Wilton Library April 2023 Programs & Events In-Person & Virtual Activities
Now through Sunday, April 30 2023 Nutmeg Reading Challenge for Children and Teens Challenge yourself to read more with Wilton Library's 2023 Nutmeg Reading Challenge! From February 15 through the end of April, we're challenging children and teens to read as many 2023 Nutmeg Book Award nominees as possible. The more you read, the more prizes you win! To learn more about the Nutmeg Book Award, visit https://www.nutmegaward.org/. Sign up on wiltonlibrary.beanstack.org and choose the challenge for your age group. Complete the challenge by reading the list and voting for your favorite book at the end of April. Happy Reading! Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Sunday, April 2 Wilton Candlelight Music at the Wilton Congregational Church: Percussion & Friends, 4 to 6 p.m. Wilton Candlelight Music presents a concert on Sunday, April 2, 2023 featuring Percussion & Friends. Aya Kaminaguchi, principal percussionist of the New Haven Symphony, and Michael Singer, principal tympanist of the New Haven Symphony, will be joined by other Symphony musicians in an exciting and varied program of music by composers including Debussy, Cangelosi, and Sejourne, along with some surprises! The April 2 concert will take place at 4pm at the Wilton Congregational Church, just north of Wilton Center on Route 33. Tickets may be purchased on the website www.wiltoncandlelightmusic.org or at the door: adults $30, seniors $25, students free. Wilton Candlelight Music benefits the Wilton Library Association and happily accepts individual and corporate tax-deductible contributions. Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Road (Route 33), Wilton, CT; www.wiltoncongregational.org; 203-762-5591.
Tuesday, April 4 Poetry Discussion with Janet Krauss: The Poetry of Thomas Lux (Zoom), 10:30 a.m. to noon. Please join us online as Janet Krauss leads a discussion of a selection of poems by Thomas Lux. A readings packet will be emailed in advance of the program. Thomas Lux won many awards for his numerous books of poetry, and taught at Sarah Lawrence and other colleges. His poems brim with wit, humor and compassion. We will explore these qualities in his poems and feel more alive from discussing them. Janet Krauss, who has two books of poetry published, “Borrowed Scenery,” Yuganta Press, and “Through the Trees of Autumn,” Spartina Press, has recently retired from teaching English at Fairfield University. Advance registration required. Register online in order to receive the Zoom session invitation link and readings packet. Please email Michael Bellacosa at mbellacosa@wiltonlibrary.org with any questions. To register and see more details, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, April 4 Police Officer Storytime, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Children ages 2 and up are invited to join Wilton Police Officers for an interactive, in-person storytime. One of our local officers will read stories and answer questions. Kids will see the police car too! No registration required. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, April 4 Wilton Reads: Environmental Experience for Elementary Kids, 4:15 to 5 p.m. Kids aged 4-9 can join us for this year's environmentally focused Wilton Reads program geared just for them. We will read The Tale of the Whale by Karen Swann and do a recycling based craft. The day of the program, each participant will receive a copy of the book to keep. Registration required. Drop-ins admitted if space allows. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, April 4 Author Talk: Rosie McMahan - Fortunate Daughter: A Memoir of Reconciliation, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Though Fortunate Daughter: A Memoir of Reconciliation begins as an all-too-common story of childhood sexual abuse, it gradually becomes a rare story of how one person heals from that early trauma. In this intimate first-person narrative, Rosie McMahan offers the reader a portrait of misery, abuse, and hurt, followed by the difficult and painful task of healing―a journey that, in the end, reveals the complicated and nuanced venture of true reconciliation and the freedom that comes along with it. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Fortunate Daughter: A Memoir of Reconciliation is a First Prize Winner in the 2021 Chanticleer International Journey Book Awards. First, a daughter, sister, wife, and mother, Rosie McMahan identifies as an irreverent and opinionated white cis gendered woman, who is also a survivor, a feminist, writer, educator, counselor, attending Quaker, community activist, and avid botanical enthusiast. Her poetry has been published in several journals. She works at MA Mentoring Partnership and owns and operates Optimistic Options, a private practice rooted in trauma informed care and restorative justice principles. Learn more about her book and listen to her podcast, Heart2Heart at https://optimistic-options.com/writer/. The media sponsor of our author talks is GOOD Morning Wilton. Registration required. To register and for more information, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org, call the library’s reference librarians at 203-762-6350 or email reference@wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursdays, April 6, 13, 20 & 27 Spring Poetry Seminars with Judson Scruton: T.S. Eliot's “Four Quartets”, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Please join us for a four-week seminar series as Judson Scruton takes us though T.S. Eliot's poem “Four Quartets” including a tie-in to this year's Wilton Reads book Vigil Harbor in week three. As the world whirled into the destruction of World War II, Eliot wrote a profound meditation on civilization drawing on his own experiences and his earlier poetic explorations of Western and Eastern religious and philosophical thought. While three of the four quartets are set in England, the third quartet, The “Dry Salvages,” is set in America off the coast just north of Boston, where
