Thursday, September 12th @ 7:00 pm: As the opening keynote for our fall Scholarly Series, The Curious Mind: Exploration and Discovery, join us for an evening with Rudy L. Ruggles, Jr., Scientist, Philanthropist, Explorer, National Security Expert and Inventor. Rudy will share the role curiosity has played in his career that has had him at the forefront of national security affairs, high-speed computing and international strategic relations. Through curiosity and a love of lifelong learning, Rudy will share how asking the question, Is it stimulating, rewarding and worthy? has taken him to the ends of the earth.
Rudy currently serves as Adjunct Professor and Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees of the J. Craig Venter Institute. Throughout his career, Rudy has been posted and worked in multiple countries, including China, Iran, Algeria and Australia during more than 40 years working in national security and intelligence services. He was elected a Fellow Member of the Explorers Club in 1980. His expeditions have included travel to the North Pole, the Antarctic, tropical rainforests and an 8,500-foot dive in a Russian deep submersible to study mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vent field biodiversity. Further, he has flown MIGs in Russia and lectured at the U.S. Army War College. He was a Senior Associate Physicist in IBM’s Research Labs and a Strategic Planner at IBM’s Corporate Headquarters. He served as President at the Hudson Institute and has received numerous awards, and academic honors. Rudy served in the U.S. Army, Combat Engineers.
Rudy has lived in Ridgefield for over 50 years.
This program is part of the Library’s Scholarly Series, The Curious Mind: Exploration and Discovery, made possible by the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
Saturday, September 7th @ 10:30 am: Dance and sing along with Robert the Guitar Guy in this musical program featuring traditional favorites and contemporary songs. This program is best for children 5 and under. Registration is encouraged, but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
Click here to learn more.
Friday, August 23rd @ 2:00 pm: Tall Poppy String Band is a new Old Time trio featuring fiddler George Jackson, guitarist Morgan Harris and banjoist Cameron DeWhitt. Drawing from the deep well of American string band music, Tall Poppy String Band approaches tradition with playful curiosity; each performance more a discussion than a statement. Whether they’re chasing the elusive downbeat of a source recording, playing with the pronouns in a bluegrass standard, or challenging the assumed roles of their instruments, Tall Poppy String Band endeavors to prove that tradition is still being written.
Click here for more information and to register.
This program is part of the Library’s 2024 Summer Reading Program and is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
Tuesday, August 20th @ 7:00 pm: One unidentified skeleton. Three missing men. A village full of secrets. The best-selling author of The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna discusses her sparkling new novel about a young American woman turned amateur detective in a small village in Southern Italy.
For a full description, visit https://www.julietgrames.com/
Books on the Common will have copies for sale and signing.
Click here for more information and to register.
Thursday, July 25th @ 6:00pm: Come join us, and a local group of square dancers, and experience the joy of one of America’s oldest traditions! During this free session you will be introduced to a number of basic dance steps and will be dancing in a square within ten minutes. By the end of the evening you will be enjoying your newly acquired skill as you comfortably dance to contemporary music. Dress is casual. Singles and couples of all ages are welcome. No experience is necessary, as it is quite easy to learn. It is simply walking to music. Smiles are guaranteed!
Click here to learn more and register.
Tuesday, July 9th @ 1:00pm: The Ridgefield Commission on Aging and the Ridgefield Library will continue their monthly Senior Voices series with a special look at the programs and services available at the Library for Ridgefield seniors. Library Director Brenda McKinley and Head of Adult Services Rita Covelli will provide an overview of the wealth of resources available at the Library, with a closer look at services in the Donofrio Family Technology Center presented by Technology/Innovation Librarian Kathy Pickle, and a review of online offerings by Senior Adult Services Librarian Christie Mitchell. There will be time for Q & A after the presentation. Senior Voices is a free event and hybrid program. Individuals may attend in person or register to attend via Zoom through the Library. Participants are invited to enjoy light refreshments and conversation following the program.
This is a hybrid program which can be attended in person or as a webinar.
Tuesday, July 2nd @ 4:00pm: Teens who are rising grades 6-12 are invited to meet up in front of the Library, then go across the street to Ballard Park to clean up any trash, dropped items, etc. We will provide trash bags and gloves. Teens will get volunteer hours for attending this program.
Please wear closed-toed shoes, and, if it is sunny, sunscreen and a hat. We also encourage you to bring a water bottle.
Click here for more information and to register.
Monday, July 1st from 11:00am to 3:00pm: Lyme Connection, an organization that’s served Ridgefield for over 20 years, will be in the Main Lobby of the Library to give out Tick Kits – and lots of info about tick-borne illnesses. Learn how to enjoy all the great outdoor activities Ridgefield has to offer, while keeping yourself and your family safe from tick-borne disease!
Wednesday, June 26th @ 6:00pm: Families with children of all ages are invited to a comedy magic show! Ed Popielarczyk is a professional magician, balloon sculptor, flea circus ringmaster and storyteller who has been entertaining children and family audiences for over thirty years. His magic show is a comedy show that uses lots of audience participation. YOU are the stars of the show because you help to make the magic happen. Registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
This activity is part of the Ridgefield Library’s 2024 Summer Reading Program: Adventure Begins at Your Library and is sponsored by the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
Friday, June 21st: Ridgefield is joining over 1,000 cities worldwide for Make Music Day, a live, free, all-day musical celebration. Come join the fun! Performances on the Library Lawn will be held from 11:00am to 6:00pm.
Scheduled activities and performers on the Library Lawn:
Community Karaoke — 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
ACT of CT “Pop Up” Youth Choir — 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Charlotte Roth — 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Richard Zhuang & Maxim Curt — 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
PJ Giovanniello — 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The Four Horsemen Songwriters — 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Elza Libhart — 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Performances on the Library Lawn will be canceled in case of rain.