Russell Library's August Lineup: Spooky Stories, Stunning Oils, Dream Catchers Workshop

The Russell Library announces its August programs.

Paintings by Diane Lindsay

Diane Lindsay’s paintings will be on exhibit in the main lobby and the Information Services area of the Russell Library during August.  Lindsay works in oils and acrylics and “enjoys an occasional watercolor.” She was born and raised in New York City and began painting at age 11 when she received an oil paint set for Christmas.  She studied art at Connecticut Institute of Art and Design, Middlesex Community College, and Lyme Art Academy.  Her work has been exhibited at several locations in central Connecticut and has won numerous awards.  Recently retired, she now devotes her time to painting, travel, and spending time with her husband, children and many grandchildren.

Botanical Watercolors by Nora Evans Hill

Watercolor paintings of Connecticut wildflowers by the late Nora Evans Hill are on display in the exhibit case in the first floor lobby.  Mrs. Hill and her husband, the late Professor G. Albert Hill of Wesleyan University, observed and cataloged bloom dates and locations of hundreds of Connecticut wildflowers each year. After his death, she devoted her time to creating botanically accurate watercolor paintings of the flowers they had studied for over two decades. The paintings will be on display throughout the month of August.

Time for Twos

Join us for an hour of fun, cooperative and creative play that will include a little bit of everything.  We’ll use musical instruments, dance, make crafts, sing songs and, of course, read some books!  Two year olds, their grown-ups, and their siblings are welcome.  Programs are on Wednesdays, at 10:00am on August 1, 8 and 15 in the Activity Room of Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Registration is not required.

Baby Rhyme Time

Looking for something to do with your infant?  Come join us Wednesdays, August 1, 15, 22, and 29 at 1:30pm in the Activity Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  We’ll sing songs, and learn rhymes, finger plays and more in these fun, interactive sessions. This special program is for babies one year and under, and their caregivers.  Just drop in!  No registration is required.

We Love the Night: Stories Told by Richard Alleva

Join us on Thursday, August 2, 7pm in the Activity Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, for an evening of chilling stories. Richard, a former Children’s Librarian at Russell, has a special interest in literature, particularly spooky stories.  He is a master storyteller and he will be telling a host of sinister nighttime stories. This program is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Dream Catchers and More

All children ages 8 to 12 are invited to participate in this workshop on Thursday, August 9 at 2pm in the Activity Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Make unique and fanciful dream catchers, god's eyes and more.  Space is limited and registration is required.  Please call 860-344-8479 or register in person at the Children's Information Desk starting at 9:00am on Thursday, August 2.

Ones Summer Fun

This summertime drop-in program is an introduction to the library and all of its wonders for ages 12 months to 23 months.  Little ones and their caregivers will enjoy books, puppets, songs, rhymes and making music in a warm, welcoming environment.  Ones Summer Fun will meet on Thursday, August 2 at 1:00 pm.  Programs are held in the Activity Room of Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, and registration is not required.

We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences

Author Elisabeth Petry will continue to lead The Veterans' Writing Group on Thursdays, August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 7pm in Meeting Room 2 at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  This series invites veterans to share their stories in their own voices. All veterans, either active or retired, are encouraged to come and write their experiences for their own benefit or to share with family and friends.

Old Saybrook native Elisabeth Petry is a writer, former journalist and lawyer. Her books include Can Anything Beat White? A Black Family’s Letters and At Home Inside: A Daughter’s Tribute to Ann Petry.  Liz has taught college English and conducted a playwriting workshop. She lives in Middletown with her husband, Lawrence Riley, who is a dog trainer and commander of the Veterans of the Vietnam War, Middletown, Connecticut.

First Saturday Favorite Story Time

Saturday, August 4 is "Favorite Stories Saturday!"  On the first Saturday of every month, a Children’s Librarian will share her favorite stories with you at 10:00am in the Activity Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Drop by for stories and stay to make a craft together.  The stories are selected for children ages 3-5 years and their caregivers.  Siblings are also welcome. No registration is needed.

Russell Library Knitters

The Russell Knitters will meet on Saturdays, August 4 and 18 at 11:00am-1pm in Meeting Room 3 at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Bring your knitting projects and join an enthusiastic group of knitters who are willing to share ideas and expertise.  No registration is required.

