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Clarence Dillon Public Library Celebrates 250 years of American Independence  Local Charters and Our Nation's Founding By Caitlyn Parker Bedminster, NJ Next year, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, PA on July 4,1776, a founding document of the United States of America. However, at a local level, the documents ordering the establishment of Far Hills and Bedminster predate even our nation’s founding. Bedminster was originally established by royal charter on April 4, 1749 by Royal Governor Jonathan Belcher on behalf of King George II. Under the United States, it was officially incorporated by the NJ legislature on Feb 21, 1789. For reference, this was two weeks after George Washington was officially elected by the Electoral College as the first President of the United States. Far Hills was originally part of Bernards Township, which was established by the Charter of Bernardston dated May 24, 1760, a day which the township. continues to celebrate as “Charter Day.” The original document was destroyed in a fire at the township clerk’s home in 1850. In 1920, in response to significant increases in local taxes, the residents of Far Hills took action to separate from Bernards Township. After receiving both NJ Senate and Assembly approval, residents voted on May 12, 1921 to incorporate. Similarly to the Bernards Township charter, the original Bedminster 1749 charter had been in the possession of Bedminster's township clerk, who lived in Lamington, when their home burned in 1845, destroying most of the early records of the town. However, a desk was saved from the fire, which later was found to contain the charter when sold at an antiques market in Hopewell in the 1920s. The charter then changed hands again in the 1950s, before being purchased by Malcom Forbes in 1989. It again escaped fire in the Forbes building in town in 1994, and was moved to NYC, returning back to Bedminster to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 1999. Twenty years later, the Forbes family donated it back to the town, where it is on display in the municipal building foyer. The next time you stop by, be sure to look for it. Interested in learning more about our local history? Make an appointment to stop by the Anne O’Brien room at the library which has a wide collection of documents and artifacts or reach out to our town’s historical committee. |
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A "Downsizing" map for seniors (and their families) who are considering a move to an independent or assisted living Residence Thursday, July 17 at noon in the cafe Elder Care Professional Lisa Bayer shares counsel on how to prepare for the move; navigate family discussions; and explore new living options. |
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*On Vacation in July and August. We'll see you in September!* |
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Discerning the Truth with Marie Lu (9th-12th Grade) Thursday, July 17th at 4:00 PM EDT Explore the intricate world of Legend with Marie Lu as she encourages readers to look beyond the surface and reveal hidden secrets. Explore the depths of deceit, battle for power, and the lengths characters will go to unmask the Truth. Legend is a dystopian novel where two unlikely characters, June and Day, cross paths in search for the Truth. Can they set aside their differences and preconceptions for the greater good? Readers will devour Marie Lu’s words as they are challenged to think critically about the world around them and reminded to never judge a book by its cover. Register now for an event you don’t want to miss! |
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Illuminating Hope and Grace in the Face of Hardship with Rex Ogl (5th-8th Grade) Wednesday, July 23rd at 4:00 PM You’re invited to join us online with award-winning author Rex Ogle as he talks to viewers about his struggles to navigate sixth grade as written about in his book Free Lunch. Instead of giving him lunch money, Rex’s mom has signed him up for free meals. As a poor kid in a wealthy school district, better-off kids crowd impatiently behind him as he tries to explain to the cashier that he’s on the free meal program. The lunch lady is hard of hearing, so Rex has to shout. Free Lunch is the story of Rex’s efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade—who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween in a handmade costume, classmates and a teacher who take one look at him and decide he’s trouble—all while wearing secondhand clothes and being hungry. His mom and her boyfriend are out of work, and life at home is punctuated by outbursts of violence. Halfway through the semester, his family is evicted and ends up in government-subsidized housing in view of the school. Rex lingers at the end of last period every day until the buses have left, so no one will see where he lives. Unsparing and realistic, Free Lunch is a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace. Rex’s voice is compelling and authentic, and Free Lunch is a true, timely, and essential work that illuminates the lived experience of poverty in America. |
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On the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains with Pria Anand Thursday, July 31st at 2:00 PM EDT You’re invited to a fascinating conversation with neurologist and author Pria Anand to chat about her new book The Mind Electric: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains (forthcoming June 10, 2025). The Mind Electric speaks to the stories we tell ourselves about our brains, and the stories that our brains tell to us. A girl believes she has been struck blind for stealing a kiss. A mother watches helplessly as each of her children is replaced by a changeling. A woman is haunted each month by the same four chords of a single song. In neurology, illness is inextricably linked with narrative, the clues to unraveling these mysteries hidden in both the details of a patient's story and the tells of their body. Stories are etched into the very structure of our brains, coded so deeply that the impulse for storytelling survives and even surges after the most devastating injuries. But our brains are also porous—the stories they concoct are shaped by cultural narratives about bodies and illness that permeate the minds of doctors and patients alike. In the history of medicine, some stories are heard, while others—the narratives of women, of Black and brown people, of displaced people, of disempowered people—are too often dismissed. In The Mind Electric, neurologist Pria Anand reveals—through case study, history, fable, and memoir—all that the medical establishment has overlooked: the complexity and wonder of brains in health and in extremis, and the vast gray area between sanity and insanity, doctor and patient, and illness and wellness, each separated from the next by the thin veneer of a different story. Moving from the Boston hospital where she treats her patients, to her childhood years in India, to Isla Providencia in the Caribbean and to the Republic of Guinea in West Africa, she demonstrates again and again the compelling paradox at the heart of neurology: that even the most peculiar symptoms can show us something universal about ourselves as humans. |
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Knitting with Eleanor Every Wednesday @ 11am
In-Person (No Registration Required) |
Meditation & Mindfulness |
Chair Yoga Every Friday @ 10:30am In-Person (No Registration Required) |
Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon By Melissa Sevigny Thursday, July 17 @ 11am |
