What is the Connecticut State Aircraft?

Connecticut State Aircraft – Corsair F4U

This airplane has wings that bend, because it was designed to be a carrier based fighter aircraft.

In order for them to take up as little space as possible, the wings were built to fold upward when it was being stored.

The nose of the plane is relatively long because it was built with one of the most powerful engines at that time.

The nose of the plane is so high off the ground, because it was built with a longer propeller blade.

A famous pilot that flew this type of plane was Charles Lindbergh, who flew a non-stop flight from New York to Paris.

A few nicknames that pilots gave this aircraft were “U-Bird” and “The Great Iron Bird”.

If you’re interested in learning more about airplanes, check out The Big Book of Airplanes.

J.F.K. ~ Our 35th President.......

I was born in Massachusetts, and attended Harvard University.  

There was lots of tragedy in my family, with many of my close family members dying at young ages.  

I was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for my book “Profiles in Courage” and at the age of 43, was elected president, becoming the youngest president ever in the U.S.   

I helped to create the Peace Corps and managed the Cuban Missile Crisis.  

I was assassinated during the third year of my presidency, becoming the youngest president to die in office.  

Who am I?

John F. Kennedy

35th President of the United States

In Office

January 21, 1961 - November 22, 1963

Vice President - Lyndon B. Johnson

Introducing the Official State Shellfish.........

Connecticut’s State Shellfish – Eastern Oyster

The eastern oyster is an invertebrate, which means that it does not have a backbone.

Instead, they create a hard shell that supports their body and protects them from predators.

Eastern oysters are found throughout the eastern coast of North America.

They live together in large colonies called beds.

It is possible for Eastern oysters to make pearls, but it is uncommon.

The type of oyster that is known for making pearls is called Pinctada. 

The eastern oyster is a favorite dish for many people that like to try adventurous foods.

Since they are such a popular food item, it is becoming harder to find them in the wild.

If you are interested in learning more about Connecticut’s state shellfish, check out Shell by Alex Arthur. 

Ike ~ Our 34th President

I was born in Texas and went to West Point Military Academy, joining the army upon graduating and becoming supreme commander during the Operation Overlord during the Battle of Normandy.  

I was the only president who served during both World War I and World War II.  

I establish NASA and helped Alaska to become the 49^th state in the U.S.  

I was the oldest man to be president at my retirement at the age of 78.  

Who am I?

Dwight D. Eisenhower

34th President of the United States

In Office

January 20, 1953 - January 21, 1961

Vice President - Richard Nixon

Introducing the USS Nautilus SSN-571....

Connecticut State Ship – USS Nautilus SSN-571

The government first approved nuclear powered submarines in July of 1951.

On June 14, 1952 President Truman formally recognized the ship’s construction at the Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut.

The USS Nautilus SSN-571 became the first commissioned nuclear powered ship in the United States Navy.

This ship broke all records for submarine speed and distance at that time.

In July of 1958, this ship left Hawaii on a top secret mission to cross the North Pole.

This had never been done before by ship, and it was considered an impossible task.

On August 3^rd 1958, this ship reached the geographic North Pole and made history.

If you’re interested in learning more about Navy ships, check out U.S. Navy Special Forces: Special Boat Units by Michael Burgan. 

Give 'Em Hell Harry ~ Our 33rd President

I was born in Missouri, was a talented musician and debated pursuing music as a career instead of politics. 

I was a captain of an artillery unit during World War I, and during World War II, decided to drop atomic bombs in Japan.  

I was president during the Cold War and the Korean War.  

I was known for being well-dressed, having integrity, and being honest.  

Who am I?

Harry S. Truman

33rd President of the United States

In Office

April 12, 1945 - January 20, 1953

Vice President - None (1945-1949)
Alben William Barkley (1949-1953)

Can you name the State Song of Connecticut?

Connecticut State Song – Yankee Doodle

On October 8, 1978, Yankee Doodle was adopted as the official state song of Connecticut.

The composer of this song is unknown.

Some historians believe that the song was originally written by an Englishman around 1755, to make fun of the poorly dressed New England soldiers.

