Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Award-Winning Author Jordan Sonnenblick To Visit Bernardsville Library



Jordan Sonnenblick, author of the books Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie, Dodger and Me, After Ever After (winner of the Schneider Family Award) and more, will visit Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 to talk to students about being a writer and his experiences as an author.

As a twelfth grade student of Frank McCourt, the Pulitzer Prize winning author, Sonnenblick found that he thrived in creative writing. He studied English in college, volunteered for Teach for America upon graduation, and then took an English teaching job in New Jersey that would change his life forever. Sonnenblick had a student whose brother was being treated for cancer. While she did not outwardly show distress, Sonnenblick asked her mother if he could recommend a book about a teen going through a similar situation. When her mother said yes, Sonnenblick realized that there was no book published that fit the bill. So he wrote Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie.

Bernardsville Public Library will host a “Meet & Greet” (for adults only) with Mr. Sonnenblick from 5:00 to 5:45 pm—for teachers, parents, and all other adults in the community. This “Meet & Greet” will be followed by a 7:00 pm program, “An Evening with Jordan Sonnenblick,” open to all ages. After his talk, Mr. Sonnenblick will take questions from students only and will then be available to sign books. Books will be available for purchase that evening.

Superintendent of The Somerset Hills School District Peter Miller commented on Sonnenblick’s visit: “This program is a great example of the school-community partnership that exists in the Somerset Hills, and we look forward to additional opportunities in the future.” Youth Services Manager, Lia Carruthers concurs, “Without the generous funding of the Somerset Hills Municipal Alliance and Youth Services Commission and the cooperation of the school district, this program would not have been possible. Introducing students to authors is always magical and I am thrilled we could make this evening happen.”

Advance registration is required for “An Evening with Jordan Sonnenblick.” As seating is limited, please register early at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/. Follow the link to Kid Stuff.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Last Minute College Application Tips

College applications are almost due and Bernardsville Library’s “Moms Mentoring Moms” has organized a panel of first year students and parents “in the know” to give this year’s applicants some last minute tips on Tuesday, December 27 at 7:00 pm.

“Moms Mentoring Moms” is a program designed for parents of high school students and seeks to provide a forum in which parents can come together for an opportunity to interact with other parents to provide support and insight as they wade through the high school years with their children. This particular program is designed to help both parents and students. Moms, Dads and students are all welcome.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Monday, December 5, 2011

The National Register of Historic Places: The Role it Plays in Our Local Communities

Historic Preservation Consultant Kathleen Galop will speak about the National Register of Historic Places at Bernardsville Public Library on Monday, December 12 at 7:00 pm.

Established under the Historic Sites Act of 1935 and expanded by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register serves as the official list of historic resources at the national level. Attendees will learn about the properties and landscapes in our area which have received this national distinction and gain a better understanding of how and why they are protected. Hundreds of New Jersey properties are among the 77,000 listed on the National Register.

Kathleen P. Galop, Esq. serves as Principal of Preservation Possibilities LLC, an historic preservation consulting firm based in Summit, NJ. An attorney with extensive experience and a national reputation in the administration of historic preservation projects, Ms. Galop was the recipient of a John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Research Grant and a White House Historical Association Grant to conduct historic preservation research on Jacqueline Kennedy. She lectures frequently throughout New Jersey on historic preservation and also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Certificate in Historic Preservation Program at Drew University in Madison, NJ where she lectures on preservation and historic landscapes and teaches a course on Grant Writing.

This program is offered through the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

There is no charge to attend this slide presentation, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Free Concert by String of Pearls @ Bernardsville Library



Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to announce a free concert on Sunday, December 11 at 3:00 pm by “String of Pearls,” a female jazz vocal trio that performs vintage "girl group" music and modern vocal jazz with swing, style, and superb musicality. The concert is the last of this year’s Sundays at Three concerts, funded by the Friends of the Bernardsville Public Library. Doors open at 2:45 pm. No sign-up is needed to attend.

The performers are Sue Halloran, Jeanne O'Connor and Holli Ross who were all working as professional solo singers in New York in the 1980s when they were brought together to perform at a nostalgia-oriented concert. Since then, the group has created a sophisticated repertoire that ranges from authentic re-creations of Boswell Sisters songs from the 1930s to adventurous original jazz vocal arrangements. Their charming show can move from Andrews Sisters to Sinatra, Basie, Brazilian, bebop, and pop.

The three singers have brought their harmonies to festivals, concerts, and clubs in the U.S. and abroad. The group has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. as part of the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival. In its New York home region, the group has appeared in the JVC Jazz Festival, Alice Tully Hall, Town Hall, The Manhattan Center, and the Battleship Intrepid. The "Pearls" have recently been on the bill at Sweet Rhythm, Shanghai Jazz, and the Blue Note. They have taken part in the well-known "Lyrics and Lyricists" program at the 92nd Street Y, the annual Jazz Nativity, the New York Cabaret Convention, and the Millbrook and Mohonk Jazz Festivals. Recently the group appeared at the Cape Cod Jazz Festival and the Provincetown Cabaret Festival.

There is no charge to attend the concert and advance sign-up is not necessary. For further information, call the Library at 908-766-0118.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

New Jersey Noir Authors Will Appear at Bernardsville Library





Meet authors S.J. Rozan and Hirsh Sawhney, contributors to the new anthology New Jersey Noir, at Bernardsville Public Library on Saturday, December 10 at 2:00 pm. The authors will read from their work and discuss the book, which is edited by Joyce Carol Oates. It continues the series of groundbreaking noir anthologies launched by Akashic Books in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir which became a best-seller.

The newly released New Jersey Noir is comprised of all-new stories and poems, each one set in a distinct neighborhood or location in the state. The book has an introduction as well as a new story by Joyce Carol Oates. Other contributing authors, besides Ms. Rozan and Mr. Sawhney, are Jonathan Safran Foer, Robert Pinsky, Paul Muldoon, C.K. Williams, Gerald Stern, among many others.

The wide range of stories and styles is described in a review in Shelf Awareness as "A lovingly collected assortment of tales and poems that range from the disturbing to the darkly humorous." Said Publishers Weekly, "Oates's introduction to Akashic's noir volume dedicated to the Garden State, with its evocative definition of the genre, is alone worth the price of the book."

Booklist describes the book as “worth the wait” and writes "... More than most of the entries in the series, this volume is about mood and atmosphere more than it is about plot and character . . . [and] also serves as a very good introduction to what is a popular but often misunderstood term and style of writing."

Books will be available for purchase and signing at the reading. There is no charge to attend, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Architecture: New Jersey’s Best



Local architect Philip S. Kennedy-Grant, FAIA, will discuss examples from the AIA New Jersey’s list of the 150 best building and places in our state at Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, December 7 at 7:00 pm. He will talk about the sites that make the architects’ list and what these buildings reveal about our culture and ourselves.

AIA New Jersey Guidebook: 150 Best Buildings and Places reveals the state’s rich architectural legacy and the eclectic mix of periods and styles that make it unique. Only in New Jersey can you find the cradle of America's industrial revolution, stately Victorian inns, and distinctive “Doo Wop style” motels. The volume includes both justly renowned buildings and hidden architectural gems with color photographs that capture the beauty of New Jersey’s architectural heritage. Compact and organized by region, the AIA New Jersey Guidebook is a wonderful traveling companion for road trips across the state or sightseeing day trips.

