Library Exhibits

*The Scrapbag Quilters will once again be having a show of their beautiful quilts at the library. “Journal Pages” will be on view during regular library hours March 5 through April 16.

*Also opening this weekend is a collection of work by the Sandy Hook artist Jack Hornak, who does portraits of people and animals and metal sculpture. His portraits are done in pencil, gouache and oils; for his sculptures Mr Hornak works with metal that is cut and then brazed together.

This will be one of Mr Hornak’s first shows in a number of years in his hometown and to celebrate this the public is invited to join him for an opening reception at the library on Sunday, March 7, from 2 to 4 pm.

The show will be on view through the month of March.

Children’s Programs

*St Patrick’s Day Craft: Marie Walker will conduct a St Patrick’s Day craft workshop on Saturday, March 13, from 1 to 2 pm, in the children’s program room. Participants must be at least 6 years of age. A $3 material fee is due upon registration.

*Sing Along With Irv: Children ages 3-6 will be singing and clapping along with Irv Playstock on Saturday, March 20, at 1 pm, in the library’s Knoepke Meeting Room.

Mr Playstock has been performing for over 40 years. In addition to preschools and libraries, his credits include Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver and Guys and Dolls, to name a few. The program is free and open to the public.

*Model Passover Seder: Children ages 6 and older are invited to join Rabbi Shaul Praver from Congregation Adath Israel on Sunday, March 21, at 3 pm, for a Model Passover Seder.

The Rabbi will focus on the fun aspects of the Seder, the unique foods of Passover (which will be tasted and explained), the most popular songs of the holiday, the Seder plate and the universal theme of Freedom.

Additional activities will include searching for ten lost pieces of Matza, throwing rubber frogs and creepy crawlers on the table to represent the ten plagues, group dancing, some discussion about Freedom from slavery here in the United States which will include references to Martin Luther King Jr as a modern day Moses.

Rabbi Praver will also ask participants to consider the freedoms they have in America and how fortunate we all are to live in a country where we can express our personal views.

Interested adults are also encouraged to attend. Sign up in the children’s department.

Adult Programs

*Tax Help: Free tax help is available at the library from each Saturday until April 10 between 10 am and 2 pm.

No appointment is necessary. Just bring any related papers and drop in.

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

Upcoming discussions include: The Reader by Bernard Schlink on Monday, March 9, at 1 pm; Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw on Thursday, March 11, at 7:30 pm; and Samaratin by Richard Price on Thursday, March 18, at 7:30 pm.

*Can Great Literature Be Funny? Gordon Williams and Liz Arneth will resume their book discussion series, “Can Great Literature Be Funny” on March 11. This series is taking on plays by great playwrights that see the lighter side of life. Attendance at early discussions is not mandatory; newcomers are still welcome.

The two plays left to discuss are George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, on Thursday, March 11, and then Shakespeare’s As You Like It on April 1.

Discussions are in the Special Collections room on the library’s third floor, and they begin at 7:30 pm.

Multiple copies of each play are available, just ask at the circulation desk. Registration is requested.

*Computer Class: This month’s computer class for beginners will be Saturday, March 13, from 9 am to noon. Admission is free, but registration is requested.

The intermediate computer class is scheduled for Saturday, March 27, also 9 am to noon. There is a $10 fee for the class, and registration is requested.

*Local Authors To Visit: Newtown resident and author Justin Scott will be at the library on Tuesday, March 16, at 7 pm. Mr Scott will be talking about his popular Ben Abbott series which is full of familiar Newtown characters and places, as well as his book, Treasure Island.

Author Stephen Rawley, also of Newtown, will be visiting on Tuesday, March 23, at 7:30 pm, to discuss his recent book on long-term healthcare insurance. The useful reference guide will be available for purchase at the time of the talk.

Also, author Phil Steele, son of broadcasting legend and humorist Bob Steele, will talk about his father’s career on radio as well as his book, The Word of the Day: Sixty-Five Years of Wit, Wisdom, and Mispronunciation, on Tuesday, March 30, at 7 pm.

*Intrepid Travelers: This month the travel series will focus on two new continents: South America and Africa.

On Wednesday, March 17, Dr Milton and Wendy Clark will share more of their adventures off of the beaten path, this time exploring the “lost world” of Sir Conan Doyle in Venezuela.

Then on March 24 the Clarks will conclude the travel series with a trip to the mountainous regions of Africa. Come view the rare glimpses of the gorillas of Rwanda as well as the pygmies of Central Africa plus lots of exotic birds, plants, and animals.

Both programs will start at 7:30 pm. Reservations are requested and will be accepted over the phone.

*Free Blood Pressure Screening: Ashlar of Newtown will be sponsoring a free blood pressure screening on Wednesday, March 31, from 10 am to noon. No need to register, just stop in.

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.