When the Revolutionary war began, the American soldiers rewrote some of the words to make fun of the British soldiers.

The song cheered up American soldiers and became a source of pride for them.

If you’re interested in learning more about Connecticut’s state song, check out Connecticut by Sylvia McNair.

Ice Cream! Ice Cream!

Ice Cream Social

Wednesday August 10th 1:30 - 2:30 pm

Come join us for the annual ice cream social this Wednesday at 1:30pm. 

in the Avon Library Community Room 

It’s a great time to cool off from the heat, enjoy a delicious bowl of ice cream from J Foster, and hang out with friends.  

Who could turn down free ice cream?  

This year we will even have a special guest appearance from Chompers the Yard Goat.  

Everyone is welcome for this community event.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library - Join Today!

F.D.R. ~ Our 32nd President.......

I was born in New York, and went to Harvard College and then Columbia Law School.  

I suffered from polio, causing my legs to be paralyzed.  

I was the only U.S. president to serve for four terms and the only president to have a wheelchair.  

I brought the U.S. through World War II, the Great Depression, and New Deal policies.  

I was the first president to own my own airplane and 

I died during my last term as president at my home in Georgia.  

Who am I?

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

32nd President of the United States

In Office

March 4, 1933 - April 12, 1945

Vice President - John Nance Garner
Henry Agard Wallace
Harry S Truman

Have you signed up for TEEN Summer Reading?

Get In The Game!

Summer means more time for all the fun activities you love to do, like going out to eat, hanging out with friends, and reading as many cool books as you want.

If you want to invigorate your summer, sign up for the Avon Free Public Library’s Teen Summer Reading Program and get awesome prizes for all of your hard work!

Our program starts with signing up for the Teen Summer Reading Program online on our website.

As you read, you can log the titles online, and during your next visit to the library, you can claim sweet treats like a cupcake from Taste by Spellbound, a cookie from The Bee’s Knees Café, a J. Foster ice cream cone, a McDonald’s ice cream, a Bertucci’s chocolate chip cookie ice cream sundae, and a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream cone.

Once you’re done with all the sweets, you can enjoy a slice of pizza from Da Vinci Pizzeria.

Aside from the free food, reading books earns you $10 in library loot. Every visit to the library earns you an additional dollar in library loot, just stop by the children’s desk to pick it up. The goal is to save up your library loot all summer, until the Teen Prize Auction on Friday, August 12 th from 2:00 – 3:30pm.

During this auction, you can bid on a variety of awesome prizes. You could bid for signed books from authors like Rick Riordan, Richelle Mead, James Dasher, Sarah J. Maas, Veronica Roth, Marissa Meyer, Pittacus Lore, Rainbow Rowell, and more. You could bid on gift cards to some of your favorite food places like Starbucks, Chilli’s, Chipotle’s, Moe’s, B. Good, Dish n Dat, and more. If you love movies, our movie lover’s prize pack candy with a Fandango gift card could be for you. The auction will even include a signed picture of Red Sox player, Clay Buckholz. If you have extra loot left over after the auction, you can save it until next summer’s auction or purchase a book from our book cart for $10 each.

If you love reading and earning prizes, our summer reading program is for you!

Ready to sign up yet? Here’s what you have to do:

1. Go online to http://www.avonctlibrary.info/Childrens.htm

2. Click on the icon for the Teen Summer Reading Program

3. Click on the button that says “Sign me up” (just above the username and password fields)

4. Fill out the form with the information you are asked and hit save

5. Start logging your books!

6. When you log into your account and it tells you that you are eligible to claim your rewards,

come to the library to pick them up!

August 3, 1777 - Our American Flag is flown

Symbols of the United States – American Flag

The American flag represents the United States of America.

 

The American flag was authorized by Congress on June 14, 1777. Today we call that day Flag Day.

The flag was first flown at Fort Stanwix on August 3, 1777.

The thirteen stripes represent the thirteen original colonies.

The fifty stars represent the fifty states that make up the United States of America.

The name “Old Glory” was given to the flag in 1831.

The flag is a symbol of freedom and unity.

                                           

If you’re interested in learning more about the American Flag, check out The American Flag by Elaine Landau.