Ellington author and former Congolese refugee to discuss their book for children aged 8 to 12 at Tolland Library June 18
Award-winning author Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo and her co-author Ndengo Gladys Mwilelo, a former Congolese refugee now living in New Haven, will discuss their heartfelt middle grade novel, “Each of Us a Universe,” at the Tolland Public Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 18.
The book draws on the Mwilelo family’s stories as refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who came to Connecticut in 2013. Mwilelo became a U.S. citizen in 2019 and earned her bachelor’s degree in strategic communication from Central Connecticut State University in 2021.
The two met at IRIS-Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services in New Haven, where Ferruolo, from Ellington, is a volunteer and Mwilelo is an IRIS ambassador and after-school program coordinator.
The author visit is being sponsored by the Tolland Public Library Foundation as part of its Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series. The talk is free, but registration is required. To register, call the library at 860-871-3620 or use the online events calendar at tolland.org/library.
“Each of Us a Universe” tells the story of two girls who go on an adventure to the top of a mountain and learn about each other, themselves and the magic friendship can bring.
When facing the impossible, Cal Scott runs from her mother, who’s fighting cancer, her father who she can’t forgive, and classmates who never seemed to “get” her anyway. Cal learns what real courage looks like when she meets Rosine Kanambe, a refugee who leaves Congo for the small Connecticut town where Cal lives.
Ferruolo is also the author of “A Galaxy of Sea Stars” and “Ruby in the Sky,” which Booklist called “quietly magical.” ‘Ruby’ was a Washington Post KidsPost Summer Book Club selection that won the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ work-in-progress award, the Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award and the New Voices in Children’s Literature: Tassy Walden Award.
A representative of River Bend Bookshop in Glastonbury will be on hand to sell books, which the authors will sign.
Since 2010, the library foundation’s EDK series has brought well-known authors to Tolland, including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Dan Barry, Susan Campbell and Steven G. Smith; Lucy Anne Hurston, Jane Haddam, Dom Amore, Jeff Goldberg, Chris Knopf, Caragh O’Brien, Karen Guzman, P.W. Catanese, Steven Parlato, Dawn Metcalf, Denis Horgan, Cindy Rodriguez and Susan Schoenberger.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Tolland Public Library Foundation has to postpone its April 28 training session on how to conduct an oral history interview.
We'll be posting a new date as soon as possible for our launch of the Tolland Oral History Project. Thank you to those residents who registered for the session.
Library Foundation Launching Tolland Oral History Performance Project on April 28
Thanks to a grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the Tolland Public Library Foundation will launch a townwide oral history project on April 28 at the Tolland Public Library.
The special community project, known as the Tolland Oral History Performance Project, centers around collecting oral histories of longtime Tolland residents and will culminate in a public performance developed from the stories collected through this effort.
Participants will use oral histories and historic records to create a community performance to highlight the lives of the people of Tolland, past and present.
The project cultivates intergenerational relationships while participants learn local history. They’ll also develop storytelling techniques, and the project will engage residents in civic public dialogue.
Kristen Morgan, a professor of Theatre and New Media Studies at Eastern Connecticut State University and a member of the board of directors of the library foundation, will direct the project. She has decades of experience in developing public performances based on oral histories and historic archives.
Her recent projects including “Thread City,’’ based on stories of immigrants who worked at the American Thread Mill Co. in Willimantic, and “Cultivating Dignity,” a production filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic on the experiences of a young Martin Luther King Jr. as he worked in the fields of the Cullman Bros. Tobacco Farm in Simsbury.
Morgan will lead a kick-off workshop on April 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the library at 21 Tolland Green to introduce the project and educate participants in how to conduct oral history interviews. The library foundation has donated funds to make recording kits available to be checked out from the library, and Morgan will explain how to use the kits.
Residents of all ages are welcome but are encouraged to register ahead of time by visiting tolland.org/library, clicking on the online events calendar and scrolling to April 28.
For more information, email Morgan at morgankr@easternct.edu.
It's time to celebrate the entire Tolland Public Library staff and wish them a wonderful National Library Week.
Back row, left to right: Karen Duhamel Lambert, Andy Geary and Library Director Barbara Pettijohn;
Middle row, left to right: Kelly Marchand, Lori Ferguson and Rosanne Thomas
Seated: Anna Mae Wasielewski and Marci James
Not pictured: Ni-Ni Reinard
Thanks to Frank James for the photo.
And by the way, you can support the Tolland Public Library Foundation in a variety of ways: by making a tax-deductible donation at TollandPublicLibraryFoundation.org or by mail at 21 Tolland Green, Tolland, CT 06084; by holding a birthday fundraiser on Facebook and making the foundation the beneficiary or by designating the foundation for United Way donations or through AmazonSmile. The foundation was created in 1996 to make grants to the Tolland Public Library to augment what is provided by the town budget.
As National Library Week continues, the Tolland Public Library Foundation is introducing and celebrating the new staff members at the Tolland Public Library.
Say hello to:
Ni-Ni Reinard
Circulation Assistant
How long have you been at the Tolland library? Six months
Favorite Book: "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas
Fun Fact: "I have 6 backyard chickens."
