When most people think of archaeology, they think of Eygpt, Mexico and Peru.  However, our state of Connecticut has a wonderful archaeological heritage and many interesting sites.  Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni, CT’s State Archeologist presents a “potpourri” of the archaeological diversity of the state, including Native American sites dating to 11,000 years ago, Indian forts from the 17^th-century, Colonial homesteads, water-powered industrial mill ruins, cemeteries, underwater shipwrecks and, even two WWII plane crashes.  The “Greatest Hits” of Connecticut archaeology! 
 
As State Archaeologist, Dr. Bellantoni provides curatorial oversight of over 600,000 artifacts and maintains over 5,000 site files and map records. He is typically involved in over 20 field excavations, 300 municipal project proposals, and 150 field reviews each year. He also teaches anthropology classes at UCONN.

Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library. Registration required and begins May 27th.

Adults, come to these sessions and learn the basics of yoga. Bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. Wear appropriate workout wear (comfortable but not restricting). Class is limited to 25 people.

Attendance is first come, first served for yoga classes.  When the limit of 25 people is reached, the door will be closed and a sign will be posted indicating that the class is full.

Adults, come to these sessions and learn the basics of yoga. Bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. Wear appropriate workout wear (comfortable but not restricting). Class is limited to 25 people.

Attendance is first come, first served for yoga classes.  When the limit of 25 people is reached, the door will be closed and a sign will be posted indicating that the class is full.

Adults, come to these sessions and learn the basics of yoga. Bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. Wear appropriate workout wear (comfortable but not restricting). Class is limited to 25 people.

Attendance is first come, first served for yoga classes.  When the limit of 25 people is reached, the door will be closed and a sign will be posted indicating that the class is full.

Have you ever wondered what was on your property before your home was built, or where the dairy farms once thrived in Monroe?

Come fly with Kevin Daly, a native of Monroe, as he explains residential archaeology to compare and contrast the developmental changes to our town over the decades through the use of Internet tools in the form of free and easily accessible websites. These sites range from current satellite imagery of our town, to photographic aerial survey’s which span back through the decades to as early as 1934. Other sites will be introduced which grant free access to maps of Monroe and its surrounding towns from as early as 1856. Many of his finds have been embraced by the Monroe Historical Society and he has recently collaborated with them as a presenter on their 2013 Mines & Mills tour. 

Soon you will have a bird’s eye view of Monroe and a unique aerial perspective of our town that you’ve never imagined.  It’s a process that’s interesting, fun and even a little addicting.  Basic Internet browser skills and a general interest in our town’s history are the only requirements.

Registration required and begins June 24th. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library.

Have you ever taken an antibiotic? Do you use antiseptic gel on a regular basis? Learn about why these products can have an impact on your overall health in ways that you never imagined.

Dr. Roberts, Assistant Professor, Biology Department at Southern Connecticut State University, will explain the microbial partners that help to make us human, help to keep us healthy, and how our modern practices are disturbing our invisible partners and impacting our own health. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College (BA) and Rutgers University (PhD) and currently teaches microbiology at SCSU. Her research is on the interactions between microbes that reside on grasses.

Refreshment provided by the Friends of the Library. Registration required and begins June 26th.^.

At a time when Connecticut’s two mega-casinos face the prospect of heavy new competition nearby states and the growing political pressure to legalize Internet gambling, former CT Congressman, Robert Steele has written “The Curse: Big-Time Gambling's Seduction of a Small New England Town”.

Bob will discuss his research from the Pequot War , then jumps 350 years to create this "factional" novel, based on real events, when two Indian tribes built the world’s two biggest casinos in the southeastern corner of the state in the 1990s. He represented eastern Connecticut in Congress prior to the arrival of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, and subsequently lived on the edge of the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation, giving him a front-row seat to the events that led to the casinos and a first-hand view of their impact.

WNPR/Connecticut Public Radio’s John Dankosky calls the novel “fascinating” and Connecticut author Martin Shapiro has described it as “compelling and timely…an epic story of history, money and politics that will make you wonder where America is headed.”

Questions and answers follow talk. Books available for purchase. Registration required and begins July 1.

Composting is one of those super-easy, ‘no-brainer’ things we can all do to reduce the impact of Man’s effect on the Earth. Donna Katsuranis, Advanced Master Gardner,  returns to address the ‘Whys’ and ‘Hows’ - and ‘Dos’ and ‘Don'ts’ - of Composting, and the benefits for your garden, your lawn, and the Earth. Come and learn just how simple it is to let Nature do what she does – er – Naturally.

Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library. Registration required and begins July 8th.

Celebrate Family History Month! 

Have you always wanted to write a book, story, poem or memoir? Everyone has a story to tell. Join us on the third Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for an opportunity to finally get those ideas out of your head and onto paper (or laptop.) We welcome all types of writers who aspire to publish and anyone else who would like to spend an hour in a safe, nurturing environment creating and sharing their work. Seniors are encouraged to document family traditions and personal anecdotes to pass on to loved ones.  No registration necessary.

Have you always wanted to write a book, story, poem or memoir? Everyone has a story to tell. Join us on the third Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for an opportunity to finally get those ideas out of your head and onto paper (or laptop.) We welcome all types of writers who aspire to publish and anyone else who would like to spend an hour in a safe, nurturing environment creating and sharing their work. Seniors are encouraged to document family traditions and personal anecdotes to pass on to loved ones.  No registration necessary.

Have you always wanted to write a book, story, poem or memoir? Everyone has a story to tell. Join us on the third Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for an opportunity to finally get those ideas out of your head and onto paper (or laptop.) We welcome all types of writers who aspire to publish and anyone else who would like to spend an hour in a safe, nurturing environment creating and sharing their work. Seniors are encouraged to document family traditions and personal anecdotes to pass on to loved ones.  No registration necessary.

Have you always wanted to write a book, story, poem or memoir? Everyone has a story to tell. Join us on the third Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for an opportunity to finally get those ideas out of your head and onto paper (or laptop.) We welcome all types of writers who aspire to publish and anyone else who would like to spend an hour in a safe, nurturing environment creating and sharing their work. Seniors are encouraged to document family traditions and personal anecdotes to pass on to loved ones.  No registration necessary.

Have you always wanted to write a book, story, poem or memoir? Everyone has a story to tell. Join us on the third Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for an opportunity to finally get those ideas out of your head and onto paper (or laptop.) We welcome all types of writers who aspire to publish and anyone else who would like to spend an hour in a safe, nurturing environment creating and sharing their work. Seniors are encouraged to document family traditions and personal anecdotes to pass on to loved ones.  No registration necessary.

Have you always wanted to write a book, story, poem or memoir? Everyone has a story to tell. Join us on the third Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for an opportunity to finally get those ideas out of your head and onto paper (or laptop.) We welcome all types of writers who aspire to publish and anyone else who would like to spend an hour in a safe, nurturing environment creating and sharing their work. Seniors are encouraged to document family traditions and personal anecdotes to pass on to loved ones.  No registration necessary.

Have you always wanted to write a book, story, poem or memoir? Everyone has a story to tell. Join us on the third Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for an opportunity to finally get those ideas out of your head and onto paper (or laptop.) We welcome all types of writers who aspire to publish and anyone else who would like to spend an hour in a safe, nurturing environment creating and sharing their work. Seniors are encouraged to document family traditions and personal anecdotes to pass on to loved ones.  No registration necessary.

Have you always wanted to write a book, story, poem or memoir? Everyone has a story to tell. Join us on the third Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for an opportunity to finally get those ideas out of your head and onto paper (or laptop.) We welcome all types of writers who aspire to publish and anyone else who would like to spend an hour in a safe, nurturing environment creating and sharing their work. Seniors are encouraged to document family traditions and personal anecdotes to pass on to loved ones.  No registration necessary.

Have you always wanted to write a book, story, poem or memoir? Everyone has a story to tell. Join us on the third Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for an opportunity to finally get those ideas out of your head and onto paper (or laptop.) We welcome all types of writers who aspire to publish and anyone else who would like to spend an hour in a safe, nurturing environment creating and sharing their work. Seniors are encouraged to document family traditions and personal anecdotes to pass on to loved ones.  No registration necessary.

Have you always wanted to write a book, story, poem or memoir? Everyone has a story to tell. Join us on the third Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for an opportunity to finally get those ideas out of your head and onto paper (or laptop.) We welcome all types of writers who aspire to publish and anyone else who would like to spend an hour in a safe, nurturing environment creating and sharing their work. Seniors are encouraged to document family traditions and personal anecdotes to pass on to loved ones.  No registration necessary.

Have you always wanted to write a book, story, poem or memoir? Everyone has a story to tell. Join us on the third Tuesday each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm for an opportunity to finally get those ideas out of your head and onto paper (or laptop.) We welcome all types of writers who aspire to publish and anyone else who would like to spend an hour in a safe, nurturing environment creating and sharing their work. Seniors are encouraged to document family traditions and personal anecdotes to pass on to loved ones.  No registration necessary.