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Community Corner

Holiday Film Classics Highlight Simsbury Free Library December Events

In December, The Simsbury Free Library (SFL) will continue its Genealogy Road Show program, while taking a break from its usual drop in book club and documentary and foreign language film offering to present two holiday film classics from the 1940s.  For all events, RSVPs are requested via email (simsburyfreelibrary@gmail.com) or phone (860-408-1336).

1940s Holiday Film Classics
Take a break from the holiday chaos and join the Simsbury Free Library for two 1940s holiday classic films.  Come for both or just one.  There will be popcorn and retro 1940s candy to munch on. 

It Happened on Fifth Avenue, Thursday, December 12, 2013, 1:00 p.m.
This is a humorous film about a homeless man who winters at a 5th Avenue penthouse while its owner heads south.  From The New York Times: The film “sings of the generosity of the human spirit, and the feeling of renewal that was in the air in the immediate post-World War II era, a funny, gentle, warm look at people making their way in a time when, for the first time since the Great Depression and the outbreak of the Second World War, cautious optimism seemed an appropriate approach to life. And not for nothing was this reportedly lead actor Don Defore's personal favorite of all of his movies.” 

Holiday Affair, Thursday, December 12, 2013, 3:00 p.m.
Starring Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh and Wendell Corey, this romantic comedy starts with department store sales clerk (Mitchum) getting fired when he doesn’t report the other department store’s price checking spy (Leigh), who pleads for lenience as a widow and mother.  The two end up on a date, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend (Corey).  When the jobless former sales clerk finds out about the widow’s son’s Christmas request, he offers his help and all sorts of comedic complications ensue.

Genealogy Road Show, Saturday, December 14, 2013, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
If you are researching your family tree, but don’t know where else to look to find your missing ancestors, bring in your tree.  Genealogy librarian Diane LeMay can help with deciphering handwriting, online research, Massachusetts and French-Canadian research, and much more.  Free to members; $5 for non-members.

About the Simsbury Free Library
The Simsbury Free Library (the Simsbury Genealogical and Historical Research Library) opened on the second floor of the Hopmeadow District School in 1874.  In 1890, the Library’s collection was moved to its present location at 749 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury.  Today the Simsbury Free Library (SFL) seeks to promote interest in genealogy and history by providing access to research material and expertise, artifacts, and educational and cultural programs.  It seeks to help patrons connect with the past and to learn from and be inspired by those who have gone before them.  The SFL provides a relaxed setting in which people can pursue family research history at their own pace.  For everyone from seasoned genealogy veterans to beginners, the SFL has the staff and resources necessary to help visitors develop the skills required to create family trees, search local histories, look up census records, explore vital records, etc.  
 
The Simsbury Free Library – the Gracious Yellow Lady – is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. as well as by appointment.  For more information, visit www.simsburyfreelibrary.org, call (860) 408-1336.


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