TOLLAND – A ventriloquist and a retired police sergeant recounting amusing tales from his years on the beat will visit the Tolland Public Library as part of a new “Lighten Up @ the Library” series.
The series is being sponsored by the Tolland Public Library Foundation through its Phoebe Dimock King and Elizabeth King Eaton Endowment.
Library director Barbara Pettijohn came up with the idea when she decided library patrons needed more laughter in their lives.
“With so much bad news in Connecticut and around the world, we wanted to give Tolland library users a chance to come in, relax and share a laugh or two,’’ Pettijohn said.
The series began March 16 when Laura Le, a certified “Laughter Yoga” instructor taught a class at the library.
It continues on Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m. when ventriloquist Larry Noiva of Tolland will entertain adult visitors to the library with his gang of puppets, Howie Rose, Sal Monella and Aunt Edna.
Noiva was named best male stand-up comedian at the Connecticut Comedy Festival and was the winner of the first Connecticut Comedy Idol event.
On Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m., Craig Elkin, a retired Middletown police sergeant, will speak about his recently published book, “A Cop’s Tale: Amusing Short Stories Written at the Expense of Others.” Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.
Both events, which are intended for adults, are free and open to the public and will be held at the library at 21 Tolland Green. Registration is required. To register, call 860-871-3620.