Wilton Library Association Newsletter
March 2003
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in this issue
-- Expansion News
-- March Art Exhibit - WiltonWaterWorks
-- Wilton Creative WaterWorks on March 29th
-- Activities for the Younger Set
-- Smart Women Finish Rich
-- Computer Classes on Internet Skills and Microsoft Word
-- Breakfast and Property Revaluation Forum
-- Wilton Garden Club/WLA Programs
-- "FISH! "
-- Two Literature Programs at the Library
-- Teen Alert! Another Mystery in the Library
-- Mailing Costs at the Library
Greetings!
Expansion News
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We are moving through the phases necessary for funding now,
although we continue to work on design and function of the expansion/renovation.
An essential part of funding the $8.7 million project (in addition
to our ambitious private fund raising goal of $3.2 million) is our
request for a bonding issue of $5.5 million to be placed on the May
ballot for voter consideration. To put that amount in perspective with
recent town spending, Wilton has committed roughly $60 million for
school construction in the past decade and about $12 million for the
purchase of open space. The now postponed "Municipal Campus" project
was estimated to require at least $12 million for its completion, although
that number was never finally confirmed before the project was withdrawn
from consideration.
The Board of Selectmen, at their February 24th meeting, voted to reduce the
amount of the bond request to $4.8 million. The cut of $700,000 is obviously
significant to the project, but it is interesting to note that it would amount
to about $5 per household per year over the 18- 20 year life of the bond.
Thanks to those of you who attended the meeting and/or expressed your feelings
regarding the project and its funding via letters to the editors of our local
papers and to members of the boards of Selectmen and Finance. The Board of
Finance will consider the Selectmen's bonding request Monday night, March 3rd,
but the final amount for the proposed appropriation will not be set until April.
Through the process, your expression of opinion is critical. Please
encourage your friends and acquaintances to make their views known
as well. If you have questions regarding the project, please don't
hesitate to email me at kcleeds@wiltonlibrary.org. If you wish
to contact your elected representatives via email, their addresses
are:
Board of Selectmen
- Paul Hannah paul.hannah@wiltonct.org
- Maria Napier mpnap@aol.com
- Robert Graham rachaelsdad@prodigy.net
- Marilyn Gould marilyngould@wiltonhistorical.org
- Alice Ayers alicea3341@aol.com
- William Brennan brennan@discovernet.com
- Robert Kelso RKelso5360@aol.com
- Richard Dubow RJDconsult@aol.com
- Jeffrey G. Rutishauser jeffruti@optonline.net
- Carl Zuanelli Iraczone@aol.com
- Andy Mais Andy@andymais.com
- Wilton Bulletin editor@wiltonbulletin.com
- Wilton Villager dbertoli@wiltonvillager.com
- Monday, March 17, 5:30 - 7 p.m. for our Center neighbors and local businesses
- Sunday, March 23, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.for the Wilton community
- Sunday, April 27, 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m.for the Wilton community
Check out our virtual expansion site
March Art Exhibit - WiltonWaterWorks
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As part of the WaterWorks Festival, the Library will host an
exhibit throughout the month of March of student work created for this
wonderful event. Student art celebrating water, water creatures, and
the watershed in general will demonstrate both their creativity and
their appreciation for our environment. Please join the student artists
who come to the opening reception March 5th at 6:30 p.m. You will be
treated to a concert and refreshments and a fabulous show.
Wilton Creative WaterWorks on March 29th
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Since the summer, we have been engaged in a wonderful collaboration
with the Wilton Public Schools that will culminate in a community event
to benefit the Library. Gifted musician and composer Chris Brubeck
is currently creating a work of music that will be performed on the
stage at the Wilton High School Performing Arts Center at 5:00 pm on
March 29th as part of the third annual Wilton Library Evening of the
Arts celebration. Hundreds of poems on the subject of water and watersheds
were submitted by Wilton K-12 students this fall for consideration
by a panel of judges. Chris has been inspired by the words of these
young poets and their words will be spoken and sung by student and
professional performers accompanied by an orchestra he has assembled.
Art work on display at the Library will be moved to the Zellner Gallery
at the Performing Arts Center so that concert attendees will be able
to enjoy the art exhibit as well.
Thanks go to corporate sponsors WATERWORKS, Fleet Bank, Greenfield Online,
and Workman Press for their underwriting of the project.
This is truly a community-wide creative effort and earliest reports
indicate it will be a performance and exhibition you will not want
to miss. Tish Brubeck reports, upon hearing her husband's music composed
just for the evening of the 29th, "There won't be a dry eye in the
house!" Join us for a wonderfully unique Wilton event that celebrates
what is best about the town in which we live.
As in past years, dinners and cocktail parties at the homes of generous guests
will round out the evening for those who choose to attend following this festival
of creativity celebrating our children's talent and their awareness of our
environment. For more information or to receive an invitation, please call
the Library at 762-3950.
Activities for the Younger Set
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We have two special programs at the beginning of March for
our youngest patrons:
- On Wednesday, March 5th, from 4-5 pm, Shamrock Shenanigans will include Strange Potatoes Irish entertainment, crafts and snacks for kids ages 3-6. This program carries a $5 per child fee - $4 for Young Readers.
