On Thursday, April 3 at 1:00 PM, historical novelist Frederick Fenn will appear at Canton Public Library.

Mr. Fenn is the author of a trilogy that traces the fortunes of several generations of a Vermont family. The first book in the series, Journey to Common Ground, is set in late 18th century Vermont, the northern frontier to which a young couple travels to start a new life. On their way to their new home, Joshua and Sarah Brown add a runaway slave, Umbarra, to their household. The second book, Jericho, picks up with a son of the couple, who, like his parents, experiences wanderlust. Jericho's ship to England is wrecked, and the young man is caught up in the French Revolution. The third book, which Mr. Fenn is currently writing, has as its working title Son of the Battlefield and traces the experience of a family member who fights in the Civil War.

The author presentation will include readings from the novels as well as maps and other visuals. Mr. Fenn will be joined by his wife, Anne, in the readings. Both Fenns have had long careers as teachers, he at Northwestern Regional #7 in Winsted and she at The Masters School in West Simsbury. The couple resides in Barkhamsted.

Copies of Mr. Fenn's books will be available for sale.

Cruciverbalists are once again being invited to Canton Public Library to test their skill at crossword puzzles. The Fourth Annual Crossword Puzzle Tournament will be held on Saturday, April 26 from 1:00-4:00 PM.

The tournament entrants will test their skill on unpublished New York Times daily puzzles. "It's a test of speed and accuracy, but above all, it's fun!" said tournament organizer Alice Dutton. The tournament is open to anyone except for those who have earned money in the last five years as a puzzle constructor or editor or proofreader.

Will Shortz, editor of the New York Times crossword puzzles and of Games Magazine, has once again aided Ms Dutton as she put together the tournament. He has provided the puzzles to be used, has supplied the rules for the tournament, and has had suggestions on how to run the event. Mr. Shortz, who is perhaps the best-known name in crossword puzzle circles, is head of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.

The top ten finishers in Canton Public Library's tournament will walk away with trophies. There will be a few special prize categories for youngest, oldest, and best Canton finisher. And all tournament players will receive certificates of participation. In addition, puzzle books will be given to the top ten winners.

What are the qualities of mind of those who love crossword puzzles? "They have a mind for trivia. They read a lot. They're aware of what's going on around them," says Ms Dutton. "When they get stuck, they must be ready to put ego aside, erase a whole section, and start over. They must believe that the answer will come to them."

The sign-up deadline for Canton Public Library's tournament is Saturday, April 19. Participation will be limited to 40, so puzzlers are urged to register early.

For those who have never competed before but always wondered what it would be like, Ms. Dutton suggests, "It's a great chance to get in on the bottom level of tournament play." Although the tournament is open to anyone, she expects that most entrants will be from the Farmington Valley.

On Saturday, April 26, check-in will take place between 12:00 - 1:00 PM. The tournament itself will run from 1:00 to 4:00. The event is free. Pre-registration is required. Observers are welcome, but absolute silence is required during the tournament itself. No children, please. The Third Annual Canton Public Library Crossword Tournament is sponsored by The Friends of the Canton Public Library.

Canton Public Library patrons have enjoyed the opportunity to watch a very talented artist at work this summer. Painter Art Chouinard has spent one day a month in the library demonstrating how he puts together an oil painting. He will be at the library on Thursday, April 21, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and will be working on one of his signature marine scenes.

In April 2006, Art Chouinard's show, "Scenes from Watch Hill, Rhode Island," drew rave reviews from library patrons at Canton Public Library. Mr. Chouinard, a Farmington Valley painter, is known for his realistic and detailed paintings. He works in the media of oil, pastel, and mixed media, and has produced limited edition prints of some of his original paintings.