Calendar

The Russell Library will be closed Monday, May 31st for the holiday.

https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/1546903/8606713-middletown-pride-part-1 In today's episode, we enjoy three amazing interviews for Part 1 of Pride month. Kim talks to Christopher Forte, Assistant General Counsel for the City of Middletown, who spearheaded the inaugural Middletown Pride event. Cate chats with Sal Uccello, founding member of the City's LGBTQ Advisory Committee and a City Commissioner for the LGBTQIA Commission. Lastly, Christy interviews Jesse Nasta, Assistant Professor of African-American Studies at Wesleyan and the Executive Director of the Middlesex Historical Society. You won't want to miss these conversations! https://middletownpride.org/ https://www.mchsct.org/ Book & Media Recommendations https://www.facinghistory.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_a_Sin_(TV_series) Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US All content © 2021 Middletown Strong: Looking Up with Russell Library

Let's dive into the ocean and visit some aquatic marine life! We'll get to know the ocean, and some of it's beautiful aquatic life through songs, stories and movement! Pick up supplies to create a beautiful, suncatcher jellyfish! (Limit 2 craft kits per household). Please Note: there is one craft for the entire series. Virtual dates for our Under The Sea Storytime series are: 6/1, and 6/8. Plus we will be doing an person "Under the Sea" Storytime on our side lawn on Friday 6/11 at 10:30am! Sign up for that session here: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7809018 This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required. We have a limited number of supply kits which will need to be picked up at the Russell Library prior to the online event. If you sign up for a kit after you register a librarian will email you to confirm your supply kits are ready for you at the desk! After you hear from us you can: Pick your kit up during library operating hours (Monday-Saturday: 9-5pm) or Call us at 860-347-2528 and set up a curbside appointment! Supplies for this virtual program were provided by the Friends of The Russell Library.

https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/1546903/8606713-middletown-pride-part-1 In today's episode, we enjoy three amazing interviews for Part 1 of Pride month. Kim talks to Christopher Forte, Assistant General Counsel for the City of Middletown, who spearheaded the inaugural Middletown Pride event. Cate chats with Sal Uccello, founding member of the City's LGBTQ Advisory Committee and a City Commissioner for the LGBTQIA Commission. Lastly, Christy interviews Jesse Nasta, Assistant Professor of African-American Studies at Wesleyan and the Executive Director of the Middlesex Historical Society. You won't want to miss these conversations! https://middletownpride.org/ https://www.mchsct.org/ Book & Media Recommendations https://www.facinghistory.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_a_Sin_(TV_series) Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US All content © 2021 Middletown Strong: Looking Up with Russell Library

Join us for an outdoor storytime for Pride month with our Drag Queen friends Ms. Mia, Ms. Kenya, and Ms. Frizzie, and their special guest Councilman Phil Pessina, at Crystal Lake in McCutcheon Park. We will read books and share rhymes and songs for kids ages 4-8 and their families. We encourage attendees to bring a blanket to sit on since we will set up in the grass by the pavillion that day. For kids age 4-8 (Pre K - 3rd Grade), siblings and families welcome! Registration is required and will close 24 hours before the event begins. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our Outdoor event guidelines: We ask that you stay 6 feet away from other families for your safety, as well as the safety of others. If any member of your household is not feeling well, has a fever, or is quarantining, we ask that you and your family stay home. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org This program is sponsored by Middletown Pride! Directions: Here is a link to the location in google maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crystal Lake Park, Middletown, CT 06457/@41.5145974,-72.6395091,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xe18adeb53786e13e!8m2!3d41.5145974!4d-72.6395091 From Randolph Road (Route 155), turn south onto Millbrook Road. Follow Millbrook Road for 1.5 miles and take a right onto Livingston Road. After 0.2 miles, take the first right off Livingston Road into McCutcheon Park! https://www.middletownct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2583/Middletown-Trail-Guide-PDF (Pg 31-33) Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces such as these, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. DQSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco. DQSH events occur regularly in SF, NY, and LA. For more information on DQSH, visit DragQueenStoryHour.org

