Library Lines

Written by Janet Crystal
Thursday, 11 March 2010 00:00

Tigers tune up

Princeton University’s Tigertones, an all male a cappella group, will perform in Wilton Library’s Brubeck Room on Friday, March 12, from 7-8:30 p.m. This signature group tours all over the world and brings a repertoire of songs from traditional ballads and jazz to barbershop, Broadway, classic rock and American pop. A suggested donation of $10 per person benefits both The Tigertones and the library. Registration is strongly encouraged: wiltonlibrary.org/events, or 762-3950, ext. 213.

Saturday is kids’ day

Saturday, March 13, is a day marked for kids with stories, music and book group discussions. Spanish Story Times, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. are for kids 5-10 where stories, songs, and games are part of the fun. The session is made possible by students in Wilton High School’s Spanish Honors Society. The group meets one more time on March 20. Registration is required. Caregivers should remain in the building. From 2-3 p.m., children 3-10 and their families can take part in the Norwalk Symphony (Not) Just for Kids Program. In this third part of a four-part program, the children will learn about percussion instruments and get a chance to play them at the end of the session. Registration is suggested. The WINRs Circle comes together from 3 to 4 p.m. for children in grades four through 6. This group reads the 2011 Nutmeg Award-nominated books and meets on the second Saturday of each month to discuss them. Pizza is provided by Wilton Pizza. This month’s book is One Handed Catch by M. J. Auch. Registration is required. To register for any of these programs: wiltonlibrary.org/events, or call 762-3950, ext. 217.

Lifetime Learners Institute offers a variety of classes

Written by Lizabeth Doty
Thursday, 11 March 2010 00:00

Lifetime Learners Institute (LLI), a non-profit educational organization for people over 50 at Norwalk Community College, announces their Spring Semester daytime classes will begin March 22. They will be offering fifty non-credit courses on a variety of interesting subjects, including history, music, current events, movies, photography, languages, religions, arts, books, theater, opera, travel and memoirs. Course registrations will continue throughout March on a space-available basis. Course fees are $20 for each course, and new memberships are available at $30. A membership card entitles use of the NCC Fitness Center as well as attendance at the LLI one-hour Friday afternoon “Lunch & Learn” guest presentations at 1 p.m. For additional information call 857-3330 or visit lifetimelearners.org

55 Alive! Driving course

Learn defensive driving techniques, new traffic laws, rules of the road, and much more in this two-session course sponsored by AARP on Thursday, April 8, and Friday, April 9, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Comstock Community Center A trained facilitator will help you adjust your driving to age-related changes. You may save money on auto insurance if you are 62 or older and complete the course. Participants must be at least 50, have a Connecticut drivers license, and attend both classes. Class limited to 30. Fee: $10 for AARP members; $12 for non-members. Register at the Parks and Rec Department office in Comstock or call 834-6234.

Expert gives talk to seniors on healthy eating

Written by Lizabeth Doty
Thursday, 04 March 2010 00:00

March is National Nutrition Month and on Wednesday, March 10, at Ogden House, Elaine Abrams will remind us that good diet habits are particularly important for older adults. Why? Because diet plays a vital role in disease prevention and management as we age. Risk factors for many “diseases of aging,” including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis, are influenced by what we eat.

What are the unique nutritional requirements of older adults? First, as a person gets older, the body needs fewer calories. Second, many adults become less active as they age. The average daily caloric requirement for males over age 50 is 2,300; for females, 1,900. Consuming more may lead to overweight and obesity, which contribute to chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Library Lines

Written by Janet Crystal
Thursday, 04 March 2010 00:00

Spanish story times

Children ages five to 10 may learn about Spain with Wilton High School Spanish Honors Society students on three Saturdays mornings in March. Spanish Story Times begin this Saturday, and continue on March 13 and 20, from 11 to 11:45. Children will hear stories, sing songs, view short videos and play games all revolving around Spanish culture. Caretakers must remain in the building. Registration is required. There is no fee. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 217.

England explored

Also on Saturday, children in grades one through five will “visit” England in the International Folklore and Fantasy program, from 2 to 3. Wilton resident and English native Emma Sutherland will be the guest speaker who will explore her country in stories, customs and in art, sharing the creativity of the people of England. Children under 12 must have caretakers remain in the building. The program is sponsored by the Steve and Alison Sherman Family Fund and is free of charge. Registration is required. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 217. Additional International Folklore and Fantasy programs take place on March 20, April 10, 24 and May 1.

Cool jazz concert

Jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Taylor Eigsti returns to the Wilton Library with two friends for a night of Hot & Cool: Jazz at the Brubeck Room on Saturday, March 6, from 7:30 to 9:30. Joining Taylor will be Becca Stevens on vocals and Harish Raghavan on bass. The trio will be performing songs from Taylor’s critically acclaimed CD, “Let It Come to You,” along with selections from his soon-to-be released album. An informal reception follows. Suggested donation for the evening is $10 per person. The Hot & Cool jazz series is funded by the William and Karen Tell Foundation, with special thanks to Catherine and Ed Romer, and Tish and Chris Brubeck. Advance registration is strongly recommended due to the popularity of this talented young musician. Pre-registrants must arrive by 7:20 p.m. to be guaranteed seating. Waitlisted and walk-ins will be seated after 7:20 and if room is available. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213.

