Photographs by Linda Bock-Hinger on Display at Bernardsville Library

"Tuscan Street (Rooms)"

Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to present “Travels Through Tuscany,” an exhibition of photographs by Linda Bock-Hinger, during the month of January, 2014.  There will be an opening reception on Sunday, January 5 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Ms. Bock-Hinger, a resident of Bedminster, loves to travel and record people and places around the world with her camera.  Her photos chronicle her global travels from Australia to Zanzibar, and her work has been shown in solo exhibitions, juried art and photography shows, public buildings and museums, private homes and corporate offices, and has appeared in several publications in this country and others.  Her international photographs have won many awards and prizes. 

Ms. Bock-Hinger explains, “It starts with opening the mind and heart along with the eye to capture a feeling; then I catch it with my camera.”  She has photographed Masai tribes in East Africa, villages in the Middle East and China, ancient ruins in Cambodia, temples in India, labyrinth souks in Morocco, wild animal safaris on the Serengeti, dancers in Bali, pyramids in Egypt, fishermen on the Amazon River, and Native Americans at PowWow.  Her photographs aim to make the viewer feel a connection to her subjects and thereby experience their lives and places in the world.  In her travels around the world, Ms. Bock-Hinger has had the opportunity to meet many people and learn of cultures and lifestyles different from her own, at the same time learning how similar we all are in hopes, dreams, and values. 

Linda Bock-Hinger went from photography as avocation to profession after her retirement in 2000 from a career in education.  She has studied photography and art and now combines them into artography, which uses photographs as the cornerstone of her mixed media work.  Currently both of her art forms may be seen and purchased in solo and group art shows and galleries.  She also teaches photography.

This exhibition 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.

Splendid Life Meditation at Bernardsville Library

Basking Ridge resident Fauzia Burke will lead the next monthly guided meditation session at Bernardsville Public Library on Friday, January 3 at 10:00 am.  Ms. Burke’s style of meditation incorporates many cultural traditions and uses the power of word and imagery to facilitate a meditative experience; there is no right or wrong way, no particular way to sit, or words to say.  Each experience is honored as unique and can help reduce stress, generate creativity, and create positive energy.  

“Our intention for these gatherings is to find peace and serenity through a practice of regular meditations, and to develop a community for support and friendship,” says Ms. Burke.  She has been meditating for over 15 years and leading meditation groups for twelve years. By day, she is the President and Founder of FSB Associates, an Internet marketing firm that promotes books and authors on the Web.  She lives in Basking Ridge with her husband and two daughters, and volunteers to lead the Splendid Life meditations in an effort to help others achieve the peace of mind and inspiration that she has found through mediation. 

There is no charge to attend the program, and no sign-up is required.  No experience in meditation is necessary.  Bring a journal and pen, and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.  For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

"A Christmas Carol" - A Staged Radio Play

Michael Jarmus as Scrooge
and Laurence Mintz as Marlowe
in "A Christmas Carol."

Join us at Bernardsville Public Library as Raconteur Radio presents “A Christmas Carol: A Staged Radio Play” on Sunday, December 15 at 3:00 pm.  Experience theatrical lighting, vintage commercials, Victorian carols, and extensive sound effects!  Adapted from Charles Dickens’ classic novella, the story tells of a misanthropic pinchpenny named Ebenezer Scrooge and his ideological, ethical, and emotional transformation after the supernatural visits of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.  The play features Michael Jarmus as everybody’s favorite Christmas crank as well as Carlyle Owens, Gwen Owens, Laurence Mintz, and Alex Dawson.

Raconteur Radio stages theatrical presentations of classic and original radio plays for live audiences throughout the Tri-State area.  This program is funded by the Friends of the Bernardsville Public Library.  Doors open at 2:45 pm.  There is no charge to attend and no sign-up is needed. For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

Meet Christian Brechneff, Author of "The Greek House"

Meet Christian Brechneff, author with Tim Lovejoy of “The Greek House: The Story of a Painter’s Love Affair with the Island of Sifnos” at Bernardsville Public Library on Thursday, December 12 at 6:00 pm. Refreshments will be served and books will be available for purchase and signing.

In his book, Mr. Brechneff presents a funny, touching narrative about his relationship to the island, writing with warmth about its unforgettable residents and the house he bought in a hilltop village thirty years ago. “The Greek House” is a celebration of place and an honest account of self-discovery.  Richard Horan of The Christian Science Monitor wrote, "Swiss painter Christian Brechneff’s story—a beguiling mix of genres, from travelogue to art guide—is the next best thing to actually going to a Greek island."  

Born in the Belgian Congo in 1950, Christian Brechneff was educated in Switzerland and the United States (St. Olaf College).  In 1975 he received his Master of Arts degree from the Royal College of Art in London.  He has exhibited in Switzerland, Spain, England, Germany, Sri Lanka, and the United States, and his paintings appear in public and private collections all over the world, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.  Mr. Brechneff is also the author of "Homage: Encounters with the East," a book of travel drawings published in 2007.  He lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut. 

Carol Haggas wrote in Booklist “Some people are born to love a location and never leave, deeming it the perfect spot for their senses and sensibilities.  Others have to travel the world before they discover a place they can truly call home.  So it was for artist Brechneff, who stumbled off the ferry onto the Greek island of Sifnos and fell into a sheltering oasis . . . Describing his 30-year love affair with the island and its people, Brechneff paints a portrait as vivid and captivating as anything he ever committed to canvas.”

