Emergence - an exhibition of Charles Gulbrandsen's luminous abstract field paintings. Gulbrandsen's new series of paintings explore the nature of light and luminosity - eliminating the traditional distinction between light and shadow. He describes his paintings as "a place where space and light are not separate...where luminous vessels define and complete the other within their own shimmering atmosphere."
Stories, songs and rhymes for children. Stories are appropriate for the preschool child but all are welcome. Parent or caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their child. No Registration. A2 A3 A4 A5
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Children ages 4 and older who are readers are invited to read to ROAR (Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue) Therapy Dogs. Please register for your child to read for 10 minutes. Children will read based on the order in which they arrive. Registration required. A4 A5 A6 A7
Cafe' Italiano - Drop in on an Italian conversational group looking to practice the language while meeting new people. All levels welcome, with the goal to speak Italian the whole time. You are welcome to bring a closed cup of coffee/tea to sip while conversing in Italian. There is no commitment to come every month; come when you can.
When: First Saturday of the month at 12:00 noon
Location: Randolph Board room
Please register
Artist's reception for Emergence - an exhibition of Charles Gulbrandsen's luminous abstract field paintings. In this new series of paintings, Gulbransen explores the nature of light and luminosity - eliminating the traditional distinction between light and shadow.
He describes his paintings as "a place where space and light are not separate...where luminous vessels define and complete the other within their own shimmering atmosphere." He describes his paintings as images of radiant uncertainty and says they are more like questions than statements - asking the viewer: What is this place? Where are we now?
Although Gulbrandsen is focusing more on his abstract paintings now than on his prior work in art conservation, he once had the amazing opportunity to participate in the restoration of Grand Central's celestial mural painting in 1996. His grandfather, Charles G. Gulbrandsen, led the efforts to paint this famous ceiling in 1945.
BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES - THE OPERA
SUN. JUN 02, 2019 4:00PM
https://ridgefieldplayhouse.org/event/bonfire-of-the-vanities-the-opera/
Members & Seniors $20 | Students $15
Ridgefield Library cardholders receive member prices for this show.
AAA members receive a 20% discount!
FREE tickets for students 18 & under! Must show ID at the box office.
Spring has sprung in this outdoor watercolor workshop! Emulating the guerilla watercolor painting style of J. M. W. Turner, we will spend some time outdoors capturing the beauty of Ridgefield in Springtime. Materials provided, please bring any additional materials you would like to use. This program is suitable for teens (13 and up) and adults.
The Maker-in-Residence initiative is made possible thanks to the Wadsworth Russell Lewis Fund and is part of the Library’s ongoing Making STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities.
Please register.
Ernest Troost, an Emmy-winning film and television composer as well as a recipient of the prestigious Kerrville New Folk award for his songwriting, will perform at the Ridgefield Library on Sunday, June 2 at 2 p.m.
Troost has composed and produced two award-winning albums of songs for Judy Collins using the words of Emily Dickinson, Robert Browning, Gertrude Stein, and others. Los Angeles-based Troost’s scores for films include the cult classic Tremors and HBO’s award-winning Lesson Before Dying.
This concert is part of the Library's spring 2019 Ridgefield Folk live music series. Tickets are free thanks to the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
The concert is free thanks to the Friends of the Library. Doors open at 1:30 PM.
Please register.
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Stories, songs and rhymes for children. Stories are appropriate for the preschool child but all are welcome. Parent or caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their child. No Registration. A2 A3 A4 A5
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Children in grades 2-4 join a fun group, that loves to read and perform, in our production of Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard. Children are able to improvise with a written script and have fun acting out this clever classic story. The class will run for 4 weeks with the presentation on June 3. All children are expected to attend all 4 sessions. Registration required.
Mother Goose is a language enrichment program for "walkers" ages 1 and 2 years with a caregiver. Language enrichment activities include finger plays, music, movement and books of course! No registration. A1 A2
Grades 3rd through 7th. Work as group to defeat The Evil Robot by learning about 3D printing, how to find or create designs, and how to make an appointment to print on the library’s makerbot! Registration required.
