Thursday, January 22 @ 7:00 pm: This presentation will explore the amazing life and career of Connecticut’s Noah Webster and the founding of the American Republic. Noah Webster and his extraordinary generation of American Revolutionary leaders overcame great odds to form a new democracy and country known as the United States of America.
Presenter Craig Hotchkiss was a United States History teacher at South Windsor High School for 33 years, including Honors and Advanced Placement classes, and served as the History Department Chair for ten years.
This A250 program is supported by the Friends of the Ridgefield Library Scholarly Series. Additional promotional support by Ridgefield CT Commemorates America at 250.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Saturday, January 24 from 9:00am to 4:00pm: Recycle your old electronics safely and securely! Decluttering after the holidays? Here’s your chance to clean out your home or office, recycle responsibly, protect your private information and support a great cause, all in one simple act.
Bring your old phones, tablets, laptops, hard drives, PCs, Macs, printers, TVs, DVD players and other technology to the Lower Level of the Library. Computer parts will be destroyed and then safely recycled. Other home electronics and small appliances will also be accepted for recycling, except for large kitchen appliances and any device containing mercury, Freon or hazardous liquids. Secure e-waste recycling and final disposal will be provided by Take 2 Inc of Waterbury, the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority’s certified electronics recycling provider. Suggested donation is $20 per item, with proceeds supporting the Library’s technology initiatives, including STEAM programming for all ages. (E-waste recycling is also available at no charge at the Ridgefield Recycling Center.)
Sunday, February 1 @ 2:00 pm: The Lonetown Boys are an acoustic quartet featuring classic country, folk, blues and americana music. Their unique combination of upright bass (Pat Lavery), Dobro/Lapsteel (Chris Davis), Mandolin/percussion (Dan Bonis), violin and vocals (Dan Tressler) and acoustic guitar/vocals (JD Seem) evoke a traditional, pure and poignant melancholy sound sometimes called “that high lonesome sound”.
For this performance, The Lonetown Boys will pay tribute to the great Hank Williams, the honky tonk poet who had 55 hits in the Top 10 between 1949 and 1953, including “Your Cheatin’ Heart”. “You Win Again”, “Honky Tonk Blues”, “Lost Highway” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”.
The Ridgefield Folk Concert Series is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
Click here to learn more and to register.
The Library’s Museum Pass Program offers free or discounted admission to premiere educational and cultural institutions in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. Passes are located at the Circulation Desk. They may be borrowed for two nights and are available on a first come, first served basis only (no reservations). The Museum Pass Program is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
For more information, call the Circulation Department at 203-438-2282 x202 or email the Circulation Desk.
Sunday, January 18 @ 2:00 pm: The Nu Haven Kapelye invites audiences of all ages to explore the world of klezmer music. As Connecticut’s largest klezmer ensemble, the Kapelye blends spirited Eastern European Jewish melodies with engaging storytelling, live demonstration and audience participation. Through a mix of traditional Klezmer melodies, Yiddish folk songs and our original contemporary arrangements, the ensemble introduces listeners to the cultural roots and historical journey of klezmer—from its origins in shtetl celebrations to its revival in modern American communities. Along the way, we will insights into the instruments, rhythms and improvisational techniques that define the genre, making the music accessible and meaningful to newcomers and aficionados alike.
Attendees will learn how klezmer music reflects the lived experiences of Jewish communities, and how it continues to evolve through cross-cultural collaboration and creative expression. Whether clapping along to a freylekhs (a lively dance) or hearing the soulful strains of a doina (an improvised solo piece), participants will leave with a deeper appreciation for the music’s emotional depth and communal spirit. Ideal for families, music lovers and lifelong learners, the Nu Haven Kapelye’s performance fosters connection through sound, story and shared discovery.
Click here to learn more and to register.
The Ridgefield Folk concert series is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.
Saturday, January 17 @ 2:00 pm: Join Michael Langlois for a presentation telling the story of the founding of our nation through two American musicals,1776 and Hamilton. This lecture looks at these Revolutionary musicals and their contrasting visions of an American society at a crossroads. Note: this lecture features video clips from the two musicals.
