Now On View

*One Last Look: Newtown artist Ruth Newquist, famous for her lovely watercolors of familiar Newtown landmarks and scenes of SoHo, has been presenting an exhibition of her works on the library’s main floor. The show will be taken down after the library closes on Sunday, February 29.

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.

Children’s Programs

*“When I Was Built” Workshop: Jennifer Thermes, the author and illustrator of the book When I Was Built, will conduct a workshop for children ages 7-10 at the library on Saturday, February 28. The program will run from 1 to 2 pm in the children’s department.

Mrs Thermes’ picture book tells the story of a very old house and the changes it has seen over the years. In the course of the workshop, Ms Thermes will lead the children through a story-making and illustration project of their own using an old object that they have brought from home, such as an old tool, toy, photo or diary. The children will then craft a story from their object’s point of view.

Mrs Thermes lives in Newtown with her family and is currently working on her second book.

Copies of When I Was Built will be available for purchase in the children’s department. The workshop is free, but the class size is limited to 15 participants. Call 426-3851 for more information or to register for the program.

*Happy Birthday Dr Seuss: Join a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Dr Seuss’ birthday, on Tuesday, March 2. Beginning at 6 pm in the Olga Koepkne Memorial Meeting Room, library staff will be cooking up batches of green scrambled eggs and ham, The Young Adult Players will present a Shakespearian interpretation of Green Eggs and Ham, and there will be a special visit from The Cat in the Hat.

Children will be required to stay seated during dinner and for the stories that follow.

The program is free and open to all ages, but registration is required and seating is limited to 50. Call the children’s department directly at 426-3851 for details.

Adult News

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

Upcoming discussions include: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer on Tuesday, March 2, at 7:30 pm; 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.

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

On March 4 the featured film will be Marion Bridge. This is the story of three grown women brought together after years apart to care for their adult mother. Each daughter is caught up in the complexities of her personal life yet the reunion sets in motion a chain of events that allows the family to reconnect with the world and one another.

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

*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: An intermediate computer class is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, from 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.