New York historian to discuss new book

The Cazenovia Public Library will welcome author and historian Michael Keene to the Community Room on Monday, April 30, at 7 p.m. Keene will discuss his new publication, The Psychic Highway: How the Erie Canal Changed America.

This groundbreaking book uncovers how the Erie Canal opened up vital passageways that led to the advent of major social, political and religious movements throughout upstate New York during the 19th century. Within the book’s pages, Keene delves into the Canal’s inspiration, evolution and impact on American life, as well as how the Canal bridged the gap of communications and travel, setting the stage for history-altering events.

Keene is an affiliate member of the Association of Public Historians and a contributor to New York History Review. He has combined his interests in local history, writing and filmmaking in order to explore unique and fascinating episodes of 19th century New York history. The events that bubbled out of this period include the women’s rights, abolitionist, and anti-Masonic movements, as well as the origins of modern spiritualism, seven new religions, sects, and utopian communes.

Books will be available for purchase following the presentation.

Library to host interactive junior book club

“The Wild and Wonderful Readers” junior book club will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, May 1, at 3:30 p.m., in the Cazenovia Public Library Story Garden Room. The session will combine book discussion, games and hands-on creative activities. This month, the group will discuss Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel Matilda (1988).

Matilda is an exceptionally bright and sweet young girl, but her parents see her only as a nuisance. At school, she is forced to endure Miss Trunchbull, the menacing, child-hating headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by Miss Trunchbull, she discovers a remarkable power that can be used to retaliate against the adults that mistreat her.

The junior book club is open to children ages 9 to 14. Books are available at the circulation desk.

Local veterinarian to discuss debut mystery/thriller novel at the library

The Cazenovia Public Library will welcome local veterinarian and author Frank Martorana to the Community Room on Tuesday, May 1, at 7 p.m. Dr. Martorana will discuss his debut mystery/thriller novel, Taking on Lucinda, and address the social issues confronting veterinarians.

Martorana grew up in upstate New York and graduated from the Veterinary College at Cornell University. He is a veterinarian at Cazenovia Animal Hospital. In his new book, the author weaves hot-button issues (e.g., dog fighting, veganism, hunting, and pet ownership) into a captivating storyline. Readers are taken on a wild ride as the protagonist, veterinarian Kent Stephenson battles to protect his town from a cult that thrives on everything animal lovers despise.

“My primary goal was to write a page-turner, with all the requisite arson, murder and mayhem, but I also wanted it to shed a good light on our profession,” said Martorana. “By the time I looked up, I had a three-book series.”

Books two and three of The Kent Stephenson Thrillers are complete and currently in production.

Taking On Lucinda is available in paperback or as an e-book on Amazon, at the Colgate University Bookstore and at many other book retailers. Books will be available for purchase in the Community Room following the presentation.

Library to celebrate the Irish contribution to the Erie Canal

In celebration of the bicentennial of the Erie Canal, the Cazenovia Public Library will host a musical event with the local Irish cultural group Craobh Dugan. The program will be held Saturday, May 5, at 1 p.m., in the Community Room.

“The Irish and the Erie” is a tribute to the Irish immigrants who helped build the Canal. Researched, written and arranged by fiddler Mike Hoke, the one-hour program features traditional songs, tunes, stories and humor.

Craobh Dugan is the Utica-Rome Chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann—an international organization dedicated to promoting and preserving traditional Irish music, dance and language. Pat and Frank Dugan and Jim O’Looney established the local branch in 1978 in Clinton. Now located in Utica, it is one of 50 branches in North America. Mike Hoke is the lead fiddler and creative director of Craobh Dugan.

“The Irish and the Erie” CDs will be available for purchase following the performance.

All events at the Cazenovia Public Library are free and open to the public. For more information, call 315-655-9322 or visit www.cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.

By martha

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