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

A New Look at The Metropolitan Museum's Old Masters

Immerse yourself in European culture through the centuries!  On Tuesday, December 10 at 7:30 pm, Vivian Gordon from The Metropolitan Museum’s Education Department will lead us on a virtual tour of the recently renovated European Painting galleries.  They have more space, more paintings on display, new lighting, and a much better organization.  Holland Cotter wrote about the galleries in The New York Times: “Keith Christiansen, chairman of the European paintings department, has brilliantly orchestrated the collection as a play of dramatic vistas, visual lineups of images — seen around corners or over distances — that pull you forward in time and immerse you in textured layers of European culture.” 

Ms. Gordon, a regular lecturer at the Library, commented on the "world-renowned collection and gorgeous new layout."  For the next six to twelve months, there are also temporary loans from private collections to fill out and amplify The Met's collection.

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

Saturday Samplers Book Group to Meet

Bernardsville Public Library’s book discussion group, Saturday Samplers, will meet on Saturday, December 7 at 3:30 pm to discuss “A Cup of Tea: A Novel of 1917” (1997) by Amy Ephron.  [The author will not be present.]

The story of a love triangle, the book with its rich cast of characters is a brilliant evocation of the uncertain days of World War I.  It is a darkly romantic novel which engages the reader with its impeccable plotting and a deep sense of foreboding.  Inspired by a classic Katherine Mansfield short story, it is brought to life with its wonderful period detail of New York's drawing rooms and hat shops, and by its delightfully spare and picturesque sense of story.

A novelist, screenwriter, journalist, and film producer, Amy Ephron is the sister of Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron and Hallie Ephron. She has written six novels. "A Cup of Tea" was a national bestseller and spent 37 weeks on the LA Times bestsellers list.  Ms. Ephron won the 2005 Southern California Booksellers Association award for fiction and the Booklist Best Fiction of the Year 2005 award for "A Cup of Tea."  The book was a Barnes and Noble Book Club selection.

Led by 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 Essentials of Choosing a Financial Advisor

On Monday, December 9 at 7:00 pm at Bernardsville Public, Library, Devanshu L. Modi, Esq., a former Deputy Attorney General of New Jersey, will discuss important things to look for when choosing a family financial advisor.  Topics will include questions to ask your potential advisor in an initial interview, explanations of various designations like CPF and CFA, how to research the professional's background in the industry, and how to avoid common pitfalls.  The program will also help listeners to recognize things to look into and to look out for during the course of a relationship with an advisor.  This program is part of the library's on-going CARES (Community Assistance Resource & Educational Services) series. 

Mr. Modi was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 2000 and the New York bar in 2003.  From November 2000 to September 2003, he served as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Law.  He was assigned to represent the New Jersey Bureau of Securities where he had previously worked as an Investigator/Regulatory Officer.

Mr. Modi was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to be the Chair of the New Jersey District XA Ethics Committee (2012 2013 term), and he is Vice President of the Harding Township Board of Education and Co Chair of the Harding Township Historic Preservation Commission.   He also serves as a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, Morris County Bar Association and Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association.  His areas of practice include securities arbitration, administrative law, civil litigation, business planning and organization, business transactions, estate planning and estate administration.

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

Meditation Group To Meet at Bernardsville Library

Basking Ridge resident Fauzia Burke will lead the next monthly guided meditation session at Bernardsville Public Library on Friday, December 6 at 10:00 am.  Ms. Burke’s style of meditation incorporates many cultural traditions and uses the power of word and imagery to facilitate a meditative experience; there is no right or wrong way, no particular way to sit, or words to say.  Each experience is honored as unique and can help reduce stress, generate creativity, and create positive energy.  

“Our intention for these gatherings is to find peace and serenity through a practice of regular meditations, and to develop a community for support and friendship,” says Ms. Burke.  She has been meditating for 15 years and leading meditation groups for eleven years. By day, she is the President and Founder of FSB Associates, an Internet marketing firm that promotes books and authors on the Web.  She lives in Basking Ridge with her husband and two daughters, and volunteers to lead the Splendid Life meditations in an effort to help others achieve the peace of mind and inspiration that she has found through mediation. 

There is no charge to attend the program, and no sign-up is required.  No experience in meditation is necessary.  Bring a journal and pen, and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.  For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

"The Raritan River: Our Landscape, Our Legacy" - December Art Exhbition

The Raritan River: Our Landscape, Our Legacy: 
Paintings and photographs by twenty New Jersey Artists.
December 1- 29, 2013

BernARTsville Art Walk and Opening Reception: Friday, December 6,  2013, 6:00-8:00/9:00 pm
A joint exhibit with Bernardsville Public Library and Studio 7 Fine Art Gallery.

Memoirs & Coffee Book Group to Meet

The next meeting of Bernardsville Public Library’s book discussion group, Memoirs and Coffee, will be held on Tuesday, November 19 at 10:30 am in the library’s Community Room.  Pat Kennedy-Grant, Readers’ Services Manager for the library, will lead the discussion of “Unorthodox” (2012) by Deborah Feldman.  [The author will not be present.]

Raised in the cloistered world of Brooklyn’s Satmar Hasidim by her strictly religious grandparents, Deborah Feldman struggled to make sense of and obey the rigid strictures that governed her daily life.  Virtually every aspect of her identity was tightly controlled.  Married at age seventeen to a man she had only met for thirty minutes before they became engaged and denied a traditional education, she was unable to consummate the relationship for an entire year.  Her resultant debilitating anxiety went undiagnosed and was exacerbated by the public shame of having failed to serve her husband.  In the book, she recalls how reading about the empowered literary characters of Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott helped her to see an alternative way of life—one she knew she had to seize when, at the age of nineteen, she gave birth to a son and realized that more than just her own future was at stake.

