We missed National Go Fly A Kite Day but we can still celebrate by making our own! Children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers are invited to join us as we Kraft-a-Kite and watch our handiwork soar through the warm, summer air!
Register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
In celebration of our new Seed Library, we invite our younger patrons ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers to join us as we use seeds of different shapes and colors to create Magnificent Mosaics. Glue will be used so dress for mess!
Register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
May 16th through June 27th
Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a warm summer evening.
The magazine issue is on us. Stay tuned via our website and/or eblasts for the selected articles to be discussed each week.
Register here!
Hybrid programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
May 16th through June 27th
Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a warm summer evening.
The magazine issue is on us. Stay tuned via our website and/or eblasts for the selected articles to be discussed each week.
Register here!
Hybrid programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
May 16th through June 27th
Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a warm summer evening.
The magazine issue is on us. Stay tuned via our website and/or eblasts for the selected articles to be discussed each week.
Register here!
Hybrid programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
May 16th through June 27th
Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a warm summer evening.
The magazine issue is on us. Stay tuned via our website and/or eblasts for the selected articles to be discussed each week.
Register here!
Hybrid programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
May 16th through June 27th
Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a warm summer evening.
The magazine issue is on us. Stay tuned via our website and/or eblasts for the selected articles to be discussed each week.
Register here!
Hybrid programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
May 16th through June 27th
Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a warm summer evening.
The magazine issue is on us. Stay tuned via our website and/or eblasts for the selected articles to be discussed each week.
Register here!
Hybrid programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
May 16th through June 27th
Maybe you already have a subscription but only consistently glance at the cartoons? Or perhaps you yearn for in-depth reporting, written well without the prefab soundbites of TV news? Or you might just like to meet up with interesting individuals to talk about current events, the latest big hit on Broadway, upcoming museum exhibits worth a look all while enjoying a sip of wine and savory bites on a warm summer evening.
The magazine issue is on us. Stay tuned via our website and/or eblasts for the selected articles to be discussed each week.
Register here and we will let you know when the first issue arrives.
Hybrid programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Young ones ages 4 and under are invited along with their caregivers to listen to stories, participate in rhymes and sing songs. Just drop in!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Young ones ages 4 and under are invited along with their caregivers to listen to stories, participate in rhymes and sing songs. Just drop in!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Join us at the Library as Shakespeare on the Sound presents its annual tour of Shakespeare for Kids! This year they are presenting a 30-minute version of Romeo and Juliet. This interactive production will have your children quoting Shakespeare without them even realizing it. Shakespeare on the Sound seamlessly combines the text of Shakespeare with everyday language in a fun and inventive way. By the way…when we say kids, we mean kids of all ages—from 5 to 95. All are welcome and encouraged!
Register here!
New Photo Release Policy effective February 1, 2019. See here for details.
Fun Facts About Romeo And Juliet:
Shakespeare on the Sound Education Director and Macbeth/Christmas Carol actor Nick Urda and board member/Shakespeare teacher John Love will guide you through Romeo and Juliet and, in an interactive presentation, hope to show you why Juliet and Romeo might be a more fitting title for the play. They’ll also have you asking: were they really in love?
This program comes to the library just in time for Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare on the Sound’s 28th annual summer production, in Rowayton’s Pinkney Park (June 12th through the 30th).
Register here!
New Photo Release Policy effective February 1, 2019. See here for details.
Facilitated by C2 Education
Most colleges consider a student’s ACT & SAT® score to be one of the most important factors when making admissions decisions–there’s no denying that a great SAT/ACT score can help you get into a top college. But did you know that the SAT® is changing in the U.S. starting in spring of 2024? It will be digital, adaptive, and there will be several content changes.
Students in the class of 2026 and younger should plan to take the new exam. Practice tests are a great way to get hands-on experience with the test format and allotted time. And practice test scores are a great indicator of both where you stand and where you can improve. Join us to learn about the new Digital SAT® and how you should plan to prepare. This is a great opportunity for students to become familiar with the material and learn where improvements are needed in order to score big on the real test.
Space is limited so register here!
