Wilton Library Association Newsletter
November 2007
in this issue
-- Joan Kaskell Art Lecture on November 1st & Bus Trip November 8th
-- Computer Classes in November
-- November Book Discussions
-- Art Exhibits and Receptions
-- Sleepytime Story Times (and More)
-- Kids Celebrate Life
-- Tales to Tails - Reading to Pooches Returns!
-- Shakespeare's Greatest Hits, with Actor Richard Clark
-- Did you know?
-- Live Music This Month
-- Controversies in Women's Health Care 2007
-- Let's Chat: Conversational English Continues
-- Upcoming Healthy Choices Sessions
-- Writers' Block: Works in Progress
-- Calling All Parents of 2nd through 4th Grade Boys!
-- More Exceptional Programs for Kids
-- Flu Clinic at Wilton Library
-- Hot Topic: Medical Marijuana
-- Spotlight On: Our New Americana CD Collection
Hi! November is packed with interesting activities at the Library, most listed below. There is one, though, that I wanted especially to put "above the fold," -- the book talk sale and signing that will take place in the Brubeck Room on Thursday, November 15th, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Accomplished writer, director, producer, actor, and author of several books, Charles Grodin, will discuss his just published book, If I Only Knew Then . . . Learning From Our Mistakes. Grodin has asked his friends--from Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Shirley MacLaine, Alan Alda, Regis Philbin, to Joe Torre, Pete Hamill, Leonard Nemoy, and others- -to share sometimes very revealing memories of the biggest mistakes they've made, and the result is a fascinating read well worth sharing with your friends and family. Grodin has garnered critical attention in films, The Heartbreak Kid (1972), Heaven Can Wait (1979), and Midnight Run (1988). We were fortunate enough to have him narrate our film about the need to expand the Wilton Library - and part of the success of that effort is his! If you would like to view and listen to that now historic performance, it's available on videotape (Wilton Library: Building a Foundation for the Future. Books will be available for purchase and signing that evening and Charles Grodin's appearance is sponsored by R J Julia Booksellers. We strongly suggest that you register in advance and arrive no later than 6:50 pm to secure your seat. See you there! |
Joan Kaskell Art Lecture on November 1st & Bus Trip November 8th ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 How wonderful it is to have art historian and lecturer extraordinaire Joan Kaskell at the Library on Thursday, November 1st, from 3-4 pm. Her newest presentation will depict many masterpieces in Florence, but particularly Lorenzo Ghiberti's (1378-1455) magnificent Renaissance masterpiece, "Gates of Paradise" (on exhibit at the Met from October 30, 2007 to January 13, 2008). The huge gilded bronze doors of the east portal of the Baptistry in Florence are among the seminal monuments of the Italian Renaissance. They have recently begun a four-city United States tour (including an appearance at New York's Metropolitan Museum) and will return to Florence, to be reassembled in their original bronze framework and placed in a specially designed, hermetically sealed case in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, never to travel again. Please register in advance for Joan's illuminating talk and slide show and consider joining us on Thursday, November 8th, for a mini-bus trip to the Metropolitan Museum to see them in person with me and the Reverend Mary Grace Wiliams of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, co- sponsor of the trip.
Our comfortable bus will depart from the Wilton Library parking lot promptly at 9:30 am, arriving at the Museum by 11 am. We'll be on our own to tour the permanent collection and special exhibits, including a perfectly marvelous show on The Age of Rembrandt, an exciting exhibit of Abstract Impressionism, and of course, The Doors. There are several dining options at the Museum itself, or you may choose to go to a restaurant in the vicinity. Our mini-bus will depart at 4:30 pm, and arrive back at the Library at about 6 pm. Museum admission and transportation costs are $46 for regular admission and $42 for seniors and we ask that you sign up and pay for your ticket in advance at our Circulation Desk. Please call 762-3950 with any questions you may have. I hope to see you on both the 1st and the 8th! |
Computer Classes in November ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 There are several exciting "digital" classes lined up for November. 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 all students. There will be no further seating after ten minutes past the posted starting time. Note that there is no charge for our classes and space is limited, so sign up as soon as possible.
