Derby Neck to host writers' workshop, women's forum, tech talk

Photo taken from library website

DERBY - The Derby Neck Library invites all teen and adult authors to Writers’ Round at 6:30 p.m. July 17.  

This is a workshop to share and discuss each others' original works, including poems, scripts, fiction, and more.
Writing prompts are given to help focus your creativity. 

Women's Forum

The Library hosts Women’s Forum at 12:30 p.m. July 21. 
Bring a light lunch and enjoy free coffee and tea.  This month we discuss two short stories—“Fly” by Isaac Asimov and “Verona” by Harold Brodkey.
Free copies of both are available at the Library. 

Tech Talks

Tech Talks now meets at two different times each month. From 6:30 -7:30 p.m. July 14 we present the latest in technological advances and how to best use them to your advantage.  The same talk will be presented from 10:30-11:30 a.m. July 16.

 The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave. For information on any program call 203-734-1492.


This is a press release from Patricia Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.

Derby Neck Library offers games, history talk, music, more

Ancient games
DERBY - Ancient Games will be offered at 6 p.m. March 4 at Derby Neck Library.

This is a new club that features the lessons and equipment needed to learn some of the earliest of gaming—Mahjong, Chess, Go, Mancala, and Parchisi are featured.

These games will be taught in progression, so that attendees can learn new skills and advance to more strategically skilled games.

Photo taken from library website

No previous experience is needed for you to participate.
Bring a friend and enjoy free instructions.
No registration is required.  

Music and movement
Join Miss Kathi at 6:30 p.m. March 5 for Bedtime Music and Movement. Come in your pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed animal to sing and dance under our indoor stars.
No registration is needed.

Indian Wars talk

At 6:30 p.m. March 6 welcome back Prof. David Koch from Housatonic Community College for another engaging and informative talk on American history.
Join us to learn about Indian Wars in Connecticut.

Koch will describe how these wars affected our earliest state settlers.  His focus will be on the King Philip’s War and the Pequot-Mohegan War, including a fierce battle in Fairfield in 1637 that determined the outcome of the latter tribal conflict.

Bring your questions and comments and engage in a stimulating discussion. No registration is necessary.  Free refreshments.

Writers' Round

Writers’ Round meets twice each month.  Join us at 6:30 p.m.  March 11 for a write-in.  Share a time and space with other authors—we have wi-fi and print capability in the library.
Authors of all genres are invited—poetry, scripts, prose, fiction, and the like.

On March 20 join us once more at 6:30 p.m. for a workshop to share your original works with fellow writers for comments and suggestions. 

Women's Forum

On Mon. March 17 at 12:30 p.m. hosts Women’s Forum, a monthly discussion group that focuses on topics on literature, history, and the arts that are pertinent to women.  This is a luncheon group, so you are invited to bring a light repast.  Free coffee and tea are served.
This month we honor St. Patrick’s Day by discussing Irish poetry, legends, wit, and more.  Bring your ideas. Moderator Patricia Sweeney of the library staff will bring in some relevant materials.

Movie, pizza

All teens and tweens are invited to enjoy the movie “Catching Fire” from the Hunger Games books at 5:30  p.m. March 18.
The film is in high definition blu-ray on a large screen.  Free pizza will also be served.
Bring a friend or two, but remember you must register in advance.

Tech Talks

Tech Talks, a monthly free program, will be held at 10:30 a.m. March 19.  This month we explain how to do scanning and basic photo editing.
You will leave with the knowledge to use a digital scanner and photo editing software allowing you to archive home photos, family documents, and more.  Also, bring your questions for our presenting staffer.

Teen Game Day

From 5-7 p.m. March 27 the library hosts Teen Game Day.  All teens and tweens are invited to enjoy our wi-fi u console and challenge the skills of their friends.
Also available will be board games, dice, and card games—and refreshments. This is a new program that will be recurring in upcoming months. No registration is required.

To register or for information on any program call 203-734-1492. The library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.


This is a press release from Patricia Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.