Mr. Kennedy-Grant is the editor and co-author of AIA New Jersey Guidebook: 150 Best Buildings and Places, published by Rutgers University Press in October. In 2007, the national organization of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) celebrated 150 years. The New Jersey Chapter decided to honor this milestone by creating a list of the 150 best examples of architecture in this state. A committee was established to oversee the project, and the nearly 2,000 members of AIA New Jersey were asked to submit their suggestions for the list. Once this list was compiled, the leadership determined it should be published in book form. Mr. Kennedy-Grant, who served as chairman of the editorial board for nine years at Architecture New Jersey, a former publication of AIA New Jersey, was tapped to undertake the book project.

Mr. Kennedy-Grant in turn asked two distinguished architects/architectural historians, Mark Alan Hewitt, FAIA of Bernardsville and Michael J. Mills, FAIA of Princeton, to assist with writing informative text about the 150 locations. Sandy Noble, also from Bernardsville, was selected as the photographer, responsible for new images of all 150 sites. Internationally renowned New Jersey architect Michael Graves, FAIA, wrote the foreword, with Karen Nichols, FAIA.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Saturday Samplers Book Group to Meet



Bernardsville Library’s book discussion group, Saturday Samplers, will meet on Saturday, December 3 at 3:30 pm to discuss The Complete Stories of Truman Capote.

This collection was published on the occasion of what would have been Capote’s eightieth birthday, and the volume confirms his status of one of the masters of the short fiction form. His stories range from the gothic South to the chic East Coast, from rural children to aging urban sophisticates—encompassing all the unforgettable places and people of Capote’s oeuvre.

Truman Capote was born in New Orleans in 1924. In 1948, his first novel, “Other Voices, Other Rooms,” was published to international critical acclaim, assuring his place among the prominent postwar American writers. He was the recipient of the O. Henry Memorial Short Story Prize twice and was a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters.

Led by Readers’ Services Assistant, Evelyn Fischel, Saturday Samplers is a book discussion group dedicated to sampling various kinds of literature, including short stories, nonfiction, new and old novels, and even teen fiction. Its goal is to search out interesting, noteworthy, and sometimes overlooked books. Readers can find information about the group and about the books and authors on the reading list at http://saturdaysamplers.blogspot.com/. No sign-up is needed to join the discussion. Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011



“Protecting Our Waters and Our Land”
Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Great Swamp Watershed Association

Bernardsville Library is pleased to present “Protecting Our Waters and our Lands,” a new exhibition of fine art featuring artists’ visions of one of New Jersey’s last wildernesses: the Great Swamp. The exhibition will run for two months, from December 1, 2011 through January 27, 2012, with half of the show in the library and half across the street at Studio 7 Fine Art Gallery. The opening reception will be during BernArtsville Art Walk on Friday, December 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the library (6:00 to 9:00 pm at Studio 7). Participating artists, as well as representatives from the Great Swamp Watershed Association will be in attendance. There is no charge to attend and no sign-up is needed.

Located less than a stone’s throw from some of the state’s most densely populated urban and suburban centers, the Great Swamp’s large, undeveloped tracts of forest and wetlands provide a safe haven for a wide variety of plants and animals that have been pushed out of other areas by human activity. The intrinsic natural beauty of the Great Swamp and the ten towns it touches have inspired 25 well-established artists—many of them local—to create a multitude of stunning works in oil, pastels, watercolors, photography, and other media. The exhibit honors the Great Swamp Watershed Association’s ongoing commitment to the protection of the Great Swamp’s environmentally sensitive waters and land.

Founded in 1981, the Great Swamp Watershed Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the water and land of the 36,000-acre watershed region in Morris and Somerset counties. It works to maintain the beauty and health of the open space, and to monitor and protect five streams: Loantaka Brook, Great Brook, Primrose Brook, Black Brook, and the Upper Passaic—which feed into the Passaic River and provide drinking water to more than a million people.

Participating artists include: Stephanie Amato, Albert L. Ross, Jr., Charlie Churchill, Mark de Mos, Susan Donnell, Tim Gaydos, Gerry Heydt, Rae Hoffman, Lee W. Hughes, Ari Kaufman, Carol Livingston, James McGunley, Douglas Merritt, Danielle Mick, Neil Nappe, Nancy Ori, Anthony Panzera, Robert W. Pillsbury, Linda Quinn, John Reilly, Charles Robinson, Elliott Ruga, Deborah Seymour, Alana Van Rensselear and Ray Yaros.

For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.


Painting: "Fallen Giants" by Mark de Mos

Monday, November 21, 2011

Free Antique Appraisals

Did you ever wonder what a family treasure might be worth? Find out from an expert at Bernardsville Public Library on Tuesday, November 29 at 7:00 pm when Alan Snyder of A.G. Snyder & Associates will be at the library to offer free appraisals for the first 35 people who sign up.

Mr. Snyder is a certified antiques and estate appraiser. He has been in business since 1979 and has been doing appraisal programs since the early 1990’s—before the popular Antiques Roadshow debuted on PBS television. Having worked all over the country, he is familiar with regional markets. “As changes occur in collector interests, it’s more important to have items appraised before selling them or throwing them away,” he says, “It’s always a good idea to get an expert opinion.”

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is required to bring in an item for appraisal. After 35 sign-ups, others are welcome to come to listen and learn! Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Got Leadership Talent?

Today’s Effective Organizational Leader

Today’s business leaders face daunting challenges. Declining profits, increased speed in decision-making, multi-generational workers, less staff and budget, and increased government regulations are just a few issues. Are you a leader feeling overwhelmed? Are you frustrated because you believe you are a leader, but your organization has not noticed? Were you recently given an expanded role with little support to assure you are successful? For the some tips on how to deal with such concerns, Tiffany Elliot, owner of E5 Executive Coaching LLC, will offer a free program at Bernardsville Library on Thursday, December 1 at 7:00 pm.

Ms. Elliott will outline how many organizations identify, develop and manage leadership talent today and discuss the increasing use of assessment tools in today’s selection of organizational leaders. The program is designed for organizational leaders in every career stage who are curious about how to improve their capacity and competencies as leaders.

E5 Executive Coaching focuses on collaborating with senior leaders to enrich, empower, engage, expand and energize themselves, their teams and the organizations they lead. Many leaders want to expand their competencies and capacities. Together, using the latest research, tools and frameworks in organizational, leadership and human development, Ms. Elliott works with them to increase their effectiveness. Her clients are currently employed, interested in growing to the next level and working in organizations across industries.


There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Resume Rehab Class

It’s never too late or too early to spruce up your resume. Reference Librarian Karen Vaias will be available to help during a hands-on class at Bernardsville Library on Thursday, December 1 at 10:30 am.

Participants are asked to bring their resumes on flash drives or email them to themselves before class. Working in Microsoft Word, Ms. Vaias will demonstrate how to correct formatting problems and add a professional look to an existing resume, or use a template to create a new one. Her short demonstration will be followed by hands-on practice. [Proficiency with a computer mouse is required.]

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is required because the number of laptops is limited. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The Power of Words: Workshop

Inspirational speaker Andrea Mastrobattista will host the next session of her on-going workshop, “The Power of Words,” at Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, November 30 at 7:00 pm. “Whether they are said to us or used by us, words have the ability to tear us down or build us up, said Ms. Mastrobattista, “While our tendency is often to speak negatively, using positive, encouraging words is definitely the healthiest option. Come to this workshop to discover how to put a consistently positive tone to what you say about yourself and others.”

There is no charge to attend the library workshop, but advance registration is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org, and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Memoirs & Coffee Book Group to Meet



The next meeting of Bernardsville Library’s book discussion group, Memoirs and Coffee, will be held on Tuesday, November 29 at 10:30 am in the library’s Community Room. Pat Kennedy-Grant, Readers’ Services Manager for the library, will lead the discussion of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (2000) by Dave Eggers. [The author will not be present.]

This best-selling memoir, written when Eggers was thirty, is the moving description of a college senior who, in the space of five weeks, loses both of his parents to cancer and inherits his eight-year-old brother. It has been called an “exhilarating debut that manages to be simultaneously hilarious and wildly inventive as well as a deeply heartfelt story of the love that holds a family together.”

Dave Eggers lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also the author of “What Is the What: The Autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng” (2006), and he has won notable awards such as the National Book Critics Circle Award, Heinz Award, Independent Publisher Book Award, Prix Médicis, Los Angeles Times Book Prize. He was also a Pulitzer Prize Finalist.

There is no charge and no sign-up is needed to join the discussion. Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Craft Group Knits Teddy Bear Clothes



For the past few months, members of Saturday Crafters, the monthly craft group organized by Bernardsville Public Library, have been knitting and crocheting clothes for teddy bears. These stylish, colorful bear outfits may be purchased for $10 and used in order to dress the bears now on display at the library. The dressed bears will then be donated to the Salvation Army to distribute to needy children during the holidays. The purchase benefits both the library and the lucky children who will receive the bears.

The project was conceived by Readers' Services Assistant and long-time crafter Evelyn Fischel who leads the Saturday Crafters. "I thought this would be a great project for group members to work on together," said Ms. Fischel, "They have all donated their time, yarn and fashion sense to make outfits ranging from wool sweaters and overalls to crocheted sun suits and bathrobes. Other library volunteers and some staff members have also joined the effort. We hope many people will choose to double their dollar’s impact by supporting the library while outfitting the bears at the same time.”

The next meeting of Saturday Crafters will be on Saturday, November 19 at 3:00 pm. New members are always welcome to join the group. They are invited to bring their own handwork projects to the Library and work together in a comfortable, communal setting while enjoying the benefits of shared tips and conversation. There is no charge to attend the meeting, and no sign-up is needed. For more information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Learn How to Prepare for an Emergency Situation

Both this week’s storm and the recent Hurricane Irene underscore the need to be prepared for emergency situations beyond our control. To make sure that residents are ready in the future, members of the Bernardsville Police Department and local Office of Emergency Management will give guidance and share information at Bernardsville Public Library on Friday, November 18 at 11:00 am.

The speakers will talk about how to prepare for emergencies and disasters and include a discussion of the items that should be in a family emergency kit. They will also provide guidelines to help prepare a family emergency plan. Local emergency planning efforts will be discussed and additional resources regarding emergency planning will be provided.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Transitioning from Driver to Passenger with Your Teen

If it’s time for your teenager to learn to drive, come to Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, November 16 at 12:00 pm to hear John Mihalczo of Safety First Driving School discuss how to calmly transition from driver to passenger. This program is part of the library’s “Moms Mentoring Moms” series, but Dads are always welcome too.

Mr. Mihalczo, who is the Vice President of the Driving School Association of New Jersey, will also discuss what to look for in a driving school and the latest revisions to laws applying to young drivers, such as Kyleigh’s Law, as well as insurance requirements for teens.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up. Participants are welcome to bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Navigating the Medicare Maze

Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to announce the next program in the C.A.R.E.S. (Community Assistance Resource and Educational Services) series. “Navigating the Medicare Maze” will be presented by Kelly Finnegan of the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services on Thursday, November 10 at 10:30 am in the library’s Community Room. During the talk, which coincides with Medicare open enrollment, Ms. Finnegan will help listeners understand the basics of Medicare and how to find the best plan to suit their needs.

Ms. Finnegan is an Eldercare Educator for the Somerset County Office on Aging. She has a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University with 15 years of experience working with seniors and their caregivers in a variety of settings including nursing homes, assisted living and in the community.

CARES is a locally administered umbrella program that delivers informational sessions pertaining to local, county, state and federal programs. Its objective is to inform and educate local residents and support the goal of healthy, fulfilling and happy lifestyles. All CARES events will be presented by subject matter experts who will be able to answer all questions pertaining to their topics.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Buying a Franchise Business

Owning your own business can be a reality. To learn more, come to Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, November 9 at 7:00 pm for a SCORE Chapter 14 workshop on franchise ownership. Opportunities range from manufacturing, distribution, food, retailing, consulting, auto, and education, to home-based businesses and much more.

The program will be presented by Jack Armstrong, president/owner of FranNet of New Jersey and owner of a franchise of Sunbelt, the largest business facilitation firm in the country. Mr. Armstrong will help listeners determine whether purchasing a franchise is an appropriate option for them, and how to identify and then research a good franchise. He will also discuss the major components of a franchise agreement and the legal obligations of owners and franchisers as well as how to finance a franchise business.

Mr. Armstrong has owned FranNet of New Jersey, which specializes in the sale and resale of well-known national franchise companies, for the last sixteen years. He is Vice Chairman of the parent company and has served on the FranNet Board of Directors for the past twelve years. FranNet of NJ has won “office of the year” nine times. He is also an owner of a franchise of Sunbelt which has over 250 offices in thirty-eight states. Mr. Armstrong conducts more than 60 seminars a year on purchasing a franchise.

This workshop is sponsored with SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business. SCORE and the Small Business Development Center at Raritan Valley Community College have formed a partnership to assist entrepreneurs and small business owners in establishing a business, identifying needed skills and other elements in the business environment that are necessary for a business to thrive.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Paintings by Annette Adrian Hanna: On Display at Bernardsville Library in November



Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to present People, Places and More, an exhibition of paintings by Annette Adrian Hanna. The exhibition will be on display from November 1 through November 28, and the public is invited to meet the artist at an opening reception on Sunday, November 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. [No sign-up is necessary.]

Ms. Hanna, a resident of Boonton Township, has shown her work in both solo and group exhibitions throughout the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. In 2011 she received the Ridgewood Art Institute Award at the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Exhibit. She is a recipient of five Gold Medals in painting. In 2007, her work was chosen as one of 100 Best Pastels by Pastel Journal magazine. In 2008, her oil painting was chosen as a Christmas card and calendar page for American Diabetes Association. She has been featured in American Artist magazine, Portrait Highlights, International Artist, the Best of Pastels II, and has authored a book on painting portraits in oil. She is a member of Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, Pastel Society of America, Portrait Society of America, Northwest Pastel Society, American Artist’s Professional League, and teaches at Morris County Art Association in Morristown, New Jersey.

“My main interests are people and the landscape,” she says. “People are fascinating because of the many facets of each person’s personality, and the figure has always been of strong interest. Recording those things in paint and pastel is a challenge. I also love the outdoors and enjoy plein-air painting. The beauty of the landscape, to me, has a very spiritual quality. I can go to the same location in different seasons or find a different viewpoint, and it becomes an entirely different painting.” Her favorite mediums are oil and pastel, with charcoal and pencil running a close second.

