The holiday season will soon be upon us, so it's a great time to begin scouting out the perfect tree for your family to enjoy this Christmas. Whether you are a first-time buyer or an ol' pro, you'll enjoy the Connecticut Grown brochure of the state's Christmas tree farms. It includes a directory of locations as well as some great tips on how to care for your tree to keep it looking festive through the new year. Consider taking home one of the 33 million real trees that will be sold this season!

Stop by the Library's Information Desk to pick up a brochure, bundle up the little ones, and take a ride to some of the many farms right here in Fairfield County. Also visit the CT Christmas Tree Growers website for tree selection tips, safety guidelines, fun facts, travel directions, hours of operation, and the special amenities that each farm provides. Most offer both pre-cut and cut-your-own trees, and some have complimentary treats, such as donuts, hot cocoa, and mailboxes for first-class letters to the North Pole!

Here are some locations near Darien:

Westport:
CT Audubon Society H. Smith Richardson Tree Farm
November 23rd through December 23rd
203-623-0646

Easton:
Everett's Corner Tree Farm
Weekends December 1st through December 9th
203-268-2508

Shelton:
Jones Family Farms
November 18th through December 24th
203-929-8425

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has introduced a fun, new way for you to locate a variety of fresh, top quality produce at neighborhood farms throughout the state. Visit the Farm Map Website for an interactive exploration of the farms & commodities that each county has to offer, including farmer's markets & stands, Christmas trees, honey, ice cream, maple syrup, orchards, seafood, wineries, and greenhouses.

Want a foldable map so that you can embark on a Connecticut Grown road trip at a moment's notice? Stop by the information desk at the Library to pick up a paper version of the website, as well as brochures for Connecticut Grown pumpkin picking, hay rides, farm festivals, and wine tastings.

The arrival of September has always signified the unofficial end of summer. Outdoor barbecues become a distant memory, and sandals are replaced by suede boots. However, September also brings about many exciting firsts – the first week of school, the first NFL game of the season – and for me, the new Louise Parker Berry Fellow at Darien Library, the first moment of a dream realized. Today, I, Erica Bess, am a librarian!

I attended the Library & Information Science program at Rutgers University during a time of transition for the library world, when new theories on developing collections and cutting-edge technologies emerged to the forefront. Every student dreams of finding an organization that embraces innovation and that provides a chance to work with the best in the field; I had to look no further than Darien Library.

I am delighted by the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities I will have to serve the Darien community, and I look forward to learning from you, as well. On your next visit to the library, please stop by and say hello to the new girl in town! I can't wait to meet all of you, and I hope you find these next two years to be as thrilling as I have dreamed them to be.