Hello!

As you can see in the newsletter below, the Library calendar is chock-full of events for kids, teens, adults, and seniors in March. Even if you aren't tempted by any of the offerings (and it's hard to imagine this line-up is resistable!), there are always reasons to stop by. Did you know that about 5,000 people a week walk through the Library's front door? And more than 10,000 a week visit our website! What's the attraction? Well, among the many attractions are:

• high speed and reliable Internet access on workstations located in four areas throughout the building, including our hands-on computer training room where frequent classes are conducted
• multiple meeting spaces that are available not only for our programs, but also for rent at very reasonable prices
• comfortable and flexible seating areas throughout the building, including our study rooms for individual and group use, an inviting "community living room" complete with fireplace, courtyard tables, benches and chairs that are heavily used in clement weather
• the Wilton History Room, where community archives are made available for public use and the history of our people, organizations, and places is preserved for posterity
• outstanding collections of books (both large and regular print), DVDs, CDs, magazines, and newspapers purchased to serve the needs of our community, providing entertainment, education, and inspiration to those of all ages and interests

Those who visit via the website in droves know they'll find:

• easy access to their own Library account, where they can reserve and renew items, or simply browse the Library's holdings
• a full listing of upcoming events at the Library, including online registration links for most
• a large selection of online research databases to answer questions about everything from business and genealogy to health and phone numbers
• links to Wilton information, including town government, schools, businesses, and the Wilton Bulletin Online.
• pages and pages of links to high-quality information on the Internet - an online library of resources hand-picked by our professional staff

Stop by - in person or online - and check us out!

Kathy Leeds, Director

As you might imagine, advance registration is required as dogs and space are limited. The Library will call to confirm registrations and assign time slots. If you have questions about this marvelous program, please call Pat Bergin at 762-3950, extension 265, for more details. We are most grateful to the dog owners who volunteer their time to help others.

Michael Moore has been at the top of the jazz bass scene since his arrival in New York in the 1960s and Gene Bertoncini is an original jazz guitarist with a pure acoustic sound who has been called "the Jazz Segovia" after the legendary classical Spanish guitarist, Andres Segovia. Reception following the performance.

This program and the Hot & Cool jazz series is funded by the William and Karen Tell Foundation with special thanks to Ed and Catherine Romer. We're very grateful also to Tish and Chris Brubeck for helping us book outstanding performers.

Advance registration is strongly suggested and pre-registrants must arrive by 3:50 pm to be guaranteed seating. After 4 pm, and if space available, wait-listed and walk-in registrants will be admitted. A suggested donation of $10 per person will allow us to continue our outstanding music offerings.

On Sunday, March 2nd, from 2 to 3:30 pm, children can enjoy cartoons made from books written by Dr. Seuss. Free goldfish crackers and lemonade will be served to all theater goers. Please note no registration is required, but that children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult and children between 8 and 12 must have an adult nearby in the Library building in case of emergency.

The following day, Monday, March 3rd, from 10 am to 8 pm, the Children's Library will have a Drop-In Dr. Seuss Crafts program. Children of all ages are invited to drop by during library hours to create a Dr. Seuss inspired craft in celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday. No registration is required - just stop by and join in the fun.

On Tuesday, March 4th, from 6:30 to 8 pm, she'll teach Basic Excel and participants will get a great introduction to spreadsheets. You'll learn to sort, compute, and organize names and addresses, numbers, or virtually any sort of information. Basic computer skills, including mouse proficiency, are required. Note that latecomers will not be seated after 6:40 pm. Please register in advance.

For those who prefer a mid-day class, the Basic Excel session will be repeated on Thursday, March 6th, from 12:30 to 2 pm. Note that latecomers will not be seated after 12:40 pm and please register in advance.

Mary Anne will teach Basic PowerPoint on Tuesday, March 25th, from 6:30 to 8 pm. Students will learn how to make simple but effective presentations - just the thing to make your next slide show or talk more interesting and professional. Note that latecomers will not be seated after 6:40 pm. Please register in advance.

A repeat of the Basic PowerPoint class will take place on Thursday, March 27th, from 12:30 to 2 pm. Note that latecomers will not be admitted after 12:40 pm and please register in advance.

Thursday, March 6th, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm ~~ We'll host the screening of episodes 1 & 2 of the wonderful BBC production of Barchester Towers. Please register in advance online.