The show will be on view in the library’s Community Room during regular library hours unless a meeting is in progress. For further information, please call the library at 908-766-0118.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Bernardsville Library Sponsors Digital Preservation Workshop

On Saturday, November 5, Bernardsville Public Library will sponsor a digital preservation workshop from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm to help library patrons preserve personal collections of print, photographs, slides and audiovisual material including VHS, 8mm and 16mm film. The library has partnered with Innovative Document Imaging (IDI), a leading provider of digital imaging services, to provide these digital preservation services to patrons. IDI Digital Memory Media advisors will be on hand on November 5 to counsel patrons on the best way to digitally preserve their collections. Materials can be brought to the library the day of the workshop. Twenty percent of all proceeds will be credited to the library.

Like libraries and archives, individuals and small businesses have valuable collections of important papers, photographs, slides and/or audiovisual material that require careful attention to maintain. Storing paper requires considerable space and is expensive, and irreplaceable items can be lost due to damage and age. IDI's Digital Memory Media brings secure, professional preservation services to individuals at an affordable price. Once scanned and digitized, all material will be returned to patrons alongside permanent digital copies on DVD disks. Patrons can also arrange permanent storage for documentary collections, if desired.

Headquartered in East Brunswick, NJ, Innovative Document Imaging is a leading provider of digital imaging services to libraries, academic institutions and Fortune 500 companies.

If materials are unavailable on November 5, they may be dropped off for preservation at IDI's New Jersey facility, or arrangements can be worked out for pick-up or shipping.

Advance sign-up is not needed for the program. To see a pricelist for the services offered, go to www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/pricelist.pdf. Call the library at 908-766-0118 for further information.

Saturday Samplers Book Group to Meet



Bernardsville Library’s book discussion group, Saturday Samplers, will meet on Saturday, November 5 at 3:30 pm to discuss The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry (2011) by Jon Ronson. [The author will not be present.]

The Psychopath Test is a fascinating journey through the minds of madness. In the book, Ronson, a bestselling journalist, investigates psychopaths and the industry of doctors, scientists, and everyone else who studies them. Ronson's exploration of a potential hoax being played on the world's top neurologists takes him unexpectedly into the heart of the madness industry. He discovers, disturbingly, that sometimes the personalities at the helm of the madness industry are, with their drives and obsessions, as mad in their own way as those they study and that relatively ordinary people are, more and more, defined by their maddest edges.

Jon Ronson is a writer and documentary filmmaker. His books “Them: Adventures with Extremists” and “The Men Who Stare at Goats” were both international bestsellers. The “Men Who Stare at Goats” was released as a major motion picture in 2009, starring George Clooney. Ronson lives in London.


Led by Readers’ Services Assistant, Evelyn Fischel, Saturday Samplers is a book discussion group dedicated to sampling various kinds of literature, including short stories, nonfiction, new and old novels, and even teen fiction. Its goal is to search out interesting, noteworthy, and sometimes overlooked books. Readers can find information about the group and about the books and authors on the reading list at http://saturdaysamplers.blogspot.com/. No sign-up is needed to join the discussion. Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Best-Selling Children’s Author to Visit Bernardsville Library



Bestselling multimedia children’s author Daniel Errico, who recently released his first physical picture book for kids, will visit Bernardsville Public Library for Saturday Story Time on Saturday, November 5 at 10:30 am. He will tell stories and read from his book, The Journey of Noble Gnarble, which tells of a majestic and elusive fish who dreams of reaching the surface of the sea and seeing the sun for the very first time.

Traditional storytelling is important to Mr. Errico, who believes that kids truly understand tone and context, and that a playful narration can make a story-driven tale more enjoyable. “I’ve always been fascinated by the deep sea floor,” he recounted. “Lying in bed one night I started thinking about what kind of incredible creatures might live down there. Then I thought, ‘If I’m dreaming about the sea below, what if one of them was dreaming about the world above?’ That’s how the gnarble and his story were first created. He’s ambitious but not arrogant, persistent but not aggressive, and scared but still brave. That’s what makes him noble.”

“I want kids to see that persistence is what makes you unstoppable. There’s conflict around every corner, but the gnarble never fights a single fish. I want them to see that a strong will and resolve are more powerful than anything that stands in your way... or even swallows you whole.”

Nickelodeon writer and producer Dennis Shinners called Daniel’s stories “highly entertaining, engaging, imaginative, and ever so respectful of his young audience. He’s a fresh young voice with a classic sense of storytelling.” His stories have been viewed in more than 200 countries and translated into 6 different languages.

An avid supporter of access to literature for all children, regardless of their economic situations, Mr. Errico created a website that shares stories with kids around the globe who may not be able to afford traditional books.

Mr. Errico grew up in Short Hills, New Jersey. After graduating from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, he worked in New York City at an investment bank and mechanical engineering firm. He recently returned to New Jersey where he lives in Princeton.

There is no charge to attend the program, and no sign-up is needed. Call the library at 908-766-0118 for further information.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Fifty Book Challenge Group to Meet



Reading fifty books in fifty-two weeks may seem daunting, but share the goal with a supportive group and it can be a lot of fun. Community members are invited to come to the next meeting of the 50 Book Challenge, which is led, prodded and encouraged by Reference Librarian Karen Vaias. The meeting, which will include snacks, a free book, reading logs and more, will take place on Saturday, October 29 at 3:00 pm in the library’s Community Room. There, ambitious readers will trade notes on their progress and get book recommendations as well as instructions on how to set up their own online reading logs and post reviews to the library’s “Book News and More” blog. New members are welcome at any time during the year and will be invited to additional events in the coming months.

The fifty books in fifty weeks are suggested, not required, for participation in the program. Each reader will choose which reading “counts” as part of the total. There are no limitations as to which formats can be read: downloaded books, audio books, e-books and graphic novels are all acceptable.

There is no charge to attend the on-going programs, but advance sign-up is requested. Sign up online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or by phone at 908-766-0118. If you are unable to attend the October meeting, but would like to enroll in the 50 Book Challenge, contact Karen Vaias at kvaias@bernardsvillelibrary.org or 908-766-0118.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Halloween Salta Party at Bernardsville Library

Come in costume and celebrate Halloween with Salta! Jump into Spanish at Bernardsville Public Library on Friday, October 28 at 11:00 am. Children ages 2½ to 5 years will have a fantastic time “jumping into Spanish.”

Salta! Jump Into Spanish is a language enrichment program designed to enhance a child's love of learning a new language. Through music, movement and instruments, songs and rhymes, playful games and storytelling, children embark on a wonderful journey through play and learning.

Space is limited and registration is required for attendance. Call 908-766-0118 or go to http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/children.htm to register.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Power of Words

Inspirational speaker Andrea Mastrobattista will host session of her on-going workshop, “The Power of Words,” at Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, October 26 at 7:00 pm. “Whether they are said to us or used by us, words have the ability to tear us down or build us up, said Ms. Mastrobattista, “While our tendency is often to speak negatively, using positive, encouraging words is definitely the healthiest option. Come to this workshop to discover how to put a consistently positive tone to what you say about yourself and others.”

There is no charge to attend the library workshop, but advance registration is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org, and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Memoirs and Coffee Book Group to Meet



The next meeting of Bernardsville Library’s book discussion group, Memoirs and Coffee, will be held on Tuesday, October 25 at 10:30 am in the library’s Community Room. Pat Kennedy-Grant, Readers’ Services Coordinator for the library, will lead the discussion of Kabul Beauty School; An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil (2007) by Deborah Rodriguez. [The author will not be present.]

