Calendar

The Russell Library will be closed Monday, May 31st for the holiday.

https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/1546903/8606713-middletown-pride-part-1 In today's episode, we enjoy three amazing interviews for Part 1 of Pride month. Kim talks to Christopher Forte, Assistant General Counsel for the City of Middletown, who spearheaded the inaugural Middletown Pride event. Cate chats with Sal Uccello, founding member of the City's LGBTQ Advisory Committee and a City Commissioner for the LGBTQIA Commission. Lastly, Christy interviews Jesse Nasta, Assistant Professor of African-American Studies at Wesleyan and the Executive Director of the Middlesex Historical Society. You won't want to miss these conversations! https://middletownpride.org/ https://www.mchsct.org/ Book & Media Recommendations https://www.facinghistory.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_a_Sin_(TV_series) Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US All content © 2021 Middletown Strong: Looking Up with Russell Library

https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/1546903/8606713-middletown-pride-part-1 In today's episode, we enjoy three amazing interviews for Part 1 of Pride month. Kim talks to Christopher Forte, Assistant General Counsel for the City of Middletown, who spearheaded the inaugural Middletown Pride event. Cate chats with Sal Uccello, founding member of the City's LGBTQ Advisory Committee and a City Commissioner for the LGBTQIA Commission. Lastly, Christy interviews Jesse Nasta, Assistant Professor of African-American Studies at Wesleyan and the Executive Director of the Middlesex Historical Society. You won't want to miss these conversations! https://middletownpride.org/ https://www.mchsct.org/ Book & Media Recommendations https://www.facinghistory.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_a_Sin_(TV_series) Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US All content © 2021 Middletown Strong: Looking Up with Russell Library

'Take a Tour of the Job Market in a Post-Covid Society' Post-Covid Employment: The Information Tsunami: Global, business, and technology trends have accelerated through the pandemic and changed the post-COVID jobs market. Part 1: Take a tour of the changes in the jobs market in a post-COVID economy This presentation will: — Sort out what is relevant and important for jobseekers, — Identify the influences that are changing the jobs market, — Show how businesses are adapting to change, post-Covid, — Learn how to find and evaluate new opportunities for employment. — Set your expectations regarding salary changes post-COVID Russell Library presents weekly opportunities to network with other job seekers, as well as receive the advice of professionals. The focus will be on the job market and provide updated industry information during this uncertain time of COVID19. The Job and Career Group hosts virtual workshops and a weekly networking session. This session is via Go To Meeting. Registration is required. Questions? Bob Carlson rcarlson@russelllibrary.org or Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org This group is possible from a City of Middletown Block Grant, Liberty Bank Foundation Grant, and The Family of Thomas J. Regan.

Join us for an outdoor storytime for Pride month with our Drag Queen friends Ms. Mia, Ms. Kenya, and Ms. Frizzie, and their special guest Councilman Phil Pessina, at Crystal Lake in McCutcheon Park. We will read books and share rhymes and songs for kids ages 4-8 and their families. We encourage attendees to bring a blanket to sit on since we will set up in the grass by the pavillion that day. For kids age 4-8 (Pre K - 3rd Grade), siblings and families welcome! Registration is required and will close 24 hours before the event begins. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our Outdoor event guidelines: We ask that you stay 6 feet away from other families for your safety, as well as the safety of others. If any member of your household is not feeling well, has a fever, or is quarantining, we ask that you and your family stay home. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org This program is sponsored by Middletown Pride! Directions: Here is a link to the location in google maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crystal Lake Park, Middletown, CT 06457/@41.5145974,-72.6395091,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xe18adeb53786e13e!8m2!3d41.5145974!4d-72.6395091 From Randolph Road (Route 155), turn south onto Millbrook Road. Follow Millbrook Road for 1.5 miles and take a right onto Livingston Road. After 0.2 miles, take the first right off Livingston Road into McCutcheon Park! https://www.middletownct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2583/Middletown-Trail-Guide-PDF (Pg 31-33) Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces such as these, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. DQSH was created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco. DQSH events occur regularly in SF, NY, and LA. For more information on DQSH, visit DragQueenStoryHour.org

