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Redding Reads Scripts (In-Person)
Tuesday, January 14
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Registration Required Below Release your inner thespian and join the Redding script reading group. Our group is a whole new way to experience a play you never knew you needed. This casual monthly group will meet up to read classic and contemporary plays aloud. Our hope is to foster a collaborative environment and explore all types of theater. Welcome to all who love or are curious about theater — no theater experience is required. Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month. Our Facilitators: Liz Correa is a local mom who has missed reading plays. Her theater background includes New York City, regional and local theater. She was nominated for Best Actress (Escaleno, lead) at the PEPI; Seville, Spain. Escaleno (lead) also won Best Short Film. Liz graduated with a Masters of Art’s from Cornell University and was a student of Stella Adler Conservatory (Tisch) and Michael Howard Studios.Eileen O’Brien is a retired award winning drama teacher and director who hails from New Haven. After living in Massachusetts and Florida, Eileen and her husband, Bob have come home to spend their retirement closer to their children and grandchildren in beautiful Connecticut.
Weekly Drop-In Knitting Circle (In-Person)
Tuesday, January 14
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Meets Tuesdays, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Our popular weekly drop-in knitting circle continues to meets every Tuesday in the Library's Mark Twain Room. Share your knitting, crochet, and needlepoint project or learn basic techniques like casting on, knit, and purl stitches. Each week brings an opportunity to learn something new and there is always someone who can help with any problem.
The Magic of Found Family: In Conversation with Author TJ Klune
Wednesday, January 15
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Come have a magical moment with New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune as he chats about his Cerulean Chronicles, with special emphasis on his newest in the series, Somewhere Beyond the Sea. For more information and to register click here.
We’re In This Together: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Teens (In-Person)
Thursday, January 16
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Registration Required Below Let’s work to empower the next generation — starting with better conversations! Join us for an insightful workshop designed to help parents, caregivers and educators build stronger connections with teens. In this interactive program, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Leslie Cohen-Rubury, and John Read Middle School Principal Jennifer Desamarais, will discuss strategies and tools to help handle tough conversations with teens. Topics will include :- Understanding teen brain development
- Proven techniques to foster open and honest dialogue
- Tips for effectively communicating with your teen
Leslie Cohen-Rubury has been a licensed clinical social worker for over 39 years and has a home-office private practice in Redding. Her early work in Special Education also provided Leslie with a unique knowledge base and educational point of view to understand children and the school system. Leslie is also the host of the popular podcast "Is My Child A Monster? A Parenting Therapy Podcast."
Jennifer Desamarais started her teaching career in 1989, teaching social studies to 8th graders at John Read Middle School. In 1999, she moved to Joel Barlow to teach history and coach. During her twenty-plus years at Barlow, Jen served in various leadership positions. She returned to John Read in 2022 to become its principal.
Adult Chess Club (In-Person)
Monday, January 20
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Registration Recommended, See Below We invite all adult chess players and chess enthusiasts to participate in our newly launched, weekly Adult Chess Club. No prior chess knowledge is required; all levels of experience are welcome to participate! The library will provide chess boards and pieces for all to use. As space is limited, we recommend participants register for each program that they plan to attend. About our facilitator: Matthew Shirvell (aka Coach Matt) is an avid chess player who has been teaching chess in Connecticut for over 6 years. He has competed in USCF tournaments across the country, worked as a tournament director to run some of the largest events in the state, and has helped his students reach their goals. Recently, in January 2023, one of his students earned sole 1st place in a USCF event with a perfect score!
“Free Play”: Creative Collective Discussion Group (Virtual)
Tuesday, January 21
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Registration Required Below
Have fun and make friends while cultivating your creativity in our weekly group discussions about art, creativity and so much more! Our facilitated conversations invite participants to consider imaginative and alternative viewpoints about the creative process in a congenial, relaxed Zoom setting. Empower your creativity and feed your brain by joining us in the Creative Collective Discussion Group!
This winter, our exploration into the power of creativity continues with the book Free Play: by author and violinist, Stephen Nachmanovitch. The book is available to download from Hoopla.
Please read the book's introduction and chapter 1 for the first meeting.
The Creative Collective meets weekly on Tuesdays. Register once for all six weekly meetings in this session, January 14 through February 18.
Click Here to attend Zoom Meeting (For registered participants only)
Weekly Drop-In Knitting Circle (In-Person)
Tuesday, January 21
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Meets Tuesdays, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Our popular weekly drop-in knitting circle continues to meets every Tuesday in the Library's Mark Twain Room. Share your knitting, crochet, and needlepoint project or learn basic techniques like casting on, knit, and purl stitches. Each week brings an opportunity to learn something new and there is always someone who can help with any problem.
