Warren Township Library to Celebrate 70th Anniversary

Warren Library in the old "carriage house"

The Friends of the Warren Township Library will be celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the library’s inception on September 26 from 1 to 4 PM at the library.

The event, sponsored by the Friends, will offer family-friendly activities including a scavenger hunt, button making and other crafts. There also will be raffles for children, teens and adults. And of course, a birthday party wouldn’t be complete without a cake. Attendees also will get the chance to see artifacts and learn more about the library’s history.

The Warren Township Library has been housed in several locations throughout the township since it modestly began with a small bookcase in the hallway at Central School in 1945. Professional librarian Zoia Horn volunteered her time to Central School's PTA so that Warren Township might have its own library. She lent 5 books to 3 people from a collection of 183 books.

Emma Jo Cain was among those early volunteers who helped maintain the collection and in the early 1950s she and founder Horn spearheaded ambitious fundraising efforts to help the library.

In 1958, the collection was moved to a renovated porch of the Municipal Building, formerly the manor house of the Hofheimer Estate. Four years later, the library had amassed 6,000 books, which were moved to the carriage house (now the current court building) next door. 

The Friends helps fund many programs for children and adults, including musical performances and the Children's Winter Festival. People can support the library by making a donation to the Friends of the Warren Township Library and becoming a member. Membership forms can be found at the library and on the Friends website.

New Adult Programs This Fall at the Warren Township Library

The Warren Township Library is hosting a number of unique and varied adult programs this fall, from ghosts around the world to self-improvement workshops to holiday how-to. You can visit the library's event calendar for all programs including children's and teen events as well as ongoing programs - book clubs, chess clubs, Mah Jongg, Bridge and knitting - and special programs at The Chelsea in Warren.

SEPTEMBER ADULT PROGRAMS

Back on your Feet Again: Myths about Footcare

Thursday, September 10, 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Old wives’ tales and myths are fun to laugh at. We believed them as children. “Step on a crack and you’ll break your mother’s back.” But there are other myths that are no laughing matter, especially when they involve your foot health.
From broken bones to nail fungus, podiatrist, Dr. Kenneth Donovan, DPM, has heard it all. Dr. Donovan treats patients at his office in Warren, and he would like to share myths about foot care and the realities behind them. Bring your questions and concerns for a Q&A at the end of the program. THIS PROGRAM TAKES PLACE BEFORE SEATED YOGA.

Job Hunting Tips for the recent College Graduate

Tuesday, September 15, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
This workshop will help college students and interested parents learn information about the time-critical steps to take in order to obtain a job upon graduation. Areas to be discussed will be: creating a strategic resume template, networking strategies, using the Career Development Department and confident interviewing skills.

Guest speaker: Christine Mazzarisi has 15 years of expertise in hiring within the pharmaceutical industry and is presently training college students in career development. Register online here.

Visiting Gardens in the NY area on Day Trips
Saturday, September 19, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
We can find many gardens just a "day trip" from our homes: in New Jersey, nearby New York and Pennsylvania. A quick virtual tour of about 40 of these gardens will convince you to find time to visit each one of them yourself. 

Dr. Edith Wallace, an engaging and lively speaker, has been involved with many local gardening groups, such as the Glen Rock Garden Club, the Passaic County Master Gardeners, the Garden State Garden Consortium, and is a past member of the Board of Managers of the New Jersey Agriculture Experimental Station and the Passaic County Board of Agriculture

Dr. Wallace frequently visits gardens, arboreta and nature centers in the New York metropolitan area to enjoy and photograph their flowers, shrubs and trees. She visits more than 30 gardens each year.

Encounter with Pluto & the New Horizons Mission
Wednesday, September 30, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Discover how each of our Solar System's planets were discovered and how they were named. Learn about the space missions that have explored them and then learn all about Pluto – a place we have never visited or explored… until now! Hear a fascinating presentation all about New Horizons - NASA’s mission to the far reaches of our solar system. 

Guest speaker: Paul Cirillo is a 25-year member and Qualified Observer with the New Jersey Astronomical Association, which operates the largest public observatory in New Jersey. He is also the founder of Somerset County’s 4-H Space & Astronomy Club and its leader for ten years.

OCTOBER ADULT PROGRAMS

The Mind Fit Series: Activities to Boost Brain Health
Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. - October 1, 8, 15 and 22 (after yoga)
Just like the body, the brain can show signs of aging over time. Learn about positive lifestyle changes you can make to keep your mind sharper for longer. Brain fitness expert Alice Sloop, RN, from Home Care Assistance in Warren will lead a fun and informative four-part series. In this Mind Fit Series you will learn about proactive ways to enhance cognitive functioning, including fun group activities used in the Cognitive Therapeutics Method, a science-based cognitive stimulation program.