Summer Stories

Come and hear fun new stories and beloved favorites on Tuesdays at 10:00 am on August 7, 14, 21, 28.  The stories are selected for the 3-6 year old audience and their caregivers, but siblings are welcome.  Stay a bit longer and make a craft together.   Story sessions will be held in the Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.

Otakus of Russell Library Unite!

Otakus is Russell Library’s Teen Group for fans of Anime, Manga and all things Japanese.  The group will meet at 7 pm on Tuesday, August 7 in the Hubbard Room and on Tuesday, August 21 in Meeting Room 3 at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Meeting twice a month, we view anime shorts, discuss our favorite manga series and explore the culture that has produced such art forms.  Food, music, costumes, and other expressions of Japan are all part of Otakus.  This group is for ages 11 and up.  Drop by and join in the fun; no registration is needed.

Roxy’s Forever Home

Join us for a special dog adoption program on Thursday, August 23, 12-1pm in the Activity Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Author Theresa Pelham and illustrator Dina Pratt will introduce us to Roxy, the subject of Roxy’s Forever Home.  Roxy, the real dog presented in the book, will join us.  Together, we’ll learn about Roxy, adopting dogs and how you can help. Registration for Roxy’s Forever Home begins on Thursday, August 9 at 9:00am.  Please call 860-344-8479 or register at the Children’s Information Desk.  This program is for children in first grade and older.

Who Owns the Night? Film Series: The Thing

Join us at 2:00pm on Thursday, August 9 in the deep, dark Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, for this classic science fiction film from the 1950s.  When a great magnetic disturbance is detected near the North Pole, scientists are sent to determine its cause.  A surprising discovery is made. A disk shaped object is found frozen in the ice. Even more astonishing is finding some man-like creature frozen nearby. When this creature is brought back to the scientists’ base and starts to thaw, things take an ominous turn as the creature comes alive and begins destroying everything around him. How can this alien be stopped? Can it be stopped? Join us for a classic science fiction film from the 1950s.  This movie is for children ages 8 years and up.  No registration is required and free popcorn will be available.  The film is not rated.

Friends of the Russell Library Book Sale

Each month, the hard-working members of The Friends of the Russell Library hold a book sale to help raise funds for a variety of library projects and services.  Come on in to find used books at great prices.  Stop by for the “Bargain Days” sale on Friday, August 10 from 10:00am to 6:00pm or Saturday, August 11 from 9:00am to 1:00 noon at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. You're bound to find a title or two or more that you missed the first time around!

Russell Writers
The Russell Writers will meet on Saturday, August 11, from 9:30am to noon in Meeting Room 3 at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This month's challenge is to write about glory, bravery, and fearlessness.

The Russell Writers meet at 9:30am on the second Saturday of the month.  All writers, from beginners to the experienced, are welcome. Participants are reminded to try to keep their compositions to three double-spaced pages so that there is time to critique everyone's work.

Backyard Scientists

Join us for a brand new summer program that will have you digging in the dirt.  Curious about bugs?  Wiggly for worms?  Then come and join the Backyard Scientists, a group for kids in grades K-2.  We will learn about different bugs through stories, crafts and hands-on science experiments.  Make new friends of the human and bug variety!  Join us in the Activity Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, for a buggy good time on Mondays at 10 am on August 13 and 27.  Registration is not required.

Teen Writers

Teen Writers returns this summer with an exciting project.  We will be creating plays and podcasting them for our teen blog.  No podcasting or playwriting experience is needed and prompts will be provided.  Come join the fun and use your creative thinking.  Playwriting and podcasting sessions will be held Mondays at 3:30pm on August 13, 20, 27 in Russell Library's Activity Room, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Registration is not required and the programs are open to grades 4 and up.

Sleeping Beauty Ballet

Children ages 5 and older are invited to a performance/workshop with professional and pre-professional dancers from Dance Progressions on Saturday, August 18, 10-11am in the Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Children will learn about the language of dance and a small dance piece.  Dancers will also perform pieces from the Sleeping Beauty ballet.  After the program, children are welcome to have their pictures taken with the dancers and join Miss Laura downstairs in the Activity Room for a ballet-inspired craft.  This event is part of our “Dream Big, Read” summer reading program sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.  No registration is required.

