December at Wilton Library
Thursday, Dec. 2 Poetic Voices in Their Times: The Poetry of Robert Hayden and Mona Van Duyn, 10:30 a.m. - noon. Judson Scruton returns to the library’s Brubeck Room to wrap up a 4-week literature seminar taking readers through selected works by poets Robert Hayden and Mona Van Duyn. Robert Hayden was a major black poet who was often denigrated by the literary establishment because he wrote in more traditional, classical poetic forms. Mona Van Duyn won all the major poetic prizes but was often dismissed as writing about suburban female subject matter. Both poets deserve far more recognition and study. Their poems are accessible yet filled with surprising insight. Advance registration is required. There is no charge for this program. This lecture series is made possible with the support of the Literary Series in Memory of Amy Quigley. Please email Andrea Sato with questions at asato@wiltonlibrary.org. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, January 2 Wilton Library’s Holiday Book Sale, starts on Dec. 2 at noon. Wilton Library's annual Holiday Book Sale in the gallery is a seasonal delight with bargains galore – featuring a large array of pristine books in all categories, including children’s and teen’s, art, history, cookbooks, classics, biographies, and much more. This year’s sale includes a huge collection of small gift books in about 20 different categories, perfect for stocking stuffers, plus brand new stationery and art supplies, puzzles, and other gift items. Inventory is replenished frequently, so bargain hunters are encouraged to shop early and often. All proceeds benefit the library. The sale kicks off at noon on Thursday, December 2 and continues during regular library hours through Sunday, January 2. The library will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. ½ price off everything after Dec. 25. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, Dec. 2 Zooming Hanukkah Hoopla: Stories and Fun!, 4:15 – 5 p.m. Join us on Zoom, alongside special guest Cantor Harriet Dunkerley from Temple B’nai Chaim, to learn all about the Festival of Lights. You will hear stories, sing songs, and get the opportunity to see a variety of menorahs. If you have a menorah at home, feel free to have it on hand to share. Registration required. Once registered, you will be contacted to pick up your kit containing craft supplies and some fun Hanukkah treats. Zoom link will be sent out by the day of the program. For children in grades kindergarten and up. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org to register. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, Dec. 2 The Long and Short of Healthcare in the U.S., 7 – 8:30 p.m. Join us in the Brubeck Room for myths, misconceptions and uncomfortable truths about the way the U.S. Healthcare system does (and doesn’t) work. This presentation is intended for mature and immature audiences and everyone in-between. The U.S. Healthcare system is complex, confusing and sometimes dysfunctional in ways that can be scary and dangerous to those whom it is supposed to serve. It often seems as if consumers are the last to be considered when it comes to how healthcare is delivered and paid for. Our mission is to provide a framework for understanding why the system is the way it is and advice about how to deal effectively with it in a way that entertains as well as informs. Mike Boswood – the ‘long’ of it – is former CEO of Truven Health Analytics, Thomson Reuters Healthcare & Science, Joint MD of Elsevier Science. Joe Magnano – the ‘short’ of it – is former Global Head Legal M&A, Finance and Investments at Zurich Insurance Group. The speakers have decades of experience in understanding and explaining complicated business issues and are well versed in the intricacies of the healthcare and insurance industries. Their talk is intended for those who have experienced the challenges of grappling with healthcare in the U.S. And also for those who have yet to do so. For one day, they surely will. Registration required. Register online or call 203-762-6334. Contact asato@wiltonlibrary.org for more information. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org to register. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Friday, Dec. 3 Wilton Holiday Stroll/Gingerbread House Display, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Wilton Library staff will welcome visitors during this year’s Holiday Stroll. Outside our front entrance, we will be handing out special gift bags with sweet treats, while supplies last. We invite you to purchase an “ornament” from our Giving Tree, buy Hanukkah Gelt for the Children’s Library, and shop for gifts at our Holiday Book Sale. All proceeds benefit the library. For visitors of all ages, warm up inside and admire the entries for the Bakers & Builders Gingerbread Competition – Police Edition! and cast votes for the “Community Favorite” prize. