Stonington Free Library

to enrich lives and build community by bringing information, ideas and people together

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May 1, 2019

Mystery Dinner

On a cool Saturday in April, over 150 guests assembled in the heart of Stonington Borough for the 11th annual Mystery Dinner at the Stonington Free Library, which had been transformed for the evening into the famous Parisian bookstore Shakespeare & Company circa 1919. Attendees mounted the front steps, decorated like the bookstore’s with the words of Hafiz of Shiraz: “I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astounding light of your own being,” and were welcomed by Mystery Dinner Co-Chairs Beth Leamon and Sage Williams. Upon arrival, guests were also presented with the solution to the mystery – the names and locations of their Mystery Dinner homes!

From 6 to 7 o’clock, guests and hosts mingled and chatted, enjoying the ambiance. Drinks were served by garçons in black berets and delicious French-inspired hors d’oeuvres were passed by trés chic dinner committee members, while the faces of famous writers and personalities associated with the original Shakespeare & Company looked down from the walls. Facsimiles of the notorious first edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses adorned the shelves along with other volumes from the Library’s collection. Visiting Merrill House Fellow James Longenbach made a cameo appearance as James Joyce himself to add to the fun!

Before the cocktail hour concluded, Beth Leamon thanked the happy crowd for their continued support of our wonderful Library. Beth was followed by SFL’s Assistant Director Micayla Hall, who talked about Overdrive, the Library’s immensely popular digital service which allows cardholders to check out and download e-books and audiobooks at any time and from anywhere. Each guest received a “due date card” upon arrival, which they were encouraged to fill out with pledge amounts and add to the Giving Board as they exited the Library. We are so grateful for the generosity of our guests, who together raised over $6,000 in pledges to

maintain and expand this popular service!

As the sun began to set, guests departed for 19 different Mystery Dinner homes to enjoy delicious French food and drinks. While each dinner was unique, altogether nearly 200 Library supporters came together to share laughter and stories with old and new friends, strengthening the bonds of community while benefiting the Stonington Free Library.

We would like to thank all of those involved in the Mystery Dinner for their continued support, with special thanks to our 40 generous hosts and our fantastic Mystery Dinner Committee! Each year these volunteers work together with Library staff to create a magical evening that annually raises over $20,000 in critically-needed funds for the Library’s annual operating budget.

Filed Under: Adults, Homepage Tagged With: Adults, Library Life, Mystery Dinner

 

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SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP – Join us on Thu
SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP - Join us on Thursday 6/8 @ 2pm to discuss Leaving Lucy Pear by Anna Solomon. "One night in 1917 Beatrice Haven leaves her newborn baby at the foot of a pear tree, and watches as another woman claims the infant as her own. The unwed daughter of wealthy Jewish industrialists and a gifted pianist bound for Radcliffe, Bea plans to leave her shameful secret behind. Ten years later she returns, but is inadvertently reunited the woman who has been raising Bea's abandoned child—now a bright, bold, cross-dressing girl named Lucy Pear, with secrets of her own." Email millie@stoningtonfreelibrary.org for more information!

Join us to hear Catherine DeNunzio share her new b
Join us to hear Catherine DeNunzio share her new book of poems, Enough Like Bone to Build On. https://conta.cc/3OVehy4
https://conta.cc/43A6REC

Most of us put off any discussion about this last
Most of us put off any discussion about this last stage in life. Why? It is going to happen to all of us whether we are ready or not. 

If you have questions or concerns about the last stage of life come join End-of-Life Doulas Noreen Kepple, Greta McGugan, and Lavina Kepple for conversations around this important topic. They are here to help get the dialogue started and navigate the issues surrounding dying.

Registration is strongly encouraged. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdywSQrhG6jo7s8USYB_klj1KLZVghf3BwC1tpgsHdoqtX2Pg/viewform?usp=pp_url

JUNE GRAB & GO Enjoy some old fashioned fun with p
JUNE GRAB & GO	Enjoy some old fashioned fun with paper dolls!  Color, cut, play! While supplies last.

See what's new this week at the Stonington Free Li
See what's new this week at the Stonington Free Library at:

*** http://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?in&p=5591-335 ***

There are six new bestsellers, nine new children's books, and ten other new books.

 The new bestsellers this week include "Cherish," "No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model," and "Rogue Justice."