Author Jeannette Walls wrote of the book: "Deborah Feldman was raised in an insular, oppressive world where she was taught that, as a woman, she wasn't capable of independent thought.  But she found the pluck and determination needed to make the break from that world and has written a brave, riveting account of her journey. "Unorthodox" is harrowing, yet triumphant." 

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

Craft Group to Meet at Bernardsville Library

Saturday Crafters, a monthly craft group organized by Bernardsville Public Library, will meet on Saturday, November 16 at 3:00 pm.  Individuals are invited to bring their own handwork projects, especially holiday gifts, to the Library and work together in a comfortable, communal setting while enjoying the benefits of shared tips and conversation.  They can also take advantage of the many books available at the library on different types of crafts. 

Public Relations Assistant Evelyn Fischel will showcase 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.

The University of "Can-Do" Master's Program in Review

The next session of the "University of Can-Do Master's Program" will be held on Wednesday, November 13 at 7:00 pm at Bernardsville Public Library. This workshop has run throughout the year, and each month workshop participants learned more skills for cultivating and maintaining the “can-do” determination to make a dream come true. During this meeting, Ms. Mastrobattista will candidly share her reflections about the year’s workshops and the new lessons she learned about truly living a "can-do" way of life. 

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

Protecting Your Family's Financial Future

Christopher Roman

Michael Kaup

Michael Kaup, a financial planner, and Christopher J. Roman, Esq., a trusts and estates attorney at Einhorn Harris Ascher Barbarito & Frost, PC, will present a free seminar at Bernardsville Public Library on Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 pm on ensuring a healthy financial future for your family.

This program is for families, whether newlywed or celebrating many years together, as well as for others who want to learn how to safeguard their financial future. Among the topics to be discussed are insurance strategies to protect your family, income, and assets; short-term savings and long-term investment strategies (including education funding, retirement planning and other wealth accumulation goals); basic estate planning and its importance, even for those with few assets; why living wills and powers of attorney are essential for families; and choosing a guardian for your children. There will be a question and answer period after the presentation.

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

Movie Screening of "Chasing Ice" at Bernardsville Library

"Chasing Ice" is the story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet.  Please join us for a free screening of this beautiful film at Bernardsville Public Library on Saturday, November 9 at 3:00 pm.

In the spring of 2005, acclaimed environmental photographer James Balog headed to the Arctic on a tricky assignment for National Geographic: to capture images to help tell the story of the Earth’s changing climate.  Even with a scientific upbringing, Balog had been a skeptic about climate change.  But that first trip north opened his eyes to the biggest story in human history and sparked a challenge within him that would put his career and his very well-being at risk.

Within months of that first trip to Iceland, the photographer conceived the boldest expedition of his life, the Extreme Ice Survey, and with a band of young adventurers in tow, Balog began deploying revolutionary time-lapse cameras across the brutal Arctic to capture a multi-year record of the world’s changing glaciers.

As the debate polarizes America and the intensity of natural disasters ramps up globally, Balog finds himself at the end of his tether.  Battling untested technology in subzero conditions, he comes face to face with his own mortality.  It takes years for Balog to see the fruits of his labor. His hauntingly beautiful videos compress years into seconds and capture ancient mountains of ice in motion as they disappear at a breathtaking rate. "Chasing Ice" depicts a photographer trying to deliver evidence and hope to our carbon-powered planet.

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

Preserve Your Memories

Bernardsville Public Library will sponsor a digital preservation workshop on Saturday, November 9 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm to help library patrons preserve personal collections of photographs, slides and audiovisual material including VHS, 8mm and 16mm film.  The library has partnered with Digital Memory Media, a division of Innovative Document Imaging (IDI), to provide these preservation services to patrons.  IDI Digital Memory Media advisors will be on hand on November 9 to counsel patrons on the best way to digitally preserve their collections.  Materials can be brought to the library on the day of the workshop.  A percentage of all proceeds will benefit 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.  If materials are unavailable on November 9, they may be dropped off for preservation at IDI's New Jersey facility, or arrangements can be worked out for pick-up or shipping.  

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

Advance sign-up is not needed for the program.  Call the library at 908-766-0118 for further information.

Paintings by Victor Martinez on Display in November

Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to present an exhibition of paintings in oil and acrylic by Victor Martinez during the month of November.  There will be a public opening reception on Sunday, November 3 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.  Mr. Martinez will generously donate all proceeds from sales of the paintings to the Library.

Now a resident of Peapack, Mr. Martinez was born in Guatemala and says that art was always a form of sanctuary and a source of unending discovery for him in conjunction with his love of languages and music.  He came to the United States to study English in New York and there met his future wife.  He majored in French at Vassar as an adult student after an offer of a scholarship at age 42.  He studied painting and drawing there as well and then went to Yale Art School to deepen his understanding of painting.  Later on, he studied at the Greenwich Art Society, Pratt Institute, Silvermine Art School, Art Students League, School of Visual Arts, and Parsons School of Design.  His far-ranging interests include gardening (Master Gardener Helpline, Rutgers University); Bible study in Hebrew and Greek; music (guitar, piano, dance); Asian, French and Italian cuisine; and Japanese, German and Russian language and culture.