Take Charge of Your Future: Preparing for Your Healthcare Needs (In-Person)
Tuesday, January 21
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Registration Required Below Planning for your health care and long-term care can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. Join us for an empowering presentation and panel discussion featuring experts in the fields of advocacy, health insurance, healthcare and elder law. The presenters will share real-life client stories, offer practical advice and provide actionable steps to help you take charge of your health care planning. Whether you’re preparing for your future or advocating for a loved one, this program will leave you feeling informed and empowered. About Our Panelists Anne McGuire is the founder and owner of Healthcare Pathfinder, LLC, a health and long-term care advice and advocacy firm. She has been helping individuals, families and employees manage their health insurance for over 20 years. Ms. McGuire is a Registered Nurse, a certified case manager and has life and health insurance licenses (but she does not sell insurance). Anne has a broad multi-disciplined background in the healthcare arena including EMS, Intensive Care, Home Care, Managed Care, and Appeals/Negotiation Advocacy. Currently, she is a member of the Case Management Society of America and the Alliance of Professional Healthcare Advocates. Ann L. Fowler-Cruz is a principal in Cohen and Wolf’s Trusts Estates and Elder Law Groups. Ms. Fowler-Cruz’s elder law practice focuses on long-term care planning, asset preservation strategies, Medicaid applications, disability planning, utilizing conservatorships /guardianship and special needs trusts. Her estate planning practice includes the creation of wills, trusts, and advance directives. Ms. Fowler-Cruz has been a staunch advocate for the elderly and the disabled for more than two decades and has the distinction of being a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. Ann has been recognized as a “Best Lawyer in America” in the areas of Trust and Estates and Elder law, as well as a “Super Lawyer” in the area of elder law. Pat Kenny has worked for the past 40 years with elders, assisting clients and their families navigate the challenges associated with advancing age. A client services manager with Privatus, she has a degree in Gerontology and spent many years working as a social worker in nursing homes and in assisted living communities. At Privatus, Ms. Kenny consults with clients and their families to assist in designing a plan for home care, based upon their unique healthcare challenges and lifestyle goals. Florisa Zinghini, is a resident of Redding and the founder and owner of Reddi-Care Connections (RCC), an aging life care management company helping people navigate the complexities of caring for aging loved ones. Prior to founding RCC, she spent over 20 years in the long-term care industry in nursing homes, independent and assisted living communities, hospitals, and homecare agencies. She is a Licensed Master in Social Work (LMSW), a Certified Care Manager (CMC), Positive Approach to Care Consultant (CPACC), Dementia Connections Facilitator, New York Screen Evaluator, and a long-standing member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Aging Life CareAssociation (ALCA). This is a hybrid program that will take place both live at the Library, and virtually over Zoom. For a full experience we recommend attending this program live at the Library. Scroll to the bottom of the screen to register for the in-person option. Would you prefer instead to attend the virtual program, over Zoom? Click here to register for the virtual program.
Take Charge of Your Future: Preparing for Your Healthcare Needs (Virtual)
Tuesday, January 21
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Registration Required Below Planning for your health care and long-term care can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. Join us for an empowering presentation and panel discussion featuring experts in the fields of advocacy, health insurance, healthcare and elder law. The presenters will share real-life client stories, offer practical advice and provide actionable steps to help you take charge of your health care planning. Whether you’re preparing for your future or advocating for a loved one, this program will leave you feeling informed and empowered. About Our Panelists Anne McGuire is the founder and owner of Healthcare Pathfinder, LLC, a health and long-term care advice and advocacy firm. She has been helping individuals, families and employees manage their health insurance for over 20 years. Ms. McGuire is a Registered Nurse, a certified case manager and has life and health insurance licenses (but she does not sell insurance). Anne has a broad multi-disciplined background in the healthcare arena including EMS, Intensive Care, Home Care, Managed Care, and Appeals/Negotiation Advocacy. Currently, she is a member of the Case Management Society of America and the Alliance of Professional Healthcare Advocates. Ann L. Fowler-Cruz is a principal in Cohen and Wolf’s Trusts Estates and Elder Law Groups. Ms. Fowler-Cruz’s elder law practice focuses on long-term care planning, asset preservation strategies, Medicaid applications, disability planning, utilizing