Now On View

The Candlewood Camera Club is currently exhibiting members’ works through February 27 during regular library hours.

The club will be hosting an artist reception on Saturday, January 30, from 2 to 4 pm, and the public is invited to attend.

Future Exhibits

Curator Mary Thomas invites residents to share their memorabilia with library patrons on a temporary basis. We are especially looking for objects to display that reflect Newtown’s unique heritage, such as items for school districts.

Call the library for more information or if you are interested in providing a display.

Children’s Programs

*Sign Up For Story Hours: Register for story times January 19-27.

Forty-five minute classes for children ages 3-5 will be offered on Monday and Tuesday beginning at 10, and Wednesday and Thursday starting at 1.

Participants must reside in Newtown and registration needs to be done at the Children’s Desk (no phone registrations, please). Classes will begin the week of February 1.

*Valentine Craft: Children ages 6 and up can sign up to make a Valentine mouse pin on Thursday, February 4, at 4 pm, with Marie Walker. A $3 material fee is due upon registration.

Sign up at the children’s circulation desk. No phone registrations please.

Young Adult Programs

*Creative Chocolates for Valentine’s Day: Join Marie Walker on Tuesday, February 2, from 3 to 5 pm (snow date February 9), for her annual program for young people, making chocolate lollipops, peppermint bark, dipped pretzels and chocolate-covered cherries.

The program is limited to 12 students in grade 6 and up. There is a $6 supply fee which can be paid at the program.

Preference is given to Newtown students and residents. Sign up online.

Programs For Adults

*Protecting Your Family Jewels: Learn everything you need to know about fine jewelry from Joe Brandt, whose family has been in the jewelry business since 1928.

Mr Brandt will be at the library on Tuesday, January 26, at 7 pm, to speak about home security measures, proper care, general options for selling, what to look for (and what to look out for) when buying, insurance guidelines, and intelligent estate planning.  There is a great deal of practical information in this session.

Please sign up online or by calling the library. Snow date would be Tuesday, February 2, at the same time.

*Reality Maps (….or Not Your Usual Memoir): Julie Stern is back to lead another great book discussion. This time she’ll focus on four American memoirs.

From Rory Stewart’s adventure narrative set in Afghanistan to Mary-Ann Tirone Smith’s  description of blue collar Hartford in the 1940s and 50s, the four books selected by Julie offer insightful portraits of places and experiences different form our own, yet universal in their humanity.

Discussions will be Wednesday nights starting at 7:30 and will continue with the following: January 27, Girls of Tender Age  by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith; February 10, The Colored People by Henry Louis Gates Jr; and February 24, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris.

*Book Discussions: Nonfiction Book Discussion will meet on Tuesday, February 2, at 1 pm, to discuss Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama; Daytime Book Discussion will meet on Monday, February 8, at 1 pm, to discuss The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows; and Evening Book Discussion will meet on Thursday, February 18, at 7:30 pm, to discuss Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.

New members are always welcome. Multiple copies of the discussion books are available at the second floor circulation desk.

*Come To The Cabaret: On Friday, February 12, singer Bettina Paley will be performing music from the movies. Doors open at 6 pm for light hors d’oeuvres, with the performance will begin at 7 pm to be followed by a coffee bar and more tasty treats.

Admission is $10 a person, and seating is limited. Please call the library for a reservation.

C.H. Booth Library is at 25 Main Street in Newtown. Call 426-4533 or visit CHBoothLibrary.org to register for any of the above listings, and for information on additional programs and offerings.