Grades 3rd through 7th. Work as group to defeat The Evil Robot by learning about 3D printing, how to find or create designs, and how to make an appointment to print on the library’s makerbot! Registration required.
Learn Scrabble skills to help you play a more competitive game. For children in grades 3-12. No registration A8 A9 A10
Pequot Plantation: The Story of an Early Colonial Settlement by Richard Radune
The Nonfictioneers meet on the first Tuesday of the month to discuss classic and contemporary non-fiction titles.
Click here for more information and to see the upcoming discussion selections.
New members are always welcome.
The class is led by Dawn DeCosta of Tech Savvy.
This programs is part of the Library'sTech Tricks: Classes to Keep You Current and Connected series, that is made possible thanks to the Paul and Johanna Laszig Fund for the Elderly.
Please register
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Fingerplays and songs for newborns through age 12 months with a caregiver. Parents of infants are invited to network with each other. No registration. A1
Local yoga teachers will lead Chair Yoga sessions on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 1 - 2 PM.
This program is part of the Noreen L. Papa: Mothers Live Your Life series.
Please register.
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Homeschoolers in kindergarten through 5th grade and their caregivers can join us for books, legos, and open crafting time! Registration required. A5 A6 A7 A8 A9
Children in grades kindergarten through 5th can exercise their creativity in our lego free build! What will you create? No registration. A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10
Join our weekly book club designed especially for adolescents (16 and up) and adults with intellectual and developmental challenges. This inclusive book club is open to anyone who enjoys a good book (including aides)! Non-readers, non-verbal, emerging readers, fluent/avid readers are all welcome and encouraged to participate at their comfort level. The club allows members to socialize while being exposed to a variety of resources the library has to offer. Books are provided. Registration for first session covers entire 8-week cycle.
Please contact Sonta Frindt to register.
Long fascinated by gangster legends, Rich Cohen tells the story of this notorious underworld figure, from his humble origins to the wild, globe-crossing, bacchanalian crime spree that forged his ruthlessness and his reputation, to his ultimate incarnation as a demon who terrorized lower Manhattan, at a time when pirates anchored off 14th Street.
Rich Cohen is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Tough Jews, The Avengers, Monsters, and (with Jerry Weintraub) When I Stop Talking, You’ll Know I’m Dead. He is a co-creator of the HBO series Vinyl and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone and has written for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Harper’s Magazine, among others. Cohen has won the Great Lakes Book Award, the Chicago Public Library’s 21st Century Award, and the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for outstanding coverage of music. His stories have been included in The Best American Essays and The Best American Travel Writing. He lives in Connecticut.
“With its wise and erudite storytelling, Rich Cohen’s The Last Pirate of New York takes the reader on an exciting nonfiction narrative journey that transforms a grisly nineteenth-century murder into a shrewd portent of modern life. Totally unique, totally compelling, I enjoyed every page.”—Howard Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Gangland and American Lightning
This program is co-sponsored by the Library and Books on the Common. Books will be available for sale and signing at the event.
Please register.
Under the Midnight Sun by Keigo Higashino (2016, 554 pages). An epic whodunit featuring an intricate plot that spans two decades, with unflappable and indefatigable Osaka homicide detective Sasagaki on the unsolved (and unsolvable?) case.
Murder by the Book takes place on the first Thursday of the month - January through November.
Click here for upcoming Murder by the Book selections and to check our catalog.