Please note that laptops and calculators are REQUIRED for these practice tests. C2 Education will not be providing these supplies for students to use. The Library has a limited number of laptops for students who do not have one of their own. Contact us at library@rowayton.org to request to borrow one of our laptops.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Facilitated by C2 Education
Most colleges consider a student’s ACT & SAT® score to be one of the most important factors when making admissions decisions–there’s no denying that a great SAT/ACT score can help you get into a top college. But did you know that the SAT® is changing in the U.S. starting in spring of 2024? It will be digital, adaptive, and there will be several content changes.
Students in the class of 2026 and younger should plan to take the new exam. Practice tests are a great way to get hands-on experience with the test format and allotted time. And practice test scores are a great indicator of both where you stand and where you can improve. Join us to learn about the new Digital SAT® and how you should plan to prepare. This is a great opportunity for students to become familiar with the material and learn where improvements are needed in order to score big on the real test.
Space is limited so register here!
Please note that laptops and calculators are REQUIRED for these practice tests. C2 Education will not be providing these supplies for students to use. The Library has a limited number of laptops for students who do not have one of their own. Contact us at library@rowayton.org to request to borrow one of our laptops.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Friday, April 5, 12, 19, and 26
Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.
**THIS IS AN INTRODUCTORY SERIES FOR BEGINNERS ONLY**
Space is very limited for this program so please only register here you can commit to all 4 weeks.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Friday, April 5, 12, 19, and 26
Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.
**THIS IS AN INTRODUCTORY SERIES FOR BEGINNERS ONLY**
Space is very limited for this program so please only register here you can commit to all 4 weeks.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Friday, April 5, 12, 19, and 26
Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.
**THIS IS AN INTRODUCTORY SERIES FOR BEGINNERS ONLY**
Space is very limited for this program so please only register here you can commit to all 4 weeks.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Friday, April 5, 12, 19, and 26
Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.
**THIS IS AN INTRODUCTORY SERIES FOR BEGINNERS ONLY**
Space is very limited for this program so please only register here you can commit to all 4 weeks.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
With the installation of our new seed library, it’s important to appreciate the value of seeds—what they are, what they can do, and what would happen to our planet without them. Advanced Master Gardener Jackie Algon will show us how, as gardeners, we can make a difference by growing plant species that have been growing in our region for millennia, and then collecting, drying, cleaning, and saving seeds from those plants after they have bloomed for future use. It’s a formula for continuing the diversity and ecology of not only those plants, but of the insects, birds, and other wildlife that depend upon the seeds for completion of their life cycles.
Jackie Algon is an Advanced Master Gardener who focuses her attention on conservation issues in our area. A founding member of the Pollinator Pathway, she serves on the Board, and enjoys providing education to the public on the importance of native plants, the impact of invasive species and related topics. Jackie served on and chaired the Wilton Conservation Commission, the Wilton Tree Committee and the Wilton Garden Club Conservation Committee, and continues learning about New Best Practices to help our environment both in public locations and at home.
Register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
A program for parents and their high school juniors
Ron Feuchs and Jackie Tepper, partners at Stand Out For College, LLC are offering and will lead this Zoom presentation to help high school juniors and their parents understand how to use the summer productively to create a compelling college application.
They will cover the college application process including current admissions trends, writing the personal statement essay and supplemental essays, teacher recommendations and how students can position themselves to increase their chances for admission. We’ll discuss how the Supreme Court decision has impacted the college admissions process and how a student’s ability to express their insights, experiences and personal growth through their application essays are more important than ever before.
They will discuss application strategies including the advantages and disadvantages of early decision, early action, and regular decision. They’ll review what factors students should consider in deciding whether or not to submit their standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) for test-optional colleges and universities. They’ll also discuss the different ways that students can be admitted to a particular school.
They’ll examine the holistic admissions review process, what admissions officers consider important when they review applicants, and how students can position themselves to develop a compelling narrative to increase their chances for admission.
They will also discuss the importance of community service, how it can provide an opportunity for personal growth and an opportunity to showcase a student’s character. Admissions officers place great emphasis on a student’s character and how the student has been able to give back and help others.
This program is a detailed and strategic overview of what students should focus on to make their college applications compelling.
Register here!
Presentation will be conducted via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device.
Children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers are invited to join us for a booktivity featuring Elmer by David McKee! Inspired by this classic story of a patchwork elephant who doesn’t quite fit in with his herd, we’ll be making colorful suncatchers to represent Elmer using tissue paper and glue.