The book describes how, soon after the fall of the Taliban in 2001, author Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan as part of a group offering humanitarian aid to this war-torn nation. Surrounded by men and women whose skills–as doctors, nurses, and therapists–seemed eminently more practical than her own, Rodriguez, a hairdresser and mother of two from Michigan, despaired of being of any real use. Yet she soon found she had a gift for befriending Afghans, and once her profession became known, she was eagerly sought out by Westerners desperate for a good haircut and by Afghan women, who have a long and proud tradition of running their own beauty salons.

With the help of corporate and international sponsors, the Kabul Beauty School welcomed its first class in 2003. Well-meaning but sometimes brazen, Rodriguez stumbled through language barriers, overstepped cultural customs, and constantly juggled the challenges of a postwar nation even as she learned how to empower her students to become their families’ breadwinners by learning the fundamentals of coloring techniques, haircutting, and makeup.

Deborah Rodriguez has been as a hairdresser since 1979, except for one brief stint when she worked as a corrections officer in her hometown of Holland, Michigan. She opened and directed the Kabul Beauty School, the first modern beauty academy and training salon in Afghanistan, as well as the Oasis Salon and the Cabul Coffee House. Not long after her book was published, she had to flee Afghanistan and she currently lives in California.

There is no charge and no sign-up is needed to join the discussion. Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Navigating the Road to College



Plotting a course through the competitive, complex landscape of college admissions can be a stressful challenge for families, often compounded by stormy parent-teen relationships. For help, come to Bernardsville Public Library on Tuesday, October 25 at 7:00 pm when author and college admissions consultant Kris Hintz will offer professional guidance and personal insights to help parents understand the rules of the new game and thoughtfully consider their role in their adolescent’s quest for higher education.

The author of the newly published Navigating the Road to College: A Handbook for Parents, Ms. Hintz will offer a reality check regarding what colleges really look for from applicants (strong academics) and debunks the myth about the need for perfection. She always emphasizes the importance of finding a good fit between student and school. “It’s not about rankings, it’s about your child gaining acceptance to the college of his or her choice,” she says. “It’s about finding a place where talents, passions and values will be nurtured; where your son or daughter will thrive and grow as a student, human being and contributor to society.”

Kris Hintz is the owner of Position U 4 College, LLC, a college and graduate school admissions and career firm, based in Basking Ridge, NJ. She brings to this profession an extensive background in psychology, counseling, consumer marketing and corporate recruiting. Ms. Hintz holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania (1978), an MBA in Marketing from The Wharton School (1980), an MA in Psychology from Columbia University Teachers College with a focus on Career Development (1996) and a College Counseling Certificate from UCLA (2010). She spent twelve years as a brand management executive with Clorox, Quaker Oats, Coca Cola Foods and Nabisco.

After the program, books will be available for purchase and signing. There is no charge to attend, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Daniel Bennett Group to Perform at Bernardsville Library




The Daniel Bennett Group will perform in free concert at Bernardsville Public Library on Sunday, October 23 at 3:00 pm. [Doors open at 2:45 pm.]. An afternoon of original jazz, fused with elements of American folk, the program is funded by the Friends of the Bernardsville Public Library as part of the Sundays at Three concert series. There is no charge to attend and no advance registration is necessary.

The Boston Globe wrote about the group: "The Daniel Bennett Group plays a mix of jazz, folk, and trance." The music is innovative, yet remarkably accessible to a broad spectrum of listeners. Mr. Bennett plays alto saxophone and flute; he will be accompanied by Mark Cocheo on guitar and Brian Adler on drums.

Based in New York, Daniel Bennett has recently shared concert billings with artists like Bill Frisell, Charlie Hunter, Greg Osby, James Carter, Billy Martin (Medeski, Martin & Wood), Steve Kuhn, Jerry Bergonzi, and David Fiuczynski. The Boston Herald described Mr. Bennett’s music as, “exploratory folk-jazz.” The Village Voice raved, "Saxophonist Daniel Bennett makes hay with an airy approach that's buoyant enough to conjure notions of East African guitar riffs and Steve Reich's pastoral repetition." The group will perform selections from their latest album, Peace and Stability Among Bears.

Mr. Bennett attended the prestigious New England Conservatory (NEC) in Boston, Massachusetts. While at NEC, Bennett studied saxophone with Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, and Ken Radnofsky. He graduated with a Master’s degree in performance in 2004 and began a freelance career with groups like the Portland Symphony, New Hampshire Festival Orchestra, Musaner, and the Duprees. During this time, Bennett also began to compose songs that featured folk melodies played on the saxophone in a jazz quartet format. Bennett's chord progressions maintain a unique minimalist quality, influenced by composers like Steve Reich and Philip Glass. The Boston Phoenix described Bennett's style as, "an unusual folk-minimalist approach."

The Daniel Bennett Group released The Legend of Bear Thompson in the spring of 2008. Metronome Magazine ranked the album in their top five picks of the month, declaring, "The trio is so in sync with each other that it's downright mystical." In 2009, the Daniel Bennett Group released Live at the Theatre, a groundbreaking album that was recorded live during a double bill performance with the Charlie Hunter Trio. The Group has been featured on popular radio programs like Harvard University’s Jazz Spectrum (WHRB 95.3FM) and made television appearances on Bandwidth TV, The Music Closet, Style Boston, and Sal's Show. Daniel Bennett’s quirky music has found a broad fan base that is unusual for a modern jazz outfit. Insite Magazine called Daniel Bennett’s music, “refreshingly capricious and trippy.”

For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

Photo: Daniel Bennett and his instruments

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

KNITTERS & CROCHETERS!
We need you! Bare Bears Won't Do!

Make a “two in one” donation -
to the library and a needy child.

Here’s how it works: Knit or crochet an outfit for a bear and
donate it to the library. We’ll sell the outfit, with proceeds
benefitting the library, and then dress a bear and send it to a needy child during the holiday season. Questions? See Evelyn Fischel at the Circ. Desk or go to www.woolybears.blogspot.com.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Craft Group to Meet @ Bernardsville Library

Saturday Crafters, a monthly craft group organized by Bernardsville Public Library, will meet on Saturday, October 15 at 3:00 pm. Individuals are invited to bring their own handwork projects to the Library and work together in a comfortable, communal setting while enjoying the benefits of shared tips and conversation.

Readers’ Services Assistant Evelyn Fischel will showcase different project ideas and books at each meeting. A long-time crafter, Ms. Fischel will encourage such interests as knitting, crocheting, paper arts, hand sewing, embroidery and other needlework, as well as any other craft the group wishes to cover.

There is no charge to attend the meeting, and no sign-up is needed. For more information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Answers to Burning Questions About Menopause

Many women don’t know what to expect when they reach “a certain age.” To supply answers to burning questions, Bernardsville Public Library will host a talk by Brenda Forte, MSW, LCSW, on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 pm. Ms. Forte, a Bernardsville resident and psychotherapist with a practice in Morristown, will answer questions about peri-menopause and menopause to help women gain a better understanding of hormonal changes and symptoms at this time of life. While the program will be informative, participants will also be encouraged to share and use humor about this sometimes difficult period.

