Calendar

Storytime, play and music and movement for two year olds and their caregivers. This story time is so popular that we will be offering double the “Twos are Terrific” storytimes on Tuesday mornings! Group A will meet from 9:30-10:30am Group B will meet from 10:30-11:30am For two year olds (24mo. to 36mo.), siblings welcome! We ask that families plan to attend one session per Tuesday. No registration is required, but space is limited to the first 40 friends who arrive. Sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library.

In honor of National Women's Month, there will be a teen book discussion centered around the short essay-style writing of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, entitled "We Should All Be Feminists." This discussion will take place in the Teen Area located on the 1st floor. Goodreads says the author, "offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century—one rooted in inclusion and awareness." This program is intended to serve audiences between ages 13-19. No registration necessary. Copies of the book will be handed out followed by a brief introductory discussion about the book and author. The first ten participants will receive a free copy of the book! The group will meet again on March 25, 2019 for a group discussion about the reading. If you have any questions, please contact Ayanna Wright at awright@russelllibrary.org or by phone: 860-347-2528 ext. 161. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library!

Green Pancakes Dr. Seuss talks about Green Eggs and Ham, but we challenge you to try a different green breakfast. And it's just in time for St. Patrick's Day, too. We'll make delicious green pancakes that will impress your family and your taste buds. Presenters Catherine O'Rourke, RN and Anne Bingham, MD have been working together since 2016 to bring education about whole foods plant-based eating to our community. Recently they, and Depak Patel, DO, have opened Connecticut Lifestyle Medicine here in Middletown. A medical practice with focus on Lifestyle Medicine and a plant-based diet. Catherine and Anne are excited to use the Charlie Cart to share about the power of food for your health. For ages 5 yrs. - 11 yrs.

Carol Whitfield will lead players in Scrabble games for ages 12-112. We will have dictionaries, score sheets and Scrabble Boards. Bring your brains!

Russell Library presents weekly opportunities to network with other job seekers, as well as receive the advice of professionals. Expert guest speakers focus on the job market and provide industry information. Speakers will present from 10:30 - 11:30 AM Guest speaker: Rob Thomas Rob Thomas Founder, Networking in Diners, Creator of the Rob Thomas Method (RTM) and Author of "Who Do You NEED to Meet?" www.robthomasusa.com

We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences - Thursdays at 2pm Meeting Room 2 Author Elisabeth Petry will continue to lead The Veterans' Writing Group. This series, in invites Veterans to share their stories and photos in their own voices. All Veterans, either active or retired, are encouraged to come and share their experiences for their own benefit or to share with family and friends. We encourage new members to visit us to see what we are all about! Currently, we have service people from combat and non-combat situations from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraqi Freedom. We hope to hear from other Iraq War Vets, and those who have served in Afghanistan. Old Saybrook native Elisabeth Petry is a writer and former journalist and lawyer. Her first book, a collection of letters that she edited, was Can Anything Beat White?: A Black Family's Letters. Her second is At Home Inside: A Daughter’s Tribute to Ann Petry. She lives in Middletown with her husband, Lawrence Riley, who is a dog trainer and the former Commander of the American Legion Milardo-Wilcox Post 75, Middletown CT. The workshop facilitator is Christy Billings. She can be reached at (860) 347-2528 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Play, story, music and movement program for children and their caregivers. For one year olds (12mo. to 24mo.), siblings welcome! No registration required, but space is limited to the first 40 friends who arrive. Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library