We Grow Yoga presents a Sticky Jams music and movement celebration for children ages 2-5 accompanied by an adult. Registration is now required for this program. Only persons registered will be allowed to attend. Register separately for individual dates on May 23, 30 & June 6.A2 A3 A4
Children ages 3, 4 & 5 enjoy stories, rhymes and movement activities. Adults are welcome to attend but independent children may attend alone while the adults remain in the children's library. A short film depiciting a favorite picture book will be shown. No registration. A3 A4 A5
Readers in 4th through 7th grade can join us as we read, craft and trivia-battle our way through the Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling. This month we're discussing the whole of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and having a year-end party. Registration required. A9 A10
Watch the movie then share the book! Book based movies for ages 2 and up but all ages are welcome. No registration A2 A3 A4 A5 A6
The Ridgefield Library's photography group the Shutterbugs meets on the second Saturday of the month to discuss their craft and/or head out on their many field trips. They usually meet at the Library parking lot at 9 AM. If the weather is bad they may meet to discuss their work at the Library.
New members are always welcome. Please contact Mary Harold at 438-7350 or email ridgefieldshutterbugs@yahoo.com if you are interested in joining the group and to find out the location of the field trips.
Stories, songs and rhymes for children. Stories are appropriate for the preschool child but all are welcome. Parent or caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their child. No Registration. A2 A3 A4 A5
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ANTONY & CLEOPATRA: NATIONAL THEATRE IN HD
SUN. JUN 09, 2019 12:00PM
https://ridgefieldplayhouse.org/event/antony-cleopatra-national-theatre-in-hd/
Members & Seniors $20 | Students $15
Ridgefield Library cardholders receive member prices for this show.
AAA members receive a 20% discount!
FREE tickets for students 18 & under! Must show ID at the box office.
Stories, songs and rhymes for children. Stories are appropriate for the preschool child but all are welcome. Parent or caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their child. No Registration. A2 A3 A4 A5
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Join us for our monthly chat about our favorite books. Members of our staff will share of their personal recommendations and then we hope you'll share your memorable reads. Beverages and snacks will be provided.L
Registration is not required.
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Join us for a one hour Mindfulness and Meditation class. Classes take place on the second and fourth Monday of the month (unless there is a holiday).
Meditation offers countless benefits, including improved emotional regulation, focus, resilience, compassion, and mental and physical health. We are pleased to host the Community Mindfulness Project: a local, secular meditation group dedicated to the study and practice of mindfulness meditation for people of all religious backgrounds. CMP’s teachings draw from a variety of meditation traditions, and in addition to regular, dedicated practice the group supports new and veteran practitioners with discussion and peer-to-peer learning.
This program is made possible thanks to donors to the Library's Noreen L. Papa - Mothers: Live Your Life fund.
Registration is recommended for each class. HF
Mother Goose is a language enrichment program for "walkers" ages 1 and 2 years with a caregiver. Language enrichment activities include finger plays, music, movement and books of course! No registration. A1 A2
Learn Scrabble skills to help you play a more competitive game. For children in grades 3-12. No registration A8 A9 A10
Fingerplays and songs for newborns through age 12 months with a caregiver. Parents of infants are invited to network with each other. No registration. A1
Readers in grades 2nd and 3rd can read the book, then join our friendly group for fun discussion and a craft! This month we're discussing Arnie the Doughnut: Bowling Alley Bandit by Laurie Keller. Copies are available at the children's desk. Registration required. One child per registration.
Snacks will be available during the program: Skinny Pop White Cheddar Popcorn and Annie's Organic Friends Bunny Grahams. Nutritional information is available at the children's desk. A7 A8
Interested robotic engineers in grades 4 - 6 can join robotics coach Mike Garguilo in a LEGO Robotics educational program. As a robotic LEGO Master Builder, you will build and program a robot to solve problems spread throughout the LEGO world! No previous robotic/programming skills needed. Registration is for one month at a time, but students are encouraged to attend multiple months for more practice and missions. Registration required. A9 A10
Interested robotic engineers in grades 7 - 12 can ioin robotics coach Mike Garguilo in a LEGO Robotics educational program. As a robotic LEGO Master Builder, you will build and program a robot to solve problems spread throughout the LEGO world! No previous robotic/programming skills needed. Registration is for one month at a time, but students are encouraged to attend multiple months for more practice and missions. Registration required.
