Choral group performs at Stafford branch

Holy Temple Church of God In Christ Choral Ensemble, of Toms River, performed at the Stafford branch Saturday February 19

Five Press releases from Manchester branch

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Jolene Smith, 732.657.7600
jsmith@theoceancountylibrary.org

Manchester Branch Library to Host “Better Balance for Seniors” Workshop

MANCHESTER, NJ – Seniors, visit the Manchester Library on Tuesday, March 15 at 2:00 pm to learn how you can overcome balance problems associated with conditions such as arthritis and ear disease that affect many older people. Ron Hyland, the Fitness Director for Keswick Pines in Whiting will show you simple exercises and techniques that you can use both at home and when you’re out and about, to help you maintain and strengthen your equilibrium. Mr. Hyland claims that many people are able to rely less on canes and walkers because of these methods.

Please register in advance for this free program by calling (732)657-7600 or by going online to http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Twp.
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PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Joanne Lefand, (732) 657-7600 ext. 4522
jlefand@theoceancountylibrary.org

MANCHESTER BRANCH LIBRARY TO SHOW,
“BAD DAY TO GO FISHING”

MANCHESTER – The Manchester Library will screen, “Bad Day to Go Fishing” on Wednesday, March 16, at 2:00 p.m. and again at 6:00 pm. See this popular foreign film on a large screen without paying the admission fee of a movie theater!

Washed-up wrestling champion Jacob van Oppen and his conniving manager, Orsini, make a living staging fake wrestling matches in small South American Towns. Orsini never has trouble finding the right opponent to throw the fight but when they arrive in the village of Santa Maria where they promise $1000 to anyone who can stay in the ring with the champ for three minutes, they get more than they bargained for.

The dialogue is in Spanish and English with English subtitles. It is part of the library’s monthly Independent Film Series. Registration is not required. This program is open all ages although it is geared toward adults.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Twp. Call 732.657.7600 for more information.

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Joanne Lefand, (732) 657-7600 ext. 4522
jlefand@theoceancountylibrary.org

MANCHESTER BRANCH LIBRARY TO HOST BOOK CHAT

MANCHESTER – On Thursday, March 17 the Manchester Branch Library will be holding its bi-monthly book café from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Join us as we discuss what we’ve been reading. Share with others about good books that you’ve recently read and pick up suggestions of what to read next.

There is no registration for this free adult program. For more information call 732.657.7600 or go online to http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Township.

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Wendi Smolowitz, 732.657.7600 ext. 4113
wsmolowitz@theoceancountylibrary.org

Manchester Branch Library’s Jewish Book and Film
Discussion Club to Hold Meeting

MANCHESTER, NJ – The Manchester Branch Library’s Shalom Book and Film Discussion Club that focuses on Jewish themed literature and movies, will meet on Friday, March 18 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Dr. Ali Botein-Furrevig is the group leader. She is an English professor at Ocean County College and lecturer on all aspects of Yiddish culture throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties.

The subject of March’s discussion is a book by Sandy Tolan: The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew and the Heart of the Middle East. The title refers to a tree in the backyard of a home in Ramla, Israel. The home is currently owned by Dalia, a Jewish woman whose family of Holocaust survivors emigrated from Bulgaria. But before Israel gained its independence in 1948, the house was owned by the Palestinian family of Bashir, who meets Dalia when he returns to see his family home after the Six-Day War of 1967. Tolan traces the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the parallel personal histories of Dalia and Bashir and their families—all refugees seeking a home. As the story progresses, Dalia struggles with her Israeli identity, and Bashir struggles with decades in Israeli prisons for suspected terrorist activities.

This program is open to the adult public, free of charge. However, space is very limited so it is necessary to register in advance by calling 732.657.7600 or by going online to http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Twp.

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Jolene Smith, 732.657.7600
jsmith@theoceancountylibrary.org

MANCHESTER BRANCH LIBRARY TO HOST
WORKSHOP ON MAINTAINING YOUTH

MANCHESTER, NJ – On Saturday, March 19 at 2:00 pm, at the Manchester Branch Library, Cindy Brown will present “Ageless You.” She will show you how to maintain or regain energy and vitality at any age. Cindy Brown is a certified health and wellness coach with M.O.V.E. Health & Wellness in Toms River, NJ.

This program is open to the adult public, free of charge. Please go online to http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 732.657.7600 to register.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Twp.

Sparks joins Mr. Scott the Music Man for I love the library program in Beachwood.

The Beachwood branch sponsered a fun-filled “I love My Library” program with Mr. Scott The Music Man at the Beachwood Community Center Saturday February 19.

Sparks & Mr. Scott both wore matching tie dyed shirts.

