Heartfelt thanks to our Library community for your support and to our colorful 2024 Gala Committee – some pictured below – for the creativity, time and work that goes into making this a wonderful evening! The 2024 Annual Great Expectations Gala, which celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the opening of the “new” Ridgefield Library, will honor Marcie and Peter Coffin with the Hope H. Swenson Visionary Award for their years of leadership and service to the Library’s vision and mission.
On June 1st we will celebrate Marcie and Peter Coffin’s many contributions to the Library. If you missed the chance to attend and would still like to support the Library Gala, donate here: https://ridgefieldlibrary.ejoinme.org/gala24donation .
Marcie, EVP Risk Management at Fairfield County Bank, and Peter, AIA and principal of Doyle Coffin Architecture, have strong ties to the Library. They raised their two sons in Ridgefield and spent countless hours participating in children’s programming and in summer reading contests. Peter served on the Board of Directors for a decade, including seven years as Board Chair. Most recently, the Coffins were co-chairs of the successful 2023 Great Expectations Gala. Each summer, the Coffins compete with a team of stalwart Library supporters in a local charity Bocce Tournament.
“It is fitting to honor Marcie and Peter on the 10th Anniversary of our beautiful Library,” says Brenda McKinley, Library Director. “We are grateful for their long history of commitment and dedication, especially for the lasting impact of Peter’s vision and professional counsel during the process of building our new Library.”
Following his years of Library Board leadership, Peter’s contributions included serving in an advisory role, through every phase of the development process for the new Library, from negotiations with the town, through the design, construction and the opening of the new Library in May 2014. Peter continues to offer his professional guidance to the Library, most recently with the completion of the Miller Terrace outdoor space.
Saturday, November 4th @ 2:00pm: Join us for a fascinating afternoon with author and UFO expert Ralph Blumenthal. Blumenthal co-authored the explosive story in the New York Times that created a new enthusiasm for UFOs worldwide: “Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program.” He was an award-winning staff reporter for the Times for 45 years and continues to write for the newspaper.
In June 2023, he was the coauthor of the article “Intelligence Officials Say U.S. Has Retrieved Craft of Non-Human Origin,” which led to a bipartisan Congressional hearing on Capitol Hill in July. These inquiries remain active and further Congressional hearings are being scheduled.
Blumenthal is the author of the book The Believer: Alien Encounters, Hard Science, and the Passion of John Mack and co-author with his wife, the children’s book writer Deborah Blumenthal, of UFOHS! Mysteries in the Sky.
Books on the Common will have copies of both books for sale and signing.
Thursday, October 12th @ 7:00pm: Ever wondered if the fox in your backyard is dangerous? Is it a coyote or a wolf? What about the loud animal screaming you heard at night? We are here to answer your questions! Woodcock Nature Center‘s Animal Curator Jennifer Bradshaw and Officer Zulkeski of Ridgefield Animal Control team up to educate on how to coexist with wildlife, how to properly handle injured wildlife situations and provide proper contact info for all wildlife and animal related scenarios. Topics will also include wildlife rehab, common animals in Connecticut, who/when to call for help, domestic animal awareness and contact between families and wildlife. There will also be animal mounts, furs and LIVE animals!
Sunday, October 8th @ 2:00pm: The Catoonah Street Jazz and Blues Society will bring the sound of New Orleans-style jazz to the Library as part of the ongoing Ridgefield Folk Concert Series. They have been performing for more than 20 years, spreading happiness and joy through their music. The Ridgefield Folk Concert Series is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
Mark your calendar for the Friends of the Ridgefield Library’s Big Book Sales in October! Sales are held on the Lower Level of the Library.
Children’s Book Sale:
Friday, October 13th from 10:00am to 6:00pm (10:00am to 12:00pm is $10 entry; FREE to members of the Friends)
Saturday, October 14th from 9:00am to 5:00pm
General Book Sale:
Friday, October 20th from 10:00am to 6:00pm (10:00am to 12:00pm is $10 entry; FREE to members of the Friends)
Saturday, October 21st from 9:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday, October 22nd from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Monday, October 23rd from 8:00am to 6:00pm (Bring Your Own Grocery Bag, $5 per bag!)