Wilton Library Association Newsletter
October 2003
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in this issue
-- Expansion News!
-- Gala Artists Exhibit
-- Digital Photography Workshop
-- Three Teen Programs for October
-- Halloween Happenings for Kids
-- Visiting Authors
-- Computer Classes Continue
-- Chat 'n Chips with the Board of Selectmen Candidates
-- Upcoming Book Discussions and Seminars
-- Morning Movie Classics - Reel Wednesdays
-- Women's Night Out: Breast Cancer Awareness
Greetings!
We are all thrilled with our Gala Weekend (September 20 and 21) - the Library was truly the focus of attention for the Town as businesses and generous donors made both Saturday night's "A Mid-September Night's Dream" dinner dance and Sunday's "September Faire" for families an unparalleled success. We raised well over $300,000 for the Capital Campaign, gained many new supporters, and were party to three wonderful announcements:
- The Campaign has raised over $3,000,000 to date! Our goal is $3,900,000, and we hope to exceed that mark thanks to the generosity of the community. Funds raised in excess of construction and furnishing needs will help to support operations in our expanded building.
- Our new Community Room, a spectacular, well-equipped space that will seat up to 150 for performances, seminars, workshops and lectures, will be named the Brubeck Room in honor of a Wilton family that has given so much to the Library, the town and the world.
- Betsy and Jesse Fink have challenged those who have previously not given significant amounts for the Library's annual appeal to contribute now - and their contributions to the Capital Campaign will be matched on a one-for-one basis up to a total of $250,000 by the Finks! In addition, this generous and thoughtful couple has pledged $50,000 over a period of five years to support a program of environmental education at the Library. We will be tremendously excited to work with them in the coming months and years and celebrate the example they have set.
Expansion
News!
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Our Planning and Zoning Commission will meet to consider the
Library's application on Monday, October 27th. We will keep you all
informed of the results of that meeting. Many have asked when we expect
to break ground - and our best estimate at this point is in the early
spring. Assuming the approval process goes smoothly (and we have every
reason to hope that it will), we will begin construction of our new
parking lots in February or March 2004 - weather permitting.
Gala
Artists Exhibit
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Those who attended "A Mid-September Night's Dream" were able
to bid silently in an auction of works donated by more than thirty
talented local artists. The current exhibit of nearly sixty pieces
by those same artists will grace the Library's walls until October
24th - and it is truly a magnificent testament to their generosity
and creativity. Twenty percent of the price of pieces sold in the next
three weeks will benefit the Library's Art Fund, allowing us to purchase
books and videos on art and to hold art-related programs. Please come
and enjoy these wonderful works - and consider making a purchase for
your own home.
Digital
Photography Workshop
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Mary Anne Franco, our resident computer teacher extraordinaire,
has joined forces with her husband Michael to discuss digital cameras
in their workshop, "Making Digital Photography Work for You" on Saturday,
October 4th at 11:00 a.m. in the Community Room. Mary Anne will be
conducting a full schedule of computer classes in October but added
this special session because of requests from many of us who either
have not yet taken the "digital plunge," or who own a new camera and
still question how and why they will benefit most from digital technology.
Michael and Mary Anne are terrifically "user friendly" and the session
will include an opportunity for questions and answers.
Three
Teen Programs for October
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- Teens interested in choosing fall and winter programs at the Library are invite to the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) meeting from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, October 2nd. Teen Librarian Susan Lauricella welcomes your suggestions and participation!
- There will be a Teen Movie Night on Friday, October 3rd, when we will screen October Sky starting at 5 p.m. in the Community Room. Free popcorn and soda and the movie are made possible by a grant from the Louis Dreyfus Corporation.
- Teens will learn about Astrology with Gloria Star on Thursday, October 16th from 5-6 p.m. for grades 7-12. Free refreshments will be served. This promises to be really fun and "enlightening!"
Halloween
Happenings for Kids
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Halloween is always an exciting time for children of all ages
and the Library has several treats in store:
- The Library courtyard will be a busy place during the Chamber of Commerce Halloween Hustle 5K Road Race and Family Fall Frolic on Sunday October 26th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by to view our painted windows and show off your costume!
- On Wednesday, October 22nd, from 4-5 p.m., 3-7 year- olds can take part in a Halloween craft program entitled the Ghostly Gala! Registration is required and there is a $5 materials fee ($4 for Young Readers).
