Ridgefield Writes Spotlights O'Neill

Along with the rest of the town’s 300^th anniversary activities, our Ridgefield Writes yearlong celebration of Ridgefield authors will wrap up this month with one last special series of programs, applying the successful formula we have used previously for explorations of “Don Quixote” and Shakespeare’s tragedies. A Ridgefield property owner starting in 1922, Eugene O’Neill wrote many of his most celebrated plays while living in town. We will focus on “Desire Under the Elms,” which has the further local significance of having its setting inspired by the playwright’s Brook Farm on North Salem Road.

We will start out on Saturday, September 13^th at 10 AM with a screening of the 1958 film version of the play, followed by a discussion led by film buff Lou Sabini.

Knowledgeable and entertaining on a wide range of literary topics, Yale Professor Dr. Mark Schenker returns on Thursday the 18^th at 7 PM with a lecture on “Eugene O’Neill: The Man and his Works.”

On Saturday the 20^th at 10 AM, we will air a documentary on Eugene O’Neill produced for PBS’s American Masters series.

Monday, September 22^nd at 2 PM and at 7 PM, readers will have a chance to weigh in during scholarly book discussions led by Adult Services Librarian Dorothy Pawlowski. Registration is required only for the book discussions, and those who sign up will receive a free copy of the text.

We will wind up our journey with a dramatic presentation by Stephen Collins on October 23^rd at 7 PM. A frequent performer at the Library, Mr. Collins will treat audiences to scenes from the “Theater of the 30s, 40s and 50s,” including excerpts from plays by Thornton Wilder, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller and, of course, Eugene O’Neill.

Ridgefield Writes has been made possible by a grant from the Wadsworth Russell Lewis Fund.

Local Authors Celebrated by Library Book Groups

This month the Library moves into high gear with Ridgefield Writes, our 300^th anniversary celebration of Ridgefield authors, “past, present and just passing through.” Along with an Author Festival set for April 24-27, we have scheduled special activities for our regular book discussion groups, and now is the time for readers to get in on the fun.

We’ll start with the Tuesday Evening Nonfictioneers, who will devote their April 1^st meeting to Silvio Bedini’s “Ridgefield in Review.” The Critics’ Circle will gather on April 15^th to talk about Mark Salzman’s critically acclaimed novel “The Soloist.” Salzman’s own Ridgefield upbringing as chronicled in his memoir “Lost in Place” will be the topic for the AM Book Group on the 23^rd. The Library’s monthly book discussion at Founders Hall on the 24^th will focus on “Girls of Tender Age,” another memoir of suburban childhood by former Ridgefielder Mary-Ann Tirone Smith (open to all members of Founders Hall – copies of the book available at the front desk). As a special treat, Smith and Salzman will be appearing at the Library as part of the Author Festival. Details of these and many other Ridgefield Writes events are available at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org.

Our next Reading Is a Family Affair program on May 7^th will feature local author C. Coco DeYoung leading a conversation about her book “A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt,” a historical novel for young readers about the Depression. Stop in Children’s Services to sign up and receive a free family copy of the book, thanks to the Friends of the Library.

Copies of the Bedini and Salzman titles are available for borrowing at the Circulation Desk. Book group selections are also available for purchase at a discount at Books on the Common. New members are always welcome, so join us to celebrate our local literary lights!