Thursday, November 1st Thursday, November 8th Saturday, November 17th Monday, November 26th Monday, November 29th |
November Book Discussions ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 On Thursday, November 1st, from 7 to 8:30 pm, guest speaker Fredi Bremond will lead our International Book Group in a discussion about France and the book, Hunting and Gathering, by Anna Gavalda. Hunting and Gathering has been described as a written version of the hugely successful French film Amélie. Set in Paris, written in French and known in its native language as Ensemble c'est tout, it has recently been translated into a number of languages and is being published in over 30 countries after selling more than a million copies in France. This novel is not the first Gavalda has published in English, but is set to be her most successful to date. A film version of Hunting and Gathering is already planned with the star of Amélie, Audrey Tatou, playing the lead role. Join us for an evening of discussion and French desserts, but please register in advance so we can have enough of the latter on hand.
On Wednesday, November 14th, from noon to 1:30 pm, Susan Boyar will lead the Wilton Library Readers in a discussion of The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote, In "The Road," a boy and his father lurch across the cold, wretched, wet, corpse-strewn, ashen landscape of a post-apocalyptic world. The imagery is brutal even by Cormac McCarthy's high standards for despair. This parable is also trenchant and terrifying, written with stripped-down urgency and fueled by the force of a universal nightmare. "The Road" would be pure misery if not for its stunning, savage beauty. All are welcome, but please register in advance. On Tuesday, November 27th, at 11 am, Ben and Suzanne Van Vechten (having recently visited the area) will discuss Istanbul - Memories and the City, by Orhan Pamuk. Publishers Weekly said, Turkish novelist Pamuk presents a breathtaking portrait of a city, an elegy for a dead civilization and a meditation on life's complicated intimacies. This Senior Center book discussion is open to all, and is held at Comstock Community Center (180 School Road). Please call the Senior Center for details and to register at 834-6240. |
Art Exhibits and Receptions ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 November will be a particularly wonderful month for art at the Library. Our current art exhibit featuring a robust collection of watercolor, acrylic, pastel and mixed media paintings by Suzanne Crossland will be followed by others in various parts of the Library:
On Wednesday, November 7th, from 6 to 7:30 pm, we will have a reception for the Weir Farm Art Center Explorers show, entitled Through Young Eyes. The reception will feature light refreshments and a PowerPoint show documenting the adventures of each art class. The exhibit will feature young artists' drawings, paintings, and sculptures from Weir Farm Art Center's summer Art Explorer program at Weir Farm National Historic Site and will be on exhibit through Friday, November 30th. On Friday, November 16th, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, we can all take part in The Bill Logan Retrospective Art Show Sale and Auction, presented by the Library and the Wilton Kiwanis Club in tribute to Wilton resident Bill Logan who died this past May. The reception will begin at 6:30 pm with a live auction of Bill's work to follow at 7:30 pm. In addition to auction pieces, fixed-price pieces will be on display and available for purchase from November 1st through November 16th. His wife, Mary Lou Logan, has agreed to gather his very best work for the Retrospective Memorial Sale and Auction to benefit Wilton Library and Kiwanis. Please register in advance to attend the reception and auction on November 16th. On Friday, November 30th, from 6 to 7:30 pm, we invite you to attend a reception for the "Terraform" exhibit that will hang at the Library through the month of December. Artists Ann Conrad, Liana Moonie, Gerald Saladyga, and Eve Stockton from the Silvermine Art Guild will display works that challenge the generally accepted idea of what constitutes "landscape painting." The artists interact with their subject matter to create abstract works that are poetic, analytic, and sometimes scientific in their representation of landscapes. We know you will find this exceptional show engaging and unique! |
Sleepytime Story Times (and More) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 On Thursdays, November 1st and 15th, from 7 to 7:30 pm, kids can put on their pajamas, grab a blanket, and come to the Library for stories before they head home to bed. I happened to look in on one of these cozy gatherings the other evening, and it was truly a magical way for parents and kids to unwind at the end of a busy day! Please register ahead of time online for one or both sessions!:
November 1st registration Of course, our regular fall story times are still in session through November 15th, and you can call 762-3950 for more information: Ones and Twos with Caregivers: Tuesdays, 10:15 to 10:45 am |
Kids Celebrate Life ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 The "Day of the Dead" is celebrated in many cultures around the world, particularly in Mexico. The holiday honors the deceased and celebrates the continuation of life. On Friday, November 2nd, from 3 to 4 pm, children in grades 2 through 6 can join in the celebration, enjoying crafts and stories on this theme. For more details, please contact Lesley Keogh (762-3950, extension 248). We ask that you register in advance, as space is limited. |
Tales to Tails - Reading to Pooches Returns! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 On Saturday, November 3rd, from 2 to 3:15, students in grades 2 and up can have fun reading to a certified therapy dog for 15 minutes, The doggies will be "all ears" as children practice their reading skills with a book from home or one from our collection. Space is quite limited, so register online to save a spot, but then call Pat Bergin (762-3950, extension 265) to confirm your registration so she can assign your appointment time. Parents - this is another wonderful way to encourage your child to become an enthusiastic reader! |
Shakespeare's Greatest Hits, with Actor Richard Clark ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 On Saturday, November 3rd, from 2 to 3 pm, actor Richard Clark will enthrall and entertain the audience as he brings some of the most memorable moments in dramatic literature to the stage in the Brubeck Room. Let your imagination sally forth with fabled kings as they "mount barb'd steeds to fright the souls of fearsome adversaries." Eavesdrop on the intimate murmuring of Romeo, the obsessive passions of Antony and Cleopatra; the demented musings of King Richard as he broods over the love he will never have.
