Infobytes Newsletter of the Friends of the West Caldwell Public Library

InfoBytes Newsletter of the Friends of the West Caldwell Public Library

Volume 10, Issue 3 Fall 2008 R

changed town centers, Grover Cleveland in several ways Cruise the British Virgin Islands and many other scenes along the road including old Tuesday, September 16 at 7:00 pm friends like the Morris Canal, the trolley and Caldwell Join us for a free viewing of “Bill Harmon’s Cruising Railway. Many of the scenes are presented in a "Then Guide to the British Virgin Islands” on Tuesday, Sep- and Now" format. tember 16 at 7:00 pm in the Community Room. Learn Phil Jaeger is a resident of Cedar Grove and has been a about the beautiful islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, frequent presenter of local history topics at our library. Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke through actual video foot- age, aerial photos, and coverage of cruising charts. This presentation is jointly sponsored by the Historical You’ll also learn navigation information including chan- Society of West Caldwell and the Friends of the West nel entrances and mooring buoys, reefs and shoal areas, Caldwell Public Library. The program is free and open anchorages, swimming and snorkeling locations, along to the public but advance registration is requested. For with secluded harbors and beaches that will enhance more information or to register, call (973) 226-5441. your cruising pleasure. This program is free and open to Refreshments will be served. the public, but advance registration is requested. For more information or to register, call (973) 226-5441. International Cooking Contest Thursday, October 16 at 7:00 pm Along Yesterday’s Bloomfield Avenue In honor of National Arts and Humanities Month, we Thursday, September 18 at 7:00 pm will present “Cultural Cuisine: An International Phil Jaeger will present a slide lecture program entitled Cooking Contest on “Along Yesterday’s Bloomfield Avenue” on Thursday, Thursday, October 16 from September 18 at 7:00 pm. 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Contestants will be invited to prepare ethnic dishes from China, Italy, Japan and Puerto Rico, the predominant ethnicities in the greater West Caldwell area. Mitchell Altholz, Ex- ecutive Chef of the acclaimed Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, will serve as the judge for the International Cooking Contest. Prior to the cooking contest, three foreign language pro- This Caldwell postcard from the early 1900s shows an un- fessors will discuss the foods and customs of Italy, Ja- paved Bloomfield Avenue with a lone carriage at the right pan, and Puerto Rico. The speakers will be Dr. Vincenzo side of the road. At the left is the trolley terminal with a Bloomfield car waiting to make its 11-mile trip to Newark. Bollettino (Professor of Italian), Shigeru Osuka (Profes- The location today, just west of Central Avenue, is occu- sor of Japanese) and Tomas Miranda (Professor of Span- pied by a drive-through for a bank. Trolley service to ish). Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Caldwell began in 1898 and ended in 1952. winners. This program was made possible by a grant "Along Yesterday's Bloomfield Avenue" starts in New- from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state ark and heads west through Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Montclair, Verona, Caldwell, West Caldwell, Fairfield This program is free and open to the public, but advance and ends in the Morris County section. It includes registration is requested. For more information or to Branch Brook Park, railroads, rivers, vanished or register, call (973) 226-5441.