Join our weekly book club designed especially for adolescents (16 and up) and adults with intellectual and developmental challenges. This inclusive book club is open to anyone who enjoys a good book (including aides)! Non-readers, non-verbal, emerging readers, fluent/avid readers are all welcome and encouraged to participate at their comfort level. The club allows members to socialize while being exposed to a variety of resources the library has to offer. Books are provided. Registration for first session covers entire 8-week cycle.
Please contact Sonta Frindt to register.
Children ages 3, 4 & 5 enjoy stories, rhymes and movement activities. Adults are welcome to attend but independent children may attend alone while the adults remain in the children's library. A short film depiciting a favorite picture book will be shown. No registration. A3 A4 A5
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Join us for a monthly book discussion at Founders Hall. Open to members of Founders Hall only.LS
Join us for an Author Talk with Michele Filgate as she discusses her recently released book of essays What My Mother And I Don't Talk About: 15 Writers Break the Silence. Michele Filgate will be in conversation with fellow Ridgefielder Emily Pambianchi of Social Graces Communication.
“These are the hardest stories in the world to tell, but they are told with absolute grace. You will devour these beautifully written—and very important— tales of honesty, pain, and resilience.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love and City of Girls
Michele Filgate’s work has appeared in Longreads; The Washington Post; the Los Angeles Times; The Boston Globe; The Paris Review Daily; Tin House; Gulf Coast; O, The Oprah Magazine; BuzzFeed;Refinery29; and many other publications. Currently, she is an MFA student at NYU, where she is the recipient of the Stein Fellowship. She’s a contributing editor at Literary Hub and teaches at the Sackett Street Writers’ Workshop and Catapult. What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About is her first book.
This program is co-sponsored by Books on the Common. Copies of of What My Mother and I Don't Talk About will be available for sale and signing at the event.
Please register.
Watch the movie then share the book! Book based movies for ages 2 and up but all ages are welcome. No registration A2 A3 A4 A5 A6
Stories, songs and rhymes for children. Stories are appropriate for the preschool child but all are welcome. Parent or caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their child. No Registration. A2 A3 A4 A5
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Join the Fairfield County Writers Group (fairfieldcountywriters.org) on the third Saturday of the month for a monthly write-in, a three-hour productive working session where we can gather together and feed off each other's focused energies to work on our individual projects (and escape the responsibilities and chaos of our home lives for a few hours each month to get writing done).
The FCWG is comprised of authors from across the spectrum of career paths, some are just starting out while others have published and self-published completed works. We know that everyone has to start somewhere and welcome anyone who is serious about working on their writing. There is no cost for attending our writing sessions, nor are there dues for membership. Please visit our website for our events calendar and links to our Discord and Facebook groups.
Please come prepared to work quietly on your project. WiFi and power outlets are available thanks to the Ridgefield Library. Library patrons of all ages and experience levels are welcome.
Please register. L
Stories, songs and rhymes for children. Stories are appropriate for the preschool child but all are welcome. Parent or caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their child. No Registration. A2 A3 A4 A5
A4 A5
Mother Goose is a language enrichment program for "walkers" ages 1 and 2 years with a caregiver. Language enrichment activities include finger plays, music, movement and books of course! No registration. A1 A2
Learn Scrabble skills to help you play a more competitive game. For children in grades 3-12. No registration A8 A9 A10
Circe by Madeline Miller (2018, 353 pages). "A bold and subversive retelling of the goddess's story," that "manages to be both epic and intimate in its scope, recasting the most infamous female figure from The Odyssey as a hero in her own right" (Alexandra Alter, The New York Times). Whether you are a fan of mythology or not, this captivating tale will wrap you in its spell.
The Critics' Circle meets the third Tuesday of the month. New readers are always welcome!
Click here for more information about upcoming Critics' Circle selections and to check our catalog.