Thursday, March 13th, from 10:30 am to 12 noon ~~ Popular discussion leader Bill Ziegler will talk about both book and film. Please register in advance online.

Thursday, March 20th, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm ~~ We'll screen installments 3 & 4 of the series. Please register in advance online.

Thursday, March 27th, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm ~~ We'll show installments 5, 6, & 7 of the series. Please register in advance online.

Thursday, March 6th, from 7 to 8:30 pm ~~ Dr. Lisa Peters will speak about J. Alden Weir and John H. Twachtman: Parallels, Convergencies, and Lifelong Friendship.

Thursday, March 13th, from 7 to 8:30 pm ~~ Samuel White, a descendant of the famous architect, Stanford White, will speak about The Architect as Client: Stanford White at Box Hill.

Thursday, March 20th, from 7 to 8:30 pm ~~ Charles Burlingham, Jr., grandson of Julian Alden Weir will play Cole Porter songs on the piano as he discusses his Memories of Weir Farm.

Individual tickets to lectures may be purchased for $15 or $40 for all three. Tickets are available at the Weir Farm Art Center and the Library prior to the lectures and at the door immediately prior to each program. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit both organizations.

This hands-on class is limited to 10 students and advance registration is required. Basic computer skills, including mouse proficiency, is required for all students. Please note that for hands-on classes, not only is pre-registration required, but you must also arrive on time to insure a great learning experience for the entire class. There will be no further seating after ten minutes past the posted start time, in this case, after 12:40 pm.

Our Spiderwick Chronicles Fairy Workshop will take place on Saturday, March 8th, from 2 to 4 pm. Children will create a Spiderwick creature--a sprite or a goblin or an ogre or a boggart. Lesley Keogh will be on hand to help make the dolls. This program is intended for kids in grades 3 and older. Please register in advance and note that space is limited.

On Monday, March 17th, from 10 am to 8 pm, children of all ages can drop by during library hours to create a St. Patrick's Day themed craft. No registration is required - just stop by and have fun.

On Monday, March 17th, from 5 to 6 pm, Children's Library staffer Lesley Keogh will hold a St. Patrick's Day storytelling celebration for children ages 4 and up. Please register in advance.

On Saturday, March 22nd, from 2 to 3 pm, families can enjoy the Norwalk Symphony Family Program: (Not) Just for Kids. This 3rd part of a 4-part series will be devoted to the percussion section of the orchestra, and children ages 3 through 10 and their families will be able to experience hands-on participation with percussion instruments. This series is sponsored by the Xerox Corporation and we ask that you register in advance.

A little later the same day (Saturday, March 22nd, from 2 to 3 pm), children in grades K-4 can enjoy Folklore and Fantasy during a very special story time. We'll read stories from the Library's extensive folktale collection. Please register in advance.

And finally, on Wednesday, March 26th, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm our new Kids' Book Club visits the 1960s! Intended for children in grades 2-6, the Kids' Book Club is more than just talking. This month kids should read a book about the 1960s, then come to the Library for a groovy craft, great music, and yummy refreshments. Please register in advance for this blast from the past!

The works will hang through Saturday, March 29th, and a portion of any sales benefits the Library's fund to purchase books and other materials about art and art instruction. Stop by to meet the artists, enjoy the refreshments, and shop!

On Tuesday, March 11th, from 4 to 5:30 pm, the topic will be Lifecare Management: Coordinating Your Parent's Care. Participants will learn what's involved in managing the care of a loved one who wishes to be cared for at home and what resources are available to assist the family. Please register in advance.

A second session will take place on Tuesday, March 25th, from 4 to 5:30 pm, when Nanette Green talks about Techniques for Coping with Stress. Stress is normal, yet also implicated as a factor in many illnesses. How you handle it makes all the difference. Participants will learn techniques to relax and achieve balance through life's ups and downs. Please register in advance.

I hope you'll join me on Tuesday, March 25th, at 11 am, to discuss one of my favorite novels, Behind the Scenes at the Museum, by Kate Atkinson. Ben McIntyre of The New York Times Book Review called the book, "Remarkable . . . full of the grimness, grit, and grandeur of Yorkshire life . . . One of the funniest books to come out of Britain in years." I know we will enjoy talking about the amazing Lennox family! This discussion will take place at the Wilton Senior Center at 80 School Road, so please call 834-6240 to register. All are welcome and I'll see you there.