Session 1 - Enhancing Visual Memory - Games people play
Session 2 - Improving Your Executive Functioning
Session 3 - A Proper Diet For A Fit Mind
Session 4 - How Relaxation Helps Improve Cognitive Abilities

Registration is required for EACH session.

Hypnotherapy: Your Mind & the Power of Your Thoughts
Tuesday, October 4, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Every impression on your mind has an expression in your body and behaviors. Would you like more control over your thoughts and feelings? Clinical Hypnotherapist, Traci Blank, CMS-CHt will demystify how the mind works, how thoughts impact your body, and how hypnotherapy gives you the control over your thoughts and emotions. This hour and a quarter long talk will explain the conscious, subconscious, and superconscious minds, explain how to use this knowledge to guide your mind towards your goals, include a short hypnosis experience, and end with time for questions.

WBPNC: Speed Networking for the Small Business Owner & Business Professional

Thursday, October 5, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

To support the small business owner & business professional in Somerset County, the Warren Library will be hosting its annual Speed Networking Event. Like speed dating, speed networking involves seating an individual opposite someone else. Participants meet up to 30 other individuals over a two hour time period. In five minutes, attendees can describe their respective business, market themselves and/or their business, exchange business cards, practice small talk, and pass on referrals. When the bell rings, it's time to move to another table and meet someone new. Participants will get a chance to perfect their 30 second “elevator speech,' practice marketing skills, try out a new sales pitch, and expand their professional network. 

REGISTRATION REQUIRED. There is no cost for this program. Light refreshments and door prizes will be available. Register online here, stop by the library or call (908) 754-5554 x58.

History of Warren - Part II - Top 10 People, Places & Things in Warren Township
Wednesday, October 7, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Rory Britt from Warren Historical Society presents another talk on the history of Warren Township.

Co-sponsored by Neighbors and Newcomers Of Watchung Hills.

NYC Art Galleries & Museums
Thursday, October 15, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Chelsea art district and the fall art world in NYC. In the late 1990s, the visual arts community gradually moved away from SoHo into Chelsea for better rent and larger spaces. The area of West Chelsea between Tenth and Eleventh avenues and 14th and 33rd streets is now known as the Chelsea Arts District. This area filled with its factories and warehouses has been converted into art spaces, and in 2005, the High Line was developed and now you can take a beautiful walk over the hundreds of art galleries and the center of contemporary art.

Artist Wes Sherman has been painting since 1992, in that time he has had over 30 solo shows and included in numerous group shows across the county. He received his MFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in 2003. He is an adjunct professor of studio arts and the chair of exhibitions at The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, New Jersey. Sherman has also been a visiting artist at many universities among them Temple, Rutgers, and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. In 2011 he also received a fellowship for painting from New Jersey Council of the Arts.

Registration is required and can be done online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

Musical Saturday @ your library - Jane Austen: The Music of her Time- An Innocent Diversion & Delight
Saturday, October 17, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Emma by Jane Austen was published 200 years ago. To celebrate this anniversary we'll take an in-depth look at the significant importance of music, both in the life of Jane Austen and in her novels – whether she was practicing sonatinas or country dances on her spinet harpsichord or square piano for the amusement of family and friends or recording the delight music held for her characters as nearly all of her heroines were musical. The program will include an illustrated survey of Jane Austen’s holiday spa city of Bath the setting of a number of her novels and choice selections of music from the Austen family music collection. Performed by John Burkhalter, musician and music scholar and Donovan Klotzbeacher, harpsichordist.

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

Ghosts Around the World
Tuesday, October 20, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
The belief in ghosts and haunted places exist all over the world. True ghost stories are found in every country and many tour companies offer visits to these infamous sites. Take a pre-Halloween armchair tour of some of these places with award-winning journalist and author Carlotta Holton who has written about many of these places for the travel section of daily newspapers (e.g., The Record of Bergen County) as well as in her novels. (Deadly Innocence; Vampire Resurrection; Touching the Dead; Salem Pact). Enhancing her stories are images of many of the sites she has visited and the unusual events she has experienced firsthand.

Walk in the footsteps of the infamous Jack the Ripper where the ghost of one of his victims haunts London’s East End, while another ghost joins the swells at the Ten Bells Pub. Have dinner in a castle beneath the portrait of Mary Queen of Scots where her execution edict still hangs on the wall in Borth
wick Castle, Borthwick, Midlothian, Scotland, where the murder of a young servant girl still makes its presence known.

