Winter 2020– 21 Volume 43 Issue 4 Marble Columns Newsletter of the Friends of the James Blackstone Memorial Library

“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” George Bernard Shaw

Sandwiched in between the ment. In June 2010, Mark had One of the first things that triangular intersection of the high honor of being invit- comes to mind is the enig- Chestnut and Main Streets of ed to the White House by matic name of the restaurant. the Branford historic First-Lady Michelle Obama According to Mark and Ami G district sits a 2-story pale yel- and is currently involved with stands for Green Business low building dating to circa the “Chefs Move to School” ethics and plant-based cuisine 1850 which once served as initiative that involves work- and Zen represents Living the dwelling of Timothy ing directly with students. Mindfully--to be in a state of Beach. In front is rooted a Mark is best known within peace and balance in one’s well-manicured garden of the public eye from his over body.

perennials and herbs. Here 22 years spent as the execu- Mark & Amy Schadle “G-Zen can proudly say that lies the home of G-Zen, a tive chef and co-owner of It’s in more than 8 months of plant-based, organic eatery. Only Natural Restaurant in Covid we have never short- Its menu boasts vegan and Middletown. In 2011 Mark ened our extensive menu… vegetarian cuisine. The res- sold his share of It’s Only Nat- because of a devoted culinary taurant represents the presci- ural to pursue other projects. team and our incredible cus- ence of Chef Mark Shadle and tomers we were able to con- Chef Ami Beach Shadle. To- Executive raw foods chef and tinue to dazzle our communi- gether they take the concept co-owner is Ami who is an ty… Without our incredibly of “Farm to Table” to com- accomplished author, certi- supportive fan base G-Zen plete levels by growing the fied holistic nutritionist, and a could not be here today and organic ingredients, serving raw foods educator. She has we are forever grateful,” ex- them fresh at the restaurant been recognized for her work presses Ami. and then composting the both nationally and interna- tionally. Ami is also the waste. In 2020 G-Zen was Mark and Ami have collabo- featured in Travel + Leisure founder/CEO of G-Monkey mobile and G-glo Organic rated in penning a cookbook magazine’s “Best Vegetarian with others entitled Peace Restaurants in USA.” Also, Juice Fast. Begins on Your Plate featur- Food Network named G-Zen Another creation of Ami’s and ing over 120 plant-based reci- “One of the best vegan res- Mark’s is G-Monkey, the na- pes and lifestyle tips. The taurants in the nation.” This tion’s first fully vegan and cookbook is also meant to be year G-Zen hit its tenth anni- sustainable food truck an adult coloring book con- versary in Branford. launched in 2011. The G- taining pen and ink drawings for users to set intentions of At the helm is Mark, execu- Monkey operation has gratitude and interact with its tive chef and co-owner. For offered vegan and organic content. Paperback in format; more than 20 years of his food to folks in the Greater 196 pp. The recipes range culinary career he has impact- Hartford and New Haven are- from dressings and sauces to ed the natural foods move- as. entrees, desserts, soups.

Continued inside...

February and March Madness

Did you know that February Shaq Uncut: My Story and March are noticeably the By Shaquille O’Neal with most common birth months Jackie Macmullan for outstanding In this candid new autobiog- players? raphy the four-time NBA champion and a three-time star long before she joined the Just look at some of these NBA Finals MVP discusses his Minnesota Lynx. During her examples. Michael Jordan-- colorful career, NBA victories, high school career, Maya Feb 17, 1963; Mahershala Ali and his thoughts on major helped her team win 125 -Feb 16, 1974; Charles Bar- NBA names like Kobe Bryant, games to only 3 losses. At the kley; Feb 20, 1963; Julius Phil Jackson, and Pat Riley. University of Connecticut Erving- Feb 22, 1950; (adult) (UConn), Maya led the Huskies Stephon Marbury- Feb 20, to four amazing seasons and 1977; Mike Krzyzewski- Feb Salt in his shoes: Michael two national championships. 13, 1947; Shaquille O'Neal- Jordan in pursuit of a dream Not surprisingly, she was the Mar 06, 1972; Jackie Joyner- By Roslyn Young first pick in the 2011 Women's Kersee--Mar 3, 1962; Fran Michael Jordan, who was National Basketball Associa- Harris-Mar 12, 1965; smaller than the other play- tion (WNBA) draft. In the Michelle Edwards--Mar 06, ers, learns that determination WNBA, Maya has helped the 1966; - and hard work are more im- Lynx become one of the 1965-12-08; Yolanda Griffith-- portant than size when play- league's most feared teams. Mar 01, 1970; Adrienne John- ing the game of basketball. (children) son--Feb 05, 1974. (children)