- On Thursday, March 6th, from 4-5 pm, our wonderful Book Voyagers book discussions for 3rd and 4th grade boys and girls and their parents will feature a talk about Frindle by Andrew Clements.This wonderful parent/child opportunity is provided in part by grants from the Connecticut Council on the Humanites, Southern Connecticut Library Council, and the Fairfield County Community Foundation. Aditional sessions will take place on March 20th and April 3rd at the same time.
Smart Women Finish Rich
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Diane Bensen of Morgan Stanley will discuss financial matters
for women on Thursday evening, March 6th at 7 pm. Don't believe that
it's "not your job" to be informed about family and individual finances!
Join us for some very important - and free - counseling from an expert.
Computer Classes on Internet Skills and Microsoft Word
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Computer guru Mary Anne Franco will lead a hands-on class in
basic Internet skills on Wednesday, March 5th, from 8:30-10 am. Prospective
students need no Internet experience, but should know how to use a
mouse. Mary Anne will teach her students intermediate Microsoft Word
on Wednesday, March 19th, from 8:30 to 10 am.
Students should register in advance as space is limited and the classes are extremely popular. There is a fee of $15 for Friends of the Library and $20 for others (proceeds help to fund future programs). Come benefit from these user friendly learning sessions before hours in the Reference Area of the Library.
Breakfast and Property Revaluation Forum
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Wondering about how the recent property revaluation will impact
your family or business budget next year? Come have coffee and breakfast
with our First Selectman and Tax Assessor to get the real scoop --
it may not be as bad as you had feared! This forum, co- sponsored by
the Wilton Library and the Wilton Chamber of Commerce, is designed
to answer questions you may have on commercial and residential property
revaluations. The program is free and all are invited.
Wilton Garden Club/WLA Programs
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The Wilton Garden Club and the Library have joined forces to
present two wonderful garden conservation and environmental awareness
programs. All are invited to on Thursday evenings March 20th and 27th
at 7 pm in the Community Room. On the 20th, we will hear Dan Dalton,
a licensed arborist, landscaper and environmentalist talk about our
backyards and the easy steps we can take to make the most of our conservation
efforts. On the 27th, a panel of experts will discuss specific subjects
such as managing pests without pesticides and how to handle invasive
plants. Michael Nadeau (environmentalist), Greg Waters (arborist),
Nancy Faesy (Water Conservation Committee) and Lillian Willis (Norwalk
River Watershed Committee) will be among the guest speakers. Don't
miss these two informative presentations - the snow and cold weather
will soon be behind us!
"FISH! "
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Join Dr. Michael Crystal to learn how to bring energy, passion,
and a positive attitude to your work and your life on Friday, March
28th from 9 to 11:15. The program fee is $39.95 for Chamber members
and $49.95 for non-members. Advance registration is required - call
the Library (762-3950) or the Chamber (762-0567). Entitled "FISH!" and
developed from the book by the same name, this seminar will quite possibly
change your outlook on life!
Two Literature Programs at the Library
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Wilton High School teachers Dr. Joanna Ecke and Max Gabrielson
will discuss classical influences in New England Poetry of Henry David
Thoreau and Robert Frost from 2-3 on Sunday, March 23rd. Those of you
who have heard either teacher before can attest to the fact that this
is sure to be an engaging, entertaining and enlightening talk! The
Library is so pleased to once again have the teaching talent of our
school system available for our avid lifetime learners. Register early
for this wonderful session to be held in the Community Room as space
(as you undoubtedly know) is limited.
Bring your lunch and your opinions to a discussion of Louise Erdrich's "Love Medicine", led by the tremendously literate and popular leader, Susan Boyar. Wilton Library Readers has entered its third year of meetings and between 20 and 30 participants take part in each discussion. There is no fee for the program and no registration is necessary. This session is slated for Wednesday, March 12th between noon and 1 pm.
Teen Alert! Another Mystery in the Library
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7th and 8th graders will gather on Saturday, March 22nd from
6-9 pm to solve a mystery at the Library. Participating 7th and 8th
graders will be assigned a book character upon registration, come in
the costume of that character, and join others for dinner and the mystery's
solution over the course of the evening. Pasta dinners are donated
by Portofino Restaurant. This program was a resounding success when
it was run for high schoolers last month (30 attended!), so get your
registration in early! There is a $5 fee for participation.
Mailing Costs at the Library
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Recently I received a call from a patron who was concerned
about the amount the Library was spending on the various mailings he
had received in past months. I was glad to hear of his concern - for
it made me aware that many may not realize how much we rely on local
businesses to underwrite our publications. A great deal of the success
of our programs, services and fund raising events is due to the generosity
of the business community, and we are fortunate to be able largely
through business donations to publicize our efforts widely. I mentioned
last month that we are particularly grateful to Paul's Prosperous Printing
for the cost of our monthly "What's Happening" postcards you may have
received. Our quarterly "Friends First" newsletter has been underwritten
in the past by the Ridgefield Bank. Our Annual Report and Wilton Business
Directory have been funded by the Wilton Bank. Almost without exception,
the invitations to our various fund raisers are sponsored by businesses
or individuals. We really do believe that getting the word out about
all we are doing is important - we have so much to offer those who
live and work in Wilton!
Contact Information
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email: library@wiltonlibrary.org
voice: 203-762-3950
web: http://www.wiltonlibrary.org
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