The Bittersweet Truth Behind your Favorite Addiction: Sugar!!
Thursday, October 22, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
If you've ever said, "I'm addicted to sweets," you may actually be correct. If you really knew what sugar is doing to your body, you might just put it at the top of your "foods to avoid" list. While most of us are aware of the sugary “usual suspects” (candy, cookies, cake, sodas, etc. ), you may be surprised to find out that sugar is hiding in processed foods that we consume on a regular basis. Think about salad dressings, tomato sauce, crackers, and more.

Jill Gordon and Karen Tenenbaum, Digestive Health Specialists and Certified Holistic Health Coaches, will discuss the ups and downs of sugar, how it affects your body, and will suggest great healthier alternatives. Participate in a fun guessing game about how much sugar is found in common products. You will be amazed! You may love sugar, but does it love you?

Holiday Recipes Makeover
Saturday, October 24, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Looking to lighten up your holiday favorites? Rachel Simpers, the in-store Registered Dietitian at the ShopRite of Stirling, will focus on : simple and healthy appetizers; slimmed down side dishes and better-for-you-desserts!

The recipes will feature a lot of seasonal fresh produce, reduced sodium/sugar/fat content for common holiday recipes without sacrificing flavor. Enjoy a taste of healthy versions of holiday staples prepared by Rachel.

Maximizing Medicare

Eldercare Educator Laurie Roome will review information about Medicare plans and a Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act grant that helps low-income seniors and people with disabilities take advantage of financial assistance programs, including Medicare Savings Programs and Part D Extra Help. This presentation will benefit anyone who wants to learn more about Medicare, make a change to their own plan or help a loved one make decisions about Medicare.

Speaking from Spirit : Meet a Medium
Thursday, October 29, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
If you have ever wondered what mediumship is or how it works, here is your chance to experience it. Medium RoseMarie Rubinetti Cappiello will bring forth those Spirits who seek to make connection with people in the audience—connections which often affect the whole group profoundly. She will also answer any questions about the process of mediumship, energy or the understanding of Spirit.

This program is geared toward adults only.

Jack the Ripper Fascinates People at the Warren Township Library

Mark R. Vogel talks about Jack the Ripper

Jack the Ripper is one of the world’s most infamous serial killers whose identity remains a mystery. Mark R. Vogel, a clinical psychologist and self-confessed Ripperologist, captivated his audience at the Warren Township Library Wednesday night with an in-depth look at the Ripper murders. The program was made possible by the Friends of the Warren Township Library.

With photos from the time period, Vogel gave attendees a glimpse into the gritty world of 1880s London where women living in the slums of the East End were often forced into prostitution to feed themselves and where some unlucky ones were prime targets for the Ripper. He also gave detailed accounts of each murder and how the police of the 19th Century vainly tried to catch the killer.

He also touched on how some other authors have addressed the case, some in sensational ways, including Patricia Cornwell’s Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper - Case Closed and the recently released Naming Jack the Ripper by Russell Edwards, which claims the author obtained a scarf from one of the Ripper victims.

Vogel didn’t feel Edwards’ book substantiated its claims and quipped, “He sells Jack the Ripper lip balm on his website.”

He did recommend Philip Sugden’s The Complete History of Jack the Ripper, for anyone who wanted a comprehensive and balanced look at the case.

Vogel became interested in the Ripper and studied the case to the point of visiting the murder sites in London. “I’ve always been fascinated by forensics,” he said.

His interest in the Ripper goes deeper; he’s currently working on a fiction novel about a history professor who tries to go back in time to save one of the victims.

Vogel also is a chef, culinary instructor and food writer and shares cooking techniques and recipes on his website Food for Thought. He will be returning to the Warren Township Library to present an "Introduction to Champagne," scheduled for 7 pm on December 9. Registration will be open starting November 19. Visit the Warren Library’s events calendar for details.

To see more photos from the Jack the Ripper talk, visit the Friends of the Warren Library Facebook page.

National Family History Month: From Family Tales to Making History Program at the Warren Library

Lee's ancestor who is related to Gen. Herkimer

Ever wonder if those family yarns your grandparents wove were true? In honor of National Family History Month this October, hear how freelance writer and former newspaper reporter Sandra K. Lee pieced together her genealogy to learn not one but two amazing stories spanning the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. 

Lee, an amateur genealogist for more than 20 years, will be speaking from 7 pm to 8:30 pm on Oct. 15 at the Warren Township Library. People can sign up for this free program by calling (908) 754-5554 x64 or by registering online.

