Book Talk & Signing at the East Hartford Public Library

On Friday, February 8, 2019 at 2 pm, the East Hartford Public Library will host a presentation and book signing by author and historian Marty Podskoch, who will discuss his new book, The Connecticut 169 Club: Your Passport and Guide to Exploring Connecticut. This new travel book encourages travelers to visit all of the towns and villages of our state.

“I encourage you to attend the book presentation and learn all about our beautiful state that demonstrates an abundance of historic towns, charming villages and areas of extraordinary natural beauty,” said Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc.

Marty Podskoch moved to Connecticut in 2005 after a teaching career in the Catskills. He decided to write a book on the Connecticut Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps: Connecticut Civilian Conservation Corps Camps: History, Memories & Legacy of the CCC, published in 2016. He traveled to over 100 towns around the state where he gave talks on the CCC and people shared their stories and photos of working at the CCC camps.

As he traveled throughout Connecticut, he marveled at the great diversity of villages, cities, rivers, lakes, mountains, and seashores. He realized that most of the residents of the state had not traveled as widely as he had and he wanted them to explore his beautiful state. To encourage this journeying, he created The Connecticut 169 Club to be a guide and a passport. Podskoch invited contributors from each town to write a short description highlighting their town’s location, history, and interesting places to visit. Craig Johnson of the Historical Society of East Hartford supplied the chapter on East Hartford.

“Please join us for this presentation and book signing by author and historian Marty Podskoch,” said Library Director Sarah Morgan. “This is a wonderful opportunity for you to meet the author, get a copy of the book and learn what our beautiful state has to offer.”

The Connecticut 169 Club has a space for travelers to journal about their experiences and a place to get the book stamped or signed by a resident or business.  Travelers will get to know the locals and perhaps learn about a good place to eat or an interesting local attraction in their travels in Connecticut.

Additionally, Podskoch also began The Connecticut 169 Club. The club has no membership fee, asking only for a desire to experience all of Connecticut. Adults and children of all ages can be members. People who visit all 169 towns will receive the “Leatherman Award” patch at a luncheon or dinner held at a different town each year. The award is named after the vagabond who lived in caves and traveled a route regularly, approximately 34 days from the Connecticut River to the Hudson River during the late 1800s.

After Podskoch’s presentation he and some of the writers and co-writers of the book will be available for a book signing. Copies of the book will be available at the talk for purchase at $24.95.

All are welcome to attend the talk.

Registration for the program is suggested HERE.