Home > Newsletters > Fall, 2013
 |
THE FRIENDS OF THE NEW JERSEY LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND HANDICAPPED, INC. Fall 2013 NEWSLETTER The Friends of the New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization which promotes financial assistance and acts as an advocacy group for the New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC). |
How much do you love the TBBC? Do you want to be a part of a group that helps support TBBC in its efforts to continue providing you with the services you love? We meet twice a year on the first Saturday in June and December. We alternate locations between Mercer County and Middlesex County to accommodate the southern and northern members. At our meetings we voice our opinions concerning the direction of the Talking Book and Braille Center and learn about TBBC’s new developments. The next meeting will be held on Saturday December 7th from 10 AM to 12 PM followed by lunch from 12 PM to 1 PM at the Grace Lutheran Church, 600 New Brunswick Avenue, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861. Anyone wishing to stay for lunch will be asked to contribute $5.00 towards the cost of the food. Directions are at the end of this newsletter. We look forward to you joining us at our next meeting. For more details and to become a member see our application in this newsletter or on our web site http://www.friendsnjlibraryfortheblind.org. Our E-Mail address is Friendsnjlbh@yahoo.com and our phone number is (609) 895-1048.
As the President of the Friends of the Library for the Blind and Handicapped, we, continue to support the New Jersey State Talking Book and Braille Center's (NJSLTBBC) programs and we continue to advocate for library patrons. In addition to providing financial assistance through the purchase of cartridges on which to download books, the Friends acted as a sponsor for the Fall Festival. I hope you enjoyed the workshops and presentations of our New Jersey authors and the ambiance of the Grounds for Sculpture.
Mary Jo Partyka, President, the Friends
The NJ State Library Talking Book and Braille Center in conjunction with the Friends of the NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped and the Grounds for Sculpture hosted their biennial Fall Festival on Saturday, October 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 250 people were registered to attend this event. Each participant had a choice of a workshop in the morning and another in the afternoon. Their choices were memoir writing, a craft “the altered book”, poetry reading or an outside guided tour of the Grounds for Sculpture.
Miss New Jersey 2013, Cara McCollum, an advocate for literacy, was in attendance and read a favorite children’s book to both young and old during lunch hour.
The keynote speaker sponsored by the Friends, author Mary Jane Clark, was interviewed by Karen Carson and there was a short Q&A period following the interview.
Ottilie Lucas, who had assisted Ms. Clark’s research for a visually impaired character in her Wedding Cake Mystery series, was introduced and spoke for a few minutes. Ottilie’s husband, Bob, narrated Ms. Clark’s To Have and to Kill for TBBC. Bob spoke of his personal experience as a narrator. Ms. Clark also spoke about other influences in her life that come out in her characters. These influences are her father and her children. She also mentioned that her latest novel is due out in January!
About 16 vendors added to our enrichment. I personally visited the vendor tables and spoke with all of the vendors there. Five published New Jersey authors spoke during an afternoon session on their books. They were Richard Multi, Mark Di Jonno, Roy Garrabrant, John Hartmann, Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure. Each spoke briefly and answered some questions from their audience. It was fun meeting all of them as it made their books that much more real. Anyone interested in downloading the books written by these authors and recorded by volunteers at the Audiovision studio can do so by going to the Audiovision link www.audiovision-nj.org/members/fall.php The user name is fall and the password is festival. We thank all who had a part in making the event so enlightening and enjoyable especially the TBBC Library Staff and the Staff of the Grounds for Sculpture.
Lauren Casey, Vice President, the Friends
Robert E. (Bob) Rindt, 58, of Lawrenceville, passed away on August 15, 2013 at the Capital Health Medical Center, Hopewell, NJ. Born in New Brunswick, NJ, Bob was a longtime resident of Lawrenceville. He was employed with Advancing Opportunities as a receptionist. Bob enjoyed listening to country music, '60's and '70's rock music. Some of his hobbies included tandem bike riding and chair caning. Son of the late Joseph Rindt, Bob is survived by his wife, Lauren Casey; his mother, Winifred Rindt; his brother, Joe Rindt; his sister, Donna Haid; three nieces, one nephew, and numerous close friends. Bob was the President of the Friends from 2004 through 2008. During his time as President, the Library obtained a significant grant from Comcast that enabled TBBC and NJCBVI to equip and open a computer technology center at the Library. In June 2006, the Friends and the Library held the first tour of the Grounds for Sculpture. During a focus group meeting, Bob was reminded of how great the Grounds is for everyone and decided to set up a tour for his friends which took place on July 24th. Bob was delighted that it was a spectacular day and everyone enjoyed the event. With the Fall Festival at the Grounds, everyone had Bob on their minds. We were blessed to have Bob in our lives and will truly miss him. As a true advocate with The Friends, we know he will be with us forever.
The Friends of NJLBH would like to thank the following people for their generous donation to the Friends: Eleanor Coyle, James Dougherty, Metuchen Lions Club, Frederick Pearl, Carmen Rubino, Lisa Valvano, Mr. & Mrs. Panacek, Irene Sidun, Carol Hilgendorff, Gretchen Hall, and Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lazar, Barry Hill.
At our June 2014 meeting, the Friends will be electing the slate of officers who will be holding positions for the next 2 years. The Nominating Committee, appointed by President Mary Jo Partyka, consists of Pat Kay, Jim Dougherty and Barbara Finan. If you would like to be considered for an office, please contact one of the committee members at Friendsnjlbh@yahoo.com or (609) 895-1048.
Have you paid your annual dues? The Friends Fiscal year began on July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. To be an active member of The Friends, please pay your dues. This year dues for Individual members are $10.00 and Family is $25.00. Checks should be made payable to The Friends of the NJLBH. Attached to this newsletter is a membership form that needs to be completed by everyone. A form is also available on our website http://www.friendsnjlibraryfortheblind.org. If you have any questions about your membership status, please call us at 609-895-1048. Thank You.
Grace Lutheran Church
600 New Brunswick Ave.
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
The cross street is “Convery Blvd.”
Name: _______________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
City, State, Zip: ________________________________________
Telephone (with area code):_______________________________
E-mail address: ________________________________________
Preferred Media Format:
LP____ Cassette____ E-mail_____ or None I will read online_____
I am eligible for NJLBH Services: Yes ___ No ___
Individual Member $10.00 ___ Family Membership $25.00 ___
Donation $ _________
Donation in Memory or Honor of:
Name: _______________________________________________
Send acknowledgment for memorial gift to:
Name: _______________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
City, State, Zip: ________________________________________
I have made a bequest in my will _____
Please return this form together with your check payable to:
The Friends of the NJLBH
PO Box 434, Woodbridge, NJ 07095