GO NI-NI, so glad to see you there, best wishes and congratulations !!
In honor of National Library Week, the Tolland Public Library Foundation is introducing and celebrating the new staff members at the Tolland Public Library.
Karen Duhamel Lambert
Circulation Assistant
How long have you been at the Tolland library? 6 weeks
Favorite Book: “Trickster’s Queen” by Tamora Pierce
Fun Fact: “I have completed National Novel Writing Month twice.”
Thank you to Frank James for the photo.
To mark National Library Week, the Tolland Public Library Foundation is introducing and thanking the new staff members of the library.
Stop by and say hello to:
Anna Mae Wasielewski
Circulation Assistant
How long have you been at TPL? 10 Months
Favorite Book: “A Darker Shade of Magic” by V.E. Scwab
Fun Fact: “In my free time, I’m a Fire Wizard in an online fantasy world.”
Photo credit: Frank James
Appreciating the Tolland Public Library staff today at the start of National Library Week. Library Foundation Vice President Daniela Boebert Titterton and Treasurer Jan Rubino dropped off some plants, seeds and cards to each staff member today, including Library Director Barbara Pettijohn, to thank them for the service they provide year-round.
Thanks to Robert Rubino for the photos.
Pictured, left to right, Jan, Barbara and Dani.
Beautiful!
Happy National Library Week!
Thus week, the Tolland Public Library Foundation will be honoring the Tolland Public Library staff, Library Director Barbara Pettijohn and her hard-working staff.
We’ll be introducing new staff members, with photos by Frank James.
Lori Ferguson
Library Technical Coordinator
How long at the Tolland Public Library? Seven months
Favorite book: “The Secret Lives of Bees,” by Sue Monk Kidd
Fun fact: “I’ve flown in helicopters a few times.”
Hi Lori! Great to see you, and congrats on the 'new' position! <3
Lori is a wonderful addition to the library staff!
Hi Lori!! I enjoy seeing and talking to you when I come to the library!
Lori Ferguson is wonderful! 😁
Thanks everyone!
Perfect match!! 💗
Hello Lori !
Hey Lori!!
Library Foundation Launching Tolland Oral History Performance Project on April 28
Thanks to a grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the Tolland Public Library Foundation will launch a townwide oral history project on April 28 at the Tolland Public Library.
The special community project, known as the Tolland Oral History Performance Project, centers around collecting oral histories of longtime Tolland residents and will culminate in a public performance developed from the stories collected through this effort.
Participants will use oral histories and historic records to create a community performance to highlight the lives of the people of Tolland, past and present.
The project cultivates intergenerational relationships while participants learn local history. They’ll also develop storytelling techniques, and the project will engage residents in civic public dialogue.
Kristen Morgan, a professor of Theatre and New Media Studies at Eastern Connecticut State University and a member of the board of directors of the library foundation, will direct the project. She has decades of experience in developing public performances based on oral histories and historic archives.
Her recent projects including “Thread City,’’ based on stories of immigrants who worked at the American Thread Mill Co. in Willimantic, and “Cultivating Dignity,” a production filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic on the experiences of a young Martin Luther King Jr. as he worked in the fields of the Cullman Bros. Tobacco Farm in Simsbury.
Morgan will lead a kick-off workshop on April 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the library at 21 Tolland Green to introduce the project and educate participants in how to conduct oral history interviews. The library foundation has donated funds to make recording kits available to be checked out from the library, and Morgan will explain how to use the kits.
Residents of all ages are welcome but are encouraged to register ahead of time by visiting tolland.org/library, clicking on the online events calendar and scrolling to April 28.
For more information, email Morgan at morgankr@easternct.edu.
Thanks to funding from the Tolland Public Library Foundation, the Tolland Public Library now has two hotspots provided by T-Mobile that can be checked out of the library.
The portable hotspots can connect up to 15 Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, tablets or smartphones, to the internet.
Hotspots can be checked out for one week to Tolland Public Library cardholders, 18 years and older, in good standing (no fines, overdue items or lost materials) with the library.
The kits come with a hotspot, back cover, battery, sim card, charger and instructions and may be placed on hold by calling the library 860-871-3620.
Thank you to novelist Karen Guzman for a terrific, engaging book talk tonight as part of the library foundation's Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series. She spoke of writing "Arborview" as an "act of faith" and said she likes the first draft of a novel best because it is a "draft of discovery." Some other great quotes: "My writing voice slips into the poetic when I write about the natural world" and "Saying difficult, hard things beautifully is a hard thing to do. I like language to be beautiful." Visit karenguzman.com to learn more about her work and to see her upcoming appearances and book talks.
I thoroughly enjoyed Karen Guzman’s talk about her lovely novel, “Arborview”, especially her insights about the crafting of the story.
If you're a fan of fascinating female characters and graceful writing, you're going to want to read "Arborview," Karen Guzman's second novel, and hear her discuss it Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.
The Tolland Public Library Foundation is sponsoring the free talk as part of its long-running Eaton-Dimock-King Author Series.
In the novel, Guzman, a former Hartford Courant reporter, recounts the tale of two women who face hidden betrayals by the people they love most trying to start new chapters in their lives.
