Fun times in Connecticut... and special times at Boothe Park

One of our favorites Connecticut treasures, Boothe Memorial Park in Stratford opens Sunday, May 16, with a free antique car show, art, music, drama and hands-on demonstrations from 1 to 4 p.m. at the estate on Main St. Putney. Classic cars will be among the attractions during opening day. The car show opens at 9 a.m. Other actitivies will run from 1 to 4 p.m. at the former estate on Main Street Putney. There is no charge for admission on this special day.

Entries into a car show will begin arriving the park at 9 a.m. This is the first official car show to be held in conjunction with opening day at Boothe Park. Connecticut Cruise News is the official media sponsor for the event, and the Eastern Packard Club and Connecticut Seaport Car Club expect close to 200 vintage and special interest cars from all over Connecticut as well as street rods, trucks, customs, stock original restored cars and antiques.

All 20 turn-of-the century buildings on the Boothe estate will be open to the public, many manned by tour guides, including the homestead, geological display, ice-house, out-house and chapel. Sheep shearing, spinning, weaving and turn-of-the century machines will be displayed. The Stratford Community Band will perform, and young artists will display their work. Visitors can also tour the elaborate model train collection and accessories; the blacksmith shop with working smithy; the observatory with its highly accurate telescope; the amateur radio clubhouse and equipment; and the genealogy library. The park was the estate of the Boothe family for many generations and was willed to the town in 1949. The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes many buildings and attractions on the grounds. In the event of rain, the car show will be rescheduled to Sunday, May 23.

Opening day schedule 9 a.m.: Antique Car Show Opens, Main Street Putney, field 12:30 p.m.: “Arts in the Park” Student Art Exhibit, Coliseum 1:30 p.m.: Stratford Community Band, Band Shell 3 p.m.: Sheep Shearing Demonstration, pen east of Ice House Ongoing activities and exhibits (1-4 p.m.) • Museum tours of the buildings • Visit the sheep in their pens (behind the Carriage Barn) • Model Railroading (Railway Building) • Rug weaving demonstrations in the Americana Barn • Antique Car Show on the Main Street Putney open field • Demos in the Blacksmith Shop • Boothe photo exhibit in the Summer Cottage/Genealogy Library • Rose care talks in the Rose Garden • Astronomy talks in the Observatory • Amateur radio discussions in Clubhouse • Spinning demonstrations in the Homestead Refreshments will be served on the lawn outside of the Homestead and in the field with the antique auto show.

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More scenes and sights in Connecticut...

The library's extensive travel guide section has up-to-date travel guides on Shanghai, Latvia and Malaysia, but we also have a great selection of books on the hidden treasures and nearby adventures of Connecticut. 52 Weekends in Connecticut: Day Trips and Easy Getaways from the Litchfield Hills to Long Island Sound, by Andi Marie Cantele. Full of year-round activities and fun excursions for both first-time visitors and long-time residents, 52 Weekends in Connecticut traverses the entire state, from the bucolic Northwest Corner to the Quiet Corner in the northeast, along the shoreline facing Long Island Sound and dozens of points in between.

Connecticut: Off the Beaten Path, by Tom Bross.

Even if you've lived in Connecticut for many years, Connecticut Off the Beaten Path shows you a side of the Nutmeg State you never knew existed. Explore the beginnings of the American Impressionist art movement with a drive along the Connecticut Art Trail, tour one of Litchfield County’s little-known wineries, or answer the siren call of the bagpipes at the Annual Scottish Festival in Goshen.

One Book, One Stratford -- reaching Stratford and beyond

Stratford Library's recent "One Book, One Stratford" event brought an impressive number of people to the library for the first time, drawn by their interest in author Jennifer Baszile's memoir. Prof. Baszile's book is a candid look at growing up during the 1970s-- a transitional time in American race relations-- when school integration was the law of the land but informal barriers to social integration were still prevalent. Many people told us they appreciated these discussions as a chance to share their own stories and learn from the experiences of others. One of our library staff members, Ann Stockman, recently had the opportunity to tell Prof. Camille Cooper of Yale University's Comer School Development Program about the success of the "One book" program. The two women met at a public program on improving public schools, which Ann attended as part of her involvement with Stratford's C.A.R.E. group. After viewing pictures and receiving email about our program with author Jennifer Baszile, Prof. Cooper has expressed interest in being kept informed about about future happenings at the library.

