Currently On View

A collection of early American samplers and folk art painting by Susan Shaw is now on display n the cases near the Children’s Department. Susan does exquisite needlework on forty-count silk fabric. A sampler from 1842 is worked on 50 count linen.

Also on exhibit are her painted American folk art boxes which complement the embroidered pieces, which will be on view until the end of February.

Chocolate Table

*The library is selling Book Lover’s and Wine Lover’s Chocolate in a variety of flavors for $6 a box. All proceeds benefit the library.

Children’s Programs

*Valentine Craft with Marie Walker: Make your valentine an edible arrangement made from candy hearts on Thursday, February 3, at 4 pm, in the children’s story hour room.

Sign up at the children’s circulation desk (no phone registrations will be accepted). For ages 6-10, the program has a $3 materials fee due at registration.

*Story Time Registration: Story time registration continues through January 30.

Classes are offered for children ages 3-5 on Monday and Tuesday at 10 am or Monday and Wednesday at 1 pm.  A special Sensory Story Time is offered on Saturday at 10:30 am.

Forms will be available at the children’s circulation desk, and they need to be filled out in person (so no phone registrations).  For more information call the children’s department, 203-426-3851.

*Nutmeg Voting: If you are not voting in school, visit the library to vote for your favorite 2011 Nutmeg title!

Young people reading books on both lists may vote for their favorite Intermediate as well as Teen title.  The award winners will be officially announced in February.

Ballots for Intermediate Books (grades 4-6) are located in the Children’s Department, while ballots for the Teen Books (grades 7-8) are available in the Young Adult Department.

For Adults

*New Dates for The Ropes of Life: Julie Stern is returning with a five-part book discussion series.

“The Ropes of Life: Social Class, Responsibility and the Individual’s Struggle Against the Tide” is the new topic for Julie, a retired teacher and lecturer of literature. The five-part series was scheduled to begin January 26, but the forecast for another winter storm led to the first program to be rescheduled to Wednesday, February 16 instead. Each of the remaining four titles will still be discussed.

Other titles in the series and their new dates are as follows: Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev, now scheduled for March 2; Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen, March 23; The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, April 13; and Pride and Prejudice, April 27.

Multiple copies of each book are available at the second floor desk.

*Book Discussions: The Non-Fiction Book Discussion Group will discuss Richard Clarke’s Cyber War on Monday, February 1, at 1 pm (with apologies, we gave you the wrong date in last week’s column); The Daytime Book Discussion Group will meet to discuss The Given Day by Dennis Lehane on Monday, February 14, at 1 pm; and The Evening Book Discussion Group will meet to discuss Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury  on Thursday, February 17th at 7:30 pm.

Copies of these titles are available at the library, and newcomers are always welcome to join any of the library’s book groups.

*Sunset Series: a discussion in two parts on Advance Directives.

What kind of medical care would you want if were too ill or unable to express your wishes? Advance Directives are legal documents that allow you to convey your decisions ahead of time about end of life care. They provide a way to avoid confusion in communicating your wishes to family, friends and your healthcare providers.

This is a topic we tend to avoid, sometimes until it’s too late.  Come learn all you need to know from two caring and experienced healthcare professionals, Dr Daniel G. O’Hare, consultant ethicist, and Julia MacMillan, APRN, palliative care coordinator and co-chair of the Danbury Hospital Ethics Committee.

Part I, “Let Me Show You How Much I Love You – I Have an Advance Directive,” will be presented on Tuesday, February 15, at 7 pm.

Part II, “The Next Step – When The Time Comes: The Nuts and Bolts… and Tubes of Advanced Directives” will be covered on Tuesday, March 1, at 7 pm.

Copies of Advance Directives will be available at no charge at both of the talks. Please register online or by calling the library.

*Babes on Broadway: Stop sitting at home watching the snow fall.

Come to the library on Friday, February 18 (snow date February 25), at 7 pm, for an evening of song, good friends, and some laughs. Susan Mirwis (not the same entertainer as last year) will perform the songs of the fabulous and funny females of the Broadway stage.  You’ll be treated to the delightful comedy of Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady, Adelaide from Guys and Dolls; as well as the stars of South Pacific, Kiss Me Kate and other memorable shows.

The library will provide coffee, tea, and a light punch along with some cookies. If you’d like to bring your own drinks and food that’s fine too.  The program is free but space is limited, so sign up early.

C.H. Booth Library is at 25 Main Street in Newtown. Call 203-426-4533 or visit CHBoothLibrary.org to register for any of the above listings, and for information on additional programs and offerings.