Register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
In celebration of National Unicorn Day today, children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers are invited to join us as we read Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn by Shannon Hale and Leuyen Pham, a sweet story about friendship and honoring your true self. Then, with a couple of paper plates, a little paint, glue, and yarn, we’ll make colorful unicorn puppets of our own!
Register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Kids in grades 2 and up are invited to visit the library to try out new mods and engage in some serious Minecraft.
Space is limited so please register here.
As this program is in in high demand and fills up very quickly every month, Rowayton Library would like to share the opportunity to join our sessions from home! Hop on to our Minecraft Java Server at 192.99.35.12:2059. This will save your activity in the game with us and our participants, whether we’re in a session at the library or not, and save you the hassle of having to make a server yourself!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
We welcome you to register for a thrilling conversation with Rebecca F. Kuang (R.F. Kuang) as she chats with us about her New York Times bestselling novel, Yellowface. Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media.
In Yellowface, Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling. June Hayward is literally nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.
So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.
So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn’t this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That’s what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.
But June can’t get away from Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June’s (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.
White lies, dark humor, and deadly consequences await within the pages of Yellowface. With its totally immersive first-person voice, Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable.
Register here! Aren’t able to attend? Visit us here to view recordings of past events and the list others that are coming up!
About the Author: Rebecca F. Kuang is the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Poppy War trilogy, Babel: An Arcane History, and Yellowface. A Marshall Scholar, she has an MPhil in Chinese Studies from Cambridge and an MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies from Oxford; she is now pursuing a PhD in East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale, where she studies diaspora, contemporary Chinese literature, and Asian American literature.
Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.
Nothing brings a family together like a murder next door.
You’re invited to join Nina Simon online as she chats about her lighthearted whodunnit about a grandmother-mother-daughter trio of amateur sleuths, Mother-Daughter Murder Night.
Mother-Daughter Murder Night follows high-powered business woman Lana Rubicon. She has a lot to be proud of with her keen intelligence, impeccable taste, and the L.A. real estate empire she’s built. But when she finds herself trapped 300 miles north of the city, convalescing in a sleepy coastal town with her adult daughter Beth and teenage granddaughter Jack, Lana is stuck counting otters instead of square footage—and hoping that boredom won’t kill her before the cancer does.
In a turn of events, when Jack happens upon a dead body while kayaking she quickly becomes a suspect in the homicide investigation, and the Rubicon women are thrown into chaos. Beth thinks Lana should focus on recovery, but Lana has a better idea. She’ll pull on her wig, find the true murderer, protect her family, and prove she still has power. With Jack and Beth’s help, Lana uncovers a web of lies, family vendettas, and land disputes lurking beneath the surface of a community populated by folksy conservationists and wealthy ranchers. But as their amateur snooping advances into ever-more dangerous territory, the headstrong Rubicon women must learn to do the one thing they’ve always resisted: depend on each other.
Harness your inner detective and sign up for the investigation.
Register here! Aren’t able to attend? Visit us here to view recordings of past events and the list others that are coming up!
About the Author: Nina Simon writes crime fiction about strong women. She is the New York Times-bestselling debut author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night. This big-hearted whodunnit is a Reese’s Book Club pick and a “best of 2023” selection for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CrimeReads, and LibraryJournal.
Before turning to fiction, Nina wore many hats: NASA engineer, slam poet, game designer, museum director, and nonprofit CEO. Her work on community participation in museums, libraries, parks, and theaters has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, NPR, and the TEDx stage.
Mother-Daughter Murder Night is Nina’s first novel. She wrote it as a love letter to her mother, as a way to entertain, comfort, and connect with her during a major health crisis. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nina now lives off-the-grid in the Santa Cruz Mountains with her family. More information can be found on her website, ninaksimon.com.
Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.
Join us as we chat with New York Times bestselling author, Douglas Brunt, about instant bestselling debut non-fiction work The Mysterious Case of Rudolph Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I. This book reveals the hidden history of Rudolf Diesel, one of the world’s greatest inventors, and his mysterious disappearance on the eve of World War I.
September 29, 1913: the steamship Dresden is halfway between Belgium and England. On board is one of the most famous men in the world, Rudolf Diesel, whose new internal combustion engine is on the verge of revolutionizing global industry forever. But Diesel never arrives at his destination. He vanishes during the night and headlines around the world wonder if it was an accident, suicide, or murder.
