What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in December

November 30, 2015December 2, 2015 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

December means heading warp speed into the holiday season. Take a break from the craziness with some of the free programs at Cheshire Library. Here’s a few of the things our calendar for December:

Jewelry Jam

Wednesday Dec 2, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Join us for an evening of fun, free jewelry making! The holidays are just around the corner…make a necklace for yourself and earrings as a gift..or keep them all! Seating is very limited and registration is required. Register online or call 203-272-2245 ext. 4.

Color Yourself Calm

Thursday Dec 3, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Our last program was such a success, we decided to do it every month! De-stress your busy life with a relaxing night of coloring. We’ll provide coloring pages and supplies, but feel free to bring your own pages, art supplies. Meets the first Thursday of every month, no registration required.

Yu-Gi-Oh: It’s Time to Duel!

Friday Dec 4, 2015, 2:30 – 4:30 PM

A Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game tournament here at CPL! Just bring your cards, and join in the fun! No registration required, Grades 7-12.

Read, Play & Learn Storytime

Sunday Dec 6, 2015, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

Join us for stories, songs, activities and play that promote the five best practices of Every Child Ready to Read — talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing — for developing language and pre-reading skills. This program will start with a storytime with books, songs, and rhymes followed by activities such as a writing or art station. The last hour of the program will be play based, with children given puppets, dress-up clothes, blocks and other toys to foster imaginative play! Best for ages 3-6, no registration required.

Marrow Donor Registry Drive

Monday Dec 7, 2015, 1:00 – 7:00 PM

As the holidays near, the library invites you to consider giving the greatest gift of all—life– by participating in the “Be the Match” bone marrow registration drive. A representative from “Be the Match” will be here to answer any questions and explain what the commitment involves. The age for potential donors is 18-44 years old. If you decide to participate, registration will take about 15 minutes, swabbing the inside of your cheeks with a Q-tip, and providing contact information. No blood or pain involved!
For thousands with blood cancers like leukemia or other diseases like sickle cell anemia, a marrow transplant is their only hope for life. If you have diverse ancestry, patients especially need you because they are most likely to match someone who shares their heritage.

Movie Matinees

Tuesdays at 1:00, no registration required.

Dec 8: Hitched for the Holidays

Dec 15: White Christmas

Dec 22: Miracle on 34th Street

Holiday Read-Aloud with the FEA

Thursday Dec 10, 2015, 3:30 PM

Come read with the Future Educators of America from Dodd Middle School for a special Holiday Storytime. We will be reading books, creating crafts, and snacks will be provided. Ages 3-6. Register online or call 203-272-2245 ext. 3.

Entywned Early Music presents a Renaissance Christmas

Sunday Dec 13, 2015, 2:00 PM

The Entwyned Early Music trio performs Renaissance settings of some of our most beloved Christmas carols, and a few charming surprises too. This historically informed performance with lutes, voice, Renaissance flutes, and viola da gamba, celebrates the season with sounds you won’t hear anywhere else. This concert is free and open to the public.

Cheshire Cats Classics Club

Monday Dec 14, 2015, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

The Cheshire Cats Classics Club meets once per month on a Monday evening, to discuss those classics you’ve always been meaning to read. This month we are discussing The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. Copies are available at the Checkout Desk.
There is limited seating for this event. For more information regarding this program, contact Jennifer Bartlett at jbartlett@cheshirelibrary.org.

Inside Out Blowout

Sunday Dec 20, 2015, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

Join us for a viewing of the newest Pixar film and fun activities. Children of all ages and their families welcome. No registration required!

‘Who Was’ Book Club: Who Was Walt Disney?

Wednesday Dec 30, 2015, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

If you love reading books from the ‘Who Was’ series, then this is the book club for you! This month we’ll be talking about the book Who Was Walt Disney? . Extra copies of the book are available in the Children’s Room. At the meeting, we’ll chat about what we discovered in the book and do some fun activities inspired by Walt Disney’s life. No registration required – all fans of the series are welcome!

Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party

Thursday Dec 31, 2015, 11:00 AM

Join us for dancing, singing, crafts and more as we count down to noon! Enjoy juice and cookies as we toast the New Year. All Ages, No registration required.

