Welcome to the Library Section

NEW: The Cupcake Conspiracy: A benefit for Friends of the Chappaqua Library

cupcake play
At the Chappaqua Library Theatre on Saturday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m.—a cupcake to go with every ticket!
February 17, 2012
by C.J. Ehrlich

Come to a staged reading of a new comedy to benefit the Friends of the Chappaqua Library! Every ticket you buy—$12 for adults, $10 for kids—supports quality library programs. Go to the Chappaqua Library homepage. Pssst! Click on the cupcake flyer at the bottom of the front page.

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Auditions for upcoming reading to benefit Friends of the Chappaqua Library

cupcake play
Monday, January 30, 2012
from the Friends of the Chappaqua Library

Seeking Experienced Actors for AUDITIONS for a staged reading of a new comedy, THE CUPCAKE CONSPIRACY, by C.J. Ehrlich and Philip J. Kaplan. The play will be presented on Saturday, March 3rd at the Chappaqua Library Theatre—all proceeds to benefit Friends of the Chappaqua Library.

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NEW: Today, former President Bill Clinton signs copies of his book, “Back to Work”

Back to Work
December 9, 2011
by Christine Yeres

At the Chappaqua Library on Friday, December 9, between 3:15 and 5:15 p.m. former President Bill Clinton will sign copies of his book, Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy. Of the proceeds, 10% will go to the Chappaqua Library. Copies of the book must be purchased at the library for $26 by cash, check or credit card. You may buy any number of books, but you may have only one book signed.  See other restrictions in “Read more…”

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Is Huck Finn Worth the Trouble?

twain
November 18, 2011
by Kathryn Ward

Might as well say it straight:  Mark Twain was a contentious ol’ coot.  He lured people in with his book about the charming rascal, Tom Sawyer, and then delivered a below-the-belt hit with his follow-up about the kinder, but abused, Huck Finn.

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The Chappaqua Orchestra cordially invites you to “jump into the river”

Friday, November 4, 2011
by Marjorie Perlin

The river of Mark Twain’s domain, that is. Immerse yourself in a book; get swept away by a story; plunge into the words, sights and sounds that make up Mark Twain’s writings, his life and his times. “Sounds” is where The Chappaqua Orchestra comes in. In collaboration with the Chappaqua Library as part of its month-long celebration of the man and his work, The Chappaqua Orchestra is proud to present Music and the River: a Musical Tribute to Mark Twain on Saturday, November 5 at the Chappaqua Library Auditorium starting at 8:00 p.m.

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WEDNESDAY: Rocky Hills Lecture Series: Making a New Garden—And a New Life

browning
Wednesday, October 12: The fall 2011 Rocky Hills Lecture at the Chappaqua Library will feature garden writer Dominique Browning
October 7, 2011

After losing her job and the magazine she edited for more than a decade, Dominique Browning was forced to slow down and find a new structure for her life. She will read from her new book, show photographs, and talk about how she said goodbye to a garden she lovingly tended for decades and how she created a new one—one seed at a time.

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Save-the-Dates: League of Women Voters Ward System Referendum Forum & Candidates Night


Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
from Sheila Bernson

Monday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. at New Castle’s Town Hall: Community Forum on increasing town board by two members, and adopting a ward system of representation

Thursday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chappaqua Library: Candidates’ Night

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Horace is looking for traveling companions this summer! Will you be one?

greeley
July 1, 2011
by Samantha Wesner

In a case on your left as you enter the lobby of the Chappaqua Library sits the image of a 19th-century man with a dignified expression, a black hat, a distinctive beard and an intense gaze that inexplicably seems to instruct you to “Go west, young man” (or woman). He is none other than Chappaqua’s own Horace Greeley.

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High school students, book a trip with us this summer!

Monday, June 27, 2011
by Hanna Richman

This summer, trade in your plane tickets for a soon-to-be-classic paperback. Instead of jetting off to tropical and far away places, this summer, I will be setting up a lawn chair in a sunny spot in my backyard and visiting new places through books. Care to join me?

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134 Summer Reads for Middle Schoolers

book
July 1, 2011

Karen Baker, Library Media Specialist at Seven Bridges Middle School, Sharon Wiggins, Library Media Specialist at Robert E. Bell Middle School, and Z, Head of Teen Services at the Chappaqua Library collaborated to come up with this list of 134 books that middle schoolers will love.

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Ellen Smithberg is our new library board member

smithberg
Smithberg with her husband, Ken Margolis, and son, Alex Margolis, on election night.
Friday, May 20, 2011
by Christine Yeres

The four-way race for the Chappaqua Library board position was too close to call on election night, but by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday the 21 votes submitted by affidavit had been verified, and District Clerk Theresa Markley announced Ellen Smithberg as the winning candidate for the five-year position.  The library’s $2,766,724 budget passed by about 300 more “Yes” votes than last year’s.