You may wish to expand your Full Court Press The Story of the WNBA knowledge of some of these By Lauren Kessler By Ellen Labrecque b-ball hoopsters by obtaining A season in the life of a win- Women's basketball has been one of these resources availa- ning basketball team and the around for more than 100 ble in various formats women who made it happen. years, but only in the past two through the Blackstone Li- (adult) decades has a pro league brary. Also try using the Li- grown into prominence. Trace brary’s Search Catalog on its the key events that helped the website. By Jeff Savage WNBA bloom into today's Maya Moore was a basketball national powerhouse. (children) With Appreciation! Beginning with this issue dren’s book group is very sale. groups of volunteers among important. Made up of for- the Friends will be saluted. mer teachers and other retir- The current members of the The first of these is the dedi- ees who love books, this group are Susan Rowan, cated group that oversees the group of volunteers works all Micky Fazzino, Pat Mooney, Children’s Section at all of the year around to sort, clean, Evelyn Moulton, Andrea book sales. We thank them and individually price the Schieckel and Barbara John- for all of the time and assis- thousands of donated chil- son. The joy they see when tance they donate all year dren’s books offered for sale. children find the books they round. Donations continue to pour in are looking for and unex- this year, and the children’s pected books they are not During the annual book sales sorters are looking forward to looking for is gratification and put on by the Friends of the a May spring sale at our intrinsic reward for this Blackstone Library, the chil- warehouse as well as a fall group's time and effort. A Message from our Treasurer During the pandemic, The book sales through Ama- house on School Ground Friends of the Blackstone zon. During the pandemic Road. Library has remained com- online book sales increased mitted to their mission of to help partially replace some Our expenditures this year supporting the needs of the of the lost revenue from not were minimal outside of the Blackstone Library. With that being able to hold the annual costs involved with our two commitment in the last fiscal library book sale on the Bran- sources of income. Our largest year, the FJBML is pleased to ford Town Green. This year overhead cost is the rented report we were able to gift instead of holding the sale on warehouse where books are $32,826 to the library. the Green we did have a stored for the annual book Our two main sources of in- small book sale held over sale and Amazon book sales come are our Annual Friends several weeks at our ware- are processed. Library Book Sale and online -Jonathan Grande Virtual Program— Sponsored by the Friends expire in May 2021. Opera- of Blackstone Library: tional space both at River Story Time-No One What should I grow in my Run and VSC is challenging Noticed Medicinal Herb Garden? for sorting and storing books. It started one day ag- February 20 at 2 - 3:00 pm Team discussed the need to obtain more workspace to es ago. Get a head start on your better support Book Sale She became quieter spring gardening with the The Spring Sale for 2021 is Sorting, Online Sales and And no one noticed. mother daughter duo from scheduled for the weekends Virtual Book Cart sales. If you She shut herself away Grounded Goodwife! The right of May 15th and May 22nd in have any thoughts or space And no one noticed. herbal “superstars” can treat the warehouse at 59 School to offer, please contact Joe She disappeared a common ailments like colds Ground Road as was done in Genua, at little more each day and flu, inflammation, minor 2020. [email protected] And no one noticed. cuts, infections, pain, muscle Then she became spasms, anxiety, poor diges- The Fall Sale on the Branford • Sales and continued even more quiet and tion, and insomnia. But where green is slated for 9/30/21 to COVID19 pandemic in 2021. sadder should you begin? 10/3/21. Plans are tentative The Committee will continue Until finally she disap-

Registration is required to re- and are still in progress. to monitor and determine peared completely ceive a link to these online best plan for sales next year And still no one no- events. See EventBrite link on Other Issues are as follows: with the uncertainty of the ticed. library website. • River Run lease is due to pandemic. By Geraldine Reider Continued from front page...

The following is an excerpt Method: Recipe reproduced with per- from the book for Raspberry 1. Preheat oven to 375F. mission. Apple Crumble: 2. Peel and core apples and All comments should

slice each into 8-10 pieces. A portion of the proceeds of be forwarded to the Ingredients: 3. Arrange in baking dish the book is donated to animal Editor, Alpha Coiro at 3 Granny Smith apples sprayed with vegetable oil welfare. Peace Begins on friends@blackstone peeled, seeded, and sliced and squeeze lemon juice over Your Plate is a reader’s feast library.org 1 lemon, juiced them. even for those carnivores 2 cups fresh raspberries 4. Drain raspberries and among us! It is available 1 cup flour sprinkle over apples. online at http://www.g- ½ cup Florida Crystals® natu- 5. Mix flour and sugar in universe.shop/ for $34.99+ ral sugar bowl. Cut in coconut oil with tax, and available to borrow 1/2 cup coconut oil knife until mixture is crumbly. at the Blackstone Library. ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 6. Bake for 25 minutes until top is golden brown. -Alpha Coiro

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage PAID

Permit No. 117

Friends of the James Blackstone Return Service Requested Memorial Library P.O. Box 51 Branford, CT 06405

Board of Directors 2020—2021: From the President Alfred Bertoline, President Barbara Barrett, Vice President Jonathan Grande, Treasurer “There aren’t many truly pub- As we transition from 2020 cate yourself to serving this Judy Stebbins, lic places left in America. with the excitement for community treasure. Assistant Treasurer Most of our shared spaces better things to come in & Membership Chair require money or a certain 2021, I refer to the words *“The Complicated Role of Ellen Carucci, Secretary Alpha Coiro social status to access. above and think how lucky the Modern Public Library”, Robert DiGioia One place, though, remains we are to have the James Humanities Magazine, Jen- Jonathan Clark open to everybody. The pub- Blackstone Memorial Library nifer Howard Joe Genua lic library requires nothing of as part of our community. Mary Hally its visitors: no purchases, no This is our public place, which -Al Bertoline Hatsie Mahoney membership fees, no dress is open to all with an incredi- Andy McKirdy Pam Roy code. You can stay all day, ble staff performing welcom- John Smith and you don’t have to buy ing services. I am so proud to Callista Stoddard anything. You don’t need be a member of the Friends Carol Titcomb money or a library card to of the James Blackstone Me- Helen Wong access a multitude of on-site morial Library whose sole Karen Jensen, Library Director resources that includes purpose is advocacy and rais- Member Ex-Officio books, e-books and maga- ing funds to continue these zines, job-hunting assistance, benefits to our community. computer stations, free Wi-Fi, Members and volunteers, and much more. And the li- please join me with a New brary will never share or sell Year’s Resolution to rededi- your personal data.” *