Party In The Stacks! Celebration At Milford Library

From Milford Library: On Saturday, October 20th , the Milford Public Library was transformed with sailboats, a submarine, underwater adventure décor for the 3 rd annual Party in the Stacks: Legends of Charles Island. Many thanks to the sponsors for supporting the event: The Milford Bank, The Crushed Grape, ShopRite of Milford, Sterling Printing & Graphics, and The Williams Agency.

Party guests visited Charles Island on the library landing where photos were taken and many adventurous guests registered for the costume content in hopes of winning one of the prizes generously donated by the Stress Factory Comedy Club in Bridgeport. The contest categories this year were: “Most Literary”, “Most Creative”, “Funniest”, and “Judges Choice”. Joining Library Director Chris Angeli in judging the event were Liz Davies of The Crushed Grape, Allen McGeHee of The Milford Bank, and Dr. Anna Cutaia, Superintendent of Milford Public Schools. Milford’s own Brian Smith emceed the evening events and there was dancing to the music of The DJ Company. Many guests earned a treasure from the treasure chest by participating in the Literary Photo Quest game. The game was developed by Anne Bolin and Kathy Goldbach and artistically designed by Ronda Zalenski. Guests followed the clues to photograph themselves with Moby Dick’s tail, Virginia Woolf (The Lighthouse), Captain Hook, Ernest Hemingway (Old Man and the Sea), a yellow submarine (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), and with a skeleton on Treasure Island. The food was a highlight of the evening with guests enjoying the antipasti table and nautical-inspired hors d’oeuvres prepared by Christopher Martins Restaurant and passed around by volunteers. Beer, wine and a rum punch was donated and served by The Crushed Grape.
Bidding took place on almost 60 silent auction items. Winners went home with restaurant gift certificates, theater tickets, a honeymoon to Africa, a Red Sox autographed baseball, and more. There were unique experiences including a ride on a Milford firetruck, a day with the Mayor and a tour of the Connecticut State Capitol.

Many members of the Friends of Milford Library as well as library staff members played a huge role in making the Party a success. Scores of Friends met on Friday mornings to create the colorful jellyfish that hung from the ceiling, cut out waves for Moby Dick’s tail and silhouettes for under the sea, painted and glued coral, and much, much more. Many Friends donated or lent us décor items or staffed the party itself to guide and aid guests. Special thanks to Ronda Zalenski for her artistic vision, Britteny Garth for the awesome Charles Island graphic used on our flyers and party collateral, the Foran High School Key Club for their muscle during set up and clean up and helping at the door during the party. Additional thanks go to Pam Pilla (Chair), Nancy Abbey, Donna Anderson, Anne Bolin, Rose Bradley, Amy Bringardner, Cheryl Cappiali, Mary Lee Clayton, Judy Condit, Carm DeVito, Evelyn Duffner, Kathy Goldbach, Deanna Jacobs, Karuna Kasbawala, Judy Kennedy, Arlene Painter, Linda Sheehan, Sandy and Bob Steady, Mary Beth Stockman, Deirdre Thomas, Lisa Thornell-Gargiulo, Kristen Trombley, Louise Uchaczyk, Danielle Valenzano, Ashley Volkens, Linda Wandelear, Dale Weiner.

Image via The Milford Library