Adult Programs
February
Gandy Dancing
A Conversation with Author Jean Sands
Thursday, February 11th 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Snowdate: Thursday, February 25th
“Gandy Dancing is an extraordinary first book, the narrative of an American Everywoman whose life does not often come into poems. In language that is direct, uncommonly modest, and so unsparing it breaks the heart, Jean Sands brings that woman, herself, beautifully, shockingly into the great conversation of American poetry.”
Honor Moore, author of Red Shoes & The Bishop’s Daughter
Jean Sands, author of the newly released poetry collection Gandy Dancing, is a journalist, reviewer, and correspondent whose interviews, essays, and feature articles appear in regional and national publications as well as online. Her poetry has been widely published in literary journals and anthologies, and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Jean also writes world news for Scholastic Corporation’s website, PR, edits novels and non-fiction books for private clients and has served as a poet in the schools. She is founder of “Writers’ Work Workshops” and has taught poetry and creative writing and offered writing tutorials to adults throughout northwest Connecticut for over twenty years. You can visit her website at www.jeansands.com.
A wine & cheese reception will follow the event.
Space is limited - REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Two-Part Series: Exploring the Paranormal
Tuesday, February 16th & 23rd 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Snowdates: Wednesday, Feb. 17th & Tuesday, Mar. 2nd
Join the Northwest Connecticut Paranormal Society and explore the unknown. Witness their evidence of the “Other Side.” The NWCPS has performed hundreds of paranormal investigations over the past 10 years and was recently featured on Animal Planet’s new hit show, “The Haunted.” In this presentation you will have a chance to meet the team, review their evidence and learn about the techniques and equipment used on the hunt. In addition, you will discover that not all evidence of the paranormal is what it seems. Find out how to distinguish “false” evidence in photos and videos. The group takes a skeptical approach to their investigations and only accepts the most compelling evidence. By using a unique combination of Physical, Psychic and even Animal investigators, they first rule out all physical explanations before deeming a location haunted. So sit back, dim the lights, and enjoy an evening with the Unknown!
The presenters will include:
John Zontok, Founder – John is in charge of client relations and public relations for the team, which involves accepting cases and communicating with the parties that request.
Bob Mills, Lead Investigator – Bob is a lead investigator and professional photographer who helps the team differentiate true paranormal pictures from forged images.
Scott Whittaker, Records – Scott is a college professor and the record keeper on the team. He is in charge of collecting stories, feelings and histories as well as keeping records of all investigations.
Tracie Shannon, Sensitive – Tracie is an equine massage therapist who has the ability to communicate with spirits and has been helpful on cases involving animals.
Space is Limited - REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Register Online
Feb 16th
Feb 23rd
“Buzz Books”
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
Book Discussion
Tuesday, March 9th, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Join us for a discussion of one of the most delightful and popular books, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. The San Francisco Chronicle writes,
“Traditional without seeming stale, and romantic without being naïve, this book, set on Nazi occupied Guernsey during World War II, is the charming story of friendship, hardship and the enduring power of the written word.”
Copies of this book will be available at OWL. Stop by the Library or call to reserve a copy.
Space is Limited - REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
The Forty Years War
A Conversation with Author Tom Shachtman
Thursday, March 11th 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Snowdate: Thursday, March 25
Authors Tom Shachtman and Len Colodny believe The Forty Years War: The Rise and Fall of the Neocons from Nixon to Obama tells the story of how the clash between the ideologues and the pragmatists over foreign policy helped to oust Nixon, undermined the presidencies of Ford and Carter and, as the war evolved -- with many of the same players who began the fight in 1969, who became the neo-cons -- eventually led the United States to invade Iraq in 2003. Library Journal calls this book, “A rigorous and critical examination of the neoconservative movement and the bureaucratic, ideological battles over American foreign policy from 1969 to 2009...A captivating chronicle. Highly recommended.”
Join Joseph Montebello as he facilitates this conversation with Tom Shachtman.
Tom is a writer, producer and director of documentaries, and educator. In addition to working on book projects, he has written articles for such publications as The New York Times, Newsday, Smithsonian Magazine, and for such blogs as Huffington Post, History News Network, and theWashington Post’s book column. He also writes a monthly column for The Lakeville Journal entitled “The Long View,” providing historical context to current events. Visit his website at www.tomshachtman.com.
