West Hartford’s first How-To Festival which will take place at the Noah Webster Library on Saturday, March 25.

How-To Festival organizers and West Hartford librarians Rebecca Nugent (left) and Ann Marie Salerno. Photo credit: Joe Cadieux

Submitted

More than 40 presenters have signed up for West Hartford’s inaugural How-To Festival, scheduled for on Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the West Hartford Public Library, Noah Webster Library, 20 South Main St. There are over 40 presenters all volunteering their time. It’s free to the public, and no registration is needed.

The presenters, who are all volunteering their time, are local experts, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and professionals who will each have up to 20 minutes to introduce a topic, provide instruction, or do a complete demonstration, which is repeated for a changing audience.

Highlights of some of the Festival activities are found below. Each presenter is [bracketed]. The subject is in bold, and alphabetical.

Full Festival details (with presentation times and room locations) will be available on the library’s website beginning Tuesday, March 14.

The How-To Festival is supported by the Friends of West Hartford Libraries.

How-To Festival Presentations: (For the most updated list click here)

• Write Your Name in Ancient Irish Using the Ogham Alphabet [Colleen B. Conway]
• Relieve Back Pain / Improve Your Alignment [Cynthia Wolcott]
• Pack Your Backpack for a 51-Mile Hike of the Appalachian Trail in CT [Mason Trumble, REI]
• Make Flowers for Cakes & Cupcakes [Dali Betin-Moromisato]
• Using a Digital Camera and Improve Your Images [Peter Potamianos]
• How to Build a Catamaran [Dave Murphy]
• Make Household Cleaners and Personal Health Products [Arthur Peterson]
• Select a Contractor for Any Home Improvement Project [George A. Porter]
• Salsa Dance [Clemens Lengenfelder]
• Dance a Bulgarian Traditional Circle Dance [Lyubina Yankova]
• Check Out and Download an eBook [Amy McCue, Library Staff]
• Create Scenic Felted Landscapes (Needle Felting) [Diane Cadrain]
• Properly Use Portable Fire Extinguishers [John Kupernick, WH Fire Inspector]
• Arrange Flowers for the Spring [Sandy Lamo]
• Become a Foster Parent [Janier Caban-Hernandez]
• Create Original Designer Frames [Joan W. Freidman]
• Get Gardening in the Farmington Valley [Eileen Anderson]
• Construct Elegant Geometric Patterns on Paper [Sahar Khan]
• Create Beautiful Fine Art Gourds [Ceil Rossi]
• Make Unique Greeting Cards Using Creative Techniques [Joan W. Freidman]
• Play 3 Simple Guitar Chords [John Church]
• Develop Hand Strength and Relieve Hand and Arm Pain [Darren Rueb]
• Buy a House in West Hartford [Susan Brine]
• Hula Hoop for Kids and Adults [Eliana Tsukroff]
• Choose Light Bulbs (technologies, watts, lumens, style) [Catherine Diviney]
• Knit (learn the knit stitch) [Rebecca Nugent]
• Magic Tricks for Children (for Adults, too) [Dana T. Ring]
• Using Essential Oils in All Aspects of Your Life [Cailin McBee]
• Mix and Match Outfit Ideas [Lisa Tibbels, Dress Barn]
• Take Great Digital Photos [Bert Sirkin]
• Re-pot a Plant [Michael Bonzagni, Master Gardener]
• Have Better Posture and a Pain-Free Back (Gokhale Method)  [Linda Huntting Congdon]
• Make a Remote Control Car (out of a cardboard box) [Amy Ansah]
• Tie Your Shoelaces (a trick) [Martha Church]
• Learn to Solder (make a blinky LED pin) [Biao Zhang, IEEE CT Robotics]
• Use a Spiralizer to Make Veggie Noodles [Kelly Festo, Crate & Barrel]
• Perform a Proper Squat (for daily activities) [Elizabeth Enkiri, Personal Trainer]
• Stage Your Home to Highlight Its Strengths [Dianne Rechel]
• Relax, Manage Stress & Enhance Immunity [Michael Dauria, Bob Felekey]
• Pick Teas to Enhance a Healthy Lifestyle [Emily Santarsiero, Green Tea House]
• Tent Camping in Any Weather [Ron Ward & Boy Scout Troop 146]
• Do a Tarot Reading [Lindsay Bensenhaver]
• Learn the Zentangle Method [Laura Marks, Certified Zentangle Teacher]