Adult Events

The Oliver Wolcott Library offers a wide range of programming for adults, from continuing series like Monday Scholars,
to lectures, book discussions, and author talks. All events are free and open to all.

Continue your journey of lifelong learning with us!

 

January Events:

 

Washcloth Teddies

*while supplies last

Now that we've reached winter, these snuggly washcloth bears are ready to hibernate. Stop by OWL to pick up all the supplies you'll need to make your very own washcloth teddy. Keep your teddy warm and cozy in your home all through the snowy winter months!

 

 

 

Goths, Gargoyles & God: The Building of Europe's Magnificent Cathedrals; 1000 AD to 1500 AD

Zoom Participants:  Zoom Link - click here on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 1:00 PM

In 1000 A.D., European churches were small, thick-walled, dark, and dreary. Under 200 years later, they were breathtaking architectural wonders, rising more than 200 feet and lit by stained glass windows the size of tennis courts. In an illustrated tour from the first Gothic Cathedral in St. Denis, Paris, to the glorious cathedrals of Ely, Durham, Chartres, and, Monet’s favorite, Rouen, Dr. Benfield will explain what happened to make this frenzy of church building so possible, so marked, and so spectacular.

Dr. Richard Benfield is a retired University Professor specializing in European architectural history, environmental Issues, our National Parks and biogeography and particularly snow leopards and botanic gardens. 

 

 

Non-Fiction Discussion Group

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Thursday, January 9

Meeting will be held in the Library's Jamie Gagarin Community Room.

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond

In the U.S., one in eight children go without basic necessities, some citizens live and die on the streets, and some corporations pay poverty wages. The author, a sociologist, shows how affluent Americans knowingly and unknowingly keep poor people poor. This book gives us new ways of thinking about a morally urgent problem, calling on us all to become poverty abolitionists. Moderated by Corinne 

 

 

 

Fiction Discussion Group

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Thursday, January 9

Fiction Group: 3:30 pm 

Meeting will be held in the Library's Jamie Gagarin Community Room.

If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio

This is an unorthodox take on rivalry, friendship, and truth. Seven young Shakespearean actors and friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingénue, extras. But good-natured rivalries turn ugly, and real violence invades the world of make-believe. The actors find themselves facing their very
own tragedy, and their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, each other, and themselves that they are innocent. Moderated by Olivia 

 

 

 

Capturing Modernism - Over 20 Years Documenting Architecture on Film

Zoom Participants:  Zoom Link - click here on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 PM

Film Director Jake Gorst has been producing documentaries about 20th century modern architecture for the past two decades. Hear “behind the scenes” accounts – from his first project discussing Long Island’s famed Leisurama houses in Montauk, to the 2-part biography on California’s Albert Frey, as well as his most recent New England historical perspective “New England Modernism”, and everything in-between.

Jake Gorst has spent the past two decades researching and documenting mid-century modern architecture, including the work of his grandfather, architectural designer Andrew Geller, in print and film. Gorst is an Emmy(R) award winning documentary filmmaker and the director of Mainspring Pictures Ltd. Recent films directed by Gorst include Modern Tide: Midcentury Architecture on Long Island (2012, Design Onscreen), William Krisel, Architect (2010, Design Onscreen), Journeyman Architect: The Life and Work of Donald Wexler (2009, Design Onscreen) and Desert Utopia: Mid-Century Architecture in Palm Springs (2006, Design Onscreen). His films Farmboy (2006, Jonamac Productions), and Leisurama (2005, Jonamac Productions), have been in national U.S. public television distribution. Gorst has also a contributing writer to VOX Hamptons, HOME Miami and Modernism magazines.

 

 

Armchair Travel to Argentina & Chile - with Nancy & Ed Schuler

In-Person Registration: Click here to attend in-person on Jan. 22

Join Nancy and Ed Schuler as they take you to South America. 

Travel from Buenos Aires, Argentina to the vineyards of Mendoza.  Mendoza is known for its Malbec wine. Cross the longest mountain range in the world, the Andes at 10,000 feet, to beautiful Santiago, Chile.  Learn about the once lost Carmenere grape from Europe and how the Chilean vineyards brought it back to life.