Join us via Zoom to learn more about Skill Up for Manufacturing, the free five-week pre-apprentice program! Skill-up has extended registration deadlines for two upcoming cohorts and is calling on Connecticut job seekers 18 years and older to visit www.workforcealliance.biz/skillup and register. Offered by Workforce Alliance in partnership with manufacturers and community colleges in South Central CT, Skill Up for Manufacturing coursework is developed in close coordination with participating manufacturers and includes basic trade knowledge, workplace skills, and production readiness including shop math fundamentals and semi-precise/precise measurement. Skill Up for Manufacturing pre-apprentice graduates complete hands-on and classroom activities and earn 175 Pre-Apprenticeship hours through the CT Department of Labor, plus OSHA 10 and Six Sigma certifications. Support services are available to participants while in classroom training including travel reimbursement, daycare assistance and required books, tools and clothing. Additionally, there is a cash stipend awarded to participants for the successful completion of training benchmarks. Candidates must be Connecticut residents at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED and eligible to work in the United States. Interested students can find the online application and more program information at www.workforcealliance.biz/skillup Apply by June 10 for June 21 – July 23 at Gateway Community College & Eli Whitney Technical High School, New Haven/Hamden Apply by July 7 for July 26 – Aug. 27 at Middlesex Community College & Vinal Technical High School in Middletown Since February 2019, more than 140 Connecticut residents have completed the free program offered by Workforce Alliance in partnership with manufacturers and community colleges in South Central CT. “There are literally thousands of unfilled manufacturing jobs and not enough qualified workers in Connecticut to fill them,” said Bill Villano, President and CEO of Workforce Alliance, whose organization developed Skill Up with local employers using a successful model from Eastern CT. “Many of our classes include several people who never considered a career in manufacturing until now and this program is delivering a vital boost for the industry and state’s economy.” CT manufacturing employers have a vital role in designing the course work and recruiting from classes. Workforce Alliance manages the program and manufacturers can access pre-screened candidates and hiring incentives including 90% wage reimbursement during new hire training. Companies participate in Skill Up for Manufacturing recruitment events, including: Barnes Aerospace, Hobson & Motzer, ASML, Light Metal Coloring, Holo-Krome, Ashcroft, O’Keefe Controls, Bead Industries, Atlas Stamping, Wepco Plastics, Ulbrich Steel, MW Industries, Sikorskly/LMCO, Microboard, TOMZ Corp, Marmon Utilities, and PTA Plastics. The Skill Up for Manufacturing model is based on a successful manufacturing pipeline initiative that has placed close to 2,000 people into jobs in Eastern CT at over 100 companies. Students from East Haddam, East Hampton, Higganum, Manchester, Meriden, Middlefield, Middletown, and Portland were among the latest Skill Up for Manufacturing graduating class. Manufacturing Employers Wanted Recruiting, screening and hiring incentives are available and manufacturers can qualify for on-the-job training reimbursement that covers 90 percent of a new hire’s wages during training. Manufacturing employers and organizations interested in providing training content and participating in the program are encouraged to contact Business Services Specialist Steve Johnson at (203) 867-4030 x 233 or visit: www.workforcealliance.biz/skillup/employers. About Workforce Alliance Workforce Alliance is the policy and oversight organization responsible for creating a comprehensive, community-wide response to the challenges of building a highly skilled workforce in South Central CT, which comprises 30 towns. Board members include business owners, local elected officials and community leaders in order to meet changing local needs and shifting national economic and workforce trends. Workforce Alliance oversees four American Job Center South Central CT locations in New Haven, Meriden, Middletown and Hamden. For more information visit workforcealliance.biz

Join us online on Zoom for our June discussion! Stubborn Beauty Brewing at 180 Johnson St, Middletown, CT currently has online ordering and curbside pick-up. Order to go and enjoy at home during the discussion! Zoom link sent out 1 hour ahead of time. Please register to receive the link! The June title is Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth. Place a hold for curbside pick-up or E-copies are available at www.russelllibrary.org. Questions? E-mail Christy Billings at cbillings@russelllibrary.org Sponsored by the Friends of Russell Library. June Plain Bad Heroines Emily M. Danforth 6/9 July Nala's World: One Man, His Rescue Cat, and a Bike Ride around the Globe Dean Nicholson 7/14 Aug The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy Rachel Joyce 6/11 Sept Anxious People Fredrik Backman 9/8 October The Exiles Christina Baker Kline 10/13 Nov The Girl With the Louding Voice Abi Daré 11/10 Dec Miss Benson's beetle: a novel Rachel Joyce 12/8

https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/1546903/8646206-honoring-juneteenth-portland-social-justice-coalition In today's episode, Christy Billings speaks with Liz Hibino, Kristy Fuller and Erin Livensparger of the Portland CT Social Justice Coalition. Learn more about the importance of Juneteenth and how you can celebrate locally this year! Also included: Joining Middletown Ujima Alliance (MUA) Juneteenth: Middletown’s 1st Annual Celebration of Black Liberation. Organizations Worth Mentioning artistsforworldpeace.org ctbailfund.org blacklivesmatter.com www.ceio.org sistersattheshore.org Book & Podcast Recommendations The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 by Tim Madigan Pod Save the People- crooked.com/podcast-series/pod-save-the-people Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery by Deborah Willis & Barbara Krauthamer Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