Thursday, April 6 Teen Thursday: Blackout Poetry, 3:30 to 6 p.m. Drop by the Teen Room on Thursdays for a fun activity for Grades 6-12. This week's project: April is National Poetry Month! Stop by the Teen Room to create blackout poetry to display in the Teen Room using recycled magazines. All supplies provided, plus snacks! No registration necessary - just drop in. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, April 6 Wilton Reads: Milk Carton Flower Garden, 4:15 to 5 p.m. Gardeners in grades K-5 and their families can transform half gallon milk and juice cartons into beautiful flower planters. We will have all the supplies you'll need, but feel free to bring your own half gallon cartons instead of throwing them away. Wear clothes that can get dirty! No registration necessary. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, April 6 Make a DIY Canvas Banner with the Cricut, 6 to 7 p.m. Make a motivational canvas banner with a custom text or design using Cricut Design Space and iron-on vinyl. This project is suitable for adults and older teens, grades 9-12. No Cricut or crafting experience necessary - we'll provide all the supplies and show you how to make your banner, step-by-step. This is a small group workshop class and space is limited. Please register at www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Monday, April 10 Wilton Reads: Vigil Harbor Book Giveaway, 10 to 11 a.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. We welcome all community members to join us this spring as we come together to read, discuss and reflect upon Vigil Harbor by Julia Glass for our seventeenth Wilton Reads event. For many years, Wilton Reads has given us an opportunity to sharpen our view of ourselves and the world around us. This year we are focusing on climate change and meaning of community through insightful programming. To encourage readership and to kick things off, a limited number of paperback copies of Vigil Harbor will be distributed to members of the community free of charge courtesy of Fairfield County Bank. Books will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, one per person, in the Library lobby on Monday, April 10 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. and from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., while supplies last. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, April 11 Firefighter Storytime, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Children ages 2 and up are invited to join Wilton Firefighters for an interactive, in-person storytime. Firefighters will read stories and children will have the opportunity to ask questions. We will also see the fire truck! No registration required. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, April 11 Wilton Reads: New England Coastal Art - From Harbor to High Seas, 7 to 8:30 p.m. No one place or geographic feature, the coast of New England is a varied and ever-changing landscape that has been both muse and home for artists. This ArtScapades lecture will look at how artists portrayed the coastline of New England in their works, an area which has been a leading center for artists since the 18th century. This talk will look at the art of Winslow Homer, John Henry Twachtman, Childe Hassam, John Sloan, Marsden Hartley, Edward Hopper, and more. Robin Hoffman and Jodi Stiffelman of ArtScapades began teaching art appreciation in 1998. They have presented at libraries, art centers, and museums in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Registration required. Please register online at www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334. For more information, contact asato@wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Wednesday, April 12 Wilton Reads: Environmental Family Storytime, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Families with children ages 2 and up can join us to celebrate Wilton Reads! In this interactive family storytime focused on the environment, there will be stories, rhymes, songs, and movement activities. The day of the program, each family will receive a copy of the book to keep. Registration required. Drop-ins accepted if space allows. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Wednesday, April 12 Wilton Library Readers - Wilton Reads Discussion of Vigil Harbor by Julia Glass, noon to 1:30 p.m. Professional book discussion leader Susan Boyar discusses our Wilton Reads 2023 selection, Vigil Harbor, by Julia Glass. Vigil Harbor reveals Julia Glass in all her virtuosity, braiding multiple voices and dazzling strands of plot into a story where mortal longings and fears intersect with immortal mysteries of the deep as well as of the heart. When two unexpected visitors arrive in an insular coastal village, they threaten the equilibrium of a community already confronting climate instability, political violence, and domestic upheavals. Group meets second Wednesday of each month through June. Feel free to enjoy your lunch during the discussion. For a complete listing of meetings and titles, visit our Wilton Library Readers page at www.wiltonlibrary.org/wilton-library-readers. Registration required. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Wednesdays, April 12 & 19 Mark Schenker: 100 Years of Great American Woman Novelists, 7 to 8 p.m. Mark Schenker will take a reset in his ongoing lecture series on major American novels of the 20th century, which reached the late 1950s last fall. For this spring and summer, he will present two connected four-part series on eight American novels, all by critically acclaimed woman novelists. These series will be offered via Zoom with a bonus: the fourth and eighth sessions will be in-person in the Brubeck Room [as well as on Zoom] with a short reception after the lecture to chat with Mark and each other. The titles span a full century and bring in considerations of race and ethnicity (African-American, Jewish-American, Native-American), and of immigration (from China, Central Europe, Mexico). And the settings of these stories represent a striking array of American cities, states, and regions: San Francisco and Chicago; Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Michigan; Tennessee and Florida. Taken together, these works of fiction invite us to think critically about the limitations of the idea of The Great American Novel and to embrace the broadest meaning of the word pluribus (“many”) in the traditional American motto: E pluribus unum. Attendees are not expected to read or reread all or even any of the novels, but a familiarity with them will of course make the lectures more meaningful. Here are the novels for each week: Spring series: April 12 - My Antonia, Willa Cather; April 19 - Wise Blood, Flannery O’Connor; May 3 - The Woman Warrior, Maxine Hong Kingston; May 10 - Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison. June series: June 8 - Housekeeping, Marilynne Robinson; June 15 - The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros; June 22 - The Shawl, Cynthia Ozick; June 29 - The Night Watchman, Louise Erdrich. These lectures are made possible with the support of the Literary Series in Memory of Amy Quigley. Advance registration required. Register online at www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334. Although Mark often makes cross-references, the lectures mostly stand alone. However, as a convenience, you will automatically be registered for all eight sessions. Please email Michael Bellacosa at mbellacosa@wiltonlibrary.org with any questions. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, April 13 Teen Thursday: Make a Yarn Bird, 2 to 6 p.m. Drop by the Teen Room on Thursdays for a fun activity for Grades 6-12. This week's project: help us use up our leftover yarn and make an adorable little bird plush using yarn and some craft supplies. All supplies provided, plus snacks! No registration necessary - just drop in. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, April 13 Wilton Reads: Upcycled Art Extravaganza, 2 to 4 p.m. Eco-artists in grades K-7 and their families can turn trash into treasure. Upcycle unwanted paint projects into artworks you'll want to hang on your wall. Wear clothes to paint in! No registration required. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, April 13 Wilton Reads: Climate Change in CT, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Climate change is a wicked problem - one that has many areas that are affected and many solutions. Join Susan Quincy from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as we explore the many impacts seen here in Connecticut. We will also learn about the background to global warming and how natural systems are affected. There are steps that we are taking to adapt to the challenges and to prevent problems from growing. Using a climate action simulator and examples of what is being done, we will see how rising temperatures can be addressed to reduce challenges. Adults and teens will be able to participate in this interactive program and relate the fictional to the factual for climate issues. Susan Quincy is an experienced educator with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for the State of CT. She leads many education programs for adults and children to bring awareness to what's happening in our environment and what we are doing as a state to meet our climate goals. No charge. Co-sponsored by Wilton Library and Wilton Go Green. Registration required. Please register online at www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334. For more information, contact asato@wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Friday, April 14 "Nancy Moore: Women and Other Animals" and "Peeling the Onion" Art Exhibitions & Reception, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wilton Library will be featuring two different art exhibitions for the month of April. The exhibition "Nancy Moore: Women & Other Animals" features the colorful and fanciful works of painter Nancy Moore from Ridgefield. The paintings will be on display in the library's gallery and in the Circulation and Reference Departments. The exhibit "Peeling the Onion," a special collaboration between painter Colleen Hains, photographer Heidi Mangels, and poet Jane Wenk, all from Norwalk, will be featured in the Reference Department Computer Room. Opening reception on Friday, April 14 from 6 to 7:30pm is free and open to the public. Both exhibitions run through April 29. A majority of the works will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the library. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Saturday, April 15 CT Poetry Society Workshop, 2 to 4 p.m. Please join us for the next CT Poetry Society workshop at the library. All that is required is the willingness to share some poetry that you have written by reading it aloud to the group. Poets should email a copy of their poems to Ray Rauth at rayrauth@optonline.net. He will distribute the poems to the group shortly before the session. To facilitate discussion, space is strictly limited to just 15 attendees. Online registration is required. Register at www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Sunday, April 16 Earth Day Terrariums for Teens, 2 to 3 p.m. Celebrate Earth Day by making a beautiful terrarium in the library's courtyard (weather permitting). A terrarium is a miniature garden made in a glass container. This is an outdoor program. If the weather is bad on the day of the event, we will reschedule. All supplies will be provided. This program is suitable for teens in Grades 6-12 only. Please register, space is limited. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Sunday, April 16 CT's Own: Madera Winds - Name That Tune!, 4 to 5 p.m. The Madera Winds Quintet is thrilled to return to the Brubeck Room at Wilton Library after a much too long pandemic hiatus presenting a program entitled “Name That Tune” which will honor one of wind quintets’ favorite music arrangers, Wilford (“Bill”) Holcomb (1924-2010). Please join us and “Name the Tunes” from Singin’ in the Rain, the Wizard of Oz, Porgy and Bess, and Fiddler on the Roof. The members of Madera Winds include: Kerry Walker, WCSU professor of Flute; Ralph Kirmser, Oboist, is a founding member of Madera who plays in a variety of chamber settings including Morningside Wind Quintet and the Bennington Chamber Music Conference in Vermont; Janet Atherton, also founding member of Madera Winds, is a member of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra and recently retired instrumental teacher with Greenwich Public Schools; Rosemary Dellinger played Principal Bassoon for four years with La Orquesta Sinfonica de Maracaibo, Venezuela and currently plays with the American Chamber Orchestra and the St. Thomas Orchestra; Marjorie Seymour Callaghan is WCSU professor of Horn and freelances in many of the local New York and Connecticut orchestras including the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. Registration strongly suggested. Pre-registrants should arrive by 3:50 to be guaranteed seating; wait-listed and walk-in registrants will be admitted after 3:50 if space is available. To register, please sign up online at www.wiltonlibrary.org or phone 203-762-6334. For information, contact asato@wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Monday, April 17 Balloon Pong, 4 to 5 p.m. Grade 4-7 competitors: craft your own paddle then plunge headlong into one-on-one or team competition. Serve, slam, save... POP! Registration required. Drop-ins admitted if space allows.To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Monday, April 17 Historian and Reenactor Brings Revolutionary War History To Life, 7 to 8 p.m. Please join us for a special Patriots' Day program when history will come alive at the Wilton Library on Monday April 17 at 7 pm. Historian and Revolutionary War Reenactor Col. Larry A. Maxwell will tell the story of how the Continental Army and local patriots managed to get around more than 2,000 Crown Forces in Wilton to oppose that invading force at Compo Beach after the burning of Danbury and the Battle of Ridgefield. Col. Maxwell is the author of Sybil Rides, the True Story of Sybil Ludington, the Burning of Danbury and the Battle of Ridgefield. He is the Town Historian for the Town of Patterson, New York, and director of the Living History Guild. He was the Chairman of the Company of Military Historians and an advisor for the History Channel. As a journalist he won the coveted Associated Press Writing Award. His and his wife's (Rebekah Fitch) ancestors were original settlers of Norwalk, Wilton, and Ridgefield. Registration highly recommended. Register online at www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334. Co-sponsored by Wilton Library and the Drum Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesdays, April 18 & 25 Mother Goose on the Loose, 10:15 to 11 a.m. Children ages 6 months to 2 years old will enjoy this fun storytime with music, puppets, picture books, and nursery rhymes. No registration required. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, April 18 Teen Library Council, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The Wilton Teen Library Council (TLC) is a monthly group for youth in grades 6-12 who are interested in becoming more involved with the library. All Wilton teens are welcome. Benefits include: helping librarians choose teen materials, brainstorming ideas for teen programs, gaining experience working in a leadership role, and helping the community through service projects. Each meeting will consist of a small group activity and discussion of upcoming events. Typically we will meet the second Tuesday of each month and ask that you attend all meetings. Registration is optional, but we recommend submitting a TLC application before your first meeting. Please contact Teen Services at (203) 762-6342 with any questions. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, April 18 Paint it Up!, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Come join us for a fun and relaxing evening. We'll supply the canvas, paints, brushes and a collection of masterpieces to copy and inspire you. No art experience required. Just a desire to pick up a brush, have fun and let your inner self out! For adults, ages 18+. Space limited. Registration required. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, April 18 Wilton Reads: Wilton Go Green Community Awards, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join Wilton Go Green as they honor and recognize the contributions of community members who have been helping to create a more sustainable Wilton this past year. Residents will be honored in the categories such as Environmental Steward Award, Environmental Ecosystems Award, Green Student, Green Town Official, Green Business and Green Community Partner. Doors open at 6:30pm to mingle and enjoy lite snacks and refreshments. Main program will begin at 7pm. Registration required. Please register online at www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334. For more information contact asato@wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Wednesdays, April 19 & 26 Wonderful Ones and Twos, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Active one and two year olds and their caregivers are invited to join us for a storytime especially geared for them! The program includes books, songs, rhymes, movement activities, and instruments or scarves, all geared towards building literacy skills. No registration required. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Wednesdays, April 19 & 26 Bouncing Babies, 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. Join us for this interactive program especially for babies up to 12 months. We will share stories, songs, and rhymes. Scarves and movement activities will be included and we will close out with a calming lullaby. No registration required. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursdays, April 20 & 27 Terrific Tales for Twos and Threes, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Two and three year olds and their caregivers are invited to join us for a storytime geared especially for them! Participants will hear stories, sing songs, learn rhymes, do movement activities, and have the opportunity to use scarves and instruments, while building literacy and social skills. No registration required. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, April 20 Teen Thursday: Make a Bird Feeder, 3:30 to 6 p.m. Drop by the Teen Room on Thursdays for a fun activity for Grades 6-12. This week's project: make a DIY bird feeder to hang this spring! All supplies provided, plus snacks! No registration necessary - just drop in. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursdays, April 20 & 27 Snap Circuits for Kids, 4:15 to 5 p.m. Kids in grades 3-5 can join us to put together creations that will whistle, flash and fly. Learning principles of electronics and engineering is a snap! Beginners welcome. Registration required. Drop-ins admitted if space allows. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, April 20 Wilton Reads: Book Discussion of Vigil Harbor with Susan Boyar, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Professional book discussion leader Susan Boyar discusses Wilton Library's Wilton Reads selection Vigil Harbor by Julia Glass.Vigil Harbor reveals Julia Glass in all her virtuosity, braiding multiple voices and dazzling strands of plot into a story where mortal longings and fears intersect with immortal mysteries of the deep as well as of the heart. When two unexpected visitors arrive in an insular coastal village, they threaten the equilibrium of a community already confronting climate instability, political violence, and domestic upheavals. Registration required. To register and for more information visit www.wiltonlibrary.org, or call the Circulation Desk at 203-762-6334. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Saturday, April 22 through Tuesday, April 25 Wilton Library’s Spring Book Sale, Saturday, April 22: 8 to 10 a.m. - Early Buying ($15 Admission); Saturday, April 22: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Free Admission; Sunday, April 23: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday, April 24: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Half-Price Day; Tuesday, April 25: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - $5 Bag Day (bags supplied by the library). More than 70,000 items sorted in 50 categories! Everyone is covered in this fundraiser – from tots to teens to adults. Featuring a large assortment of items including bestsellers, fiction and nonfiction, DVDs, CDs, vinyl, and much more. In the Brubeck Room - selections from board books and picture books to young reader and teen series to young adult novels. In the Book Cellar - categories such as self-help, art, history, cookbooks, gardening, travel, biographies and more; new or gently used rare and antique collectible books, books on CDs, DVDs, CDs and vinyl. High quality books at great prices - don't miss this opportunity! Proceeds benefit the library. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Saturday, April 22 Wilton Library’s Spring Gala, 6:30 to 11 p.m. Wilton Library's Spring Gala fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 6:30-11:00pm at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton. The Gala promises to be an elegant and entertaining evening bringing multiple generations together to celebrate with dinner, dancing to live music by Coverland Band, and appealing auctions. We will also honor four distinguished individuals responsible for making Wilton Library the cornerstone of our community through their forward-thinking work and dedication — Judy Higby, Kathy Leeds, Katharine Welling, and Malcolm Whyte. Tickets are $250 per person and may be purchased at www.wiltonlibrary.org or by contacting Suzanne Verrilli at sverrilli@wiltonlibrary.org or 203-762-6321. Proceeds benefit the library. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Sunday, April 23 The Poet's Voice: Kate Baer at Darien Library, 2 to 3 p.m. Wilton Library is pleased to co-sponsor a not-to-be-missed event at Darien Library, which is thrilled to present Kate Baer as its 2023 Poet’s Voice poet. Kate Baer is the three-time New York Times bestselling author of What Kind of Woman, I Hope This Finds You Well, and And Yet. Her poetry has also been published in The New Yorker, Literary Hub, Huffington Post, and The New York Times. Following a reading of selected passages, Kate will be in conversation with Darien Library Director, Kiera Parrott. No charge but registration is recommended. Register online on Darien Library’s website at www.darienlibrary.org. A wine and cheese reception will follow the event. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Barrett Bookstore. This program is made available through the support of the Horace E. Manacher Poetry Fund and the Friends of Darien Library. The Poet’s Voice – the series that has brought Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel Prize recipients, and Poets Laureate to local public libraries – is now in its 46th season, with readings this year at Darien Library and Greenwich Library. The series, traditionally held at Fairfield County libraries, is supported by the Horace E. Manacher Poetry Fund. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Monday, April 24 Zentangle Art Workshop: Zooming with Amy (Zoom), 3 to 4:30 p.m. Join Amy, Wilton Library's certified Zentangle teacher (CZT), as she guides us through a fun and relaxing Zentangle session on Zoom. This meditative art form uses simple steps to teach practitioners how to create beautiful patterns. Suitable for anyone who doesn't believe they can draw, as well as experienced artists. For adults and teens, ages 13+. See the library’s registration link for suggestions of supplies needed and short video tutorials. Registration is required and space is limited. Zoom link will be sent no later than the morning of the program. To register and see details, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Monday, April 24 Throw Throw Burrito Throwdown, 4 to 5 p.m. What happens when you cross a card game with dodgeball? You get 2022's top party game! Collect matching card sets while ducking squishy airborne burritos. For players in grades 4-6. Registration required. Drop-ins admitted if space allows. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, April 25 Senior Center Book Discussion: Old New York: Four Novellas, 11 a.m. to noon. Please join us as Miwako Ogasawara leads a discussion of Edith Wharton's Old New York: Four Novellas. Edith Wharton followed up her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Age of Innocence with Old New York: Four Novellas, a set of four novellas set in that novel’s same time and place. Indeed, some of the characters from the earlier novel overlap in these stories. Each novella corresponds to a decade with the set spanning the 1840s through the 1870s. These novellas are more like character studies in which the characters and their relationships to each other and to society at large are brought under the scrutiny of Wharton’s acute social-critical sense. Although comments on all four novellas are welcome, we will focus our discussion on the second one titled “The Old Maid” which was adapted as a 1939 film starring Betty Davis. Gore Vidal has said that “there are only three or four American novelists who can be thought of as ‘major’ -- and Edith Wharton is one.” This group meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month from September through May, excluding December. Call the Senior Center for details and to register at 203-834-6240. Comstock Community Center, 180 School Road, Wilton.