“Told with Karen Guzman’s trademark compassion, “Arborview” is the book we need right now: poignant, hopeful, and full of heart,” New York Times bestselling author Michelle Richmond said.
To register for the talk, visit tolland.org/library, scroll down to the Online Events calendar, click on it and navigate to Feb. 10 for the Karen Guzman event. Those who have registered ahead of time will receive the Zoom link by email.
Here's a good review of Karen Guzman's second novel, "Arborview," which she will be discussing on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. on Zoom when the Tolland Public Library Foundation plays host to her in a free book talk.
Registration is required for the event. To register, visit tolland.org/library, scroll down to the online events calendar and click on Feb. 10.
readingladies.com/2022/01/26/arborview-book-review/?fbclid=IwAR3ppyMYA23Su2NdiJWmpfUPxRCV2etV2oGi...
readingladies.com
Arborview by Karen Guzman is the quietly compelling story of two courageous and determined women: one starting over at midlife and one just starting out in life with one big dream. It’s a hop…
If you're a fan of fascinating female characters and graceful writing, you're going to want to read "Arborview," Karen Guzman's second novel, and hear her discuss it Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.
The Tolland Public Library Foundation is sponsoring the free talk as part of its long-running Eaton-Dimock-King Author Series.
In the novel, Guzman, a former Hartford Courant reporter, recounts the tale of two women who face hidden betrayals by the people they love most trying to start new chapters in their lives.
“Told with Karen Guzman’s trademark compassion, “Arborview” is the book we need right now: poignant, hopeful, and full of heart,” New York Times bestselling author Michelle Richmond said.
To register for the talk, visit tolland.org/library, scroll down to the Online Events calendar, click on it and navigate to Feb. 10 for the Karen Guzman event. Those who have registered ahead of time will receive the Zoom link by email.
Durham author Karen Guzman to discuss her latest novel on Feb. 10 in Tolland authors series
Author Karen Guzman of Durham will discuss her second novel, “Arborview,” on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. on Zoom as part of the Tolland Public Library Foundation’s Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series.
In “Arborview,” Guzman, a former journalist who is now a writer at the Yale School of Management, recounts the tale of two women who face hidden betrayals by the people they love most while trying to start new lives.
After a bruising divorce that has drained her bank account, along with her spirit, Ellen Cahill is staking her financial future on the success of her new pastry shop. Haunted by the past, she questions whether she can pull off a new beginning.
College student Rosa Escamilla has her own culinary dreams – and a difficult mother who is dead set against them. Undeterred, she scrapes up the money to enroll at a prestigious culinary school.
New York Times bestselling author Michelle Richmond praised “Arborview.”
“Told with Karen Guzman’s trademark compassion, “Arborview” is the book we need right now: poignant, hopeful, and full of heart,” Richmond said. “A beautiful story about the relationships that shape us and the dreams that save us.”
Guzman is a fiction writer and essayist who worked as a journalist at the Hartford Courant and the News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her debut novel, “Homing Instincts,’’ was published in 2014. Her short fiction has appeared in a number of literary magazines, and her story collection, “Pilgrims,” was a finalist for the St. Lawrence Book Award. She is a regular contributor to the Collegeville Institute’s “Bearings Online” magazine and is a writing fellow at the institute.
The Tolland author visit is free, but registration is required. To register, visit tolland.org/library, scroll down to the Online Events calendar, click on it and navigate to Feb. 10 for the Karen Guzman event. Those who have registered ahead of time will receive the Zoom link by email before the talk.
The Tolland Public Library Foundation would like to thank Steven Jones for recently holding a Facebook birthday fundraiser to support the foundation. Steven raised $555, including a $50 match from Facebook. Thank you, Steven!
The foundation was established in 1996 o receive donations to benefit the Tolland Public Library and to enhance library services beyond what the town budget provides.
This #GivingTuesday, on today, Nov. 30, there are many great causes to support but one worthy local one is the Tolland Public Library Foundation.
The foundation was established in 1996 to make grants to the Tolland Public Library to augment funding that is provided by taxpayers through the town budget.
The library has used foundation grants to offer databases including Ancestry.com for patrons to use and the Hoopla media streaming service, and since 2011, to host award-winning authors and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists through the Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series. The foundation has also granted funds to install the audio-visual system in the Library Program Room, to buy computers for the public to use and to completely outfit the Library Maker Space with a 3D printer and other equipment.
Your donation will be used wisely to support technology, programs and events at the Tolland Public Library.
Donations may be made using the QR Code attached or at:
www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LFCDBDTX4DMYS
They can also be mailed to Tolland Public Library Foundation, 21 Tolland Green, Tolland, CT 06084.
This #GivingTuesday, on Nov. 30, please consider supporting the Tolland Public Library Foundation with a tax-deductible gift.
The foundation was established in 1996 to make grants to the Tolland Public Library to augment funding that is provided by taxpayers through the town budget.
The library has used foundation grants to offer databases including Ancestry.com for patrons to use and the Hoopla media streaming service, and since 2011, to host award-winning authors and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists through the Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series. The foundation has also granted funds to install the audio-visual system in the Library Program Room, to buy computers for the public to use and to completely outfit the Library Maker Space with a 3D printer and other equipment.
