Now On View

*The Wagon Master Does It Again: Willard Hemstra, a charming man who lives in Nunnawauk Meadows, has created a new model of a Budweiser wagon and Clydesdale horses pulling it.

Done completely by hand, Mr Hemstra carved the five-foot long wagon, the eight horses pulling the wagon, and the 32 keg barrels in the back of the wagon. The new wagon will be on view in the first floor display cases until August 31.

Children’s Programs

*PJ Time: The Lion and the Mouse will be the final puppet play performed on Wednesday, August 9, from 6:30 to 7:15 pm, for PJ Story Time.

This program of stories songs and a puppet show is recommended for ages 3-7. Don’t forget to wear your pajamas!

*Summer Reading: Our summer reading program officially ends August 19. All reading reports must be completed by that day to qualify for the reading incentives. Nearly 500 children have signed up for the reading program. To date, approximately 3,000 books have been read.

Our map of the United States is only 60 percent colored in — we need to finish the map. Young adult volunteers are on duty during all library open hours to listen to book reports. Don’t wait until the last minute. Help us complete the map of the United States.

*Nutmeg Book Discussion: The Boy Who Saved Baseball, by John H. Ritter, will be the next Nutmeg nominee to be discussed on Wednesday, August 30, from 4-5 pm.

The fate of a small California town rests on the outcome of one baseball game, and Tom Gallagher hopes to lead his team to victory with the secrets of the now disgraced player, Dante Del Gato.

Sign up in person at the children’s department or call the children’s department, 426-3851..

Young Adult

*YA Book Talk: Let’s talk about Inventing Elliot by Graham Gardner, a 2007 YA Nutmeg nominee, on Wednesday, August 9, from 4 to 5 pm in the Story Room.

Elliot, a victim of bullying, invents a calmer, cooler self when he changes schools in the middle of freshman year, but the Guardians gang wants him to join up with them.

Sign up in person at the main floor circulation desk, call us, or just drop in – reservations are not mandatory.

*Cool Drinks & Cool Stories for rising 6th graders and up.

Come on Thursday, August 10, at 4 pm, and make a delicious smoothie to beat the heat. Then sit back and listen to master storyteller Carol Birch tell some captivating stories that should be in our history books.

Sign up at the Main Floor Circulation Desk or call 426-4533.

*Click! Get the Picture!

A digital photography workshop for students entering sixth grade and up will be presented on Thursday, August 17, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Bring your own digital camera and manual, and invite a parent or other adult to come along if you wish.

John Tucci and Jim Talarino of Flagpole Photographers Club will teach the basics of camera operation and

how to take good photos at this free session.

Sign up at the Main Floor Circulation Desk or call 426-4533.

Adult Programs

*Indie Film Series: Films return to the lower meeting room for free screenings on August 8 with Spare Parts. Screenings begin at 7:30 and are free of charge.

Later offerings in the series will be Campfire on November 14, and Hawaii, Oslo on December 12.

*Book Discussions: Monday, August 14, at 1 pm, The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye by A.S. Byatt.

*Sounds Of Summer: Join us at The Pleasance, at the corner of Main Street and Sugar Street, for free concerts this summer.

Picnic under the stars with friends and neighbors. Bring your own blankets or low lawn chairs for seating. Concerts begin at 7 pm.

The 2006 series will continue on Friday, August 18, with Goldrush, and then concludes on Friday, September 8, with The Golden Angel Jazz Band.

In the event of rain on any of the concert dates, the shows will move into the lower meeting room at the library.

*Book Nook Notes: Parents and teachers, The Book Nook has a great selection of YA books, all brand new and all priced at just $1. Joan Lowry Nixon, Lloyd Alexander and Joan Bauer and just some of the great award-winning authors represented this month.

C.H. Booth Library, at 25 Main Street in Newtown, can be reached by calling 426-4533.