1 well known. However, their development not only had a Music of Love Concert technological impact on New Jersey, but an environ- Sunday, November 2 at 3:00 pm mental impact as well. Soloists from New York City’s acclaimed Allegro Sing- George J. Hill is a retired surgeon who has authored ers will present “Music of Love: In Celebration of 150 three medical books and number of articles on medical Years of Puccini” on Sunday, November 2 at 3:00 pm and historical subjects. He is also the author of “Edison’s in the Community Room. Soprano Ruth Ann Cunning- Environment, Invention and Pollution in the Career of ham and Tenor Dante Fiore will perform famous arias Thomas Edison.” from some of Puccini’s beloved operas such as “La Bo- This presentation is jointly sponsored by the Historical Society of West Caldwell and the Friends of the West Caldwell Public Library. The program is free and open to the public but advance registration is requested. For more information or to register, call (973) 226-5441. Refreshments will be served. Singing for Victory: Songs of WWII Sunday, November 16 at 2:00 pm In honor of Veterans Day, Karen Luschar will present “Singing for Victory: Songs of WWII” on Sunday, November 16 at 2:00 pm in the Community Room. The heme,” “Tosca,” “Madama Butterfly,” “Turandot,” and concert is a nostalgic mix of the fun and heartfelt songs “La Rondine.” They will be accompanied by pianist that kept our country knitted Inna Leytush and the program will be narrated by Dan together and ever hopeful Bellucci, who will provide background information during World War II. Inter- about Puccini and each opera. The Friends of the West woven with dialogue about Caldwell Public Library will sponsor this program and a the era, some of the wonder- reception will follow the concert. This program is free ful songs will include “Don’t and open to the public, but advance registration is re- Sit Under the Apple Tree,” quested. For more information or to register, call (973) “You’ll Never Know,” “I’ll 226-5441. Be Seeing You,” “It’s Been a Long, Long Time,” and “Kiss the Boys Goodbye.” She will It Began in Caldwell: Thomas Edison's be accompanied by Richard New Jersey Ancestors and the Impact of Danley on the piano. The This Great Inventor on New Jersey Friends of the West Caldwell Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 pm Public Library will sponsor this program and a reception will follow the concert. This program is free and open to Did you know that Thomas Edison’s great-grandfather the public, but advance registration is requested. For lived on Elm Road in Caldwell? He was a Tory and after more information or to register, call (973) 226-5441. the Revolutionary War was expelled to Nova Scotia. On Thursday, Caldwell Street Fair November 13 at 7:00 pm, Sunday, October 5 from noon to 5:00 pm George J. Hill, MD will The library will have a booth at the 2008 Rotary/ Ki- start with this early wanis Caldwell Street Fair on Sunday, October 5 from beginning and discuss noon-5:00 pm courtesy of the Friends of the Library. We Thomas Edison’s return will be selling gently used books for both adults and to New Jersey and his children in various genres including mysteries, biogra- subsequent development phies, fiction, picture books, etc. We will also be selling of Thomas A. Edison gently used DVDs, videos, CDs, and Books-on-tape. Laboratories. Please stop by our booth and purchase some of these Edison’s many inventions discounted items and receive a free giveaway. and accomplishments are 2 From the President Well summer is behind us, the kids are back in school and the West Caldwell Library and the Friends are planning a busy fall of programs and events.

On October 18th, the Friends are holding their 4th annual international dinner – “A Mediter- ranean Cruise.” This dinner has been a very successful event in previous years and we are expect- ing another great time this year. Our 4th Annual International Dinner . . . The Friends are also co-sponsoring two programs with the Historical “A Mediterranean Cruise” Society of West Caldwell: “Along Yesterday’s Bloomfield Avenue” presented by Friends of the West by Phil Jaeger and a program by Caldwell Public Library George Hill entitled “It Began in Caldwell: Thomas Edison’s NJ Ancestors and the Impact of this Great In- Saturday, October 18, 2008 ventor on NJ.” We are also sponsoring two musical programs in November. Details of these programs are West Caldwell Public Library described elsewhere in this newsletter. 30 Clinton Road, West Caldwell The Annual Meeting of the Friends will be held on Thursday, November 6th. At that meeting, the 2009 6:00 pm Social Hour officers will be elected including the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Re- 7:00 pm Dinner cording Secretary. The 2008 treasurer’s report will be presented as well as a review of the events during the $45 per person year. Following the brief business meeting, John T. Delicious Mediterranean Buffet Kraft, archaeologist/educator and director of Lenape Lifeways, Inc., will speak about the Lenape Indians Beer, Wine & Soda in New Jersey. You will receive another mailing with the proposed slate of officers for 2009 and additional details about the speaker and his presentation. For information and reservations contact: Again, I want to thank all the Friends for their continu- Ron Day – 973-228-2289 ing volunteer efforts and financial support. Membership remains at an all-time high. Let’s continue to help make or sign up below:

our library the best in the area! - Ron Day Mediterranean Cruise – October 18, 2008 Friends Executive Board Members - 2008 President Ron Day Name(s) ______Vice President Audrey Ott Treasurer Lila Rubin Corresponding Secretary Alice Gibson Number in party ______x $45.00 = ______Recording Secretary Laverne Nelson Member-at-Large Dorie Frey Make Checks Payable to the Friends of the West Member-at-Large Phil Hessinger Caldwell Public Library and send to 30 Clinton Member-at-Large Mary Lindgren Road, West Caldwell. NJ 07006 Immediate Past President Polly Payne Reserved seating for groups of 4 or more Library Director April L. Judge Committee Chairmen I (we) would like to sit with ______Hospitality Olga Reiher Books-to-Go Rozz Rusinow

