Now On View

*The Brookfield Philatelic Society has a beautiful and informative exhibit of stamps on display at the library for the month of March. Please be sure to drop by and check it out!

Also on display at the library during March is Annual Scrapbag Quilters Display of Quilts. The designs are all original focusing on a specific theme: “Fiber Art in Motion.” The challenge given to members of the quilt artists’ group was to create the illusion of motion on a two-dimensional quilt. Twelve members of the group rose to the challenge, and created a display of 20 fiber creations for the current presentation at the library. The quilters are from Newtown, Brookfield, Danbury, Norwalk and Weston.

Each artwork, one of the members of the guild told The Newtown Bee this week (see details in “A Challenge To Quilters– Fiber Art In Motion”), is an original design inspired by the maker’s personal interpretation of the theme. Some of the quilt techniques are traditional, while others very contemporary. Come see for yourself before March 31.

Children’s Programs

*St Patrick’s Workshop: Join Mrs Walker for a fun St Patrick’s Day Craft Workshop on Saturday, March 8, from 1 to 2 pm. The craft is for children 6 and up. Pre-registration is required by calling the children’s department at 426-3851. A $2 fee is due at the time of registration.

*Traditional Songs of Ireland: You don’t have to be Irish to appreciate a traditional Irish ballad. On Sunday, March 16, from 2 to 3 pm, Sheri Mortimer will entertain young and old alike with stories and songs of Ireland. Sheri accompanies herself on guitar, tin whistle, bodhran and oboe. Celebrate St Patrick’s Day early this year and join us at the library for an entertaining hour of stories and songs from the Gaelic tradition.

Adult Programs

*Let the Reading Begin! NewtownREADS invites the entire community to read April Morning by Howard Fast during the months of March and April. The library has multiple copies for loan, or copies may be purchased at Borders or Barnes & Noble.

Wear your pin, read the book, discuss it, pass it on, then join in the activities in April that include book discussions, talks, a movie night, plus a reenactment on Saturday, April 26, at Fairfield Hills.

*Free Tax Help: Every Saturday during tax season free help is available at the library from 10 am to 1:30 pm in the Genealogy Room.  No appointment is necessary.  Just drop in.

*Computer Classes: Dan Tannenbaum of Newtown Computer Training Center will teach a class on computers for beginners on Saturday, March 8, from 9 am to noon, and an intermediate class on Saturday, March 20, also from 9 am to noon. Registration is required for both classes by calling the library at 426-4533.  There is a $10 supply fee for the intermediate class only.

*“Foreign Perspectives On America” with Dr Christopher L. Kukk will take place on Tuesday, March 11, at 8 pm. In the post-September 11 world, knowledge of how other countries view America is increasingly important to our daily lives. As a former international security fellow, a lecturer at Harvard University and an ex-counterintelligence agent for the United States Army, Dr Kukk brings a unique perspective to the subject.

The talk will include such topics as imperialism, globalization, Americanization, hegemony, and a newly published study by the Pew Research Center. In the event of snow the program will be rescheduled for Tuesday, March 18, at 8 pm.

*Genealogy Club: Come learn how to research your family tree. The Genealogy Club meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7 pm. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 12. Newcomers are welcome.

*Book Talks: Book talks for the month of March include discussions on The Hours by Michael Cunningham on Monday, March 10 at 1 pm; If I Killed Him… by Sharon McCrumb on Tuesday, March 18, at 7 pm, and Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks on Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 pm.

Call the library at 426-4533 to register for any of its programs or for additional information.