Your donation will be used wisely to support technology, programs and events at the Tolland Public Library.
To donate, use this link or the attached QR Code:
www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LFCDBDTX4DMYS
Checks may also be sent by mail to Tolland Public Library Foundation, 21 Tolland Green, Tolland, CT 06084.
P.S. You can also support the Tolland Public Library Foundation by designating it for a portion of your purchases through AmazonSmile. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season.
Congratulations to David Lincoln, who was the winner of the Barnes and Noble Nook e-reader drawing at Celebrate Tolland. Thanks to all who stopped by to learn more about the Library Foundation.
Take a Look, Win a Nook
Town residents aged 12 and over can enter for a chance to win a Barnes and Noble Nook e-reader from the Tolland Public Library Foundation at Celebrate Tolland on Saturday, Sept. 25 from noon to 4 p.m. at Tolland Middle School.
One entry is being accepted per town resident.
The foundation is holding the annual drawing to encourage readers to get reacquainted with a town treasure – their public library. Even as the book industry is changing rapidly, the library has remained a hub of free information and technology for town residents, even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Established in 1996 to accept donations to support the Tolland Public Library, the foundation makes grants to the library to augment what is provided in the town budget. Its grants have been used to fund an audio-visual system for the library’s program room and a 3D printer and other equipment for the library’s maker space. It has also purchased public access computers for use in the library and two Wi-Fi hotspots that residents can check out for home use.
Grants from the foundation provide residents free access to online databases including Ancestry.com, TumbleBooks, an online collection of animated, talking picture books, and JobNow!, which provides users with expert resume and job interviewing tips. It also funds the Hoopla digital media service that allows library card holders to borrow movies, TV shows and other media on a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week basis.
For more than a decade, the foundation has brought Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Dan Barry, Susan Campbell and Steven G. Smith, as well as popular authors Lucy Neale Hurston, Jane Haddam and Denis Horgan, to Tolland through its Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series.
Please consider designating the Tolland Public Library Foundation for donations through the United Way using the code AG1694. Tax-deductible donations may also be made online at tollandpubliclibraryfoundation.org/support/donate-now/ or by mail to Tolland Public Library Foundation, 21 Tolland Green, Tolland, Ct. 06084.
The Tolland Public Library's Maker Space outfitted with a grant from the Tolland Public Library Foundation is now reopen to the public!
See details below.Our Maker Space is now open to the public!
The main attraction of the Maker Space is a 3-D printer, a Lulzbot mini, which requires some training to use. Just give us a call and a training session can be scheduled for you. 😄
If you have been trained and would like to use the printer, please call to reserve a time slot. The Maker Space and the 3-D printer were funded by the Tolland Public Library Foundation.
Thank you very much to Susan Schoenberger, Author for a fascinating talk tonight about her third novel, "The Liability of Love," as part of the Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series sponsored by the Tolland Public Library Foundation.
We learned from Susan about the unusual journey she took while writing the book, starting with a male lead character, Douglas, because she wanted to write a fully formed male character, only to completely rewrite the novel and center it around Douglas, another man, Fitz; the woman they both love, Margaret; and Fitz' secretary, Brenda, who loves Fitz. It's a beautifully written novel that touches on keeping secrets, marriage, friendship and the risks and liabilities of love.
The book can be purchased at Amazon.com and at bookshop.org/books?keywords=The+Liability+of+Love.
Photo courtesy of Lynne DeLucia
The Tolland Public Library Foundation still has plenty of room for people to join us tomorrow night for this exciting author visit on Zoom. Register today at tolland.org/library to receive the Zoom link for Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m.
Here are the details:
West Hartford writer will discuss her latest novel on Aug. 10 on Zoom in Tolland Author Series
Susan Schoenberger, a West Hartford writer and editor, will discuss her third novel, “The Liability of Love,” on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. on Zoom as part of the Tolland Public Library Foundation’s Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series.
This marks Schoenberger’s third appearance in the free series. Please register ahead of time by clicking on the online events calendar at tolland.org/library. Those registered will then be emailed the Zoom link.
Schoenberger has a long history of working for news organizations, including The News and Observer, The Baltimore Sun and the Hartford Courant. She is now director of communications for Hartford Seminary.
Schoenberger’s debut novel, “A Watershed Year,” won the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition in 2006 under the title “Intercession.” Her second novel, “The Virtues of Oxygen,” was published in 2014.
“The Liability of Love” tells the story of Margaret Carlyle, who is sexually assaulted on a first date in college. As the years pass, each life decision she makes seems driven by what happened that night. The novel examines what happens when we try to bury the past as well as the consequences of confronting it. Along the way, it looks at class and privilege, the mysteries of marriage and the destructive power of secrets.
Amber Smith, a New York Times bestselling author, describes the book as a “heart-wrenching, compassionate portrayal of survival – of what happens when old wounds are left untended” and “when quiet pain refuses to stay silent.”
West Hartford writer will discuss her latest novel on Aug. 10 on Zoom in Tolland Author Series
Susan Schoenberger, a West Hartford writer and editor, will discuss her third novel, “The Liability of Love,” on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. on Zoom as part of the Tolland Public Library Foundation’s Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series.
