"One Book Bernardsville" Gets Underway in October

With the beginning of October comes the second annual “One Book Bernardsville” organized by Bernardsville Public Library and featuring The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken: A Search for Food and Family by Laura Schenone. In the book, Ms. Schenone undertakes what turns out to be a difficult quest to retrieve her great grandmother’s ravioli recipe, reuniting with relatives in the United States and Italy as she goes. This shared community reading experience includes activities for both adults and children: a month of book discussions and thematically related programs on Italian food, wine, music and Bernardsville’s “Little Italy.” The book is also the 2015 “One Community One Book” selection for the Morristown Festival of Books.

Ms. Schenone will speak at the library and there will be three opportunities to discuss the book at library book groups. The author will appear on Wednesday, October 14 at 7:00 pm and tell how, in her quest to find and master the recipe, she traveled from New Jersey’s gritty industrial wastelands and the fast-paced disposable culture of its suburbs to the dramatically beautiful coast of Liguria with its pesto, smoked chestnuts, torte, and, most beloved of all—ravioli, the food of celebration and happiness. Advance registration is requested for this free event.

On Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 pm, Library Director April L. Judge will lead the first discussion of the book. The Memoirs and Coffee book group, led by Pat Kennedy-Grant, will meet in the morning of Tuesday, October 27 at 10:30 am, and Evelyn Fischel will lead the discussion at Saturday Samplers on Saturday, November 7 at 3:30 pm. If a local book club is interested in participating in “One Book Bernardsville,” a discussion leader from the library staff will be assigned to the group to lead the conversation at a mutually convenient time. The library has books for individual participants or members of local book clubs to borrow. Books are also available for purchase at The Bookworm.

Throughout the month there are children’s programs featuring crafts made with pasta and Italian food creations. Adult programs begin on Saturday, October 10 at 3:00 pm when residents are invited to share family memories of Bernardsville’s “Little Italy,” the community of skilled Italians who helped construct the Mountain Colony estates at the turn of the 20th century. Historical photos will be on display, and there will be a demonstration of Ancestry.com, a database for researching family histories.

On Sunday, October 11 at 3:00 pm, the Friends of the Library will present “A Celebration of Frank Sinatra’s 100th Birthday” with jazz singer Maggie Worsdale. Ms. Worsdale will concentrate on the Grade A standards at which Sinatra excelled and bring to each her own individual charm, personality, and swing. Doors open at 2:45 pm. It’s free and no sign-up is needed.

On Saturday, October 24 at 3:00 pm, Diane DePalma of Ravino Handcrafted Artisan Pasta will demonstrate what’s involved with making ravioli at home—what utensils are needed, what’s important in making the dough, and how to fill it successfully. This will be followed by a ravioli tasting. There is no charge to attend; advance registration is requested.

Tenor Salvatore Chiarelli will perform popular, traditional and classical Italian/Neapolitan songs, Italian opera, and Italian/American love ballads on Sunday, October 25 at 2:00 pm. A world class performer, singer and entertainer, he has received rave reviews from critics. There is no charge to attend; advance registration is requested.

Finally, on October 28 at 7:00 pm, there will be a discussion of Italian wine and cheese pairings, an important part of any Italian menu. A representative from Gary’s Wine and Marketplace will discuss how to match wine with cheese, make recommendations for pairing wine with Italian food, and explain why a combination of flavors, textures and aromas is important. Advance sign-up is required for this free program. [Attendees must be 21 years or older.]

Detailed information on all the events is available at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/one-book-2015, or call the library at 908-766-0118. All the programs are free. To sign up for the programs, go to www.bernardsville.library.org/one-book-2015 or call 908-766-0118.