Coming Events:

Journaling Workshops

Thursday Apr. 12  at 7:00 pm

Do you feel as though your muse has abandoned you? Is “life” drying you out? Castleton Free Library will be offering a two-part journaling workshop on Thursday April 12th and Thursday April 26th at 7:00 p.m. Whether you’re an artist, a writer, or any kind of explorer of the interior landscape, journaling can open gates, doors, windows. Bring a notebook and your favorite pen. We’ll supply the rest (including tea, coffee and goodies to feed the soul)

In the first session we will talk about different practices of journaling. Those who already use a journal can share approaches, and we will have some books of famous people’s journals and letters (since a letter is often just a more public journal, shared with one other person). And there will be time to write.

  Thursday Apr. 26 at 7:00 pm

Reawaken your muse through journaling! Workshop/discussion group to examine journaling practices of artists, writers, homegrown diarists, and other contemplatives. This second session will focus on memory mapping, an exercise to unfold memories through a spatial dimension. We’ll also look at artists’ and nature journals and talk about using the journal as a net to capture ephemera. Time permitting, we’ll talk about blogging. Free and open to all. Light refreshments. It’s fine to come even if you missed Workshop #1.

Free and open to the public.

Past Events:

Birdshare & Brownies – Thu. Feb. 16 at 6:30 pm

Come get set for this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count, or just come to share your love of birds (and dessert) at Castleton Free Library on Thursday, February 16th. We’ll start at 6:30 pm with a quick run-through of bird identification tips and characteristics of our most likely birds, and then we’ll explore some of the great on-line resources for tracking, recording, and learning about birds, including instructions for the GBBC for those who have never participated. Don’t have an eBird life-list yet? We can get you started on that too. And if your interest is only in real rather than virtual feathers, there will be time to share bird sightings while we eat brownies. All ages and levels of expertise welcome – birding can be a lifelong passion. Free.

Poetry Reading – Mon. Feb. 13th at 7:00 pm

On Monday February 13 at 7 p.m., the Castleton Free Library will host a poetry reading by Megaera Vittum Fitch (aka Meg, our librarian) and Mary Pratt. Meg and Mary were both members of the poetry percussion group VIBES for several years. When that broke up (as all great groups do),the four poets formed the group Quatrain which did collaborative poetry for several more years. Mary F.C. Pratt (her official poet name) is also one of the Spring Street Poets in Middlebury. Both Meg and Mary have written and read their poems for years and years, and perform with passion and their special kind of wry humor. The program on the 13th will feature poems on witches and revolution! The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments provided. Questions, call 468-5574 or email castletonfreelibrary@gmail.com.

Thursday Dec. 8th – 6:00 p.m. - Tree Lighting

Tree of Remembrance lighting co-sponsored by Castleton Free Library and Castleton Woman’s Club. Caroling, fireside stories, cookies and cocoa, music by CVS students, good company. Money raised by “sponsoring” a bulb supports Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund.

Local History Series:

In honor of Castleton’s 250th birthday, and to promote enjoyment of local history, we are pleased to present a series of programs by three passionate local historians.

Thursday Oct. 13th – 7:00-8:30 - Local History with Joe Doran

First, Castleton Village School’s own Joe Doran will talk about Castleton’s role in the Revolutionary period. After the more formal part of the program, Joe will talk about his years of local research – the things he’s learned by sifting through old newspapers, combing the web, and poking around ruins. We’re also going to convince him to talk about growing up in West Castleton. Come for an intimate look at our community’s past.

Thursday Oct. 20th – 7:00-8:30 - Dr. Mike Austin

Mike teaches at Castleton State College and is the author of the 2010 book, Stories from Vermont’s Marble Valley. He will present a program on sense of place in the marble and slate valleys and hills, and how the land shaped human history in our area. Q & A and book signing will follow the program (you’re welcome to bring your copy from home if you would like it signed – we will have copies available for purchase here as well).

Thursday Oct. 27th – 7:00-8:30 - Carl Fuller

Carl has just completed his 25th year as Site Interpreter at the Hubbardton Battlefield. He will be coming down from the hills to Castleton dressed as a “gentleman farmer,” and may portray several local characters as he shares his extensive knowledge of the Battle of Hubbardton and stories about early Hubbardton families.

Wed. Sep. 7th at 7:00 p.m. – Guest author Ron Krupp (Lifting the Yoke) speaking about food and community

Come early for a community potluck at 6:30.

A discussion with a panel of local experts will follow Ron’s slide lecture. Please come if you care about food issues – wholesome food, local food, enough food for all people.

Thursday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m. – Extra Stout

Our local Irish music band back again!  The concert will be at the St. Mark’s Church in Castleton on the corner of Seminary and Main.  This time around the concert will be in celebration of the August holiday Lughnasadh (Feast of Lugh – a personification of the Sun King).  Lughnasadh is a time of great feasting and drinking to celebrate the harvest and to give thanks to the earth and sun for the food and drink.