3 Library Receives Donation from the National Reading Group Month & Historical Society of West Caldwell One Book New Jersey In honor of October’s National Reading Group Month and One Book New Jersey, the West Caldwell Public Library will be offering special programming featuring engaging and entertaining presentations on one of New Jersey’s favorite literary sons; Philip Roth, as well as the history of Jewish people and culture in New Jersey, a special movie screening of Goodbye, Colum- bus and two book discussions of Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America. The Historical Society of West Caldwell recently do- The library’s celebration kicks off on October 2nd at nated $300 to the West Caldwell Library to subsidize the 7:00 pm with distinguished author and Rutgers profes- yearly cost of Ancestry Library Edition database for use sor, Michael Rockland’s, “The Jews of New Jersey: A in the Local History & Genealogy Room in the library. Pictorial History.” Professor Rockland will present an In the above picture, Historical Society Executive Board engaging and entertaining discussion of Jewish life and member Phil Hessinger (left-center) is presenting a cultural contributions to New Jersey. Copies of his book check to reference librarian Precious Langhorn-Cox. will be available for purchase. There will also be an Friends president (and Historical Society board member) evening Dinner & Discussion event featuring a free Ron Day (left) and Library Director April Judge (right) screening of Goodbye, Columbus. Participants are look on. encouraged to read the book, Goodbye, Columbus writ- Ancestry Library Edition is one of the most important ten by Roth before attending this event. After viewing genealogical collections available today. It has unpar- the film, a lively film and book discussion comparing alleled coverage of the United States and the United and contrasting the two formats will be held. A light Kingdom, including census, vital, church, court, and dinner will be provided by the library. immigration records, as well as record collections from The West Caldwell Public Library will also be offering Canada and other areas. This collection, with thousands two discussions of The Plot Against America. The first of databases and billions of names, is essential to having discussion will be on October 2nd from 10:30-11:30 am a broad genealogy collection. at Crane’s Mill’s Library located in the Town Square This is the second year that West Caldwell Library has Building , 459 Passaic Ave. in West Caldwell. The sec- subscribed to this service with the help of the Historical ond discussion will be held in the library’s Community Society. Please stop by the Reference Desk to request Meeting Room on October 28th at 7:00 pm. Both book access. discussion programs are open to the general public. Cop- ies of the two books, The Plot Against America and Volunteers Wanted Goodbye Columbus, may be borrowed from the Refer- The West Caldwell Public Library will have a booth at ence Desk. the Rotary/Kiwanis Caldwell Street Fair on Sunday, th In addition to library programming, BCCLS will hold October 5 from noon to 5 pm. We will be selling “gen- online book discussions of The Plot Against America tly used” books and need people to work the booth as on October 16th and October 20th both beginning at well as set up and break down the booth. If you would 7:00 pm. On those dates, go to www.bccls.org and fol- like to help, please contact the Reference Desk at 973- low the directions provided. You do not need a pre-cre- 226-5541. ated screenname for chat access. At the right date and Would you like to be on the executive board of the time, click into the chat from the BCCLS website, and Friends? We expect to have one or more vacancies in the you will be guided to type in an identifying name and near future. Please contact Ron Day at 973-228-2289 or message to the group. Then transcripts will be available rgday@comcast.net if you are interested. afterwards at www.bccls.org/OBNJ.