TEAM in Derby uses technology to reinforce math, reading

Preschoolers learn computer skills at TEAM Early Education. / Contributed photo

DERBY - The generosity of Pitney Bowes provided a seven-week enrichment program of computer-assisted learning for area students.

Preschool children learned technology skills with a laptop and tablet, and participated in activities that reinforced math and reading readiness skills.

In each weekly class four children met with an instructor, for a 30-minute lesson. More than 220 children benefited from the program.

“The students greatly enjoyed their Friday computer lessons and learning about all the different countries. Many of the children can now navigate our computer with greater ease because of the skills they learned,” teachers of TEAM Early Education reported.

Skills assessed
Students were assessed on their cultural and language skills in identifying numbers, colors and vocabulary in both English and Spanish.
They were also assessed on technology hardware vocabulary and basic skills in manipulating the mouse, touch screen and keyboard. 

“This Computer Tots program established computer skills that the children will use for the rest of their lives. We are very proud of this initiative to improve the school readiness skills for each student and the progress they made during the seven week program,” said David Morgan, TEAM Vice President of Early Education.

Technology lesson taught at TEAM Early Education. / Contributed photo

This post is taken from a press release from TEAM, Inc. in Derby.

Genealogy, technology topics of programs planned at Derby Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host Introduction to Genealogy: Do You Know

Where Your Ancestors Are? at 6:30 p.m. July 15.
          This beginner’s journey into the past will be presented by Carol R. Whitmer, professional genealogist from the Connecticut Historical Society.
          Topics covered will include how to get started, best research practices, electronic resources, and collecting and preserving your family

history.
         Registration is requested. 

 Tech Time 

 The Library will hold Tech Time sessions at 10 a.m. every third Tuesday of the month and at 6:30 p.m. every third Wednesday of the month.
There will be a variety of topics covered on a revolving basis. On July 16 and July 17 the topic will be Basic Computer Skills.  

This introductory class will cover computer hardware,

Windows, internet searching and e-mail.

           Topics for future months include information databases, e-readers and other timely subjects.  It is the intention of these sessions to help patrons keep up with the ever-changing world of technology.
          
           No reservations are accepted and there is a seven-seat limit per class.
           For information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.    

This post is taken from a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

Seymour 2nd graders meet 'e-pals' in Texas

Video conference brings students together at Bungay School

Second grader Brandon Burns, standing, talks to second graders in Hewitt, Texas during a video conference in Jaclyn Freddino's classroom at Bungay School in Seymour. 

SEYMOUR - I happened upon a "virtual field trip" at Bungay Elementary School last week and the students seemed to be having a great time.

Not only was it clearly fun, it was educational for them to meet the students with whom they have been corresponding via e-mail for the past few months.

I never dreamed of talking to and seeing my faraway pen pals when I was a child, or even when my own children were in elementary school.
What a difference a "few" years makes.

Technology has changed everything. But is it for the better?

Hard to say.

Origami lesson, Tech Talks on tap at Derby Neck

Library lists April activities

Music and Movement
DERBY - Bring your little ones to Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave. for Bedtime Music and Movement with Miss Kathi at 6:30 p.m. April 10.
Wear pajamas if you wish and bring along a favorite stuffed animal to sing and dance with.  No registration is required.

Chiropractic care

Learn of the benefits of Chiropractic Care at 6:30 p.m. April 11.
A licensed doctor will present all the aspects of good health resulting from regular chiropractic sessions.  Bring questions for the doctor. 

Video game tournament

Teens and tweens are invited to a video game tournament featuring Mario Kart on Wii at 2 p.m. April 16. Bring your skills and bring your friends for a fun afternoon. Prizes will be awarded to winners,  and there are free refreshments. No registration is required.

Read to therapy dogs

Youngsters are invited to read to therapy dog Jake from 3-4 p.m. April 14. Call ahead to register your child for a 15-minute session of reading.
From 6-7 p.m. April 17 Thor and Cosmo will be the featured dogs, and from 3-4 p.m. April 28 Grant will be the dog visiting the library.

