Library

Correction

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In the Observer’s July-August issue, the knowledgeable enthusiast who was to lead the baseball trivia contest on August 9 was misidentified. He was Karl Cicitto, not Karl Cicotte. (Demonstrating his expertise, Mr. Cicitto advises that Ed Cicotte was one of the eight Chicago White Sox ballplayers banned permanently from Major League Baseball for throwing the 1919 World Series.)

Director’s Corner

Racists

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Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote, “The only good Indian is a dead Indian” and other unpalatably racist comments. For this, the American Library Association dropped her name from their children’s award, which was begun in 1954. Theodor Geisel, known as Dr. Seuss, depicted a Chinese man in a derogatory stereotypical fashion in, I Heard It on Mulberry Street. For this, the Springfield Museum removed a mural with the image from its wall. There are countless authors who have written and said offensive things.

Library

Library Book Sale

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The Friends of Kent Memorial Library are putting the finishing touches on this year’s book sale. Happily, it will once again be held in Father Ted Hall at Sacred Heart Church at 446 Mountain Road. Ample free parking will be available adjacent to the air-conditioned, handicapped-accessible big room in which the sale will take place. The book sale will take place on the weekend of September 7-9, beginning with a preview sale from 6-8 p.m. on Friday. For that event only, there is an admission fee of $5, but Friends of KML members get in free.

Library

Leonard Bernstein’s 100th Year

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Leonard Bernstein was widely known as a flamboyant and intuitive conductor although he considered himself a composer first. He left us with many enduring compositions, well-known musicals such as West Side Story, Candide and On the Town but also sacred music, Chichester Psalms and his Mass. With the use of television, he was able to widely promote classical music appreciation in his Young People’s Concerts. The critics loved the series. It, along with being the handsome, stylish conductor of the New York Philharmonic, elevated Bernstein to star status.

Library

Library Project Nears Completion

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Two months ago it seemed that signing the PCB abatement contract was imminent, but at the Observer’s current mid-month deadline, the contract had been signed only by AAIS, the contractor. It was soon signed for the Town. Facilities Director Julie Oakes explained that the delay had nothing to do with contract problems – both parties were ready – but the Public Works Department had just been too busy with other matters, like concepts for a new Town Hall and putting a new roof on Spaulding School. Start of work now awaits EPA approval of a work plan to be written by AAIS. In the meantime, problems with the new HVAC equipment have been repaired and the system has been subjected to extensive testing, including repetitive cycles of reversing valve operation, all under the watchful eye of a separate contractor functioning as a commissioning agent.