Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the last Monday of May. Originally called Decoration Day, the day was first widely observed on May 30, 1968, to commemorate the Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. In the first national celebration at Arlington National Cemetery, General James Garfield gave a speech and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers. By the late 1800s, many more cities and communities had begun to observe Memorial Day, and after the First World War it became an occasion for honoring those who had died in all America's wars.

In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which an American flag is placed at each grave. The President or Vice President usually lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

For more information on Memorial Day Traditions, the meaning and history, the National Memorial Day Concert, information to support not only our fallen soldiers but also our currently serving troops and their families, and to read about past national concerts, please visit http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/.

May is Mental Health Month!

May is Mental Health Month began in 1949 to raise awareness of mental health conditions and mental wellness for all. According to Mental Health America, this year there are two important issues being addressed through two themes:

Do More for 1 in 4 is a call to action to help the 1 in 4 American adults who live with a diagnosable, treatable mental health condition and the fact that they can go on to live full and productive lives.

The second theme, Live Well! It's Essential for Your Potentiall, focuses on the importance of mental wellness and the steps everyone can take to improve their well-being and resiliency in the face of difficult times and challenges.

For information visit: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/may

Connecticut Book Festival

The first-ever Connecticut Book Festival, celebrating our State's continuing cultural heritage by focusing on authors, books literary sites and cultural institutions, will be held on the UCONN Greater Hartford Campus in West Hartford on Saturday and Sunday, May 21st and 22nd. Over the course of two days, three dozen authors will talk about their work; there will be performances by DANCEENLIGHT, Mystic Paper Beasts, and five State Troubadours. Children will be entertained at the unique "instrument petting zoos" provided by the Hartford and New Haven Symphony Orchestras and children will have a chance to make chalk drawings with author/illustrator Bill Thomson. Children can also read to pet therapy greyhounds. Parents, teachers,b and students will attend the annual ceremony marking the conclusion of the Letters About Literature program sponsored by the CT Center for the Book. Exhibitors and food vendors will add a "festival" atmosphere. The event is free of charge.

The Festival has been planned over the past two years and is patterned after the National Book Festival held in Washington, D.C. each fall. The festival is sponsored by CT Center for the Book at Hartford Public Library, CT Commission on Culture and Tourism, CT Humanities Council, CT Library Association, CT State Library, Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, UCONN Co-op Bookstore, and UCONN Greater Hartford. More information and details are available at www.ctbookfestival.org.

May 9-13 is Exceptional Children's Week!

This week is Exceptional Children's Week! According to the CEC's website, "The Council for Exceptional Children initiated Exceptional Children's Week as a means to educate the public about children with exceptionalities and garner support for special education. Since its inception, this week has served to spotlight the capabilities of children and youth with exceptionalities and the programs that support them in their communities."

For more information on how to celebrate this week, check out the link to CEC's website at http://www.exceptionalchildrensweek.org/.

In addition, check out some of these important historical individuals with disabilities under the "Celebrate in Your School and Community" link on the CEC website, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Helen Keller.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month! Okay, so lets get out there and plays some ball, you know, baseball, softball, basketball, football, play with the soccer ball, hit the golf ball.... Oh and in addition you can garden (my favorite pastime), walk, bike ride, run, play tag, four-square, jump rope ---- just get out there and move and have FUN!

For more information, quick facts, resources and guides, visit The President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition at http://www.fitness.gov/!

Phones are down!

Opps, we have broken phone lines here at the Library! We are hopeful that service will be restored before the end of the day. If you need to reach us, please email the Library at library@ctserc.org or circ@ctserc.org. Thank you for your understanding and patience!

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!

This annual event provides awareness about communication disorders and to promote treatment that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems with speaking, understanding, or hearing. To get more information, please visit http://www.asha.org/bhsm/ for more resources.