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League of Women Voters of New Castle VOTERS GUIDE SPECIAL EDITION

VOTE
May 13, 2011
from Sheila Bernson

Editor’s Note: The video of last Thursday’s Candidates’ Night is now playing on cable access TV and in “video on demand” on NCCMC’s site.  What follows are the written responses to the League’s questions to school and library board candidates.

Because of the extension of time given for candidates to come forward, the League of Women Voters of New Castle’s Voters Guide that was mailed to all Chappaqua Central School District households did not include all the contestants in the School Board and Library Board elections.  The following information was provided by the candidates to the League in response to the questionnaire that the League distributed to all of the candidates.

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Five residents come forward to vie for one Library board seat in May 17 election

May 6, 2011
by Susie Pender

When the April 18 filing deadline came and went for applications to run for the one Chappaqua Library Board of Trustee seat up for election every year, only one candidate had filed a petition to run, which she soon withdrew.

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Petition deadline extended for library board candidates to Thurs. May 5

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

by Christine Yeres

The sole candidate who submitted a petition to run for the vacant seat on the Board of Trustees of the Chappaqua Library withdrew her petition last week for personal reasons. According to New York State Education Law, when the sole candidate withdraws after the time to submit petitions to run for election has passed, the school district must extend the time for filing petitions for 15 days from the receipt of the written withdrawal.

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Three candidates for two Board of ed positions; library board petition deadline extended

Updated Monday, May 2, 2011
With 198 comments since publication April 19
by Christine Yeres

Editor’s note: This story has received 126 comments since we first ran it on Friday, April 22. We typically leave stories on the front page for a week and then they can all be found in our archives using our search box. We have decided to leave this article on the front page for another week because it has become a catalyst for some wide-ranging conversations about the challenges facing the school district in the coming years and suggestions for the three candidates running for the Board of Education. We encourage more residents to jump into this conversation, as we can all profit from additional perspectives.

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Middle school and high school writers, submit to the 32nd Annual Young Writers Contest!

young writers
Deadline for submissions is March 30, 2012
February 6, 2012
by Cheryl Jacobs Ehrlich

Winter’s wonky this year! Get inspired by the sunshine and start writing! The 32nd Annual Young Writers Contest is now open for entries. Each year the Friends of the Chappaqua Library sponsors the Young Writers Contest, to find and recognize writing of merit in the community.  All students, grades 6-12, residing in the Chappaqua Central School district or enrolled in Chappaqua schools may enter the contest.

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TUESDAY: NC Historical Society’s Antiques Lecture & Appraisal Series: This one’s on modern!

Kent
Third in the series: Michael Kalesti of Kent on Mid-Century Modern
Monday, January 23, 2012
by Susan Blumenfeld

Uncover your hidden treasures!  Join us at the last of the New Castle Historical Society’s popular annual Antiques Lecture & Appraisal Series on Tuesday, January 24, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Chappaqua Library.  Always an exciting event, the series provides the community with the unique opportunity to have their suspected treasures appraised by experts in their respective fields.

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Chappaqua Library acquiring more ebooks for our new reading devices

overdrive
On the library’s “Digital Media Catalog” page, you can click for HELP!
December 23, 2011
by Christine Yeres

While the popularity of ebooks is steadily mounting, says Chappaqua Library Director Pam Thornton, because of the economy, demand for library copies of traditional books is up as well.  “People are buying fewer books in bookstores,” she explained, “so they want more ebooks and book-books.”

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2nd Annual KenKen Puzzle Tournament winner—Molly Olonoff won-won!

Molly Olonoff wins again
December 9, 2011
by Joan Kuhn

On Saturday, December 3, 2011, returning KenKen champion, Molly Olonoff, HGHS junior, soundly defeated stiff competition from 80 other contestants to win the first place prize.

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THURSDAY:  Learn how to climb your family tree—Part 2

Two-part Family History Workshop at the Chappaqua Library
phil  phil sepia
Phil Hayes and Jonathan Beattie, his other great-great-grandfather
Monday, November 28, 2011
by Christine Yeres

Chappaqua native Phil Hayes became hooked on genealogy at an early age, after learning his great-great-grandfather, Henry William Lewis, had witnessed the shooting of Abe Lincoln at a performance of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theater on April 14, 1865.  Hayes’ family had passed on a copy of a 1897 newspaper article, “Saw Lincoln Murdered,” in which Lewis told a reporter what he’d seen that night.  Hayes returns to the Chappaqua Library to help get you motivated to discover your own family’s story on Thursday, December 8, at 7:00 p.m. (You needn’t have attended Part 1 to register for Part 2.)

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Mark Twain and the Minister

courtney
Steven Courtney
October 28, 2011
by Elinor Allcott Griffith

As part of the month-long celebration of Mark Twain this fall, the Chappaqua Interfaith Council* and the Chappaqua Library are pleased to co-sponsor “Mark Twain and the Minister.” The event will be held at the Chappaqua Library on Sunday, October 30 at 4 p.m. and is free. It will feature a lively talk by Steve Courtney, author of the award-winning book, Joseph Hopkins Twichell: The Life and Times of Mark Twain’s Closest Friend, and on the staff at the Mark Twain House, in Hartford, Ct.