After rising from an impoverished European childhood, Diesel had become a multi-millionaire with his powerful engine that does not require expensive petroleum-based fuel. In doing so, he became not only an international celebrity but also the enemy of two extremely powerful men -– Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil and the richest man in the world. The Kaiser wanted the engine to power a fleet of submarines that would finally allow him to challenge Great Britain’s Royal Navy. But Diesel had intended for his engine to be used for the betterment of the world.
Brunt reopens the case and provides a compelling new conclusion about Diesel’s fate. Register here to see how the mystery unfolds! Aren’t able to attend? Visit us here to view recordings of past events and the list others that are coming up!
About the Author: Douglas Brunt is the New York Times bestselling author of The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel and host of the top-rated SiriusXM author podcast Dedicated with Doug Brunt. A Philadelphia native, he lives in Connecticut with his wife and three children. Visit DouglasBrunt.com for more information.
We cannot wait for you to join us as we chat with award-winning and bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez about her newest novel Anita de Monte Laughs Last.
Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a propulsive, witty examination of power, love, and art, daring to ask who gets to be remembered and who is left behind in the rarefied world of the elite. In 1985. Anita de Monte, a rising star in the art world, is found dead in New York City; her tragic death is the talk of the town. Until it isn’t. By 1998 Anita’s name had been all but forgotten―certainly by the time Raquel, a third-year art history student was preparing her final thesis. On College Hill, surrounded by privileged students whose futures are already paved out for them, Raquel feels like an outsider. Students of color, like her, are the minority there, and the pressure to work twice as hard for the same opportunities is no secret. But when Raquel becomes romantically involved with a well-connected older art student, she finds herself unexpectedly rising up the social ranks. As she attempts to straddle both worlds, she stumbles upon Anita’s story, raising questions about the dynamics of her own relationship, which eerily mirrors that of the forgotten artist.
Moving back and forth through time and told from the perspectives of both Anita and Raquel, this is sure a novel (and a conversation) that you don’t want to miss.
Register here! Aren’t able to attend? Visit us here to view recordings of past events and the list others that are coming up!
About the Author: Xochitl Gonzalez is the New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming. Named Best of 2022 by The New York Times, TIME, Kirkus, Washington Post, and NPR, Olga Dies Dreaming was the winner of the Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize in Fiction and the New York City Book Award. Gonzalez is a 2021 MFA graduate from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Her nonfiction work has been published in Elle Decor, Allure, Vogue, Real Simple, and The Cut. Her commentary writing for The Atlantic was recognized as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. A native Brooklynite and proud public school graduate, Gonzalez holds a BA from Brown University and lives in her hometown of Brooklyn with her dog, Hectah Lavoe.
Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.
Join us for a one-of-a-kind conversation with National Book Award-winner Colum McCann as he is joined by Diane Foley, the inspiration behind the heartrending book American Mother.
American Mother is the story of a mother who, in the course of confronting her son’s killer, gets to the elemental heart of violence and forgiveness. Diane Foley is the mother of Jim, a freelance journalist captured and beheaded by ISIS in 2014, an image that became one of the most iconic of the 21st century. Seven years later, Diane gets the chance to spend three days with the murderer of her son in a Virginia courthouse, inspiring her to tell her life story. What unfolds is one of the most compelling narratives in recent literary history, channeled into searing reality by New York Times bestselling author Colum McCann, who brings us on a journey of strength, resilience, and radical empathy. You are sure to be moved by McCann’s writing and Foley’s uncompromising love.
Register here! Aren’t able to attend? Visit us here to view recordings of past events and the list others that are coming up!
About the Authors:
Colum McCann is the author of seven novels, three collections of stories and two works of non-fiction. Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, he has been the recipient of many international honors, including the U.S National Book Award, the International Dublin Literary Prize, a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres from the French government, election to the Irish Arts Academy, several European awards, the 2010 Best Foreign Novel Award in China, and an Oscar nomination. In 2017 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts. His work has been published in over 40 languages. He is the President and co-founder of the non-profit global story exchange organization, Narrative 4. He is the Thomas Hunter Writer in Residence in Hunter College, in New York, where he lives with his wife Allison and their family. His most recent novel, Apeirogon, became an immediate New York Times best-seller and won several major international awards. His first major non-fiction book, American Mother, will be published in March 2024.