Mindfulness, Meditation, and More

November 2, 2015November 2, 2015 / Sharon Tyler / 1 Comment

Looking into ourselves using meditation and mindfulness is the big new trend. However, I know many people that use other things to center themselves and meditate. I know people who use yoga, running, cooking, painting, photography, gardening, knitting, or other endeavors. Anything can be meditation, if done in a way that makes you more aware of yourself and soothes you.

I crochet to meditate. There is something about the rhythm, the textures of the yarn, counting, and so on that help me center myself and slow my mind down after a busy day, or to get me ready to face a busy day. The simple act of using a hook to shape yarn to create something soothes me in a way that can only be matched with how lost I can get in a fantastic book or singing a song that I know so well I do not need to actually think about the notes or words anymore.

I have also tried traditional meditation and guided mindfulness exercises. While some have served to soothe and calm my mind, I much prefer using a tactile focus rather than sound or breathing based techniques. I think it is important for everyone to find a way to meditate; whether it with with the expected breathing and mental focus of meditation and mindfulness exercises, the rhythm of running or working with yarn, or the process of sifting flour and kneading dough for the perfect bread. There have been recent studies about how coloring is a wonderful form of meditation.

Here are some of the best books that have come my way that might come in handy if you are looking to learn about meditation, or to turn one of your favorite activities into a form of mediation or mindfulness.

How to Train a Wild Elephant: and Other Adventures in Mindfulness by Jan Chozen Bays

One Zentangle a Day: a 6-Week Course in Creative Drawing for Relaxation, Inspiration, and Fun by Beckah Krahula

Moving into Meditation: a 12-Week Mindfulness Program for Yoga Practitioners by Anne Cushman

The Mindful Mandala Coloring Book: Inspiring Designs for Contemplation, Meditation and Healing by Lisa Tenzin-Dolma

Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today’s Top Crocheters by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss

In Search of the Perfect Loaf: a Home Baker’s Odyssey by Samuel Fromartz

Turning the Mind into an Ally by Sakyong Mipham

Wherever you Go, There You are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Take a Deep Breath: the Haiku Way to Inner Peace by Sylvia Forges-Ryan, Edward Ryan

Meditation for Dummies by Stephen Bodian

If you would like a free class in mindfulness come to our Hypnosis Works! Hypnosis for Stress Reduction & Relaxation program on November 5th at 6:30pm.

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in November

October 30, 2015October 26, 2015 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Lots of things to be thankful for this month at Cheshire Public Library. We begin our Sunday hours (1-5) with a new free performance every week! Lots of other great programs on the calendar, as well. Here’s a sampling:

The Nutcracker by the Brass City Ballet

Sunday Nov 1, 2015, 3:00 PM

Where else but in the magical ballet, The Nutcracker, will you see Snowflakes drifting, Flowers waltzing, Mice & Soldiers battling, and Sugarplums dancing? Brass City Ballet brings excerpts of this classic Christmas tale to life with a shortened version of the beautiful classic. No registration required.

Genetic Genealogy

Monday Nov 2, 2015, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Certified Genealogist Nora Galvin will examine the use of DNA analysis by those researching their family history. This lecture will discuss the types of tests available, explain what can be learned from each test and identify the companies that offer the tests. There will be discussion of strategies for figuring out relationships based on DNA data. Seating for this event is limited. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4. This program is funded by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library.

Color Yourself Calm

Wednesday Nov 4, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

De-stress with a night of relaxing activities for adults. Drop in any time from 6pm to 8pm and enjoy coloring pages, soothing music, warm drinks, and other calming crafts. All the necessities will be provided, but feel free to bring your own favorite coloring books, coloring supplies, yarnwork, or other projects. This program will take place on the library’s Upper Level.

Hypnosis Works! Hypnosis for Stress Reduction and Relaxation

Thursday Nov 5, 2015, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Join James M. Vera, CH.t Certified hypnotist, for an evening of stress reduction and relaxation. Discover what hypnosis is and what hypnosis is not and experience a group relaxation session using mindfulness. Hypnosis can be used to help manage pain, reduce anxiety and stress, increase sports performance, improve scholastic performance, and control bad habits. Please register online.