conservatorships /guardianship and special needs trusts. Her estate planning practice includes the creation of wills, trusts, and advance directives. Ms. Fowler-Cruz has been a staunch advocate for the elderly and the disabled for more than two decades and has the distinction of being a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. Ann has been recognized as a “Best Lawyer in America” in the areas of Trust and Estates and Elder law, as well as a “Super Lawyer” in the area of elder law. Pat Kenny has worked for the past 40 years with elders, assisting clients and their families navigate the challenges associated with advancing age. A client services manager with Privatus, she has a degree in Gerontology and spent many years working as a social worker in nursing homes and in assisted living communities. At Privatus, Ms. Kenny consults with clients and their families to assist in designing a plan for home care, based upon their unique healthcare challenges and lifestyle goals. Florisa Zinghini, is a resident of Redding and the founder and owner of Reddi-Care Connections (RCC), an aging life care management company helping people navigate the complexities of caring for aging loved ones. Prior to founding RCC, she spent over 20 years in the long-term care industry in nursing homes, independent and assisted living communities, hospitals, and homecare agencies. She is a Licensed Master in Social Work (LMSW), a Certified Care Manager (CMC), Positive Approach to Care Consultant (CPACC), Dementia Connections Facilitator, New York Screen Evaluator, and a long-standing member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Aging Life CareAssociation (ALCA). This is a hybrid program that will take place both live at the Library, and virtually over Zoom. For a full experience we recommend attending this program live at the Library. Scroll to the bottom of the screen to register for the virtual option and you will receive a Zoom link on the day of the program. Include your cell for a text reminder. Would you prefer instead to attend the program in-person, at the Library? Click here to register for the in-person program.
Nature Book Club — ‘The Soul of the Octopus’ (Off-Site)
Wednesday, January 22
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Registration Required Below LOCATION: New Pond Farm Education Center Created in partnership with New Pond Farm Education Center and Redding Land Trust Join us to celebrate the seasons! Delve more deeply into nature, ecology and wildlife with a new bookclub focusing on science, conservation and natural history. Whether you're an avid birder, a devoted gardener or an enthusiastic weekend hiker, you'll expand your understanding of the world around us while also meeting folks who share a devotion to our planet! The Nature Book Club is moderated by Marjorie Derven, and John McLeran of the Redding Land Trust. This bookclub will meet for four sessions on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm at New Pond Farm Education Center, 101 Marchant Road, Redding. Books will be available to borrow at the Library. Space is limited, so please register early!UPCOMING — Register Below for the January Session.
Wednesday, January 22 at 1:oo pm — The Soul of the Octopus by Sy Montgomery
March 19 — The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
May 7 — Walden by Henry David Thoreau
History Book Club — ‘Into Siberia’ (In-Person)
Wednesday, January 22
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Registration Required Below Interested in history? This book club is for you! Led by members of the Library's Programming Committee, this book club selects engaging history reads and meets regularly for lively and engaging discussions. Copies of the latest book will be available to borrow at the Library. Upcoming Meetings: February 19 — The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larsen March 19 — The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro
Click Here To View Recent History Book Club Selections.
Fine Wine or Sour Grapes? Let’s Talk About Aging (In-Person)
Thursday, January 23
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Registration Required Below Co-sponsored by Redding's Commission on Aging "Aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been," David Bowie Aging happens... so let’s talk about it! Join a new, informal discussion group as we talk, listen, learn — and figure out how to turn sour grapes into fine wine. Potential topics will include maintaining relevancy, resiliency, dealing with ageism, acceptance and compassion. The conversation will be facilitated by Redding residents Jean Rexford and Kathleen Brandt. The group will meet at the Library the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Winter Meeting Dates: January 9 & 23, February 13 & 27, March 13 & 27 Our Facilitators Jean Rexford — Jean started the Connecticut Center for Patient Safety in 2005 to promote patient safety, improve the quality of health care and protect patient rights. Jean is a former member of the Connecticut Medical Examining Board and Redding's Commission on Aging. Kathleen Brandt — Kathleen is vice chairman of the Redding's Commission on Aging. After nearly two decades working as a registered nurse, she became an attorney in 1996, specializing in patient advocacy litigation.