Diane M. Foley is the mother of five children, including American freelance conflict journalist James W. Foley. She founded the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation in September 2014, less than a month after his public execution. Diane is currently serving as the President and Executive Director of JWFLF. Since 2014, she has led JWFLF efforts to fund the start of Hostage US and the International Alliance for a Culture of Safety, ACOS. In 2015, she actively participated in the National Counterterrorism Center hostage review which culminated in the Presidential Policy Directive-30. This directive re-organized US efforts on behalf of Americans taken hostage abroad into an interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs and a Hostage Recovery Group at the White House. Previously, Diane worked first as a community health nurse and then as a family nurse practitioner for 18 years. She received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH.
Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.
Virtually step into the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History with Curator Paula Johnson as she discusses the book Smithsonian American Table: The Foods, People, and Innovations That Feed Us.
American Table is a sweeping history of food and culture that summons everyone to the table for a fresh look at some of the people, ingredients, events, and movements that have shaped how and what we eat.
Johnson, curator and project director of the American Food History Project, will discuss several stories featured in the volume, with an emphasis on those that intersect most directly with the Smithsonian’s research, collecting, and programming around food history.
During this event, Johnson will engage viewers in discovering the connections between food and American history:
After this enlightening, enriching, and entertaining webinar, you can cook your way through the recipes that are featured in the volume that reflect American history and culture. Hungry for more? Register here now! Aren’t able to attend? Visit us here to view recordings of past events and the list others that are coming up!
About the Speaker: Paula Johnson is a Curator in the Division of Work and Industry at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and is responsible for strengthening and maintaining the food history and marine resources collections. She is also the Project Director for the Smithsonian’s multi-faceted American Food History Project and director and co-curator for the exhibition, FOOD: Transforming the American Table, which opened in 2012; a refresh of the exhibition was completed in 2019. As one of the curators who collected Julia Child’s home kitchen in 2001, she was also on the team that developed the exhibition Bon Appetit! Julia Child’s Kitchen at the Smithsonian, on view from 2002 to 2012. Over more than three decades at the Smithsonian, Johnson has collected a wide range of artifacts and archives reflecting the work and experiences of diverse Americans and communities.
Johnson has published books and articles on the Chesapeake Bay, maritime communities, and material culture, and has lectured widely on these and topics related to American food and wine history, field research, oral history recording, and community-based documentation. She is an inaugural member of the editorial collective for Gastronomica: The Journal for Food History and received the 2020 Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar in the Humanities Award. Johnson is working on a book about Julia Child’s home kitchen for publication in Fall 2024.
Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.
Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.
Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.
Register here for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.
Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.
Register here for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.
Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.
Register here for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.
Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.
Register here for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Mad for Mah Jongg or crazy for Canasta? Here’s your chance to meet other players, benefit from consistent play, and build your confidence. If playing Mah Jongg, we have four cards for people to use, but if you are considering becoming a frequent player, please bring your own 2024 NMJL card (Available for purchase at nationalmahjonggleague.org). The Canasta card sets are on us and available for use. Register online for a spot in each individual session as we can only accommodate 16 people per afternoon.
Register for the May 20 session here.
New Photo Release Policy effective February 1, 2019. See here for details.
Mad for Mah Jongg or crazy for Canasta? Here’s your chance to meet other players, benefit from consistent play, and build your confidence. If playing Mah Jongg, we have four cards for people to use, but if you are considering becoming a frequent player, please bring your own 2024 NMJL card (Available for purchase at nationalmahjonggleague.org). The Canasta card sets are on us and available for use. Register online for a spot in each individual session as we can only accommodate 16 people per afternoon.
Register for each remaining individual May session below:
New Photo Release Policy effective February 1, 2019. See here for details.
High school student Madeline Abrams has developed an environmentally friendly and economically accessible way to capture rainwater using otherwise discarded plastic water bottles to create an irrigation system for vegetable gardens, farms, and landscapes.
To recognize and celebrate Earth Day and also increase awareness around plastic waste and water conservation, join us to learn how you can create a rainwater harvesting system for your community.