Join us via Zoom to learn more about Skill Up for Manufacturing, the free five-week pre-apprentice program! Skill-up has extended registration deadlines for two upcoming cohorts and is calling on Connecticut job seekers 18 years and older to visit www.workforcealliance.biz/skillup and register. Offered by Workforce Alliance in partnership with manufacturers and community colleges in South Central CT, Skill Up for Manufacturing coursework is developed in close coordination with participating manufacturers and includes basic trade knowledge, workplace skills, and production readiness including shop math fundamentals and semi-precise/precise measurement. Skill Up for Manufacturing pre-apprentice graduates complete hands-on and classroom activities and earn 175 Pre-Apprenticeship hours through the CT Department of Labor, plus OSHA 10 and Six Sigma certifications. Support services are available to participants while in classroom training including travel reimbursement, daycare assistance and required books, tools and clothing. Additionally, there is a cash stipend awarded to participants for the successful completion of training benchmarks. Candidates must be Connecticut residents at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED and eligible to work in the United States. Interested students can find the online application and more program information at www.workforcealliance.biz/skillup Apply by June 10 for June 21 – July 23 at Gateway Community College & Eli Whitney Technical High School, New Haven/Hamden Apply by July 7 for July 26 – Aug. 27 at Middlesex Community College & Vinal Technical High School in Middletown Since February 2019, more than 140 Connecticut residents have completed the free program offered by Workforce Alliance in partnership with manufacturers and community colleges in South Central CT. “There are literally thousands of unfilled manufacturing jobs and not enough qualified workers in Connecticut to fill them,” said Bill Villano, President and CEO of Workforce Alliance, whose organization developed Skill Up with local employers using a successful model from Eastern CT. “Many of our classes include several people who never considered a career in manufacturing until now and this program is delivering a vital boost for the industry and state’s economy.” CT manufacturing employers have a vital role in designing the course work and recruiting from classes. Workforce Alliance manages the program and manufacturers can access pre-screened candidates and hiring incentives including 90% wage reimbursement during new hire training. Companies participate in Skill Up for Manufacturing recruitment events, including: Barnes Aerospace, Hobson & Motzer, ASML, Light Metal Coloring, Holo-Krome, Ashcroft, O’Keefe Controls, Bead Industries, Atlas Stamping, Wepco Plastics, Ulbrich Steel, MW Industries, Sikorskly/LMCO, Microboard, TOMZ Corp, Marmon Utilities, and PTA Plastics. The Skill Up for Manufacturing model is based on a successful manufacturing pipeline initiative that has placed close to 2,000 people into jobs in Eastern CT at over 100 companies. Students from East Haddam, East Hampton, Higganum, Manchester, Meriden, Middlefield, Middletown, and Portland were among the latest Skill Up for Manufacturing graduating class. Manufacturing Employers Wanted Recruiting, screening and hiring incentives are available and manufacturers can qualify for on-the-job training reimbursement that covers 90 percent of a new hire’s wages during training. Manufacturing employers and organizations interested in providing training content and participating in the program are encouraged to contact Business Services Specialist Steve Johnson at (203) 867-4030 x 233 or visit: www.workforcealliance.biz/skillup/employers. About Workforce Alliance Workforce Alliance is the policy and oversight organization responsible for creating a comprehensive, community-wide response to the challenges of building a highly skilled workforce in South Central CT, which comprises 30 towns. Board members include business owners, local elected officials and community leaders in order to meet changing local needs and shifting national economic and workforce trends. Workforce Alliance oversees four American Job Center South Central CT locations in New Haven, Meriden, Middletown and Hamden. For more information visit workforcealliance.biz

Let's dive into the ocean and visit some aquatic marine life! We'll get to know the ocean, and some of it's beautiful aquatic life through songs, stories and movement! Pick up supplies to create a beautiful, suncatcher jellyfish! (Limit 2 craft kits per household). Please Note: there is one craft for the entire series. This is one of a series. Virtual dates for our Under The Sea Storytime series are: 6/1, and 6/8. Plus we will be doing an person "Under the Sea" Storytime on our side lawn on Friday 6/11 at 10:30am! Sign up for that session here: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7809018 This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required. We have a limited number of supply kits which will need to be picked up at the Russell Library prior to the online event. If you sign up for a kit after you register a librarian will email you to confirm your supply kits are ready for you at the desk! After you hear from us you can: Pick your kit up during library operating hours (Monday-Saturday: 9-5pm) or Call us at 860-347-2528 and set up a curbside appointment! Supplies for this virtual program were provided by the Friends of The Russell Library.

