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Stratford Library Encourages Readers To Open Book On Saving The Family Farm

STRATFORD, Conn. -- The Stratford Library will launch "One Book, One Stratford," a community-wide reading event" on Sunday, Oct. 9, in the library's Lovell Room. 

The book cover for Forrest Pritchard's "Gaining Ground"

The book cover for Forrest Pritchard's "Gaining Ground"

Photo Credit: Facebook
The Stratford Library will launch launch "One Book, One Stratford" Oct. 9.

The Stratford Library will launch launch "One Book, One Stratford" Oct. 9.

Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern

The program will kick off a variety of events planned by the library through Sunday, Nov. 13.

The idea behind the “One Book” program is that everyone in town reads the same book at the same time, much like a townwide book club.

The library has chosen author Forrest Pritchard's inspiring memoir "Gaining Ground," which is about saving his family farm, as the town selection. After discovering five freight cars' worth of glittering corn has reaped a tiny profit of $18.16, young Forrest Pritchard vows to change the way his family's farm does business.

What ensues -- through hilarious encounters with all manner of livestock and colorful local characters -- is a crash course in sustainable agriculture.

Pritchard will be the special guest at the library, via Skype, during the Oct. 9 kickoff and live, in person at the event's finale Nov. 13.

Among the many events planned in conjunction with “One Book” are workshops about pumpkin carving and building terrariums, talks and panel discussions about organic farming and a healthy food film festival, as well as related teen and children’s programs.

Copies of "Gaining Ground" are available at the Stratford Library or on Kindle and Nook eReaders for loan.

Patrons also can download the ebook or eaudiobook through the OverDrive app at the library.

Free copies of "Gaining Ground" will be given to the first 50 patrons at the Oct. 9 launch event, which starts at 2 p.m.

Sponsors for “One Book, One Stratford” are the Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament, Homewood Suites, Square One Theatre Company and Two Roads Brewing Company.

For additional information about the event, call the library at (203) 385-4162.

Click here for a complete list of “One Book” events.

The library is at 2203 Main St., Stratford.

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