Storytime, play and music and movement for two year olds and their caregivers. This story time is so popular that we will be offering double the “Twos are Terrific” storytimes on Tuesday mornings! Group A will meet from 9:30-10:30am Group B will meet from 10:30-11:30am For two year olds (24mo. to 36mo.), siblings welcome! We ask that families plan to attend only one session per Tuesday. No registration is required, but space is limited to the first 40 friends who arrive. Sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Storytime, play and music and movement for two year olds and their caregivers. This story time is so popular that we will be offering double the “Twos are Terrific” storytimes on Tuesday mornings! Group A will meet from 9:30-10:30am Group B will meet from 10:30-11:30am For two year olds (24mo. to 36mo.), siblings welcome! We ask that families plan to attend one session per Tuesday. No registration is required, but space is limited to the first 40 friends who arrive. Sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Jeff Thierfeld, certified resume review expert will speak at a Career Workshop on "Staying Current With Your Resume." Learn ways to update your current resume, or build your resume anew for 2020. All programs recommend pre-registration. Sign up at the Information Desk by calling 860-347-2520 or www.russelllibrary.org. The Russell Library Career Program is funded in part by a Middletown Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the family of Thomas J. Regan and the Liberty Bank Foundation. The Job and Career Group hosts workshops twice a month in addition to a weekly networking session on Thursdays from 10AM-12PM. Linked-in Photo shoots are held quarterly in March, June, Sept and Dec. Registration requested www.russelllibrary.org or by calling the Information Desk. 860.347.2520.

Russell Readers We will discuss Double Birthday by Willa Cather from the collection The Best American Short Stories of the Century. Discussions are based on the Great Books Foundation method in which readers talk in open gatherings, under a leader, about the great issues that have shaped civilization as reflected in the readings. The group meets the second Tuesday each month. For more information contact Chantal Foster at 860-573-2946 or Chantal.foster@comcast.net. Sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Storytime, craft, play and music for preschoolers! For ages 3-6 and their caregivers.Siblings welcome! No registration required, but space is limited to the first 40 friends who arrive. Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Carol Whitfield will lead players in Scrabble games for ages 12-112. We will have dictionaries, score sheets and Scrabble boards. Bring your brains!

Russell Library presents weekly opportunities to network with other job seekers, as well as receive the advice of professionals. Expert guest speakers focus on the job market and provide industry information. Speakers will present from 10:30 - 11:30 AM

We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences - Thursdays at 2pm Meeting Room 2 Author Elisabeth Petry will continue to lead The Veterans' Writing Group. This series, in invites Veterans to share their stories and photos in their own voices. All Veterans, either active or retired, are encouraged to come and share their experiences for their own benefit or to share with family and friends. We encourage new members to visit us to see what we are all about! Currently, we have service people from combat and non-combat situations from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraqi Freedom. We hope to hear from other Iraq War Vets, and those who have served in Afghanistan. Old Saybrook native Elisabeth Petry is a writer and former journalist and lawyer. Her first book, a collection of letters that she edited, was Can Anything Beat White?: A Black Family's Letters. Her second is At Home Inside: A Daughter’s Tribute to Ann Petry. She lives in Middletown with her husband, Lawrence Riley, who is a dog trainer and the former Commander of the American Legion Milardo-Wilcox Post 75, Middletown CT. The workshop facilitator is Christy Billings. She can be reached at (860) 347-2528 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Join us at Stubborn Beauty Brewing 180 Johnson St, Middletown, CT 06457 for our offsite book discussion. The March title is Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. . Copies are available at the Borrowing Desk or by placing a hold at www.russelllibrary.org From Goodreads: New York Times bestselling author William Kent Krueger comes a brilliant new novel about a young man, a small town, and murder in the summer of 1961. New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. The Twins were playing their debut season, ice-cold root beers were at the ready at Halderson’s Drug Store soda counter, and Hot Stuff comic books were a mainstay on every barbershop magazine rack. It was a time of innocence and hope for a country with a new, young president. But for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum it was a summer in which death assumed many forms. When tragedy unexpectedly comes to call on his family, which includes his Methodist minister father, his passionate, artistic mother, Juilliard-bound older sister, and wise-beyond-his years kid brother, Frank finds himself thrust into an adult world full of secrets, lies, adultery, and betrayal. On the surface, Ordinary Grace is the story of the murder of a beautiful young woman, a beloved daughter and sister. At heart, it’s the story of what that tragedy does to a boy, his family, and ultimately the fabric of the small town in which he lives. Told from Frank’s perspective forty years after that fateful summer, it is a moving account of a boy standing at the door of his young manhood, trying to understand a world that seems to be falling apart around him. Discussion will be facilitated by Christy Billings. Questions? (860) 347-2528 EXT 160 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org Copies of the book are available for checkout at Russell Library's Borrowing Desk. Our thanks again to Stubborn Beauty for having us in their local space! This event is sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library. Drop-in, no registration necessary. No purchase required.