- A Halloween at Hogwarts party will take place for Harry Potter fans ages 7-12. Registration is required and there is a $5 admission fee ($4 for Young Readers) to cover the cost of refreshments, etc.
Visiting
Authors
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We are fortunate this month to have three visiting authors
talking about fascinating topics:
- On Thursday, October 9th at 7 p.m., Gail Shapiro will speak about conflict resolution techniques and her book "Peaceful Colors - Prevent and Resolve Everyday Conflict Using True Colors."
- On Wednesday, October 15th, at 7 p.m., the Wilton League of Women Voters and the Library join forces to bring you author Loretta Napoleoni to speak about her new work "Modern Jihad: Tracing the Dollars Behind the Terror Networks." Publisher's Weekly said, "no punches are pulled in this alarming study of a $1.5 trillion terrorist economy..."
- And the following evening, October 16th, again at 7 p.m., Lauren Baratz-Logsted will discuss her debut novel about pretending pregnancy, "The Thin Pink Line." Kirkus Reviews gave the book a star and said, "Faking it -- hilariously. Wonderfully funny debut with a fine sense of the absurd and a flair for comic characterization."
Computer
Classes Continue
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Our popular computer classes continue in October on 1st and
3rd Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Call for a
complete schedule and register early - these sessions tend to fill
up. There is a charge of $20 ($15 for Friends of the Library) and advance
registration is required. Subjects include Intermediate Internet, Basic
Excel, Intermediate Word and Basic PowerPoint.
Chat 'n Chips with the Board of Selectmen Candidates
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The Wilton League of Woman Voters and the Wilton Chamber of
Commerce join forces with the Library to present a Q&A forum for our
Board of Selectmen candidates on Wednesday, October 8th from 6-8 p.m.
Join us to hear those who wish to represent us speak on issues of your
choice and then mingle afterwards over wine and cheese to follow up
on your questions or those of others. We are excited to present this
new format and hope many will take advantage of the opportunity to
get answers to tough questions in a comfortable setting.
Upcoming Book Discussions and Seminars
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Popular lecturer Ann Martin will begin a six-part series entitled "The
Myths About Myths" on October 20th from 10:30-noon in the Community
Room (future dates are 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24). There is
no assigned reading, but the discussion will center on familiar myths,
fables, and legends. If you haven't attended an Ann Martin seminar,
I encourage you to try this one - she is a legend herself!
Susan Boyar will lead the Wilton Library Readers in a discussion of "Middlesex," by
Jeffrey Eugenides at noon on Wednesday, October 8th. Library Journal
highly recommended the book: "Eugenides's second novel (after The Virgin
Suicides) opens 'I was born twice: first, as a baby girl...in January
of 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy...in August of 1974.' Thus
starts the epic tale of how Calliope Stephanides is transformed into
Cal. Spanning three generations and two continents, the story winds
from the small Greek village of Smyrna to the smoggy, crime-riddled
streets of Detroit, past historical events, and through family secrets." Join
Susan for a literate and entertaining look at this pace-setting novel.
The Senior Center book discussing this month will be led by actress Maureen
Canary on Tuesday, October 28th at 11 a.m. at Comstock Community Center. Maureen
will discuss "Now" by Lauren Bacall.
register for Ann Martin online
Morning Movie Classics - Reel Wednesdays
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With the successful introduction of Reel Wednesdays in August,
the library will continue this popular program on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
of each month in the fall at 10:30 a.m. Due to contractual obligations,
we can't tell you the titles, but on October 15th, a prejudiced town
and jury can't stop the compassionate lawyer who defends a black man
in this southern drama (based on the popular Harper Lee novel). Sponsored
by Louis Dreyfus Corporation. Refreshments provided.
Women's Night Out: Breast Cancer Awareness
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This popular series is back - this time with wine and cheese
and guest speakers from Norwalk Hospital to talk about breast cancer.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we all owe it to ourselves
and our loved ones to get the most up to date information on this disease
and how to detect and deal with it. Please join us on Wednesday, October
22 at 7 p.m. - the topic is serious, but the gathering will be warm,
supportive, and informative.
Contact Information
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email: library@wiltonlibrary.org
voice: 203-762-3950
web: http://www.wiltonlibrary.org
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