Laugh with the fools. Cry with the afflicted. Dream with the poets. Beware the possessed! Don't miss the essence of the world's greatest wordsmith, as Clark presents his one man show, entitled "The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet (Shakespeare's Greatest Hits)" that includes twelve different characters, and twenty- five monologues and soliloquies from The Bard's most famous plays. There is no charge for admission, but we ask that you register in advance to save a seat. |
Did you know? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Did you know that the library accepts gently used books 24/7? And that there is a crew of volunteers who meet in the Book Cellar to sort those donations twice a week? The sorters convene on Mondays and Thursdays from 10am to noon to go through the hundreds of books that come in every day. It's a great way to find your next read and to help organize books for the two major annual sales.
If you are interested in helping out, please email Jan MacEwen at janmacewen@sbcglobal.net. The time commitment is based on your own schedule. |
Live Music This Month ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 The Brubeck Room will be the venue for two remarkable musical events this month, and our music collection will benefit from a concert that takes place at the Congregational Church:
First and foremost, on Sunday, November 4th, at 4 pm, gifted pianist and Wilton High School Junior, Doug Bogan will perform in the second of our Connecticut's Own concerts this fall. Playing a selection of works by Hindemith, Brahms, Haydn, and Khachaturian, Doug will dazzle the audience with his mature and considerable talent. I listened to him practicing the other day and was in awe of his command of the keyboard and moving interpretation of the score. Please register in advance and arrive by 3:50 pm to be assured of a seat. After 3:50 pm, and if space is available, waitlisted and walk-in registrants will be admitted. Mid-month, on Saturday, November 17th, from 2 to 3 pm, the Norwalk Symphony will present the second session of its 4-part family series, entitled (Not) Just for Kids - this time for strings. Children ages 3 through 10 and their families can come for music and hands-on participation, as members of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra demonstrate how they play instruments in the strings section. Please register all family members in advance so we can save you a seat. This series is made possible by a grant from the Xerox Foundation. And finally, on Sunday, November 25th, at 4 pm, pianist Peter Serkin will play a program of Bach, Brahms, Messiaen, and Wuorinen at the Congregational Church (70 Ridgefield Road) as part of the Candlelight Concert Series. Recognized as an artist of great passion, individuality and integrity, Serkin will perform partly for the benefit of the Library's classical music collection. Please call 762-3401 for ticket information or log on to www.wiltoncandlelightconcerts.org |
Controversies in Women's Health Care 2007 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 On Monday, November 5th, from 6:30 to 9 pm, the Library, the Wilton Woman's Club, and the Breast Cancer Survival Center will sponsor a panel discussion about the patterns of heart disease in women; factors in making the decision to use the human papilloma virus vaccine; the incidence of breast cancer, treatment, and survival rates; and the benefits of exercise during menopause and later.
Panelists are cardiologist Dr. Robert Sackstein in Bridgeport; Dr. Carol Fucigna, an obstetrician/gynecologist in Wilton; Dr. Barbara Ward, a surgical oncologist, who has served as Medical Director of the Breast Center at Greenwich Hospital since 2000; and Kristi Cristello, an exercise expert. There will be ample time for audience questions and expert answers during the evening. This program was developed by the Wilton Woman's Club as part of its commitment to the causes of women and children and to encourage women in Wilton who are interested in public service and developing good friendships to become members. Please join us for a reception at 6:30, with the program following from 7 to 9 pm. We ask that you register in advance so that we may plan for both refreshments and seating...and be sure to bring a friend. |
Let's Chat: Conversational English Continues ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 On Tuesdays, November 6th and 13th, from 7 to 8 pm, we'll hold two more sessions for those who want to drop in and learn to speak conversational English. The final two segments of a six-week program, these classes are open to anyone and no registration is necessary. If you know someone for whom English is a second language, urge them to come, learn, and have fun with our trained instructors. |
Upcoming Healthy Choices Sessions ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 The Healthy Choices Series is sponsored by Stamford Hospital and Wilton Library, with support from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine-- New England Region under contract #N01-LM-1-3518 with the National Library of Medicine.