The expert panel (composed of members of the Comstock Steering Committee) discussion will be followed with ample time for audience questions - this evening will be an excellent opportunity to express your needs and desires regarding the future of this Town resource. Please register in advance and spread the word!

Panelists Mark Graber, Professor of Law and Government at the University of Maryland School of Law and Owen Williams, Raoul Berger Fellow at Harvard Law School will answer the following questions about the evolving Constitution:

• How did the Constitution evolve during the first hundred years?
• To what extent did the Civil War shape the Constitution?
• How did the Constitution change in the twentieth century?
• Is the Constitution the right document to lead twenty-first century America?

This exceptional series has been made possible by grants from Devereaux A. Clifford and Family and The Wilton Bank.

The Prevailing Winds of Connecticut includes gifted performers Ralph Kirmser (oboe), Richard Epstein (bassoon), Kathy Sumerow (flute), Janet Atherton (clarinet) and Stewart Edelstein (French horn). Please register in advance for this wonderful program and note that pre-registrants must arrive by 3:50 pm to be guaranteed seating. After 3:50 pm, and if space is available, waitlisted and walk-in registrants will be admitted. There is no charge for the program, but donations are always gratefully accepted to underwrite the Library's continued efforts to bring exceptional programs to the Brubeck Room stage.

On Tuesday, March 18th, from 11 am to 12:30 pm, licensed practitioner Elspeth Beier will present Feng Shui: A Classical Approach to Harmony in the Home. Elspeth will provide guidance and direction on how to bring peace and tranquility into your home through the ancient Chinese art of feng shui, the practice of arranging objects (such as furniture) to achieve harmony within your personal environment. Please register in advance for this fascinating talk.

Later in that night, you can join spirits expert Gregg Glaser from 7 to 8:45 pm for The History and Culture of Saké, an informative and fun evening learning about and tasting the complexities of this traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. Five sakés will be sampled after a short presentation describing the liquid's production and history. Space is limited, so please reserve your seat as soon as possible. There is no charge for the program, but a donation of $10 is suggested to cover its cost.

In this lively presentation, David will present and actually demonstrate the latest and most amazing mobile gadgets, and offer his mini-critiques of each. The assortment changes monthly, of course, but past presentations have included the cellphone that offers unlimited free calls via Wi-Fi; the pocket camera that beams photos instantly onto Flickr (the photo-sharing Web site); the music player that downloads wirelessly from a catalog of 2 million songs; a folding memory card for cameras that eliminates the need for wires or card readers; the secret of getting Directory Assistance for free on your cellphone (rather than $2 per call from your carrier); the latest breakthroughs in speech recognition; and, of course, the iPhone.

Prepare to have your mind blown-and your credit card stressed. Please register in advance and strap on your seat belt! It will be a wild (and very entertaining) ride!

A book of the students' poetry will be available for purchase at both performances. Poetry in Motion 2008 was made possible by the John and Patricia Curran Teen Fund and all proceeds from ticket and poetry book sales will benefit future teen programs. Join us - on Friday, March 28th, and Saturday, March 29th, from 7 to 8 pm. A reception will follow each performance.

This talk will be a prelude to the bus trip to the musuem on Tuesday, April 2nd. Those who come to hear Joan's talk need not take the trip to enjoy her presentation, but you may call the Library (762-3950) for more information if you are interested in seeing the exhibit in person with me on April 2nd.

• Thanks to the folks at Prosperous Printing for donating their services for our monthly program postcard mailings
• Thanks to the Wilton Kiwanis Club for donation of automatic defibrillator and requisite staff training
• Thanks to the Schoff Trust for a significant donation that will allow us to improve Library access for those with limited mobility
• Thanks to Stewart Flowers for providing beautiful weekly arrangements for our Circulation Desk
• Thanks to all who have given generously to Wilton Library's Annual Appeal
• Thanks to the Devereaux Clifford Family and the Wilton Bank for underwriting The United States Constitution: A Living Legacy. Thanks, too, to Owen Williams for his hard work on this series
• Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Kostic for donating the Roots book on CD set in response to my request last month - several others offered to buy it for us as well!
• Thanks to all who made donations to honor Ben Van Vechten and in gratitude for his wonderful poetry seminar
• Thanks to the Rotary Club of Wilton for continuing to fund books about other countries for students and tourists
• Thanks to the Coyle Family for the fund they have established to support children's programs and collections
• Thanks to the Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation for funding the simulcast and videocast equipment that enhances our ability to present outstanding programs to a broader audience