It’s Time For Tea

Saturday Nov 7, 2015, 2:00 – 3:30 PM

Come join us for a presentation by R.C. Bigelow Tea on the history and benefits of tea. Bring a friend and your favorite tea cup for this fun event. A cup of tea and light refreshments will be served. Space is limited, please register early. Please register online or call 203-272-2245 ext.4.

The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe

Sunday Nov 8, 2015, 2:00 PM

Step with us through the door of an old wardrobe and enter a snowy world laced with fantasy and wonder. This delightful play is entertainment for the whole family, while still providing insight about the emotional climate of childhood during World War II. Additionally, the play uses elements of traditional English folklore, Greek mythology, and of course 20th century literature to educate the audience. No registration required.

Forensics

Thursday Nov 12, 2015, 6:30 PM

Are you curious about forensic science? crime scene investigations? blood pattern analysis? Join Peter Massey, Training Coordinator for the National Crime Scene Training and Technology Center at the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science at UNH for an evening of forensic science. Please register online or call 203-272-2245 ext.4.

Hard Tango Chamber Band

Sunday Nov 15, 2015, 2:00 PM

Experience tango as you’ve never heard it before as five members of JP Jofre HTCB – JP Jofre, bandoneon, Eric Silberger, violin, Amy Kang, cello, Chris Johnson, bass and Pablo Cafici, piano – come to Cheshire Public Library. No registration required.

Black Bears in Connecticut

Tuesday Nov 17, 2015, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Felicia Ortner, who’s been involved in bear research in Connecticut for 25 years, will describe the resurgence of this remarkable survivor that once was extinct here and is now rapidly increasing, numbering in the many hundreds of individuals. There are bear sightings throughout the year in Cheshire and surrounding towns. Ortner, a Connecticut Master Wildlife Conservationist and a bear enthusiast, provides education about bears and helps dispel misunderstandings. Please register online or call 203-272-2245 ext. 4.

Silk’n Sounds

Sunday Nov 22, 2015, 3:00 PM

Silk’n Sounds is the Greater New Haven’s premier women’s a cappella chorus. The chorus recently took 2nd place in the 2015 Harmony Inc. Area 2 Contest, qualifying to compete in the International Competition in November, and winning multiple awards. This concert is free and open to the public, no registration required.

Quilts of Valor

Tuesday Nov 24, 2015, 7:00 PM

The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts of valor. Please join us to learn more about the QOVF and to see and touch some beautiful quilts. Please register online or call 203-272-2245 ext. 4.

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in October

September 30, 2015September 16, 2015 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

October means falling leaves, picking pumpkins, and shopping for bargains at our Fall Booksale! Not to mention TONS of great programs for kids and adults:

ABC Amigos

Friday, Oct 2, 2015, 10:00 AM

Cheshire Public Library is proud to host ABC Amigos, a bilingual storytime to start teaching Spanish to toddlers and preschoolers. This storytime will be tons of fun with songs, games, activities and stories in both English and Spanish. No prior knowledge of Spanish is necessary. Ages 3-6, no registration required.

Drop-in Tech Help

Monday, Oct 5, 2015, 4:00 – 6:00 PM

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Do you have questions about your computer, smartphone, or iPad? Do you need help navigating Facebook or downloading an ebook? Let our tech gurus help! Bring your technology-related questions and curiosities to Cheshire Public Library’s Tech Open House. Our knowledgeable staff will be available to answer your questions and help solve your technology-related problems. No registration required. NOTE: If you are coming for assistance with your own electronic device, please be sure it is fully charged beforehand. In the event your question or issue is more involved, we may ask you to schedule an appointment and come back for one-on-one help.

Rick Riordan New Book Release Party

Tuesday, Oct 6, 2015, 6:30 -7:30 PM

Are you a fan of Rick Riordan’s book series, like Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus? Then this is the party for you! October 6th is the day that Rick Riordan releases the first book in a brand-new series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1: The Sword of Summer. We’ll have some fun Norse mythology activities and even a chance for a few lucky kids to win their very own copies of Riordan’s new book! No registration required. For ages 8 and up. [NOTE: We will be meeting upstairs on the 3rd floor of the library.]

