Now On View

*Cityscapes & Landscapes: Newtown artist Ruth Newquist, famous for her lovely watercolors of familiar Newtown landmarks and scenes of SoHo, is offering an exhibition of her works on the library’s main floor until February 29. The show can be viewed during library hours.

The exhibition, “Cityscapes & Landscapes: Oils & Watercolors by Ruth Newquist,” features new works by Mrs Newquist in both oils and watercolors focusing on the vibrant street scenes of New York City as well as the tranquil meadows and barns of Newtown.

*Another Local Artist: Newtown resident and artist Stephanie Adam has works on view this month in the Olga Koepkne Memorial Meeting Room (the library’s lower meeting room). Ms Adam’s home and studio are in Newtown.

“Antique Tools,” an exhibition of Ms Adam’s recent large-scale abstract paintings, will be on view February 7 to February 27. There will be an opening reception for the show on Sunday, February 8, from 2 to 4 pm, to which the public is invited.

 

Young Adults

*Creative Writing Contest: “Playstages,” a playwriting contest for short plays written by individuals or groups, with a top prize of $500 for a library program, is quickly approaching its contest deadline of February 15.

Young adults are invited to enter an original script of a short play with contemporary characters in a real-life setting.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the library’s website, www.biblio.org/CHBooth, and are also available in the library Young Adult area.

*We Love Chocolate, How ‘Bout You? Diane Buchanan will be offering a chocolate candy program on Tuesday, February 10, from 3:30 to 5 pm. Participants will create goodies like painted lollipops, peppermint bark, peanut butter cups and other surprises just in time for Valentine’s Day.

This workshop is limited to 12 students, grades 6 and up. Sign up can be done at the main floor circulation desk or by calling the library. Please bring a $5 supply fee with you the afternoon of the program.

This is a rescheduled date from February 3, when we had an ice storm.

*Young Adult Book Discussion: Let’s talk about Hippolyta and The Curse of The Amazons on Wednesday, February 25, at 4:30 pm. This one-hour program will concern Jane Yolen’s second book in her “Young Heroes” series, where 13-year old Hippolyta, a princess of the Amazons, fights to save her people from destruction after her mother, the queen, refuses to sacrifice her second-born male child.

Copies of this title are available in the Young Adult area. Registration is requested, and can be done in person or by calling the library.

 

Adult News

*Book Groups: Take time out from your busy schedule and do something for yourself. Join a book discussion at the library.

The Daytime Book Group will discuss The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemmingway on Monday, February 9 at 1 pm; the Mystery Book Group will be talking about Skin Walker by Tony Hillerman on Tuesday, February 17, at 7 pm; and The Evening Group will be discussing The Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie on Thursday, February 19, at 7:30 pm.

Newcomers are always welcome to join any of the library’s book groups.

*Chinese Party Rescheduled: Due to the snow of January 27, Norma Chang’s “Do-Ahead Chinese Party” has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 11, at 1 pm.

Participants will learn some stress-free entertainment tips and sample some great authentic recipes. The program is free but you must sign up at the library as there is a limit of 40 participants.

*Foreign Film Series – Newtown a la Cannes: The library is debuting a new series in February, where will be offer first run, award-winning, independent films from foreign countries.

The first film will be screened on Thursday, February 12, at 7:30 pm. Hop, from Belgium, is an award-winning film that tells the story of Justin and his father who set out to enjoy a soccer game together, only to unleashes a drastic chain of events.

The film is in French and Dutch with English subtitles.

Then on Thursday, February 26, at 7:30 pm, the library will show Inch’Allah Dimanche, from France. This film provides viewers with a deeply moving memoir of an Algerian immigrant family and their experiences in post World War II France. The film is in French with English subtitles.

Future titles and their screening dates are March 4, Marion Bridge; May 13, Light of My Eyes; and May 27, Ali Zaoua.

*Computer Class: A beginner’s computer class will be offered on Saturday, February 21, from 9 am to noon, and an intermediate class is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, also 9 am to noon. The beginner’s class is free, but there is a $10 fee for the intermediate class.

Registration is requested for either class. Call or visit the library to sign up.

C.H. Booth Library, at 25 Main Street, can be reached at 426-4533. Winter hours are 10 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday, noon to 5 pm on Friday, 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, and 1 to 5 pm on Sunday.