Mr. Martinez has worked for chief and senior executives at AT&T, IBM, Nynex, and GTE  doing computer graphics, video/web design and programming for corporate management board presentations.  He also works as a volunteer translator of French, Italian and Spanish scientific literature for the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC.  

This exhibition 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.

Saturday Samplers Book Group to Meet

Bernardsville Public Library’s book discussion group, Saturday Samplers, will meet on Saturday, November 2 at 3:30 pm to discuss “The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World” (2006) by Steven Johnson.  [The author will not be present.]

The book describes the terrifying cholera epidemic in London during the summer of 1854 which killed an estimated 31,000 people, and examines the epidemic from the microbial level to the human level to the urban level.  It is a story of how scientific understanding can advance in the most hostile environments and how two men were spurred into action, Dr. John Snow, an anesthetist who created a map of the cholera cases, and the Reverend Henry Whitehead, whose extensive knowledge of the local community helped determine the initial cause of the outbreak.   Author Johnson intertwines the histories of the spread of disease, the rise of the cities, and the nature of scientific inquiry in a vivid history and a powerful explanation of how it shaped the world we live in.  When the book came out, the Washington Post wrote: “By turns a medical thriller, detective story and paean to city life, Johnson's account of the outbreak and its modern implications is a true page-turner.”

Steven Johnson is the best-selling author of four books on the intersection of science, technology and personal experience: “Everything Bad Is Good for You;” “Mind Wide Open: Your Brain and the Neuroscience of Everyday Life;” “Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities and Software” and “Interface Culture: How New Technology Transforms the Way We Create and Communicate.”  His writings have influenced everything from the way political campaigns use the Internet, to cutting-edge ideas in urban planning, to the battle against 21st-century terrorism.

Led by 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.

Meditation Group To Meet at Bernardsville Library

Basking Ridge resident Fauzia Burke will lead the next monthly guided meditation session at Bernardsville Public Library on Friday, November 1 at 10:00 am.  Ms. Burke’s style of meditation incorporates many cultural traditions and uses the power of word and imagery to facilitate a meditative experience; there is no right or wrong way, no particular way to sit, or words to say.  Each experience is honored as unique and can help reduce stress, generate creativity, and create positive energy. 

“Our intention for these gatherings is to find peace and serenity through a practice of regular meditations, and to develop a community for support and friendship,” says Ms. Burke.  She has been meditating for 15 years and leading meditation groups for eleven years.  By day, she is the President and Founder of FSB Associates, an Internet marketing firm that promotes books and authors on the Web.  She lives in Basking Ridge with her husband and two daughters, and volunteers to lead the Splendid Life meditations in an effort to help others achieve the peace of mind and inspiration that she has found through mediation. 

There is no charge to attend the program, and no sign-up is required.  No experience in meditation is necessary.  Bring a journal and pen, and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.  For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

Deer Management: The Right Balance

Bernardsville Public Library will host a panel of experts to discuss options for a deer management plan which would preserve the unique character of Bernardsville, on Tuesday, October 29 at 7:00 pm. Topics will include the benefits of deer management in New Jersey; deer management programs in neighboring towns; safe sites to hunt in Bernardsville; and the role of the Bernardsville Police Dept. The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session.

Thomas Almendinger, Director of Stewardship at Duke Farms, one of the largest privately owned undeveloped properties in New Jersey, will begin by giving an overview of deer management, why it is so important for the environment, and what resources are available to our residents at Duke Farms that can inspire them to transform their approach to conservation and start building a more sustainable future.

Carole Stanko, the Deer Management Project Leader for the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, will describe what her Division is doing to protect and manage the state’s fish and wildlife, to maximize their long-term biological, recreational and economic value for all New Jerseyans.

Cindy Kuenstner, editor NJ Hunting & Trapping Digest and a wildlife biologist in the Dept. of Environmental Protection's office of Information and Education, will explain New Jersey's hunting regulations and how they can be applied to our advantage in Bernardsville.

Chris Allyn, a member, the Wildlife Management Committee of Harding Township whose mission is to maintain a natural equilibrium in the wildlife population in the township and to inform the public about living with wildlife, will describe how this committee monitors conditions and coordinates preventive or remedial action as needed in our neighboring town.

Information will also be provided on the current status of hunting in Bernardsville and what plans are on the horizon to help coordinate deer management practices in town with the goal of achieving the ‘right balance’ for deer in our community.

This program is presented in partnership with the Bernardsville Green Team, Environmental Commission, and Shade Tree Committee. There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link from Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.

Tea & Conversation with Best-Selling Author Christina Baker Kline

Join us for tea and conversation as Julie Maloney, Director of Women Reading Aloud, conducts an up-close and personal interview with best-selling American novelist, essayist, and editor, Christina Baker Kline at Bernardsville Public Library on Sunday, October 27 at 2:00 pm. Audience members will have a rare opportunity to ask the author questions about her work and her writing process.  A short reading as well as a book signing will follow the interview. 

Ms. Kline's newest novel, “Orphan Train,” was published by Harper/Collins in April and is currently #5 overall in books on USA TODAY's list.  It also hit all three New York Times bestseller lists this week, at #3 for e-books, #6 for combined, and at #14 for trade paperbacks.  It's also #3 on the Wall St. Journal e-book list and is on all the Indie lists this week (October 6, 2013).  