Germans to America, 1683-1893

Tuesday, Oct 6, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

German Americans comprise the largest ancestry group in the U.S., having high rates of immigration to the U.S. beginning in the mid-1800s. Genealogist Penelope Hartzell will present an overview of German immigration, which began in 1683, and end in 1892, with the opening of Ellis Island. She will discuss pre-Ellis Island ports of entry, early German settlements before the American Revolution, online resources to access for transcriptions of German records, microfilms of German records in German, helpful online info about German research, and organizations to join. Penelope Hartzell has 20 years of research experience and is a member of numerous genealogical societies. Seating for this event is limited. Please register online at or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

Oktoberfest

Thursday, Oct 8, 2015, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

Join us on October 8th at 7 pm as we celebrate a mini-Oktoberfest! Local beer historian and author Will Siss leads a discussion of the history of beer in Connecticut and provides profiles for nearly all existing breweries. He will discuss his book Connecticut Beer : A History of Nutmeg State Brewing. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Registration is required. Come learn about the hoppy history of Connecticut! Please register online at or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

Social Security

Tuesday, Oct 13, 2015, 6:15 – 7:45 PM

The Cheshire Public Library presents a series of retirement planning workshops this Fall. The three topics are Social Security, Retirement Income Planning, and Long Term Care. Social Security will be the focus on Tuesday, October 13. After being told for years that Social Security is “going broke,” baby boomers are realizing that it will soon be their turn to collect. But the decisions they make now can have a tremendous impact on the total amount of benefits they stand to receive over their lifetime. Seating for this event is limited. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

Keep the Stress Out of Holiday Shopping With Coupons

Thursday, Oct 15, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

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Don’t stress about the holidays. Come learn how to save money with tips and tricks with coupons. Presented by Gina Juliano. Please register online or call 203-272-2245 ext. 4.

Book Sale Members Preview

Wednesday Oct 21, 2015, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

A preview sale for members of the Friends of the Library. Memberships will be for sale at the door, so you can join and then browse before the sale opens to the general public.

The Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale!

Thursday, October 22 – Sunday, October 25

This bi-annual used book sale, run by Friends of the Cheshire Library, raises money to pay for programming at Cheshire Public Library, among other things. All of the library’s programs are funded through the Friends, and the books sale is their biggest fundraiser. Come support the library and pick up some bargains in the process! See our event calendar for more info.

A Halloween Read-Aloud with the FEA

Thursday Oct 22, 2015, 3:30 – 4:15 PM

Come read with the Future Educators of America from Dodd Middle School!
Dress up in Halloween colors to get into the spirit! We will be reading books, creating crafts, and snacks will be provided. This program will meet on the 3rd floor of the library. Please register online.

Howlarious Halloween Show with Mary Jo Maichack, Storyteller

Monday Oct 26, 2015, 6:00 PM

A guaranteed hoot and a holler, this show of classic ghost stories, songs & jokes will make you jump, giggle & groan like a coffin lid. Once you hear Mary Jo’s opening version of e.e. cummings’s “hist whist,” you’ll understand why MJ has become known for the spookiest, eeriest, snort-your-candy-corn-in-the dark funniest set of Halloween fun. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Retirement Income Planning

Tuesday Oct 27, 2015, 6:15 PM – 7:45 PM

With recent reductions and eliminations in pension plans, an uncertain future for social security, and the shift towards employee-directed retirement plans, the need to plan for your own retirement has never been greater. This class is geared for people within 5 years of retirement to help them determine when they can retire and how to make the most of what they’ve saved. Seating for this event is limited. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

Honest Conversations with Muslim Neighbors

Wednesday Oct 28, 2015, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

CCIU – CT Council for Interreligous Understanding, the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, and Hartford Seminary are co-sponsoring a series of conversations throughout Connecticut to inform the public about the American-Muslim experience and to discuss some of the concerns about that community raised by the broader American public since 9/11. Four Muslim neighbors will informally share some of their experiences and respond to questions involving customs, politics, and perspectives on other monotheistic faiths. American Muslims do not have all the answers, but guests will respond out of their own experiences, raising issues that concern all Americans.

