Now On View

*Spirit Dolls: Paula Brinkman’s career has unfolded gradually, from art buyer and freelance illustrator to substitute teacher, Broadway wig stylist and now doll maker.

Her latest art has been to create spirit dolls, each of which is handmade, unique and about seven inches tall. Ms Brinkman began creating her spirit dolls during hurricane season a few years ago, when she and her family were still living in Key West.  A collection of these dolls is now on view in the library’s Olga Knoepke Memorial Meeting Room.  “A Collection of Spirit Dolls by Paul Brinkman,” who now lives here in Newtown (where she grew up), is on view until November 30.

Children’s Programs

*Holiday Music: Professional singer-song writer Francine Wheeler will lead children of all ages in a holiday sing-along on Saturday, December 8, at 11 am. No registration is required; just bring your best singing voice.

Programs For Young Adults

*Return of The Writers Salon: The 5th Annual Young Writers’ Salon for ‘tweens and teens who like to write will be on Sunday, December 9, at 3 pm. Young people in grades 6–10 are invited to read their original poetry, stories, and other work to an admiring audience in our coffeehouse atmosphere. Snow date is December 16.

Participants must register and submit their pieces by December 4. There will be a rehearsal with snacks at 1 on the day of the program. Sign up at the Main Floor Desk or call 426-4533. Additional information and fliers are also available from Young Adult Librarian Margaret Brown.

Adult Programs

 *Book Discussions: Upcoming programs will include the Non-Fiction Book Group gathering to discuss The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman on Tuesday, December 4, at 7:30 pm. Newcomers are always welcome.

*Searching for Shakespeare: The series continues in November with a focus on Othello. A lecture by Dr Mark Schenker from Yale College will be on Tuesday, November 27, at 7 pm, and then a discussion led by retired English teacher Barbara Rudolf will take place on Thursday, November 29, at 7 pm.

For additional information about these programs visit the library’s website and click on “Learn More About the Shakespeare Series.”

*Our History, in Print! On Wednesday, November 28, at 7 pm, the library will host a book signing to unveil the latest book by Dan Cruson, The Cyrenius H. Booth Library & Earlier Reading Institutions: A History. The Town Historian will speak for about 20 minutes on some of his findings, then answer questions.

Paperback editions of the town historian’s new book, priced at $12 each, will be sold that evening.

*Ben Abbott is Back: Newtown author Justin Scott will be visiting the library on Sunday, December 9, at 3 pm, to share the latest news from Newbury, which fans of Justin already know can be found in the new release Mausoleum, his new book.

Join us for an afternoon of mystery and treats.

(THIS WENT INTO THE PAPER AS 3 PM BUT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED FOR NOV 30 AND SUBSEQUENT ISSUES AS 2 PM.)

*Book Nook Note: It’s time to get cooking with the Book Nook.  A great assortment of cookbooks are available, at prices that won’t destroy your grocery budget.

The library recently expand its hours and is now open earlier every morning. The new hours are Monday through Thursday and Saturday, 9:30 am to 8 pm; Friday from 11 am to 5 pm; and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. The library, at 25 Main Street, can be reached at 426-4533 or visit CHBoothLibrary.org.