completion of the course, all students will receive a babysitting certification. Cost is $60 per student due before class. To register, call Teen Librarian Susan Lauricella at (203) 762-3950 x.243 (no online registration). Once placed on the list, the patron must send a $60 check made out to the Wilton Library to Susan in order to hold the spot. Maximum of 12 per class. Students should bring drinks and/or snacks to class.

Wilton Farmers’ Market

Wednesdays, June 24-September 30, 12-4 pm
Farm-fresh produce and fresh-baked breads and pies are just some of the offerings that are available to those who come to the new Wilton Farmers’ Market, in the back parking lot at Wilton Library. The market will be open each Wednesday through the summer, from 12-4 pm.  The library and the Chamber of Commerce, along with town officials, have been hard at work to bring this dream to a reality.  We’re  up and running and want everyone to come and purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, free range eggs, homemade jams, herbs, and fresh cut flowers along with fresh bread and pies. Our vendors include Wilton’s own Ambler Farm and Wave Hill Breads, Michele’s Pies, Killam & Bassette Farmstead, Schulze Farm, OLA Granola, Izzy B’s Allergen-Free Cupcakes, and Twombly Nursery. Additional vendors may be added throughout the summer as we get established, so continue to come by and check us out.

Dive into Reading

Family Event to Kick-Off Summer Reading Program
Wednesday, June 24, 2–3 pm
Terry Parrett will present a ‘just-for-fun’ comedy show of magic, mirth, and mystery. Terry combines amazing magic, hilarious comedy, story-telling, and audience participation into a program that will delight kids of all ages. Although the program is designed for kids ages 5-11, younger children will enjoy the program as well. (Adults will have a great time too!) Registration is required. No program fee. Made possible by The Coyle Family Young Readers Fund.

Have Your Cake and Read it Too!

Child/Adult Book Discussion
Thursday, June 25, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Join our Kid’s Book Club for children in grades 3 and up; dessert will be served and adults will be included. Children and their adults will read the book selection and then join us for discussion. This month’s book is Scat by Carl Hiaasen. No program fee, registration is recommended. Made possible by the Coyle Family Young Readers Fund.

JOBS! JOBS? JOBS:

Making The Most of Being Employed
Thursday, June 25, 7:00-8:30 pm
Wilton Library welcomes back Michael Crystal, Ph.D. for a talk subtitled, ‘A Workshop For Those Gainfully Employed Who Want To Stay That Way and Enjoy It! The JOBS! series has until now addressed the mostly unemployed seeking employment, Michael addresses many questions associated with the already employed who wish to remain so, by tackling the following topics: What to do/not do to minimize the chances of being laid-off; How to optimize your fulfillment at work; How to avoid/minimize ‘survivor’s syndrome’; How to embrace the imbalance that undoubtedly exists between your personal and professional lives; and How to best gauge when it’s time for you to move on. The talk will be followed by a Q&A. Presented by the Wilton Chamber of Commerce and Wilton Library.  Sponsored by Patriot National Bank. Registration preferred.

Tales to Tails

Saturday, June 27, 11 am–noon
The Good Dog Foundation brings therapy dogs to the library for children to read to them. The use of trained therapy dogs in reading programs can result in children who feel comfortable reading out loud, read more often, attempt more difficult books, and actually look forward to reading. Children must read independently to participate in this program. Children will be scheduled to read for 10 minutes and can bring a book from home or choose one from the library. Registration is required. Space is limited. Library will call to confirm registration and assign a time slot

Drop-in Crafts

Monday, June 29, 10 am-8 pm
Children of all ages can stop by during regular library hours on Mondays from June 29 through Aug. 10 and make a craft to take home based on the summer reading theme, Dive into Reading. No program fee, no registration, made possible by the Coyle Family Young Readers Fund.