Lee grew up hearing about an ancestor who was descended from a famous Revolutionary War general, Nicholas Herkimer. After years of painstaking research - with a little luck thrown in - she discovered that she was related to Herkimer and that another ancestor, her great-great-grandfather, took part in a famous escape from Libby Prison during the Civil War.

General Nicholas Herkimer is immortalized in several books about the Revolution as bravely refusing to leave the battlefield after being wounded during the Battle of Oriskany. Herkimer County, NY is named for him as well. Sandra learned that the family stories were mostly true as she is descended not from the general but from his brother, Captain George Herkimer, who also fought during the American Revolution.

While researching her connection to the Herkimers through her great-great-grandfather, William H.H. Wilcox, she discovered that he had his own amazing story. Wilcox was a Union captain for the 10th New York Zouaves who was captured and sent to Libby Prison in Richmond, Va. He was among 109 prisoners who crawled through a rat-infested tunnel to flee the Confederate prison, nearly as infamous as Andersonville for its horrible conditions. In her research, Sandra obtained a copy of Wilcox’s diary, offering a firsthand account of life in the notorious prison.

Sandra was interviewed by CBS News in early 2014 in honor of the 150th anniversary of the escape. 

She will share how she uncovered these incredible stories and some of her favorite resources and tips for genealogy research. Sandra has used her investigative skills to track down several of her ancestors and share their histories. 

Other ways to celebrate National Family History Month.

Business Networking, Jack the Ripper, Botanical Gardens and More Adult Programs at Warren Township Library This Fall

The Warren Township Library has lots of great adult programs this fall discussing everything from botanical gardens to Jack the Ripper. Don't miss out on these engaging presentations. Registration IS REQUIRED for all programs.  Registration for most offerings starts September 4 and you can sign up in person, online or by calling the library.

The adult programs are geared for adults so please no children under age 12.

The library also has many ongoing adult programs such as Bridge and Book-of-the-Month clubs that are worth checking out. We also offer special sessions of:
Qigong at the Library
7 pm Wednesday, September 10; 7 pm Thursday, October 30 and 7 pm Tuesday, November 11
Dr. Harlene Goldschmidt will be back for another Qigong class at the library. Qigong uses energy, physical posture, gentle movements, breathing techniques and focused intention to help create a lasting sense of well-being. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

SEPTEMBER
Warren Workshop: Paper Crafting with Michaels
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, September 15
Learn stamping and embossing techniques to design your own personalized greeting cards for all occasions. Join a Michael's Arts and Crafts papercrafting instructor for a fun evening of cardmaking. There is a $5 fee to cover the cost of materials which must be submitted to the Librarian at the Adult Services Desk no later than September 8, 2014. Please note that the patron must already be registered for the class or must register at the time of payment. We regret that we are unable to make change or accept checks. Materials will be purchased 1 week before the scheduled class so the $5 fee will only be refunded if cancellation occurs before the materials are purchased. All instructors from Michaels are donating their time to teach this class as part of the Michaels Community Crafters Program. Required registration is open now. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x32.
Speed Networking for the Business Professional
8:30 am to 10:30 am, Tuesday, September 16
Meet with up to 30 local business professionals and practice your marketing skills, promote your business and expand your professional network.Like speed dating, speed networking involves seating an individual opposite someone else. In five minutes, attendees can describe their respective business, market themselves and/or their business, exchange business cards, practice small talk, and pass on referrals. When the bell rings, it's time to move to another table and meet someone new. Participants will get a chance to perfect their 30 second “elevator speech,' practice marketing skills, try out a new sales pitch and expand their professional network. A brief technology presentation will follow.  Hosted by the Warren Business Professional Networking Community, a Warren Library LinkedIn group. Registration is required. People can sign up now online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x32.

Parent/Teacher Workshop -- Hands On: Promoting Fine Motor Skills in  Pre-K and Kindergarten Classrooms 
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Wednesday, September 17
Join us for an overview of fine motor skills develop-ment, current fine motor programs and research. Pre-sented by Laurie Donovan and Alison Hales, NJ state licensed occupational therapists. Attendees will be awarded 1.5 professional development hours. Registration, which is required, opens September 8 and can be done online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x23.

Senior Scams: Learn More about It 
10:30 am to 12 pm, Saturday, September 20
The number of financial scams targeting America's elderly has ballooned in recent years.  Learn how to identify these scams ranging from identify theft to false sweepstakes claims, suggestions to prevent them and what to do if you are a victim of one of these scams. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x23.