This marks Schoenberger’s third appearance in the free series. Please register ahead of time by clicking on the online events calendar at tolland.org/library. Those registered will then be emailed the Zoom link.
Schoenberger has a long history of working for news organizations, including The News and Observer, The Baltimore Sun and the Hartford Courant. She is now director of communications for Hartford Seminary.
Schoenberger’s debut novel, “A Watershed Year,” won the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition in 2006 under the title “Intercession.” Her second novel, “The Virtues of Oxygen,” was published in 2014.
“The Liability of Love” tells the story of Margaret Carlyle, who is sexually assaulted on a first date in college. As the years pass, each life decision she makes seems driven by what happened that night. The novel examines what happens when we try to bury the past as well as the consequences of confronting it. Along the way, it looks at class and privilege, the mysteries of marriage and the destructive power of secrets.
Amber Smith, a New York Times bestselling author, describes the book as a “heart-wrenching, compassionate portrayal of survival – of what happens when old wounds are left untended” and “when quiet pain refuses to stay silent.”
Since 2010, the EDK series has brought well-known authors to Tolland, including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Dan Barry, Steven G. Smith and Susan Campbell; Lucy Anne Hurston, Chris Knopf, Caragh O’Brien, Dawn Metcalf, Denis Horgan, Jeff Goldberg and Cindy Rodriguez.
Thanks to author James Herbert Smith for an entertaining and engaging talk tonight about baseball, reporting, writing, John Ellis and the Connecticut Cancer Foundation.
We were honored to be joined by John Ellis' daughter Erika, journalist Reid MacCluggage, Western Connecticut State University writing professor John Roche and Jim's wife, Jacqueline Smith, daughters and cousin.
Jim's book, "Baseball's Greatest Players: The Story of John Ellis and the Fight Against Cancer," is available at Bank Square Books in Mystic and online at www.elmgrovepress.org/bookstore/
The book is his first biography, and Jim said he felt a responsibility to tell the story accurately and to really capture John Ellis.
A journalist for 50 years, he also said, "It's a wonderful thing to do, to write what is true."
If you enjoyed the All-Star game, you'll love this free talk about baseball tonight at 7 p.m. on Zoom.
Register on the online events calendar at tolland.org/library, and you'll be sent the Zoom link to hear veteran Connecticut journalist James Herbert Smith discuss his sixth book, “Baseball’s Greatest Players: The Story of John Ellis and the Fight Against Cancer.”
Smith is the latest author to speak as part of the nearly 11-year-old Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series, which is sponsored by the Tolland Public Library Foundation.
The book, which is being published on July 4, recounts the story of New London native John Ellis’ 13-year career with the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers.
After his baseball career, Ellis contracted cancer and through surgeries, survived. He and his wife, Jane, then established the Connecticut Cancer Foundation.
“This must-read book shows you the person (John) became, saving countless lives with his and his wife Jane’s tireless work to help cancer patients,” Michael Kay of the YES network and ESPN said.
Smith has been a journalist in Connecticut for 50 years. Among other positions, he has served as city editor and sports editor of The Hartford Courant, editor of the Connecticut Post in Bridgeport and managing editor of The Day in New London. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Writing Award from the American Society of Newspaper Editors for his columns on the free press, has served as president of the New England Society of Newspaper Editors and was the long-time president of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information.
Here’s an interesting interview with Susan Schoenberger, who we will be hosting on Aug. 10 ion Zoom in the Eaton-Dimock-King Autjors Series.
Register for the free talk on the online events calendar at Tolland.org/library.
deaddarlings.com/meet-susan-schoenberger-author-liability-love/?fbclid=IwAR2uJ1-xtdn7qJcOs-7YMGwg...
Meet Susan Schoenberger, Author of Liability of Love
deaddarlings.com
Susan Schoenberger’s Liability of Love explores themes of class conflict, grief, trauma, and ultimately depicts how the stories we tell ourselves have the potential to both wreck us and save us.
West Hartford writer will discuss her latest novel on Aug. 10 on Zoom in Tolland Author Series
Susan Schoenberger, a West Hartford writer and editor, will discuss her third novel, “The Liability of Love,” on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. on Zoom as part of the Tolland Public Library Foundation’s Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series.
This marks Schoenberger’s third appearance in the free series. Please register ahead of time by clicking on the online events calendar at tolland.org/library. Those registered will then be emailed the Zoom link.
Schoenberger has a long history of working for news organizations, including The News and Observer, The Baltimore Sun and the Hartford Courant. She is now director of communications for Hartford Seminary.
Schoenberger’s debut novel, “A Watershed Year,” won the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition in 2006 under the title “Intercession.” Her second novel, “The Virtues of Oxygen,” was published in 2014.
“The Liability of Love” tells the story of Margaret Carlyle, who is sexually assaulted on a first date in college. As the years pass, each life decision she makes seems driven by what happened that night. The novel examines what happens when we try to bury the past as well as the consequences of confronting it. Along the way, it looks at class and privilege, the mysteries of marriage and the destructive power of secrets.