Extra Stout is a lively vocal and instrumental band playing traditional Celtic music – reels, jigs, ballads, rebel tunes, sea shanties and drinking songs – on fiddle, guitar, flute, penny whistle and bodhran.  Come early to get a seat and be ready to sing along!  Afterwards we will be serving tea, goodies, and conversation.

August 20th between 2 and 4 p.m. – Ice Cream Social with Robert Wuagneux

On Colonial Day (August 20th), be sure to stop by the library between 2 and 4 p.m. for an old-fashioned ice cream social.  You will be able to enjoy your self-designed sundae while listening to our popular Castleton musician Robert Wuagneux on the library lawn. high energy performances, songwriting, musicianship and enthusiasm have earned him praise in the U.S. and Europe . It’s been said that his shows are “pure creative artistry” and “interactive musical journeys.” A member of the band Broadjam and a solo performer, he is also a Communication faculty member at Castleton State College where he was recently named “Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year.”

Wed. 07/27/11 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Local Author Talk: Don Thompson

On Wednesday July 27 at 7 p.m., the Castleton Free Library will host a talk and book signing by local author Don Thompson.  This is Castleton’s 250^th anniversary and Don’s presentation will include facts about the settlement of Castleton in 1761 and its early industries and local businesses, in particular those that existed before much of the town’s business district was destroyed by fires early in the last century.  He will draw from his two local history books—Castleton, Vermont:  Its Industries, Enterprises & Eateries and Lake Bomoseen, the Story of Vermont’s Largest Little-Known Lake. He will describe the rise of the slate industry, the once-flourishing apple orchards, the growth of Castleton’s educational institutions, including the Medical College, and the importance of Lake Bomoseen.  The Lake Bomoseen portion will cover its grand hotels and resorts, which brought visitors into the area beginning in the 1880s, boating and the evolution of many of the country stores and restaurants.  This program is free and open to the public.  You can purchase a book at the signing.  There will be refreshments and time for questions and discussion.

Fri. 05/27/11 – 7:00-9:00 p.m. ~ Coffee House featuring singer/songwriter Robert Wuagneaux

About Robert:  His high energy performances, songwriting, musicianship and enthusiasm have earned him praise in the U.S. and Europe . It’s been said that his shows are “pure creative artistry” and “interactive musical journeys.” A member of the band Broadjam and a solo performer, he is also a Communication faculty member at Castleton State College where he was recently named “Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year.”  During breaks in the music, Castleton librarian and poet Meg Fitch will read from her poems.  Friends of the Castleton Free Library will offer dessert goodies for sale.

Green Life Series

Are you a fan of Earth? Would you like Earth as we know it (lush, diverse, webbed orb,   wrapped in water and a skin of life) to continue? Would you like to think about nourishing our grandchildren, and brainstorm local actions toward that goal? If so, please join us for this year’s Green Life series at Castleton Free Library, beginning on Wed. April 20th at 7:00 p.m., to kick off Earth Day awareness.

Week 1 (Wed. Apr. 20th) ~ Earth Day kick-off: will feature environmental film clips, a review of some amazing websites to both inspire you and prod you awake, rapid reviews of the library’s collection of recent books and documentaries on environmental issues, a brainstorming session, and reflective discussion. We will encourage you to borrow our resources and review them at a future meeting.

Week 2 (Wed. Apr. 27th) ~ Meet the Farmer: will feature guest speaker Stephen Chamberlain of Dutchess Farm talking about his 25+ years of growing vegetables with organic, sustainable practices. The presentation will conclude with a Q & A session, so come with your gardening questions. There will be plenty of time for informal mingling and snacking afterward, as well as brainstorming plans for our coming Green Life programs. Hope to see you!

Mon. 1/17/11 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Book Discussion

Dr. Patricia Vanderspuy, professor of history at Castleton State College and a native of South Africa, will lead discussion on Agaat by Marlene Van Niekerk, a recent novel set in South Africa and hailed as a major work. This special event is sponsored by our on-going Book Club run by the Friends. Free and open to all. Contact the library if you’d like us to get a copy for you through interlibrary loan.

Mon. 1/10/11 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Fireside Crafts

Bring your craft, a new or ongoing project, and let’s share our knowledge, companionship, tea and snacks by the fire. Plenty of craft books will be on hand for reference. This is the first of what we hope will be an informal, on-going, drop-in series. Free and open to all. Sponsored by the Friends.