New Jersey Botanical Gardens at Skylands 
2 pm to 3 pm, Saturday, September 20
From the delicate shades of tiny wildflowers to the vibrant colors of massed annual plantings, the New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands is a place of beauty in any season. The Botanical Garden includes 96 acres of specialty gardens surrounded by over 1000 acres of woodlands. Skylands is a safe haven for unusual plant species from around the world, and has one of the best plant collections in the state. The garden protects and preserves these plants as their natural habitats are changed forever by progress.Join us for a journey through the history and the gardens at Skylands, with Maja Britton, public relations chair for NJBG/Skylands Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and the official member support group for the New Jersey State Botanical Garden. She owns Adastra West, Inc., a public relations and graphic design firm in Mahwah. Registration, which is required, opens September 4 and can be done online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

Stretching: Your Way to Good Health 
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Monday, September 22
Certified Physical Therapist Iris Jaramillo will discuss the importance of properly stretching before starting any activity.  She will demonstrate multiple stretching exercises to prevent strains and pain in your back, legs, neck, knees and ankles.  Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

Identity Theft: Learn More about It 
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, September 29
This talk will discuss the most common types of identity theft, how to recognize the warning signs and what you can do to prevent it from happening to you. An officer from the Warren Police Department will be present to offer a local perspective and answer your question. Registration, which is required, opens September 4 and can be done online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x32.

Recent Foreign Films 
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Tuesday, September 30
Many of the funniest, most exciting and critically-acclaimed movies of the past five years have been for-eign films. Join Librarian Morris Balacco on an international cinematic journey as he guides you through some of the best recent foreign films and which ones are available through the extensive SCLS collection. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

College Financial Planning—For Parents/Guardians of Students in Grades 9-12 
7 pm, Tuesday, September 30
This educational college financial planning workshop pre-sented by CPA Mike Velasco will focus on parents of high School students, and will answer their questions about this important topic. Registration is required.

OCTOBER
The Female Sleuth in Mystery Fiction 
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Tuesday, October 7
Decades ago fictional crime-solving women had to be amateur sleuths, like Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, because in real life most women weren't cops or private detectives.  Join mystery writer and former English professor, Peggy Ehrhart, for a look at how far women have come in the world of the mystery novel. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

What Good Writing Looks Like: A Workshop for Parents and Teachers of Middle School Students
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, October 9
Learn about levels of writing ability, the writing process, and strategies to advance academic writing.  Presented by Carol Senff, Director of Today’s World Learning Center of Warren (TWLC-W). This workshop is appropriate for parents and adults who work with children. Attendees will be awarded 1.5 professional development hours. Registration is required and opens September 8. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x23.

Medicare Maze: Learn More about It 
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, October 14
A Senior Medicare Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor will explain the basics of Medicare and how to find the best plan.  The open enrollment period extends from October 15 to December 7 each year and this is an essential time to decide on your plan. Registration is required and is open now. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x32.

From Family Tales to Making History 
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Wednesday, October 15
How a family tale led to a Revolutionary War ancestor, a notorious Civil War prison escape and more. Have you heard stories of your ancestors? Do you wonder how many are true? Freelance writer and former newspaper reporter, Sandra K. Lee grew up hearing about an ancestor who was descended from a famous Revolutionary War general. After years of putting the pieces together from family anecdotes and documents, public records and painstaking research - with a little luck thrown in - she discovered so much more than she could have imagined! Not only one of her ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, but also her great-great grandfather took part in a famous escape from Libby Prison during the Civil War. Learn more about how Sandra, using her investigative skills, turned a family legend into an amazing true-life story. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

Greasy Luck—A Different Take on Moby Dick
2 pm to 3:30 pm, Saturday, October 18 Moby Dick by Herman Melville was published on this date, October 18, 1851. Actor David Emerson portrays Leland Emerson, captain of the whaling ship Sarah Ann in the year 1843. Find out about life at sea, including encounters with the infamous “Mocha Dick." Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

Washington Irving and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, October 23
Neill Hartley from the American Historical Theatre, portrays Washington Irving, the father of the American Short Story. He brings you into Irving's world, introducing you to his most famous work, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The author narrates his tale and then enters his story, becoming his alter ego, Ichabod Crane. Neill Hartley is mesmerizing as Ichabod Crane: Tall and slim like Ichabod, Neill was also born in upstate New York. Like Ichabod, he teaches voice and rides horses. It is perfect casting. And it makes for a perfectly eerie entertaining event. This free program is funded by the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the NJ Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

