Nader Loves The Library

WINSTED — The Laurel City’s noted native son, Ralph Nader, made a special trip to one of his favorite childhood hangouts this week — the Beardsley and Memorial Library — to talk about his latest biographical book, "The Seventeen Traditions," and to praise the library itself for being a positive influence on his life.

Sponsored by the library and the Winchester Historical Society, the appearance included a talk and book signing.

"I spent a lot of hours in this room," Nader said to to a small crowd in the library’s reading room. "It was a place where you only whispered. As I say in this book, the children were educated by the schools, by the parents and by the library. This library meant a great deal to us."

Nader quipped that "The Seventeen Traditions" does not share the controversial quality of some of his previous writings. "This is the only book I’ve written that everybody loves," the consumer advocate said to a round of laughter. "I’m not used to that."

The book, which has been one of Nader’s most successful works, tells the story of his childhood and the lessons he learned from his parents while growing up in the Laurel City, where a 20-minute walk brought you to lakes, rivers, historic landmarks, stores and parks. "This is very much a book about growing up in Winsted," he said.

Among the traditions included in "The Seventeen Traditions" are discipline, simple enjoyments, independent thinking, charity, work, business, patriotism, solitude and civics. Nader said he learned most of these virtues from his politically active family.

Nader called the book "a love story for my mother and father" and said he hoped it would inspire others to remember and document their own family histories. "It’s designed to encouraged people to record their own family traditions and bring them forward to the next generation," he said.

Nader thanked the Beardsley staff for hosting his presentation and paid special tribute to Winchester Historical Society Directror Milly Hudak, who he called "a full-time volunteer genius amateur curator and a great citizen." He encouraged Winsted residents to visit the Winchester Historical Society and for local schools to spend more time teaching students about Winsted’s rich history.