Job Search Boot Camp #1: The Toolkit: Accomplishment-rich Resume, Target Cover Letter & Elevator Pitch
Join career and job search expert Jan Melnik for this workshop on Tuesday, August 12, 6-8pm in the Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. What tools do job seekers need today to conduct effective searches? What are the rules for resumes? Does it have to be one page? Why is a cover letter essential? What two things must your elevator pitch accomplish? This program in first of a three-part Job Search Boot Camp will share the best strategies and insider secrets that will help job seekers improve their resume-writing efforts.  Upcoming workshops include “The Power of Social Media” on Tuesday, September 25and : “Insiders' Tips for Job Search & Effective Interviewing” on Tuesday, October 23.

Jan has been coaching clients in job searching for more than 20 years through Absolute Advantage, her private practice in Durham. She is a Master Resume Writer, credentialed Career Manager, & Certified Professional Resume Writer. The author of 'Executive's Pocket Guide to ROI Resumes & Job Search,' Jan is the career expert on NBC.

Piggie and Gerald’s Pajama Party

Children ages 5-8 and their caregivers are invited to this special event on Wednesday, August 22, 6:30-7:30pm in the Activity Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Hear some of your favorite stories by Mo Willems and meet Piggie and Gerald, in person!  We’ll have crafts, a raffle and more.  Don’t forget to wear your jammies.  This event is part of our “Dream Big, Read” summer reading program sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.  No registration is required.

Who Owns the Night? Film Series:  Young Frankenstein

Join us at 2:00pm on Thursday, August 23 in the deep, dark Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Young Dr. Frankenstein arrives at the family castle in Transylvania and discovers his grandfather’s instructions to return the dead to life.  The movie is a tale of tongue- in-cheek horror, a comedy that stands every other Frankenstein film on its head.  This fun film brings an end to our summer series. The movie is for children ages 8 years and up.  No registration is required and free popcorn will be available.  The film is rated PG.

Angry Russell Library Birds

All children in 4th grade and up are invited to this event on Friday, August 24, 3:30-4:40 in the Activity Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Do you love to play the game Angry Birds?  Then try playing the live action Russell Library version.  You will build sets and then try to knock down other players’ structures.  Come join the “angry fun”! No registration is required.

Russell Library Job Group

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.  The Group meets Thursdays, 9:30am-noon with speakers presenting from 10 to 11:00am in the Hubbard Room, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Upcoming speakers for July are:

8/9/12 10:00-11:00am

George Morgan)

CT Department of Labor

"O*Net Demonstration" 

8/16/12

10:00-11:00am

Paul Poulin) 

Foundation for Personal Financial Education

“Getting Fiscally Fit" 

8/23/12

10:00-11:00am

Carol Mon

Corporate Storyteller

“Interview Storytelling" 

8/30/12

10:00-11:00am

Jeffrey Metzger

Your Resume Consultant

“Crafting Cover Letters" 

Resume Review and Critique

Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, offers confidential resume critiquing and in-depth interview coaching appointments two Saturdays each month with Jeff Thierfeld, Business Professional and Consultant.  Please call (860) 347-2520 to sign up for a 45 minute appointment.  If you need to cancel, please allow 48 hours notice.

Practice Job Interviews

Improve your interviewing skills and get the job you want.  Bob Carlson will assist you by conducting and evaluating your practice interview, either by phone or at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Videotaping the session is optional and confidential.  45 minute sessions are available.  Please call (860) 347-2520 for more information and to sign up.

Career Coaching

James Kubat, an Associate Director of the Wesleyan Career Center, gives private, confidential career coaching through appointments at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.  Please bring a resume (if you have one) to the appointment.  You must register and/or cancel at the Information Desk or by calling (860) 347-2520.  You will receive a reminder call prior to the appointment. 

Computer Classes

The Russell Library Information Department, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, CT, will offer a variety of computer-training sessions.  Classes introduce beginners to computers and provide a session on the Internet or Microsoft Word.  Advanced classes are offered on programs such as Microsoft Publisher and Excel.  There will be no prior signups for these classes. Classes are offered on a first come, first served basis.  If you are interested in attending, make sure you have the experience necessary for the class.   To attend, come to the Information Department on the date and time that the session is being offered.  In the event that a class fills up, most are repeated each month.  Please be on time.  If you have any questions, ask at the Information Desk or call (860) 347-2520.