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ESL - English as a Second Language
*Resumes in September*
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MAHJONGG Tuesdays from 12:30-3:30 pm. Wednesdays from 12:30-3:30pm. There are opening for experienced players only. If interested please call the facilitator at 480-282-7977 |
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Bridge Mondays from 11:30-4pm. In person | Walk-in
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Bridge Lessons for Beginners with Chris Regan
Mondays @ 2:30pm There is a $10 fee which is paid to the instructor. The bridge tables are back up on Mondays at 11:30am for interested players. Informal format. The library has a limited supply of decks and experienced players are welcome to bring their own cards and supplies. If interested in attending the 2:30pm beginning learning session please call the instructor at 908-334-7885 |
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Drop in Computer Help *Resumes in September* |
What Do You Want to Be when You Grow Up? Preparing for your Last Career and Active Retirement July 17 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Are looking at the end of your career over the next few years? Has your employer decided you are “no longer needed?” Not sure what’s next? Please join Paul Cecala for this seminar where he will share what to think about in your final career moves leading into retirement from a productivity perspective. He will discuss things to do to keep relevant and valued into retirement, and maybe even have some money coming in too! Paul Cecala is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator, work search author, and founder of Cecala Career Consultants. Since 1999 he has assisted over 3000 job seekers ranging from C-Suite executives to college students. Paul specializes in creating job search project plans and is recognized for his empathetic listening skills. Paul currently facilitates job seeker networking groups for 4 different organizations. He has helmed the adult professional education programs for 2 colleges and a NJ Dept. of Labor One-Stop Career Center. Paul has his BS in Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology. He has published a book and numerous articles on career coaching in a variety of publications. |
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Understanding Credit July 22 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm For many of the important purchases in our lives, credit is the most important factor. Whether its buying a house, purchasing a car, or even finding a decent rental property, your credit can be the final determinate. Please join us as Amanda Griffith Financial Well-being Impact Officer and a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor for the Credit Union of New Jersey discusses the factors that make good credit, how to understand a credit report, and how to protect your credit from identity theft. |
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Introduction to Finding Grants July 24 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Are you new to the field of grantseeking? Discover what funders are looking for in nonprofits seeking grants and how to find potential funders in this introductory course. You will learn the 10 most important things you need to know about finding grants, including: - Who funds nonprofits and what are their motivations.
- What do funders really want to know about the organizations they are interested in funding.
- How do you identify potential funders and make the first approach.
Those who attend the live webinar will receive log-in credentials to use the Foundation Directory database remotely for 48 hours following the presentation. Ample time will be given for questions. Visit our Funding Information Center webpage to learn more about the Foundation Directory and other funding-related resources available through the New Jersey State Library. Register Here |
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The Aging Eye July 30 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm As we age, our bodies tend to deteriorate, which can lead to a variety of problems; our eyes are no exception. In fact, nearly 29 million Americans suffer from some form of eye disease caused by age. Please join us as Dr. Sebastian Lesniak M.D from Matossian Eye Associates discusses the 3 most common forms of eye disease that affect us as we age: cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. While none of these diseases can be prevented, early detection can help limit severe damage and preserve your eyesight as you age. Sebastian Lesniak, M.D. is an Ophthalmologist, Cataract Surgeon & Corneal Specialist at Matossian Eye Associates in Pennington NJ and Doylestown in Bucks County, PA. Dr. Lesniak received his medical degree from the Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick NJ and completed a residency in Ophthalmology at Rutgers University New Jersey Medical School followed by a fellowship in cornea & anterior segment surgery at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. In addition to caring for patients’ regular eye health and vision needs, Dr. Lesniak specializes in routine as well as complex cataract surgery and the medical and surgical treatment of corneal diseases. He has a special interest in cataract surgery and the use of advanced intraocular lens implants, including toric lens implants to correct astigmatism, light adjustable lens (LAL) implants, and multifocal lens implants to help cataract surgery patients reduce their dependence on eyeglasses, bifocals or reading glasses after cataract surgery. |
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June Zero (2022) (98 min.) Not Rated Tuesday, Jul. 15, 6:45 pm Hebrew with English subtitles This is a brilliant and riveting film that weaves several fictional story lines with the trial of Adolf Eichmann in Israel. Directed by Jake Paltrow. |
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Kidnapped (2023) Not Rated Tuesday, Jul. 22, 6:45 pm In Italian with English subtitles After being secretly baptized in 1858, young Jewish boy Edgardo Mortara is taken from his family to be raised as a Christian in Bologna after he is abducted by the Papal Police. |
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The Man Without A Past (2002) (97 min.) Rated PG-13 Tuesday, Jul. 29, 6:45 pm In Finnish with English subtitles This is an utterly delightful and unique film about a man who is beaten by thugs and wakes up with amnesia. He rebuilds his life but his past starts catching up with him. |
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The Penguin Lessons(2024) (115 min.) Rated PG-13 Friday, Jul. 18, 1:30 pm Steve Coogan stars as a disillusioned Englishman who goes to teach in Argentina in 1976. His life turns around when he rescues an orphaned penguin. It is a delightful and uplifting film that also features Jonathan Pryce. |
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A Working Man (2025) (116 min.) Rated R Friday, Jul. 25, 1:30 pm Jason Statham stars in this entertaining action film. He is a retired counter-terrorism expert who just wants a quiet life with his daughter. When a local girl vanishes, he is asked to help find her using his special skills. |
Special Needs Art Class Tuesday 7/29 @ 4:30 Ages 5-12 Special Needs Art Class Presented by the Center for Contemporary Art - create a beautiful art project that will surely be a highlight of the summer!
Parents/Caregivers must be present during this class.
Ages 5-12 Tuesday 7/29 @ 4:30 |
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