Phoenixville Library Book Discussions Steer Toward The Spooky In October

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Phoenixville Public Library has planned book discussions and other virtual discussions for October, some scary, some informative, or just plain interesting.

All Ages Invited To Talk Talented Miss Farwell

The Phoenix Book Club, Phoenixville Public Library's book discussion group for adults of all ages, will meet virtually on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. The group will discuss "The Talented Miss Farwell," by Emily Gray Tedrowe.

The book description reads, "At the end of the 1990s, with the art market finally recovered from its disastrous collapse, Miss Rebecca Farwell has made a killing at Christie's in New York City, selling a portion of her extraordinary art collection for a rumored 900-percent profit. Dressed in couture YSL, drinking the finest champagne at trendy Balthazar, Reba, as she's known, is the picture of a wealthy art collector. To some, the elusive Miss Farwell is a shark with outstanding business acumen. To others, she's a heartless capitalist whose only interest in art is how much she can make. But a thousand miles from the Big Apple, in the small town of Pierson, Illinois, Miss Farwell is someone else entirely, a quiet single woman known as Becky who still lives in her family's farmhouse wears sensible shoes, and works tirelessly as the town's treasurer and controller."

A physical copy of this book may be reserved here. An e-book or e-audiobook copy may be reserved here. The public is invited to attend this free Zoom event. If you are not already on the Book Club's e-mail list, you must register here or call 610-933-3013 x132.

Movie Club Goes Scary With Double Dracula

Movies on Tap, Phoenixville Public Library’s film discussion group for adults in their 20s and 30s, will meet virtually on Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. This is a special, spooky edition of our movie club, and we have a double feature up for discussion: "Dracula" (1931, not rated) Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler and David Manners star in this classic horror fantasy. After a naive real estate agent succumbs to the will of Count Dracula, the two head to London where the vampire sleeps in his coffin by day and searches for potential victims by night.

Also lined up for discussion is Bram Stoker's "Dracula" (1992, Rated R) Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, and Anthony Hopkins star in Francis Ford Coppola's take on Stoker's novel in which the centuries-old vampire Count Dracula comes to England to seduce his barrister Jonathan Harker's fiancée Mina Murray and inflict havoc in the foreign land. Please watch the films independently prior to the discussion. This event is free and open to the public and will be held online via Zoom. Please e-mail fdonaher@gmail.com to receive an invitation and for more information.

Period Costume Virtual Poe Presentation

Phoenixville Public Library hosts a first-person, period costume, virtual presentation, "The Return of the Raven & the Ghost of Edgar Allan Poe," on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. Come join us this Halloween season as night slowly falls and we channel the chillingly gothic and hauntingly sublime ghost of Edgar Allan Poe — alive once more in the first person and period costume.

Poe's haunting poems, prose, and unforgettable short stories long ago established him as the undisputed Master of the Macabre, which he remains to this day. Yet, underneath his eventual worldwide popularity and acclaim, lay a graveyard of loss and personal tragedy. Meet the "real" Poe, as Dr. Covington channels the writer and the artist through inspired readings of some of Poe's most famous poems, prose, and select excerpts from his most spine-chilling stories.

Covington is the Creative Director of Performances Par Excellence, bringing history to life with first-person, living biographies and educational, entertaining programs. A highly knowledgeable and experienced cultural historian and classically trained stage actor, he is a refreshingly innovative, enlightening, and engagingly dynamic performer who is both personable and memorable.

This event is free and open to the public and will take place online via Zoom. Registration is required and can be done here or by calling 610-933-3013 x132. Email mpinto@ccls.org for more information or help using Zoom.

Community Services Spotlight: Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Phoenixville Public Library will shine its Community Services Spotlight on the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) in a free virtual/phone presentation on Oct. 12 at 10 a.m.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation counselor Jennifer Radick will be the speaker. OVR's mission is to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities to secure and maintain employment and independence. Learn about OVR from a local Chester County OVR counselor in this free presentation. Vocational Rehabilitation is a voluntary program for individuals with various physical, mental, and/or emotional disabilities.

During this presentation, you will learn about the vision/mission of OVR, the statewide and local geographic coverage area, how OVR defines disability, what entitlement vs. eligibility means, and understanding the OVR process from beginning to end. This event is free and open to the public and will be held online/by phone via Zoom. Registration is required and can be done here or by calling 610-933-3013 x132. Email mpinto@ccls.org for more information or help using Zoom.

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