~~Osteoporosis Prevention & Control: The Role of Exercise Therapy ~~Dietary Supplements -- What's It All About? |
Writers' Block: Works in Progress ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 On Thursday, November 8th, from 7 to 9 pm, the public is invited to an evening of readings with Wilton Library's homegrown Writers' Group. Three local writers will read excerpts from their fictional works in progress--a short story featuring memorable characters, a contemporary novel with a Connecticut backdrop and a mystery that's good enough to eat. This reception and performance is the final part of our Fall Writers' Block Series. A reception at 7 pm will be followed by readings at 7:30 pm. All are welcome, but we ask that you register in advance for this exciting evening. |
Calling All Parents of 2nd through 4th Grade Boys! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Lights Out at the Library is one of the Town's most eagerly awaited events each year and our Children's Library staff is holding a planning meeting on Friday, November 9th, from 10 to 11 am, for the 2008 event.
Parents of boys in grades 2 through 4 who are interested in planning and advising for this event should attend this meeting. There will be an informational meeting for parents of all children attending Lights Out in January. Anyone who cannot attend this planning meeting but who would like to be involved should contact Laura Schwemm at 762-3950, extension 225. Don't forget to register in advance for the planning meeting on November 9th. |
More Exceptional Programs for Kids ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 The November schedule is full of interesting programs and fun of all kinds for kids:
~~ Diwali Celebration on Friday, November 9th, from 4 to 5 pm ~~ Veterans' Day Crafts on Saturday, November 10th and Sunday, November 11th ~~Wilton's Wondrous Trees Awards Ceremony on Sunday, November 11th, at 3 pm ~~Superhero Series: Movies on Wednesday, November 14th, and Friday, November 16th, from 2 to 3:30 pm ~~Superhero Series: Crafts on Thursday, November 15th ~~ Drop-In Thanksgiving Crafts on Monday, November 19th ~~ "The Day After" Film Fun on Friday, November 23rd, at 10:30 am (Go Diego Safari Rescue) and 2 pm (Santa Claus 3) |
Flu Clinic at Wilton Library ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 On Friday, November 23rd, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, flu shots will be administered by the staff of Nursing & Home Care. For further details about the shots and the program, please call Nursing & Home Care at 834-6341. |
Hot Topic: Medical Marijuana ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 On Thursday, November 29th, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, Wilton Library and the Wilton League of Women Voters will co-sponsor a panel discussion on the issues surrounding the medical use of marijuana. This past June, Governor Jodi Rell vetoed a measure that would have legalized the use of marijuana for certain medical conditions. The proposed law would have allowed residents 18 or older suffering from multiple sclerosis, cancer, AIDS and other diseases to grow marijuana in their homes with a doctor's recommendation and a state permit.
During the past five years, Connecticut's legislature has considered several bills allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and so far, none has been put into practice. Although lawmakers approved a measure in 1981 allowing doctors to prescribe the drug, no pharmacies stocked the substance because it is still a federal crime to buy, sell or possess marijuana. Clearly, questions continue to abound here in Connecticut and throughout the country concerning the potential effects (good and/or ill) of changing public policy on marijuana's medical use. Expert panelists will help us understand all aspects of the debate and there will be ample time for questions and answers following the panelists' remarks. Please register in advance to take part in this thought-provoking discussion. |
Spotlight On: Our New Americana CD Collection ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Almost hidden among the hundreds of compact discs of the Knott Collection is a treasure trove of works by American composers who flourished at various times during the past century and a half but whose names are not as well-known as those of Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, or Charles Ives.
To introduce their work, we've established an Americana Collection of almost 100 CDs, each of which is identified by a special label on its jewel box. Whether you choose from among such late 19th century composers as Edward MacDowell or John Knowles Paine, early 20th century composers such as John Alden Carpenter or Amy Beach, mid-20th century composers such as Roy Harris or Walter Piston, or later 20th century but no-longer-living composers such as Roger Sessions or William Schuman, you'll realize that America's contribution to serious music was equal to its contribution to literature during this period. |
Contact Information ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
phone: 203-762-3950
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