In addition to "Orphan Train," Ms. Kline's novels include "Bird in Hand," "The Way Life Should Be," "Desire Lines" and "Sweet Water."  She served as Writer-in-Residence at Fordham University from 2007 to 2011 and was an on-staff editor and writing coach at the social networking site SheWrites.com.  She is coeditor, with Anne Burt, of a collection of personal essays called "About Face: Women Write About What They See When They Look in the Mirror" and also commissioned and edited two widely praised collections of original essays on the first year of parenthood and raising young children, "Child of Mine and Room to Grow."  She is co-author, with her mother, Christina Looper Baker, of a book on feminist mothers and daughters, "The Conversation Begins."

Ms. Kline, a resident of Montclair, was born in Cambridge, England, and raised there as well as in the American South and Maine.  She is a graduate of Yale, Cambridge, and the University of Virginia, where she was a Henry Hoyns Fellow in Fiction Writing.  In addition to Fordham, she has taught fiction and nonfiction writing, poetry, English literature, literary theory, and women’s studies at Yale, New York University, and Drew University.  She is a recent recipient of a Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Fellowship, a Writer-in-Residence Fellowship at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and a Fordham Faculty Research Grant. 

Interviewer Julie Maloney has worked in the arts as a performer and educator her entire life.  She is a poet and writer and founder/director of Women Reading Aloud (WRA), a not-for-profit organization that promotes women writers in New Jersey and beyond.  WRA holds workshops, special events, writing retreats, conferences and an on-going writing workshop series each spring and fall during which women writers of all genres hone their work in a salon type setting.  The annual Writer’s Weekend Retreat is held each April in Sea Girt, NJ.  In June, WRA returns for its fourth Greece Writer’s Retreat on the island of Alonnisos in the North Sporades.  Ms. Maloney is a frequent speaker on “Writing as a Life Tool.”

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

The University of "Can-Do" Master's Program

The next session of the "University of Can-Do Master's Program" will meet on Wednesday, October 30 at 7:00 pm at Bernardsville Public Library.  "Do you have a goal that you think you can't make happen?" asks Andrea Mastrobattista who leads the group, "Well, you can, because you have what it takes to accomplish it."

This workshop runs throughout the year, and each month participants discover more skills for cultivating and maintaining the "can-do" determination to make a dream come true.  Come to this session to master the art of dealing with adversity and discover vital tools that will help you deal with adversity and come out of it stronger than ever! 

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

Gov. Christie Todd Whitman to Speak at Library Fundraiser

Former Governor Christie Todd Whitman will speak at a fundraiser for the Friends of the Bernardsville Public Library on Sunday, October 27 at 4:00 pm at Dolce Conference Center in Basking Ridge.  "Superstorm Sandy: One Year Later" is the subject of Ms. Whitman's talk, and she will discuss topics such as what we can look forward to from the environment and from the government, and whether or not we have or will put in place preventive measures to minimize the devastation of natural weather events in the future.  

Tickets are $100 per person and proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Library whose mission it is to fund special programs and services at the Library including children's programs and Sundays at Three concerts, as well as computers, and books and materials that enhance the library's offerings to the community.  Light refreshments will be served before the talk begins.

Governor Whitman, now the President of The Whitman Strategy Group (WSG), a consulting firm that specializes in energy and environmental issues, served in the cabinet of President George W. Bush as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from January of 2001 until June of 2003. She was the 50th Governor of the State of New Jersey, serving as its first woman governor from 1994 until 2001.  

As Governor, she earned praise from both Republicans and Democrats for her commitment to preserve a record amount of New Jersey land as permanent green space.  She was also recognized by the Natural Resources Defense Council as having instituted the most comprehensive beach monitoring system in the nation.  

As EPA Administrator, she promoted common-sense environmental improvements such as watershed-based water protection policies.  She is the author of a New York Times best seller called “It’s My Party Too,” which was published in January of 2005 and released in paperback in March 2006.

Governor Whitman serves on a number of non-profit organizations including heading the Trustees’ Executive Committee of the Eisenhower Fellowships. She co-chairs Clean and Safe Energy (CASE) with Dr. Patrick Moore and is a member of the board of directors of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Security Project.  Governor Whitman is a board member for the Center for Sustainable Shale Development, is Co-Chair of the Aspen Health Stewardship Project, and a member of the advisory board of Reform New Jersey Now. She is a Monmouth University Distinguished Public Servant in Residence for the 2013-2014 year.

Prior to becoming Governor, she was the President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and served on the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.   

Tickets may be purchased at the library until October 23.  For further information, call the 908-766-0118.

Green Infrastructure: What Is It?

As the most densely populated state in the United States, New Jersey is experiencing increasing negative impacts from stormwater, that is, water from rainfall and snowmelt that runs off of paving and other impervious surfaces. Declines in water quality, unstable streams, aquatic habitat loss and increased flooding are real and measurable in almost all developed municipalities of our state and expected changes in weather events brought on by global climate change place new urgency on finding solutions. 

On Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00 pm, David Peifer, from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, will highlight the need for a new "green infrastructure" approach to stormwater management, describe new techniques to reduce or eliminate existing problems as well as anticipated impacts. He will also present examples of green infrastructure installations from around the state to encourage residents and municipal governments to adopt and implement a "green infrastructure" approach to stormwater management. The program is designed for members of the general public, environmental commissioners and other local officials.

There is no charge to attend the program, which is sponsored in partnership with the Bernardsville Environmental Commission, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link from 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 Public Library’s book discussion group, Memoirs and Coffee, will be held on Tuesday, October 22 at 10:30 am in the library’s Community Room.  Pat Kennedy-Grant, Readers’ Services Manager for the library, will lead the discussion of “Give Me Everything You Have: On Being Stalked” (2013) by James Lasdun.  [The author will not be present.]

