Children’s Programs

*Craft Workshop: Marie Walker will conduct a Father’s Day craft workshop on Saturday, June 4, from 1 to 2 pm.

Children must be 6 or older and a $3 material fee is due upon registration. Sign up in the children’s department.

*Summer Reading Kick-Off & Children’s Book Sale: June 29 is the kick-off date at Reed Intermediate School for the C.H. Booth Library’s summer reading program.

The Friends of the Library will have a Children’s Book Sale from 9 am to noon. Lots of children’s books will be available for very reasonable prices.

At 10:30 the Marshmallow Masquers will present a live dramatic presentation, The Mystery of the Fabulous Fossil Find.

Children ages 4 through grade 5 can sign up to participate in our independent reading program anytime beginning June 29 and continuing through August 20.

*Nutmeg Book Discussion: Join us on Wednesday, June 29, at 4 pm, when we will discuss the next Nutmeg Nominee, The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed, by Heather Vogel Frederick.

After the death of their mother, Patience and her younger brother join their father, a whaling captain, aboard his ship for a three-year voyage. Patience’s math skills come in handy when she must navigate the ship after a mutiny.

The book discussion is open to students entering grade 4-6 in the fall. Call 426-3851 to register.

Young Adults

*Summer Reading Volunteers: A training session for students in grade 6 and older who wish to volunteer to work with our summer reading program is planned for Monday, June 6, each from 4:30 to 5 pm.

If you have volunteered in the past, you do not have to attend.

Pick up an application at the children’s desk. All applications must be returned by June 11, if you want to be on the schedule. Late applications will be put on the sub list.

The summer reading program will run June 29 to August 20.

*Book Discussion: Let’s talk about Touching Spirit Bear, an adventure story by Ben Mikaelsen, on Wednesday, June 8, from 4 to 5 pm.

After his anger erupts into violence, Cole, in order to avoid going to prison, is sent to a remote Alaskan Island where an encounter with a huge Spirit Bear changes his life.  This book is a YA Nutmeg nominee for 2006.  Copies are in the YA area right next to the bicycle.

This program is for readers in grades 5-8. Sign up at the Main Floor Circulation Desk or call the library.

Adult Programs

*Tercentennial Flag Exhibition: The public is invited to visit the library on Sunday, June 5, at 2 pm, for the opening celebration of a Tercentennial Folk Art Flag Show.

The exhibit will be presented in the library’s lower meeting room and it will folk art drawings and paintings of traditional and current flags artistically displayed as never seen before. The exhibit will remain on view until the end of June during regular library hours. It is being sponsored by The Business and Professional Women of Newtown.

*Music Under the Stars: On Saturday, June 18, at 7 pm, the Hollister Thompson Band will perform the first concert of the library’s 2005 Summer Concert Series.

The band will be playing favorite classic rock tunes as well as some originals at The Pleasance, which is located at the corner of Main Street and Sugar Street. Bring a picnic basket and your family for a fun free evening. Because parking is limited at The Pleasance, those who are able to make the walk are asked to park at the library and walk down the hill to the concert site.

In the event of rain the concert will move to the meeting room of the library.

On Saturday, July 16, the series will continue with the bluegrass band Northern Bound, also performing at The Pleasance, and on Friday, August 5, the series will move – and conclude – with the jazz band The Bearcats performing at Dickinson Park rain or shine.

*Book Discussions: Upcoming discussions include Doris Kearns Goodwin’s No Ordinary Time on Tuesday, June 7, at 1 pm; Karen Fowler’s The Jane Austen Book Club on Thursday, June 16, at 7:30 pm; and Ian McEwan’s Atonement on Monday, June 20, at 1 pm.

C.H. Booth Library, at 25 Main Street, can be reached at 426-4533. Winter hours are in effect: The library is currently open Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm, Friday from noon to 5 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm.