Colorful travels envisioned
Local artist John Newcomb provides a world of color when his art exhibition, Travels with John, opens on Friday, Aug. 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. With 50 vivid watercolors depicting his recent journeys and several large-scale acrylics, Newcomb’s vibrant paintings will liven up the library’s walls. The exhibition runs through Sunday, Sept. 27. All of the paintings will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the library. The reception is free and open to the public.
The monthly Tales to Tails program takes place on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 to noon. Children get a chance to read aloud to pups from ROAR (Ridgefield Operation Animal Rescue). The canines are certified therapy dogs that sit quietly while the children practice reading to them. It instills confidence in the children and helps to develop a love of lifelong reading. The program is free, however registration is required.
The library offers two programs using state-of-the-art equipment to convert home videotapes to DVDs and old-school photos to digital images. New Life for Old Videos is Monday, Aug. 24, from 4 to 5:30. This is a one-on-one session to learn how to transfer VHS video to DVD. Registration is required. This is a one-to-one conversion in terms of time. On Thursday, Aug. 27, from 2 to 3:30, old family photos can be converted to digital images in the program, Bringing Your Photo Albums into the Digital Age. Both programs are for ages 13-113 and students entering sixth and seventh grades accompanied by adults. Participants must have valid Connecticut library cards and signed Innovation Station agreement forms. Completed forms should be brought to the workshops. Both programs have limited space. Registration is required.
There are two maker programs this week that rely on different skills and some level of creativity. Monogrammed Baby Bibs is on Wednesday morning, Aug. 26, from 10 to 11:30. Participants learn how to use the electronic sewing machine and go home with the baby bib they embroidered using their new skills. The program is for ages 13-113 and students entering sixth and seventh grades accompanied by adults. Participants must have valid Connecticut library cards and signed Innovation Station agreement forms which should be brought to the workshop. Also on Wednesday is the River Stone Trivet Drop-in Craft from 1 to 3. People can just stop by any time during the two hours to craft their own trivet using smooth stones. There is no reservation for this craft but it is only available while supplies last. For ages 13 and up.
American author Diana Bletter visits the library on Wednesday evening, Aug. 26, from 7 to 8:30, to discuss her new novel, A Remarkable Kindness. The tale traces the lives of four American women who have emigrated to Israel for very different reasons. Despite their differences in age and outlook, the women find each other in ritual, gathering in a burial circle to perform tahara, a final burial rite, for the women of the community. Brimming with wisdom and intelligence, A Remarkable Kindness is a moving testament to women’s friendship, following the lifelines of women who learn to be strong and capturing the paradoxes and promises of the land they learn to call home. The book is inspired by the author’s own participation in this circle where she has been a resident of Israel since 1991. Books will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of Elm Street Books, New Canaan. Registration is recommended.
The library is offering another Technology Class: Basic Computers program on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 12:30 to 1:30. This is a repeat of information from a class held on Aug. 18. The class is designed to help people get comfortable with certain aspects of their computers so they can move forward with additional classes that will be taught at the library this September including Facebook and Microsoft Office Suite. Topics to be covered in this session include saving files, Internet browsers, email and printing. The session is free, however registration is required. There is limited seating for better hands-on instruction.
The library has a few September programs that may get missed with all the hubbub of returning from vacation. Food Lit Book Group begins again on Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 11 to noon with Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl. Nutritional health coach and avid reader Pamela Lillis moderates the discussion. Registration is suggested. Additional dates and times may be found on the library’s website under Books and Food Lit Book Group. Author Todd Brewster visits the library on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., to discuss his nonfiction book, Lincoln’s Gamble, an account on the six-month period leading up to the Emancipation Proclamation — a moment that proved pivotal not only to Lincoln’s life but also America’s national identity. The program is co-sponsored by Wilton Historical Society and the library. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Elm Street Books. Registration is recommended.
To register for programs, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213 for adult programs, ext. 217 for children’s activities and ext. 243 for teen events.
Kids and canines
The monthly Tales to Tails program takes place on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 to noon. Children get a chance to read aloud to pups from ROAR (Ridgefield Operation Animal Rescue). The canines are certified therapy dogs that sit quietly while the children practice reading to them. It instills confidence in the children and helps to develop a love of lifelong reading. The program is free, however registration is required.
Updating videos and photos
The library offers two programs using state-of-the-art equipment to convert home videotapes to DVDs and old-school photos to digital images. New Life for Old Videos is Monday, Aug. 24, from 4 to 5:30. This is a one-on-one session to learn how to transfer VHS video to DVD. Registration is required. This is a one-to-one conversion in terms of time. On Thursday, Aug. 27, from 2 to 3:30, old family photos can be converted to digital images in the program, Bringing Your Photo Albums into the Digital Age. Both programs are for ages 13-113 and students entering sixth and seventh grades accompanied by adults. Participants must have valid Connecticut library cards and signed Innovation Station agreement forms. Completed forms should be brought to the workshops. Both programs have limited space. Registration is required.
Crafty makers
There are two maker programs this week that rely on different skills and some level of creativity. Monogrammed Baby Bibs is on Wednesday morning, Aug. 26, from 10 to 11:30. Participants learn how to use the electronic sewing machine and go home with the baby bib they embroidered using their new skills. The program is for ages 13-113 and students entering sixth and seventh grades accompanied by adults. Participants must have valid Connecticut library cards and signed Innovation Station agreement forms which should be brought to the workshop. Also on Wednesday is the River Stone Trivet Drop-in Craft from 1 to 3. People can just stop by any time during the two hours to craft their own trivet using smooth stones. There is no reservation for this craft but it is only available while supplies last. For ages 13 and up.
Author visit
American author Diana Bletter visits the library on Wednesday evening, Aug. 26, from 7 to 8:30, to discuss her new novel, A Remarkable Kindness. The tale traces the lives of four American women who have emigrated to Israel for very different reasons. Despite their differences in age and outlook, the women find each other in ritual, gathering in a burial circle to perform tahara, a final burial rite, for the women of the community. Brimming with wisdom and intelligence, A Remarkable Kindness is a moving testament to women’s friendship, following the lifelines of women who learn to be strong and capturing the paradoxes and promises of the land they learn to call home. The book is inspired by the author’s own participation in this circle where she has been a resident of Israel since 1991. Books will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of Elm Street Books, New Canaan. Registration is recommended.
Basic instruction for more fun ahead
The library is offering another Technology Class: Basic Computers program on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 12:30 to 1:30. This is a repeat of information from a class held on Aug. 18. The class is designed to help people get comfortable with certain aspects of their computers so they can move forward with additional classes that will be taught at the library this September including Facebook and Microsoft Office Suite. Topics to be covered in this session include saving files, Internet browsers, email and printing. The session is free, however registration is required. There is limited seating for better hands-on instruction.
Upcoming September programs
The library has a few September programs that may get missed with all the hubbub of returning from vacation. Food Lit Book Group begins again on Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 11 to noon with Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl. Nutritional health coach and avid reader Pamela Lillis moderates the discussion. Registration is suggested. Additional dates and times may be found on the library’s website under Books and Food Lit Book Group. Author Todd Brewster visits the library on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., to discuss his nonfiction book, Lincoln’s Gamble, an account on the six-month period leading up to the Emancipation Proclamation — a moment that proved pivotal not only to Lincoln’s life but also America’s national identity. The program is co-sponsored by Wilton Historical Society and the library. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Elm Street Books. Registration is recommended.
To register for programs, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on Events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213 for adult programs, ext. 217 for children’s activities and ext. 243 for teen events.