Women's Forum

Women’s Forum, a monthly discussion group that focuses on women in the arts, politics, literature, history, and the like will be held 12:30-1:30 p.m. April 15.

This session will focus on two women writers of short stories set in Maine, Ruth Moore and Virginia Chase.
Free copies of their two stories are available at the library.  Bring a light lunch; coffee and tea are provided for free.

Learn the art of origami

Children are invited for a free origami craft at 11 a.m. April 16.  Learn the Oriental art of paper folding. All  the skills taught in this program are suitable for children’s abilities.  Call ahead to register.

Tech Talks

Tech Talks, a monthly program explaining technology issues and uses for beginners will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m. April 17.
This month we focus on the important issue of Internet Security, so bring your questions please.  Registration is required.

Writer's Round

Writer’s Round meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 18.
This group works on its writing skills and evaluates each others’ pieces. All types of writing are welcomed: essays, fiction, on-line, poetry, and the like.

Current Events Club

Join us at 6:30 p.m. April 23 for a Current Events Club and discuss the news including the arts, politics, medicine, finance, and the like.
All are welcome to bring their ideas and opinions.


For information or to register for any of the above programs call the library, 203-734-1492.

From women's issues to technology, Derby Neck offers variety of programs

DERBY - The Women’s Forum will meet 12:30-1:30 p.m. March 18 at Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave.
This monthly discussion group focuses on literature, history, the news, and more in exploring women’s lives.
March will feature women’s history as found in recipes, household hints, and etiquette from various eras.
Participants are invited to bring a light lunch; the library will serve free coffee and tea.

Teen Movie Night

At  6 p.m. March 19 the Library will host Teen Movie Night. Bring your friends to enjoy a blu-ray/big screen showing of a comedy “Wreck-it-Ralph.”
Tweens are also invited. Pizza and other refreshments will be served for free.

Tech Talks
From 10:30-11:30 a.m. March 20 the library begins a series of presentations by the staff called Tech Talks.
Join us to be informed of the latest ideas coming from the technology we encounter in our everyday lives. Our first presentation is on e-mail - how to use it most effectively and problem areas to avoid, such as choosing a password. The basics of setting up an account for the first time will be included.

Writers' Round

At 6:30 p.m. March 21 the Writers’ Round will meet. This is a workshop sessions for writers of all genres—poetry, fiction, scriptwriting, etc.

Bring your original works to share, or just join in to get your creativity flowing.

Current Events Club

At 6:30 p.m. March 26 the library will offer Current Events Club, a group that meets monthly to discuss the news—including the arts, finance, politics, and more. It's an interesting way to hear what is happening, what it means, and to share your own ideas.

'Health Matters'

At 6:30 p.m. March 27 the library will present another talk in the series "Health Matters.”  Our speakers are provided by the Valley Parish Nurses and Griffin Hospital. These experts share their knowledge with you and take your questions.

This month’s talk is on how to evaluate the risk of falling and avoid it.

For information on any of the above programs call 203-734-1492.

When it rains it does indeed pour

I was unable to post here yesterday because some gremlin playing an early Halloween trick thought it would be funny to take away our Internet, TV, and phone connection.

I wasn't laughing.  I couldn't file a story, check or send e-mail, check Facebook messages, or post here on the blog.
I felt like the proverbial fish out of water.

I wasn't laughing.

I'm typing this at a friend's house. He had to pick me up, because my car decided to expire yesterday afternoon. I was a half-mile from home and smoke started to come out from under the hood. So I stopped, parked, and jumped out of the vehicle. Fortunately I have AAA service, and so the car was towed.

I wasn't laughing.

Are you sensing a pattern here?

The cable company customer service person said if our service doesn't return, someone would be out between 1 and 3 p.m. today.

But as you might guess, I have plans at 1 p.m. I made an appointment for an interview. My husband is available today to drive me to the interview, but then no one would be home to greet the cable guy.

I'm not laughing. 

And I've yet to call the service station about my poor little car. I really don't want to hear any bad news right now.

I'm not laughing.