Spotlight on: C.A.R.E. Ann is an active member of the Stratford group, Stratford Citizens Addressing Racial Equality. C.A.R.E. volunteers work to open communication among residents of all ages, socio-economic groups, races and ethnicities in non-confrontational ways to break down stereotypes, build trust and find ways to work together. For more information on how Stratford C.A.R.E., or to become a member, please contact Stratford Community Services at 203.385.4095 or send an e-mail to communityservices@townofstratford.com.

Job hunting? We can help.

At last night's special meeting on the town budget, a half-dozen residents voiced concerns about a proposed reduction to the town's requested library budget. Robin Jopp, a local artist and teacher, spoke about how she was able to use the library's resources and services in her job hunt when she was out of work for ten months. "I relied on the multi-faceted services at the library, where I used computers to search for work, file for unemployment claims and redo my resume." We're delighted to report that Robin did succeed in finding a new position where she is very happy. Are you also looking for a job? Or perhaps someone you know? Here are seven ways the Stratford Library can help you. 1) Use our free internet access. Your library card can sign you up for four hours a day of free internet access for job searching or applying for jobs online. 2) Take advantage of our books on updating your resume. The library has literally dozens of books on how to prepare a resume, from the most simple ("Resumes for Dummies") to specialized books with advice for job-seekers with unusual circumstances, like former servicemen and women, or former stay-at-home moms. 3) Use the library computers to update or refresh your software skills. All of the library's public computers are outfitted with the latest versions of Microsoft Office. 4) Prepare for a job interview by researching the company you are interested in with our online news and financial sources. 5) Do you feel left behind by the online revolution? Take one of our free classes on computer basics, or get help signing up for a free email account. 6) Haven't been on a job interview in several years? We have DVDs and books to help you prepare to ace the interview. 7) Feeling down is almost inevitable when you are out of work. The library is a place you can chat with your neighbors, see a free film, join in a book discussion, borrow a funny book, read all the local papers, or check out your favorite tunes on CD. The best things in life are free -- at the public library. Information, entertainment and a sense of community are all yours for free at the Stratford Library.

Spring has sprung, and Project Green Sweep sweeps back through town

Stratford’s annual town-wide spring cleanup program, Project Green Sweep, is coming up this weekend, on Saturday, May 1st. A kick-off rally with free t-shirts and water bottles starts at 9 a.m. on the Town Hall Green. Mayor John Harkins, the Stratford Beautification Committee and the Stratford Conservation Commission are sponsoring the all-volunteer project. Stratford will be one of 17,000 communities participating nationally in the Great American Cleanup. Approximately 200 volunteers have participated annually in Project Green Sweep. Along with the River Clean-Up, a joint effort including Milford and Shelton to clean up the Housatonic River shoreline, the groups involved collected over 37 tons of litter and bulk wastes last year from parks, schools, community areas, and other public areas of our fair city. Besides the fun and satisfaction of working on a community event, participants will receive excellent swag: complimentary T-shirts with the Project Green Sweep logo, bottles of water and light refreshments at a rally scheduled for 9:00 am on the Town Hall Green. All are asked to bring tools. However, gloves, bags, and trash posts will be distributed to those who are unable to provide their own. To volunteer in the spring cleanup, interested persons should contact Town Planner David Killeen at 203-385-4017 or by email at dkilleen@townofstratford.com.