A wine & cheese reception will follow the event.
The Hickory Stick Bookshop will provide
books for signing & sale.
Space is limited REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Digital Photography Workshop
with Jill Davenport
Wednesday, March 31st 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
“There are two kinds of people - those who have lost valuable data, and those who haven’t yet.”
Files, files everywhere! In this digital photography workshop with Jill Davenport, you will learn how to manage, store and save all of your files (aka: negatives). Jill will also give you an introduction to Adobe Photoshop where she will show you ten ways to improve your photos before and after Photoshop. This image editing software program has many functions which include cropping, re-sizing, rotating, drawing, erasing, colorizing and much more!
Jill’s interest in photography began in 1981 in high school with the acquisition of her first SLR camera. Since then, she has opened her own business as Litchfield Hills Photography with her portrait studio in Thomaston. Her main focus has been in portraits, sports and event photography. She is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and its Connecticut branch. She has produced award winning landscape and fine art images of Connecticut’s scenic northwest corner. Visit her website at www.litchfieldhillsphotography.com.
Space is Limited - REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
The Southern Italian Table
A Conversation with Author Arthur Schwartz
Thursday, April 15th 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The New York Times Magazine called Arthur Schwartz “a walking Google of food and restaurant knowledge.” For over eighteen years he was the restaurant critic and executive food editor of the New York Daily News. He is best known as The Food Maven, the name of his website, and is acknowledged as one of the country's foremost experts on food, cooking, culinary history, restaurants, and restaurant history.
Join Joseph Montebello as he facilitates this engaging conversation with Arthur Schwartz.
Over Schwartz’s forty-year career, he has written six award-winning cookbooks and numerous articles for a wide range of magazines. He also teaches both hands-on and demonstration cooking classes at all the major venues in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut. He was the food critic on Fox network’s local morning show Good Day New York, and has appeared on Martha Stewart’s national broadcast, the Food Network, Today Show, Good Morning America, Live with Regis and many local morning shows. Visit his website at www.thefoodmaven.com.
A wine & cheese reception will follow the event.
The Hickory Stick Bookshop will provide books for signing & sale.
Space is limited REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
The Lost Acres String Band
Tuesday, April 20th 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Come hear old-time and contemporary fiddle tunes, blues, rags, and more performed by The Lost Acres String Band.
Gordon Swift (violin) has played in fusion, rock, folk, reggae, and country bands and performs solo for weddings. He studied South Indian classical violin for many years and holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University. Melding the technical skill of a classical player with the creative power of a seasoned improviser, Gordon blends musical influences from around the world into a distinctly American fiddle style.Thom Sayers (guitar), after spending time taking care of the chickens and sheep, tinkering with the barn, tending to the solar panels and watching over the rolling acres - loves to play bluegrass and jazz guitar. He has performed with several Connecticut groups including Stoney Creek Bluegrass and has won guitar flat-picking and band contest prizes. He also leads guitar workshops around New England.
Jon Swift (bass), a veteran of the New England folk and bluegrass scene, was a founding member on bass and vocals of the popular bluegrass band Traver Hollow. Jon has played and sung in numerous other groups as well as appearing solo, always dedicated to keeping alive the spirit of acoustic folk music. Appearing here on upright bass, Jon lays down a rock-steady foundation for the band.
Space is Limited - REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Facebook: The Missing Manual
with Doug Gouey-Guy
Wednesday, April 21 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
This hands-on workshop will be an introduction to Facebook and its many uses. We will explore:
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Why we use Facebook
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How to create an account
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How to get the most out of Facebook
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The FUN of Facebooking
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Using privacy features to enhance your experience
This program, taught by Doug Gouey-Guy, will be interactive and encourages attendees to participate in the conversation. Doug is an industry veteran with over twelve years of experience in resource administration, implementation of new technologies, and effective control of business communications. He was a key start-up member of an e-Commerce retailer (1999), which Office Depot acquired two years later. He founded and now runs Guy Consulting Group, LLC, a business and marketing consulting firm that advises and assists businesses in development stage in key areas.
Space is Limited - REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
