All proceeds benefit the Pequot Library

From Jan. 14 through Jan. 17, the Pequot Library will hold its annual Mid-Winter Book Sale.

"The little sister of the Library's nationally known Summer Book Sale, the Mid-Winter sale is smaller but more intimate with many treasures and bargains to be had," organizers said in a statement. 

There is no admission charge for the sale, the statement said.

"The primary focus of the Mid-Winter sale is fiction and the Library's auditorium, where the Mid-Winter sale is held, will be full of a broad array of works of fiction in all genres in both hardcover and paper back," the statement said. "There will also a good selection of children's books and videos, and vintage paper backs."

further, "There are so many books sorted and priced this year, that the Library will begin to "restock" the tables during the sale," the statement said  "Patrons looking for just the right book are encouraged to return each day to see what new books have been brought up out of storage."

 

These will also be a large selection of prints, thanks to the work of book sale volunteer Stephanie Weaver, the statement said. The prints, which are donated to the Library during the course of the year, are "colorful, interesting, and often humorous," the statement said.   

"Paige Gillies, the book sale volunteer in charge of LP records, has actively been pursuing donations of these items to the Library, and there will be a large selection at the Mid-Winter Sale in mint condition and sorted into the following categories: Jazz, Rock, Folk and Country, Latin, and the Spoken Word. The LP is enjoying a surge in popularity recently and has become very collectible."

Mark Naftalin and Friends will perform both Saturday and Sunday starting at 1 p.m., the statement said 

Members of the group are: Mark Naftalin - piano; Chance Browne - guitar, harmonica & vocal; Paul Gabriel - guitar & vocals; Daniel J - guitar, harmonica and vocals; Steve Russell - guitar, harmonica & vocals; Washboard Slim - washboard, harmonica & vocals; Gerry Manning - clarinet, harmonica & vocals; and Paul Bluestein - guitar & vocals.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. (Because folks at the library know a lot about words, we're sharing what they have to say!)

Event includes: A Lecture at Fairfield University and The Library’s Annual Meeting

The weekend of Nov. 12 and 13 "will be full of the things Pequot Library does best – lectures and thoughtful discussions about books, readings and the importance of special, historic Libraries to the communities they serve," according to a statement.
Things get started at 4 p.m. Nov. 12 "when Robert Gross, Draper Professor of Early American History at the University of Connecticut at Storrs, will speak on “The Reading Revolution Then and Now: the New American Nation and the History of Books” in the Diffley Board Room at Bellarmine Hall on the campus of Fairfield University," the statement said.
"Gross, a nationally-recognized authority on the history of the book, has served on the editorial board for the multi-volume History of the Book in America published by the University of North Carolina Press and co-edited the second volume of the series, "An Extensive Republic: Print, Culture, and Society in the New Nation, 1790-1840," (2010)."
"Gross’s lecture is part of Pequot Library’s executive director Daniel Snydacker’s course titled “From Codex to Kindle: The Art and History of the Book” this semester at the University. It is free and open to the public, and is sponsored in part by a generous grant from the Visual and Performing Arts Department thanks to its chair, Marice Rose," the statement said.
On Nov. 13 at 3 p.m., Pequot Library will hold its Annual Meeting at the Library at 720 Pequot Ave., in Southport. After a short business meeting, the guest speaker at the meeting will be William Hosley, who is back by popular demand after a wonderful talk during Pequot Library’s Art Show last month, the statement said.
At the Annual Meeting, Hosely’s talk is titled, “More than Books: Libraries, Community & Historic Preservation.” This program traces almost 200 years in American library practice with a special focus on New England and its many municipal, historic and specialty research libraries. As a museum scholar, preservationist and photographer, Bill Hosley has visited hundreds of libraries. Hosley is fascinated by the architectural grandeur, mission and eloquence of the libraries built during the first wave of library formation from the 1870s-1920s. "At a time when few communities had art museums, historical societies, or other ways of preserving civic treasures," Hosley notes, "these libraries did it all - one stop shopping for cultural enrichment, preservation, community memory and - of course - books and reading." It also speaks to changes in mission and practice of libraries today and how their role as "third places" benefits from the quality of ambience and place so apparent in historic libraries. This tour and discussion of library history reminds us of the richness of our heritage and the commitment of our communities to life-learning and access to ideas.

"William Hosley, the principal of Terra Firma Northeast, is an independent scholar and cultural resource consultant. He was formerly Director of the New Haven Museum and Connecticut Landmarks and, prior to that, curator and exhibition developer at Wadsworth Atheneum." Hel "has lectured throughout the country and served as a content specialist for PBS, BBC and CPTV film documentaries," the statement said.

"The Annual Meeting is also free and open to the public. A reception will follow each lecture where the ideas spill over into a lively discussion." For more information about both these programs, visit the Library’s web site at www.pequotlibrary.org, or call the Library at 203-259-0346.
Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

And sharing a recipe can help make it even more glorious

In honor of the special bonds formed by the sharing of food, the Fairfield Public Library and Pequot Library are sponsoring a recipe drive, according to a statement.


What is the recipe that your family loves best or defines your family table? What dish means comfort, togetherness, or is simply your favorite thing to make and eat together?

Share your recipe with the Fairfield community by emailing it to obot@fplct.org by Feb. 28.
Include ingredient lists, cooking instructions, and a short anecdote about the history of the dish.
The library will feature a different recipe and family story daily during the month of March on One Book One Town website, www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org/obot.
For information, call 203.255.7394.

And that is not just the books

Some of the area's "most stunning and important artwork" will be on display at Pequot Library’s 13th Annual Art Show Gala Fundraiser, "Unlocked: Masterpieces of the Private Collections" on Oct. 15.

"A diverse and deep collection of European and American Masters and Contemporary fine art will be on loan from prominent, local collectors who are generously unlocking the treasures of their collections to support the Pequot Library," library officials said in a statement.

The gala kicks off the weekend art show, which helps underwrite the wide range of programs offered by the library throughout the year, the statement said.
During the Art Show weekend of Oct. 16-17, there also will be an extensive show of art for sale to benefit the library from some of the best galleries in the region, along with “The Best Sellers List” - artists whose work has proven the most popular in past Pequot Library community art shows, the statement said.

“The Art Show is wonderful event where the community can see fabulous art, meet the artists, and support both the arts community and the Library at the same time,” Sissy Biggers, chairwoman of the event, said in the statement.

The galleries that will be part of the show are: the Cooley Gallery of Old Lyme; Southport Galleries, ARC Fine Art LLC; and Barrett Fine Art.

"All are well known throughout the region for offering the very best art in a wide range of styles and taste. There will be surprises and visual treats galore, as their displays will be filled with fine works by both historical and living artists," the statement said.
Among the “Best Sellers” are long time favorites at previous Art Shows such as Miggs Burroughs, Elizabeth Gaynor, Jill Kelly, Jak Kovatch, Karl Soderlund and Eve Stockton, among others. All of the Galleries and ‘Best Sellers’ donate a percentage to the Pequot Library.

“The Art Show Committee has outdone themselves in putting together an ambitious and unique gala on Friday night, selecting our partners from the regional galleries and by inviting community’s most exciting artists,” Dan Snydacker, library executive director said, also in the statement. “The rich and vibrant collections, like so many things at Pequot Library, will pull together diverse interests in the community.”

Members of the committee include Sissy Cargill Biggers, Shawna Barrett, Heather Carey, Phillip Eliasoph, Pina Ferlisi, Allie Kagel, Deborah Foote Kouzoukian, Edward V. Lahey III, Samantha Mooney, William P. Russell, Jr., Courtenay Sicre, and Gertrude Grace Sill.

Also, at 1 p.m. Saturday, a Sculpture Workshop for ‘Tweens and Teens, presented in collaboration with the Fairfield Arts Council, will feature renowned Assemblage Artist, Nina Bentley, the statement said.

Participants will work to produce a unique, sculpted piece by the end of the program. The program is for children fourth grade and up, and registration is required, the statement said.
At 7 p.m., the Greens Farms Academy Jazz Combos and the Julliard Concert Jazz Ensemble will perform the inaugural concert marking the new collaboration between Greens Farms Academy and Julliard, the statement said. This event will take place in Pequot’s Auditorium and the seating area will be surrounded with art from the four galleries participating in the show.
Sponsors of the event include: The Russell Agency, and Petra Construction of North Haven, additional special support has been provided by Mumm Napa, California Caviar, Isabelle et Vincent Fine French Pastries, Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, Diageo, Miller/Coors and Macallan Single Malt.
The show and sale ends with sherry in the library at 2 p.m. Sunday.

“This delightful gathering is now a tradition on Sunday as a social way to end the weekend and a last look at the artworks before they move onto their new homes and, of course, a last chance to buy the remaining art—to support the Pequot Library,” Biggers said, also in the statement.

For more information about the Art Show and Sale, call the Library at 203-259-0346, or visit the website at http://www.pequotlibrary.org/ where tickets for the Gala Fundraiser, priced at $125 per person, can be purchased directly. The rest of the Art Show is free and open to all. Hours for the weekend show are noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 16 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 17.

The library is at 720 Pequot Ave.

Photos: "Penny Candy" by Stevan Dohanos of Westport for the Saturday Evening Post and “Reflections on the Scream” by Roy Lichtenstein

Photographer captures spirit of the American mustang

SOUTHPORT - The photographs of imperiled wild mustangs taken by photographer Esther-Grace Simson will be shown throughout May in an exhibit in the Perkin Gallery at Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Ave.

Wild mustangs are descendants of horses Spanish Conquistadors brought to North America and living emblems of the old West, event organizers said. By the end of the 19th century, two to three million mustangs roamed the Western plains.
Starting in the early 20th century and up to the present day, the horses have been sold for pet food, glue, pony skins and shot for sport.

In 1971 a law was passed to protect mustangs on public lands. But due to pressure from cattle ranching interest groups as well as the oil, natural gas and mining industries, mustangs are again being rounded up in a violent manner, such as helicopter roundups, and herded into federal holding facilities while they await an uncertain future in an inhumane way, event organizers said in a statement.

About 24,000 of the horses are in captivity.

On a recent trip, Simson traveled with her daughter Danielle to the foothills of California’s mountains near Santa Barbara in search of the horses.

Some rescued mustangs reside on 300 acres at the Return To Freedom sanctuary. The mother-daughter team set up various base camps as they followed the grazing bands of mustangs from one spot to another, the statement said.
Simson remembers setting up base camp, and waiting quietly until the horses sent their scouts to appraise and inspect them, the statement said.
They were ultimately welcomed warmly, andeventually nudged by a young stallion, indicating that they were accepted by the various bands of mustangs. The "mission to record the proud nobility of these wild and beautiful animals and to promote an awareness of their sad plight was accomplished," the statement said.

Simson is a member of the Royal Photographic Society and the Equine Photographers Network. Her work has appeared in numerous publications. She is the designated photographer of RJ Masterbug, star of the Disney film Hidalgo, the statement said. Her photographs of RJ have appreared on the covers of Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Up magazines. She has exhibited nationally and internationally.

The opening reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. May 8.
This exhibit is one in a series of shows of amateur and professional photographers curated by Enid Munroe. For more information, call the library at 203-259-0346.



Editor's note: The information in this post was provided by the Pequot Library. It is lightly edited here.