10,000 Books! A combined book sale courtesy of the Friends of Russell Library & Olin Library, Wesleyan University WHERE: 62 Washington Street, Middletown (2nd floor, above Powder Hollow Brewery and Steamed.) Many thanks to Gondek Group for donating the space where the book sale is being held! Every child who attends can take home one free book! Credit cards, cash and checks will be accepted. Parking is available in Melilli Plaza, and wheelchair/stroller access is available via the passageway to the west of Steamed (68 Washington Street). WHEN: Two Weekends! Thursday, March 12, 2020: 6-9pm. Preview Night $20 entry fee OR proof of Russell or Wesleyan Friends membership. (Memberships available at the door.) Sale Hours Friday, March 13, 2020, 10am-6pm Saturday, March 14, 2020, 10am-6pm Sunday, March 15 2020, 1-5pm Friday March 20, 2020, 10am-6pm Saturday, March 21, 2020, 10am-6pm Sunday, March 22, 2020: 1-5pm Fill the Bag Sale Fill a bag with books and pay only $7 ____________________________ Monday, March 23, 2020: Free Book Day 10am-3pm Non-profit groups may stop by & take books for free before we remove the leftovers from the sale!

10,000 Books! A combined book sale courtesy of the Friends of Russell Library & Olin Library, Wesleyan University WHERE: 62 Washington Street, Middletown (2nd floor, above Powder Hollow Brewery and Steamed.) Many thanks to Gondek Group for donating the space where the book sale is being held! Every child who attends can take home one free book! Credit cards, cash and checks will be accepted. Parking is available in Melilli Plaza, and wheelchair/stroller access is available via the passageway to the west of Steamed (68 Washington Street). WHEN: Two Weekends! Thursday, March 12, 2020: 6-9pm. Preview Night $20 entry fee OR proof of Russell or Wesleyan Friends membership. (Memberships available at the door.) Sale Hours Friday, March 13, 2020, 10am-6pm Saturday, March 14, 2020, 10am-6pm Sunday, March 15 2020, 1-5pm Friday March 20, 2020, 10am-6pm Saturday, March 21, 2020, 10am-6pm Sunday, March 22, 2020: 1-5pm Fill the Bag Sale Fill a bag with books and pay only $7 ____________________________ Monday, March 23, 2020: Free Book Day 10am-3pm Non-profit groups may stop by & take books for free before we remove the leftovers from the sale!

Play, story, music and movement program for children and their caregivers. For one year olds (12mo. to 24mo.), siblings welcome! No registration required, but space is limited to the first 40 friends who arrive. Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library

Storytime, play and music and movement for two year olds and their caregivers. This story time is so popular that we will be offering double the “Twos are Terrific” storytimes on Tuesday mornings! Group A will meet from 9:30-10:30am Group B will meet from 10:30-11:30am For two year olds (24mo. to 36mo.), siblings welcome! We ask that families plan to attend only one session per Tuesday. No registration is required, but space is limited to the first 40 friends who arrive. Sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Storytime, play and music and movement for two year olds and their caregivers. This story time is so popular that we will be offering double the “Twos are Terrific” storytimes on Tuesday mornings! Group A will meet from 9:30-10:30am Group B will meet from 10:30-11:30am For two year olds (24mo. to 36mo.), siblings welcome! We ask that families plan to attend one session per Tuesday. No registration is required, but space is limited to the first 40 friends who arrive. Sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Storytime, craft, play and music for preschoolers! For ages 3-6 and their caregivers.Siblings welcome! No registration required, but space is limited to the first 40 friends who arrive. Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Shrinky Dinks are plastic pieces that can be colored, then baked-to-shrink in an oven, to create charms, ornaments, figurines, and more! All materials will be provided. Shrinky Dinks are for children and teens ages 6-19 (Grades K-12). Drop in; No Registration. Event sponsored by the Friends of The Russell Library.

Looking for something to do with your infant or toddler? Come join us for Baby Rhyme Time, a program for babies one year and under and their caregivers. We'll sing songs, learn rhymes, finger plays and more in this fun, interactive program. For babies birth-12 months and their caregivers. Drop in, no registration. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library.