George Gershwin: Behind the Music 
2 pm to 3:30 pm,  Saturday, October 25
An exploration and celebration of the life and career of George Gershwin, this talk includes a survey of his achievements, a discussion of unusual aspects of his music, and a look at some forgotten and lesser-known works (with singing and piano playing) to illustrate what makes Gershwin uniquely Gershwin. This program will feature some of Gershwin's lesser known music as well as the hits we know and love, such as "Embraceable You" and "I Got Rhythm". Prof. Cohen will illustrate by singing, accompanied by music samples he also recorded. Professor Allen Cohen teaches composition, theory, and other music courses at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he also conducts the College Chorus. His works for orchestra, solo instruments, chamber groups, and voice have been performed around the world. He has also composed music for many commercials and several off-Broadway plays; written and arranged dance music for five Broadway musicals; conducted many theatrical productions on Broadway, off-Broadway, and elsewhere; and performed extensively as a pianist. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

Make Time for Mammography (MTM)
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, October 27
Learn about the risk for breast cancer, the different forms of screening, how to detect changes in the body, and how to make healthy lifestyle choices. This program is presented by Somerset Medical Center's Breast Health Outreach Coordinator Alison Lambo. Registration is required and opens September 1. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x32.

Jack the Ripper: Mystery of Mysteries 
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Wednesday, October 29

Jack the Ripper was one of the most infamous serial murder cases in the world. Set in the horrendous slums of eastern London in 1888, five women, possibly more, all impoverished prostitutes, were viciously slayed. Strangled, slashed, and often disemboweled, the heinous crimes rocked London to its core. The unknown assailant, like a phantom in the night, committed his grisly tasks and vanished without ever being caught. The identity of Jack the Ripper is by far the most beguiling aspect of the murders. But within this mystery are countless other mysteries. Was he a doctor? Did he have anatomical knowledge? Why did he keep some of the victims' organs? Are the famous Ripper letters authentic or a hoax? How was he able to commit the murders without being caught? Did he have an accomplice? Why did he stop killing? These and many other aspects of the story will be discussed by Dr. Mark R. Vogel, a clinical psychologist and self-confessed "Ripperologist" , who has studied the case and visited the murder sites for himself. Adults only. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

NOVEMBER
The Secret Quilt Code of the Underground Railroad 
7 PM,  Thursday, November 6
After a brief historical overview of slavery, speaker Colleen Hintz will take a look at life on the plantations and how communication among the slaves continued even as the slave owners outlawed it. With this perspective in mind, learn the story of the secret quilt code of the Underground Railroad. We will discover how native African traditions and fabrics were woven together with traditional early American quilt blocks and Masonic images to create a mnemonic and visual code that would lead countless hundreds of slaves to freedom in Canada… and all of this hidden in plain view! It is a story of remarkable ingenuity, courage, spirit, strength and determination. While a nurse by training and still working as a Public Health Nurse in Randolph NJ, Colleen Hintz's passion is creating liturgical art. The vestments and hangings for the Church of the Redeemer in Morristown are her re-creation of the Secret Quilt Code of the Underground Railroad. Her work can be seen across the US and throughout the world. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

Fundraiser for Friends of the Warren Library, with pastry chef Kir Rodriguez 
2 pm to 3:30 pm,  Saturday, November 8
Pastry Chef Kir Rodriguez joined the International Culinary Center in NYC in 2004, and has worked at several prestigious city restaurants. He will demonstrate how to prepare a delicious Banana Cream Pie, which we’ll taste, accompanied by tea provided by the Library. Please bring your cup, saucer and spoon to enjoy afternoon tea at the library.  Raffle tickets will be sold at the event for $5 each to win Red Velvet Cupcakes prepared by Chef Kir.  Attendance is limited to 40 people only due to space constraints.  Registration starts on October 1 and people must sign up in person at the Circulation Desk. Tickets are $20 per person (cash only).

New Brunswick and the Civil War
7 pm to 8:15 pm,  Wednesday, November 12
New Brunswick and its residents witnessed the Civil War through their young men, “The Brunswick Boys”. Their recollections offer insights into New Brunswick's factory system, education, medicine and everyday life in NJ during the war.  Local author Joanne Rajoppi presents the fascinating stories of New Brunswick and the Civil War, based on the letters of those who experienced it. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

The Art and Science of Meditation
7 pm to 8:30 pm,  Thursday, November 13
The program begins with some light stretching and breathing exercises led by Tai Chi instructor George Sanford. Master Johwa Choi, a local author and founder of Harmony Meditation in Westfield, will then lead a guided meditation, helping participants to reach a higher level of awareness and consciousness. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

Musical Saturday @ your Library: Jan Findlay Jazz Trio 
2 pm to 3:30 pm,  Saturday, November 15 The Jan Findlay Jazz Trio, with vocalist Jan Findlay, pianist Tomoko Ohno and bassist Rick Crane will perform jazz and blues from the 40’s 50’s and 60's. Registration is required and opens September 4. Sign up online, in person or by calling (908) 754-5554 x64.

