It is officially fall and thoughts are turning to pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween for adults and kids looking forward to cooler weather and trick or treating! At the Summit Free Public Library we’re serving up some interesting programs and activities for everyone. Registration is required for some activities. You can register online at summitlibrary.org or call the library at 908-273-0350.
Here are some great things to add to your October calendar:
For Adults
Our popular 5-session Creative Writing Workshop, taught by published writer Paul Rabinowitz, returns
on October 4 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
The workshop will focus on how to nurture and grow your writing voice through productive and non-critical group discussions. Each week students will listen to samples of poetry, prose and short stories, discuss their meaning, and apply them as inspiration for their own writing. Part of the class time will be used to share work and offer gentle critique. The goal is to generate work that is personal and from the heart. The workshop is open to adult writers of all skill levels. Registration required.
Enjoy a free concert as the entertaining Viva Vallenato Cumbia Band brings their folk music of Colombia, South America to the library
on Sunday, October 21 from 2 – 3 p.m.
They’ve got the rhythms that will make you dance and an accordion that will sing to your soul! Learn the stories behind this unique music, and come dance the cumbia with Viva Vallenato! Funding for this program made possible through funds from the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Overlook Hospital will be hosting the Step up to Health: Eat Well. Live Well. Be Well Community Health Fair
on Saturday, October 20 from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
There will be free blood pressure and glucose screenings as well as fitness demonstrations. Tables will be staffed by Overlook’s healthcare workers with information on Diabetes; Cardiovascular disease/heart health; Stroke; Breast health/Cancer care; Physical Activity; Nutrition; Behavioral/Mental health and New Vitality-Older adult programs. There will also be an informative lecture on Breast Health.
Do you work in non-profit development? Then plan to attend our workshop Neuro-Marketing for Non-Profits: Supercharge Your Fundraising Efforts by Tapping into People’s Emotions
on Wednesday, October 24 from 7 – 9 p.m.
This two hour workshop will uncover how people’s emotions and intuition can be utilized to leverage your fundraising activities and increase your organization’s success in tapping into what motivates individuals and corporate decision makers to donate. Francisco J. Quevedo, a business professor at Pace University will review best practices as they apply to fundraising, identify ways to distinguish your organization and help you develop a strategy map that capitalizes on your organization’s brand image and mission to create a communications and promotion plan based on the unique characteristics that differentiate it and your target market. Registration required.
Our engaging Explore Your World: Minicourses for Adults series continues with Shakespeare’s Early Villains
on October 26 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us for this exciting 6-week lecture course taught by Robert Comeau, Professor of English at Union County College. Professor Comeau uses Shakespeare’s earliest Tragedies and Histories: Titus Andronicus; King Henry VI and Richard III to show how these early plays foreshadow many significant themes and devices from the later and, some might say greater, plays and cause us to examine what happens when a culture and its leaders choose brutality, violence, and revenge as a guiding force. Registration required. This lecture series made possible by the Summit Area Public Foundation.
Bestselling author Paullina Simons will give a talk about her latest novel, A Song in the Daylight.
On Tuesday, October 30 at 7 p.m.,
The book tells the tale of Larissa Stark, a woman who is many things: wife, mother, devoted friend – and terribly unhappy. From the outside her suburban New Jersey life seems charmed, but Larissa only feels isolated and empty; her life revolving around her children’s activities and lunches with the girls. Copies of the book will be available for sale.
For Teens (Grades 6-12)
We’re pleased to offer the inspirational Villains of DC Comics and How They Teach Us Morality workshop for boys in grades 6-12.
On Monday, October 1 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Teens will learn to identify and embrace positive role models in their life by learning what villains can teach us about what not to do. The program will start with an opening dialogue to build rapport, video clips, activities, skits and more. Registration required. This program is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
We are thrilled to welcome YA author Adrienne Kisner to the Summit Free Public Library to talk about her debut YA novel,
On Tuesday, October 9 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Dear Rachel Maddow. The novel, which was selected as a Junior Library Guild selection and has received a Starred Review in School Library Journal, follows high school student Brynn as she navigates love, bullying, school, and finding out who she really is. This program is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
A Special Program for Parents, Kids and Teens
Imagine the Possibilities: Bullying Stops Today is a thought-provoking, relevant and entertaining presentation about stopping bullying.
On Thursday, October 25 from 7 – 8 p.m.
former school principal and guidance counselor Mark Walters delivers his expertise in the form of an hour-long talk that engages his audience using true stories from his own experience as a school principal to deliver reality-based solutions to handling bullies that speaks to kids and teens on a level they can relate to. Open to students in grades 1-12. A parent or caregiver must also attend. Registration required.
For Kids
We haven’t forgotten our youngest patrons!
Every Tuesday in October, from 7 – 8 p.m.,
our Family STEAM Club meets for fun STEAM-focused activities for kids in grades 1-5 and their parents. Check the Event Calendar on the library’s website (www.summitlibrary.org) to see what’s on deck. Registration requested.
our extraordinarily popular Books and Woofs program returns for some furry fun!
On Monday, October 22 from 7 – 8 p.m.
Kids in grades 1-5 can stop by the library and practice reading to dogs and puppies from the Seeing Eye Dog Foundation. Registration required.
For the young and the young at heart, TRUNK OR TREAT returns to the YMCA and Library parking lot
on Saturday, October 27 from 7 – 9 p.m.
Wear your Halloween costume and be prepared to trick or treat around decorated cars in the parking lot! Ms. Jenna and Ms. Ann-Marie will be around to tell some spooky stories and we’ll have some crafts the kids can take to make at home. If parents want to decorate their car, please visit the Event calendar on the library website, go to Trunk or Treat, and click the “Begin Registration” button.
On Halloween come Trick or Treat at the Library!
Wear your costume and visit the library any time of the day to get a small prize or free book.
(above) Join the fun this October at the Summit Free Public Library.
