Collingswood Public Library

Morristown: Where America Survived

At 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, the Collingswood Public Library is pleased to present Morristown: Where America Survived. The thirty-minute documentary, narrated by award-winning actor Edward Herrmann, revisits that winter of 1779-80 when Washington’s troops arrived at the densely-wooded area just south of Morristown known as Jockey Hollow, to build a log hut city for their winter camp. The film is an eye-opening look at how the camp saved the army—and the American Revolution—from the brink of disaster.

This free presentation will feature an introduction, along with a question and answer session, with filmmaker Bob Szuter. Mr. Szuter will be accompanied by Eric Olson, a park ranger at Morristown National Historical Park, a historical reenactor, and a consultant on the film.

About the Collingswood Public Library Film and Video Series

On second Thursdays in 2010, the Collingswood Public Library is hosting a series of presentations by area writers, and on fourth Thursdays, the Library is hosting a series of free movies and videos, each one featuring a presentation by someone connected to the piece being shown. All presentations will be free, and all involve Collingswood or its surrounding community in the state of New Jersey or the Delaware Valley.

Writers Series (all second Thursdays)

• February 11: Pop Shop owner and author, editor, and publisher Connie Fisher.
• March 11: Keith Forrest presents “The Great American Women’s History Quiz.”
• April 8: The Friends of the Collingswood Library present area poets, along with an open mic, in celebration of National Poetry Month.
• May 13: Jen A. Miller, journalist and author of The Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May.
• June 10: Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook, presents his debut young adult novel Sorta Like a Rock Star.
• August 12: Mike Tanier, former co-author of the Pro Football Prospectus and current co-author of the Football Outsiders Almanac, he also writes weekly NFL game previews for the New York Times.
• September 9: Alicia Bessette reads from her first novel, Simply From Scratch.
  October 14: Magazine writer and essayist Vicki Glembocki talks about turning the crazy stories of your life into a blog, an essay, or even a book.
• November 11: A night of music and music writing with Tom Moon, a two-time winner of the ASCAP-Deems Taylor Music Journalism award and a winner of the Philadelphia chapter of the Recording Academy’s “Heroes” award.

Film Series (all fourth Thursdays)

• January 28: NJ: The Movie, presented by its writer/director, Stephen J. Chernoski. The DVD is now available at the Collingswood Public Library.
• March 25: A look at the film work of Bill “Stink” Fisher, with Collingswood’s own Pop Shop restaurateur.
• April 22: Poet of Poverty, featuring Father Michael Doyle of Sacred Heart Church in Camden. Presented by its co-director, Freke Vuijst.
• May 27: The award winning documentary, Revolution ’67 (sponsored by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities), recreates the six days in July 1967, when Newark, NJ experienced one of the deadliest racial disturbances per capita in recent U.S. history. Hosted its directors, MaryLou and Jerome Bongiorno, and by Temple University History Professior, Dr. Bryant Simon.
• June 24: Morristown: Where America Survived, presented by filmmaker Bob Szuter and a history expert from Morristown National Historical Park.
• August 26: Collingswood-based filmmaker, Joe’l Ludovich presents her new film, The Brian Dennis Project, a documentary about a Philadelphia installation artist.
• September 23: Robert A. Emmons, Jr., Rutgers University film professor and Collingswood High School Class of 1993 graduate, presents his newest film, Deluxe: The Tale of the Blue Comet.
• October 28: A special Halloween presentation of films made by Emerald Productions. Collingswood-based Kent Green, along with his collaborator, Ernie Rockelman, are best known for the suspense films they’ll be screening at the Library, though they’re also locally famous for the classic silent comedy, “Beat the Director.”

Teen Area Opening

There’s an exciting new chapter at the Collingswood Public Library and it’s just in time for summer. Join us Thursday, June 10, as we cut the ribbon to open the brand new Teen Area on the second floor of the Library. The Teen Area features a big flat screen TV, Wii and video games, comfortable furniture and books, lots of books—all combining to create a safe and friendly place to “hang out.”

A host of fundraisers made The Teen Area possible. One was the first Collingswood Book Festival 5k Run. Also known as “Beat the Director,” runners were challenged to race against Library Director Brett Bonfield. A video spoof promoting that race was made by Emerald Productions last year. It had over 8,000 hits on YouTube and was also featured on Philadelphia’s NBC10. A new Emerald Productions video for this year’s run, called “Eat the Director’s Brain,” will make its debut at the Opening.

Also contributing towards the Teen area are the Collingswood Friends of the Library and the Library Board of Trustees. A number of special donations have been in made in memory of Becky Childs, the daughter of the late Library Director Peter Childs. Becky’s mother, Carol Childs will be on hand for the ceremony to dedicate the Teen Area in memory of the young lady who loved to read and loved spending time at our Library.

Collingswood Mayor Jim Maley and Commissioners Joan Leonard and Mike Hall will cut the ribbon to open the Teen Area at 4:00 p.m. on June 10. Refreshments will be served, compliments of the Collingswood Friends of the Library.

