The Stratford Library, in conjunction with the Veterans Oral History Project, is seeking veterans from the Stratford area with memories of World War II. The project is part of the Governor William A. O’Neill Oral History Program sponsored by Central Connecticut State University.
As the archive partner with the Library of Congress, the University is collecting and preserving the personal accounts of the service and sacrifice of Connecticut’s many military men and women as well as civilians who supported the war effort. To assist, the Stratford Library is acting as a conduit to inform and schedule veterans and other participants for the project.
Veterans are asked to contact the Reference Librarians at the Stratford Library to register. Names will then be forwarded to local volunteers who will contact the veterans and make appointments to take their oral histories. Those wishing to take part should call the Stratford Library Reference Department at 203.385.4164.
“One Book, One Stratford” Hosts Vicki Spiro Smith on March 16
“One Book, One Stratford”, a community-wide reading event begun last January at the Stratford Library, is continuing through March with “Family Themes in The Black Girl Next Door”, a discussion to be held on Tuesday, March 16. The idea behind the “One Book” program is that everyone in town reads the same book at the same time, much like a town-wide book club. The library has chosen Jennifer Baszile’s acclaimed memoir about growing up black in a white suburb in Los Angeles, The Black Girl Next Door, as the town’s selection.
At the special library event, Vicki Spiro Smith, MSW, LCSW will discuss the various themes about family dynamics and parent/child relationships inherent in the memoir. Ms. Spiro Smith, who has her own private practice, will lead a lively, interactive discussion in a casual give and take format at the library. “Ms. Baszile’s remarkably open and truthful memoir about her personal journey to adulthood is a fascinating story to explore”, Spiro Smith commented.
“Family Themes in The Black Girl Next Door” will be held in the Stratford Library Lovell Room beginning at 7 pm on Tuesday, March 16. Co-sponsored by Simon & Schuster, it is free and open to the public.
The Stratford Library, in conjunction with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), will offer another session of “55 Alive/Mature Driving”, a classroom driver retraining program designed to help older persons improve their driving skills on Wednesday, March 17 and Thursday, March 18 from 9 am – 1 pm. The two-part program, one of dozens offered by the agency every year, will be held in the Library’s Lovell Room. Developed by the AARP, “55 Alive” is the first comprehensive driver retraining course geared to the specific needs of older motorists.
The course material covers the effects of aging and medications on driving, basic driving rules, license renewal, local traffic hazards, adverse road conditions, energy saving and accident prevention measures. No written, physical or driving tests are given. Research shows that older drivers are involved in more accidents than their middle-aged counterparts when the record is based on actual miles driven. The physical changes of aging create difficulties for many older drivers when yielding the right-of-way, backing, turning, changing lanes and entering/leaving expressways.
However, research also indicates that older persons can improve their driving abilities through additional training, attention and practice, enabling them to maintain their driving licenses longer while driving safer. This is the ultimate goal of “55 Alive/Mature Driving”.
Persons 50 years of age or older are eligible to participate in the library program and will receive a certificate of completion at the end of instruction. The course is limited to 24 participates only and there is a nominal fee of $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members charged by the AARP. Reservations are required and can be made by calling: 203.377.3182.
Basic Workshops Scheduled for Tuesdays
The Stratford Library Adult Services Department will offer a series of special workshops for computer novices. Basic computer classes will meet on Tuesday afternoons from 2-3 pm. The Library’s professional staff will conduct the workshops, which are free and open to the public.
Classes are limited to three participants. Pre-registration at the library for all classes is required. For further information, call the Adult Services Department at 203.385.4164 or email ask@stratfordlibrary.org.
Stratford Library Offers Free Screening of Oscar Nominee on March 19th
The Library continues its monthly film series, “Friday Night Movies”, with a screening of the 2009 hit, “Julie & Julia” on Friday, March 19. The series offers free showings of recent, popular films on monthly Friday evenings. “Julie & Julia” stars Meryl Streep, in an Oscar-nominated performance, as the legendary chef Julia Child. The film showing is free and open the public.
Amy Adams also stars in this truth-inspired tale as Julie Powell, who decides to enliven her uneventful life by cooking all 524 recipes outlined in Julia Child's culinary classic Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Based on Powell's book Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen, director Nora Ephron's heartwarming dramedy won a Golden Globe award for Meryl Streep’s uncanny performance as Child. Stanley Tucci plays her patient, loving husband.
Movies are shown uncut on widescreen in the Stratford Library Lovell Room each month beginning at 7 pm. ”Julie & Julia” is rated PG-13 and runs 123 minutes. Complimentary snacks are served. “Friday Night Movies” will continue on April 16 with a showing of “Duplicity” starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. The complete 2010 schedule is currently available at the library or on its website.
For further information, call the library at 203.385.4162.