Amber Smith, a New York Times bestselling author, describes the book as a “heart-wrenching, compassionate portrayal of survival – of what happens when old wounds are left untended” and “when quiet pain refuses to stay silent.”
Since 2010, the EDK series has brought well-known authors to Tolland, including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Dan Barry, Steven G. Smith and Susan Campbell; Lucy Anne Hurston, Chris Knopf, Caragh O’Brien, Dawn Metcalf, Denis Horgan, Jeff Goldberg and Cindy Rodriguez.
Let's talk baseball on Zoom on July 14!
Veteran Connecticut journalist James Herbert Smith will discuss his sixth book, “Baseball’s Greatest Players: The Story of John Ellis and the Fight Against Cancer,” on Wednesday, July 14 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
Smith is the latest author to speak as part of the nearly 11-year-old Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series, which is sponsored by the Tolland Public Library Foundation.
The book, which is being published on July 4, recounts the story of New London native John Ellis’ 13-year career with the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers.
After his baseball career, Ellis contracted cancer and through surgeries, survived. He and his wife, Jane, then established the Connecticut Cancer Foundation.
“This must-read book shows you the person (John) became, saving countless lives with his and his wife Jane’s tireless work to help cancer patients,” Michael Kay of the YES network and ESPN said.
Smith has been a journalist in Connecticut for 50 years. Among other positions, he has served as city editor and sports editor of The Hartford Courant, editor of the Connecticut Post in Bridgeport and managing editor of The Day in New London. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Writing Award from the American Society of Newspaper Editors for his columns on the free press, has served as president of the New England Society of Newspaper Editors and was the long-time president of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information.
Since 2010, the EDK series has brought well-known authors to Tolland, including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Dan Barry, Steven G. Smith and Susan Campbell; Chris Knopf, Caragh O’Brien, Dawn Metcalf, Denis Horgan, Jeff Goldberg, Cindy Rodriguez, Susan Schoenberger and Lucy Anne Hurston.
In 2019, Smith spoke as part of the Tolland author series about the book he edited featuring columns by 63 women journalists in Connecticut, “Opinionated Women in the Land of Steady Habits.”
The talk is free, but audience members must register ahead of time to receive the Zoom link. Please register by clicking on the online events calendar at tolland.org/library.
As National Library Week wraps up, the Tolland Public Library Foundation wants to thank the staff of the library and have you get to know the library's circulation assistants. (seen here, left to right and top to bottom)
Amanda Doughty
Years in library service: 2 years at the Tolland library and a volunteer at the Birch Grove School Library Media Center 4 years ago
Favorite Book as a grown-up: “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath
Favorite Children’s Book: “The Missing Piece” by Shel Silverstein
Fun Fact: Before getting a master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences, she studied Communications/Television Production and worked at Nickelodeon Studios in New York City
Marci James
Years in library services: 22 years at the Tolland library
Favorite Book: The C.J. Box Joe Pickett detective stories
Fun Facts: She enjoys taking photographs of landscapes and wildlife
Nicole Gildersleeve
Years in library service: 1.5 years, with 3 months at the Tolland Public Library
Favorite Book: The Harry Potter series
Fun Fact: Nicole has the same birthday as Harry Potter (and J.K. Rowling)
Brandon Usher
Years in library service: 2 1/2 years
Favorite Book: "One Second After" by William R. Forstchen
Fun Fact: Brandon created the Tolland Tabletop Game Group
For National Library Week, the Tolland Public Library Foundation wants you to get to know the members of the Tolland Public Library staff.
Library Technical Coordinator Kelly Marchand
Years in library service: Ten years total working in the library field and 1.5 years at Tolland.
Favorite Book: "Black Wave" by Kim Ghattas
Fun Fact: Has been shooting portrait and cosplay photography for seven years
Thanks to Tolland residents Brenda Falusi and Karen Moran for getting in the spirit of National Library Week and chalking their thanks to the library staff outside the library today.
🌈 How AWESOME!🌈
Since it&rs#NationalLibraryWeekryWeek, the Tolland Public Library Foundation wants you to get to know library staff.
Library Director Barbara Pettijohn
Years in library service: 9 years at the Tolland library and 20 years at libraries before that
Favorite Book: “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihira
Fun Facts: She and her best friend plan on completing their fourth leg of their Route 66 odyssey in 2022
Children’s/Young Adult Librarian Andy Geary
Years in library service: has worked the past five months at the Tolland library, and four and a half years at other libraries
Favorite Book: “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens
Fun Facts: He appeared in an episode of “Breaking Bad” and worked on a Hype Williams video with Busta Rhymes and T-Pain
On National Library Workers Day today, the Tolland Public Library Foundation treated the hard-working staff of the library to lunch and cookies from Maddie's Cookie Co.
Lunch was delivered by Foundation President Linda Byam and Treasurer Jan Rubino.
Pictured at right are Linda and Library Director Barbara Pettijohn; Photos by Jan Rubino.
Today is the day to celebrate YOU, Amazing YOU🤩!
Thank you, everyone, for the lunch and cookies!! It was a very nice surprise!
Fantastic and well-deserved!
Hope you all enjoyed your amazing lunch from #TollandPublicLibraryFoundation 🌷❣️And take time today to celebrate YOU!
