I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” - Charles Dickens

Let’s celebrate the holidays by joining us for tea and chocolate on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. A Pleasant Pairing: a Downton Abbey themed English tea and chocolate pairing event! Registration is required as space is limited.

Join us also on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. for “Telling Stories,” a holiday musical performance with Irene Mrose Rissi on viola; accompanied by Linda Hinz on piano. Registration is suggested.

In 1853 Charles Dickens began public readings of his most popular work, “A Christmas Carol.” When he ended his performances in 1870, he had read it 127 times. On Thursday, Dec. 14, at 6:30 p.m. Dickens will come alive again with a one-man performance by Kenneth Noll, professor emeritus, University of Connecticut. Registration is suggested.

We have a wonderful surprise for you on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m. as we show one of America’s favorite holiday movies with a lecture about this classic movie following on Tuesday evening, Dec. 19, at 6:30 p.m. presented by Brian Rose, professor emeritus, Fordham University. This two-part program is sure to be an enjoyable one for all. Professor Rose’s talk is co-sponsored by Groton Public, The Otis Library of Norwich, Stonington Free Library, Mystic & Noank Library and Bill Memorial.

We will celebrate an Icelandic Christmas literary tradition begun during World War II when supplies were slim but books were plenty on the island. Called “Jolabokaflod” meaning “Christmas Book Flood,” beginning Dec. 14 and up through Dec. 23, stop in and choose a wrapped book from our display. Don’t unwrap until Christmas Eve and have some hot chocolate as you read, while supplies last.

We finish our three-part Antiracism series facilitated by Drakes & Burton Consulting and in partnership with Waterford RISE on Saturday, Dec. 2, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The session “Allyship in Action,” empowers participants to enact anti-racist strategies and allyship in their own lives.

Our Virtual Author Talks this month include: Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. bestselling author of the Red Queen and Realm Breaker series, Victoria Aveyard, chats with us about young adult fantasy fiction, world-building, and her incredible body of work. Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. you’re invited to an afternoon chat with New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Land as she talks to us about her new memoir, “Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education.”

Our monthly book clubs are as follows: Mystery Book Club the first Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.; Speculative Fiction Book Club meets virtually the second Monday at 7 p.m. (registration required); and the Friday Afternoon Book Club will not be meeting in the month of December. On Dec.15, library director Chris Johnson is facilitating a discussion of The Shadow Box by Luanne Rice (2021) at the Community Center. Call Senior Services at 860-444-5839 to register.

For ages 12 to 18: Join us in the Teen Section of the library for our Teen Drop-In Craft Night on Thursday, Dec. 21 between 5:30 and 7 p.m. to create a craft for the Winter Solstice, no registration required. On Thursday, Dec. 7, join our Craft Night to create a snowy owl sculpture, for ages 11 and older, registration is required.

If you're a fan of wizards and witches, dragons and knights, or mythical creatures of all kinds, this Fantasy Book Club is the perfect place to share your passion for the genre. You choose the book and bring it to life with fellow adventurers on Monday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. Recommended for ages 9 to 12 years old, registration is required.

Join Miss Ashlee for a winter story and then explore multiple sensory stations on Friday, Dec. 15, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Recommended for ages 2 to 5 years old with a caregiver. No registration required.

Join us for our final Sign and Sing Story time with Ms. Janine on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m. to sing some songs and learn useful sign language. Recommended for ages birth to 5, no registration required. This program is made possible with the help of CT Humanities.

The library has gone to the dogs! All ages are welcome to join us in the Children’s Room for several sessions of Read to a Dog. Hodges will be here on Tuesday, December 5 from 4 to 5 p.m., and Scout will be here Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., then Saturday, Dec. 16 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. No registration required.

Be sure to check the calendar on our website for a full list of programs for youth over winter break.

Our December artist is Stephen Holt, who will display landscapes and portraits in oil and watercolor.

These are some highlights of our December 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 our programs and registration, please refer to our website www.waterfordpubliclibrary.org. While at our website, be sure to sign up for our monthly enewsletter for the latest information on all library events and services. Please “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

Christine M. Johnson is director of Waterford Public Library.

Kenneth Noll, professor emeritus, University of Connecticut, who is portraying Charles Dickens in a program on December 14.