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Come say good-bye to “Z”—Teen Librarian, passionate friend of the teens and Volunteens

Z
Monday, October 21, 2011
by Christine Yeres

You’re invited to a TEEN ZONE ice cream party on Wednesday, October 26, during a GOT GAME? session at the Chappaqua Library.  Drop in to the Library’s Theater between 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. for some ice cream and to get the scoop on Zahra Baird’s new job at the Yonkers’ Public Library.

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NEW: A fresh coat of “paint” for start of Chappaqua Library “Twain’s Domain”

paint
The Library’s Volunteens oversaw a Tom Sawyer fence “painting” on Friday at the Historical Society. See more in Photo Gallery.
Hear Library friends and staff—on NCMC video—read their favorite Twain quotations in “Read more…”
Monday, October 17, 2011

Readings, dinners, music, a Mark Twain impersonation contest, films, documentaries—you’ll find everything but a riverboat chugging through the library from October 15 through November 18 as the Chappaqua Library community celebrates, commemorates and revels in Twain’s works, his characters, his world. See our line up of events below.

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SATURDAY: Girl Scout’s Gold Award project: Great reads brought to the silver screen


Pizza, screening and discussion for middle and high school students this Saturday
Monday, September 19, 2011
by Meghana Koduru

Aparna Nathan, a member of New Castle Teen Alliance and Girl Scout Troop 2745, has crafted a program that pairs page with screen. Teens in middle and high school are invited to attend the Reels and Reads program on Saturday, September 24th at 6:00 p.m. in the Chappaqua Library Theater for a screening of “Return to Witch Mountain,” the story of two young siblings who happen to have paranormal powers. If the pair doesn’t get back to their ship in time, an alien invasion will begin. Participants are encouraged to read the novel by Alexander Key, on which the movie is based. 

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Love ‘em and leave ‘em—Leaf Mulching “in place”

leaf
There’s gold in them-thar leaves!
September 16, 2011
by Maxine Margo Rubin

All through the spring and summer, your trees are working to draw minerals and nutrients up from the earth, and storing them in their leaves. When the leaves come down this fall, you can save the time, energy and expense of blowing, bagging and carting this valuable resource off your property by creating your own mulch and fertilizer. It’s easier than you think!  On Thursday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. come to the Chappaqua Library to find out how to do it.

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September-October, special Chappaqua Library events for the young, teens and adults

brush painting
“Art and Artlessness,” exhibit in the Chappaqua Library Gallery; “Mind Like Water”
September 2, 2011
by Christine Yeres

Chinese ink brush painter Mansheng Wang’s exhibit, “Mind Like Water,” will run through October 8 in the Library’s Gallery.  And speaking of October . . .  the library staff is gearing up for a town-wide delve into Twain’s Domain—as in Samuel Clemens-Mark Twain—starting October 14.  In “Read more…” see what the Library is planning for us all for September and October. 

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Chappaqua Library “Volunteens” read, relax and garden, too!

volunteens
August 26, 2011
by Laurel Kastner

July 23rd, 2011

My sister, friends and I headed out to the Chappaqua Community Garden. We are part of a group of kids from the New Castle Recreation and Parks’ Teen Alliance, and the Chappaqua Library Volunteens who, along with Zahra Baird (“Z”), the Head of Teen Services at the Library, have tended our first garden.

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One-act plays, “Sleep Away!” and “How to Eat Like a Child” at Chappaqua Library

lvp
July 29, 2011
by Alex Friedland


Come to the Chappaqua Library tonight, Friday, July 29, at 7:00 p.m. or Saturday, July 30, at 2:00 p.m. to see the Little Village Playhouse (LVP) performance of two shows, “Sleep Away!” and “How to Eat Like a Child.”  These are great and fun shows.  You won’t be disappointed.

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Families get Cer-REAL with Michael Albert

Cereal
Teen librarian Zahra Baird with Michael Albert and “To be or not to be…”
July 29, 2011
by Axel Kastner

The ability of art to influence us and even provoke feelings of passion seems magical.  Last night, nationally acclaimed cereal box artist Michael Albert visited the Chappaqua Library.  His mission?  To show us how to look at a piece of art, understand it, appreciate it, and also to create it. The event was co-sponsored by New Castle Recreation and Parks and Teen Alliance. Last week, I spoke with Michael Albert about his life and work.

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Learn French, Italian, German or Spanish online with Muzzy, a new online library resource

Monday, July 11, 2011
by Eleanor Friedman

The Chappaqua Library has recently acquired access for patrons to Muzzy Online.  If you don’t know Muzzy, prepare for some fun interactive adventures with your children in foreign languages including French, Italian, German, and Spanish.

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