We’ve got a touch of Spring Fever this month, with programs about gardening and birdwatching on the calendar, along with several authors joining us to talk about their books. And don’t forget Take + Make projects for all ages. Sign up early to reserve your spots!
April Teen Volunteering Challenges
Earn community service hours by submitting a photo, video, or other content that may be added to CPL’s social media pages! Each submission will be awarded 2 community service hours. April’s challenges include:
- Art: Now that the weather is getting nicer, draw something in your backyard.
- Writing: Write a story, poem, or essay about April showers. Do they really bring May flowers?
- Food: April 12th is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, so cook up some cheesy goodness to share with your friends or family.
- Reading: Celebrate National Siblings Day on April 10 by reading a book about siblings. Share the story with your own sibling if you have one!
- More Reading: Think of a skill or hobby you’d like to learn or get better at. Find a nonfiction book with information or how-tos.
- Even More Reading: Think of your favorite movies. Find out if any of them were books first and, if so, read the book!
If you participate in the challenges, earn community service credit by submitting your creations so we can share them on our social media pages.
Book Buzz Teen Book Club: Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel
All month long
This month we are going to read Long Way Down: the Graphic Novel by Kate Moore. Register starting April 1 to pick up your copy of the book in the Children’s Room, then join us on our Google Classroom page to share and hear our different points of view about the book! (This book discussion group will be available all month -and beyond- and you can interact with us and post your thoughts any time that’s convenient for you.) For grades 6-12.
Take + Make Kits for kids & teens
- Week of April 5: Magic Kit (Grades 2-8)
- Week of April 12: Owl Pellet Dissection (Grades 6-12
- Week of April 19: Pipe Cleaner Constellations (Grades 1-6)
- Week of April 26: Finger Knitting (Grades K-6)
Make something at your own pace this week with a Take + Make kit! We have kits for kids in every age group this month, and registration is required to pick up a kit in the Children’s Room each week. We have a limited number of materials and the kits get reserved very quickly, so please register early and limit to one kit per child.
Good Looking: how to get better views of birds
Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 2:00 – 3:30pm
This program will focus on “Fieldcraft”, the field practices and specialist skills for observing birds at close range. Techniques intended to advance birding proficiency and get those killer views will be revealed with the goal of raising gratification and lowering frustration that can accompany our favorite pursuit. Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
Stunning Spring Perennials
Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 2:00 – 3:30pm
Whether you garden in sun or shade, there are lovely spring perennials that will add colorful flowers and interesting foliage to the early season garden. Master Gardener Joan Butler will tall about some favorites with and how to combine them for best effect in your garden. Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
Paint Night for Teens
Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Follow along with instructor, Pamela Halligan, of Pam’s Picassos as she walks you through creating your own masterpiece. For this virtual class, we will be painting a sunflower. For teens in grades 6-12. The library will provide all the materials you need, but supplies are limited.. Each teen must register in advance to pick up their supplies during open library hours.
Author Talk: Kupanda and Being Brave in the Attempt
Saturday, April 10, 2021, 1:30 – 2:30pm
David Maliar, a Cheshire Police Officer, has written a book about his quest to raise awareness and much needed funds for the Special Olympics athletes, by conquering the tallest mountain in Africa. Please join us as the author talks about his experiences climbing the mountain, his book and the Special Olympics. Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
Cat Tales Writers Group
Monday, April 12, 2021, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Join us virtually for an open writing group that can help answer your questions on writing, editing, grammar, and publishing. Read a selection of your work to the group for general constructive feedback, or discuss a book you’ve read that might help someone else. Join us once, join us every month! Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
Broadway Tails With Bill Berlioni
Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 2:00 – 3:00pm
For more than 30 years, animal stage trainer Bill Berlioni has been rescuing animals and making them stars! The only trainer to ever receive a Tony Award, Bill is currently the director of Animal Behavior at the Humane Society of New York. Come hear Berlioni’s tales as he shares stories of his latest book Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Superstars. Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
Cartooning Workshop: Superheroes
Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 4:30 – 5:30pm
Award winning cartoonist and humorous illustrator, Rick Stromoski, will teach you how to create your own cartoon superheroes! All you will need is a stack of paper and something to draw with. For children and teens in grades 3-8. Please register once per family and you will receive a Zoom meeting link 1 hour prior to the program start time.
Poetry Matters
Wednesday, April 14, 2021T, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Pat Mottola, President of the Connecticut Poetry Society and Aspiring Cheshire Poet Laureate, invites you to spend an evening with poetry and learn how it changes lives. Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
Cut the Cord
Saturday, April 17, 2021, 3:00 – 4:30pm
Back by popular demand, James Gifford returns to show you how to get out of a cable service agreement, find and negotiate the best internet/broadband access deal, and get started with streaming services for a vast range of entertainment options… many of which are free! Due to the popularity of this program and limited capacity, registration will begin two weeks before the program.
Adult Take & Make Paint Night
Monday, April 19, 2021, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Follow along with instructor Pamela Halligan of Pam’s Picassos online as she walks you through the steps of creating your own masterpiece. You must be registered in advance for the program in order to pick up a paint kit, which will be available for pickup on April 14 from 1-7 and April 15 from 10-4. Please make sure you can attend (and pick up kit) BEFORE you register. A link to the program will be sent the day of the program. Please note this program is intended for adults.
