Ocean County Library Toms River Branch to host Afternoon Tea Blending with Mathis House

TOMS RIVER – Learn the delightfully creative art of tea blending at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch, 2 PM Tuesday, April 30.

Vicki Ippolito of Toms River, familiar to many as the innkeeper and hostess of the Mathis House Victorian Bed and Breakfast and Tea Room, will demonstrate how teas are blended and take you through it step by step in this hands-on program.

A custom with roots in ancient China, tea blending creates unique flavors through sourcing and ingenuity. Earl Grey and jasmine are examples of teas that developed through blending.

This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Ocean County Library—Toms River.

The Friends are volunteers who support the Library through programs, fundraising and advocacy. New members are always welcome. Applications can be found at every OCL branch and at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/oclfriends. 

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclTrTea for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, call (732) 349-6200 or visit  www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events. 

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‘Hold On I’m Coming’ Founder Mark Haug to Speak at Ocean County Library Berkeley Branch

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP – Superstorm Sandy’s destruction of lives and property will be long remembered. For Mark Haug, it led to an ongoing mission to help people in distress. Join the founder of Hold On I’m Coming for “Stories of Disaster Relief from Superstorm Sandy to Today” at the Ocean County Library Berkeley Branch, 6 PM Tuesday, May 7.

In the days following the storm as Mark cleared the debris of his ravaged house, neighbors who offered him food, drink and companionship left an indelible impression. The teacher, coach and lifeguard resolved to help others in need.

Since then, Mark has traveled to natural disaster sites in New Jersey and as far away as Kentucky and Florida to dispense free food, drinks and supplies and to bring a helping hand and a willing ear to traumatized victims amid the wreckage.

HOIC runs entirely on sponsorships, donations and volunteers and accepts help through its website and GoFundMe. Following his discussion, Mark will engage attendees in a question-and-answer session.

Please register at http://tinyurl.com/OclBerkeleyHaug for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Berkeley Branch, 30 Station Road, Bayville, call (732) 269-2144, of visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events. 

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Hear Brick Township History and Lore at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch

BRICK TOWNSHIP – Since its founding 174 years ago, Brick Township has been home to colorful characters and fascinating folklore. Township Historian Gene Donatiello will share “Stories from Brick Township” in the Ocean County Library Brick Branch, 6:30 PM Thursday, May 2.

Gene will relate tales of Joseph W. Brick, the township’s namesake; a visit by President Ulysses S. Grant; and significant early settlers including John Chamberlain, cranberry farmer Mutah Patterson and carpenter Percy Gant.

You’ll examine the work of the Godfrey Brothers, relive the moving of Trinity Chapel to the township, explore “The Legend of Slipper Pointe,” touch on public safety, be introduced to the Brick youngster who started a career at age eight, and become familiar with a thriving business that originated in the township in the 1930s.

A co-founder and the first President of the Brick Township Historical Society, Gene is the curator of the group’s Havens Homestead Museum and serves on the Brick Township Heritage Commission. He taught history to generations of students at Brick Memorial and Brick Township High Schools and penned the historical summary on the Brick Township municipal website.

Gene’s works are available at the Ocean County Library, including his contributions to the Images of America and Postcard History series, A Family of Soldiers: Letters Home to Herbertsville from the Civil War, and Greetings from Brick Township: 20th Century Summer Camps and Resorts.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclBrickStories for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Brick Branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, call (732) 477-4513, or visit the Ocean County Library Online Events Calendar. 

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Dale & Amy Acoustic Concert Coming to Ocean County Library Berkeley Branch

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP – Rock and reminisce with Dale & Amy during the popular duo’s acoustic evening of favorites at the Ocean County Library Berkeley Branch, 7 PM Wednesday, April 24. 

Appearing regularly at venues throughout New Jersey since 1995, the personable pair serve up crowd-pleasing rock, pop and country music from the 1950s to the present.

Among their most popular covers are songs made famous by the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Presley, Lainey Wilson, the Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, Frankie Valli, Sheryl Crow, Elton John, along with newer pop and country artists.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclBkyDaleAmy to attend this free program, sponsored by the Friends of the Berkeley Library.

The Friends are volunteers who support the Library through fundraisers, programs, and community advocacy. New members are always welcome. Applications are available at Friends’ events, and can be found online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/oclfriends.

For more information, visit the OCL Berkeley Branch, 30 Station Road, Bayville, or call (732) 269-2144.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Bargain Books, Bling, Bags & Baked Goods: Ocean County Library Brick Branch Friends’ Sale

BRICK TOWNSHIP – Find something great to read, wear and eat, all in one place on one special day. The Friends of the Brick Library invite you to browse and buy during their fundraising Book, Bling, Bag and Bake Sale in the Ocean County Library Brick Branch, 10 AM through 2 PM Saturday, April 13.

The branch’s meeting room will be filled with books for people of all ages, pocketbooks, costume jewelry and homemade treats.

Proceeds of each cash-only transaction will help the Friends continue their efforts in support of the Ocean County Library Brick Branch.

The Friends are volunteers who support the Library through fundraising, programs and advocacy. New members are always welcome. Applications are available at all OCL branches and reading centers and at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/oclfriends.

For more information, stop by the OCL Brick Branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, call (732) 477-4513, or visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Accessorize Affordably! Friends’ Spring Bling Sale At the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch

TOMS RIVER – Need a sparkly, smart finishing touch for your finery? Looking for an early Mother’s Day gift?  Indulge yourself at the Friends’ Spring Bling Sale in the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch, 10 AM ‘til 3 PM Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27.

Mancini Hall will glow with a dazzling selection of rings, pins, necklaces, brooches and other jewelry, plus purses and pocketbooks. Each piece of donated “bling” is carefully cleaned before it’s placed in the sumptuous display. All transactions are cash-only.

