December ‘12 / January ‘13
Violet’s Porch
The Newsletter of the Jefferson Township Public Library
Greetings of the Season
It’s the time of year to extend happiest
holiday wishes to all, from the staff of
the Jefferson Township Public Library.
HOLIDAY
HOURS
*
Monday, December 24
CLOSED
Tuesday, December 25
CLOSED
Enjoy the merriest of Christmases, the
brightest of Hanukkahs, and the best Kwanzaa. However you
celebrate the holiday season — spending time with family
and friends, exchanging gifts, attending a religious service,
enjoying the beauty of a moonlit winter’s night — we wish
you joy, freedom, peace, plenty, happiness and health.
It has been a pleasure providing you with library services
during the past year, and we look forward to serving you in
2013. We sincerely hope that the New Year brings you everything your heart desires, including lots of good books and
the time to read (or listen!) to them.
Monday, December 31
CLOSING AT 1 pm
Tuesday, January 1
This newsletter, Violet’s Porch, is named for Violet Riker,
library founder. Prior to 1960, the library had many homes,
including a school, a hotel, a church basement, and Violet
Riker’s front porch.
Violet’s Porch symbolizes the library’s commitment to
providing excellent service and improving the quality of life
in the community.
Violet’s Porch
Page 2
Yes, We Have That!
Library Services
The Eagle
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Books
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
DVDs
Ringed with the azure world, he stands.
Magazines
Newspapers
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
Audiobooks
He watches from his mountain walls,
Music CDs
And like a thunderbolt he falls.
Downloadable eBooks, audiobooks &
music
—ALFRED,
LORD TENNYSON
Public access computers
Reference Desk & Reference databases
Interlibrary loan
My Favorite Books 2012
your heart
that every
day is the
Story Times and crafts
The Round House—Louise Erdrich
Programs for all ages
The Art of Fielding—Charles Harbach
Notary Public services
Canada—Richard Ford
“Write it on
WiFi access
Home—Toni Morrison
Song of Achilles—Madeline Miller
Book Club
Poetry Group
Writing Workshop
Knitting Circle
Heft—Liz Moore
Photocopier
The Invisible Ones—Stef Penney
Waiting for Sunrise—William Boyd
B&W and Color Printers
Public meeting room
best day in
Wayward Saints—Suzzy Roche
Summer Reading programs
the year.”
American Boy—Larry Watson
Library blog
—Ralph
— Christine O’Brien
Newsletter Editor
Waldo Emerson
Book sale area
Paper shredder
Book drops
Study carrels & work tables
Classic Corner: The Little Prince
“...relearn lessons of love,
beauty, and friendship.”
The only children’s
book written by SaintExupery, a French author
and pilot, The Little Prince
is an enchanting story
that is easily appreciated
by children as a fairy tale,
and by adults as a philosophical and spiritual
quest.
Upon crashing in a
desert, a pilot meets a
little prince; so begins a
friendship that takes
readers on a journey to
self-awareness and the
recognition of how much
is lost on the way to becoming an adult.
Through the prince we
gain humorous and alltoo-accurate insights into
adulthood. And with him
as a light-handed guide,
we relearn lessons of love,
beauty, and friendship.
As Saint-Exupery
writes in his dedication,
“All grown-ups were once
children — although few
of them remember it.”
—from 52 Great Books to Read
by Lynn Gofdon
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 3
“Five Star” Reader Reviews
Participants in the library’s summer reading program for adults
were asked to rate the books they read on a scale of one to five,
and to write a brief review. Here are some of the “five star” reviews we received:
From Jutta Braun:
The Crocodile’s Last Embrace by Suzanne Arruda. “This mystery
is engaging and educational. Set in Nairobi in the 1920s, and
rich in details that make both the history and geography real.”
From Lily Alonso:
The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani. “I loved this book. It
reminded me of how this country was built, and the struggles
that immigrant families faced upon arrival.”
From Audrey Pendergast:
Night Watch by Linda Fairstein. “Loved it. Loved the way she
mixes mystery with New York history.”