School is almost out! Check out our summer reading
School is almost out! Check out our summer reading program and all the special events planned for this summer. https://conta.cc/3CahAK5


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Newsletter Archive

Events Calendar

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  • June 2023

Calendar of Events

M Mon

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Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured May 31 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

0 events, 1

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1 event, 3

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

MYSTERY DINNER 2023

June 3 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

MYSTERY DINNER 2023

BOOKS AND BEYOND - The Power of Your Library Card For over a decade, the Mystery Dinner has been the Stonington Free Library’s signature annual fundraising event. Join us for cocktails at the

0 events, 4

1 event, 5

10:00 am - 7:00 pm

June Grab & Go Paper Dolls Ages 4 and up

June 5 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

June Grab & Go Paper Dolls Ages 4 and up

0 events, 6

1 event, 7

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured June 7 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

2 events, 8

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP

June 8 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP

Join us on Thursday 6/8 @ 2pm to discuss Leaving Lucy Pear by Anna Solomon. "One night in 1917 Beatrice Haven leaves her newborn baby at the foot of a

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

CONVERSATIONS ON DEATH AND DYING

June 8 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

CONVERSATIONS ON DEATH AND DYING

Most of us put off any discussion about this last stage in life. Why? It is going to happen to all of us whether we are ready or not. If

0 events, 9

0 events, 10

1 event, 11

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

CATHERINE DENUNZIO POETRY READING

June 11 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

CATHERINE DENUNZIO POETRY READING

Catherine DeNunzio’s poems range widely. But they all share a single quality: They are deeply, eloquently human. No matter what their focus—a snakeskin, a bird’s wing, a baby’s silver cup—these

0 events, 12

0 events, 13

1 event, 14

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured June 14 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

2 events, 15

2023-06-15

Juliet Grames discusses The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna

Juliet Grames discusses The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna

June 15

Juliet Grames discusses The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna

More details coming soon.

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

JULIET GRAMES AUTHOR TALK

June 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

JULIET GRAMES AUTHOR TALK

Juliet Grames was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and grew up in a tight-knit Italian-American family. Her debut novel, The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna (Ecco/HarperCollins), was shortlisted for

0 events, 16

0 events, 17

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0 events, 19

0 events, 20

1 event, 21

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured June 21 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

0 events, 22

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0 events, 27

1 event, 28

Featured 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

Featured June 28 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

On Wednesday's from 1-3pm knitters and crafters of all skill levels are welcome to bring projects to work on. This is a laid back meeting for knitting, sharing and asking

0 events, 29

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0 events, 1

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  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
May 31
Featured Featured May 31 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
June 3
June 3 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

MYSTERY DINNER 2023

  • There are no events on this day.
June 5
June 5 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

June Grab & Go Paper Dolls Ages 4 and up

  • There are no events on this day.
June 7
Featured Featured June 7 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

June 8
June 8 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

SFL THURSDAY AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP

June 8 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

CONVERSATIONS ON DEATH AND DYING

June 11
June 11 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

CATHERINE DENUNZIO POETRY READING

June 14
Featured Featured June 14 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

June 15
June 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

JULIET GRAMES AUTHOR TALK

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
June 11
June 11 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

CATHERINE DENUNZIO POETRY READING

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  • There are no events on this day.
June 14
Featured Featured June 14 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

June 15
All day

Juliet Grames discusses The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna

June 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

JULIET GRAMES AUTHOR TALK

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June 21
Featured Featured June 21 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

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June 28
Featured Featured June 28 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Event Series

Knitting Group

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20 High Street

PO Box 232
Stonington, CT 06378

860 535 0658 Phone
860 535 3945 Fax
email us

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

LIBRARY HOURS

Monday, 10-7
Tuesday, 10-7
Wednesday, 10-7
Thursday, 10-7
Friday, 10-5
Saturday, 10-3
Sunday, 10-3

 

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© 2023 · Stonington Free Library · Photography by Peter Goldberg · Design & Development by // DESIGN AGENCY //

  • MY LIBRARY
    ▼
    • YOUTH LIBRARY
    • ADULT LIBRARY
    • USING THE LIBRARY
    • LIBRARY SERVICES
    • LIBRARY CATALOG
    • DIGITAL LIBRARY
  • WHAT’S HAPPENING
    ▼
    • BOOK GROUPS
    • NEWS
    • EVENTS
  • SUPPORT
    ▼
    • THE BATTLE OF STONINGTON 5K
    • BOOK SALE
    • CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 2020
    • MYSTERY DINNER
    • SPONSORSHIP
    • BOOK SALE
    • SUPPORT US
    • SUPPORTERS
    • VOLUNTEER
  • ABOUT US
    ▼
    • OUR MISSION
    • OUR PEOPLE
    • OUR COMMUNITY
    • OUTREACH
  • DONATE NOW