Ms. Forte received her MSW in 1987 and has been in private practice since 1991. She is a licensed clinical social worker and certified addiction specialist. Through the years, she has completed training in Short-Term Dynamic psychotherapy, addiction treatment, Hakomi (a mind/body psychotherapy), and is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, She specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, and grief issues and treats adults, teens and couples. In 1994, she became a founding partner of The Institute for Change with locations in Morristown and Montclair where adults, children and families can seek treatment.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Monday, September 26, 2011

“Thursdays with Charlie”: October Exhibition



Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to present Thursdays with Charlie, an exhibition of paintings by students of the artist Charlie Churchill. The exhibition, which gets its name from the day the students meet with their teacher, will be on display from October 4 through October 30, and the public is invited to meet the artists at a reception on Sunday, October 9 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. [No sign-up is necessary.]

This show features recent paintings by Ivy Antonio, Susan Bendas, Louise Duffy, Mary Richardson, and Deborah Stryker. These women have all been students of Mr. Churchill’s over the past few years. Their work showcases an extremely wide range of styles and subjects. Painting in oils, this group executes still-lifes, landscapes, animal portraits, human portraits, and assorted figurative compositions. Mr. Churchill will also have paintings on display.

Charlie Churchill has a background in advertising and illustration, but made the switch to fine art upon graduating from The New York Academy of Art with an MFA in painting in 2003. He concentrates on landscapes, portrait commissions, as well as figurative work. He gives semi-private lessons in the area and at the Studio 7 Gallery which is where he made the lucky connection with these talented artists.

The show will be on view in the library’s Community Room during regular library hours unless a meeting is in progress. For further information, please call the library at 908-766-0118.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Get Out of Your Own Way to Live a Fuller Life



With the right attitude and some creative thinking, everyone is capable of accomplishing more in both their professional and personal lives—they just have to believe in themselves and push their daily distractions to the side for a bit. On Wednesday, October 5 at 7:00 pm, Robin Holleran, a local freelance writer and adventurer who lives in Mendham, will speak at Bernardsville Public Library and tell listeners how to do just that.

Some of Ms. Holleran’s adventures include traveling solo with young children across the country, surviving a plane crash and then flying again, and hiking to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. She will have a number of suggestions to help people overcome challenges and typical objections when striving to reach new goals—sometimes with some unexpected results.

An award-winning freelancer with more than 20 years business and publishing experience, Ms. Holleran’s articles appear regularly in online and print magazines, newspapers, websites, blogs and e-books targeted to both consumer and business audiences. In addition, she ghost writes for corporate executives who want to reach and influence their internal employee base or be perceived as thought leaders in their industries. While earning her Public Communications degree at American University in Washington, D.C., Ms. Holleran got a taste for the writing profession as a public relations intern at the National Gallery of Art before becoming an assistant editor of a trade publication that promoted Lamaze childbirth. She later held a number of management positions in the real estate, banking and computer industries before becoming a full-time freelance writer. She received "Honorable Mention" in the 75th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition that attracted over 15,000 entries for a short memoir about surviving a plane crash in December 2005.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Saturday Samplers Book Group to Meet

Bernardsville Library’s book discussion group, Saturday Samplers, will meet on Saturday, October 1 at 3:30 pm to discuss The Help (2009) by Kathryn Stockett. [The author will not be present.]

This popular book, which has now been made into a movie, describes life and then change in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s among the women of the country club set and the black maids who raised their children.

Kathryn Stockett was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in English and Creative Writing, she moved to New York City, where she worked in magazine publishing and marketing for nine years. The Help is her first novel.
Led by Readers’ Services Assistant, Evelyn Fischel, Saturday Samplers is a book discussion group dedicated to sampling various kinds of literature, including short stories, nonfiction, new and old novels, and even teen fiction. Its goal is to search out interesting, noteworthy, and sometimes overlooked books. Readers can find information about the group and about the books and authors on the reading list at http://saturdaysamplers.blogspot.com. No sign-up is needed to join the discussion. Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.

The Power of Words

Inspirational speaker Andrea Mastrobattista will host a new workshop, “The Power of Words,” at Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, September 28 at 7:00 pm. “Whether they are said to us or used by us, words have the ability to tear us down or build us up, said Ms. Mastrobattista, “While our tendency is often to speak negatively, using positive, encouraging words is definitely the healthiest option. Come to this workshop to discover how to put a consistently positive tone to what you say about yourself and others.”

There is no charge to attend the library workshop, but advance registration is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org, and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Memoirs and Coffee Book Group to Meet



The next meeting of Bernardsville Library’s book discussion group, Memoirs and Coffee, will be held on Tuesday, September 27 at 10:30 am in the library’s Community Room. Pat Kennedy-Grant, Readers’ Services Coordinator for the library, will lead the discussion of Townie: A Memoir (2011) by Andre Dubus III. [The author will not be present.]

After their parents divorced in the 1970s, Andre Dubus III and his three siblings grew up with their working mother in a depressed Massachusetts mill town saturated with drugs and everyday violence. To protect himself and those he loved, he started pumping iron and learned to use his fists so well that he became the kind of man who could send others to the hospital with one punch, and did. Nearby, his father, an eminent author, taught on a college campus and took the kids out on Sundays. The clash of worlds between town and gown, between the hard drinking, drugging, and fighting of “townies” and the ambitions of well-fed students debating books and ideas, couldn’t have been more stark. Only by finally putting pen to paper himself did young Andre come into his own, discovering the power of empathy in channeling the stories of others—and ultimately bridging the rift between his father and himself.
Andre Dubus III is the author of The Garden of Last Days and House of Sand and Fog (an Oprah Book Club pick and a finalist for the National Book Award). His writing has received many honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Magazine Award, and a Pushcart Prize. He lives with his family north of Boston.

There is no charge and no sign-up is needed to join the discussion. Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Singing Bowl Meditation



Take some time out to relax to the sounds from crystal bowls at Bernardsville Public Library on Tuesday, September 27 at 7:00 pm. The sounds are calming and induce a sense of peacefulness, taking the listener out of ordinary reality into a relaxed state that goes beyond the physical body. Sandee Conroy and Peter Olsen, both sensitive and accomplished musicians, will summon the mixed tones and harmonics inherent to seven quartz crystal singing bowls combining them into a mesmerizing tapestry of sound.

According to Ms. Conroy, regular listening to crystal bowls is a powerful, but gentle way to balance the hemispheres of the brain, tune and re-harmonize the molecular structure, and strengthen the mind, body and natural immune defense system. They help radiate out the negative energy and stress of today’s hectic lifestyles which keep our bodies out of balance and restrict their ability to function at fullest potential.

“Using sound to evoke ‘the relaxation response’ is one of the simplest, non-invasive ways to promote harmony within the body,” she says. “Bowls effectively bring sort of a hypnotic state of consciousness, which opens the door to the inner world quickly and swiftly. They help to restructure disharmonies on the non-physical level, promoting healing on the physical plane. The sounds produced by singing bowls are rhythmic and soothing. They come and go, again and again. Even though they may seem monotonous, the beauty of the intricate sound patterns they produce makes them fascinating. Tibetan Monks have used metal singing bowls for centuries. We now make these bowls from quartz crystal which produce a greater purity of tone as quartz acts as an oscillator and magnifies the tone.”

Participants can sit in a chair or bring a mat to lie on. There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is required. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Library to Honor Volunteer of the Year



Bernardsville Public Library will honor long-time volunteer Carola Stern at a reception in the library hosted by the Board of Trustees on Sunday, September 25 at 2:00 pm. Ms. Stern has volunteered as a teacher and coordinator for the library’s on-going English-As-A-Second-Language (ESL) classes since 2005.