Matthew Quick

Matthew Quick will be speak at the Library at 7:00 p.m. on June 10

At 7:00 p.m., we welcome Collingswood author Matthew Quick back to the Library. Matthew’s debut novel The Silver Linings Playbook was a 2009 PEN/Hemingway Award Honorable Mention and lauded by People, The Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, Publishers Weekly, and others. For NPR, Nancy Pearl picked TSLP as one of ‘Summer’s Best Books’ (2009). The movie rights have been optioned by The Weinstein Company, and David O. Russell has written the screenplay adaptation. The Collingswood Book Festival made it this year’s town book: we have plenty of copies available at the Library: pick one up today!

Matthew’s debut young adult novel Sorta Like a Rock Star received a starred review from School Library Journal. Come to the Library to hear all about it!

About the Collingswood Public Library Film and Video Series

On second Thursdays in 2010, the Collingswood Public Library is hosting a series of presentations by area writers, and on fourth Thursdays, the Library is hosting a series of free movies and videos, each one featuring a presentation by someone connected to the piece being shown. All presentations will be free, and all involve Collingswood or its surrounding community in the state of New Jersey or the Delaware Valley.

Writers Series (all second Thursdays)

• February 11: Pop Shop owner and author, editor, and publisher Connie Fisher.
• March 11: Keith Forrest presents “The Great American Women’s History Quiz.”
• April 8: The Friends of the Collingswood Library present area poets, along with an open mic, in celebration of National Poetry Month.
• May 13: Jen A. Miller, journalist and author of The Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May.
• June 10: Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook, presents his debut young adult novel Sorta Like a Rock Star.
• August 12: Mike Tanier, former co-author of the Pro Football Prospectus and current co-author of the Football Outsiders Almanac, he also writes weekly NFL game previews for the New York Times.
• September 9: Alicia Bessette reads from her first novel, Simply From Scratch.
  October 14: Magazine writer and essayist Vicki Glembocki talks about turning the crazy stories of your life into a blog, an essay, or even a book.
• November 11: A night of music and music writing with Tom Moon, a two-time winner of the ASCAP-Deems Taylor Music Journalism award and a winner of the Philadelphia chapter of the Recording Academy’s “Heroes” award.

Film Series (all fourth Thursdays)

• January 28: NJ: The Movie, presented by its writer/director, Stephen J. Chernoski. The DVD is now available at the Collingswood Public Library.
• March 25: A look at the film work of Bill “Stink” Fisher, with Collingswood’s own Pop Shop restaurateur.
• April 22: Poet of Poverty, featuring Father Michael Doyle of Sacred Heart Church in Camden. Presented by its co-director, Freke Vuijst.
• May 27: The award winning documentary, Revolution ’67 (sponsored by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities), recreates the six days in July 1967, when Newark, NJ experienced one of the deadliest racial disturbances per capita in recent U.S. history. Hosted its directors, MaryLou and Jerome Bongiorno, and by Temple University History Professior, Dr. Bryant Simon.
• June 24: Morristown: Where America Survived, presented by filmmaker Bob Szuter and a history expert from Morristown National Historical Park.
• August 26: Collingswood-based filmmaker, Joe’l Ludovich presents her new film, The Brian Dennis Project, a documentary about a Philadelphia installation artist.
• September 23: Robert A. Emmons, Jr., Rutgers University film professor and Collingswood High School Class of 1993 graduate, presents his newest film, Deluxe: The Tale of the Blue Comet.
• October 28: A special Halloween presentation of films made by Emerald Productions. Collingswood-based Kent Green, along with his collaborator, Ernie Rockelman, are best known for the suspense films they’ll be screening at the Library, though they’re also locally famous for the classic silent comedy, “Beat the Director.”

Writer and Director Stephen J. Chernoski will appear with his new film, New Jersey: The Movie at the Collingswood Public Library on January 28, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

Stephen J. Chernoski, writer and director of New Jersey: The Movie will join us in the Collingswood Public Library’s Peter P. Childs Community Room on Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. for a free showing and discussion of his film.

Ben Franklin called New Jersey, “A Barrel tapped at both ends”—a reference to its placement between Philadelphia and New York City. In New Jersey: The Movie, Chernoski investigates these cities’ effects on his home state:

Where is the cultural dividing line between North and South Jersey?

What names locals call a sandwich (hoagie or sub?)

What sports teams do New Jerseyans think of as their own?

Does the state have its own unique culture?

Chernoski seeks answers in New Jersey’s towns, interviews residents (including many mayors), and participates in gatherings and festivals: “From Rodeos to Minor League Ballparks, From Boardwalks to Speedways, From Cape May to High Point, see the real New Jersey in ‘New Jersey: A Barrel Tapped at Both Ends.’”

About Stephen J. Chernoski

Writer/Director/Co-producer

Born and raised in New Jersey, Steve always wondered about differences between regions of the state. After he met his recent collaborator Alena, the two started working on their film debut documentary “North-South Jersey” (working title), a story of self-identification and interdependence. The project gained the attention of distinguished historian John T. Cunningham and is now being made into a book. Stephen just completed his feature length script on young people in a post 9/11 world.

About the Collingswood Public Library Film and Video Series

On fourth Thursdays in 2010, Collingswood Public Library will be hosting a series of free movies and videos, each one featuring a presentation by someone connected to the piece being shown. All presentations will be free, and all involve Collingswood or its surrounding community in the state of New Jersey or the Delaware Valley.