Thu. 12/9/10 at 6:00 p.m. ~ Tree of Remembrance Lighting

Carols, fireside stories, cookies and cocoa, Santa, holiday fun – come visit with your friends and neighbors at this annual event cosponsored by the Castleton Woman’s Club.  Free and open to all.
The purchase of bulbs in memory and/or honor of loved ones supports Woman’s Club Scholarships. Forms are available at the library. This year’s event will be held inside. (Our poor old tree came down in the recent windstorm.)

Wed. 11/3/10 at 6:30 p.m. ~ Vermont Reads 2010 Book Discussion: Katherine Paterson’s The Day of the Pelican

Books are available in the library for this year’s discussion and activities – pick one up now!

Our book discussion, free and open to all, will be held on Wed. Nov. 3rd at 7:00 p.m. Prior to the discussion, we will be serving a light soup and bread supper at 6:30 (also free and open to all). In addition to the discussion, a group of Castleton Elementary School 6th graders will display their work and share their insights on the themes in this book.

Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson

Click on the book to link to the Vt Humanities Council Vermont Reads page

Wed. 10/27/10 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Slide Show & Talk: RV-ing Around Newfoundland

Joyce and Larry Space present their adventures. Free and open to all.

Wed. 9/15/10 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Seeing is Believing: Hidden History in the Green Mountain National Forest

Archaeologist David Lacy will present a talk and slide show revealing some of the “hidden” history of the forest represented by archaeological and landscape remnants.  Free and open to the public.

Kids Summer Reading Program 2010:

7/1/10 at 7:00 PM ~ Ivy Moonjelly

What’s sleek and black and breathes underwater? Guest speaker Ivy Moonjelly will talk about doing research using SCUBA gear, and introduce some of the cool creatures that live beneath the waves, at our first “Thursday Night Wet” program.

This continuing series begins on July 1st at 7:00 p.m. at the Castleton Free Library on Main Street. We’ll be celebrating the 2010 national summer reading reading theme, “Make a Splash – Read!” There will be fishy art projects and brief booktalks following the presentation. The free program is aimed at elementary school aged children, but all are welcome.

Wed. 6/16/10 at 7:00 PM ~The Annies Music and Puppets

FREE!  …and open to the public.  Kick off the summer with zany fun co-sponsored by the Friends of the Castleton Free Library.  Book Sale – children’s books at 6:30.    http://www.theannies.com/

Tue. 5/4/10 – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. ~ concert by Extra Stout, our local Irish music band.

They will be performing at the St. Mark’s Church in Castleton on the corner of Seminary and Main. Extra Stout has been doing this extremely popular program for the library for so many years we’ve lost count.  Again this year, it being May not March, we’ll celebrate St. Brendan the Sailor instead of St. Patrick.

Extra Stout is a lively vocal and instrumental band playing traditional Celtic music – reels, jigs, ballads, rebel tunes, sea shanties and drinking songs – on fiddle, guitar, flute, penny whistle and bodhran.  They are a big draw so come early, get a seat and be ready to sing along!  Afterwards we will be serving tea, goodies, and conversation.

4/27/10 at 7:00 p.m. ~ The Irish “Wave” in the Green Mountains

Beginning in the late 1840s and lasting through the 1860s, thousands of Irish immigrants, escaping the potato famine in their homeland, settled in Vermont. They arrived in the Green Mountain State just as Vermont was undergoing a mini industrial revolution—a revolution based on railroad construction, the quarrying of slate and marble, and on textile production. Vince Feeney, the author of the recently published history of the Irish in Vermont, Finnigans, Slaters and Stonepeggers, tells the little-known story of the impact of Irish immigrants on Vermont life in the middle of the nineteenth century. The program is co-sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council and the Castleton Free Library. 7:00 p.m.  Contact Meg Fitch, 802.468.5574.

Sun. 3/14/10 at 3:00 p.m. ~ Talk by Makoto (Max) Saito: “World War II Internment Camps: People and Media in the Time of Crisis”

This talk will explore how the general public went along with the domestic policies which forced Japanese Americans to relocate to internment camps during WWII. We’ll compare and contrast media images and the personal accounts depicted in When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka.  This program is a continuation of the themes presented in the Vermont Reads book discussed in the fall.  You need not have read the book to enjoy the program, but free copies are available at the library if you would like one.

Makoto Saito teaches in the Dept. of Communications at Westfield State College.  He was born and raised in Yamagata prefecture, Japan. He served as a Japanese Peace Corps volunteer, teaching motor vehicle technology in the Sinhalese language in Sri Lanka. He has also done international development work in the Philippines. Max received his bachelorís degree in International Studies from Marlboro College and the School for International Training. He received a Masterís Degree in International and Intercultural Management from the School for International Training with a concentration in Sustainable Development and Training of Trainers. He worked as a cross-cultural trainer and a counselor to international students in the Washington, D.C. area. His Ph.D. is from the Department of Communication at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Max homeschools his four children in Northampton, together with his wife Loran Diehl Saito, who grew up in Castleton.