 

 

 

Both Sides of the Equator with The Joe Carter Samba Rio Trio

Zoom Participants:  Zoom Link - click here on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 PM

“His show is a gift to those who, tired of noise, want to listen to music played in a sensitive and intelligent way.”
- Chico Nelson, Jornal Do Brasil, Brazil

“One can feel that Joe Carter plays only to create beauty.” - Francois Postiff, France


The Joe Carter Samba Rio Trio, led by guitarist Joe Carter, celebrates the music of Brazil – Samba, Bossa Nova, Choro, Baiao and more. Their repertoire features songs by Brazil’s classic composers such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Moacir Santos, Jacob do Bandolim, Luiz Bonfa, Pixinguinha, Baden Powell, Ary Barroso and others.  The Trio takes things a step further by using their Jazz backgrounds to add Jazz improvisation into the tunes, creating a sound known as Samba Jazz, a sound that blends the best of both worlds. In other words:  the best of Music from “Both Sides of the Equator”.

Joe Carter (guitar) is currently the Director of the Academic Music Program at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Joe has performed, taught, recorded and, occasionally, lived in Brazil.  He has recorded and performed with Jazz artists such as Art Farmer, Lee Koniz, and Cecil Payne. This, combined with performances and teaching in other places around the world - India, Germany, France - have helped him to form a sound and style based in “Samba Jazz”, a style that combines the improvisational nature of North American Jazz with the lyrical and rhythmical aspects of Brazilian Bossa Nova, Samba, Choro, Baiao and MPB.


Jeff Fuller (bass) has toured worldwide and recorded with saxophonists Lou Donaldson and Paquito D’Rivera.  He has played with jazz masters from all styles and eras including such diverse artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Mose Allison, “Papa” Jo Jones, Gerry Mulligan, and Clark Terry.  In 2014, he was presented with the annual Jazz Haven Award, “For all you have done in presenting and preserving the culture and music of jazz”


Jerrod Cattey (drums) holds his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from Western Connecticut State University. While attending WCSU he was the two-time recipient of the James Furman Award, which is presented to the student who best exemplifies the highest level of musical performance ability, scholastic standing, and contributions to the music department. He has studied drum set with Jeff Siegel, Dom Famularo, and Justin Foley, as well as classical percussion with Dave Smith and Brazilian percussion with José Mauricio de Faria and Daniel Oliveira.

 

 

Monday Scholars: The History of the U.S. Navy from its Origins through the Korean War

ZOOM LINK: Click here at 1 PM Mondays beginning Nov. 18 to zoom to this program.

Monday Scholars combines the best of online learning and engaging discussion!

Join us for the full 9-weeks or drop in to explore your favorite topics. Each week, we will watch two lectures together and then engage in lively conversation afterwards. The conversation will be facilitated by OWL's Caroline Ugurlu. 

The story of the United States Navy offers essential perspectives on how the United States came to be, the unfolding of its history, the experiment of American democracy, and the nation’s transformation into a global superpower. Beyond all of this, the history of the US Navy is a spellbinding and deeply poignant human story—a chronicle of extraordinary commitment, ingenuity, valor, sacrifice, and patriotism, spanning the 250 years of its existence.

Your guide is Professor Craig L. Symonds of the US Naval Academy, a celebrated maritime historian who brings to the table astonishingly detailed and far-reaching knowledge of US naval history, coupled with a flair for engrossing storytelling.

Click here to read more about this series.

 

 

Move Your Mind; Move Your Body

Zoom Participants:  Zoom Link - click here on Tuesdays at 10:15 am to Zoom to the Event.

* No class January 7 & 14

Note: This Class is designed for senior women.

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2021 to 2030 The Decade For Healthy Ageing. The OWL has always been committed to expanding minds and now we would like to help our community expand their physical strength. 

Join Nancy Schuler in this exercise class for senior women. You can attend the class in person, here at the OWL, or online in the privacy of your home. The class features stretching and exercises that can be done in a chair or standing, and lifting of 1 or 2 lb. weights. All exercises are gentle and easy to understand. Exercise has been proven to help one's cognitive abilities, blood pressure, insomnia, digestive issues, depression, strength and independence. The Alzheimer's, Diabetes and Heart Associations all recommend exercise for healthy ageing.

No prior experience is necessary. Bring in a set of light weights for this class - 1 to 2 lbs.

 

 

 

 

 

About Our Zoom Events:

All of our Virtual Zoom Events are live. They are not recorded. To participate/join the event, you need to use the exact link connected to the event. Once you click on the link at the specified date and time, you will be prompted to open Zoom, the virtual meeting program we are using. All you need is an internet connection and a device or computer with a webcam and audio. Most computers have built-in webcams. No passwords or confirmation codes, just click the link and follow the prompts.

 

More security, more privacy: In response to concerns about privacy in a virtual meeting space, we have enabled additional security features in Zoom and updated our meeting links to be protected, private, and secure. These new, unique links can also be accessed through our e-newsletters. To receive secure information regarding these events, please subscribe to our e-newsletter! Click here to learn more about our e-newsletter offerings.