Ned Hector: part 2

History and the Black American Revolutionary War experience came alive Saturday (Feb. 19) when Noah Lewis portrayed Ned Hector, a Pennsylvania hero.

Hector was “a man of color,” a freeman and one of many black men and women, primarily from the North, who fought for freedom in the American Revolution.  He was a member of Captain Hercules Courtney’s Company of Colonel Proctor’s 3rd Pennsylvania Artillery Regiment.

Hector served Washington in the disastrous Battle of Brandywine Sept. 11, 1777 at Chadd’s Ford as a teamster and bombardier.   The Continental Army was almost destroyed that day by British General Howe’s flanking movement in the afternoon.

As they were being surrounded by British and Hessian troops, Hector’s commander ordered everyone to abandon their equipment and positions then reform in Chester.  While others abandoned the field, Hector refused to let his team fall into British hands.

At great danger to himself, he gathered up the weapons that littered the area, loaded them onto his wagon, and dashed through the enemy’s lines. 

“The enemy shall not have my team! I will save the horses or perish myself!” he shouted.

Lewis told the audience that was likely due to the fact that the team and wagon were his personal property.  To lose them would have meant a loss of his livelihood.

Little is known of Hector’s later war experiences and his life in the Philadelphia area.  While not awarded a pension like other Revolutionary War veterans, he was granted a one-time donation of $40 from a “grateful” Pennsylvania Legislature. He died in 1834 at the age of 90.

Noah Lewis mixed the biography of Hector in with issues that confronted black and white Americans during the War.  At times humorous, like discussing the bathing – or lack thereof – of the colonists, he also engaged the audience by having them participate in artillery practice.  He heightened the experience by attacking the bombardiers with a bayonet affixed to his rifle.

“African American history is American history,” Lewis said.  “No matter what your heritage, you all share in African American history.  These people are part of your history.”

 “I’m telling these stories not just for people of color,” Lewis said in a published interview. “Most white people have never heard of these black heroes.  So maybe by telling these stories, I’m breaking some stereotypes, building some bridges, and creating some ties among people.”

A lot of other people and groups have been omitted from history, he added

“This is not a problem of race,” he said, “It’s a problem of the human condition, of economics.”

His teachable moment lasted more than an hour and about 100 people participated in both Lewis’s presentation and other parts of the program, including a performance by Toms River High School North’s “nStep”  and a Soul Food Tasting that was cosponsored by the Toms River NAACP and the library’s Good for the Soul Committee.

An 8-photo slideshow of the event can be found on our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oceancountylibrary/sets/72157626003479319/show/

Revolutionary War hero, Ned Hector: A great program-part 1

The Good for the Soul committee and the Toms River NAACP hosted a great program Saturday in Mancini Hall about Revolutionary War hero Ned Hector.  Presented by reenactor Noah Lewis, he told about colonial-era customs that were followed by all people, including the difficulties blacks and the Irish faced.

Hector engaged the audience in his program, involving them in a simulated cannon demonstration.  The following photo was taken as he instructed newly (but not willingly) recruited bombadier, oh let’s call her Judy.

Saturday’s program also included a soul food tasting by the NAACP and a performance by TRHS North’s ‘nStep.

An old saying goes: Nobody is useless.  Everyone has a purpose, even if it’s to serve as a bad example.  Here “Judy” served to demonstrate the role of women during the colonial period.  Good, bad or indifferent?  You decide.

Press Release from Point Pleasant Bourogh branch Lady, Bird, Pat & Betty: Tea for Three

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Nicole DeMatteo, Branch Manager Karen Monahan, PR Liaison
ndematteo@theoceancountylibrary.org kmonahan@theoceancountylibrary.org

Lady Bird, Pat & Betty: Tea for Three

The Point Pleasant Borough Branch of the Ocean County Library will present the program
“Lady, Bird, Pat & Betty: Tea for Three on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at 6:30 p.m.

Three former First Ladies will be sharing secrets in this unforgettably vivid one-woman show.
Starring the Emmy Award-winning Elaine Bromka, the play is a witty and intimate re-imagining of three women who suddenly found themselves celebrities – a behind-the-scenes look at Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, and Betty Ford, revealing the personal cost of what Mrs. Nixon called the “hardest unpaid job in the world.”

This program is free and open to the public. Please register online at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 732-295-1555. The Point Pleasant Borough Branch library is located at 834 Beaver Dam Road, Point Pleasant, NJ.

The Lakewood branch celebrated Soul Food Saturday Feb. 12.  The Keith Marks Trio and the New Sensational 4 by Faith performed.  Margaret Cammarieri from the American Heart Association spoke abouthealthy eating and proper nutrition.

Loretta Long also spoke at the event.