Stratford Library Offers Free Screenings of Popular Films Each Month
The Stratford Library will continue its monthly film series in 2010 with “Friday Night Movies” beginning Friday, January 15 at 7 pm. The series will offer free showings of recent, popular films. Movies are shown uncut on widescreen in the Stratford Library Lovell Room each month beginning at 7 pm. Complimentary snacks will be served at the series which continues through June 2010.
For further information call the library at 203.385.4162.
March 19: Julie & Julia
Meryl Streep stars as master chef Julia Child and Amy Adams is the contemporary young woman who decides to test all 524 of her best recipes in this truth-inspired tale based on the national bestseller.
PG-13 123 minutes 2009
April 16: Duplicity
Julia Roberts and Clive Owen co-star in this curveball-throwing thriller as a pair of romantically involved corporate operatives who are entangled in a bitter rivalry between two mammoth pharmaceutical companies.
PG-13 125 minutes 2009
May 21: Inglourious Basterds
A Jewish cinema owner in occupied Paris is forced to host a Nazi movie premiere, where a radical group of American Jewish soldiers plans to roll out a score-settling scheme. Quentin Tarrentino directs this World War II-set spaghetti Western starring Brad Pitt.
R 153 minutes 2009
June 18: (500) Days of Summer
When his girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), unceremoniously dumps him, greeting-card copywriter and hopeless romantic Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) begins sifting through the year-plus worth of days they spent together, looking for clues to what went awry. Heart-warming romantic comedy.
PG-13 95 minutes 2009
"Stratford Vignettes" will be the March art exhibit at the Stratford Library. Milford artist Anne Wishan McGorty, who has had previous library displays, returns with a variety of new acrylic paintings highlighting scenic sites in Stratford. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will be on display in the library's Main Lobby beginning Thursday, March 4 (note: later exhibit period).
The artist paints primarily in an impressionistic style. This allows McGorty to accent New England’s beauty -- colors, light and form. Her work depicts this part of the world: old barns, farm animals, ancient pumps, wild and domestic flowers, harbors, pines and fishing shacks. Her current exhibit is a walk through Stratford starting on Main Street through West Broad, Boothe Park and Bonds Dock. Other New England works are also featured in the collection.
McGorty studied at Paire Art School in New Haven and the Corcoran Museum School in conjunction with George Washington University. She has participated and won prizes in one-person and group shows throughout the state. Her work is handled exclusively by the Granville Gallery in Massachusetts and her paintings are found in collections on three continents.
Viewing hours for "Stratford Vignettes" are Monday-Thursday: 10-8, Friday & Saturday: 10-5 and Sunday: 1-5. The art exhibit will continue through Wednesday, March 31 at the Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street in Stratford, Connecticut.
For further information call the library’s Public Relations & Programming Office at 203.385.4162.
The Stratford Library will continue “Sunday Afternoon Talks”, its popular series of educational and entertaining talks featuring prominent local guest speakers, through May 2010. Speakers will include:
March 7: Mark Albertson
Author, The Battleship USS Connecticut in the
Great White Fleet
April 11: Karen Biebel
Discussion about the late Fred Biebel, Former National GOP Deputy Chairman by hisdaughter
May 2: David Mestre
Discovery Museum, Cosmic Discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope
All events at 2 pm in the Lovell Room
A career center on wheels designed to deliver career services and training opportunities.
Visitors to the coach will find 10 computer workstations, high speed access to the Internet (via onboard satellite), 42” plasma TV with Smartboard overlay (for training use by the instructor), 10 wireless laptops and exterior plasma TV, interview room and an ADA-compliant lift and workstation for job seekers with disabilities.
Open Sessions are for all job seekers looking for individual help. Basic computer skills are helpful. First come, first served. Limited seating.
Mon. Feb 22, 2010 10 - 12, 1-3 Open Classes
Mon. Mar 22, 2010 10 - 12, 1-3 Open Classes
Mon. Apr 26, 2010 10 - 12, 1-3 Open Classes
Mon. May 24, 2010 10 - 12, 1-3 Open Classes
The CTWorks Career Coach will be on site at the Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street in Stratford, CT. It is free and open to patrons 16 years of age and older. For further information call Adult Services at 203.385.4164.
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There's a lot happening in the Stratford Library Children's Department. Click here for a list of programs.
Call: 203.385.4165 for further information.
Students in grades 7-12 you can get:
Visit the Teen Zone or stop by Teen Services on the Main Level or call us at 203.385.4167.
Any person with a disability who needs special assistance to participate in a library program should contact the Stratford ADA Coordinator at 385-4020 or 385-4022 (TDD) 5 days before the program.
Read more about Library Services for Patrons with Physical Disabilities
Stratford Library Association
2203 Main St., Stratford, CT 06615
203-385-4162
