Southbury Celebration is a town-wide event featuring food, music, fireworks, and community fellowship. The annual program is co-sponsored by the Town of Southbury and the Southbury Training School and overlooks beautiful Lake Stibbs at the Southbury Training School on Route 172. The community event draws approximately 5,000 people each year. The 2024 Southbury Celebration will take place this September 7^th with a rain date of the 8^th.

The Woodbury Public Library will host “Emerging Artists: Annachiara Chacchia, Mary Lasley and Sam Wilder” in the Gallery Space July 1 – 31 with a reception for the artists on Saturday July 6, 2:00 – 4:00 PM.

Annachiara Chacchia is an artist based in Woodbury Connecticut. Falling in love with art at an early age she pursued her bachelors in fine art in college. An influential period was her time abroad in Florence Italy, studying the masters surrounded by the Tuscan countryside. The artistic elements of ancient Rome and the Renaissance have been inspirational, and continues to influence her work today. She wants her work to convey an element of nature while also grasping the essence of traditional paintings and ambience found in classical art. 

Mary Lasley is a painter, cartoonist, graphic designer, and writer. Since graduating from the University of Connecticut in 2023 with a B.A. in English and a minor in studio art, Mary has been wandering the town of Woodbury making absurd proclamations—four of which are part of this exhibition. She hopes you enjoy them. 

Sam Wilder is a 20 year old artist from Woodbury, CT. Most of his personal projects manifest from an incessant urge to escape into the immersive worlds and stories created inside his head. Introspection is a value he uses to release pain and to understand internal/external challenges through his characters and their stories. One of his goals as an artist is to leave a mark in as many places as he can, including the hearts and souls of others. 

Emerging Artists will be on display during regular library hours, and during the Arts Alliance of Woodbury’s Arts Walk on July 20^th.  For more information, visit the Library’s website www.woodburylibraryct.org or call 203-263-3502.

The Woodbury Public Library will be highlighting works by artist Diana Windham in the Library’s Gallery Space in August.  A reception for the artist will take place on Saturday August 3 at 2:00 PM.

Diana Windham studied painting at The State School of Visual Arts in Frankfurt, Germany and was greatly influenced by the etchings of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters.  At Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, she studies with the late James McGarrell and received a Master of Arts in Teaching.  The Art Students League in New York City provided the next stage in her development as a painter of the human figure. Edwin Dickinson’s masterful rendering of one focused-upon area next to another, combined with his open-minded conversation with avant garde artists was enlightening and inspiring. To be completely in charge of one’s subject matter, at the same time, inventing something new became her goal.

 For more information visit the Library’s website www.woodburylibraryct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information.

Immerse yourself in the soothing and transformative experience of a Sound Bath with Gong with Nick Switz and Brianna Magnotti at the Woodbury Public Library on Saturday, August 3 at 10:00 am. This unique class combines the ancient practice of sound healing with the powerful vibrations of a gong and other instruments, offering a holistic approach to relaxation and well-being.

Participants will begin with a brief guided meditation followed by sound immersion as the facilitator plays the gong and other instruments, creating an immersive soundscape. The vibrations and tones of the gong promote deep relaxation, reduce stress, and support mental clarity.

This class is suitable for all levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners.  Comfortable clothing is suggested, bring a yoga mat or cushion to lie on.  Registration is required for this program; call 203-263-3502 or register on the Library’s website www.woodburylibraryct.org  

On July 1, 2023, Connecticut’s community colleges completed their consolidation into Connecticut State Community College – CT State. With the launch of CT State, students have an opportunity for a new higher education experience – one whose foundations are built on over 60 years of academic excellence and student success.  Join members of the Naugatuck Valley campus recruitment team to find out more about how CT State can be a great start to your college career at the Woodbury Public Library on Saturday, August 10 at 2:00 PM, and on Wednesday, August 21 at 6:30 PM.

CT State provides a cohesive community college experience for the state’s residents who wish to attain a degree or certificate in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree or entry into the workforce. With 12 campuses across Connecticut, CT State is the signature provider of higher education opportunities in Connecticut, educating more than 60,000 credit students a year. In fact, CT State is the fifth largest community college in the nation, standing alongside leaders like Northern Virginia, Miami-Dade and Ivy Tech.

