OCL to celebrate NJ milestone with a Sinatra concert

TOMS RIVER –  Dave DeLuca will croon the tunes of Frank Sinatra at two Ocean County Library branches.

“An Evening Celebrating New Jersey’s Frank Sinatra” is part of the library’s 350^th anniversary of the founding of New Jersey festivities.

A self-taught singer born in Hoboken in 1915, Sinatra was New Jersey’s favorite son for seven decades. He transitioned from a bobbysoxer idol in the 1930s to a pop music icon in the ‘60s and then reinvented himself as a serious balladeer whose haunting songs reflected on his life up through the ‘90s.

Dave DeLuca, also born in New Jersey, is an accomplished singer, songwriter, musician and recording engineer who has been performing for more than 30 years. In December 2011 he auditioned and won a starring role in Red Bank’s Count Basie Theatre’s “Fifth Annual Birthday Bash,” beating out hundreds of other hopeful performers.

DeLuca will perform 7 p.m. Wednesday June 18 at the Point Pleasant Borough branch, 834 Beaver Dam Road, 732-295-1555, and 7 p.m. Monday July 21 at the Manchester branch, 21 Colonial Dr.

The concerts are free and open to the public but registration is required. To register telephone the branch or visit the library’s website at www.theoceancountylibrary.org and click on the “Event and News” icon for the link to the library’s Calendar of Events.

So whatever happened to Allan Sherman?

What happens when  your big break ends at Camp Granada?

 

TOMS RIVER –  So whatever happened to Allan Sherman? You know, the guy who wrote the hit song “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah!” about youth’s angst while stuck in Camp Granada.

Well, he went on to record another novelty album of parody songs then produce and appear in many television shows within a few short years.

Author Mark Cohen will present his book, “Overweight Sensation: The Life and Comedy of Allan Sherman,” 7 p.m. Thursday June 5 at Ocean County Library’s Toms River branch, 101 Washington St.

With exclusive access to Sherman’s estate, Cohen has written the first biography of the manic, bacchanalian and hugely creative artist who sold 3 million albums in just 12 months, yet died in obscurity a decade later at the age of 49.

Cohen argues persuasively for Sherman’s legacy as a touchstone of postwar humor and a turning point in Jewish American cultural history.

Cohen will be available after the program to sign copies of his book.

This program is free and open to the public but registration is required. To register telephone the branch 732-349-6200 or 609-971-0514 or visit the library’s website www.theoceancountylibrary.org , click on the “Events & News” icon, then click on “Calendar of Events.”

Celebrate jazz, Ellington @ LBI 6/4

TOMS RIVER –  Celebrate National Jazz Month with a tribute to Duke Ellington 7 p.m. Wednesday June 4 at the Long Beach Island library branch, 217 S. Central Ave., Surf City.

The Michael Engesser Jazz Trio, with Halley Feaster, Alan Abraham and Engesser will combine their musical talents with biographical tales to help you better understand one of the true jazz legends.

Ellington’s career as a composer, pianist and band leader spanned more than 50 years. He composed more than 1,000 pieces, including “It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing,” “Sophisticated Lady,” “Prelude to a Kiss,” “Solitude,” and “Satin Doll.”

The program is free but registration is required. To register, telephone the branch 609-494-2480 or go to the library’s website www.theoceancountylibrary.org , click on the “Events & News” icon, then click on “Calendar of Events.”

Learn to borrow eBooks for your Nook @ Manchester library branch

MANCHESTER –  Learn how to use your Nook Tablet to borrow books from the Ocean County Library on 10 .m. Friday, June 13 at the Manchester library branch, 21 Colonial Dr.

Telephone 732-657-7600 or go online to www.theoceancountylibrary.org to reserve your seat! In addition to signing up in advance, it is very important that you bring an Ocean County Library card number plus logins for a Barnes & Noble account and an email account before you attend this free, adult workshop.

Foot & ankle health presentation at Manchester 6/16

MANCHESTER, NJ– Mary Ellen McCoy, DPM will give a presentation about common foot and ankle conditions and how they are treated 10 a.m. Monday June 16 at the Manchester library branch, 21 Colonial Dr.

She will also answer questions from the audience.

Dr. McCoy is a podiatrist who practices in Whiting.

Refreshments will be provided.

The program is part of the Ocean County Library’s “Chapters of Health” series and is open to the adult public, free of charge. Please register online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or telephone 732-657-7600.

Manchester library to host stress management seminar

MANCHESTER, NJ–  Denise Calloway will present “Exercise for Stress Management” at the Manchester library branch, 21 Colonial Dr. 2 p.m. Monday June 16.

She will talk about the importance of physical activity for relieving stress and demonstrate some meditation and breathing exercises that participants are encouraged to try along with her.

She is employed by Kessler Rehabilitation Center, which is sponsoring the program. The program is part of the library’s “Chapters of Health” series.

It is open to the adult public, free of charge. Please register online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or telephone 732-657-7600.

Refreshments will be provided.

Happy 350th Birthday New Jersey!

Author and Rutgers Professor Dr. Michael Rockland spoke to an audience of more than 30 people on May 19 at the Toms River Branch concerning the 350th anniversary of New Jersey. Dr. Rockland provided some historical aspects of the Garden State and shared some of its unique features during the program. His appearance included a book signing. The Ocean County Library will continue to provide special events celebrating New Jersey’s 350th anniversary throughout the year.

NJ Gay Men’s Chorus to perform @ LEH Saturday

 In celebration of LGBT Pride Month, the Little Egg Harbor branch of the Ocean County Library will host the New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus 2 p.m. Saturday May 31.

Steven A. Russell, director of the chorus, presents the hour-long concert of Broadway, traditional and original songs. It will begin at 2 p.m.

The New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus regularly performs throughout New Jersey, the United States and Canada. It is a member of the GALA Choruses, an international association of Gay and Lesbian Choruses.

The concert is free.

TR library friends to host book sale June 5-7

TOMS RIVER –  The Friends of the Toms River Library will hold their annual Summer Book Sale in Mancini Hall at the Toms River branch, 101 Washington St.

 

The booksale will be open:

Thursday June 5 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.;

Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

 

The book sale will give people an opportunity to purchase holiday gifts and to gather books for winter reading.

 

Each hardback cover and non-fiction paperback book will cost $1. Fiction paperback books will cost 50 cents each.  Children’s books will cost a quarter each.

 

The funds that are raised by The Friends will be used to purchase materials for the library and to sponsor several of its programs.

Tanner to discuss his book, experiences in Iraq war

Iraqi war veteran Robert M. Tanner will discuss his book “Memoirs of an Outlaw: Life in the Sandbox” 7 p.m. Monday June 9 at the Pt. Pleasant Borough library branch.

He will sign copies of his book following the discussion.

This program is free and open to the public.