Tag Archives: Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library

Old Lyme’s PGN Library Kicks Off ‘Banned Books Week’ with Read-In Event, Sunday

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OLD LYME–The Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes (PGN) Library is kicking off the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week with a community-wide Read-In, Oct. 5.  

The Banned Books Week website states that the week was launched in 1982, “in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools.”

The explanation continues, “Typically (but not always) held during the last week of September, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.”

The Read-In at the PGN Library will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the library’s community room. All are welcome.

Attendees are invited to choose a banned book, challenged book or any book at all to “celebrate fREADom,” according to the event listing. 

The drop-in event for all ages includes door prizes, a round of Banned Books Jeopardy, and the opportunity to print a LIBRARIES ROCK! t-shirt. 

Patrons should bring their own t-shirts, bandanas, onesies, tote bags or anything flat to be affixed with the LIBRARIES ROCK! message in white ink. 

Organizers noted the library has an assortment of blank t-shirts to share with attendees. Any remaining t-shirts will be sold after the event. 

Those who cannot attend the Read-In but would like to have a t-shirt or other item printed can drop off the item at the library by 2 p.m. on Oct. 4. 

For more information on the t-shirt printing option, email Nike Desis at ndesis@oldlymelibrary.org. 

For more information on Banned Books Week, visit their website at this link.

Old Lyme Library Hosts Talk on “The Pirates of Penzance,’ Sept. 27

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Salt Marsh Opera to present ‘Pirates,’ Oct. 17 & 19 in OS

James Kuslan.

OLD LYME— On Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., James Kuslan will present a special talk titled, ‘The Pirates of Penzance: Flying the Flag of Fun‘ at the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library. The talk will take place in the Community Room at the library, 2 Library Lane, Old Lyme, CT, 06371.

This talk is co-sponsored by TheGuild of Salt Marsh Opera, who will present The Pirates of Penzance at The Kate in Old Saybrook on Oct. 17 and 19.

The Gilbert and Sullivan operettas are unique in the Anglosphere for the often exalted music of Sullivan and the wit of Gilbert’s dialogue whose DNA indicates Restoration comedy paternity.

The Pirates of Penzance is not the most musically profound of the Savoy operettas. Neither is it Gilbert’s wittiest libretto.

What Pirates is is a masterpiece of a particularly English kind of silliness which sends up the conventions of grand opera while indulging itself in them at the same time.

All are welcome. The talk is free but registration is appreciated. Register to attend at this link.

Death of Barbara Ryan Kenyon Announced, Past Board Chairman of Old Lyme’s Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library; Services Aug. 21

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CHARLOTTE, NC—Barbara Ann Ryan Kenyon, 80, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on April 19, 1945, in Newark, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Joseph Ryan and Laura Marquard Ryan …

Barbara was a devoted wife to her loving husband, Bruce Davis Kenyon, her “co-admiral” and partner in life for nearly 59 years … Barbara also gave her time and leadership as the past board chairman of the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library in Old Lyme, Connecticut, reflecting her enduring love for literature and learning.

Barbara is survived by her husband Bruce and their three children: Erin Sanders and her husband Steve of Charlotte, NC, along with their children Morgan, Ryan, and Brynn; Thomas Kenyon and his wife Margaret of Allentown, PA, and their children Catherine, Nathaniel, Caroline, and Eleanor; and Robert Kenyon and his wife Tracie of Austin, TX. She is also survived by her sister, Laura Turton of Cincinnati, OH, and a wonderful extended family …

A memorial serviceto honor Barbara’s life will be held on August 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211. A reception will follow the service …

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Barbara’s memory to Providence UMC’s Stephen Ministry or to the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library.
Barbara’s legacy of love, service, and passion for life will continue to live on in all who knew her …

Editor’s Note: Visit this link to view the full obituary published on Legacy.com by Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service – Charlotte on Jul. 30, 2025.

Old Lyme Library Presents ‘Red Sox vs. Yankees: The Greatest Rivalry in Sports,’ Wednesday

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OLD LYME— On Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 6:30 p.m., award-winning sportswriter, baseball beat writer and author Marty Gitlin presents a program about one of the the most intense rivalries in American sports – maybe the world. This free event will be held at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library at 2 Library Ln in Old Lyme,

This fun program hosted by award-winning sportswriter, baseball beat writer and author Gitlin features videos of the biggest moments of the rivalry from well over a century, as well as trivia questions.

From the sale of Babe Ruth in 1919 that launched the Yankees dynasty and Curse of the Bambino to Joe DiMaggio vs. Ted Williams to the Brawl of 1967 to Bucky Dent to Munson vs. Fisk to the Red Sox Revenge of 2004 all the way to today – this program covers it all … and more!

Gitlin will have his Ultimate New York Yankees Time Machine Book and Ultimate Boston Red Sox Time Machine Book for sale after the event. 

Gitlin is a freelance book writer and journalist based in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to Diana, Princess of Wales (Greenwood 2008), he has written several history books for students, including works on the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, Battle of The Little Bighorn, and Stock Market Crash of 1929.

He has also written biographies of NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon.

Gitlin worked for two decades as a sportswriter, during which time he won more than 45 awards, including first place for general excellence from Associated Press. That same organization also selected him as one of the top four feature writers in Ohio.

Amy Gamerman of Old Lyme to Discuss Her New Book at OL-PGN Library, July 9

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On July 9, Old Lyme resident Amy Gamerman will discuss her first book, “The Crazies: The Cattleman, the Wind Prospector, and a War Out West” in a presentation at the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library.

OLD LYME—On Wednesday, July 9, at 6:30 p.m. local writer and Old Lyme resident Amy Gamerman will discuss her newly-published and already highly-acclaimed book,The Crazies: The Cattleman, the Wind Prospector, and a War Out West at Old Lyme’s Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase to benefit the Library. 

Readers may know Gamerman better as Amy Conley, Old Lyme resident and mother of Max, Sarah, Jack and Gloria. Her husband is writer and editor Kevin Conley,

A true story of conflict over competing interests in the rangeland of Montana, The Crazies combines a remarkable cast, a compelling setting, and an engaging story line.

But the book is not fiction—it is based on hard, solid fact and is truly a tale for our times. 

The book has been drawing critical praise.

Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction, described The Crazies as, “A fascinating story about the new energy economy. If you want to understand why change does—or doesn’t—happen in America, read The Crazies.”

Gamerman is a longtime contributor to the Wall Street Journal‘s Mansion section. Prior to that, she was the WSJ’’s drama critic and a staff writer on the Leisure & Arts page.

Her work has been recognized with multiple awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors. Her writing has also appeared in Vogue, Redbook and Departures. She attended Yale University and King’s College, Cambridge.

The Crazies is Gamerman’s first book.

Register in advance for the presentation at this link. Advance registration is for planning purposes but walk-ins are welcome too.

The Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library is located at 2 Library Lane, Old Lyme, CT 06371.

Editor’s Notes: i) On Sunday, July 6, we will publish an article by Elizabeth Regan about Gamerman and her book based on an interview Regan conducted with Gamerman earlier this week.

ii) Visit this link to read Jennifer Petty Hilger’s review of ‘The Crazies: The Cattleman, the Wind Prospector, and a War Out West.’