From Donna Gonzalez:
Honolulu by Alan Brennert. “This has quickly moved onto my list
of all-time favorites...the history of the time, and following of
the ‘Picture Brides’ is a window into a period of life that I found
fascinating. “
From Pat Spitznas:
Blue Asylum by Kathy Hepinstall. “A very unusual book — sad
but full of humanity. I’ll never think about the people who lived
during the Civil War in the same way.”
From Terry Amantea:
Where Angels Go by Debbie Macomber. “An absolutely beautiful
story and a relaxing one to read.”
From Billie Burke:
Stay Close by Harlen Coben. “I think it is Coben’s attention to
detail in his characters and New Jersey that really keeps you
interested.”
From Kathy Cronk:
The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts. “A fast read with interesting
characters from the first book in the series. I can’t wait for the
next one!
And let us welcome the New Year,
Full of things that have never been.
—Rainer Maria Rilke
MORE STAFF FAVORITES
FEATURED REVIEW—by Sandy Cale
The Little Red Guard: A Family Memoir
by Wenguang Huang
When I was growing up, I recall my Mom telling my siblings and me how her parents prepared
coffins for the elders in her family before they passed away. They had the coffin ready and
waiting in the house for months or even years. Each year they had oil and paint layered on the
coffin to preserve the wood. This offered comfort and promise for the elders that they would
receive a proper burial and a good afterlife.
The author begins his memoir with a similar story. When he was 9 years old, his father, like any
traditional Chinese son would do, promised his Mother that he would have a coffin made by
the time she turned 60. Then came the Cultural Revolution, and a traditional funeral was
banned. Huang’s father was a respected community leader, which made it difficult for him to
go against the political party’s rule. It took him years to secretely plan and hide the project.
Huang was designated as the coffin keeper once it was built, and even shared his bedroom with
the coffin for some years. Huang’s grandmother’s burial wish was eventually fulfilled after over
20 years.
This memoir tells a story of an ordinary family going through changing political times. They
struggled with observing their deeply rooted traditional values while obeying the new standards set by the political system. It is a funny, sad and heartwarming tale.
PAT MCGRAW:
Summerland by
Elin Hilderbrand.
A perfect summer, a high
school beach
party—and a
fatal car accident are the
elements of this compelling
story that reveals surprising
truths and important lessons.
DIANE HESS:
Love Anthony by
Lisa Genova.
This is an unforgettable story
about motherhood, autism,
love and friendship. The plot
is engaging and the characters real and understandable.
Lisa Genova is an author who
never disappoints.
Violet’s Porch
Page 4
Jingle Bells Film Fest
New dvdS
Dark Shadows
Prometheus
Moonrise Kingdom
The Raven
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
People Like Us
Marvel’s The Avengers
Battleship
Madagascar 3
The First Ladies
Free Men (foreign film)
Corpo Celeste (foreign film)
Snow White and the Huntsman
The shopping is done, the presents are
wrapped, the cookies are baked, the cards are
written and sent, and Sundays in December
are yours to enjoy any way you please!
(Wouldn’t that be nice?)
Well, even if it’s not true, consider spending a
Sunday or two at the Jingle Bells Film Fest.
Take a break from the shopping and spend
some quality time at the library! Four Sundays
will be dedicated to Christmas films. Show
time is 2 PM:
December 9—
The Christmas Lodge
(90 minutes, rated G, 2011)
December 16—
Arthur Christmas
(97 minutes, rated PG,
2011)
December 23—
The Most Wonderful Time
of the Year
(87 minutes, not rated, 2009)
December 30—
12 Dogs of Christmas: Great Puppy Race
(102 minutes, rated PG, 2012)
Just for Kids
Mad Science returns to the library on Monday, December 10 at 10:30 AM with
the exciting program Digging for Dinosaurs. Preschoolers will have a chance
to become paleontologists and learn about where the dinosaurs lived, what
they ate, and how scientists know they existed. They’ll also participate in a
mini dinosaur dig for the “fossil remains” of a mystery dinosaur!
On Friday, December 28 kids can have Winter Fun With Kid Pix. (Ages 4-6 at
10 AM, and Ages 7 and up at 11:30 AM.) Kid Pix puts feature film quality 3D
storytelling in the hands of kids. Video narration lets them star in their own
animated adventure! Sign up for these creative classes, and be amazed!
And don’t forget the Jingle Bell Film Fest on Sundays during December (see
above.)
