Join local historian Peter Vermilyea on Monday, May 11 from 3:15 – 4:15 PM,
as we explore The Trials of Harry S. Truman by Jeffrey Frank.
Registration required to attend In-Person.
“Just terrific—with a perfect tone, and a perfect understanding of Truman’s strengths and shortcomings. Frank has managed this with emphases on sociology, culture, and a profound and deep understanding of the human struggle.” – Bob Woodward
This book describes how Truman, an ordinary and relatively unknown vice president, unexpectedly became president after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death and had to lead the United States during a turbulent period. Frank explores the difficult choices Truman faced, including authorizing the atomic bomb against Japan, managing the early Cold War, supporting the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe, addressing civil rights issues, and sending U.S. troops into the Korean War. The biography portrays Truman as a complex leader—determined and principled but sometimes impulsive and uncertain—whose decisions helped shape the post–World War II world and America’s role as a global power.
Books are available at OWL to borrow and e-audio books are instantly available for OWL card holders.
Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspx
Comical Tales From Japan: Performed by Motoko
Thursday, May 21 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM
In-Person & on Zoom:
Registration required to attend In-Person.
We are delighted to welcome back award-winning storyteller Motoko as she brings to life the hilarious and poignant tales about everyday lives in Edo-period Japan (1603-1868), sharing both their historical context and the enduring charm of Rakugo today. Come experience the humor, subtlety, and dynamic energy that make Rakugo a beloved Japanese cultural treasure.
About the Presenter:
Motoko is an award-winning storyteller and mime, whose featured appearances include the National Storytelling Festival (Jonesborough TN), PBS’s Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, and the CarnegieKids in Miyazaki sponsored by Carnegie Hall. She grew up in Osaka, listening to Kamigata Rakugo of Katsura Beicho (1925–2015) and Katsura Shijaku (1939-1999).
Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspx
DAn exercise class for senior women with Nancy Schuler.
Tuesdays in May: 10:15 – 11:00 AM
In-Person & on Zoom:
Registration required for in-person.
Let’s talk balance, posture and well being. Join this senior women’s exercise group on Tuesdays at 10:15 and let’s work to keep moving at any age. You may attend the class in person, here at the OWL, or online in the privacy of your home. No prior experience is necessary.
Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspx#anchor_ageless
4/18-4/19 10 am – 3 pm free admission
Come celebrate Spring with us!
Food & beer/wine trucks, live music, baby goats & alpacas, kids’ activities, craft vendors.
All plants on sale 20% off.
Meadowbrook Gardens
228 Danbury Rd
New Milford, CT 06776
https://www.meadowbrookgardens.com
Thursday, May 7 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM
In-Person & on Zoom:
Registration required to attend In-Person.
Bring a matey and join the adventure with Luca Rebussini
You’re invited to an entertaining, informative journey into the world of pirates and pirate hunters in New England during the Golden Age of Piracy. Luca Rebussini will explore why individuals turned to piracy, how pirate ships operated, and the weapons and tactics they used to survive. You’ll also gain insight into the complex relationships between pirates, colonial governments, and society—and discover how the age of piracy ultimately came to an end.
About the Presenter:
Known as the “R.I. Pirate Guy,” Luca Rebussini of Cranston, Rhode Island, wears many hats—but is a pirate at heart. He is a social studies teacher in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, with years of experience in education. Luca earned bachelor’s degrees in history and secondary education from the University of Rhode Island (2016, 2017) and a master’s degree in ESL from Western Governors University (2018).
Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspx
We are excited to announce that starting in April, the Pink House will be introducing 5-day per week morning coffee and pastry service. The service will start at 7:30 am each morning and run until at least 11 am. It has been forever that West Cornwall had a coffee shop and we are happy to be part of a revival. We invite everyone to come by, whether grabbing a drip coffee on the way to work or or staying and hanging out in a warm work space with a laptop and a fancy espresso drink (yes, we have free wifi!).
The introduction of this morning coffee service is part of the Pink House team’s larger goal of re-starting lunch and brunch service and eventually being open “all day everyday.” Stay tuned for further announcements about all that.
The Pink House, 34 Lower River Rd, West Cornwall, CT 06796
https://www.thepinkhousect.com/
On Thursday, May 14th at 2 pm join Dr. Gale Ridge, director of the Insect Information Office at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and one of the nation’s leading entomologists, at the David M. Hunt Library for an informative presentation about this fast-spreading invasive species. The spotted lanternfly has become impossible to miss in Connecticut, turning up on trees, patios, and cars across the state. Dr. Ridge will discuss how the lanternfly arrived in the United States, how it spreads and reproduces, and what each of us can do to reduce its impact. Learn how to identify the insect at every stage of its life cycle and get practical advice for protecting the plants and trees in your own backyard.
David M. Hunt Library
63 Main St
Falls Village, CT
The Spotted Lanternfly: Connecticut’s Uninvited Guest
On Saturday, May 9th at 2 pm John Dickson will speak on his recently published book, “Herman Melville in the Berkshires”. Herman Melville first came to the Berkshires as a young boy but was so inspired by the surroundings that he returned to live here for thirteen years during one of the most productive writing periods of his life. He finished his masterpiece, Moby-Dick, in his first year, seated in his study with a view of Mount Greylock. Here, he wandered on foot and horseback to all corners of the county, tapping into the Berkshires in his art. The places he explored are sprinkled through the pages in his stories. John Dickson, a volunteer guide both at Arrowhead and in the Berkshire woods, reveals the connections between Melville’s writing and the beauty of the landscape that inspired him. After the talk books will be available for purchase and signing.
David M. Hunt Library
63 Main St
Falls Village CT
Herman Melville in the Berkshires
2026 Annual Fundraising Social to benefit the work of Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals, Inc.
Honoring Chrissy Armstrong and Ben Nickoll
Sunday, June 7, 3 – 6 pm
Family Friendly! Music, Food & Fun all around.
South Farms, 21 Higbie Road, Morris, CT
2026 Welcome Summer Social Sponsor Information
Join us for Crafts and Cocktails on Friday, May 29th from 5:30-7:30 pm, where we will be creating an upcycled wreath from embroidery hoops and egg cartons. Drinks and small bites will be served. Participants are welcome to bring their own food and drink to enjoy themselves or to share. This program is for those 21 and older. Please register here. https://forms.gle/3wmAsLZWvLJYGKSY9
David M. Hunt Library
63 Main St
Falls Village CT
Crafts and Cocktails at the Library!
