ENFIELD, CT — There’s a side street off the Yellow Brick Road that leads to Enfield.
And it ends at the back entrance of the Enfield Central Library.
Though the library at 104 Middle Road is at the very center of the town, this week’s Gem is tucked into a nook on a walk near a door. It’s hard to notice unless you’re right there.
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But oh is it cool and worth a trip to see. It’s a 43-by-27-inch sculpted panel depicting a young boy reading a book with a contingent of characters from L. Frank Baum’s classic story, “The Wizard of Oz” dancing in his consciousness.
The work, according t0 library records, was a gift from sculptor Janice Loomis to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the central library.
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Clearly depicted are Dorothy and Toto, the Tin Man and Scarecrow, along with the Cowardly Lion. The Wicked Witch of the West is riding her broom in the sky with the Emerald City, a hot air balloon, and a tornado in the backdrop.
The often overlooked “Jack Pumpkinhead” makes an appearance on the sculpture as well. He emerges later in the Oz series.
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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite “hidden gem” in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to [email protected].
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Other Hidden Gems in this series:
2024
2023
2022
2021 and earlier
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