Insomnia Affects your Overall Health
Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 3:00 – 4:30pm
Join Health and Wellness Coach Cynthia Griffin and learn why insomnia, inflammation and unstable weight can be related. You will be introduced to healthy natural practices that will align you with the circadian rhythms of nature, and learn how food can affect our sleep and the way we feel in our bodies. Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
Earbud Holders and Wrapped Earbuds (Teen Take + Make tutorial)
Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 6:00 – 6:45pm
Create a fun earbud holder out of a metal tin using scrapbook paper and washi tape, and embroidery thread. Register in advance to pick up a Take + Make kit with supplies for the craft any time during open library hours the week of April 12, 2021, then join us on April 21 for the tutorial!
Stories from a Peace Corps Volunteer in Libya
Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Randy Hobler served in the Peace Corps in Libya in 1968 and 1969. When he set out to write a book about his experiences he decided the book should include the stories of some of the other volunteers who also served in Libya. Eventually, Randy tracked down 101 of his fellow volunteers. His new book, 101 Arabian tales : how we all persevered on Peace Corps Libya is a collective memoir of these volunteers. Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
Virtual Trivia Night
Monday, April 26, 2021, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Come by yourself or bring your friends! ! Test your knowledge from general categories, including pop culture, current events, history, music, and of course, literature. Please register once per home computer for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
Designing a Sunny Perennial Border
Tuesday, April 27, 2021, 2:00 – 3:30pm
Learn about plant layering, new and reliable perennials, companion plants and design techniques that will make your garden POP with Jana Milbocker of Enchanted Gardens. Please register once per home computer for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
Books Over Coffee: News of the World
Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Want to engage in great discussions about books? Meet new people? Join us for an adult monthly book club program called Books Over Coffee. This month’s book is News of the World by Paulette Jiles. We will meet over Zoom, please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
Science Comics: The Digestive System
Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 4:00 – 4:45pm
Join Massachusetts-based graphic novel writer, Jason Viola, for a behind-the-scenes look at how a comic is made and learn about some of the decisions that go into the construction of a professional comic book page! Jason will also discuss his newest book, Science Comics: The Digestive System. Participants will receive a free copy of the book to keep! For ages 7-12. Please register for this virtual event and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting 1 hour prior to the start of the program.
I’m no gardener. Sure, I have flowers all over my yard, I grow enough vegetables to bother canning, but I consider that a miracle of nature, not anything I do. I throw some plants in the ground, and if they’re lucky I remember to water them in the heat of summer. If they’re REALLY lucky, I may actually fertilize them. The only thing I try hard to remember to keep fertilized is my tulips, because my soil is two steps shy of toxic, and tulips like sunlight and fertilizer, and my tulips are spectacular (my soil is so bad that the only reason my flowers look good is because in our second year, we scraped away all the soil and replaced it with 5 cubic yards of new soil. Move away from the new soil, and the plants don’t do well).
gardens will outdo themselves (Not likely. I planted 150 croci, and 8 survived). I pour over the catalogs and dream of a yard landscaped out of a high-end advertisement, wanting to buy 50 of those beautiful flowering plants, only to sigh when the ad says they cost $30. A plant.
I prefer to purchase my seedlings from local nurseries – they have a much better shot at living – but I dutifully fill a tray or two of seeds with the kids in late winter, hoping to inspire a love of nature, and maybe a greener thumb. It doesn’t take much – a $2 packet of carrot seeds, a glass container, and you can watch roots grow as well as green leaves. Sadly, planting seeds and watching them grow doesn’t always inspire kids to eat that vegetable. Plants can be started in egg cartons, yogurt cups, red Solo cups, even eggshells – seeds, as you can tell from the cracks of pavement, aren’t fussy on where they sprout, though you may have to move them to a bigger cup if you’re using eggshells. If nothing else, it gives the kids something to do on a dreary day.
cheapskate in me says plant seeds for the most expensive plants you want to grow, but that doesn’t mean the seeds will take. I’ve planted enough catnip seeds for a jungle, and just five plants finally grew – outside, not in a pot. I could mention morning glories, but morning glories are a lifetime commitment; they can be invasive, and even if you plant them only once, you might be yanking up sprouts for the next 10 years. These are some of the best seeds to grow with kids, and some books to help you once they’re past their leafy infancy. Give it a try!
High-Yield Vegetable Gardening
atoes
A Page Full of Freebies
Community Service in a Virtual World
Get WOWed by Our Newest Books and Dvds
No Printer? No Problem!
Something Fun for Our Youngest Patrons
Entertainment and Information in the Video Age
I used to enjoy cooking and baking once, but life happened (as it does), and over the years it evolved from a fun hobby into a chore. I’ve bounced back from my low point of lockdown-era frozen buffalo chicken strips, but cooking is still not something that brings me joy. Even when I try new recipes. No, especially when I try new recipes. There’s too much thinking, too many variables, not enough autopilot. I groan whenever my produce subscription boxes send me yet another unidentifiable root vegetable that requires a consultation with the internet. And if a new recipe starts going sideways – I’m looking at you, butternut squash gnocchi that I made for Christmas – I tend to season the cooking process with a heaping spoonful of expletives.
Celebrating 80 Years of Nachos, this book introduces young readers to Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya and tells the true story of how he invented the world’s most beloved snack in a moment of culinary inspiration.
Were you glued to your screen on Feb. 18, 2021, when NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover made its final descent to the Mars? This is the first rover mission designed to seek signs of past microbial life. Earlier rovers first focused on and confirmed that Mars once had habitable conditions. The 
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