Photos from the event can be found on Flickr @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/oceancountylibrary/sets/72157626123121242/show/

Jazz concert at the Upper Shores branch

The Nanette DeLaune Quartet performed a jazz concert at the Upper Shores branch on February 22. The library was transformed into a café setting as more than 85 people enjoyed an evening of songs from the great jazz era of the 1940’s. Nanette wooed the crowd as she evoked Ella Fitzgerald and others from that era.

Sheep in Waretown

Major Mike Maino, Piolet & Public Affairs Officer of the Ocean Black Sheep (Ocean Air Support Squadron, Inc) spoke od his organizationsdaring deeds while assisting Ocean County with various search and reconnaissance needs.

The Waretown branch meeting room was lined with rare and unusual photos of local views. One such photo is a striking view of Good Luck Point in Toms River (above) and anothe rofthe Philidelphia skyline as seen from Toms River.

Five press releases from Manchester

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Wendi Smolowitz, (732) 657-7600, ext. 4113
wsmolowitz@theoceancountylibrary.org

Chess Club to Meet at Manchester Branch Library

MANCHESTER –The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is starting a Chess Club! We invite those who want to play chess in a relaxed, uncompetitive atmosphere to join us on a weekday morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Meet people who share your love of the game, and teach the skills to new players. The times and dates of the meetings will be determined in the near future.

To express your interest in participating in the Manchester Branch Library’s Chess Club, please call Wendi Smolowitz at (732) 657-7600, ext. 4113. The Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester.

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Joanne Lefand, (732) 657-7600 ext. 4522
jlefand@theoceancountylibrary.org

MANCHESTER BRANCH LIBRARY TO SHOW
“THE TOWN”

MANCHESTER – The Manchester Branch Library will screen the film, “The Town” on Wednesday, March 9, at 2:00 p.m. and again at 6:00 pm. See this popular crime drama on a large screen without paying the admission fee of a movie theater!

A few days after Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) is released, unharmed as a hostage in a robbery of the bank where she works she meets a new man (Ben Affleck) and starts a passionate new relationship. The developing romance threatens to take them down a dangerous path as the object of her attraction is one of her captors whom she doesn’t remember from the robbery.

This R-rated movie is part of the library’s Feature Film Series. Although registration is not required, early arrival is recommended.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Twp. Call 732-657-7600 for more information or go online to theoceancountylibrary.org.

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Sabrina La Spata, 732.657.7600 Ext. 4300
slaspata@theoceancountylibrary.org

“MAGGIE MCGEE AND THE GOOD CHARACTER BANDWAGON”
COMING TO THE MANCHESTER BRANCH LIBRARY

MANCHESTER, NJ – At the Manchester Branch Library on Wednesday March 9 at 6:00 pm, actors from the Surflight Theatre will perform “Maggie McGee and the Good Character Bandwagon.” In this 45 minute children’s play, young Maggie McGee becomes fed up with rudeness, disrespect and bad manners! Armed with a smile and a friendly attitude, she begins a quest to show others the road to good character and taking responsibility for one’s actions.

This program is being sponsored by the NJ Theatre Alliance’s Stages Festival and Family Week at the Theatre. More information about these organizations can be found at http://www.njtheatrealliance.org and http://www.stagesfestval.org.

This free program is geared toward children in grades K through 5. Please go online to http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 732.657.7600 Ext. 4300 to register.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Twp.

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Wendi Smolowitz, (732) 657-7600, ext. 4113
wsmolowitz@theoceancountylibrary.org

QUILTING BEE TO HOLD MEETINGS AT
THE MANCHESTER BRANCH LIBRARY

MANCHESTER – The Manchester Branch Library’s Quilting Bee will meet on Fridays March 11 and 25 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. During our meetings, we work on both individual and group projects. We share ideas, techniques, and patterns. In the process, through our conversations as we work, friendships are forged. Those wishing to learn how to quilt will have the opportunity to learn from experienced artists while experienced quilters will have the chance to pass on their skills. Bring your sewing machines and join us! New members are always welcome! Additionally, at the March 11 meeting, quilters will have the opportunity to learn about working with appliqués.

Meetings are usually held on the second and fourth Friday of each month. There is no need to register for this free adult program! For more information, please call (732) 657-7600 or go online to http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Township.

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Jolene Smith, 732.657.7600
jsmith@theoceancountylibrary.org

MANCHESTER BRANCH LIBRARY TO SPONSOR FLUTE CONCERT

MANCHESTER, NJ – On Saturday, March 12 at 2:00 pm, the “Festive Flutes” performing group will play an hour- long program of light classical music called, “A Little Night Music” at the Manchester Branch Library.

There is no need to register for this free program. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information go online to http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call 732.657.7600.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Twp.