https://middletownstrong.buzzsprout.com/ Middletown Strong: Looking Up with Russell Library Russell Library presents stories of Middletown community members, exciting library happenings, and book recommendations hand-picked by our wonderful librarians. Middletown Strong: Looking up with Russell Library is full of love and community spirit. In todays episode, you'll enjoy two fantastic interviews. Ayanna Wright chats with Karly Koski, Incoming President of the Middletown High GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) and Kate Bond speaks with Dolly Haddad; mother, member of the City's LGBTQ Advisory Council and City Commissioner for the LGBTQIA Commission. Thank you for listening! middletownpride.org uconnfertility.com Book Recommendations Princess Puffybottom... and Darryl by Susin Nielsen Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Years Shelf Life: We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia We Unleash the Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia The Inexplicable Logic of my Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

Join Russell Library and our friends from Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center for a Nature Illustrating lesson! Together we will learn all the basic techniques of scientific illustration. Participants will gain an appreciation for the beauty and adaptations of our local plant and animal species! This session will take place at Crystal Lake in McCutcheon Park. For young people ages 6 and up. Siblings and families welcome! Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our Outdoor event guidelines: We ask that you stay 6 feet away from other families for your safety, as well as the safety of others. If any member of your household is not feeling well, has a fever, or is quarantining, we ask that you and your family stay home. Directions: Here is a link to the location of the City Park in google maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crystal Lake Park, Middletown, CT 06457/@41.5145974,-72.6395091,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xe18adeb53786e13e!8m2!3d41.5145974!4d-72.6395091 From Randolph Road (Route 155), turn south onto Millbrook Road. Follow Millbrook Road for 1.5 miles and take a right onto Livingston Road. After 0.2 miles, take the first right off Livingston Road into McCutcheon Park! https://www.middletownct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2583/Middletown-Trail-Guide-PDF (Pg 31-33)

Summer has arrived! Time to put away your jackets and boots and make room for flip-flops and beach towels! Join us for our “Hello Summer” storytime series! Together we will welcome the splendorous new season with songs and stories bursting with sunshine! Pick up supplies to create a fruit juice summer craft (Limit 2 craft kits per household). Please Note: there is one craft for the entire series. This is part 2 of a series. Virtual dates for our Hello Summer Storytime series are: 6/15, 6/22, and 6/29 Will be doing an Outdoor Farmer's Market storytime with this theme on Friday 6/25 at 10:30! Sign up for that here: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7791992 This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required. We have a limited number of supply kits which will need to be picked up at the Russell Library prior to the online event. If you sign up for a kit after you register a librarian will email you to confirm your supply kits are ready for you at the desk! After you hear from us you can: Pick your kit up during library operating hours (Monday-Saturday: 9-5pm) or Call us at 860-347-2528 and set up a curbside appointment! Supplies for this virtual program were provided by the Friends of The Russell Library.

Leslie Caye, Talent Acquisition Coordinator from FedEx Ground, will present on 'Skills for Getting Along With All Five Generations." Russell Library presents weekly opportunities to network with other job seekers, as well as receive the advice of professionals. The focus will be on the job market and provide updated industry information during this uncertain time of COVID19. The Job and Career Group hosts virtual workshops and a weekly networking session via WebEX. You will need to download WebEx to attend. Registration is required. Questions? Bob Carlson rcarlson@russelllibrary.org or Christy Billings cbillings@russelllibrary.org This group is possible from a City of Middletown Block Grant, Liberty Bank Foundation Grant, and The Family of Thomas J. Regan.

We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences - Meeting Virtually. Author Elisabeth Petry will continue to lead The Veterans' Writing Group. This series, invites Veterans to share their stories and photos in their own voices. Veterans are encouraged to share their experiences for their own benefit or to share with family and friends. At this time we ask that you contact Russell Staff member Christy Billings at cbillings@russelllibrary.org about virtually visiting the group. Currently, we have service people from combat and non-combat situations from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraqi Freedom. We hope to hear from other Iraq War Vets, and those who have served in Afghanistan. Old Saybrook native Elisabeth Petry is a writer and former journalist and lawyer. Her first book, a collection of letters that she edited, was Can Anything Beat White?: A Black Family's Letters. Her second is At Home Inside: A Daughter’s Tribute to Ann Petry. She lives in Middletown with her husband, Lawrence Riley, who is a dog trainer and the former Commander of the American Legion Milardo-Wilcox Post 75, Middletown CT. The workshop facilitator is Christy Billings. She can be reached at cbillings@russelllibrary.org Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library.

