This evening in the Brubeck Room at 7, the library is hosting Roxanne Coady, owner of R. J. Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT in Book Chat with Roxanne Coady: The Book That Changed My Life. Besides being a very successful entrepreneur who has hosted some of today's most accomplished authors, Ms. Coady has compiled a book of essays by many of the authors speaking about books that have impacted them greatly. The work is titled, The Book That Changed My Life: 71 Remarkable Writers Celebrate the Books That Mattered Most to Them. People are invited to hear Ms. Coady speak about her wonderful experiences with the authors, her business enterprise in Madison and how she created the idea for her book, with editing by Joy Johannessen. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Holiday storiesChildren in grades K-3 are treated to a special story hour on Saturday, December 9 from 3 - 4 p.m. with Holiday Stories. Folktales from different countries highlight the tradition and customs followed by people around the world. There is no charge for the story hour. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Drop-In Story Times are on Tuesday, December 12 from 10:15-10:45 for children ages 2-5. There is no charge for the program and there is no registration.
Story Time with Mr. and Mrs. Claus takes place on Thursday, December 14 from 6-6:30 p.m. for kids ages 3-6. Children will be able to hear stories and talk with Santa. There is no charge for the program and no registration.
Artist makes an impressionThe opening artist's reception for Tina Waring Ackerman--Wilton Landscapes and More is on Sunday, December 10 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The Wilton resident's exhibition of more than forty paintings represents what she calls her "Connecticut Impressionists" work. Patrons will recognize many of the landscapes Ms. Waring has depicted in her collection of oils, watercolors, pastels and prints. According to Ms. Waring, "Having done portraiture for years, my approach to landscapes is as though I were doing a portrait.I want [the viewer] to recognize the experience of being there as if you were seeing a familiar face." The exhibit runs through Friday, December 29. The paintings are available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the library. For information: 762-3950.
Gingerbread house decoratingDecorating gingerbread houses is a familiar pastime during the holiday season, but with the library's creative children's assistant Lesley Keogh at the helm, the wacky houses may not look like anything grandma used to lovingly put together. Kids in grades 4-6 get to show their creativity in making "non-traditional" gingerbread houses on Sunday, December 10 from 2-3 p.m. Materials fee is $5 per child/$4 for Young Readers. Advance registration is required by calling the library at 762-3950 ext. 248.
More creativity for kidsThe library is hosting days and days of holiday crafts for children of all ages. From Tuesday, December 12 through Saturday, December 23, Twelve Days of Drop-In Christmas Crafts will be available during library hours. Starting Friday, December 15 through Friday, December 22, children can make Hanukkah crafts with Eight Days of Drop-In Hanukkah Crafts and Thursday and Friday, December 28 and 29, Drop-In Kwanzaa Crafts will be set up for kids to get creative. There is no charge for any of the holiday crafts and no registration. Visiting family and friends are invited to chaperone, help or come create for themselves. For information: 762-3950.
Creativity for Adults--Wine PairingsIt is always a creative challenge to pair the right wines with holiday meals, or to bring the right wine to a holiday party. On Thursday, December 14, Dave Helman, a wine industry expert, will help take the guess work out of the dilemma and show some inspired creativity for hosts and guests alike. Dave discusses wine pairing tips to help guide people through the wines to serve at a cocktail party, to pair with holiday meals and to bring without stressing or overspending. Dave has been involved with the food and wine business for more than 25 years, having first developed his passion for the fruit and vine while working in Oregon. According to Helman, "I'm a big believer that wine should be fun and not snobbish." There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Holiday Shopping at the LibraryPatrons are reminded that the library is an excellent source for gifts for the book lover on anyone's list. Whether it is new or like-new books, CDs and DVDs from the holiday book sale cart, or tote bags, mouse pads and travel mugs with the library's logo and sporting the new green accent color, or gifts to the library's collection and programs from the Giving Tree, there are options galore. For more information on any of the items, call 762-3950 or stop by the library Monday and Friday, 10-6, Tuesday through Thursday 10-7, Saturday, 10-5 and Sunday, 1-5. The library is closed on Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) so patrons are reminded not to wait too long before buying their gifts. For information: 762-3950.