Tuesday, April 25 Wilton Library & Wilton Pride Present a Community Forum: Breaking Down Gender & Sexuality, 7 to 9 p.m. From breaking down gender and sexual diversity to rethinking historical and traditional assumptions around identity, this conversation is a must for all who wish to be allies to the LGBTQ+ community. Led by Triangle Community Center's Cadence Pentheny, this event will engage participants in a thorough overview of what it means to be LGBTQ+ and an ally! Co-sponsored by Wilton Library, Triangle Community Center, Wilton Youth Council, Middlebrook PTA, Wilton High School PTSA, Middlebrook GSA, Wilton High School GSA, The Rowan Center. You will walk away with: The importance of allyship in real life situations: Understanding how LGBTQ+ individuals are impacted by bias, and an overview of best practices that protect safety and inclusion; An understanding of what is meant by sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender identity, gender expression, and sex assigned at birth - the differences between them and how they impact one another; Language and definition of terms associated with the LGBTQ+ community, including lesser known terms; Defining and understanding notions of hetero-normativity, the gender/sex binary, and cis-normativity; Rethinking social norms and expectations surrounding sexuality and gender in our society. Our speaker, Cadence Pentheny (they/them), is Triangle Community Center's passionate Community Educator, with a demonstrated commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community through training and education. No charge. Registration strongly recommended. Register online at www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Wednesday, April 26 Wilton Reads: Teen Book Discussion - The Girl From The Sea, 4 to 5 p.m. Celebrate Wilton Reads by joining us to discuss the graphic novel The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag. Fifteen-year-old Morgan can't wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives. Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. As the girls start to fall in love, everything they're each trying to hide will find its way to the surface...whether Morgan is ready or not. Sign up for the program, then pick up a complimentary copy of the book at the Teen Department. Read the book on your own, then join us to talk all about it. This book discussion is for students in Grades 6-12. Pizza and refreshments will be served. Registration is required. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Wednesday, April 26 Big Kids Story Adventure, 4:15 to 5 p.m. Children ages 4 and up are invited to a storytime adventure! We will explore and chat about different exciting topics. There will be stories, songs, and crafts. Caregivers must remain on library property. No registration required. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Wednesday, April 26 Wilton Reads: Songs of Ships & Sailors, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Please join us in the Brubeck Room for a unique concert featuring arrangements from Songs of Ships & Sailors, a songbook written by the Castlebay Singers and published in 2021. The book contains over 160 songs gleaned from the many hundred songs they found in archives at the Maine Folklife center, the Library of Congress, the Helen Hartness Collection, and several others. Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee interpret these songs with their own artistic skill, making them attractive and available to a modern audience while retaining historic integrity and weaving in commentary relevant to the song and its provenance. Since 1986, Castlebay has been weaving together Maine's nautical and British Isles legacies, transporting their audience through time and across the Atlantic. Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee have loved and researched traditional music for most of their lives and blend history, legend and experience into their personable performances. Rich and exuberant renditions of traditional and original songs are supported with Celtic harp, 14-string guitar, fiddle & woodwinds. Castlebay has toured the Eastern US and Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Kosovo, and they have released over three dozen recordings. Registration required. Please register online at www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334. For more information, contact asato@wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, April 27 Teen Thursday: Decoupage Necklaces, 3:30 to 6 p.m. Drop by the Teen Room on Thursdays for a fun activity for Grades 6-12. This week's project: make your own custom necklace with our craft supplies! All supplies provided, plus snacks! No registration necessary - just drop in. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, April 27 Wilton Reads: Post-Pandemic Mental Health for Young Adults, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Teens and young adults are facing unique challenges after the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us for a panel discussion and Q&A featuring local mental health professionals. Gain insight on what tools and resources young people and their families can use for mental wellness. Teens, young adults, and their families are encouraged to attend this discussion and bring questions. Registration is required. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.