A true story of obsessive love turning to obsessive hate, "Give Me Everything You Have" chronicles the author’s strange and harrowing ordeal at the hands of a former student, a self-styled “verbal terrorist,” who began trying, in her words, to “ruin him.” Hate mail, online postings, and public accusations of plagiarism and sexual misconduct were her weapons of choice and, as with more conventional terrorist weapons, proved remarkably difficult to combat. James Lasdun’s account, while terrifying, is told with compassion and humor, and brilliantly succeeds in turning a highly personal story into a profound meditation on subjects as varied as madness, race, Middle East politics, and the meaning of honor and reputation in the Internet age.

Author James Lasdun was born in London and now lives in upstate New York.  He has published two novels, as well as several collections of short stories and poetry.  He has been long-listed for the Man Booker Prize and short-listed for the Los Angeles Times T.S. Eliot and Forward prizes in poetry; he was the winner of the inaugural BBC National Short Story Award.  His nonfiction has been published in Harper's Magazine, Granta and the London Review of Books.

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

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 on Saturday, October 19 at 3:00 pm in the library’s Community Room.  

At this meeting, which will include animated discussion, reading suggestions and snacks, ambitious readers will trade notes on their progress as well as book recommendations.  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.  

For more information and resources and for email updates for the 50 Book Challenge, go to the library's webpage, www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/50_book/.   For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

Craft Group to Meet at Bernardsville Library

Saturday Crafters, a monthly craft group organized by Bernardsville Public Library, will meet on Saturday, October 19 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.  They can also take advantage of the many books available at the library on different types of crafts. 

Public Relations Assistant Evelyn Fischel will showcase 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.

Joel Zelnik Trio to Perform at Bernardsville Library

Joel Zelnik at the Steinway

The Joel Zelnik Trio will perform in free concert at Bernardsville Public Library on Sunday, October 13 at 3:00 pm.  "My Bill Evans – A Personal Conversation" is a fascinating program based on the dialogues between Joel Zelnik and Bill Evans, a seven- time Grammy Award winner, at the Village Gate during the mid-1960s.  Signature Evans works will be performed as the trio presents informative insight into this jazz great.  Part of the “Sundays at Three” series, this concert is funded by the Friends of the Bernardsville Public Library.  Doors open at 2:45 pm.  No sign-up is needed.

Bill Evans, who was born in Plainfield, NJ, is acknowledged to be the most important innovator of jazz piano in the late 20th century.  Joel Zelnik had the great fortune to play at the Top of the Gate in New York City during the mid-1960s.  On Monday nights, he split sets with the Bill Evans Trio, and his greatness has stayed with Zelnik right up to the present.  As Zelnik tells it, "Bill said to me: as a musician, it’s not what you play, but how you play it.” Zelnik has lived that in his own piano playing no matter what style or circumstance.

Jazz great Dr. Billy Taylor was the first to give air play to Mr. Zelnik's first jazz album, “MOVE.”  A contemporary of Bill Evans, Zelnik has entertained five presidents, has been a pianist/bandleader for thousands of events, and has performed at concert venues in New York, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Japan and Greece.  New York venues include Windows On The World and The Rainbow Room.  He has recorded four CDs and holds an M.A. from Rutgers University.  His latest recording, “Live At Steinway Piano Gallery,” was performed on a Steinway Model D Concert Grand and released in Japan.

Brian Glassman, bassist for the trio, is an extremely versatile musician, at home in almost any genre of music be it classical, rock, Latin, R&B, or cabaret.  He is perhaps best known for his work in jazz, cabaret and world music styles such as Klezmer.  Glassman has performed nationwide, throughout Europe, and in Asia, Japan, South Africa, Brazil, Israel, Russia, and the Mid-East.  He can regularly be heard playing his historic c.1820's Prescott American double bass at many New York City venues.  He has been Instructor of Jazz Bass at Princeton University since 2003.

Percussionist David Cox is currently on the faculty of Adelphi University.  He has performed in many New York theater productions including Annie, My Fair Lady (with Rex Harrison), Dancin’, 42’nd Street (with Jerry Orbach), Cats, Pippin (with Ben Vereen), and My One and Only (Tommy Tune and Twiggy).  He toured with Mr. Vereen in Pippin and in his Vegas night club act, and with Engelbert Humperdinck, Vic Damone, and Liza Minelli.  As a Graduate Fellow he served as the Assistant Conductor of the Brooklyn College Conservatory Orchestra (1994-97) while earning a Master’s Degree. He holds an Undergraduate degree from Manhattan School of Music, doing graduate work at the Julliard School (1970-72).

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

Meditation Group to Meet at Bernardsville Library

Basking Ridge resident Fauzia Burke will lead the next monthly guided meditation session at Bernardsville Public Library on Friday, October 11 at 10:00 am.  Ms. Burke’s style of meditation incorporates many cultural traditions and uses the power of word and imagery to facilitate a meditative experience; there is no right or wrong way, no particular way to sit, or words to say.  Each experience is honored as unique and can help reduce stress, generate creativity, and create positive energy.  

