MxCC Professor Releases Second Book in “The Unbroken Circle” Series

In his new historical fiction book Freedom Betrayed, Middlesex Community College professor, Victor A. Triay, Ph.D., continues the story of the middle class León family, which is thrown into a tempest of warfare and separation during the early years of the Cuban Revolution.  In Freedom Betrayed, the second installment of The Unbroken Circle series, three of the Leóns participate in the Bay of Pigs invasion and battle Castro’s war machine in order to prevent their homeland from falling under totalitarian, Communist rule. The third and final installment, On Freedom’s Shores is slated for release later this year.

In support of his book, Professor Triay will appear at Russell Library’s Hubbard Room at 123 Broad Street, Middletown on Tuesday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m. where he will be talking about his novel and signing books.

Professor Triay was born in Miami, Florida, to Cuban exile parents.  For over twenty-one years, he has been a professor of history at Middlesex Community College. While Professor Triay’s classroom work focuses on the United States History, Western Civilization, World Civilization, and 20th Century Europe, he has earned a broader reputation as an expert in Cuban exile history.

His parents left Cuba less than two years after the rise of Fidel Castro, so the subject is personal to him – and has inspired him to devote his time and talents towards researching, writing and lecturing on the topic.  He has published three non-fiction books on Cuban exile history, one of which, Bay of Pigs: An Oral History of Brigade 2506, won the Samuel Proctor Oral History Prize in 2001.

Founded in 1966, Middlesex Community College (mxcc.edu) is part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. In all it does, Middlesex Community College strives to be the college of its community. By providing high quality, affordable, and accessible education to a diverse population, the college enhances the strengths of individuals through degree, certificate, and lifelong learning programs that lead to university transfer, employment, and an enriched awareness of our shared responsibilities as global citizens. MxCC, recently named a "Great College to Work For" by “The Chronicle of Higher Education,” offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs at the main 38-acre campus in Middletown, the downtown Meriden Center, the shoreline, and online.

Nostalgic Book Release And Signing

If you've ever wondered why Middletown has never been featured in one of those sepia-tint collections of old photographs issued in the thousands by Arcadia Publishing, wonder no longer, Images of America: Middletown will be released today, Friday March 20, in a book signing by authors Robert and Kathleen Hubbard (in conjunction with the Middlesex County Historical Society) at Broad Street books.

Middletown's history, with plentiful photographic illustration, has been handled readily previously in Liz Warner's fabulous, Pictorial History of Middletown.

The new book, like all Arcadia volumes, is a photo album with captions. But as with all Arcadia volumes, Middletown features photos rarely scene of everyday 19th and 20th century tableaux.

Book Signing
Broad Street Books
Friday March 20
5:00 pm

The Buttonwood's Busy Weekend

Singer-songwriter Elisa Flynn (above, photo by Mark Schwartz) is just one reason to check out the doings at The Buttonwood Tree this weekend. She appears at 8 p.m. on Saturday night (1/10) on a double bill with her good friend and fellow singer-songwriter Lys Guillorn. Though both will play solo acoustic sets (with several collaborations planned), one can't help but hear the rock influences in each performers' songs. However, one of the best ways to explain this music is to avoid obvious labels and just sit back and allow the songs to wash over you, just let the lyrics bounce around the brain. Suffice to say, Flynn and Guillorn are strong performers and the intimate surroundings of The Buttonwood are a perfect spot to hear and see the power of their music. Call 347-4957 for more information.

Starting tonight, The Buttonwood hosts "Women of Perception: Women's Weekend Conference." The events, spread over 3 days, include a play by Zelphia Hunter on Friday titled "Meeting Going on in the Ladies Room", a day-long series of workshops on Saturday (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) featuring music, mime, theater and more, culminating with a final meeting on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. To find out more about the conference, sponsored by Solid Rock Ministries and Reverend Sandra Steele, call 344-9640.

Also on Sunday, author Mensimah Shabazz will talk about her book "Sankofa: Learning from Hindsight" at 3 p.m. Ms. Shabazz, currently Director of Admissions at Middlesex Community College, is a native of Ghana and has worked and studied in many different areas throughout the world. A book signing follows the discussion. To get a glimpse of the book, go to www.walawisdom.com.

Last but not least, at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening, come hear the sounds of Jenna Bollard (vocals, guitar) and Lucas Chamberlain (guitar). The duo, members of the Boston-based band Rising Karma, performs original music with its roots in folk, blues, r'n'b and rock. Bollard, a Connecticut native and a student at the Berklee School of Music (as is Chamberlain), possesses a strong voice which works well on both the softer songs as well as the soulful rockers. The guitarist makes good use of bluesy riffs to give the songs its rhythmic drive. To get a taste of their music, go to www.myspace.com/risingkarma and www.myspace.com/jennabollard.