This month, the Friday Afternoon Book Club invites readers to immerse themselves in the rich and unforgettable world of A Prayer for Owen Meany by bestselling author John Irving. Known for its emotional depth, sharp wit, and profound themes, the novel promises to spark meaningful conversation and reflection among book lovers.
Set in 1950s New Hampshire, the story follows the lifelong friendship between John Wheelwright and the remarkable Owen Meany—a boy with a strange voice and an unshakable belief that he is destined for a divine purpose. Through Owen’s extraordinary faith and the twists of fate that shape their lives, Irving explores powerful themes of religion, destiny, grief, and identity.
Book club members will explore questions like: What does it mean to believe in something greater than yourself? How does friendship shape our sense of self and purpose? And how can one small person leave an outsized impact on the world?
All are welcome—whether you're reading it for the first time or revisiting this unforgettable classic. Join us for a thoughtful and engaging discussion!
Registration required: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/gml-friday-book-club-a-prayer-for-owen-meany-by-john-irving/
Gunn Memorial Library - Friday Afternoon Book Club: A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
The best way to tell mom she is the best is by giving her a homemade gift! Visit the Makerspace to decorate a vase and create beautiful paper flowers that are perfect for gifting!
Ages 5+ with a caregiver
Registration Required
Registration is required:
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/creative-family-fun-make-it-for-mothers-day/
Gunn memorial Makerspace Junior Program: Make It for Mother's Day
Moon Dance 2025!
Date: Sat May 10, 2025
Time: 7:00 - 11:00 PM
Location: Bryan Memorial Town Hall
Join us for an amazing community celebration and fundraiser in support of the environment! Get ready to groove to the beats and dance the night away with friends and fellow environmental stewards. There will be live music by The New Desperation, drinks, tasty treats, a silent auction and more. All proceeds will go to WEC scholarships and environmental programs.
For help purchasing tickets please contact Kathy Weiser at 860-716-9684.
Moon Dance 2025
Discover what the CNC machine can do in this beginner-friendly workshop! You’ll learn how to create a design in Canva and then program the CNC to engrave it on a wooden picture frame. Frames will be cut after the workshop and can be picked up at the library at a later date.
Grades 4-5
Registration Required: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/kids-workshop-engraved-frames-grades-4-5/
Gun Memorial Jr Library Makerspace Workshop - Engraved Frames Grades 4-5)
Join us for a special screening of A Complete Unknown, the acclaimed 2024 biographical drama about legendary musician Bob Dylan's transformative early years.
Directed by James Mangold, A Complete Unknown chronicles the journey of a 19-year-old Bob Dylan (portrayed by Timothée Chalamet) as he arrives in New York City in 1961. Determined to meet his idol, the ailing folk singer Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), Dylan quickly immerses himself in the vibrant Greenwich Village music scene. Under the mentorship of figures like Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and alongside contemporaries such as Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), Dylan's meteoric rise challenges traditional folk norms, culminating in his controversial electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
A Complete Unknown has garnered critical acclaim, earning eight nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Chalamet. The film is celebrated for its authentic portrayal of Dylan's early career and the cultural shifts of the 1960s.
Don't miss this opportunity to witness the story of a musical icon's rise to prominence and the moments that defined a generation.
Rated R
2:21 H
Registration is Required:
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/monday-movie-matinee-a-complete-unknown/
Gunn Memorial Library - Evening Movie: A Complete Unknown
Plant lovers and garden gurus are invited to The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens annual Gardenpalooza plant sale on Saturday, May 17 from 10 am to 1 pm featuring a variety of perennials, annuals, flowers, vegetable and herb plants available for purchase from Meadowbrook Gardens. Stock up on plants to start or add to your own home garden.
Additionally, Farmers and Cooks will be on site offering tasty ready-to-eat food for purchase featuring local ingredients.
Plus, local organizations will also be present to showcase their projects and initiatives. Discover how they’re growing positive change and get inspired to dig deeper into community connections!
Gardenpalooza Plant Sale
May 20, 2:00-3:30 pm
The Gunn Museum and Makerspace present a series of craft workshops inspired by artifacts from the Museum’s collections.
May’s workshop focuses on basket weaving! See examples of different baskets from the Museum’s collection and make one to bring home.
Ages 18+
Registration required: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/crafting-history-basket-weaving/
Gunn Memorial Library Adult Makerspace Workshop - Crafting History
The Storyteller’s Death by Ann Dávila Cardinal
The Storyteller’s Death by Ann Dávila Cardinal is a critically acclaimed novel that offers a compelling blend of magical realism, family legacy, and cultural exploration. It is an ideal choice for thoughtful discussion and reflection.
Set in 1970s Puerto Rico, The Storyteller’s Death follows Isla Larsen Sanchez, a teenage girl navigating the complexities of identity, grief, and belonging. After her grandmother’s death, Isla begins to experience vivid visions of her ancestors’ stories—visions that both unsettle and enlighten her. As Isla unravels generations of hidden truths, the line between past and present, myth and reality, becomes increasingly blurred.
