Pete Hamill, author of The New York Times bestseller Snow in August, will speak at the library tonight at 7:30 p.m. as the final part in a three-month community-wide program, Wilton Reads! Mr. Hamill was born in Brooklyn in 1935 to an Irish Catholic family from Belfast, Ireland. It is this background that informs the story of Michael Devlin, the 11-year old altar boy who befriends a rabbi in the moving tale that encompasses bullying and persecution, love and redemption. The Wilton Reads! program included two book discussions at the library, a reading of the book by the sophomore class at Wilton High School and a screening of the movie last week. The program was made possible by The Wilton Bulletin, The Wilton Bank and United Way of Norwalk & Wilton. Tonight's program is free of charge. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Golfing fun at libraryTee times for the second annual Men's Night Out - Miniature Golf Among the Classics begin tomorrow night at 7:30 at the library. This fund-raiser benefits the library's collection and technology funds, and gentlemen benefit from a fun night out. The evening includes the miniature golf course that is placed throughout the stacks, a silent auction with tantalizing opportunities, including a stay at a Martha's Vineyard home, wine, scotch and cigars. This year's outing also will see the return of the Valentine's Day boutiques including chocolates, flower orders taken by Stewart Flowers for Valentine's Day delivery and handmade jewelry by Courtney Kleeman. Food and drink are a mainstay of the event with selections from Luca's, great hot dogs from Chez Lenard and cocktails from Barcelona Restaurant. The greens fees are $50 per person payable at the door by cash, check, MasterCard and Visa. The Wilton Bank is the Platinum Sponsor for the evening. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Editing digital pictures topic of seminarMary Anne and Michael Franco return on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. to help people learn how to edit their digital pictures in the seminar Digital Photography: Basic Picture Editing. From eliminating "red-eye" to adjusting photos to one's own personal preferences, the Francos discuss how to get the most out of digital pictures. Additional classes are as follows: March 4 Scan and Restore Precious Photos and May 13 Catalog Photos using Adobe Photoshop Elements. The classes are demonstration style. There are no charges for the classes. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online
High kicks for kidsLibrary staffer and black belt karate instructor David Palmieri puts kids ages 8 - 13 through some elementary karate moves on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 2 - 3 p.m. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is required for the program. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Teen program with real market, fake moneyTeens in grades 7 - 12 learn about the world of high finance in the Stock Market Game for Teens at the library for ten weeks on Mondays starting Feb. 6 through April 10 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. Teams of 2 - 4 kids will compete with other teams around the country using the real stock market, a real-time portfolio with a live trading simulation and "not-so-real" currency. Print and electronic resources at the library will be used for investment decisions. The library's own in-house stock market guru, Mike McEneaney, will give the students on-going guidance. The game is endorsed by the National Council on Economic Education. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is required in teams. The program is made possible by the John Curran Memorial Teen Fund.
Jewelry matters discussedJoe Brandt, a marketing consultant to retail jewelers, provides the basic facts about fine jewelry in this seminar entitled Jewelry 101: Practical Matters at the library on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. Important aspects of jewelry management including home security measures, general options for selling, intelligent estate planning, proper insurance guidelines and what to look for and watch out for when buying jewelry will be discussed. This is not a jewelry appraisal clinic, therefore jewelry should not be brought to the seminar. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Book groups meet this WednesdayThe Wilton Library Readers meet on Feb. 8 from noon to 1 to discuss this month's selection, Herzog by Saul Bellow. Susan Boyar leads this noon time discussion. There is no charge for the program and registration is not required. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunches to this informal gathering. The International Book Group: Literature of Other Lands also meets on Feb. 8 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. The discussion of Falling Leaves: A True Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah will be led by Mary (Wong Heung-Kwan) Holaday. This discussion takes place during the Chinese New Year-The Year of the Dog. Refreshments and an international dessert will be served. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Reminder: The library will close the fiction and non-fiction stacks one hour early at 5 p.m. tomorrow night, Feb. 3, in order to prepare for the Men's Night Out fund-raiser.