Author to Discuss Meeting Martin Luther King, Kennedys and more at the Warren Township Library

Michael Aaron Rockland, a professor of American Studies at Rutgers University and author of 13 published books, will share his fascinating experiences during his diplomatic career at 7 pm on January 23 at the Warren Township Library. Rockland's anecdotes, from his book An American Diplomat in Franco Spain, include the day he spent with Martin Luther King Jr. during his visit to Madrid, while Rockland was working at the Embassy.

Other stories from the book include the near disaster when four American hydrogen bombs, luckily unarmed, rained down on Spain and Rockland's involvement, as a cultural attache, in mitigating the effects of the crisis. The book also concerns the making of the movie, Dr. Zhivago, almost entirely shot in Spain, and for which his young son was chosen for the role of Zhivago's son, Sasha.

He spent years in the U.S. diplomatic service as a cultural attache at embassies in Argentina and Spain. His overseas experience also included senior Fulbright lectureships in Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, and Norway.

Among his many books are four on New Jersey. His latest book, "Navy Crazy," a memoir of his military service, is due in April. Rockland also has written for magazines such as Philadelphia, Adventure Travel, Explorer's Journal, Big, Preservation and New Jersey Monthly, where he has long been a regular contributor.

Rockland is the recipient of the 2013 Richard Hughes Award for contributions to NJ life and culture, bestowed by the State Historical Commission. He also has received several teaching awards.

Rockland's appearance at the Warren Township Library is free but registration is required. People can call the library at 908-754-5554 EXT 64 or sign up online.

Warren Library Brings Spooky Events for Kids and Adults

Visit the Warren Township Library this October for some Halloween-y events from creepy crafts to spooky author visits.


Monstore Reading and Craft
Tuesday, October 22, 4 pm to 4:45 pm
Join author Tara Lazar as she reads her new picture book The Monstore (available at the library) and shares secrets about the underground emporium and the making of the book.

Then stay for a monstrous craft! For children ages 4 to 8 years. Registration required. You can sign up online or call Youth Services at 908-754-5554 ext. 23.


The Legendary Pine Barrens: Stories and Songs
Wednesday, October 23, 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Author, storyteller and musician Paul Evans Pedersen Jr. will entertain visitors with stories and songs, based on the rich storytelling tradition of the Pine Barrens. His book, The Legendary Pine Barrens: New Tales From Old Haunts (available at the library), is a collection of dark and quirky short stories inspired by South Jersey folklore. Pedersen puts his unique spin on such legendary local subjects as the immortal Jersey Devil, dancing bandit Joe Mulliner, and the mysterious Blue Hole of Winslow. 
 

This program is geared toward adults only.  No children under 12 please.

Registration is required. You can sign up online or call 908-754-5554 ext. 64.

 
The Case of the Unknown Woman: A 19th Century Murder Mystery

Saturday, October 26, 2 pm to 3:15 pm

Rahway city historian, Alexander Shipley, will talk about the case that inspired his book The Case of the Unknown Woman: The Story of One of the Most Intriguing Murder Mysteries of the Nineteenth Century. 

This fascinating tale is based on an actual event that took place on March 26, 1887 when a young woman was found murdered in a field on the outskirts of Rahway, NJ. Some have speculated there is a possible link between this dastardly deed and the crimes of Jack the Ripper. You can also get his book at the library.

This program is geared toward adults only.Registration is required. You can sign up online or call 908-754-5554 ext. 64.


Halloween Hullabaloo - Drop In Craft
Saturday. October 26, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm or
Tuesday,  October 29, 3 pm to 7 pm

Parents with children ages 3 years and older are encouraged to drop by on October 26 or October 29 for our Halloween crafts. Just drop in to the program room during the listed times to make a great craft to take home. No registration required. All drop-in craft programs are funded by the Friends of the Warren Township Library.