Little-known movie gems on the screen

A film buff's pick of great films you never heard of-- April 26-29, 2010 in Stratford The Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street in Stratford will present its fourth annual film festival of little-seen movies, “Great Movies You Missed”, beginning Monday, April 26 through Thursday, April 29, 2010. The series is free and open to the public. “Great Movies You Missed” will highlight five critically acclaimed films that – for whatever reason – did not reach a wide audience during their general release. One of this year’s films is a recent Oscar nominee while another is a rarely shown comedy from 1980. The library series will feature guest film critics Joe Meyers from the Connecticut Post and Tom Holehan of Elm City Newspapers for commentary prior to the screenings. The complete schedule for “Great Movies You Missed” is: April 26: “Goodbye Solo” (2009): When Senegalese taxi driver Solo picks up William, an elderly patron in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the older man hires him for another trip in two weeks. But as they continue to talk, an unusual friendship grows and Solo soon realizes that William plans to kill himself on his next trip. “One of the year’s 10 best films!” – New York Times. Shown at noon. Rated R, 91 minutes. April 27: “Every Little Step” (2009): An up-close look at the behind-the-scenes drama of producing the 2006 Broadway revival of “A Chorus Line”. This fascinating documentary draws parallels between the interactions of the aspiring actors and the events of the play while also revealing never-before-seen footage of the original classic and its creators. Shown at noon. Rated PG-13, 93 minutes. April 28: “A Serious Man” (2009): Larry Gopnik (Golden Globe nominee Michael Stuhlbarg) hits a severe “rough patch” as he journeys through an eventful mid-life crisis. Oscar winning directors Joel & Ethan (“Fargo”, “No Country for Old Men”) Cohen’s 1960s set dark Jewish-culture send-up was a surprise Academy Award nominee this year for “Best Picture”. Shown at noon. Rated R, 106 minutes. April 29: “One False Move” (1991): Edge-of-your-seat thriller about two drug dealers and their female cohort who commit a string of bloody murders in Los Angeles and then flee to hide out in a small town in Arkansas. Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton star in this riveting drama. Shown at noon. Rated R, 105 minutes. April 29: “Just Tell Me What You Want” (1980): Bitchy upper-class comedy about an obnoxious tycoon (Alan King) who drives his long-time mistress (Ali MacGraw, surprisingly effective) into the arms of a younger man and then does everything he can to get her back. Little-seen comic gem will be introduced by Connecticut Post arts critic Joe Meyers. Shown at 7 pm. Rated R, 112 minutes. All movies will be shown uncut and in widescreen format. The film festival, recommended for adult audiences, will be held in the library’s Lovell Room. For further information, call the Stratford Library’s Public Relations and Programming Office at 203.385.4162.

One book One Stratford -- reaching Stratford and beyond

Stratford Library's recent "One Book, One Stratford" event brought an impressive number of people to the library for the first time, drawn by their interest in author Jennifer Baszile's memoir. Prof. Baszile's book is a candid look at growing up during the 1970s-- a transitional time in American race relations-- when school integration was the law of the land but informal barriers to social integration were still prevalent. Many people told us they appreciated these discussions as a chance to share their own stories and learn from the experiences of others. One of our library staff members, Ann Stockman, recently had the opportunity to tell Prof. Camille Cooper of Yale University's Comer School Development Program about the success of the "One book" program. The two women met at a public program on improving public schools, which Ann attended as part of her involvement with Stratford's C.A.R.E. group. After viewing pictures and receiving email about our program with author Jennifer Baszile, Prof. Cooper has expressed interest in being kept informed about about future happenings at the library.

Spotlight on: C.A.R.E. Ann is an active member of the Stratford group, Stratford Citizens Addressing Racial Equality. C.A.R.E. volunteers work to open communication among residents of all ages, socio-economic groups, races and ethnicities in non-confrontational ways to break down stereotypes, build trust and find ways to work together. For more information on how Stratford C.A.R.E., or to become a member, please contact Stratford Community Services at 203.385.4095 or send an e-mail to communityservices@townofstratford.com.

Broadway at the Stratford Library

Are you excited about the Tony nominations coming out in May? Do you use your time in the shower to belt out "Cabaret"? Could you have been a toe-tapping, high-stepping Broadway babe in a previous life? Then we have a few suggestions for you. First of all, take a trip down to the library on Thursday or Friday to see the terrific collection of Broadway books and DVDs that we have.

Piano scores for Broadway favorites? We got 'em. DVDs capturing terrific stage performances of classics like Oklahoma, Rent, and Fosse? Yes, yes, yes. Come on in and indulge your Broadway fantasies with a little help from the library.

And as a second act... Please join us this Saturday, April 24, at our annual fundraiser for the library's book collection, Broadway Comes to Stratford. It's like a festive cocktail party with performances by Broadway vocalists and musicians. It's always fun, always sparkly, and it supports our library. (So, for example, we could add even more Broadway treasures to our music and DVD collection!)

If you'd like be a guest at this annual event to benefit the library, call Heather at 203.385.4166. Tickets start at $75. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Seating is limited and reservations are required.

The library will be closed to the public this weekend so we can set up and host this special event. Our hours this week are Monday - Thursday, 10 am - 8 pm, Friday 10 am - 5 pm, and then reopening as usual on Monday morning at 10 am.