Halloween Storytime and Parade

2 sessions:

Thursday Oct 29, 2015, at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM

Join Miss Nicole and her friends for a Halloween Storytime and Parade in the library! We’ll read some stories and then go trick-or-treating around the library!
Be sure to wear your costume! For ages 8 and under. Registration online starting on October 1st.

Son Risen – Books about Children With Autism

August 26, 2015August 22, 2015 / Susan O. / Leave a comment

Barry Neil Kaufman’s son Raun was born in 1973, only to be diagnosed with severe autism by the age of one and a half. Refusing to believe the prognosis, the Kaufmans spent hours observing their son, and created their own special program for him long before anyone beyond Lovaas and Bettleheim were making any attempt to teach autistics. Three years later, their son showed no symptoms of autism, not even Aspergers. They named their program the Son-Rise Program, now taught at their foundation, the Autism Treatment Center of America in Sheffield, Mass. You can read their incredible story in Kaufman’s book Son-Rise, or the newer version, Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues, which includes the development of their foundation and follows Raun when he’s older. I warn you, however, the newer version gets a little heavy in the New-Agey/Hippie feel.

To prove that you didn’t need to start with an infant to get results, Kaufman also wrote up his work with a five-year old boy named Robertito, in the book A Miracle to Believe In. Again, Kaufman’s methods produced a child who came back from the depths of Autism to be a happy, intelligent, socially-adjusted verbal child.

Now Raun Kaufman himself, the director of Global Outreach for the ATCA, has written Autism Breakthrough, a book that details the process the Son-Rise program uses, so you can try it yourself. The basis for the program goes against modern practices – and Kaufman’s explanations make very good sense. In short, autism is a disorder of social-relational behavior; if you can’t fix that, then all the educational training in the world isn’t going to help. The program focuses intensively on connecting with the child by entering their world, and then drawing them out into yours. Once you have social interaction and communication, then education can fall into place easily and logically.

While I am a Kaufman guru – I’ve used many of their methods with a number of “throwaway” kids and made connections like no one else – there are places we’ll have to agree to disagree. Diet is one of them. If your child’s autism is cured by diet, then chances are it wasn’t autism to start with. While organic diets are wholesome and ideal for everyone, I do not recommend “assuming” your child has a difficulty with a food just because someone said so. I do not recommend filling your child with probiotics or supplements unless a doctor has proven there is a serious deficiency. Too much of the wrong thing can be just as bad as a lack of something, and certain vitamins can be toxic in large doses. He doesn’t mention honest-to-goodness physical issues, such as brain disorders, genetic issues (such as Rett’s or Fragile X, often lumped with autism), or seizure disorders. While he does mention that you should not allow your child to do anything unsafe, he makes no attempt to give guidance to parents whose children are severely hyperactive, sleepless, or self-injurious. It’s wonderful, it works, but he glosses over the amount of time it takes to make the program work and have even the most minimal semblance of a life. His own “cure” took a team of people working almost around the clock for more than three years. Most people can’t do that.

On the opposite side of the spectrum (no pun intended), hunt down A Child Called Noah, by Josh Greenfeld. Greenfeld’s son Noah was born in 1966, just a few years before Raun Kaufman. Noah was also born severely autistic, and his story is much more typical. His father, a screenwriter, documented their family struggles through three volumes, and the other year his brother, Karl Greenfeld, wrote Boy Alone: A Brother’s Memoir, on what it’s like to live in the shadow of an autistic sibling. What he chronicles is much more typical of a family with extreme autism. If your child is not or will not be a miracle, the Greenfelds will let you know you are not alone.

Soak yourself in the Kaufman’s program (he does have a chapter just for dealing with Aspergers). Of all the programs out there, this is one I can stand behind, but like everything else, take it with a grain of salt. Critics complain it is not possible to scientifically measure the program, therefore no aspect of it can be considered valid, others complain it is still a gentle teaching/ABA program under a different name; other parents have not seen such miracle results. Nothing is perfect, nothing works all of the time. But in the land of Autism, even a thirty-percent increase in functional ability is a landmark indeed.