Classics Book Club: ‘Jane Eyre’ (In-Person)
Friday, January 24
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Registration Required Below This group is led by MTL's bibliophile extraordinaire, Catherine Riordan. Catherine taught literature at the college level for many years, and shares her contagious enthusiasm for the classics. The group reads and discusses titles of all time periods, including modern works. Copies of the latest book will be available at the Library's front desk. The Classics Book Club meets in person at the Library. Upcoming Discussions:
January 24 — Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre – 1847
February 28 — Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness — 1899
March 28 — Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales — 1387-1400
April 25 — Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter — 1850
May 23 — Virginia Woolf, Mrs. Dalloway — 1925
June 27 — John Kennedy Toole, A Confederacy of Dunces — 1980
Adult Chess Club (In-Person)
Monday, January 27
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Registration Recommended, See Below We invite all adult chess players and chess enthusiasts to participate in our newly launched, weekly Adult Chess Club. No prior chess knowledge is required; all levels of experience are welcome to participate! The library will provide chess boards and pieces for all to use. As space is limited, we recommend participants register for each program that they plan to attend. About our facilitator: Matthew Shirvell (aka Coach Matt) is an avid chess player who has been teaching chess in Connecticut for over 6 years. He has competed in USCF tournaments across the country, worked as a tournament director to run some of the largest events in the state, and has helped his students reach their goals. Recently, in January 2023, one of his students earned sole 1st place in a USCF event with a perfect score!
MTL Writers’ Group (Virtual)
Monday, January 27
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Registration Required Below The Mark Twain Library's Writers' Group meets via Zoom on the second and fourth Monday of the month. In this session the group will be reading and discussing Write Your Novel From The Middle by James Scott Bell In addition to reading books on writing craft, the group's mission is to provide a supportive environment for those looking to share their love of writing with others. The group also serves as a potential source of accountability and feedback for ongoing writing projects. Facilitation of the group will be shared by group members. Prior to attending, it is recommended that group members obtain their own copy of Write Your Novel From The Middle by James Scott Bell Click Here to attend Zoom Meeting (For registered participants only) Password: Write
“Free Play”: Creative Collective Discussion Group (Virtual)
Tuesday, January 28
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Registration Required Below
Have fun and make friends while cultivating your creativity in our weekly group discussions about art, creativity and so much more! Our facilitated conversations invite participants to consider imaginative and alternative viewpoints about the creative process in a congenial, relaxed Zoom setting. Empower your creativity and feed your brain by joining us in the Creative Collective Discussion Group!
This winter, our exploration into the power of creativity continues with the book Free Play: by author and violinist, Stephen Nachmanovitch. The book is available to download from Hoopla.
Please read the book's introduction and chapter 1 for the first meeting.
The Creative Collective meets weekly on Tuesdays. Register once for all six weekly meetings in this session, January 14 through February 18.
Click Here to attend Zoom Meeting (For registered participants only)
Weekly Drop-In Knitting Circle (In-Person)
Tuesday, January 28
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Meets Tuesdays, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Our popular weekly drop-in knitting circle continues to meets every Tuesday in the Library's Mark Twain Room. Share your knitting, crochet, and needlepoint project or learn basic techniques like casting on, knit, and purl stitches. Each week brings an opportunity to learn something new and there is always someone who can help with any problem.
Step Up Your Pickleball Game: Injury Prevention & Performance Tips
Wednesday, January 29
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Registration Required Below Co-sponsored with Redding's Heritage Center Join us for an informative session tailored to pickleball enthusiasts, featuring Sports Podiatrist Dr. Allan Rosenthal, affectionately known as “Dr. Pickleball, “known for his expertise in sports podiatry, and Gigi Weiss, MSPT, LSVT BIG, CADDCT, CDP, AIB-VR, RVNAhealth Senior Director of Community Rehabilitative Services.
To gether, they will delve into essential topics to help players stay active and injury-free, covering skill development, selecting the best footwear for performance, injury prevention, and targeted exercises to keep you at the top of your game.
Dr. Rosenthal, a board-certified specialist in podiatric sports medicine, has treated athletes at all levels and is a trusted advisor on footwear and sports injuries. His experience includes speaking at a national workshop and numerous podcasts on pickleball injuries, a consultant to Tyrol Pickleball shoes, a certified Pickleball instructor, making him an invaluable resource for players looking to enhance performance and prevent common foot and ankle issues associated with the sport.
Whether you’re new to pickleball or a seasoned player, this presentation offers valuable insights and strategies to elevate your game safely and effectively.
The Voice of the Hudson Movie & Discussion (In-Person)
Thursday, January 30
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
REGISTRATION REQUIRED BELOW Co-sponsored with New Pond Farm Education Center Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment and can be found in marine and freshwater ecosystems, food, air, and drinking water. Learn more about this important issue with consultant, educator, researcher, and explorer Tim Keyes as he shares the results of sampling done around the country, including at New Pond Farm in Redding. Following the discussion, watch The Voice of the Hudson, a 50-minute documentary film about the monumental trip 8 high school students took down the length of the Hudson in 2023, from the Adirondacks to Manhattan, taking water samples along the way.