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 5
Programs & Events for Adults
Tales Well Told: Holiday Surprises—Sunday, December 2 at 2 PM
A double bill dramatic reading presented by actress Michele LaRue, featuring Sarah
Orne Jewett's "Winter Courtship" and O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi." Ms. LaRue is a
member of three major actor’s unions, AEA, SAG and AFTRA, a member of Drama
Desk, an organization of New York drama critics, and often works with the East
Lynne Company of Cape May, NJ. (Sunday, December 2 at 2 PM)
To Your Health: Hungry for Change—Tuesday, December 4 at 6:30 PM
A documentary (89 min., 2012) that exposes shocking secrets that the diet, weight
loss and food industries don’t want you to know about: deceptive strategies designed to keep you coming back for more. Find out what’s keeping you from having
the body and health you deserve, and how to escape the diet trap forever. Discussion and “healthy smoothies” follow the film. (Tuesday, December 4, at 6:30 PM)
Rethinking Happiness Workshop, Part 2—Tuesday, December 11 at 7 PM
Explore the topic of happiness — what it is, why it’s so important, why it seems so
hard to achieve for many of us — through real life stories of resilience and rebounding. Learn how all of us can lead more fulfilling, happier lives. (You need not have
attended Part 1 to benefit from Part 2.)
A Taste of Poetry —Wednesdays, December 12 and January 9, at 1 PM
“The more you
praise and
celebrate
This relaxed and informal group meets on the second Wednesday of each month,
from 1 to 2 PM. We chat, we snack, we read poems and we talk about what they
mean to us. Stop by and try something new. You might think “I don’t get poetry” or
“I don’t like poetry”, but you may be surprised! December: Favorite Winter Poems:
January: Poems of Philip Levine
your life,
Spirit of the Season Holiday Show—Friday, December 7 at 7 PM
celebrate.”
New Jersey residents Jeff Penque (singer/songwriter) and Karen Fairweather
(songstress), a fresh and unique acoustic duo, present their "Spirit of the Season"
show, a blend of everyone's holiday favorites, including, traditional, contemporary
and original tunes. (You won’t want to miss Karen’s fabulous voice!) For all ages.
(Friday, December 7 at 7 PM)
East Coast Ghosts—Sunday, January 13 at 2 PM
Author Carlotta Holton takes you on an armchair tour of some haunted places from
Salem, MA to Savannah, GA, using stories and travel logs from her books and from
articles she’s published in The Record. Included are The Ghost of Giles Corey — Salem, MA (Henry St. cemetery); The Ghost of Jerusha Howe and the Secret Drawer Society at Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, Sudbury, MA; Savannah ghosts; and Williamsburg
Ghost tours.
10 Keys to Healthy Eating—Wednesday, January 16 at 7 PM
Are you confused about what to eat and what to avoid to live a healthier life? Certified Holistic Health and Nutrition Coach Audrey Dworak provides great tips for
healthy shopping, eating and living. You will walk away with a step-by-step action
plan for a healthier you. It could change your life!
the more
there is in
life to
- Oprah Winfrey
The Library of Jefferson Township
is a sound public investment that exists
to improve the lives of residents through
self-education, recreation and
the exchange of ideas.
Jefferson Township
Public Library
1031 Weldon Road
Oak Ridge, NJ 07438
Phone: 973-208-6244
www.jeffersonlibrary.net
Library Director
Seth Stephens
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Christine O’Brien
[email protected]
Board of Trustees
Michael Stewart, President
Christine Williams, Vice President
Bill Craig, Mayor’s Rep., Secretary
Frank Bagnati, Treasurer
Rosemarie Lange
Anne Augustyn
Pearlann McManus
Margaret Holbrook
Joseph Kraemer, Supt. of Schools
9,665
71
327
11,847
80
# of people who visited the library in September
# who got their library card in January
# of new books added to library collection in May
# of items borrowed in August
# of reference questions answered in March
907
# of books read in library summer reading clubs
148
# of adults attending library programs in October
36
# of Story Time sessions offered in February
Jefferson Township Public Library
1031 Weldon Road
Oak Ridge, New Jersey 07438
Hours
Monday-Friday 9:30-9
Saturday 9:30-6
Sunday 1-5
2012 by the Numbers