Living with special needs or a disability is challenging for both individuals and care givers. The good news is this: there are lots of available public benefits, resources, and tools available to help. But the bad news is that these resources can be confusing and even hard to find. Come learn from a Connecticut special needs planning attorney who knows how to safeguard the more complex rights and interests of those with disabilities and special needs. You’ll learn about housing options, employment, and public benefits. You’ll also learn about valuable planning tools like ABLE accounts and special needs trusts that can help you preserve money and not jeopardize eligibility for public benefits. Whether you’re caring for yourself or a loved one, you’ll walk away with knowledge on how to create a financial plan that works now and in to the future.

Join us online on Zoom for our June discussion! Stubborn Beauty Brewing at 180 Johnson St, Middletown, CT currently has online ordering and curbside pick-up. Order to go and enjoy at home during the discussion! Zoom link sent out 1 hour ahead of time. Please register to receive the link! The June title is Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth. Place a hold for curbside pick-up or E-copies are available at www.russelllibrary.org. Questions? E-mail Christy Billings at cbillings@russelllibrary.org Sponsored by the Friends of Russell Library. June Plain Bad Heroines Emily M. Danforth 6/9 July Nala's World: One Man, His Rescue Cat, and a Bike Ride around the Globe Dean Nicholson 7/14 Aug The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy Rachel Joyce 6/11 Sept Anxious People Fredrik Backman 9/8 October The Exiles Christina Baker Kline 10/13 Nov The Girl With the Louding Voice Abi Daré 11/10 Dec Miss Benson's beetle: a novel Rachel Joyce 12/8

Russell Library presents weekly opportunities to network with other job seekers, as well as receive the advice of professionals. The focus will be on the job market and provide updated industry information during this uncertain time of COVID19. The Job and Career Group hosts virtual workshops and a weekly networking session via WebEX. You will need to download WebEx to attend. Registration is required. Questions? Bob Carlson rcarlson@russelllibrary.org or Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org This group is possible from a City of Middletown Block Grant, Liberty Bank Foundation Grant, and The Family of Thomas J. Regan.

https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/ Middletown Strong: Looking Up with Russell Library Russell Library presents stories of Middletown community members, exciting library happenings, and book recommendations hand-picked by our wonderful librarians. Middletown Strong: Looking up with Russell Library is full of love and community spirit. In todays episode, you'll enjoy two fantastic interviews. Ayanna Wright chats with Karly Koski, Incoming President of the Middletown High GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) and Kate Bond speaks with Dolly Haddad; mother, member of the City's LGBTQ Advisory Council and City Commissioner for the LGBTQIA Commission. Thank you for listening! middletownpride.org uconnfertility.com Book Recommendations Princess Puffybottom... and Darryl by Susin Nielsen Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Years Shelf Life: We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia We Unleash the Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia The Inexplicable Logic of my Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

Summer has arrived! Time to put away your jackets and boots and make room for flip-flops and beach towels! Join us for our “Hello Summer” storytime series! Together we will welcome the splendorous new season with songs and stories bursting with sunshine! Pick up supplies to create a fruit juice summer craft (Limit 2 craft kits per household). Please Note: there is one craft for the entire series. This is part 1 of a series. Virtual dates for our Hello Summer Storytime series are: 6/15, 6/22, and 6/29 Will be doing an Outdoor Farmer's Market storytime with this theme on Friday 6/25 at 10:30! Sign up for that here: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7791992 This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required. We have a limited number of supply kits which will need to be picked up at the Russell Library prior to the online event. If you sign up for a kit after you register a librarian will email you to confirm your supply kits are ready for you at the desk! After you hear from us you can: Pick your kit up during library operating hours (Monday-Saturday: 9-5pm) or Call us at 860-347-2528 and set up a curbside appointment! Supplies for this virtual program were provided by the Friends of The Russell Library.