Or click the link below to find general information about the group.
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Registration is not required.
The class is led by Dawn DeCosta of Tech Savvy.
This programs is part of the Library'sTech Tricks: Classes to Keep You Current and Connected series, that is made possible thanks to the Paul and Johanna Laszig Fund for the Elderly.
Please register
Comtec
Fingerplays and songs for newborns through age 12 months with a caregiver. Parents of infants are invited to network with each other. No registration. A1
Local yoga teachers will lead Chair Yoga sessions on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 1 - 2 PM.
This program is part of the Noreen L. Papa: Mothers Live Your Life series.
Please register.
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Come join us on the third Wednesday of the month to watch an Italian movie (with English subtitles). A discussion after the film in Italian will follow for those looking to stay and practice their Italian (or even just to listen). All levels of Italian conversation welcome! Italian snacks will be provided; then get home in time for dinner.
Movie will start at 4:00 pm; discussion afterwards
May 8 - The Postman (Il Postino) (Note: Second Wednesday of the month due to Library book sale) - (108 minutes - Rated PG)
June 19 - I Remember (Amarcord) - (123 minutes, Rated R)
Please register for each session.
Children ages 3, 4 & 5 enjoy stories, rhymes and movement activities. Adults are welcome to attend but independent children may attend alone while the adults remain in the children's library. A short film depiciting a favorite picture book will be shown. No registration. A3 A4 A5
Watch the movie then share the book! Book based movies for ages 2 and up but all ages are welcome. No registration A2 A3 A4 A5 A6
Stories, songs and rhymes for children. Stories are appropriate for the preschool child but all are welcome. Parent or caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their child. No Registration. A2 A3 A4 A5
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Families are invited to play games from the library's collection of board games for ages 4 & older. No registration. A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10
Stories, songs and rhymes for children. Stories are appropriate for the preschool child but all are welcome. Parent or caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their child. No Registration. A2 A3 A4 A5
A4 A5
Food for Thought: A Culinary Book Discussion Group reads books that explore the many ways that food expresses, affects, and enriches our lives. Discussions are held on the fourth Monday of every month, excluding December.
New readers always welcome! No registration required. Books are available at the Circulation Desk.
Join us for a one hour Mindfulness and Meditation class. Classes take place on the second and fourth Monday of the month (unless there is a holiday).
Meditation offers countless benefits, including improved emotional regulation, focus, resilience, compassion, and mental and physical health. We are pleased to host the Community Mindfulness Project: a local, secular meditation group dedicated to the study and practice of mindfulness meditation for people of all religious backgrounds. CMP’s teachings draw from a variety of meditation traditions, and in addition to regular, dedicated practice the group supports new and veteran practitioners with discussion and peer-to-peer learning.
This program is made possible thanks to donors to the Library's Noreen L. Papa - Mothers: Live Your Life fund.
Registration is recommended for each class. HF
Mother Goose is a language enrichment program for "walkers" ages 1 and 2 years with a caregiver. Language enrichment activities include finger plays, music, movement and books of course! No registration. A1 A2
Learn Scrabble skills to help you play a more competitive game. For children in grades 3-12. No registration A8 A9 A10
The AM Book Group meets the fourth Wednesday of the month (except December)
Adam Bede by George Eliot (1859; app. 592 pages). George Eliot's first full-length novel, Adam Bede follows the virtuous carpenter of the same name, whose world is disrupted when the all-too-beautiful Hetty betrays him for another villager. Her actions precipitate a turmoil of tragic events that shake their serene rural community.
Click here for upcoming A.M. Book Group selections and to check our catalog.
