Children's Programs

By SHANNON HICKS

Published: Mar 24, 2006 12:00 am

Childrenâs Programs

*Story Time Registration: Registration for the next sessions of story hours will run March 27 to April 4 in the childrenâs department.

Story hour is a program of stories, songs and simple crafts for children 2-5 years of age.

Classes for 2-3 year olds meet weekly on Mondays at 10 and 11 am, Tuesday at 10 am, and Wednesday at 10 am. Classes for 3-5 year olds meet on Tuesday at 11 am Wednesday and Thursday at 1 pm, and Saturday at 11 am.

Children must be 2 or 3 years of age on or before April 10 to be eligible for this session. Open to Newtown residents only; no phone registrations will be accepted.Â For more information call 426-3851.

Programs For Young Adults

*YA Book Talk: Letâs talk about Vampire High by Douglas Rees, a 2007 YA Nutmeg nominee. Our next young adult book discussion will be on Wednesday, April 5, from 4 to 5 pm, in the Story Room.

Codyâs dreary new high school is a drag. His grades are bad and he has trouble making friends. Everything becomes more interesting when Cody realizes he is in a school full of vampires!

These monthly book discussions for readers in grades 5-9, or any young person who has read the book, and are co-sponsored by Reed Intermediate School. Copies of the books are available at both libraries.

Adult Programs

*Spring Cleaning! Get a jump start on your spring cleaning and help the library at the same time.

Donate books that are cluttering your shelves and crowding your attic to The Friends of C.H. Booth Library Book Sale. We need more books! It is the generous donations of Newtowners that helps to make our book sale such a success.

*Book Discussions: Discussions always welcome newcomers. Upcoming programs will include a discussion of With Malice Toward None: The Life of Abraham Lincoln by Stephen Oakes on Tuesday, April 4, at 1 pm; Seven Sisters by Margaret Drabble on Monday, April 10, at 1 pm; and The Ha-Ha by Dave King on Thursday, April 20, at 7:30 pm.

*Independent Film Series: The series will continue with Drifters on April 4. In Drifters would-be immigrant Er Di is back in China, expelled from the United States for working illegally.Â While in the US he has fathered a child, and when his American born son comes to China for a visit, Er Di is barred from seeing him.

The May feature will be Agata and the Storm: When Agata, the popular bookshop proprietor and dispenser of sunny wisdom in the form of books is suddenly wooed by a man half her age, her electricity hits high voltage. Yet it is Agataâs joy and magnetism in the face of life in all its irony that eventually offers the eye of the storm.

Screenings are free, and all begin at 7:30 pm. Fliers with descriptions for each of the films are available at the library.

C.H. Booth Library, at 25 Main Street in Newtown, can be reached by calling 426-4533.

Elections Have Consequences XI

Pump The Brakes On Vehicle Theft This Summer

Says ‘No’ Vote Sidestepped Due Diligence

It’s About Dialogue Amongst Neighbors — Not Regulation

Friends Grateful To The Community

es, Councilman Pisani used strong words—but let’s not pretend there isn’t real frustration behind them. When a serious and measured question about protecting public safety, reducing taxpayer costs, and improving traffic control is met with performative outrage and political theater, frustration is more than justified. It’s earned. I too will continue to vote for those who will fight for everyone's rights. Newtown deserves leadership that's not afraid to speak the truth and to suggest positive change.

Replies To Pisani

Speaking of SMH, Ackert’s comment is the perfect example of why Newtown’s public discourse has become so toxic. He accuses Councilman Pisani of ignoring the will of “26 out of 30” people—as if 30 people in a room define the will of an entire town. That’s not how representative government works, and it's certainly not how thoughtful policymaking should be conducted. Ackert runs a Facebook group that has made a habit of weaponizing process. At nearly every turn, he threatens lawsuits over minor procedural points, creating unnecessary hurdles and sowing fear. This isn't civic engagement—it's obstruction, dressed up as activism. And it comes at a cost to taxpayers, town staff, and the very businesses that help keep Newtown vibrant. Councilman Pisani raised a valid question about whether it’s worth exploring an ordinance that could both protect protestors and save the town $225,000 in police overtime. He didn’t propose banning protests. He didn’t even draft an ordinance. He asked whether we should consider one. For that, he’s met with mockery and personal attacks. It’s telling that his critics can’t engage with the substance—they just yell “stupid” louder and hope no one notices. If Mr. Ackert is so sure of his position, perhaps he should stop threatening lawsuits and start presenting ideas that balance safety, fiscal responsibility, and smart development. Until then, spare us the righteous indignation.

Pisani to Sue Newtown – Part 1

I’ll gladly stop referring to the group as a “mob” when they stop behaving like one at public hearings. Expressing a different point of view is one thing—drowning out speakers, jeering at volunteers, and weaponizing misinformation is another. That kind of conduct deserves to be called out plainly. As for the projects you referenced, I agree—repurposing existing structures such as the Taunton Press and redeveloping long-blighted properties are welcome improvements. But those projects weren't met with the same level of opposition because they built on what already existed. When development touches vacant land—even when owned privately—this same group regularly mounts loud, emotional campaigns that ignore property rights and long-term planning needs. Newtown is a wonderful place to live, largely due to thoughtful planning and strong leadership. That includes the courage to say yes when it's easier to say no. I appreciate respectful disagreement. What I don’t accept is a pattern of obstruction disguised as community concern. Let’s all raise the level of discourse—but that also means calling out tactics that are meant to intimidate or mislead.

Who is Calling Newtowners Stupid?

Sorry Lynn, not letting you get away with this. Yes, we all have the constitutional right to demonstrate peacefully but NO, no one ever said anything about taking that right away. You just made it up.

Expresses Opposition To Proposed Assembly Ordinance

A small Newtown business lost important revenue because of the protest. Traffic was disrupted causing a safety concern. Newtown taxpayers paid for police OT because the PD had to react to the protest rather than be prepared in advance. God forbid, if there was loss of life or property, Newtown could be liable legally for negligence. Your comment sounds like Liberal Woke thinking and apparently you are more sympathetic to protestors than to Newtown. Non-issue? In Kerrville TX the legislative body had the chance to vote for a flash flood siren warning system. They thought it was a non-issue. Now, over 200 people are dead and families are destroyed. No way does the town not get expensively buried in court should it be foolish enough to NOT go down this path.

Assembly Ordinance?

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Children's Programs

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