Join Russell Library and our friends from QPlus as we make a stress ball while we talk about what causes us stress and how to manage it, including sharing various stress relief/management techniques, identifying ‘warning signs’ for when you need to take a self care break, and how to decide what type of self care is necessary (sure, blast your favorite song, but also have some water). This session will take place at Crystal Lake in McCutcheon Park. For young people age 13 - 20. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our Outdoor event guidelines: We ask that you stay 6 feet away from other families for your safety, as well as the safety of others. If any member of your household is not feeling well, has a fever, or is quarantining, we ask that you and your family stay home. Directions: Here is a link to the location of the City Park in google maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crystal Lake Park, Middletown, CT 06457/@41.5145974,-72.6395091,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xe18adeb53786e13e!8m2!3d41.5145974!4d-72.6395091 From Randolph Road (Route 155), turn south onto Millbrook Road. Follow Millbrook Road for 1.5 miles and take a right onto Livingston Road. After 0.2 miles, take the first right off Livingston Road into McCutcheon Park! https://www.middletownct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2583/Middletown-Trail-Guide-PDF (Pg 31-33) Q Plus is grassroots, community-based, youth-led, and (at least for now) volunteer-run. We are a group of teens, young adults, and older adult supporters. We work to create more youth accessible spaces, uplift youth voices, and empower youth, through programs like open mics, “adulting crash course” workshops, game nights, support groups, and GSA meetups. Our overall goal is to create space for queer youth to be authentically and entirely themselves. Every event and program we create is born of a need identified by queer young people, rather than suggested by adults. Our plan is to continue changing and evolving as the needs of queer youth continue to change and evolve. For more information on QPlus, please check out their website: https://qplusct.wixsite.com/qplusct

June is "Homeownership Month!" Join Rosa Carrero, Assistant Vice President, Community Outreach Officer from Liberty Bank in Middletown, to learn about: What you need to know before purchasing a home Getting credit ready for home ownership First-time homebuyer programs Down payment assistance programs Registrations required for the virtual link.This program will take place via Zoom. Links will be sent prior to the program. This program is held in partnership with Liberty Bank, Habitat for Humanity and the Friends of Russell Library. Questions? Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org or Rosa Carrero: RCarrero@LIBERTY-BANK.com

https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/ Middletown Strong: Looking Up with Russell Library Russell Library presents stories of Middletown community members, exciting library happenings, and book recommendations hand-picked by our wonderful librarians. Middletown Strong: Looking up with Russell Library is full of love and community spirit. In todays episode, you'll enjoy two fantastic interviews. Ayanna Wright chats with Karly Koski, Incoming President of the Middletown High GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) and Kate Bond speaks with Dolly Haddad; mother, member of the City's LGBTQ Advisory Council and City Commissioner for the LGBTQIA Commission. Thank you for listening! middletownpride.org uconnfertility.com Book Recommendations Princess Puffybottom... and Darryl by Susin Nielsen Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Years Shelf Life: We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia We Unleash the Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia The Inexplicable Logic of my Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

Join Russell Library and our friends from Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center for a Nature Illustrating lesson! Together we will learn all the basic techniques of scientific illustration. Participants will gain an appreciation for the beauty and adaptations of our local plant and animal species! This session will take place at Crystal Lake in McCutcheon Park. For young people ages 6 and up. Siblings and families welcome! Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our Outdoor event guidelines: We ask that you stay 6 feet away from other families for your safety, as well as the safety of others. If any member of your household is not feeling well, has a fever, or is quarantining, we ask that you and your family stay home. Directions: Here is a link to the location of the City Park in google maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crystal Lake Park, Middletown, CT 06457/@41.5145974,-72.6395091,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xe18adeb53786e13e!8m2!3d41.5145974!4d-72.6395091 From Randolph Road (Route 155), turn south onto Millbrook Road. Follow Millbrook Road for 1.5 miles and take a right onto Livingston Road. After 0.2 miles, take the first right off Livingston Road into McCutcheon Park! https://www.middletownct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2583/Middletown-Trail-Guide-PDF (Pg 31-33)

Leslie Caye, Talent Acquisition Coordinator from FedEx Ground, will present on 'Skills for Getting Along With All Five Generations." Russell Library presents weekly opportunities to network with other job seekers, as well as receive the advice of professionals. The focus will be on the job market and provide updated industry information during this uncertain time of COVID19. The Job and Career Group hosts virtual workshops and a weekly networking session via WebEX. You will need to download WebEx to attend. Registration is required. Questions? Bob Carlson rcarlson@russelllibrary.org or Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org This group is possible from a City of Middletown Block Grant, Liberty Bank Foundation Grant, and The Family of Thomas J. Regan.

