“The month of August had turned into a griddle where the days just lay there and sizzled.” ― Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees

Save the Date: On Thursday, Aug. 10, at 6:30 p.m. we welcome back Waterford author Jeff Benedict to talk about his newest book “LeBron” (2023). LeBron tells the full, riveting saga of how a child adrift found the will to become a titan. Jeff is the bestselling author of seventeen non-fiction books and a former features writer for Sports Illustrated and the Los Angeles Times.

Our Al Fresco Summer Concert Series wraps up Thursday evening, Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. with FrankenPhil, a local folk duo. We’re very pleased to have CT State Troubadour Kala Farnham here to present “The Living Voice: Art as an Expression of Life” on Saturday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m. This is a creative arts workshop in which Kala will discuss the creative process through a series of concepts interspersed with a performance of songs tied to each concept in her discussion. Registration is required.

And on Monday, Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m., we explore “What is Your Poetic ‘Voice,’ and How Do You Find It?” Designed for the emerging poet, either teen or adult, this program will begin with a discussion about poetic voice led by the women of Artemis Rising, a group of poets who have been meeting for over 20 years. After this portion of the program, participants can read an example of their work. Open Mic is limited to 15. If you plan on sharing your poem during Open Mic. To share, please register. Poems should be no more than one page in length.

Guest author John Cotter is here on Wednesday evening, Aug. 9, at 6:30 p.m. John Cotter was 30 when he first began to notice a ringing in his ears. A devastating memoir that sheds urgent, bracingly honest light on both the taboos surrounding disability and the limits of medical science. “Losing Music” is refreshingly vulnerable and singularly illuminating — a story that will make readers see their own lives anew.

Our Virtual Author Talk series this month include the following: Tuesday, August 15, 4 p.m., bestselling author Robert Jones Jr., discusses his debut and award-winning novel, “The Prophets”; Wednesday, August 23, 8 p.m., a talk with author Cassandra Clare about her newest and final book in The Last Hours series, “Chain of Thorns”; and on Wednesday, August 30, 2 p.m., spend an hour with author Jeff Selingo, who immersed himself in the world of admissions for a year to answer the question on the minds of teenagers and their parents: How do colleges select their freshman class? The result is “Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions.”

For ages 12-18,, join us for our Teen Craft Night on Thursday, Aug. 3 at 5:30 p.m. to create your very own fantasy map using a unique trick; registration required. On Thursday, Aug. 17 drop into the Teen Area between 5:30 and 7 p.m. to make a summer themed craft; no registration required.

All ages can drop into the Children’s Room on Tuesday, Aug. 15 ,from 4 to 6 p.m. to Read to Hodges, our favorite furry friend; no registration required. Families can cool off at our Family Movie Matinee on Friday, Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. where we show a fun, animated musical; no registration required.

The CT Humane Society will be presenting two programs this month: Pets and Caring Kids on Friday, Aug. 4 at 3:30 p.m. and Kind Kids on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. Both programs are recommended for ages 5 and up; no registration required.

Our family storytimes continue Monday, Aug. 7 at 10:30 a.m. Get ready to read and get your wiggles out! Join Ms. Jenna at the library for some fun stories, songs, and dancing. Recommended for ages birth to five years old with a caregiver.

Our August artist is Nancy Almeida Crocker, a self-taught abstract artist from Waterford who has been painting for about five years.

These are some of the highlights for our August calendar of events. All other programs and activities can be found on our website. We continue to offer both virtual and in-person events. For further details about all of our programs and registration, please refer to our website www.waterfordpubliclibrary.org and then click on our Calendar of Events tab.

While at our website, be sure to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter for the latest information on all library events and services. Please “like” us on Facebook too!

Jill Adams is adult head librarian at Waterford Public Library.