Or click the following link to find general information about the group -
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Fingerplays and songs for newborns through age 12 months with a caregiver. Parents of infants are invited to network with each other. No registration. A1
Children ages 3, 4 & 5 enjoy stories, rhymes and movement activities. Adults are welcome to attend but independent children may attend alone while the adults remain in the children's library. A short film depiciting a favorite picture book will be shown. No registration. A3 A4 A5
Ridgefield Library and Books on the Common present author Peter Houlahan, who will discuss his recently released book Narco '80 - The True Story of the Most Spectacular Bank Robbery in American History. Houlahan will show photos, maps, and play the original audio recordings of police radio traffic and suspect interrogations to tell the story of Norco in a engaging and lively way.
“Norco ’80 makes meticulous research and devotion to the truth fuse with suspense and excitement until the reader is right there, a witness to this guns-blazing account of a crime that changed American law enforcement’s readiness for violence in the extreme.” —Joseph Wambaugh, author of The Onion Field
“Simply put, Norco ’80 is one of the best true crime accounts ever written. Harrowing, incisive, and important.” —Tod Goldberg, author of Gangsterland
Peter Houlahan is a freelance writer contributing to a wide range of publications. In his career as an emergency medical technician, he has written a number of articles related to his profession. He holds an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. A native of Southern Californian, Houlahan now lives in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing at the event. Please register.
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Watch the movie then share the book! Book based movies for ages 2 and up but all ages are welcome. No registration A2 A3 A4 A5 A6
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ridgefield Library. Free copies of the poetry books are available for members of the Friends who attend the discussions. If you would like to join the Friends please click here. Membership fees are $10 per year for seniors and $15 for other adults. for non-members a limited number of copies may be available to use at the discussions and some will be for sale (books range in price from approximately $10 to $15 per book) FR
PODCASTING FOR BEGINNERS AND PRO’S: THE WORKSHOP with Scott Schulte
This is a 3-week workshop designed to bring value to beginners and Pro’s. Whether you’re in business, education, non-profit, a student, or just a hyper-creative superstar, you will leave this class with some new skills, and a lot to think about. Classes take place on June 29, July 6 and 13.
Newbies, you are going to learn the basics. If you’ve had some experience, I’ll ask you to reboot your thinking about how you create your content and how you structure a show. We’ll create a sense of community, support each others ideas and have a lot of fun.
Your facilitator, Scott Schulte, is a former teacher who had a 29 year broadcast radio career, is a Podcast coach, co-founder of two theatre groups and is a member of SAG-AFTRA.
This workshop is suitable for teens (16 and up) and adults.
Please register. By registering for the first session you will automatically be registered for all three sessions.
Stories, songs and rhymes for children. Stories are appropriate for the preschool child but all are welcome. Parent or caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their child. No Registration. A2 A3 A4 A5
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The Ridgefield Library and the Ridgefield Historical Society will host a Power Point presentation and book signing by author and historian Marty Podskoch, who will discuss his new book, The Connecticut 169 Club: Your Passport and Guide to Exploring Connecticut. His new travel book Connecticut 169 Club, encourages travelers to visit all of the towns and villages of our beautiful and unique state.
Marty Podskoch was a teacher in the Catskills and came to Conn. in 2005. He decided to write a book on the Connecticut CCC camps. He traveled to over 100 towns in Conn. where he gave talks on the CCC and people shared their stories and photos. His Connecticut Civilian Conservation Corps Camps: History, Memories & Legacy of the CCC was published in 2016.
Podskoch created a book to be a guide and a passport. He got someone from each town to write a short description highlighting their town’s location, history, and interesting places to visit. Podskoch did this because local residents knew more about their town than he. The book has a space for travelers to journal about their experiences and a place to get the book stamped or signed by a resident or business. Travelers will get to know the locals and perhaps learn about a good place to eat or an interesting local attraction. In this way they get to know a lot about Connecticut and its residents.
There is no membership fee, just a desire to experience all of Connecticut. Adults and children of all ages can be members. What a great adventure for families, grandparents, and their grandchildren, or go by oneself. Most members will travel by car while others might use a bike, motorcycle, or maybe a canoe!
Please register.
Families are invited to play games from the library's collection of board games for ages 4 & older. No registration. A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10