If you're looking for some frightening fun at home, check out our Recommended Reading lists of items available from the library:

• Spooky fiction books, e-books and audiobooksfor adults
• True Tales of Terror
• Halloween Books for Kids (selections for all ages)

"Lincoln" Visited the Library in Honor of Presidents' Day

 The Warren Township Library was visited by Abraham Lincoln in honor of Presidents' Day. Civil War reenactor Robert Costello, who specializes in portraying Lincoln, gave a talk in character as the 16th president, told stories about his career in politics and shared some fun, folksy anecdotes as well. 

A record number of people attended this program at the Warren Township Library. The feedback was excellent, and a lot of people asked when is he coming back. 


To learn more about Lincoln, please go here.

For information on the Warren Township Library's programs, visit our calendar.

NJ Heroes & Scoundrels of the Civil War

Speaker Rich Rosenthal

William Henry "Willie" McGee was a poor young man from Newark who enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War. He served as an orderly but when his commanding officer was called away, Willie bravely stepped in and took command in battle, an act that earned him the Medal of Honor and made him a hero - or did it?

Well, Willie did serve in the Civil War as an orderly and received the Medal of Honor, but his account of bravery was a lie, said Rich Rosenthal in his recent talk on New Jersey Heroes and Scoundrels of the Civil War at the Warren Township Library. Willie's tall tales did help him get out of trouble on a few occasions, including the murder of a man in a brawl, but he finally ended up in Sing Sing Prison.

Willie's story was one of several colorful anecdotes shared by Rosenthal, President of the North Jersey Civil War Round Table, one of the largest Civil War round tables in the United States.

"The heroes to me are your grandfathers," said Rosenthal of his emphasis on the average person rather than generals and battles. "We hear about the great generals but what about the ones fighting and dying?"

Rosenthal shared the story of Arabella Wharton Griffith Barlow, a young woman from Somerset County, who volunteered as a nurse during the Civil War and helped many soldiers. When her husband was injured in battle and captured by the Confederates, she bravely ventured into enemy territory to help him.

And then there was Charles Ferren Hopkins, who unlike Willie, deserved to receive the Medal of Honor. Hopkins, said Rosenthal, carried a wounded officer to safety in the midst of battle and in spite of receiving several wounds himself. After a year's recuperation, Hopkins returns to service and was caught and sent to the notorious Andersonville Prison. Hopkins, who later became the Mayor of Boonton, was awarded the Medal of Honor 35 years after the war, based on an application made by a fellow soldier.

After his presentation, Rosenthal and Ginny Pasternak, secretary for the Civil War Round Table, donated a copy of New Jersey Goes to War: Biographies of 150 New Jerseyans Caught up in the Struggle of the Civil War, including Soldiers, Civilians, Men, Women, Heroes, Scoundrels - and a Heroic Horse. The book was written in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Warren Township Mayor Carolann Garafola, who attended the program, accepted the donated book on behalf of the library.

 "I did my senior thesis on Andersonville," said Garafola.

To learn more about these people, and the horse, you can purchase your own copy of the book or borrow one from one of the county's library branches. There also are other books at the library including Discover your community's Civil War Heritage : Discover the Role of Your Town in the Most Significant Event in American History-- the Great Civil War That Determined Whether Our Country Would Survive as a Free and United Nation  by Steven D. Glazer and Freedom to All  New Jersey's African-American Civil War Soldiers by Joseph G. Bilby.

To see more photos from this lecture, please visit the Warren Township Library Facebook page.

To learn more about the Round Table, go to  heir website.

World War II: Words & Music

Saturday, 11/12 @ 2 pm @ Warren Twp Library. In observance of Veteran's Day, the Warren Twp Library will honor our veterans with this one hour presentation which will move the spirit with true accounts from those who served during and lived through WWII. Heartfelt letters, personal accounts, famous quotes, and songs of the era help us remember how the world fought for six long years. Men fought, loved, dreamed, and died all over the world. The words are authentic. The music pays tribute to the courage and soul of a great generation.


Presented by the Traveling Literary Theater company. Two professional actors will do the readings and in between readings, singer Maggie Worsdale will sing famous songs from that time. This performance is geared toward adults only.

Pre-registration is required to attend this spectacular professional performance. To register online go to www.sclsnj.org/warren.htm - Click on Adult Programs under Links of Interest, find the program on the calendar and double-click to register. Or call 908-754-5554 ext 64 for more information or assistance with registration.  Click on this link to register  http://bit.ly/vmR79z

AT THE PERFORMERS' REQUEST, NO LATECOMERS WILL BE ALLOWED IN ONCE THE PERFORMANCE STARTS.
The Warren Twp Library is a branch of the Somerset County Library System, and it is located at 42 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, NJ 07059.  Phone: 908-754-5554.