For more information or to register for programs, stop by the library, call 860-668-3896, check suffield-library.org, or follow us on Facebook. All of our programs are free! Most of our programs are funded by The Friends of the Kent Memorial Library. Become a member! Please register for programs.
Continuous Programs
New members welcome!
Photo Cafe—1st Tuesday, February 6, 6:30 p.m.
Writer’s Workshop—Monday, February 26, 7 p.m.
Socrates Cafe—February 26 at 7 p.m.
Ask George technical questions about your digital devices. Saturday, February 10. Sign up for an appointment.
Book Discussions
12:30 p.m. Thursday Readers, February 8: If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
7 p.m. World Book Group, Thursday, February 15: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
2 p.m. Books in the Parlor Tuesday, February 27: The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier.
New!
BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) Book Group
Monday, February 12 at 7 p.m. at 61 Ffyler Place. Bring a book you love or just read. It doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or non-fiction. It should be a fun evening to share authors and titles. Please register.
Take Your Child to the Library Day on Saturday, February 3
Come for a fun day! Have a cup of cocoa, make a craft and get a goody bag. If you like rocks, stop by to talk to the Connecticut Valley Mineral Club who will be displaying minerals and gems between 10am to noon. Bring your favorite rock and ask them what it is.
Reiki Thursday, February 8, 7 p.m.
Christine Jette, a Reiki practitioner, will demonstrate and explain Reiki, a natural energy-activating method capable of restoring and balancing vital energy. It can be used for relaxation, energy balance, increasing creativity and releasing of emotions that no longer serve you.
Music Appreciation
Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, Saturday, February 10, 2 p.m. at Suffield Senior Center.
Jeffrey Engel, a musicologist will discuss Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet, a classic interpretation of the lovers’ story with video clips of Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn dancing to portions of the ballet. Mr. Engel, a graduate of Ithaca College, majored in cello and music history. He continued musicological studies at the University of Connecticut. Mr. Engel lived in Paris for fourteen years where he earned a diploma in French and studied art history at the Sorbonne. He played with the Paris Opera as well as with numerous symphonic orchestras and chamber ensembles. Mr. Engel also is a contributor to the recently published edition of “The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians”. Since his return to America he has been giving talks and cello lessons and is a regular presenter of music lectures at the Litchfield Community Center.
Great Decisions
Begins Monday, February 12 at 2-3:30 p.m. at the Senior Center (8 weeks, every other week).
Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs, designed by the American Foreign Policy Association. Individuals who register for the program will receive a Briefing Book, available now, paid by The Friends of Kent Memorial Library. Participants will read about these issues and then discuss: The waning of Pax Americana? *Russia’s foreign policy *China and America *Media and foreign policy *Turkey *U.S. global engagement & the military *South Africa *Global health
Basic Skincare
Wednesday February 21 at 7 p.m.
An aesthetian will talk about skincare at any age including a basic skincare routine and how to take care of skin in different seasons, for different skin types, and new treatments and products.
Supreme Court Issues
Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center
Adrienne Fulco, Director of Public Policy and Law Program at Trinity College in Hartford, will discuss the Supreme Court’s recent decisions and forthcoming cases and how they may affect us.
Spring Wreath Decorating
February 24, Sign up for 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.
Learn how to decorate a grapevine wreath using spring greenery, silk flowers and other items with Diane Morse. A bow-making emonstration will be presented and all wreaths and craft supplies will be provided.
Quiet Book Discussion
Saturday, February 24 at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, March 6 at 2 p.m.
This dicussion is described in Charles Zanor’s article on this page.
Evidence of Ancient Civilizations in Connecticut
Tuesday, February 27 at 7 p.m.
Geoffrey Whittum, a Suffield resident, has found dolmens (megalithic tombs, similar in structure to Old Stonehenge artifacts) and large, unusual structures throughout the forests of New England and the Middle Atlantic states. He will present a PowerPoint presentation demonstrating that these megalithic structures may represent the work of ancient civilizations.
Polish Genealogy Workshop with Sara Zak
Wednesday, February 28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 61 Ffyler Place.
These are one-time sessions for beginning genealogists. The workshop is geared toward 2nd and 3rd generation Polish Americans who have computer skills and a little family information. For reservations, please contact Sara Zak by email at zaksa@aol.com no later than February 16.
Fake News
Thursday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Is “fake news” a modern phenomena or does it have deeper roots in American history? And how do you spot fake news in the midst of the modern, and frequently chaotic, 24/7 news cycle? Professor Matthew W. Dunne will explore the history and significance of “fake news” in contemporary American politics, as well as provide helpful tools to distinguish between “fake news” and legitimate journalism in 21st century America. Matthew W. Dunne is an Assistant Professor of History and Political Science at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Conn. Matthew received his Ph.D. in History at Brown University in Rhode Island, and his first book, A Cold War State of Mind: Brainwashing and Postwar American Society, was published by the University of Massachusetts press. He teaches courses on politics, government, and American history.
Chess Lessons
For kids in grades K-12 who are interested in learning chess, here’s a chance not to miss. The Connecticut Chess Organization will provide chess classes for beginning chess players once a week for 6 – 8 weeks. The next session will be February 5 from 5:30-6:30 at the Senior Center.
Please sign up on the library webpage, if interested. Late comers welcome.