Photo Shoot for LinkedIn Profile Pictures The Russell Library Job and Career program will offer FREE professional portraits for your LinkedIn profile. Come dressed for success! No appointment necessary. Questions? Bob Carlson and Christy Billings: 860.347.2528

We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences - Thursdays at 2pm Meeting Room 2 Author Elisabeth Petry will continue to lead The Veterans' Writing Group. This series, in invites Veterans to share their stories and photos in their own voices. All Veterans, either active or retired, are encouraged to come and share their experiences for their own benefit or to share with family and friends. We encourage new members to visit us to see what we are all about! Currently, we have service people from combat and non-combat situations from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraqi Freedom. We hope to hear from other Iraq War Vets, and those who have served in Afghanistan. Old Saybrook native Elisabeth Petry is a writer and former journalist and lawyer. Her first book, a collection of letters that she edited, was Can Anything Beat White?: A Black Family's Letters. Her second is At Home Inside: A Daughter’s Tribute to Ann Petry. She lives in Middletown with her husband, Lawrence Riley, who is a dog trainer and the former Commander of the American Legion Milardo-Wilcox Post 75, Middletown CT. The workshop facilitator is Christy Billings. She can be reached at (860) 347-2528 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Storytime, craft, play and music for preschoolers! For ages 3-6 and their caregivers.Siblings welcome! No registration required, but space is limited to the first 40 friends who arrive. Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

This is the second meeting for this Teen Book Discussion Group. In honor of National Women's Month, there will be a teen book discussion centered around the short essay-style writing of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, entitled "We Should All Be Feminists." This discussion will take place in the Teen Area located on the 1st floor. Goodreads says the author, "offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century—one rooted in inclusion and awareness." This program is intended to serve audiences between ages 13-19. No registration necessary. If you have any questions, please contact Ayanna Wright at awright@russelllibrary.org or by phone: 860-347-2528 ext. 161. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library!

Builder's club is BACK on a brand new night! Come build masterpieces with the blocks you know and love. All materials will be provided, just bring your imagination! For children in grades 2-6 (ages 7-13). Drop-in. No registration. Sponsored by the Friends of The Russell Library.

Russell Library presents weekly opportunities to network with other job seekers, as well as receive the advice of professionals. Expert guest speakers focus on the job market and provide industry information. Speakers will present from 10:30 - 11:30 AM Guest speaker: Nick Sabetta

We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences - Thursdays at 2pm Meeting Room 2 Author Elisabeth Petry will continue to lead The Veterans' Writing Group. This series, in invites Veterans to share their stories and photos in their own voices. All Veterans, either active or retired, are encouraged to come and share their experiences for their own benefit or to share with family and friends. We encourage new members to visit us to see what we are all about! Currently, we have service people from combat and non-combat situations from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraqi Freedom. We hope to hear from other Iraq War Vets, and those who have served in Afghanistan. Old Saybrook native Elisabeth Petry is a writer and former journalist and lawyer. Her first book, a collection of letters that she edited, was Can Anything Beat White?: A Black Family's Letters. Her second is At Home Inside: A Daughter’s Tribute to Ann Petry. She lives in Middletown with her husband, Lawrence Riley, who is a dog trainer and the former Commander of the American Legion Milardo-Wilcox Post 75, Middletown CT. The workshop facilitator is Christy Billings. She can be reached at (860) 347-2528 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Boost Your Job Search &Interview Skills with this free workshop series. Thursday, March 26th 4:00PM-5:30PM Master Your Online Job Search 6:00PM-7:30PM Perfect Your Networking and Interview Skills. REGISTRATION SIGN-UPS required online or by phone. https://www.cvent.com/events/aarp-jobs-master-your-online-job-search-middletown-ct-3-26-20-4-00-pm/registration-148CF3A054C248EFA7EBE858C473204C.aspx or 1.866.740.7588 Questions: Info Desk 860.347.2520 or Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org

Mystery! is a Russell Library-run book club for mystery lovers.The book group discusses a new mystery novel every month. Books are available at the Borrowing Desk. Drop-in; no registration required. New members welcome! Click here to see the list of upcoming mystery books.