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!

 

November Events:

 

Watercolor Hydrangea Centerpiece

*while supplies last

Garnish your dinner table with a beautiful, handmade centerpiece! For the month of November, the Oliver Wolcott Library will be handing out kits with the materials needed to make watercolor hydrangeas out of simple coffee filters! Each kit has a variety of gorgeous colors, which one will you get?

 

 

 

 

Snow Pals Craft

Spread some cheer this season with our November take and make. These adorable die-cut decoupage snow pal scenes can be used as card toppers, holiday crafts or for scrapbooking. Decoupage is an ancient art where paper cutouts are used to create a three-dimensional piece! So, try our hand at being a decoupeur or "cutter"!

Kits include sheets and adhesive dots. 

 

 

 

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

*no class on Dec. 2

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.

 

 

A Conversation with Artist Danielle Mailer

Registration Required. In-Person Registration: Click here

Join Nancy Schuler in this conversation with renowned artist Danielle Mailer - a two-time recipient of the 50 most important people of Litchfield County and Litchfield Magazine’s “Readers’ Choice” favorite Artist of 2023.

Danielle will discuss how her art is created and what motivates her to produce such colorful, unique pieces and murals.

For more information about Danielle and her exhibit in the Jamie Gagarin Gallery, click here.

 

 

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 Oct. 15

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.

 

 

December Events:

 

Swan Pinecone & Cork Reindeer Friends

*while supplies last

On the third day of December,
my library gave to me-
A two-for-one take and make!
Time to go on a crafting spree!

It’s true! You have all been truly wonderful this year and to honor the giving season, OWL is offering a two-for-one special with our December take and make. With this month’s craft kit, you will be given everything you need to spend the holidays with two adorable new friends: a cork reindeer and a pinecone swan! Already have enough company at your house this season? No problem! Keep the spirit of giving going by turning your swan and reindeer into thoughtful gifts or ornaments for your friends and family. It truly is the most wonderful time of year!

 

 

A Christmas Carol - Live Theatrical Performance

In-Person Registration Required: Click here to attend in-person.

Red Monkey Theater Group's Sean Coffey performs his one-person adaptation of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol.’ Experience Dickens’ classic story of love, compassion, and redemption in a whole new way. Ebenezer Scrooge and a whole host of characters discover what the spirit of Christmas is really about and delve into the magic of the holiday season.

Sean Coffey (performer/adaptor) is an actor based in Westchester, NY. He studied at Fordham University and has performed locally throughout the tristate area. Theater credits include: Dear Brutus (Mr. Lob, AlphaNYC Theater Company), Cabaret (Ernst Ludwig, Sherman Playhouse), Hedda Gabler (George Tesman, Red Monkey Theater Group), The Gospel of Efunroye (Consul Benjamin Campbell, Soho Playhouse), Our Place in the Daylight (Lucien, Chain Theater), Richard III (Lord Hastings, Red Monkey Theater Group) Private Lives (Victor Prynne, M&M Productions.) In addition to writing and performing this adaptation, he currently serves as the resident dramaturg for Arachne Theater and has appeared in their productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom), Julius Caesar (Octavius) and his solo Christmas Carol.

 

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

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

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.

 

 

Non-Fiction Discussion Group

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Thursday, December 12

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

Battle of Ink and Ice: A Sensational Story of News Barons, North Pole Explorers, and the Making of Modern Media by Darrell Hartman

The title and subtitle tell it all.  The book presents a frank portrayal of Arctic explorers, brave men who both inspired and deceived the public. It also sketches a vivid portrait of the newspapers that funded, promoted, narrated, and often distorted their exploits. Moderated by Audrey 

 

 

 

 

Fiction Discussion Group

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Thursday, December 12

Fiction Group: 3:30 pm 

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

Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke

The Overlords appeared suddenly over every city – intellectually, technologically, and militarily superior to humankind. Benevolent, they made few demands: unify earth, eliminate poverty, and end war. With little rebellion, humankind agreed, and a golden age began. But at what cost? As civilization approaches the crossroads, will the Overlords spell the end for humankind ... or the beginning? A classic of science fiction, this book raises fresh questions in this dawn of the use of artificial intelligence. Moderated by Jeff 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.