By using empty water bottles, cutting them in half lengthwise, and connecting them with waterproof tape (or other available resources), Madeline has created a gutter system to capture the rainfall that comes off of a roof. She then uses plastic bottles to create a downspout to direct the water to a holding tank similar to a rain barrel. Her website, Harvest Every Drop, that she created to share her invention can be found here.
Madeline recently presented her rainwater harvesting system virtually to 45 communities in New York, California, Uganda, Namibia, Lesotho, Angola, and South Africa. Her invention is being shared with villages and communities as a way to conserve water and address the issue of upcycling plastic waste that has become a major problem in many parts of the world. An article about Madeline’s system was published earlier this month in an international Rotary magazine covering Uganda.
After the Zoom presentation, Madeline will share the instructional video she created as a reference to build her watering system to help communities harvest every drop.
Register here!
Presentation will be conducted via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device.
Brought to us by Jane Mossa and The Pink Rhubarb
It’s Earth Day! Participants aged 7 to 13 years old are invited to join us as we celebrate by learning some of the ways to naturally dye fabric to achieve really beautiful hues of color and value.
Register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Brought to us by Jane Mossa and The Pink Rhubarb
Sweet doesn’t always have to mean that it’s made with sugar! Participants aged 7 to 13 years old are invited to join us for this workshop as we create moon cake pastries using intricate molds while exploring the use of healthy fillings to make a sweet dessert!
Register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Brought to us by Jane Mossa and The Pink Rhubarb
Sometimes you don’t have enough seed pots to go around and maybe don’t want to use the plastic containers that are commonly bought for beginning your garden. Participants aged 7 to 13 years old are invited to join us for this workshop where we’ll learn that up-cycling, or using products that you already have and making them into a better one, is a fun and creative way of turning newspaper into your seed starter pots.
Brought to us by Jane Mossa and The Pink Rhubarb
Making bread is an art form and takes practice and learning. With a little bit of practice, over time you will be able to make really great rolls or bread with the recipe that we’ll be using in this workshop. Participants aged 7 to 13 years old are invited to join us as we learn how something so simple – just flour and water – can make amazing bread.
Register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
It’s the first day of spring! That means butterflies are becoming active once more. Children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers are invited to come to the library as we craft the transition from the stage of egg carton caterpillar to the beautiful, blended butterfly! Paint will be used so dress for mess!
Register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
To celebrate National Plant a Flower Day, children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers are invited to join us as craft miniature gardens full of bright blossoms, green grass, and buzzing bees. Paint will be used so dress for mess!
Register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Friday, March 1, 8, 15, and 29
Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.
**THIS IS AN INTRODUCTORY SERIES FOR BEGINNERS ONLY**
Space is very limited for this program so please only register here you can commit to all 4 weeks.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Friday, March 1, 8, 15, and 29
Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.
**THIS IS AN INTRODUCTORY SERIES FOR BEGINNERS ONLY**
Space is very limited for this program so please only register here you can commit to all 4 weeks.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Friday, March 1, 8, 15, and 29
Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.
**THIS IS AN INTRODUCTORY SERIES FOR BEGINNERS ONLY**
Space is very limited for this program so please only register here you can commit to all 4 weeks.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Friday, March 1, 8, 15, and 29
Learn to play American Mah Jongg, a fun and fascinating tile game. Over these three sessions, new players will be taught the basics of understanding the tiles and the Mah Jongg card. You’ll soon be throwing out phrases like 6Bam! 2Crak! Green Dragon! and Mah Jongg! Rules and strategies of play as well as game etiquette will be covered.
**THIS IS AN INTRODUCTORY SERIES FOR BEGINNERS ONLY**
Space is very limited for this program so please only register here you can commit to all 4 weeks.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.
Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.
Register here for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Using many different styles of music, Claudia’s motivating, high energy dance class includes a classic dance movement warm-up using a chair, light weight strengthening exercises, and a full body stretch, using the mind-body connection to make this class both inspirational and fun.
Sing a little, dance a lot, move to your fullest potential, while getting a light aerobic workout, as well as gaining strength, flexibility, and energy. Posture awareness is the focus of this combination of standing, dance and chair stretch. Work out at your own pace while gaining benefits of the group energy.