Art reception

Yenoin Guibbory has his opening reception for his art exhibition, “Wall Painting Maquettes,” on Sunday, March 7, from 11:30 to 1. His paintings are representations of wall murals in modernist architecture style. The majority of his 25 works are available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the library. The art exhibition runs through Sunday, March 28.

Smart but scattered

Peg Dawson, Ed.D., with the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders, Portsmouth, N.H., addresses parents in Smart But Scattered: Improving Executive Function Skills for Students with Learning Disabilities and AD/HD on Monday, March 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dr. Dawson will discuss practical strategies for developing and improving skills necessary for goal-directed and problem-solving behaviors. As a scientist studying child development, Dr. Dawson’s research has found that youngsters who are ‘smart but scattered’ lack or lag behind in executive skills, which are crucial in tasks like getting organized, staying focused and controlling emotions. Attendees will learn what executive function skills are, how they matter, and how parents and teachers may help kids who are struggling become independent academic and social problem solvers. Dr. Dawson is past president of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), recipient of NASP’s 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award, and co-author of Smart But Scattered: The Revolutionary ‘Executive Skills’ Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential (2009). A Q&A follows the talk. There is no charge. Books will be available for purchase and signing. For additional information, contact 203-563-9994 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Registration is highly recommended. Sponsored by SPED*NET and the Wilton Library. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213.

Bible study

Julie Faith Parker, Ph.D, who presented last year’s Genius of Genesis series at the library, returns with a three-part series, Passions of the Prophets, on March 9, 16 and 23, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Dr. Parker takes a closer look at the men and women whom the Hebrew bible casts in prophetic roles and explores how it relates to today’s world. The March 9 session is entitled Marvels and Miracles; March 16 Wondrous Women; March 23 Judgment and Justice. Dr. Parker is on the faculty of Yale University, and received her Ph.D. in Old Testament/Hebrew bible from the institution. She has authored four books and numerous articles. The program is presented by the Wilton Clergy Association and the library. There is no charge. Advance registration is suggested. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213.

Chief Lombardo will address seniors

Written by Lizabeth Doty
Thursday, 25 February 2010 00:00

Wilton Police Chief Michael Lombardo will give his first address to seniors at the Wednesday luncheon at Ogden House on March 3 at 12:45. Our new Police Chief will also answer questions from the audience.

Chief Lombardo began his career as a patrolman with the Wilton Police Department on June 29, 1981. He was assigned to many specialized tasks as field training officer, member of the Scuba Dive Team, and on many occasions as an acting sergeant.

Library Lines

Written by Janet Crystal
Thursday, 25 February 2010 00:00

Seuss Celebration

Children in grades one to three get to enjoy a free Celebration of Dr. Seuss on Tuesday, March 2, from 4 to 4:45. The children will hear some of their favorite stories, enjoy some whimsical snacks and make a craft. Parents and caregivers should bring their cameras to the festivities as The Cat in the Hat will be joining the fun. Adults must remain in the building. Registration is required. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 203-762-3950 ext. 217.

Shakespeare imagined

Popular guest lecturer Judson Scruton returns to the library for a free, four-part seminar on Shakespeare and the Uses of Imagination beginning Thursday, March 4, from 1:30 to 3. The sessions are March 4, 11, 18 and 25. Mr. Scruton will explore the themes of imagination in the major genres of Shakespeare’s works — A Midsummer Night’s Dream (March 4), Henry IV (March 11), Hamlet (March 18) and The Tempest (March 25). The seminar will cover specific scenes in text and film. Registration is strongly suggested. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 203-762-3950 ext. 213.

Library Lines

Written by Janet Crystal
Thursday, 18 February 2010 00:00

German travels

Children in grades one through five hear stories and share customs with Wilton neighbors from different lands in the International Folklore and Fantasy program on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 2 to 3 p.m. Children will interact with guest speakers Marie Kappen and Hannah Ziegler who will share stories about their native country Germany. There is no charge for the program; registration is required. The series is sponsored by the Steve and Alison Sherman Family Fund. Additional dates are March 6 and 20; April 20 and 24; and a rescheduling of the Feb. 6 program which now will take place on May 1. To register: wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-3950 ext. 217.

Seniors will hear lecture on 'grand' language

Written by Lizabeth Doty
Thursday, 18 February 2010 00:00

The Majesty and the Grandeur of the English language — Dr. Vera Littlejohn will present the second in her series on the English language on Feb. 22 at the Wilton Senior Center, 180 School Road, from 12:30 to 1:30. Dr. Littlejohn has a bachelor of arts cum laude and master of arts in French from St. Lawrence University; a master of arts in linguistic pedagogy from Stockholm University, Sweden and a doctor of philosophy degree in Viking Studies from Uppsala University, Sweden. She is Professor Emeritus, State University of New York and Syracuse University, where she taught French and English. Dr. Littlejohn was also active in the theater and opera. Her interests include painting, traveling, classical music and telling everyone that the Vikings were the good guys.

• Feb. 22 — Early old English through middle English

• March 8 — Early modern English through present-day English