Connelly Triumphs as Charles Dickens and a Larchmont Tradition Continues

For several years, Larchmont Public Librarian, Frank Connelly, has invoked the spirits of Charles Dickens, Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, through his annual reading of Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. This past Monday, December 9, Connelly once again donned his frock coat and top hat to perform the timeless Christmas tale. In past years, Connelly’s reading would have been performed in the front reading room of the library. However, Connelly drew a record crowd for this year’s reading necessitating that the event be moved into one of the library’s larger spaces.

While the characters and the story are indeed familiar to all of us, it is Connelly’s reading that keeps it fresh and that brings out the story’s true meaning and character. Connelly has made it his mission to perform the reading in a fashion that is as true to its writer and as historically accurate to the public readings that were given by Dickens’ himself. The Christmas holiday season is one filled with tradition. Each of our families has traditions that we keep and there are those that are community traditions. Connelly’s reading of A Christmas Carol has become one of the premier holiday traditions in Westchester County. The next time you’ll be able to take advantage of this tradition will be on or about Monday, December 8, 2014. It’s not too early to plan ahead.