1. Art and Diseño

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The Friends Forum
The Friends of the Watertown Library
470 Main Street Watertown, CT 06795
http://www.watertownlibrary.org
email: [email protected] phone: (860) 945-5360
November~December~January 2015
The President’s Column
The Friends of the Watertown Library
Annual Report 2013-2014
The Friends of the Watertown Library board
members, members and volunteers work together to
raise funds for capital improvements and programs for
the Watertown Library. The Friends board meets
monthly. Other meetings are held as necessary to
promote our programs, increase Book Nook sales and
promote effectiveness.
The Book Nook’s volunteers collect, clean,
sort and shelf donated books. The lack of a sink to use
was problematic for the volunteers. We completed a
renovation in the Nook in July that included the sink,
cabinets and shelves to facilitate our work. We have
applied to the Watertown Foundation for a grant to
cover the costs of the renovations.
The Friends Board obtained Liability and D
and O insurance from the Segur Agency.
The Friends hold an annual Winter and Spring
luncheon. At the Spring luncheon The Friends
contributed $ 14,000 to the Library.
Our Secretary position is held by Cis Davidson
with a backup position by Rita Wolfe. Their work was
excellent in keeping our minutes.
John Treleaven, Treasurer, continues to guide
us with his monthly fiscal reports. He submits our
annual report to the board. He also is our photographer.
Queenie Mraz, Fund Raiser, Manager of the
Book Nook, oversees our volunteers and the sales of
the Book Nook, which is our principal fund raiser. Our
raffle of two Quilts and a gift certificate for Roma’s
Ristorante prizes raised $512 in profit. Valerie
Schiappa is the Assistant Manager of the Book Nook.
They have revised the procedure book for the
volunteers at the Nook.
Christine Guiditta, Membership chair,
continues working to expand our memberships for
individual, family, sponsors, patrons and businesses.
We have had a positive growth of the business
members and approximately $1,000 in donations. We
are trying to encourage membership, especially
younger members.
Cindy Eastman, Newsletter Editor, produces a
Continued on page 2
AN EVENING WITH CARL BERNSTEIN
On Wednesday October 15th Watertown was very lucky
to be able to have the renowned journalist Carl
Bernstein come and regale us with stories about
Watergate, President Nixon, and the state of politics
today as he sees it. It was a fascinating lecture followed
by a Q & A. If you were unable to attend the evening
has been taped and is available at the library to be
borrowed.
One of the interesting parts of the evening for me was
the book signing. As the people were coming through
the line to get their books signed some of them had very
interesting stories that they wanted to tell Mr. Bernstein.
The first one was a girl in a wheelchair that was just so
pleased to be able to hear Mr. Bernstein in person. She
has read everything about Watergate because she found
it just such a fascinating piece of history. She asked if
she could take his picture. He said of course and got up
and came around the table and had me take the picture
of them together. She left one very happy girl! Next in
line was a husband and wife who wanted a book signed
Continued on page 2
In This Issue:
Page 1 – Presidents Column and Program News
Page 2 – Book Nook News
Page 3 –Learn about the Library & Celebrations
Page 4 – Spotlight On: Friends & friends
Page 5 – Nov – Dec – Jan Calendar
Page 6 – Book Clubs – Dates and Books
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quality quarterly publication. The newsletters give the
members information on past and upcoming library
events.
Linda Merriman, Program Director continues to
develop programs that support the Library’s outreach to
the community. Linda is able to keep multiple programs
competently functioning for the library. Last September
the film “October Sky” was shown on the Watertown
High School Football Field a film based on “Rocket Boys”
by Homer Hickam in conjunction with our town wide
read. Homer Hickam gave a presentation October 16, 2013
and drew the winning tickets at our luncheon for students.
Also in October, we had Mr. Millette who worked on the
space program, who gave a presentation. This year’s 8th
annual Town Wide Read is “All the President’s Men” by
author Carl Bernstein. He will give a presentation October
15th at Watertown High School. The Friends contributed
$4,000 for the Carl Bernstein presentation; additional
support came from Litchfield Bancorp, the Rotary Club of
Watertown and Bradshaw Chrysler Jeep.
This summer the Friends participated in
Watertown Night on Main Street. We gave out free
children’s books and had a balloon man do animal
balloons for the children. Our outreach focus is to attract
new younger members to join the Friends.
Sue Jean, volunteer, coordinated our Friends 9th
annual Poetry Contest for grades 1 to 8 in Watertown and
Oakville. There were 595 entries of poems about the
theme, “My Favorite Book”. There were 8 first place
winners and 16 honorable mention winners. A May
reception was held to honor the student poets.
Robin Osborn, volunteer, leads the ongoing book
clubs at the Oakville and Watertown Libraries.