We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences - Meeting Virtually. Author Elisabeth Petry will continue to lead The Veterans' Writing Group. This series, invites Veterans to share their stories and photos in their own voices. Veterans are encouraged to share their experiences for their own benefit or to share with family and friends. At this time we ask that you contact Russell Staff member Christy Billings at cbillings@russelllibrary.org about virtually visiting the group. 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 cbillings@russelllibrary.org Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

This series of presentations will cover multiple topics with a group of panelists brought together by Middletown’s LGBTQIA Commissioner, Laura Timmons. There will be space for questions throughout the event and at the end. This virtual program is for adults. Registration is required and will close 1 hour before the event begins. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org This program is produced in partnership with Middletown Pride! Karleigh Webb has been in sports journalism and sports broadcasting for 26 years. She is currently a writer-contributor to Outsports in addition to doing varied freelance editing/videography and producing projects through her firm Karleigh Webb Video in Connecticut. When not chasing a story, Karleigh is a crisis operator for Trans Lifeline. North America’s only 24-hour-a-day, 7-days-a-week hotline dedicated to the need of transgender people. She considers her service as an honor as great as her awards and commendations she has earned as a journalist. It is this work that also fuels her work as a activist centering around human rights, anti-war issues, and the fight against economic violence placed upon working people. Presentation: What Pride should be in 2021 Tony Ferraiolo is the Director of Health Care Advocates International’s Youth and Family Program. Over the past 15 years he as founded several support groups for transgender and non-binary youth and their families. He is also a certified life coach and the author of the book series “Artistic Expressions of Transgender Youth.” Presentation: Pronouns Matter !!!!!!!!!!!! Middletown City of Middletown’s LGBTQIA Commissioner, Cayes Jarda: "I got my bug for teaching in Middletown. I started as A Circus kid at Oddfellows, and then was an arts camp counselor with the Buttonwood tree and Camp Ingersoll at the kids corner site and became the site director at Bielefield. My parents owned and ran Imperial Caribbean Restaurant on Main Street. I moved to California for grad school, but I always thought I'd make change in my home town because my formative school years were all here. I'm a proud Laurence School alum, and graduated from Mercy in 2001. I actually came out on national TV on a Show called “The Secret Lives of Americans” and after that I decided to come back to CT because it is the best rated state for queer folks. I just bought my first home in the Butternut area of the city. I named my long driveway Allen Pavensberg. Before I even bough it, I was like, this is my house, and this is Allen (two LLs because it he is so long). I have all these memories from track team of running thorough Wadsworth and it is so great to walk out of my house with my dogs Opal and Biggs and enjoy it." Presentation: Transgender Educator Er. Andrea V Boisseau CPS "I'm a 61 year old Intersex woman who was born with Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome which caused my Hypospadias. Starting at 8 months old I had 14 failed Hypospadias repair surgeries ended in an amputation to try to make me look "normal". I overcame all that through studying men and women. Their mannerisms, topics of discussion, word choices to the point of being able to understand and be both. Now I'm the New England Director of Intersex Campaign for Equality IC4E and started the Intersex Day of Awareness in 2001 to help others born intersex. Now Living in Middletown CT doing Peer Support Specialist work helping others with Intersex variations." Presentation: Overcoming adversity Samuel Avery Giardina is a 22 year old trans photographer and designer from CT. This past year was a huge change for him as he came out as trans, female to male and began pursuing his passion for photography as well as being an advocate for the LGBTQ community through his brand.” Presentation: "Be you, the world will adjust” Middletown City of Middletown’s LGBTQIA Commissioner, and this event's moderator: Laura Timmons. I am a 54 year old transgender female living in Middletown, CT. Prior to coming out in 2018, I raised a family and worked in the Aerospace industry for over 30 years. Having lived with chronic depression and anxiety for all of my adult life, I decided to change my life and live my authentic self regardless of the consequences. Now, I am really living my best life. Presentation: Living my best life Stay tuned for more panelist details!