“Our intention for these gatherings is to find peace and serenity through a practice of regular meditations, and to develop a community for support and friendship,” says Ms. Burke.  She has been meditating for 15 years and leading meditation groups for eleven years.  By day, she is the President and Founder of FSB Associates, an Internet marketing firm that promotes books and authors on the Web.  She lives in Basking Ridge with her husband and two daughters, and volunteers to lead the Splendid Life meditations in an effort to help others achieve the peace of mind and inspiration that she has found through mediation. 

There is no charge to attend the program, and no sign-up is required.  No experience in meditation is necessary.  Bring a journal and pen, and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.  For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118.

Surviving the Job Search: You Want What?!

Go behind the scenes with Neil Berger, on Wednesday, October 9 at 7:00 pm at Bernardsville Public Library, and he will share his more than thirty years’ experience in the interview process as a Human Resources professional—from ‘screening interview’ to job offer. Whether you are between jobs, exploring career options or returning to the work world, you’ll come away with information and tools to help you land your next job.

Some of the topics that will be covered include formulating a 2-minute biography to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself"; interview etiquette; dealing with employment agencies, search firms and other third-party recruiters; identifying legal and illegal interview questions; and negotiating a realistic salary.

Neil Berger has more than thirty-five years of teaching experience. After five years as a New York City high school English teacher, he joined the private sector, first as a training specialist, then as Manager of Training and Development for Chemical Bank (which later became part of Chase Bank) and then as Director of Training and Development for a 4000-employee manufacturer before becoming a Director of Human Resources for an international conglomerate responsible for recruiting, training, benefits, labor relations and compensation.  His experience includes the financial community, retailing, transportation, manufacturing, and the not-for-profit community.  At the same time, he taught business writing as an adjunct lecturer at Hunter College for fourteen semesters.  He has a BA in English; an MA in Education and an MBA in Management.

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

Meet the Author of "The Great Truth"

Janet Pfeiffer, a motivational speaker and award-winning author of "The Great Truth: Shattering Life's Most Insidious Lies That Sabotage Your Happiness Along With the Revelation of Life's Sole Purpose," will speak on Tuesday, October 8 at 7:00 pm at Bernardsville Public Library.

"Put aside all concerns of finding happiness, satisfying your dreams, or being loved," she says. "This will replace all prior beliefs and needs, provide a guaranteed map for effortless living, and transform your life in ways unimaginable.  Everything else will follow, I promise."  Her books will be available for purchase and signing.

Ms. Pfeiffer, a resident of Oak Ridge, is a sought-after speaker, an authority in the field of anger management and conflict resolution, and a consultant and instructor at a battered women’s shelter.  She serves as a consultant to the U.S. Army, U.S. Postal Service, AT&T, Hoffman-LaRoche, Rutgers University, Carnival Cruise Lines, United Way, YWCA, and the New Jersey Education Association.  She is a former columnist for the Daily Record and hosted her own cable TV and radio shows. 

As an inspirational speaker and private consultant, Ms. Pfeiffer is a frequent guest on radio and TV and has appeared on CNN, Lifetime, NBC News, Fox, CBS News, and more than 80 top radio stations.  She also runs “The Antidote to Anger Group” for court ordered offenders and those with issues of anger. 

In 2001, she founded "Reunion of Hearts," Reconciling and Reconnecting Estranged Families," the nation's first non-profit support group of its kind dedicated to the emotional healing and reuniting of estranged family members. 

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

"Sporting Dogs and Hounds at Home and in the Field" - October Exhibition at Bernardsville Library

"The Chase"

Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to present “Sporting Dogs and Hounds at Home and in the Field,” an exhibition of paintings by Jerilyn Weber, during the month of October.  There will be an opening reception on Sunday, October 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Known primarily for her animal portraits, Ms. Weber enjoys working on both commissioned and non-commissioned pieces.  A resident of Flemington, she concentrates in pastels, finding the medium to be an excellent means of rendering the various textures and colors found in animal coats.

Ms. Weber captures both the outer appearance of an animal and its inner soul, a process that involves understanding not only the animal but also the special relationship between owner and animal.  With ease and subtlety, she expresses the special characteristics of each of her subjects, whether it be curiosity, gentleness, power, a sense of humor, intelligence or the interplay of the many other characteristics animals possess.

“I think it is from my own love of animals that I understand the central importance an animal has for its owner.  A portrait germinates from the love we have for our pets and celebrates and honors them.  In a humble sense, a portrait keeps our animals with us for a lifetime.”

In addition to pastels, Ms. Weber works in paper collage and multi-media, most recently a series of frescos on canvas.  Using soft and rough textures, these pieces capture the energy, power, and vitality of her subjects.

Ms. Weber exhibits regularly and has received numerous awards for her work.  She has been a multiple first place winner at the NY Dog Fanciers Contemporary American Dog Art Competitions and has been featured in several national publications including “Canine Images,” “Equine Vision Magazine,” and “Polo Players' Edition.”   Her work has been on the covers of “The Chronicle of the Horse” and “Horse News.”  She is a founding member of the New Jersey Equine Artists Association.

This exhibition 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.

Saturday Samplers book Group to Meet

Bernardsville Public Library’s book discussion group, Saturday Samplers, will meet on Saturday, October 5 at 3:30 pm to discuss “The Circus in Winter” (2004) by award-winning author Cathy Day.  [The author will not be present.]

The book, a fictional history of her hometown, describes how, from 1884 to 1939, the Great Porter Circus makes the unlikely choice to winter in an Indiana town called Lima.  Over three generations, the circus transforms this small town, providing a magical backdrop to daily life.  The connected tales of "The Circus in Winter" display the rise and fall of an American circus as the author follows the performers and their progeny into history, vividly bringing the everyday lives of circus people to the page.