Cate Winter, Publicity, has fulfilled her role
admirably and is efficient in getting our publicity to the
newspapers.
We look forward to another successful and
enriching year of the Friends programs and activities.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Kennedy, President
for their daughter who interned for the Post over the
summer. I think she will be very happy when she receives
this book. Another was a man who had a first edition copy
Barbara
of All theKennedy
President’s Men. Mr. Bernstein took the book
President
and looked through it and went to the back jacket to the
pictures of Woodward and himself. He told us that when
they published the book they were both so busy that the
publishers just used whatever picture they had on file and
Mr. Bernstein’s hair was very unruly. For the reprint they
made him take another picture. So if you are lucky
enough to have a first edition there is a story for you!
Linda Merriman
BOOK NOOK NEWS
FIRST, I wish to thank all of the members of the
Friends of the Library, which includes our Book Nook
people, and the Library staff for my fabulous birthday
celebration. I was thrilled, proud and humbled by the
outpouring of love and support. To top it all off, the
$.90 hardcover sale at the Book Nook did amazingly
well! People were going out with boxes, as well as
bags, of their favorites.
Not to worry about depleting our shelves! The book
donations never stop coming in. In fact, I have never
seen such a huge quantity as there was piled
everywhere in our workroom recently. Turns out that
we actually received a truckful on a Saturday! You can
imagine the consternation of the sorters when they
arrived the following Tuesday. However, they just dug
in as usual and found some great books to help refill
our shelves.
THREE CHEERS for our volunteers no matter what
part they play. They are the backbone of the Friends as
they donate time, talent and efforts to benefit our
Library. We can always use more help on any of our
many committees and programs. I believe that there is
not a non-profit organization operating that could
continue without their volunteer workers.
If you have a couple of hours a week to spare, want to
meet some great new friends and support your library,
just call the Library (860-945-5360), ask for the Book
Nook extension and leave your name and telephone
number and what you might like to do and then
someone will get back to you with more information.
SURPRISE! I received a Kindle for my birthday. Yes,
me, Queen of Paper Books! I love it however and am
really enjoying it. Did you know that you can
“borrow” books from the library to your e-book? Talk
to the library staff about this. This is just one of the
features of cooperation between technology and your
local library. Yes, my friends, you have to “go with the
flow” with the new and still enjoy the old (as I do with
my “real” books) in order to progress in this life.
DO NOT FORGET to check out our page on
Facebook – Friends of the Watertown Ct Library. You
will be able to keep up with what is going on with our
Friends and the Library programs, etc. Good way to
get the dates and times of upcoming events to put on
your calendars.
Come in to the Book Nook and see some of the
amazing new (to us) books for sale. You can even start
some early holiday shopping!
Queenie Mraz
People will forget what you said. People will forget
what you did. But people will never forget how you
made them feel. ~ Malcolm Forbes
Thank you to the following businesses for their
support of the Watertown Library by joining the
Friends in 2013-2014. We hope you will support
these businesses as they support our ongoing
programs and activities.
Christine Guiditta
[email protected]
AGNEW FLORIST
ALLYN’S CLEANERS
DR. MATTHEW BAKER
BARIBAULT OIL
BRADSHAW INC.
BROTHERS' TREE SERVICE
DUNKIN DONUTS
HEALTH COMPLEX
LIFEWORKS
LITCHFIELD BANCORP
MAIN STREET GRILL
NATURAL BALANCE MASSAGE
OAKVILLE WINE AND LIQUOR
QUIET ZONE
THE SIEMON COMPANY
THOMASTON SAVINGS BANK
WATERTOWN LIONS
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Lots of Celebrations!
Queenie’s 90th birthday
what a treat for all of us
to celebrate with her!
Upcoming in 2015:
150th anniversary
of the Library Association
and
The 25th
Anniversary of the Book Nook!
Save the Date!
for the
Holiday Luncheon
December 4th
Watertown Golf Club
Join us for our annual tradition!
Learn About the Library ~ The Association: The first in a three-part series
The Watertown Library Association is a nonprofit organization which has served the reading and research needs of
the community since March of 1865 when it was incorporated by a special act of the state legislature.
The first library was opened in The Academy on The Green, later moved to rented quarters above a store on Deforest
Street, then across the street to a gray granite building which is now Walker Hall. Seventy-five years later in 1958, the
library opened for business in a contemporary masonry and glass structure at its present site at 470 Main Street. In
1968 the Watertown Library Association merged with the Oakville Library Association and a branch was opened on
Davis Street.
The operating budget of the Association is supported primarily by a town grant, which is supplemented by income
from the Association's endowment, state aid, contributions, membership dues, and special fundraising events. Funds for
building and capital improvements have been raised by the Association.