The Friends gladly accept donations of jewelry and purses. Simply bring your items for donation to the Circulation Desk.

Proceeds support the Friends of the Ocean County Library – Toms River. The Friends are volunteers who support the Library through fundraising, programs and advocacy. New members are always welcome. Applications are available at all OCL branches and reading centers and at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/oclfriends.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Meet ‘The Moon: Our Nearest Neighbor’ at the Ocean County Library Stafford Branch

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP – The Moon has a role in ocean tides, eclipses, and the imagination. But it’s much more. Join Jim Webster, President of the Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area (ASTRA) for “Beginner Astronomy- The Moon: Our Nearest Neighbor” at the Ocean County Library Stafford Branch, 2:30 PM Monday, April 29.

Jim will explore the desolate-looking orb’s intricate relationship with Earth and introduce citizen science projects that can heighten understanding of our planet and our galaxy.

Jim’s passion for space science led to his awareness of light pollution’s effects on humans, animals and the environment. He became a Dark Sky Advocate and also a SciStarter Ambassador, encouraging involvement in simple projects to observe astral patterns, measure climate change, document plant species and track pollinators.

ASTRA is open to astronomy and space science enthusiasts of all ages, interests, and experience levels. Members meet at the Novins Planetarium on the Ocean County College campus in Toms River and offer vivid views of the universe to sky watchers through their telescopes at Star Parties throughout the county.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclStaffordMoon for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Stafford Branch, 129 North Main Street, Manahawkin, call (609) 597-3381, or visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

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A Wry Take on Power, Love and Art: Xochitl Gonzalez’s Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk

TOMS RIVER – Why do some people become iconic while others sink into obscurity? Does fame guarantee legacy? Award winning author Xochitl Gonzalez raises the point in her runaway bestseller Anita de Monte Laughs Last. Hear her witty perspectives during her Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk, 8 PM Wednesday, April 17.

Anita de Monte Laughs Last and her breakout novel, Olga Dies Dreaming, are available in print, audio and digital versions at the Ocean County Library. Olga Dies Dreaming was named a Best of 2022 by the New York Times, Time, Kirkus, Washington Post and NPR.

The title character of Anita de Monte Laughs Last is an artist whose tragic death seemed to place her permanently in the art firmament. She is all but forgotten after a decade, when minority art student Raquel is completing her studies. Raquel’s relationship with an influential artist elevates her into the social elite, but eerie similarities between her life and Anita’s forces her to question the directions her life is taking.

Xochitl, a native New Yorker, was a finalist for the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in Commentary for her work in the Atlantic Monthly. Her new novel became a Reese’s Book Club selection upon publication in March 2024.

Please register at https://libraryc.org/theoceancountylibrary to attend this free program, to view the upcoming schedule, and to view previous talks. Registrants will receive links to the program by email and may submit questions for the author when signing up.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Ocean County Library Toms River Branch to Host 2024 Mental Health Provider Fair

TOMS RIVER –The Ocean County Library, the Mental Health Awareness Committee of Ocean County and the Ocean County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will mark Mental Health Awareness Month with their 2024 Mental Health Provider Fair at the OCL Toms River Branch, 4:30 PM to 7 PM on Wednesday, May 1.

Representatives from Ocean County agencies that support children and adults affected by mental illnesses and/or substance abuse will be available to discuss resources and services at the Fair in Mancini Hall. Light refreshments will be provided.

The event will also feature the “Celebrating Wellness” awards ceremony at 5:30 PM. It will feature a proclamation presentation by the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.

The Ocean County Mental Health Awareness Committee will honor community members who have worked to end the stigma often associated with mental health conditions. Fifth-grade students will be honored for participating in the “What a Difference a Friend Makes” art contest. Teens and young adults will be recognized for their art in the “Creative Expressions” contest.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclTrNAMI for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, call (732) 349-6200 or visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Hear Valerie Vaughn’s Pine Barrens Music and Lore at Four Ocean County Library Branches

TOMS RIVER – Explore the rich history, songs and legends of the Pine Barrens with “New Jersey’s Troubadour.” The Ocean County Library is pleased to present “Tunes & Tales with Valerie Vaughn” at four OCL branches.

• Long Beach Island Branch – 2 PM Saturday, April 20, 217 South Central Avenue, Surf City, (609) 494-2480. Register at https://tinyurl.com/OclLbiValerie.
• Waretown Branch – 6 PM Monday, May 6, 112 Main Street, (609) 693-5133. Register at https://tinyurl.com/OclWaretownValerie.
• Jackson Branch – 2:30 PM Monday, May 13, 2 Jackson Drive, (732) 928-4400. Register at https://tinyurl.com/OclJacksonValerie.
• Upper Shores Branch – 6 PM Wednesday, May 14, 112 Jersey City Avenue, Lavallette, (732) 793-3996. Register at https://tinyurl.com/OclUPValerie.

Valerie has performed throughout New Jersey in a distinguished career. She is among the inaugural recipients of the New Jersey Heritage Fellowships from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Her evocative songs earned the Ocean County Commission’s Special Award and the Pine Barrens Festival Award for preserving “the culture, heritage, and natural beauty” of the Pinelands.

She has appeared at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.and in televised specials, shared the stage with the legendary Pete Seeger, and spun musical tales in England.

In addition to performances and dialogues on YouTube, Valerie is featured on the Tuckerton Seaport website and teaches at Tuckerton’s Jersey Shore Folklife Center.

The performances are part of the Ocean County Library’s Neighbors Connecting Series of Programs and are sponsored by a grant from the OceanFirst Foundation and the Ocean County Library Foundation.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.