A native of Finland, Ms. Stern has traveled extensively and lived abroad for many years before settling in the United States with her husband in 1999. In the fall of 2005, her Finnish friend Rita McMaster of L.E.A.R.N. Associates asked for her help in running Bernardsville Library’s ESL program. Ms. Stern ran the afternoon classes which, at that time met once a week, and Ms. McMaster continued to run the evening classes. By 2007, Ms. Stern had taken over coordination of all the classes and volunteer teachers. That year, the Library received a grant for the ESL program which enabled its expansion from two sessions one day a week to four sessions on two days.

“I really enjoy working both with the ESL students and the volunteer teachers,” said Ms. Stern, “It is rewarding to provide this service to the community. Sometimes we have students from as many as twenty-five different countries all polishing their English language skills.” Ms. Stern herself is fluent in four languages and has studied several more. Since Finland is bilingual, she learned Finnish and Swedish as a child. She also speaks English and Bahasa Indonesian fluently having lived in Indonesia as a teenager when her father worked there. She has studied French, German, Spanish, and Japanese in school and Filipino when she lived in the Philippines for several years. When she first married, she lived in Thailand with her husband Michael, an American working abroad, and studied Thai “to get by in daily life in Bangkok.”

In addition to her volunteering at the library, Ms. Stern teaches children swimming at the YMCA including those with special needs. In 2004, she started teaching water exercise at Fellowship Village.

“Bernardsville Public Library gratefully acknowledges Carola’s contribution to the library’s English-As-A-Second-Language program,” said Madelyn English, the Library’s Adult Program Manager, “In addition to her knowledge of many languages, working with different cultural groups comes naturally to her and makes students who might otherwise be self-conscious comfortable when practicing their English.”

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Long and Short of Poetry




Enjoy the poetry and different writing styles of New Jersey poets Marcia Ivans and Ray Brown when they read from their work at Bernardsville Public Library on Saturday, September 24 at 2:00 pm.

Marcia Ivans, who lives in Chatham and whose poems are usually short, will be reading from her second collection of poetry, Over Easy (2007). She began writing over twenty-five years ago as she embarked on the journey that is her life today. As her writing gathered momentum, she found herself sharing both her written works and the healing process of creating them. She is a member of Women Who Write, Inc. of Morris County where she serves on the board. She hosts “Poetry and Pastries,” a bimonthly open poetry reading in Chatham and was recently the featured poet at the “Poetry on the Loose” reading series.

Ray Brown, a resident of Frenchtown who writes the longer poems, graduated from the University of Notre Dame and Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey. His poetry has appeared in a number of literary print journals and on-line. He will read from his first collection of poetry, I Have His Letters Still - Poetry of Everyday Life (2010). This fall he will publish two books, Like Flies on Milk and The Crèche.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Somerset County Deputy Surrogate to Speak

Is your will in order? Are you familiar with what should be included in an estate plan? To answer these questions, Somerset County Deputy Surrogate Stanley Layton will speak at Bernardsville Public Library on Thursday, September 22 at 10:30 am. He will give an overview of issues that are important to know, particularly what to expect when probating a will in Somerset County, and he will also touch on the preservation of important papers as related to estate administration. Finally, he will highlight recent changes in the law and bank practices.

This program is part of the Library’s Community Assistance Resource and Educational Services (CARES) program, a locally administered umbrella program that delivers informational sessions pertaining to local, county, state and federal programs from subject matter experts.

Mr. Layton has been Somerset County Deputy Surrogate since 1995. A graduate of the University of Utah, he attended New York Law School and then worked as an associate with the law firm of Woolson Guterl Sutphen and Anderson in Somerville. He was a solo practitioner in Somerville from 1990 to 1995 before moving to the Surrogate’s office.

The duties of the Surrogate Office include the probate of wills; appointment of estate administrators; appointment of guardians of minors; acting as Deputy Clerk to the Superior Court of New Jersey in contested probate actions; and the processing of adoptions. In addition, the Surrogate is responsible for recording and preserving records of the proceedings in the Surrogate’s Court and making those records available to the public.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Craft Group to Meet

Saturday Crafters, a monthly craft group organized by Bernardsville Public Library, will meet on Saturday, September 17 at 3:00 pm. Individuals are invited to bring their own handwork projects to the Library and work together in a comfortable, communal setting while enjoying the benefits of shared tips and conversation. The next meeting of the group will be on Saturday, October 15 at 3:00 pm.

Readers’ Services Assistant Evelyn Fischel will showcase different project ideas and books at each meeting. A long-time crafter, Ms. Fischel will encourage such interests as knitting, crocheting, paper arts, hand sewing, embroidery and other needlework, as well as any other craft the group wishes to cover.

There is no charge to attend the meeting, and no sign-up is needed. For more information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

Moms Mentoring Moms

Bring a bag lunch on Wednesday, September 21 at noon and get an overview of the clubs and activities available to your student at Bernards High School. “Moms Mentoring Moms” is a monthly program designed for parents of high school students and seeks to provide a forum in which parents can come together for an opportunity to interact with other parents to provide support and insight as they wade through the high school years with their children. Both Moms and Dads are welcome.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Comments & Conversation with Library Director

Bernardsville Public Library exists to serve the people of Bernardsville. I hope you will help me spread the word that we welcome feedback and new ideas.

The library is a complex institution. Most people don’t know all it does for the community except in the way they use it personally. I invite anyone wanting to have a conversation about the library to talk with me, whether positive or negative, minor problem or overarching concept. I am available by appointment and also available for walk-in discussions on the third Monday of each month from 4 to 6 pm. This month, that date is Monday, September 19.

I invite anyone with a comment, question or idea to join me for informal conversation.

Karen Brodsky
Director, Bernardsville Public Library
kbrodsky@bernardsvillelibrary.org

Free English Classes Offered @ Bernardsville Library

Bernardsville Public Library’s next session of English-As-A-Second-Language (ESL) classes will begin on Monday, September 12. Classes will be offered on Mondays and Thursdays at both 3:00 pm and 7:15 pm and will run for ten sessions (till November 17). There is no charge to attend and students may sign up for more than one timeslot if they wish. Limited childcare for children aged three and up is available during the evening sessions.

At the first session, students will be divided into small groups based on their native language and their facility with English. On Mondays, they will practice conversation and role play daily tasks that have to be executed in English. On Thursdays, the format will be based on lessons and practice. Trained community volunteers teach the classes. Community members who would like to volunteer as teachers are encouraged to call the library at 908-766-0118.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Architect Mark Hewitt to Speak at Bernardsville Library

Bernardsville architect Mark Alan Hewitt will talk about his new book, The Vintage House: A Guide to Successful Renovations and Additions at Bernardsville Public Library on Tuesday, September 13 at 7:00 pm. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Co-written with Gordon Bock, the book provides a blueprint for renovating in a way that upholds the character and integrity of the original house. A must-have primer for historic preservation–minded homeowners, architects, and designers, it is the first comprehensive guide to achieving truly compatible, stylistically resonant additions and renovations.

Mr. Hewitt is nationally recognized architect and Gordon Bock is a preservation consultant. In the book, they carefully explain the preparations that are fundamental to renovation and intelligent rebuilding—how to work within the existing footprint of a home, blend in additions that “stay in tune,” expand heating and cooling systems discreetly, maintain a “face,” or facade, in keeping with a home’s codified style (be it Colonial, Cape Cod, Tudor, etc.), select authentic materials, and much more.

