Friends of Library Will Host Wine & Cheese Gathering at Sport Hill Farm on June 15

The Friends of the Easton Public Library are pleased to bring back one of the highlights of their last year’s community activities: an outdoor Wine and Cheese Tasting to help kick off the summer, and to support the Summer Reading program and other events the library offers for the town.

The event to be held on June 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. is open to all: from fresh newcomers to “veteran” old-timers. Visit the Friends of the Easton Public Libary’s website to learn more about the event and to buy tickets. The outdoor setting is Easton at its finest – looking out over the gardens and fields at Sport Hill Farm.

Advanced registration is required since seating is limited. Please reserve your ticket today at the level you feel most comfortable: Friends, Super Supporter, VIP Supporter – to take advantage of all that is being offered. A Silent Auction will add to the festivities. Items will include dinner for two at Barcelona Wine Bar, $100 certificate to Il Palio Restaurant in Shelton, a gift basket from Greisers, a gift certificate from Silverman’s Farm, a Drewlicious gift certificate, a donated Paul Rawson painting and handblown glass from Jason Curtis Glass. Rain date will be Thursday, June 16, at the same time.

The Friends group, once a powerhouse in the town’s volunteer life, was rejuvenated in the spring of 2021 after several of the mainstay leaders ‘retired’ after giving the town and library decades of terrific service. In just the first year of operation, this revitalized Friends group has raised over $21,000 to support library activities that go beyond the town’s budget.

Monies have been spent to support a robust summer reading program, a set of museum passes so that families can visit museums in the area for free, the One Book One Town program this spring to bring the community together with shared reading and purpose. Recently the Friends invested in refurbishing the patio of the library – fixing the pavers and adding umbrellas for the tables; rain and sun protective awnings are possible to follow. And with the help and guidance of the Easton Garden Club, the patio will have planters and flowers to add life and beauty to the setting. Already the patio has been used for outdoor gatherings and the plan is to continue to use this space as a gathering spot for the Easton community: kids’ activities, parties, meetings…. to reserve a spot, contact the library.

The Wine and Cheese Tasting is one of several events the Friends’ volunteers have put on for the town. Last year, in addition to our Annual Giving Day in April, the Friends also hosted a successful Used Book Sale in October, and a really fun Holiday Craft Fair and Tree Lighting in early December. These will be returning this year – with a few other events in the works as well. If people have suggestions for activities the Friends can put on that advance community life and help support the library, please let the Friends know! All ideas are welcome!

The Friends Volunteer Steering Committee meets the fourth Wednesday of the month, where townspeople come together to plan for upcoming activities and work with the Library staff to determine how their funds can best be applied. New folks are always welcome to join the group either as part of the Steering Committee, or simply as a volunteer for anyone of our activities: the Used Book Sale and Holiday program are two that always needs lots of extra hands. Please go to the website and click on the “volunteer” button, or send a note directly to the friends at Friends@eastonlibrary.org, or contact Beth Cliff who is the current president of the group.

Volunteers of all ages help out at Friends’ events. Some are brand new to town, others have been active Eastonites for years.