4 Librarians will be able to look up obituaries-particular Greetings from the Director when the exact date is not known, birth announcements, Autumn at the library is going to be a busy one! In Oc- major events in the six towns-past political and social tober, the library will celebrate National Reading events, town budgets, zoning/planning board activities Group Month featuring an evening discussion of The etc. and school events-graduations, sports etc. Plot Against America written by Patrons who walk into one of the four libraries will be Philip Roth. Additional programs able to do the same searches as librarians when they are related to the work and its author doing local history research as well as genealogy re- will be held throughout the month. search to construct family trees. The library recently received a The cost to complete the project is pricey so we are look- grant from the New Jersey ing for additional start-up funding sources. To date we Humanities Council. With our have the following commitments for this much needed award money, we will sponsor an financial support. The Friends of the West Caldwell international cooking contest, Public Library will give $2,000, the Historical Society of which will be held on Thursday, October 16 at 7:00 pm West Caldwell will donate $1,000 and the Rotary Club in the library’s Community Meeting Room. of the Caldwells has promised to give the project $5,000. Another major new project that the library is working on We hope that others will jump on the bandwagon and is the digitalization of The Progress. We are working donate funds to make this dream become a reality. Any with three other libraries on this project - Caldwell, donation made is tax deductible. If you have questions Roseland and Fairfield. about this project or would like to discuss how a dona- Dating back from 1882, The Progress and its predeces- tion would be used to support this project, please contact sors the Caldwell News and Caldwell Progress have me at (973) 226-5441 or email me at [email protected]. made a major contribution to the local history of the Thanking you in advance for your support of the library. community. The Progress has been and continues to be Happy apple eating. Happy pumpkin picking! Happy a weekly, comprehensive record and documentation of autumn leaves! virtually every major and minor event that has taken place in the Caldwells and neighboring towns. This All my best, April L. Judge documentation is available at the Caldwell, West Cald- well, Roseland and Fairfield libraries on microfilm. Know Your Library Staff In this format, the Caldwell News and Progress have Dona Graziosa, Library Assistant been used extensively by historical researchers for a number of recent projects including researching and Dona Graziosa is our newest Library Assistant. She is a writing the materials for the West Caldwell 1904-2004 native of West Caldwell. Dona graduated from James Centennial History book and searching for historical Caldwell High School and has facts and information that were used to prepare a pres- been married 21 years to her hus- entation given at the library on the Monomonock Inn. band Vinnie. She has three Another local history project that is currently being children, Vincent who is a worked on using the microfilm is research on the sophomore at the University of “Caldwell Park” development of West Caldwell. This Tampa, Gina who is a senior at housing development program was initiated by the Own James Caldwell High School, and Your Own Home Association headquartered in Newark Matt who is a freshman at James during the 1920s thru the 1930s. Many of these houses Caldwell High School. Dona seem to be “Kit” houses or copies of catalog houses as enjoys spending time with her sold and manufactured by Sears & Roebuck and others. family and continues to look for shells, seaglass and Many of these homes are still located in West Caldwell. other treasures. She also enjoys attending her children’s sporting events. Currently there is no index or capability of searching the approximately 5000 issues of The Progress unless an exact date of an event is known. The microfilm reels must be read page by page while manually feeding the film through the reader until the item you are looking for appears. It is not unusual for it to take 2-3 hours to scan 3 months of issues. Digitalization would provide a fully text searchable format that will vastly improve access to the information in The Progress.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Friends of the West Caldwell Public Library West Caldwell, NJ 30 Clinton Road • West Caldwell, NJ 07006 Permit No. 16

973-226-5441 • http://westcaldwell.bccls.org

InfoBytes Editor – Ron Day Library Hours Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Wednesday & Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am– 5:00 pm (9:00 am – 1:00 pm in summer)

READ IT! A Friendly Book

Discussion Group

Come to a lively book discussion club. All programs begin at 10:30 am and are held at the Crane’s Mill Library. Copies of the books are available at the WCPL Reference Desk. Members of the general public are invited to attend

Thurs., Sep. 4 Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Thurs., Oct. 2 One Book NJ Selection: The Plot Against America by Philip Roth Thurs., Nov. 13 Double Blind by Chris Bohjalian

Thurs., Dec. 11 Plum Wine by Angela Davis-Gardner

Autism Resource Center

In order to make our newly acquired collection of mate- Friday Afternoon at the Movies rials about autism more easily accessible to patrons, the Showtime 1:00 pm library has created an Autism Resource Center. With Sep. 12: “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” (PG- funds from the library’s Welcoming Library Spaces 13, 2008) 92 min. for Members of the Autism Community and Their Sep. 19: “The Golden Compass” (PG-13, 2007) Family contract project awarded to the library last No- 113 min. vember by INFOLINK, the Eastern Regional Library Sep. 26: “Elizabeth: the Golden Age” (PG-13, Cooperative, 48 books on various aspects of autism were 2007) 114 min. (Film discussion) purchased to add to the library’s collection. These titles include Could It Be Autism? A Parent’s Guide to the Oct. 3: “Made of Honor” (PG-13, 2008) 101 min. First Signs and Next Steps written by Nancy D. Wise- Oct. 10: “Before the Rains” (PG-13, 2008) 98 min. man, Zachary Christain and Phyllis Livingston’s A Dif- (Film Discussion) ferent Drummer: Youth with Asperger’s Syndrome, Oct. 17: “Leatherheads” (PG-13, 2008) 113 min. and Right from the Start: Behavioral Intervention Oct. 24: “Iron Man” (Pg-13, 2008) 126 min. for Young Children with Autism written by Sandra L. Oct. 31: “The Orphanage” (R, 2008) 105 min. Harris and Mary Jane Weiss. In addition to the book (In honor of Halloween) collection, the Center provides an Autism Informational Nov. 7: “Young at Heart” (PG, 2008) 108 min. Notebook providing additional community based re- Nov. 14: “Married Life” (PG-13, 2008) 90 min. sources to interested patrons. The Autism Resource (Film Discussion) Center is located next to the Reference Desk on the low Nov. 21: “Then She Found Me” (R, 2008) 100 min. book stacks facing the quiet study area. This collection includes materials for patrons of all ages.