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Sunday, Dec. 5 A Special Concert Broadcast Featuring the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, 4 – 5:30 p.m. The Trustees of Wilton Library invite you to join us online for a very special concert broadcast featuring the Brubeck Brothers Quartet. This concert is being offered completely free as our gift of thanks to the Town for the holidays. The concert was recorded earlier this summer in the library's Brubeck Room before a limited-size, live audience in conjunction with the various festivities surrounding the dedication of The Brubeck Collection at Wilton Library. Musicians Chris and Dan Brubeck, sons of jazz legend Dave Brubeck, head a dynamic, versatile band with guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb. Chris and Dan Brubeck have been making music together practically all their lives. Drummer Dan and bassist, trombonist and composer Chris cut their first record together in 1966. They've played a variety of styles in a number of different groups as well as with their father and their dynamic Brubeck Brothers Band. Although the quartet's style is rooted in straight-ahead jazz, their concerts reveal an inherent ability to explore and play odd time signatures while naturally integrating the influences of funk, blues and world music. The concert and The Brubeck Collection dedication event were sponsored by Fairfield County Bank. Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom invitation link. Please register online or call 203-762-6334. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org to register. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Monday, Dec. 6 Dave Brubeck’s Time Out: A Conversation Between Author/Music Historian Stephen Crist and Musicologist Gil Harel, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. To continue the celebration of the recent ribbon-cutting for The Brubeck Collection at Wilton Library – and Dave Brubeck’s birthday! – please join us online for an engaging conversation between author and music historian Stephen Crist and musicologist Gil Harel. They will discuss Dave Brubeck's iconic album Time Out as well as Brubeck's music and life. Professor Crist of Emory University literally "wrote the book" on this album and he sat down for a discussion with Gil Harel from Naugatuck Valley Community College. You may recall Gil's excellent "Bach to Brubeck" presentations with Chris Brubeck from June 2020. Their discussion was recorded in October in the library's new archive room in conjunction with the ribbon-cutting for The Brubeck Collection at Wilton Library. We will be broadcasting a recording of the ribbon-cutting ceremony as an introduction to the program starting at 6:30 p.m. with the Crist/Harel program beginning around 7 p.m. Stephen A. Crist is Chair of the Music Department at Emory University where he is also Professor of Music History. He works largely in European music of the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries, with additional interests in hymnody and jazz. Gil Harel, Associate Professor of Music at Naugatuck Valley Community College, is a musicologist and music theorist whose interests include styles ranging from renaissance madrigals to modal jazz of the 1960s. Registration required in order to receive the Zoom invitation link. Please register online or call 203-762-6334. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org to register and for more information. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesdays, Dec. 7 & 21 December Big Kids Story Time, 4:15 – 5 p.m. Children ages 4-5 are invited to a story time adventure at the library! We will explore and chat about different exciting topics. There will be stories, songs, and some activities. Story time will be in the Brubeck Room. Bring a blanket to reserve your space. Masks must be worn at all times by adults and children. Social distancing must be maintained, therefore space is limited. Registration is required for each session. Masked walk-ins welcome if space allows. Caregivers must remain on library property. Email tcoperine@wiltonlibrary.org with questions. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org to register. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, Dec. 7 Make It! Winter Craft Time for Adults, 6 – 7:15 p.m. Create with us in the Brubeck Room! We'll give tutorials on how to make your own wintery crafts, or you can make use of our craft stash to make your own creations in a relaxed environment. This program is suitable for adults and teens, ages 16 and up. Space is limited and registration is required. The library's Covid protocols will be followed. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org to register. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Wednesday, Dec. 8 Wilton Library Readers: The Depletion Prompts by David Means, noon to 1:30 p.m. Using Zoom, professional book discussion leader Susan Boyar discusses the short story “The Depletion Prompts”from the November 1, 2021 issue of The New Yorker magazine. Space is limited and registration required. Must have a Zoom account. An email link will be provided to all registrants before the meeting. Please note that the Zoom link will be sent to you from kzeibak@wiltonlibrary.org.The November 1, 2021 issue of The New Yorker is available for checkout, or download it through OverDrive on your computer or Libby by OverDrive app on your mobile device. The story can be found on The New Yorker's website at: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/11/01/the-depletion-prompts. A copy of the story will also be available at the reference desk. Wilton Library Readers group meets the second Wednesday of each month through June. Feel free to munch your lunch while we discuss the book. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org to register. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Saturday, Dec. 11 Destroy Your Hard Drive! 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Are you looking to get rid of your old computer, but worried about all the personal information stored on it? Let Singularity Technology, Wilton Library’s Robotics team, take care of it! You can wait and watch or just drop and go. This is a robotics team fundraiser. Minimum $20 per computer. No registration necessary. The library's Covid protocols will be followed. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, Dec. 14 Poetry Discussion with Janet Krauss: The Poetry of Pablo Neruda, 10:30 a.m. – noon. Please join us online as Janet Krauss leads a discussion of a selection of poems by Pablo Neruda. The Chilean poet and political activist, known best for his odes and love poems, is still universally acclaimed. 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. Please see the library’s registration link for more details. A readings packet will be emailed in advance of the program. No charge for the program. Advance registration required. Register online in order to receive the Zoom invitation link and readings packet. Please email Michael Bellacosa at mbellacosa@wiltonlibrary.org with any questions. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Tuesday, Dec. 14 Make a ‘Zine: Tutorial & Workshop for Teens, 4 – 5 p.m. All teens (grades 6-12) are welcome to join us in the Brubeck Room to learn how to make ‘zines. Pronounced “zeen,” these mini-magazines were popularized in the 1990s and are easy to make. Come learn how to measure different sizes and spend time writing, collaging, and decorating your own! Please register as our space is limited. You are welcome to bring materials such as magazine clippings, word cut-outs, and paper for collaging, but everything will be provided. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Wednesdays, Dec. 15, 22 & 29 December Family Story Time, 10:30 – 11 a.m. Children ages 2-4 and their caregivers are invited to our in-person story time. Story time will be in the Brubeck Room. Kids will enjoy stories, songs, puppets, and rhymes. Bring a blanket to reserve your space. Masks must be worn at all times by adults and children. Social distancing must be maintained, therefore space is limited. Registration is required for each session. Masked walk-ins welcome if space allows. Questions? Email alilienharper@wiltonlibrary.org. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Thursday, Dec. 16 Knitted Ear Warmer DIY for Teens, 4 – 5:15 p.m. Join us in the Brubeck Room to learn how to make cozy knitted ear warmers using finger knitting techniques. Absolutely no knitting experience required. We'll provide all the materials and give you the basics, and you'll leave with your own homemade ear warmers! This program is for teens in grades 6-12 only. Space is limited, so please register. The library’s Covid protocols will be followed. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Friday, Dec. 17 Christmas Traditions Around the World, 4 – 5 p.m. Join us for a special Zoom Christmas Program featuring Father Reggie Norman of Our Lady of Fatima Church. He will talk about Christmas traditions around the world. For children in grades K and up. Registration required. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants the morning of the program. Questions? Call Lesley Keogh at 203-762-6339 or email lkeogh@wiltonlibrary.org. To register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Saturday, Dec. 18 CT Poetry Society Workshop – In-Person Meeting, 2 – 4 p.m. Please join us for the next CT Poetry Society workshop live and in-person. 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 15 attendees. No charge but online registration is required. Register online or call 203-762-6334. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org to register. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Monday, Dec. 20 Zentangle Art Workshop: Zooming with Amy, 3 – 4:30 p.m. Join Amy, Wilton Library's certified Zentangle instructor, as she guides us through a fun and relaxing Zentangle art 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. Registration is required and space is limited. Zoom link will be sent no later than the morning of the program. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org to register and for short video tutorials. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.
Wednesday, Dec. 29 Make a Winter Snow Globe, 3 – 3:30 p.m. Kids in Grades K through 5 will learn how to make a Winter Snow Globe in this Zoom program. A kit will be supplied with materials for the craft. An email will be sent out to let participants know when they can pick up their kits, which will be available at the Children's Reference Desk. Another email will be sent with the Zoom link the morning of the program. Please register each child separately. Questions? Email Mrs. Keogh at lkeogh@wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6336. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org to register. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton; www.wiltonlibrary.org; 203-762-3950.