Book Yak on a Kayak Russell Library and the Middletown Park and Rec are partnering for a one of a kind book discussion. Meet us at Crystal lake in Middletown to discuss 'The Great Alone,' by Kristen Hannah aboard kayaks or canoe. Copies of the book are available at the Borrowing Desk. https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?A=2686&Q=382696 244 Livingston Road, Middletown, CT Registration is required for all paddlers. Participants must bring their own paddle craft/personal floatation device. Please e-mail Christy Billings at cbillings@russelllibrary.org with any questions.. All are welcome, even if you have not read, or finished reading the book Please arrive by 9:45AM. We will leave the dock promptly at 10AM. Rain cancels the event. A big thank you to the Middletown Park and Rec, for partnering with us for this unique book discussion.

FAMILY COMMUNITY DAY: Macdonough Elementary School Saturday, June 26, 2021 from 12-4pm Activities, Summer Camps, & Raffles, Prizes, Free Food and More! Activities: Music, Bounce House, African Drummers and Dancers, Circus Camp, Middletown Arts, Russell Library plus more to come! Vaccine Clinic: Free COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. Learn, get the shot, ask questions and get answers. Free Food: Burgers, Hot Dogs, and planning for more! Eat here AND take food home. WHERE: Macdonough Elementary School 66 Spring Street Middletown, CT No sign-ups required. Rain date: Sunday, June 26th.

Summer has arrived! Time to put away your jackets and boots and make room for flip-flops and beach towels! Join us for our “Hello Summer” storytime series! Together we will welcome the splendorous new season with songs and stories bursting with sunshine! Pick up supplies to create a fruit juice summer craft (Limit 2 craft kits per household). Please Note: there is one craft for the entire series. This is part 3 of a series. Virtual dates for our Hello Summer Storytime series are: 6/15, 6/22, and 6/29 Will be doing an Outdoor Farmer's Market storytime with this theme on Friday 6/25 at 10:30! Sign up for that here: https://russelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7791992 This virtual program is for children ages birth-6. Registration is required. We have a limited number of supply kits which will need to be picked up at the Russell Library prior to the online event. If you sign up for a kit after you register a librarian will email you to confirm your supply kits are ready for you at the desk! After you hear from us you can: Pick your kit up during library operating hours (Monday-Saturday: 9-5pm) or Call us at 860-347-2528 and set up a curbside appointment! Supplies for this virtual program were provided by the Friends of The Russell Library.

This training with QPlus will cover some basic identity vocabulary, including the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. We will explore why these identities are so important, how and why youth in this community are at higher risk than cisgender heterosexual peers, and best practices for including and honoring those identities when working with youth. There will be space for questions throughout the event and at the end. This virtual program is for adults. Registration is required and will close 1 hour before the event begins. If you have any questions, please contact us at kidsdept@russelllibrary.org This program is produced in partnership with Middletown Pride! Mel Cordner (they/them) is the founding leader of Q , a Connecticut queer youth organization dedicated to uplifting and empowering queer youth through programs like open mics, “adulting crash course” workshops, weekly game nights and support groups, and GSA support. Mel has years of experience running programs and events for youth, and facilitating trainings for adults and youth alike on topics like gender, sexuality, neurodiversity, consent, college activism, and youth culture and leadership development. They work to support young folks within and ‘around’ the ‘system.’ They are an educator, advocate, writer, and all-around loudmouth genderqueer whose mission is to shake things up and leave a place more colorful than they found it. Q Plus is grassroots, community-based, youth-led, and (at least for now) volunteer-run. We are a group of teens, young adults, and older adult supporters. We work to create more youth accessible spaces, uplift youth voices, and empower youth, through programs like open mics, “adulting crash course” workshops, game nights, support groups, and GSA meetups. Our overall goal is to create space for queer youth to be authentically and entirely themselves. Every event and program we create is born of a need identified by queer young people, rather than suggested by adults. Our plan is to continue changing and evolving as the needs of queer youth continue to change and evolve. For more information on QPlus, please check out their website: https://qplusct.wixsite.com/qplusct

Join Russell Library and our friends from Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center as we Inspect an Insect! We will use microscopes and hand lenses to investigate features that all insects have in common! Learn about different families of insects as we explore Smith Park in Middletown and collect live specimens for identification and study. This session will take place at Smith Park located on the north side of Country Club Road in Middletown. For young people ages 5 and up. Siblings and families welcome! Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to ensure everyone's safety we request that all families follow our Outdoor event guidelines: We ask that you stay 6 feet away from other families for your safety, as well as the safety of others. If any member of your household is not feeling well, has a fever, or is quarantining, we ask that you and your family stay home. To get to Smith Park take Country Club Road east from Interstate 91 or west from the Ballfall Road/East Street junction. The park entrance is just west of Moody School on the north side of Country Club Road. https://www.middletownct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2583/Middletown-Trail-Guide-PDF (Pg 38-39)