Kent library elects officers, board members

KENT >> The Kent Library Association of the Kent Memorial Library welcomed four new board members and elected new officers at its meeting on March 3.

The new leadership includes co-presidents Sandra Edelman, partner at the law firm Dorsey & Whitney in New York; and Jim Blackketter, former owner of the House of Books. Officers previously elected at the KLA annual meeting in January are vice president Sharon Hartwick, a Sotheby’s real estate agent; treasurer Mark Sebetic, a veterinarian in Kent and Dover Plains; and secretary Michaela Lawrence, retired commercial actress. The four new board members elected at the annual meeting were Ellen Horovitz, retired physical therapist; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, oceanographer & Titanic diver; Betty Ruddy, retired attorney and writer; and Julie Saxton, Media Strategist & Entrepreneurship Program Manager at Kent School.

Past board president Ken Cooper said, “This board has depth, represents all segments of the community and is led by outstanding individuals. I am quite happy that KML will remain an important part of the social fabric of Kent.”

Sandy Edelman has lived in Kent for 22 years, was formerly the secretary of the board and has led its membership committee for the past several years. Jim Blackketter has lived in Kent for 26 years and is a member of the library board’s finance committee. He was previously a member of the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals, is now a member of the Kent Board of Finance, serves on the boards of the Kent Community Fund and Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation and volunteers for the Kent Food Bank and the Quality Thrift Shop.

Ken Cooper will remain an active board member, contributing his time and efforts to fundraising, development and the finance committee.

“We wish to thank Ken Cooper for his longstanding service and dynamic leadership as president of the KLA board for the past 11 years,” Edelman said. “Under his presidency, the Kent Memorial Library has become a vital town center, recognizing those who record history, tell stories, challenge us with new ideas and teach us about other cultures. We look forward to continuing and building upon Ken’s dedicated work for the library, to ensure that it remains a valued part of the community.”

“Not only do we want to continue the momentum started by Ken Cooper, we look forward to working with the extraordinary staff of the library and the hundreds of volunteers that help make the Library such a valuable part of the community,” said Blackketter.

Cooper served as president from December 2006 until March 2017. He was instrumental in bringing outstanding personalities to the library’s Kent Lecture Series such as Vitaly Churkin, Douglas Brinkley, Pete Souza, Nancy Gibbs, Sandra Day O’Connor, Jeffrey Toobin, General Colin Powell, John Lewis, Meryl Streep, Marilyn Horne, Dr. Henry Kissinger, Christopher Buckley, Edmund Morris, Sylvia Morris, Tom Brokaw, Frank Delaney, and many other inspirational speakers.

The Kent Memorial Library’s mission is to enrich the lives of individuals and the community by providing materials, programs, and services to encourage reading, learning and imagination. The Kent Memorial Library is located at 32 North Main Street, Kent.. Visit www.kentmemoriallibrary.org for more information.

Donations, volunteers sought for food pantry

LITCHFIELD >> St. Michael’s Parish is collecting donations from its own members as well as those in the greater Litchfield community in order to stock a food pantry, set to open on Saturday, April 22, in the Parish Community House, 23 South Street, just across from the church building.

The pantry will be open the third Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and welcomes all who are affected by food insecurity issues. No registration is required. Once the scope of need is assessed, the pantry times could be expanded. To begin, nonperishables are being collected, but St. Michael’s plans to eventually accept fresh food items as well. Nonperishable items can be left in the Community House on the wire shelving in the foyer. Church School children will also be holding a food drive at Litchfield Stop & Shop on Saturday, April 1, from 10am-3pm to benefit St. Michael’s food pantry.

Volunteers from the greater Litchfield community are needed to help stock the pantry. Volunteer training will be held on Saturday, April 15, inside the church from 10 a.m.12 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to help distribute food on Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on April 22, May 20, and June 17.

For information, contact Rev. Deacon Amy Reichman at deacon@stmichaels-litchfield.org, or call the Parish Office at 860-567-9465 weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.