Ann Dávila Cardinal masterfully weaves together themes of intergenerational trauma, storytelling, and cultural identity in a novel that is as emotionally resonant as it is thought-provoking.
All community members are invited to participate in this literary exploration. Whether you are a longtime participant or new to the group, we welcome your insights and perspectives.
Registration is required.
Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk.
Registration required: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/gml-thursday-book-club-the-storytellers-death-by-ann-davila-cardinal/
Gunn Memorial Library Thursday Evening Book Club - The Storyteller's Death
Paint a bookmark that looks just like stained glass in this Makerspace workshop!
Ages 18+
Registration Required:
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/faux-stained-glass-bookmarks/
Gunn Memorial Makerspace Adult Workshop - Faux Stained Glass Bookmarks
Feeling stressed? Visit the Makerspace to relax and unwind at this calming craft night. Work on a project from home or make a collage as you listen to tranquil music and spend time with friends.
Ages 18+
Registration Required: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/peaceful-palettes-collage/
Gunn Memorial Library Adult Makerspace Workshop - Peaceful Palettes
Discover what the CNC machine can do in this beginner-friendly workshop! You’ll learn how to create a design in Canva and then program the CNC to engrave it on a wooden picture frame. Frames will be cut after the workshop and can be picked up at the library at a later date.
18+
Registration Required: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/adult-workshop-engraved-frames/
Gunn Memorial Library Makerspace Adult Workshop - Engraved Frames
Join us as we continue to explore contemporary American poets. For the next few months, we will focus on collections from Joy Harjo, Ocean Vuong, Tracy K. Smith, and Dianne Seuss. We will examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk
About Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough, left the seminary to pursue his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has presented papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He wrote screenplays for various production companies and developed much of the original food content in the early 1990s for a small internet startup called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles and has a thriving cookbook career. In 2020, Mark published his memoir, “Bookmarked: How The Great Works Of Western Civilization F*cked Up My Life,” which Will Schwalbe described as “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark now finds himself immersed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars throughout Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Registration is required
Gunn Memorial Library - More Contemporary American Poetry, with Mark Scarbrough
Immerse Yourself in French Culture with an Hour of French Conversation at the Gunn Memorial Library.
The library invites intermediate and fluent French speakers to an hour of stimulating and immersive French Conversation.
Over the hour, participants will read articles extracted from French magazines, covering cultural topics and current events. Guided conversations will encourage lively exchanges, helping participants refine their French while deepening their appreciation for Francophone culture.
This program is an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow Francophiles, share perspectives, and experience the richness of the French language in a welcoming environment.
Join us for a meaningful cultural and linguistic experience!
Registration is required
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/french-conversation-series-3/or call 860-868-7586
Gunn Memorial Library - Adult French Club
Join us as we continue to explore contemporary American poets. For the next few months, we will focus on collections from Joy Harjo, Ocean Vuong, Tracy K. Smith, and Dianne Seuss. We will examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk
About Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough, left the seminary to pursue his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has presented papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He wrote screenplays for various production companies and developed much of the original food content in the early 1990s for a small internet startup called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles and has a thriving cookbook career. In 2020, Mark published his memoir, “Bookmarked: How The Great Works Of Western Civilization F*cked Up My Life,” which Will Schwalbe described as “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark now finds himself immersed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars throughout Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Registration is required
Gunn Memorial Library - More Contemporary American Poetry, with Mark Scarbrough
Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!
Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement.
Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!
Two Sessions Available:
Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025
Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025
Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily
Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.
Register here: pilobolus.org/camp
Pilobolus Kids Camp - Session 1
Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!
Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement.
Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!
Two Sessions Available:
Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025
Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025
Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily
Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.
Register here: pilobolus.org/camp
Pilobolus Kids Camp - Session 1
Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!
Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement.
Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!
Two Sessions Available:
Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025
Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025
Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily
Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.
Register here: pilobolus.org/camp
Pilobolus Kids Camp - Session 1
Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!
Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement.
Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!
Two Sessions Available:
Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025
Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025
Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily
Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.
Register here: pilobolus.org/camp
Pilobolus Kids Camp - Session 1
Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!
Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement.
Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!
Two Sessions Available:
Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025
Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025
Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily
Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.
Register here: pilobolus.org/camp
Pilobolus Kids Camp - Session 1
Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!
Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement.
Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!
Two Sessions Available:
Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025
Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025
Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily
Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.
Register here: pilobolus.org/camp
Pilobolus Kids Camp - Session 2
Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!
Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement.
Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!
Two Sessions Available:
Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025
Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025
Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily
Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.
Register here: pilobolus.org/camp
Pilobolus Kids Camp - Session 2
Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!
Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement.
Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!
Two Sessions Available:
Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025
Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025
Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily
Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.
Register here: pilobolus.org/camp
Pilobolus Kids Camp - Session 2
Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!
Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement.
Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!
Two Sessions Available:
Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025
Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025
Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily
Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.
Register here: pilobolus.org/camp
Pilobolus Kids Camp - Session 2
Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!
Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement.
Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!
Two Sessions Available:
Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025
Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025
Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily
Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.
Register here: pilobolus.org/camp
Pilobolus Kids Camp - Session 2
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