Book Talks Set As More And More Of Newtown Reads

By Jan Howard

Fifteen hundred copies of the late Howard Fast’s book, April Morning, continue to circulate as more and more Newtown residents participate in the townwide program, Newtown Reads.

The purpose of the program is to create communication between people and bringing the community together. Residents are wearing buttons to indicate they are reading the book.

Copies of the book are in short supply, according to Cyrenius H. Booth Library Director and Newtown Reads Chairwoman Janet Woycik.

“Pass them along or bring them back to the library,” Ms Woycik said. “People are looking for them.”

Mr Fast, author of several books in addition to April Morning, died March 12 at the age of 88.

“I talked to Howard Fast two weeks ago,” Ms Woycik said. “When we decided on the book, I called to see if he could speak, not knowing he was ill.” Ms Woycik said Mr Fast was pleased to learn Newtown was reading his book.

 A number of programs are planned in connection with April Morning during March and April, Ms Woycik said.

Several book discussions are scheduled. “We’re willing to book more. We’re looking for people to come to talk about April Morning,” Ms Woycik said. Each book discussion group is limited to 15 members, she said.

Book discussions to be held at the library are as follows: Wednesday, April 2, at noon, with Paula Toi and Helen Benson; Sunday, April 6, 2 pm, family book discussion for young adults (grades five and up) and adults, with Liz Arneth and Young Adult Librarian Margaret Brown; Monday, April 7, noon, brown bag book discussion with Cecilia Dalzell; Wednesday, April 9, 7:30 pm, with Terry Stoller; Thursday, April 10, 1 pm, with Linda Elsenhans and Cheryl Wicks; and Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 pm, with Elizabeth Adam and Janice Fields.

A book discussion will also be held on Monday, April 28, at the Newtown Senior Center, with lunch for $1.75.

Ms Woycik said all local book clubs are also discussing April Morning. She noted the library is looking for people to discuss the book that are not members of a club.

A movie night featuring a screening of April Morning will be held on Friday, March 28, at 7 pm with hot buttered popcorn followed by a short discussion.

On Tuesday, March 25, at 7:30 pm, Town Historian Dan Cruson will present a slide lecture, “Newtown and the Revolution.” According to Mr Cruson, Newtown has long been seen as a Tory/Loyalist town, with a large percentage of its citizens loyal to the crown, but there were also a large number of patriots who fought for independence in many of the Revolution’s battles.

 Mr Cruson will share an exciting eyewitness account of a militia troop that marched into Newtown to disarm Torys planning an uprising. He will also tell of William Edmond’s participation in the Battle of Ridgefield. He will also present the stories of young Newtown women whose lives were changed because of the 1778–79 winter encampments of troops in Redding.

Among other information, he will present an account of an execution of a Newtown resident during the Revolution. The evidence will be read and an account of his death will be shared with the audience.

Mr Cruson will lead a hike through Putnam Park, the site of the 1778–79 encampment, on Saturday, April 12, from 1 to 2 pm.

On Sunday, April 13, a living history demonstration and open house will be held at the Matthew Curtiss House, featuring cooking, rug hooking, and furniture building of the 18th Century.

The play, Felicity – American Girl, will be presented Thursday, April 24, at 7 pm, and again on Monday, April 28, at 4 pm.

On Friday, April 25, from 7 to 10 pm, the library will feature Tavern Night, with refreshments and The Reel Thing dancing. “There will be dancing and games all over the library,” Ms Woycik said.

A reenactment of a Revolutionary War loyalist encampment and battle will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 9:30 am to 4 pm, at Fairfield Hills. The day will feature camp life, campfire cooking, and a battle reenactment by the 1st Battalion DeLancey’s Brigade. The battle is scheduled for 1 pm.

Learn more about Newtown Reads on the Internet at www.biblio.org/NewtownReads.