Cathy Day was born and raised in Peru, Indiana and is the author of two books.  The first, "The Circus in Winter" was a finalist for the GLCA New Writers Award, the Great Lakes Book Award, and the Story Prize, and is being adapted into a musical.  It was a Barnes & Noble “Discover” selection, an “Original Voices” pick at Borders, and a Best Book of 2004 on Amazon.com. 

Her stories and essays have appeared most recently in Pank, Sports Illustrated, The Millions, North American Review, Ninth Letter and elsewhere.  Her fiction and nonfiction have been broadcast on NPR’s "Selected Shorts” and “Studio 360.”  Her most recent work is "Comeback Season: How I Learned to Play the Game of Love" (Free Press), part memoir about life as a single woman and part sports story about the Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl season.  She teaches creative writing at Ball State University and is currently working on a novel.  She maintains blogs about her novel-writing class, her linked stories class, and literary citizenship.

Led by 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.

Artist to Draw "Great Big Faces" at Bernardsville Library

Freelance cartoonist and illustrator Paul Merklein, who combines dynamic art, comedy and audience participation as he draws famous faces and people right from the audience, will lead two programs at Bernardsville Public Library on Saturday, September 28.  At 1:00 pm, there will be a family oriented program and at 3:00 pm, children in Grades 4 through 12 will get tips on how to draw Super Heroes.

Mr. Merklein performs in libraries, schools, colleges, and at festivals and special events around the country, entertaining all ages.  He has been called “an amazing artist” and “a magic marker wizard” by reporters and fans.  

Merklein began his career as a professional artist at the University of Wisconsin, where he drew signs for the Student Union Publicity Department while he was studying art.   After college, he worked as a freelance cartoonist and illustrator for newspapers, magazines and online media, including The New York Times and The Milwaukee Journal.  In 2001, Mr. Merklein performed his first "Great Big Faces" show at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, and he has performed at Milwaukee's Summerfest, Harvard University, and The Freeman Stage in Delaware. 

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is required.  Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link from Kids Programs/Activities, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up. 

Meet Author Maryann McFadden

When Maryann McFadden finally landed a major publishing contract at auction, writers’ blogs called it “winning the literary lottery.”  If only it were that easy.  On Sunday, September 29 at 3:00 pm at Bernardsville Public Library, Ms. McFadden will tell the inspiring story of her ten-year publishing journey--how she decided to publish her book herself and prove it was worthy, and she did.  This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Bernardsville Library.   

Ms. McFadden self-published her first novel, The Richest Season, in 2006 after five years of rejection and shelving it three times.  Championed by independent booksellers, she soon found herself attached to a literary agent who believed her novel should be published.  It sold at auction to Hyperion Books (ABC/Disney) and an expanded version was released in hardcover in June 2008.  It was recognized as an Indie Next Pick and Target Breakout Novel.  Since then, her books have been translated into German, Italian and Spanish.  

Her third novel, The Book Lover, debuted in May of last year and was also selected as a nationwide Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association.  Publisher’s Weekly described The Book Lover as "the subtly complex tale of an aspiring author, a struggling bookseller, an Iraq War veteran, and the pursuit of a dream that brings them all together...a believable story of self-discovery.”  Ms. McFadden's advice to aspiring writers with a dream: "Work hard, persevere, and believe!"  

Ms. McFadden is also a speaker and writing coach, and loves to chat with book clubs and writers.  She lives in Northwest New Jersey where she is working on her fourth novel.  

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

University of Can-Do Master's Program

The next session of the "University of Can-Do Master's Program" will meet on Wednesday, September 25 at 7:00 pm at Bernardsville Public Library. "Do you have a goal that you think you can't make happen?" asks Andrea Mastrobattista who leads the group, "Well, you can, because you have what it takes to accomplish it."

This workshop runs throughout the year, and each month participants discover more skills for cultivating and maintaining the "can-do" determination to make a dream come true. This month’s session will focus on mastering the art of saying no. If you are a people pleaser, it’s difficult to say no when asked to do something, but saying yes to all requests can become detrimental to your well-being. Come to this workshop to learn how to turn down requests with grace.

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

Dr. Marianna Marchese, an experienced college counselor who has worked in college counseling for over 25 years, will review the college application and admissions process for high school juniors and seniors and their parents on Tuesday, September 24 at 7:00 pm at Bernardsville Public Library.

The founder of College Connexxions, Dr. Marchese assists a diverse array of high school students in finding their best college or university match and then provides them with the advice and direction they need to optimize their chance of gaining acceptance there.  Her in-depth knowledge of the college landscape and the relationships she has cultivated with numerous Deans and members of college admissions departments has enabled her to effectively guide students of all backgrounds to their college or university of choice, be it Ivy League or other superlative post-secondary institution.

"I truly believe the college process is a journey to be taken with each and every student. Regardless of their economic status, I have encouraged all students to seek the best possible educational path to achieve their personal and career goals.  As a first generation student attending college, I know how important it is for every student to have the opportunity to make the dream of higher education a reality," says Dr. Marchese.

Dr. Marchese earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University.  She has worked as Director of Student Personnel Services at West Morris Mendham High School, Mendham, NJ; Director of Student Personnel Services in Pascack Valley Regional School District, Montvale, NJ; Director of Guidance, Glen Ridge High School at Glen Ridge, NJ; and as Guidance Counselor at Westfield High School, Westfield, NJ.

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