Michael Langlois is a performer, lecturer and storyteller with decades of experience on stage. He has lectured on topics ranging from acting and directing to using one’s passions to bridge divides and engage with others. He has directed across New England, including performances for the Hartford Children’s Theatre, Springfield’s Drama Studio and the Ashford Youth Theatre, where he worked for nearly 20 years as Artistic Director.
Support for this special A250 Scholarly Series program is provided by the Friends of the Ridgefield Library. Additional promotional support provided by Ridgefield Commemorates America at 250.
Click here to learn more and to register.
And don’t miss our upcoming programs commemorating America’s 250th! Check our Events Calendar for details.
Tuesday, January 13 @ 1:00 pm: The Ridgefield Commission on Aging is pleased to invite local seniors the first Senior Voices of 2026! The talk will focus on legal and tax issues that are important for seniors. Come to learn everything you need to know and get your questions answered by experts.
Hosted at the Ridgefield Library, this informative session will be presented by J Glen Wagstaff, an award-winning attorney in estate planning law and the managing partner of Inter Vivos, PLLC, the nation’s largest estate planning law firm. Glen will share his expertise on:
1. Protecting Your Legacy & Keeping Your Family Out of Probate
- The real difference between wills and trusts
- How to avoid probate and protect the home
- Ensuring wishes are honored (medical, legal, financial)
- Common estate mistakes seniors don’t even know they’re making
2. Tax-Smart Retirement Strategies
- How to lower taxes in retirement
- Social Security and RMD mistakes
- Avoiding the “Widow’s Tax Penalty”
3. Healthcare Wishes, Long-Term Care & the Medicaid 5-Year Look-Back
- Medicaid planning and how to avoid the 5-year spend-down trap
- Protecting the home and savings from long-term care costs
- Healthcare directives, powers of attorney, HIPAA
- “Right-sizing” your home and finances as life changes
Glen Wagstaff will be joined by Drew Berman, an international speaker, peak performance strategist and best-selling author. Drew collaborates with Glen to revolutionize the landscape of estate planning. His most recent book is Go All In: Your Blueprint for Wealth, Legacy and Financial Freedom.
Senior Voices is a free event and hybrid program. Individuals may attend in person or register via Zoom through the library. Participants are invited to enjoy light refreshments and conversation following the program.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Wednesday, January 14 @ 6:30 pm: Nanopharmacist? Lunar tour guide? Robotic ethics consultant? Augmented reality content designer? Quantum algorithm programmer? These jobs may not sound familiar now, but they will in the near future. Join us for a fascinating author talk with longtime Wilton resident Christopher Bishop, discussing his new book Improvising Careers: Succeed at Jobs That Don’t Exist Yet.
Improvising Careers is based on Christopher Bishop’s successful navigation of eight different careers, from touring rock musician to fifteen years at IBM to quantum podcast host. Improvising Careers provides readers with tools to both shape and take advantage of coming technological innovations. People can prepare for the kinds of work they might be doing as they move into the middle of the twenty-first century by leveraging the insight and socio-historical perspective in Bishop’s pragmatic guidebook.
Our partner Books on the Common will have books available for sale and signing.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Friday, January 9 @ 6:00 pm: Join us for our 21+ adults-only tabletop gaming experience. Snacks, non-alcoholic beverages provided as well as a ticket for one beer or glass of wine included. Tabletop games mean anything from card games to dice games, board games to strategy games.
You are welcome to bring a game and play, learn a new game, borrow a game from our collection to take home, or just observe! If you have a specific game that you are interested in teaching, please let us know so we can put a table aside for you. Larger groups of six or more can also email to request a table be set aside.
All attendees must be 21 or older. Registration is recommended.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Saturday, January 10 @ 10:30 am: Families with children of all ages are invited to rock out at the Library with the BenAnna Band! BenAnna Band is a nationally touring children’s band that focuses on music and inclusion for kiddos of all ages, abilities and identities. This family-friendly, interactive concert will give you a chance to dance, sing and play along with Ben and Anna at the Library! This program engages both the caregiver and the child together, so all attendees should expect to participate. Registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
Click here to learn more and to register.