In the dead of winter, Wilton Library sees green!

It may be snowy, cold and bleak outside, but inside Wilton Library everything is green – putting greens to be exact.  On Saturday, January 20, the library is opening its doors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for its first-ever family “Mini Golf in the Stacks presented by Bankwell” fundraiser.  The day promises to be a fun day for all, children and adults alike, with all proceeds benefiting the library.  Players of all ages are welcome. Children under 12 must be accompanied by adults.  Admission is $5 per person with tickets only available at the door the day of the event. There is no advance purchase of admission tickets.  All putters and balls will be provided.   

The day includes food (each player will receive a free hot dog provided by Wilton Rotary), exciting drawings, fun activities such as face painting, a chance for a hole-in-one, and more.

According to Robin Axness, director of development for Wilton Library, “We are very much looking forward to this fun day. Not only does it give friends, neighbors and families something to do on a cold winter day, but this is a great way to raise money for programs, services and technology for the library.”

In addition to playing rounds of mini golf throughout the library, people also can take part in drawings for many wonderful offerings that include tickets from JetBlue, a mini photo session with Karen Morneau with a gift certificate from River Road Gallery, a round of golf for four at Silvermine Golf Club, a pet wellness package from South Wilton Veterinary Group, and a child’s acoustic guitar.  Tickets for the drawings are $15 each or three for $40 and will be available for purchase at the library on the day of the event. The winners do not have to be present; they will be notified of their prizes.

This event is made possible by the generosity of the following sponsors: Title Sponsor is Bankwell; Club House Sponsor is Silver Spring Country Club; and 19^th Hole Sponsor is Anytime Fitness.  The Media Sponsors are Wilton Magazine and GOOD Morning Wilton.

Additionally, each of the eighteen holes is sponsored by local businesses that are embracing the fun with individually decorated holes.  They include Au Pair in America, Bruce Bennett Nissan, Caraluzzi's, Golf Performance Center, Granite Group Advisors, Higgins Group, Hoffman Landscapes, Kiwanis Club of Wilton, Lambert Orthodontics, Lang's Pharmacy, The Pilates Advantage, Realty Seven, Rob Sanders Architects, Sola Salon Studios, Wilton Dental Associates, Wilton Family Eye Care, Wilton Hardware, and Wilton Meadows/The Greens at Cannondale.  In-Kind Sponsors are Karen Morneau Photography, River Road Gallery, Silvermine Golf Club, South Wilton Veterinary Group and Wilton Rotary.

Elaine Tai-Lauria, executive director of the library said with a smile, “We’re delighted to be showcasing the library in a whole new light.  Our hope is that people will find themselves in various parts of the library that they may not normally use – so for example, families that usually stay in the Children’s Library will be able to play by the Innovation Station and peek in on what activities go on there; or adults who only use our carrels in the stacks may not even be aware that we have a beautiful aquarium in the Children’s Library.  It will be a day of discovery on many levels.”     

In the event of a snowstorm, the fundraiser will be held on Sunday, January 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Road in the heart of Wilton Center. For information and directions, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334.