WESTFIELD — The Westfield Memorial Library, located at 550 East Broad Street, will continue to offer educational and entertaining events through the month of May.
“Redefining Retirement” with Peter Dizdar will be presented this evening, Thursday, May 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A senior wealth advisor at Palumbo Wealth Management, LLC, with over 20 years of experience in the financial-services industry, Mr. Dizdar will discuss how to make work optional.
That same evening, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., craft expert and librarian Marge Barkan will hold Crafterdark, a time for crafters of all abilities to bring whatever project they currently are working on and share fun, encouragement and inspiration as a group. Whether they knit, crochet, scrapbook, embroider, draw, etc., all crafters are welcome as long as the project is portable. No registration is required.
The new Interfaith Book Club, sponsored by the Westfield Clergy Association and Westfield Memorial Library, will meet on Monday, May 19, at both 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. This new book discussion group brings together residents from different faiths to read and discuss books related to spirituality.
The book to be discussed is “The Assault,” by Harry Mulisch. Books can be purchased at The Town Book Store for a 10-percent discount if the Interfaith Book Club is mentioned. This book club is open to all, but registration is recommended.
“The Assault” takes place in the Winter of 1945, during the last dark days of World War II, in occupied Holland. A Nazi collaborator, infamous for his cruelty, is assassinated as he rides home on his bicycle. The Germans retaliate by burning down the home of an innocent family, and only 12-year-old Anton survives.
Based on actual events, “The Assault” traces the complex repercussions of this horrific incident on Anton’s life. Determined to forget, he opts for a carefully normal existence: a prudent marriage, a successful career, and colorless passivity. But the past keeps breaking through, in relentless memories and in chance encounters with others who were involved in the assassination and its aftermath, until Anton finally learns what really happened that night in 1945 — and why.
Finding Hope: Guidance For Supporting Those at Risk will take place on Wednesday, May 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. This 90minute program provides education and resources on the process of recovery after a suicidal crisis, warning signs to look out for, planning for safety and crisis response. It also addresses the different treatment levels in the realm of mental health, and how participants can practice self-care as they support someone in their lives at risk of suicide. This program is offered through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) chapters and is solely available for communities in an in-person setting. The target audience is loved ones and supporters of those with lived experience, and community members seeking a more in-depth education program. Deanna Finizio, who serves as programs manager for the New Jersey Chapter of the AFSP, will be the presenter.
The Rave On! Duo will return to the library on May 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., performing the songs of singersongwriters from the ’60s,’70s and ’80s, such as Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Paul McCartney, James Taylor and Paul Simon.
On Thursday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., mental-health practitioners from Westfield and the surrounding community will meet at the Mental Health Practitioner Book Club to discuss “Sociopath: A Memoir,” by Patric Gagne. Any mental-health practitioners who are interested in joining the book club should email Community Liaison Jack Serzan at jserzan@wmlnj.org.
Registration is requested for all programs unless otherwise indicated. To register, visit the library’s website at https://wmlnj.org and click on the date of the event on the calendar.
Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The library will be closed Saturday to Monday, May 24 to May 26, for Memorial Day weekend.