The Association is governed by a board of eleven trustees. Ten are elected by the membership and one is appointed by
the Town Council. To be a member of the Watertown Library Association one must be a resident or taxpayer in the
Town of Watertown, at least eighteen years old, a valid card holder of the Watertown Library and pay the annual
membership fee. Membership entitles a member to vote at meetings of the Association, including the annual
meeting in September, and to be eligible for service on the board of trustees. Annual membership runs from the
beginning of the Association's fiscal year to the end of that year or from the time the contribution is received by the
Association to the end of the fiscal year.
Please contact the Library by phone[860-945-5360], fax [860-945-5367] or email [[email protected]] to
receive a membership application. Please include name, address and phone in any correspondence.
Retrieved from: http://www.watertownlibrary.org/about_WLAinfo.htm
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Spotlight On:
Sue Jean & Rita Wolfe:
Friends and friends
During the summer of 2010, both Rita and
years old. Her dream was to become a Rockette in
Sue were looking for things to do after retirement.
NYC. Rita LOVES to read - all kinds of writing -
Having taught over 30 years, they both were enjoying
especially about the lives of women from all over the
the new phase of their lives, but were also feeling
globe. She is often awake at night finishing a book
they needed to validate retirement. Knowing about
she can't put down. Rita is also an accomplished
the Friends and hearing about their Annual Meeting,
gardener who just loves getting her fingers dirty
they decided to attend and volunteer to work in the
digging in the dirt.
Book Nook. The rest, as they say, is history. Both
Sue on the other hand was born and bred in
ladies began working at the Book Nook every
Michigan and moved to CT in 1975 due to her
Thursday learning the routine from the best -
husband's job. After 39 years she calls Watertown
Queenie.
home. Sue is married with two daughters who are
Rita continues to work pricing and sorting
also teachers. She is definitely enjoying retirement
books each Thursday. She has taken on other roles
and has four grandchildren who keep her busy. She
such as Vice-President of the Friends, hospitality,
also quilts and has become active in the "Quilts That
membership committee, and substitute secretary for
Care" program at the Leever Center in Waterbury.
Board meetings. Rita is always available to help and
She is one of many volunteers that make quilts for
steps up for any special things that need to be done.
cancer patients. Since the program started in April
Sue stopped working as a pricer and sorter
2012 they have completed almost 600 quilts. Sue is
due to health issues. However, Sue is the Chairman
proud to be involved with that organization as she
of the Poetry Contest for all school children in town.
herself is a cancer survivor.
The program has increased to over 500 entries last
Rita and Sue met as teachers a long time ago,
year. Joining the membership committee led to her
but became close friends when they taught together at
becoming the computer and copier go-to person. She
Polk. Sue was a special education teacher, and often
copies all the newsletters, special mailings for
worked with Rita in her classroom. The friendship
upcoming events, flyers, prints all labels, and recently
extended out of school and since retirement their lives
has learned how to do mailings at the Post Office.
have become more entangled. They are part of the
Rita is a life-long Watertown resident. She
"Knit Wits" - as close group of ladies who all met
began teaching at South/Griffin School and ended her
through knitting. They are very active in weekly
career at Polk School in 3rd grade. She is married to
knitting classes at Yarns for Ewe in Bethlehem.
a high school teacher and has one son. Growing up,
They love to go and do all sorts of things together and
Rita loved to dance - taking ballet until she was 36
sometimes, even bring along their husbands.
November
Sun
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Reading Group
Okvlle
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Veterans Day
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Thanksgiving
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Mystery BC
7pm -Main
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December
Sun
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Tue
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Wed
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Holiday
Luncheon
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Reading Group
Okvlle
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Pearl Harbor Day
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Mystery BC
7pm -Main
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Christmas Eve
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Christmas
28
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New Year’s Eve
Half-Price Book Sale!
Lots of choices, great gift ideas!
January 2015
Sun
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Wed
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New Year’s Day
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Reading
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Martin Luther King,
Jr. Day
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Mystery BC
7pm -Main
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THE FRIENDS
READING GROUPS
2014 - 2015
…at the OAKVILLE LIBRARY Tuesdays ~ 2 PM
November 4: Cindy Eastman, Flip-Flops After Fifty
December 2: Carlos Eire, Waiting for Snow in Havana
January 6: Ariana Franklin, Mistress of the Art of Death
February 3: Jo Baker, Longbourn
The Mystery Book Club meets on Wednesdays ~ 7 PM at the
Main Branch
November 19: John Le Carre, The Spy Who Came In From the Cold
December 17: Graham Greene, Our Man in Havana
January 21, 2015: Alan Furst, Mission to Paris
Check
Out A
Good
Book
(Club!)