STRATFORD - Discovery Museum representative David Mestre will be the star when the Stratford Library holds “Sunday Afternoon Talks,” its monthly series, at 2 p.m. May 2.
The "popular program invites notable locals to speak in an informal atmosphere on a wide range of topics," organizers said in a statement.

Mestre will discuss the current science event, “Cosmic Discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope,” the statement said.

“Sunday Afternoon Talks” is free and open to the public.

Mestre is a native of Stratford who earned his bachelor's degree in astronomy and astrophysics at Harvard University and a master's physics and astronomy from the University of Pennsylvania.

He is now the director of Space Science Education at the Discovery Museum and Planetarium, the statement said. An Eagle Scout, Mestre is board vice president of Scout Outreach, Connecticut Yankee Council and the Boy Scouts of America, the statement said.
His previous program at the library about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro "drew an enthusiastic audience last year," it said.

On May 2, Mestre will "describe the design, construction and optical flaw correction of the Hubble Space Telescope which is currently making news on a daily basis." the statement said.

This is the final program in the series until September. For more information call the library’s Public Relations & Programming Office at 203-385-4162 or visit www.stratfordlibrary.org.

MILFORD - Local author Elliott Storm is touring Florida with his novel "These Scars Are Sacred," which he wrote to help the public and service family members to understand the causes and effects of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, and to help in the healing process for all returning veterans.

The American Legion Post 126 of Jensen Beach Florida and Borders Book Store sponsored book signings and a Power Point presentation on PTSD with Storm, shown, and others,

According to Storm, the novel a "high intensity philosophical tale about the boy next door," and is a top seller and has been given five-stars on Amazon.

Storm and his group, dubbed "The Vet Pack," has lectured across the country speaking to many organizations, and colleges, including at Yale andthe University of Michigan and many veteran groups.

He has ectured at West Point Academy and the Naval War College.

For more information see http://www.thesescarsaresacred.com/

ORANGE - Barbara Mazur and Margaret Ulecka-Wilson, both artists from Orange and Joan Lakin, an artist from Hamden, will exhibit their work at the upcoming show in May at the Case Memorial Library, Tyler City Road, Orange, organizers said.

The show, sponsored by the Art in the Library Committee, runs from May 1 to 28. The opening Artists’ reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. May 6.
Mazur had a successful career in advertising before she began studying watercolors and acrylics about seven years ago with various area instructors, organizers said in a statement. Mazur has exhibited at Case Memorial Library, Whitney Center, the Hospital of Saint Raphael, the Woodbridge Library, Coldwell Banker in Darien and Stevens Ford in Milford, the statement said. Her "photography of natural settings around her home inspires her painting," the statement said. Mazur also is a member of the Art in the Library Committee.
Ulecka-Wilson was for many years a chemist at Bayer, the statement said. She is a potter who manipulates and displays products of the earth. This "has been her inspiration and revelation since she first felt the unformed clay and then held up her finished creation," the statement said. She follows the artistic traditions of her father, for many years a successful artist in Warsaw, Poland. She developed her insights as a potter at creative Arts Workshop in New Haven. Ulecka-Wilson works in Orange and also is a member of the Art in the Library Committee, the statement said.
Lakin managed water treatment plant operation for the Regional Water Authority before her retirement, the statement said. She is very active in civic affairs in Hamden, serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Inland Wetlands Commission and several other town commissions, the statement said. Lakin also was president of the League of Women Voters. She has studied water color with Audrey Galer, design with John Massimo and drawing with Dorothy Marchese, the statement said. She has exhibited at Case Memorial Library, Whitney Center, the Hospital of Saint Raphael, Woodbridge Library, and The Cardiology Group in New Haven. Her work is also part of private collections. She is "unfailingly inspired by the beauty of nature," the statement said

The show includes varied themes, outstanding techniques and varied media, the statement said. The Art in the Library Committee presents the monthly shows as a service both to the artists and to the general public and welcomes submission of works from local and statewide artists to the annual jurying session.

Editor's note: The information in this post was wholly provided by organizers of this exhibit.