It&rs#NationalLibraryWorkersDayersDay! Stop by the Tolland Public Library today and show your appreciation for Library Director Barbara Pettijohn and her dedicated staff, shown here, left to right in the back row: Library Technical Coordinator Kelly Marchand; Children’s/Young Adult Librarian Andy Geary; Circulation Assistant Brandon Usher and Library Director Barbara Pettijohn; front row, left to right: Circulation assistants Nicole Gildersleeve, Amanda Doughty and Marci James.
Together, the staff has more than 35 years of combined experience working at the Tolland Library.
Stop by and show your appreciation in person, by email to BPettijohn@tolland.org or on the Tolland Public Library’s Facebook page.
Brandon and Nicole are my peoples and Kelly, if I can catch him when he's not busy, he'll be my peoples too! I appreciate them VERY much! ♥️📖
It’s National Library Week, and the Tolland Public Library Foundation will be raising awareness all week about this wonderful resource we have in Tolland.
Did you know that during the pandemic, the staff, led by Library Director Barbara Pettijohn, provided curbside service, taking book orders from the public by phone, email and sometimes knocks on the doors, and leaving the books in a safe place outside?
They also used the 3-D printer funded by the Library Foundation to make dozens of mask frames for UConn Health essential workers.
Early in the pandemic, they made wellness check phone calls on loyal library patrons to make sure these residents of Tolland were not isolated.
Stop by the library and thank the staff today, and watch the Foundation’s Facebook page all week for more fun facts about the library.
The Tolland Public Library, with funding from the Tolland Public Library Foundation, now has two hotspots provided by T-Mobile to lend to Tolland patrons.
The portable hotspots can connect up to 15 Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, tablets or smartphones, to the internet. Hotspots can be checked out for one week to Tolland Public Library cardholders, 18 years and older, in good standing (no fines, overdue items or lost materials) with the library.
Hotspot kits come with a hotspot, back cover, battery, sim card, charger and instructions and may be placed on hold by calling the library at 860-871-3620.
Excellent book talk tonight with Sharon Dukett about her memoir, "No Rules." In a delightful moment, she was joined by her seventh-grade English teacher Jerry Hilliard, who encouraged her as a writer and who had one of Sharon's poems published in the Hartford Courant.The Tolland Public Library Foundation hosted a terrific book talk tonight with Sharon Dukett of Portland, Connecticut, author of “No Rules: A Memoir.” Sharon is second from right in the top row. It was also a thrill that her seventh-grade English teacher, Jerry Hilliard, seen at the left with his hands up, joined the talk. Sharon said he had encouraged her a writer in her time at Timothy Edwards Middle School in South Windsor.
Photo by Linda Byam.
Here's an interesting interview that Sharon Dukett did with Salon on her book, "No Rules: A Memoir." If you're interested in what she has to say here, you'll want to join the Tolland Public Library Foundation this Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Zoom when we host Sharon for a talk about the book.
The talk is free, but please register at tolland.org/library, using the online events calendar.
www.salon.com/2020/09/07/counterculture-memoirist-sharon-dukett-on-what-we-learned-and-forgot-fro...
Join the Tolland Public Library Foundation on Zoom on Feb. 17 to hear South Windsor native Sharon Dukett discuss her coming-of-age book "No Rules: A Memoir" at 7 p.m. It's a colorful tale that begins when she runs away from her hometown at age 16 in 1971 to join the hippies in Southern California.
As she crossed the U.S. and Canada for a decade – by hitchhiking, bicycling or on the back of a motorcycle - she experienced love and heartbreak, found out who she can and cannot trust, and awakened to the Women’s Liberation movement.
The talk is free, but please register on the online library calendar at tolland.org/library.
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South Windsor native to discuss her memoir, “No Rules,” on Feb. 17 at a Tolland Public Library online author visit
Sharon Dukett of Portland, Connecticut will discuss her colorful coming-of-age memoir on Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in an author visit sponsored by the Tolland Public Library Foundation.
In “No Rules: A Memoir,” Dukett describes leaving her sheltered home life in South Windsor at age 16 in 1971 to join the hippies in California. As she crossed the U.S. and Canada for a decade – by hitchhiking, bicycling or on the back of a motorcycle – she experienced love and heartbreak, who she can and cannot trust, and awakens to the Women’s Liberation movement.
In the book, Dukett reflects upon the changes that reshaped her during that time and how the women’s liberation has empowered the lives of girls and women today.
"No Rules" was a finalist for the International Book Awards, the Best Book Awards and the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards.
Dukett is a retired deputy director in state government, a former project manager, and was president of her consulting company, Paradigm Associates LTD. She is now working on a thriller novel about the climate crisis.
Dukett is the latest author to speak as part of the 10-year-old Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series, which is sponsored by the library foundation.
Please register ahead of time for this free talk by clicking on the online events calendar at tolland.org/library.
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The Tolland Public Library Foundation had a great turnout of 42 people tonight on Zoom, including writers Wally Lamb, Jenny Lecce, Terri Klein, Bruce Cohen and Chris Knopf, to hear Sari Rosenblatt read from and discuss her delightful collection of short stories, "Father Guards the Sheep." The talk was part of the Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series, which is now in its 10th season.