Teams of faculty have worked for the past several years to develop consistent curricula in all areas of study, and students will be able to move among campuses and know that their classroom experience will be of the highest quality, delivered by the finest faculty in the state. The programs and majors found in CT State’s six areas of study – arts and humanities, business and hospitality, engineering and technology, nursing and health careers, science and mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences – not only meet the workforce needs of that state but provide prospective students with the career and life goal choices they need to be successful and fulfilled.  A student’s course of study can be full-time or part-time and, when coupled with the CSCU Transfer Ticket program, can result in the most affordable associate and bachelor’s degrees in the state.  Reserve a spot on the Library’s website www.woodburylibraryct.org or call  203-263-3502 to find out more.

The 1960s were one of the most disorderly and divisive decades in world history. The number of American young people 14 to 25 jumped 40 percent in the era, representing 20% of the population.  The gulf between their parents and these youths, growing up during a period of peaceful, rapid economic growth, revealed a tremendous gap in perspectives.

Young people of the 1960s questioned the previous generations authority and outlooks. They went further by rejecting social norms of race, the traditional family unit, sexuality, and dress. A new, psychedelic inspired music by the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and many other bands delivered lyrics and energy crucial to invigorate political ideas and common experiences. The phenomenon of distrust of those over 30 signaled a growing mood of militant protest that could not be quelled.   Join author/historian John Cilio for “A Psychedelic Generation Gap: How the sixties counterculture changed America’s future” at the Woodbury Public Library on Tuesday, August 6 at 6:30 PM.  Register on the Library’s website www.woodburylibrayct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information.

John Cilio is a historical storyteller, author and a member of the Organization of American Historians and the Association for the Study of Connecticut History. He is a storied researcher who has brought historical stories back to life for over 15 years. He retired from IBM corporate marketing communications and has published seven historical books and numerous articles for national and regional periodicals. His book about the evolution of helicopters, whose foreword was written by a son of Igor Sikorsky, is a listed reference source at the Smithsonian Institution.

Matt Yanarella from My Productions brings a DIY Craft Lab to the Woodbury Public Library on Wednesday, July 31 at 3:00 – 5:00 PM.  The hands-on, DIY Makerspace afternoon includes 10 different stations of creative fun. Grades 5 & up can join Matt and make sand art, create 3-D printed mini figures, create a variety of arts & crafts that light up, dip recycled stuff in paint at the Hydro Dip Station and much more!  Bring your creativity to this fun program!  Register at www.woodburylibraryct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information.

The Woodbury Public Library is hosting a series of programs created for high school students, their families, and parents & grandparents planning for future expenses.  The programs tackle the many questions that come with the next steps after high school. 

College: Getting There from Here will be offered on Tuesday, July 30 at 6:00 PM.  The idea of planning for the cost of college can be very daunting. Join Kristina J Matwijec a Financial Advisor from Edward Jones to understand the total cost of going to college including tuition + fees, room + board, books + expenses, even travel costs and how to get started saving early.  You’ll learn suggestions to prepare for your child’s future college costs. 

College Planning: Should My Child Go to College or Trade School and How to Pay for It is offered Wednesday, July 31 at 6:00 PM.  As the cost of higher education continues to rise, is it worth the investment?  What are the benefits to Community Colleges or Trade Schools?  What are the best ways to pay for continuing education?  Join Alex Overkamp, a Financial Educator from the Association of Financial Educators, to talk about college planning that works for your family.

Why CT State Community College?  Offered on Saturday August 10 at 2:00 PM, and August 21 at 6:30 PM, these programs share the changes to community colleges in Connecticut.  Did you know CT State offers a great, affordable path to higher learning?  A student’s course of study can be full-time or part-time and, when coupled with the CSCU Transfer Ticket program, can result in the most affordable associate and bachelor’s degrees in the state! Find out more about how the program works and if it’s a good fit for you!

The Roadmap to College will be offered on Tuesday, August 20 at 6:00 PM.  Join Holly Franquet, The College Place Connecticut Director, specializing in Student Success & Outreach at Housatonic Community College for “Roadmap to College” a PowerPoint presentation that focuses on future education decisions.  The talk for high school students and their families is offered in four sections and includes information on trade and career schools, insight on how education can change your life, and advice on choosing the right path for you.  The talk also includes information on college costs and the next steps to get where you see your future going. 

All programs are free and open to area residents.  Registration is requested at www.woodburylibraryct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information.

Check out the full calendar of events here!