Pirates in Stratford -- 1892

Freedom from Want

This picture of a family at the dinner table, painted by Norman Rockwell for the Saturday Evening Post, is probably the most well-known image of a modern Thanksgiving. Not many people remember, though, that Norman Rockwell painted this picture to illustrate Franklin Delano Roosevelt's idea that "Freedom from Want" is one of the "four essential human freedoms" that all humanity deserves to enjoy.

In a 1941 speech, President Roosevelt explained his vision of the Four Freedoms:

The first is freedom of speech and expression -- everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way -- everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want -- ... economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear -- ... [that] no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor-- anywhere in the world.

That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation.

All four of Norman Rockwell's "Four Freedoms" pictures were made into posters by the War Bonds office during World War II. The original paintings were shown all over the US and raised over $100 million dollars to support the war effort.

Memorable Thanksgivings in the Movies

Thanksgiving doesn't get to star in as many movies as Christmas does.... and just like in real life, Thanksgiving in the movies has its ups and downs. Here are a few memorable Thanksgivings in film (both good and bad!) that you can share with your loved ones over the holiday weekend.

Hannah and Her Sisters Woody Allen's 1986 drama about three sisters is one of his very best. Indulge in some Manhattan-real-estate envy as the characters celebrate Thanksgiving dinner in Mia Farrow's real-life apartment, with several members of her family playing the roles of children and relatives. Barbara Hershey, Michael Caine, Diane Wiest, Carrie Fisher, and Woody Allen also star.

Home For The Holidays A cast of heavy-hitters lined up to star in Jodie Foster's directorial debut about Thanksgiving dinner with the family -- Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Claire Danes, and Anne Bancroft. Just like real life, the resulting mix of personalities is sometimes humorous and sometimes a nightmare.

The Ice Storm In Ang Lee's adaptation of the Rick Moody novel, an unhappy suburban neighborhood is struck by tragedy on Thanksgiving Day around the time of President Nixon's resignation. Starring Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, and young rising stars Tobey Maguire, Elijah Wood and Christina Ricci.

Miracle on 34th Street Yes, this is a Christmas movie, but it kicks off at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. And for some people, the Christmas season officially begins the day after Thanksgiving. The adorable little Natalie Wood makes this film a winner no matter how many times you've seen it.

Planes, Trains, Automobiles Airports and car rental lots are nobody's idea of great place to spend Thanksgiving. But what if you were also stuck with John Candy for the whole time? Blizzards, transfers, strikes, and delays keep buttoned-down executive Steve Martin and out-of-control John Candy joined at the hip for days in this classic John Hughes comedy.

Cooking with Children

I can't think of anything more joyous around the holidays than time in the kitchen with children. It can be a little messy, and maybe a few ingredients get left out, but it's still pretty great.

So ... why not check out a few of our cookbooks? Retire those tired old recipes and try some new ones that are kid friendly.

The Mash and Smash Cookbook. With the Bubbling Yo-Yo shake and the Squishwich, you'll be jumping and crunching all over the kitchen.

On another note, there's the Laura Ingalls Wilder Country Cookbook. Miracle Rolls, Gingerbread, and other traditional favorites will warm you in cold weather.

Trying to downsize this holiday season? How about Gifts to Make and Eat? Fudge, Chocolate pretzels, and raspberry vinegar are just a few of your gift giving options.

My last pick is To Every Season: A Family Holiday Cookbook. There are recipes for every holiday (I didn't know Father's Day meant Blueberry Pancakes or that we could make Eggless Eggnog).

Stop by and let us know how the recipes worked; we love to hear your success stories :) C

Art, the Great Mystery

Recently, the Children's staff have been enjoying the book Masterpiece by Elise Broach. Although it takes place in contemporary times in New York City, its true center is the life and work of artist Albrecht Durer. A boy, James, and a beetle, Marvin, attempt to protect one of Durer's drawings from theft. Elise Broach has also written one of this year's Nutmeg nominees, Shakespeare's Secret. Two children seek out a hidden diamond necklace which may reveal important information about the great Bard himself. Kids who enjoy art mysteries might also like the books of Blue Balliett or the unforgettable From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Enjoy! :) C

Christmas books - already? Yes!!!

Christmas books, you say? Already? Yes! For the fans of novels set at Christmas, these books are readable all year long. But now, we have a reading list of some of this year's newly-published stories. There's even a thriller novel called "The Spy Who Came for Christmas" by David Morrell. Come in to the library, or give us a call, or check online to reserve your copy of a holiday tale! And don't forget to ask at the Reference Desk for the complete list of this year's festive new arrivals.

The library has free and reliable car repair info for you.

Are you a do-it-yourself car repair person? Do you need an easy to use, reliable place to find FREE car repair information? If the answer is Yes, then you need to know about the Stratford Library's car repair database called: Auto Repair Reference Center. Because it's a library service, this car repair data is available for free to anyone with a Stratford library card. Don't have a card yet? Come in and sign up for one -- it's free and takes about five minues. Just bring something that shows that you live in Stratford and you'll be on your way to all the benefits of having a library card.

This database contains information on:

• Approximately 25,000 vehicles from 1954 to the present
• More than 65,000 technical service bulletins & recalls issued by the original equipment manufacturer
• Wiring diagrams for easy viewing and printing
• Labor time guide & estimator
• Specifications & maintenance schedules
• Quick tips, a complete guide to vehicle ownership & maintenance
• Over 100,000 factory drawing and step-by-step photographs

Best of all, you can use this database in the library AND from home. You can find it listed on the library's home page under "Databases."

At this time of year you see lists made by music critics or deejays telling what they think are the "Best CDs of the Year." Here at the Library we read a lot of those lists when we buy CDs for the library. But did you know we also want your suggestions for music CDs? Maybe you heard a song on the radio and you want to hear the whole album. Or maybe you're interested in something new, but you don't want to buy it until you've heard it. The library can purchase almost any music CD that you ask for, put it in the library's collection, and then call you when it is ready to borrow. We usually can have a CD ready for you to borrow seven to ten days after you first ask for it. You can make suggestions about what CDs we should buy through email (ask@stratfordlibrary.org) or by filling out a card at the Reference Desk. Just be sure to tell us your name and phone number so we can let you know when it has arrived. Here are some CDs that were recently purchased because a library user asked us to add them to the library: Teddy Pendergrass: Life is a Song Worth Singing Lucinda Williams : Little Honey

Keith Jarrett: Live in Tokyo Bruni, Carla: Comme Si de Rien N'etait

Philadephia Symphony: Complete Symphonies of Brahms

Almost finished.....

The painting project on the main floor of the Library is entering the final stage. When you come in on Monday you will find the Reference Desk and a few of the computers blocked off. Don't worry, you can find the Reference Staff hard at work in the lobby, by the Internet Sign Up Station. We can still help you with all your questions, so keep asking. Things should be back to normal by the end of the week. Stop by and check out the freshly painted ceilings while you browse for your books, dvds & music. Thanks for your patience!