We were happy that one of the originators of the author series and former Foundation board member, Heather Ricker-Gilbert, joined us, too.
Photo by board President Linda Byam.
Iowa Award Winner to Speak via Zoom at the Tolland Public Library on Dec. 9
Middletown author Sari Rosenblatt, winner of the prestigious Iowa Award for Short Fiction, will speak Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. via Zoom about her collection of short stories, “Father Guards the Sheep.”
She is the latest author to speak as part of the 10-year-old Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series, which is sponsored by the Tolland Public Library Foundation.
Rosenblatt, who holds a master’s of fine arts degree from the Iowa Writers Workshop, teaches at the Wesleyan Institute for Lifelong Learning in Middletown. She previously taught fiction writing at the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven.
The collection of her short stories is her first book although her stories have been published in the Iowa Review.
Novelist Tom Drury, judge of the Iowa Short Fiction Award, has called Rosenblatt’s stories “moving, funny, and beautifully observed.”
Award-winning novelist Wally Lamb has likened Rosenblatt’s work to the fiction of Anne Tyler.
“Sari Rosenblatt’s “Father Guards the Sheep,” is populated with characters who are humane, sympathetic, and lovably askew. Rosenblatt’s eight stories are polished, perfect gems.”
Since 2010, the EDK series has brought well-known authors to Tolland, including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Dan Barry, Steven G. Smith and Susan Campbell; Chris Knopf, Caragh O’Brien, Dawn Metcalf, Denis Horgan, Jeff Goldberg, Cindy Rodriguez, Susan Schoenberger and Lucy Anne Hurston.
Please register ahead of time for this free talk by clicking on the online events calendar at tolland.org/library. To join the talk, link to: us02web.zoom.us/j/81552231407?pwd=VnEzS280dTl4SUhpUGxiZXBMcmN6QT09
Meeting ID: 815 5223 1407
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Yes, will share and plan to attend. Thanks, Jill.
I don't know if I can attend but I will be looking for Sari's book!
Cool....I will need to check out her stuff
Marjorie Howes Drake, Jo Anne Burgh Chris Knopf Carol Parker Susan Chenard Jennifer LaRue Ieasha Gibson Jody Lyn Tina DeMarco Please share!
WooHoo Sari Rosenblatt.
Jennifer Powers, Jamie Cat Callan, Jessica Bhuiyan
Did you know that when you make a purchase through AmazonSmile, you can designate the Tolland Public Library Foundation to receive a portion of each purchase?
The Foundation was established in 1996 to accept gifts for and make grants to the Tolland Public Library to augment what is provided to the library in the town budget.
Grants for the library have been used to outfit the library's Maker Space, purchase the audio-visual equipment in the library's Program Room, host teen poetry slams, provide Ancestry.com and other useful databases for residents and library patrons and to bring award-winning authors to Tolland through the Eaton-Dimock-King Authors Series.
We hope you will consider designating us through AmazonSmile as you make holiday purchases.
Many library patrons know Bea White-Ramirez of the Hicks-Stearns Museum and her family. We were sorry to hear of Peter's passing and have been asked to share their GoFundMe site to assist the family.
www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-whiteramirez-family-of-tolland-ct?utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_...
Remembering Peter Ramirez of Tolland, organized by Nancy Orris
www.gofundme.com
We, the Board of Trustees of the Hicks-Stearns Museum, would like to help our friend … Nancy Orris needs your support for Remembering Peter Ramirez of TollandWelcome to Andrew, the new children's librarian!
All that skill & expertise...AND Andrew is rocking the Chuck Taylors ❤️
Welcome aboard.
Welcome Andrew!!!
Welcome!!
There's still time to register for this event, which is being sponsored by the town, the library, the Tolland Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Tolland Public Library.
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Here are the details as the library begins its third stage of reopening on Thursday, Aug. 13:
The Tolland Public Library will begin the third stage of its phased reopening on Thursday, Aug. 13. Patrons can browse all adult and teen materials without appointments. Study rooms, the Discovery Center and the Maker Space will not be open.
The Children's section, other than new items, will continue to be closed. Masks and social distancing are required. The number of patrons in the library at one time may be limited.
Curbside service as well as copying and faxing by staff will continue as will computer use by appointment.
The library’s hours will be from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., Monday thru Thursday, and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
There were three people waiting outside at about 2:15 p.m on Friday and there was no one there.
More good news from the library. It goes into stage 2 of its reopening on Thursday, July 30.
The Tolland Public Library will begin the second stage of its phased reopening on Thursday, July 30. This stage will allow patrons to make appointments for browsing new items in Adult Fiction and Nonfiction, new DVDs and Audiobooks, new Large Print books, new Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction, and new Childrens Fiction and Nonfiction books. Appointments, lasting 30 minutes per day can be made by calling 860 871-3620. The schedule for browsing is Monday thru Thursday, 10-7:30. Patrons are encouraged to use the library’s three self-check out stations. Items to be returned should be placed in the exterior book bin and will be quarantined for at least 72 hours. Masks and social distancing are required. Curbside service will still be available as well as copying and faxing by staff and computer use by appointment.