Mr. Hewitt, FAIA, is an architectural historian and preservation architect who teaches at Rutgers University. His books include The Architect and the American Country House and Gustav Stickley’s Craftsman Farms. [Co-author Mr. Bock was the longtime editor of the Old House Journal. He teaches in the preservation program at Drew University.]

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Photographs by Richard Lear on Exhibition




Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to present Objects of Desire: Flowers of the World, an exhibition of photographs by Richard Lear. The exhibition will be on display during the month of September, and the public is invited to meet the artist at a reception on Saturday, September 17 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. [No sign-up is necessary.]

Richard Lear, a resident of Plainfield, New Jersey, has traveled the world looking for extraordinary flowers to photograph. In his lens, he has found beauty as well as abstraction from New Jersey to Fiji. “Since the flower is one of nature’s most perfect and unique gifts,” he says he finds that it makes the ideal subject. “It brings joy and laughter, and brightens the darkest of days. The magnitude of color is always awe-inspiring,” he adds.

Mr. Lear has put himself in some very precarious situations to get just the right shot with his macro lens. Once he had his partner sit on his legs so he could hang over a body of water to reach the perfect water lily; another time he hung upside down over a second story balcony to capture a unique flower he had never seen before. “I never knew life could be joyful, exciting and calm all at once until I picked up my camera for the first time and tried to capture the beauty that had been before me my entire life,” he said.

Growing up in the Ozark National Forest made Mr. Lear aware of the beauty that surrounds us all on a daily basis. He moved from the forests of Arkansas, first to Los Angeles and then to Manhattan before finally settling in New Jersey. Even in those urban environments he has always had the ability to find something extraordinary to observe in his surroundings. Forced to vacate his apartment due to the World Trade Center disaster in 2001, he realized that life was too precious to waste and decided that he shouldn’t wait to do the things he desired.

It was his scuba certification and underwater photography that taught him he had an eye for composition. That and the love of flowers he shared with his father brought him to the collection he has been working on for some time. Letting the wind and his camera take him where they may, Mr. Lear has shot flowers in Fiji, Saba, the Netherlands Antilles, Honduras and Bonaire to name a few of the more exotic locations. He also will present images from New Jersey, New York and Oklahoma as well. “I try so very hard to present something that brings the viewers in and captivates them. At the same time, sharing the joy that I feel while shooting these precious gems brings me tremendous satisfaction.”

The show will be on view in the library’s Community Room during regular library hours unless a meeting is in progress. For further information, please call the library at 908-766-0118.

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PHOTO: Golden Chalice by Richard Lear

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Library Summer Reading Club Finale




One World Many Stories, the Summer Reading theme at the Bernardsville Public Library, will come to a close with a finale program on Friday, September 9th at 6:30 pm. Magician Jim Vagais will wow the audience with his magic tricks and entertainment. A magician for over thirty years, Magic Jim has performed numerous times on television and has recently been a magic consultant to a Broadway musical. This amazing show is free for all attendees and is sponsored by the Friends of the Bernardsville Public Library. Seating for Magic Jim’s performance is limited and registration is required. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link under Kid Stuff, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

This year, 388 readers (Kindergarten through Grade 12) joined the library’s Reading Club and read more than 317,000 minutes in the course of ten weeks. Over the summer, the library’s Youth Services staff led many activities about different countries and cultures around the world including chop stick relays, international hop scotch, creating Samurai hats, worry dolls, African masks, dream catchers and origami. Participants attended special Friday Explorations where they learned about the cultures of Mexico, Italy and Japan; they met animals from around the world like the Wallaby with the Eyes of the Wild; and many children volunteered to be a book buddy to a younger child. Enjoy Explore India LLC conducted wonderful programs on Indian culture including a Mehndi workshop, for students in Grades 4-6 to learn about the art of Mehndi, or henna, and a Bollywood dancing program where Grades 4 and up learned how to move to the music “Bollywood” style. Bernardsville Library patron Lori Garth, a naturalist, volunteered her time and knowledge to do a wonderful program on worm composting, and she donated two black swallowtail caterpillars to the Youth Services Department so that patrons could observe them in change into butterflies. Bernardsville Library’s Youth Services Department had over sixty student volunteers to assist with programs, help patrons collect prizes and log their reading times.


One World Many Stories brought tales from cultures around the world to the Bernardsville Public Library through story time programs, crafts, games, food, and special family events. For more about Bernardsville Public Library, go to library website: www.bernardsvillelibrary.org.

9/11 Remembrance at Bernardsville Library

Members of the public are invited to attend the tenth anniversary remembrance for the two Bernardsville residents who were lost on September 11, 2001. A short ceremony honoring Allison Horstmann Jones and Thomas Barnes Reinig will take place at the flagpole outside Bernardsville Public Library starting at 6:30 pm on Sunday, September 11. Community members and a United States Marines Corps Color Guard will participate in the ceremony which will also include remarks by Mayor Lee Honecker.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Tea & Conversation with Award-Winning Poet Dorianne Laux



Join us for tea and conversation as Julie Maloney, Director of WOMEN READING ALOUD, conducts an up-close and personal interview with award-winning poet Dorianne Laux at Bernardsville Public Library on Saturday, September 10 at 2:00 pm. At the library, audience members will have a rare opportunity to ask the author questions about her work and her writing process. A short reading of new and selected poems as well as a book signing will follow the interview.

Dorianne Laux is the recipient of two Best American Poetry Prizes, a Pushcart Prize, two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Widely anthologized, her work has appeared in the Best of American Poetry Review, The Norton Anthology of Contemporary Poetry, and The Best of the Net. In 2001, she was invited by the late poet Stanley Kunitz to read at the Library of Congress. Her fifth book of poetry, The Book of Men, (W.W. Norton) was released in February 2011. She teaches poetry at North Carolina State University.

The renowned poet Jane Hirshfield said of Ms. Laux, "Dorianne Laux has created an ever-expanding body of work in which the examined life is the common one, recognizable and shared, yet also transformed—each statement, feeling, fact set down with accuracy, original vision, and an unerring musicality and alertness. Facts about the Moon continually surprises and enriches. In its rhetorical clarity, emotional honesty, lyric beauty, attention to detail, and moral encounter with the world, this volume is a rewarding and powerful achievement."

Interviewer Julie Maloney has worked in the arts as a performer and educator her entire life. She is a poet and writer, photographer and teacher who has taught writing on both the high school and college levels. She is founder and director of Women Reading Aloud (WRA), a not-for-profit organization that promotes women writers in New Jersey and beyond. WRA holds special events, weekend writing retreats, conferences and on-going writing workshops in spring and fall during which women writers of all genres hone their work in a salon type setting. She recently led a writer's retreat in Greece and will return in June 2012 to lead another.

There is no charge to attend the program at the library, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/ and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The Power of Words: Workshop with Andrea Mastrobattista

Inspirational speaker Andrea Mastrobattista will host a new workshop, “The Power of Words,” at Bernardsville Public Library on Wednesday, August 31 at 7:00 pm. “Whether they are said to us or used by us, words have the ability to tear us down or build us up, said Ms. Mastrobattista, “While our tendency is often to speak negatively, using positive, encouraging words is definitely the healthiest option. Come to this workshop to discover how to put a consistently positive tone to what you say about yourself and others.”

There is no charge to attend the library workshop, but advance registration is requested. Register online at http://www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/, and follow the link under Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.