Haunted Baseball Rescheduled

Winter is really giving me a problem this year. I have been scheduling programs for the adult winter reading program for eight years. I have never had to reschedule a program because of bad weather and the winter reading program usually starts the last week of January. This year I moved it up to better coincide with actual spring training since the program is called Spring Training@ your library. I never imagined we would have a weather problem with programs in March. Silly me! Although the weather forecast for this coming Sunday is not for a foot of snow, it is saying we will get snow, sleet, freezing rain etc. I doubt many people will want to come out to a program at the library in that weather, therefore, we are rescheduling to Sunday, March 15 at 2:00 at Bill Library.

And I really think this is a program worth coming out for! Dan Gordon is the co-author of the book, Haunted Baseball:Ghosts, Legends & Eerie Events. It sounds like a lot of fun. What could be better than a mix of baseball and ghosts? Maybe by March 15, we will have weather much more worthy of baseball. I am not sure what kind of weather ghosts prefer.

Please mark it on your calendars to join us at Bill Library on March 15 at 2:00 p.m. for baseball, ghosts and, hopefully, good weather.

Surprise "guest" at book discussion

We were having a great discussion last night at Bill Library on the book Dirty Water by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith and Jere Smith. It was a lively discourse by Red Sox fans, a Yankee fan and a few nonbaseball folks. The book, if you haven't read it, is a Red Sox mystery, using current Red Sox players and a Boston locale. Speaking as the only Yankee fan present, it was very interesting to see the different take on the book by Red Sox fans. The biggest surprise of the night, however, was when we were interrupted by a phone call. Laverne came in to tell us the author of the book was on the phone. You can imagine our surprise. I know authors are now offering to "attend" book club meetings by phone, but I have never tried to make that arrangement. This time the author tracked us down. I had a lovely chat with Mary-Ann Tirone Smith. She said her son and co-author had discovered our book discussion on line and e-mailed her and she just decided to give us a call. I asked her several questions that had come up in our discussion, but didn't think to ask if the Red Sox bars in New York City in the book are actual bars. That was what one participant wanted to know. After visiting Jere Smith's blog last night, I now know how to find out. Since he responded to my post last night in under fifteen minutes, I am sure I can get a quick answer from him. If you would like to check out his blog, it can be reached at letsgosox.blogspot.com.

I don't know if the next book discussion will be as exciting, but now I know there is always that possibility.

Spring Training @ your library

Although you may not have noticed, we have had an adult winter reading program at the Ledyard Public Libraries since 2002. I should know, because I have been coming up with "great" themes for this program since its inception. If you are new to the library or have somehow managed to miss our wonderful six week program until now, you are in luck. This year's entry, starts on February 15.

Even though I am a dedicated sports (Yankee, Giant) fan, I have avoided a sports related theme up until now. Starting on the 15th, however, it is Spring Training @ your library. Coinciding with the arrival of pitchers and catchers in Florida and Arizona, will be our own six week spring training in cold and snowy Connecticut. Every week we have a raffle drawing at each of the libraries. Entering the drawing couldn't be easier. All you have to do is drop in at either library and fill out a favorite team baseball. All the baseballs go in the jar ( I promise not to throw away any Red Sox entries) and on Saturday we draw a winner. Prizes will follow the baseball theme.

We are also going to have an exciting series of events during Spring Training @ your library. The regular third Wednesday book discussion at Bill Library will get in the act with Dirty Water by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith and Jere Smith. This first entry in a presumed series of Boston Red Sox mysteries, uses real people and places to create a great mystery read. Copies of the book will be available at the libraries.

Mark your calendars for three interesting (and at least one tasty) programs to be held on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. The first will be held on February 22 at Bill Library. Dr. Lewis Randall will discuss how baseball has changed over the years. Dr. Randall is a Norwich native who was in the Cleveland Indian and Washington Senator systems.

We are very pleased to have co-author Dan Gordon discuss his book, Haunted Baseball: Ghosts, Legends & Eerie Events, on March 1 at Bill Library. Bank Square Books will be on hand to sell copies of this entertaining book. Dan, despite being a Red Sox fan, promises he will have great stories to tell for Red Sox and Yankee fans alike.

The final program of our Sunday Series will be held at the Ledyard Congregational Church fellowship hall on March 22. This location is ideal for Apple Pie and Baseball, a culinary event, presented by winter reading program veterans, Andrea Buka and Jennifer Finlayson. If you have attended their programs in the past, you know you are in for a gourmet experience. Registration is required. Call the Bill Library at 464-9912 to get on the list. This is a treat you don't want to miss.

Stay tuned for more information.