Register here for this 45 minute workout that is guaranteed to make you feel great!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Join us for this 4-week introductory series with Rowayton Elementary School teacher and knitting enthusiast Alex Kaminski! She’ll cover the basics of knitting (like casting on, basic stitches, and binding off) and help guide you on your knitting journey. The needles and yarn are on us!
Space and supplies are limited so please register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Join us for this 4-week introductory series with Rowayton Elementary School teacher and knitting enthusiast Alex Kaminski! She’ll cover the basics of knitting (like casting on, basic stitches, and binding off) and help guide you on your knitting journey. The needles and yarn are on us!
Space and supplies are limited so please register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Join us for this 4-week introductory series with Rowayton Elementary School teacher and knitting enthusiast Alex Kaminski! She’ll cover the basics of knitting (like casting on, basic stitches, and binding off) and help guide you on your knitting journey. The needles and yarn are on us!
Space and supplies are limited so please register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Join us for this 4-week introductory series with Rowayton Elementary School teacher and knitting enthusiast Alex Kaminski! She’ll cover the basics of knitting (like casting on, basic stitches, and binding off) and help guide you on your knitting journey. The needles and yarn are on us!
Space and supplies are limited so please register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.
To register for the 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. session, click here.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
What makes a book a “classic”? The writer Italo Calvino defined them this way: “A classic is a book which has never exhausted all it has to say to its readers.” In that spirit, the Classics Book Club reads and discusses novels that have become beloved over the years, whether they’re well-known staples or under-the-radar gems. We’ll read one classic or modern classic book and engage in a lively discussion about the text in person at the Library!
Calling all fans of HBO’s “The Gilded Age”! For this meeting, we’ll be reading Edith Wharton’s 1913 The Custom of the Country, the book that’s widely considered to be her masterpiece. A satirical novel of manners, the book follows Undine Spragg as she tries to move from her nouveau riche roots in the Midwest to the rarefied old money society in New York. Vain, beautiful, and ruthlessly ambitious, Undine is both an unforgettable character and the lens through which Wharton takes a sharp look at marriage, divorce, money, and power.
Register here! Refreshments will be served.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
While they’re fun at parties and parades, they can also be used as garden decorations! Children ages 2 to 6 and their caregivers are invited to join us as we get crafty with paint and markers to create Paper Pinwheels! Dress for mess!
Register here!
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.
A program for parents and their high school teens
Ron Feuchs and Jackie Tepper, partners at Stand Out For College, LLC are offering and will lead this Zoom presentation to help families understand how the lingering effects from the pandemic have changed the college admissions landscape and how it affects Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen.
The recent college admissions cycle was the most competitive to date. With most colleges continuing their test-optional policies as well as increasing their virtual outreach to high school students, many schools had record numbers of applicants. Record high numbers of applications result in record low acceptance rates which is what most popular colleges and universities experienced this past admissions cycle.
Ron and Jackie will discuss current college admissions trends, the importance of researching and visiting colleges to find schools that can be a good fit for your child, a timeline and other action steps that can be taken to make this fall productive and help reduce the stress around the college admissions process.
They will examine the holistic admissions review process, what admissions officers consider important when they review applicants, and how students can position themselves to develop a compelling narrative to increase their chances for admission.
They will also discuss the importance of community service, how it can provide an opportunity for personal growth and a way to showcase a student’s character. Admissions officers place great emphasis on a student’s character and how the student has been able to give back and help others.
Register here!
Presentation will be conducted via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device.
Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs and created by the Foreign Policy Association. This program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year. The remaining topics and corresponding discussion meeting dates are:
Rowayton resident Jim Frayer will facilitate discussions. Register here and pick up your briefing book at the library!
A video showing of the topic up for discussion will be shown at 6:30 p.m. every week. Actual discussion of the topic will begin at 7:00 p.m. Participants are invited to tune in to both!
New Photo Release Policy effective February 1, 2019. See here for details.
Online programs hosted by the library will be provided via Zoom. Visit their website here to find the appropriate download instructions and download link for your device. Registration for all programs is required. Participants who register for any program will receive an email with the link to join.
Have an issue with one of your devices? Technology proving to be more of a challenge than you thought? We can help! Register for a 30-minute help session just for you.
To register for the 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. session, click here.
To register for the 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. session, click here.
View our Photo Release Policy, effective since February 1, 2019, here.