Middletown Public Library Honors These 4 Local Residents

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — At its first-ever Centennial Gala on Oct. 29, the Middletown Public Library will honor the following people who either live or work in Middletown, and have made it a better place to live.

The Middletown Library will hold the gala this Oct. 29 to mark its 100-year celebration. The gala will be held at Jacques Reception Center on Palmer Avenue next Friday night.

“We are very excited to acknowledge these honorees,” said Heather Andolsen, Middletown Library Director. “As our library celebrates 100 years of service, it is essential that we also look to honor those in our community whose care and service have contributed so much to the people of Middletown.”

The four honorees are:

Joyce Murphy Imagination in Education Award — Linda and Abe Littenberg

Presented in memory of MTPL Children’s Department employee Joyce Murphy, recognizes an individual who shares her inherent kindness, joy and creativity in their interactions with children and supports children’s reading as a means to strengthen their creativity, language, learning and overall well-being. This award will be presented to Linda and Abe Littenberg, co-owners of A Child’s Place School in Lincroft. For more than 40 years, they have provided a positive environment for young children to create from their own imaginations, be themselves and become eager to explore the world.

Outstanding Philanthropist Award – The Kolber Family

The Outstanding Philanthropist Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies the best of our caring and generous community and has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to long-term positive change through exemplary care, empathy and generosity within the Middletown community. This award will be presented to George, Vita and Richard Kolber who have donated to an array of both national and local charitable organizations over the last 20 years through the Kolber Family Foundation. The foundation has provided scholarships for underprivileged individuals, donations to FULFILL, the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and supported healthcare organizations such as Riverview and Bayshore Hospitals, as well as educational institutions such as Brookdale Community College and Monmouth University.

Business Generosity Award – Whirl Construction

The Business Generosity Award recognizes a Middletown-based business that embodies an overall spirit of giving through contributions of time, leadership and resources in support of local non-profits. This award will be presented to Whirl Construction, a leader in park and playground construction in Monmouth County for nearly 40 years. Whirl Construction has donated time, labor and equipment to support meaningful projects in Middletown, such as the original construction of the WTC Memorial Gardens and recent enhancements made in honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, including installing a new walkway of personalized bricks that lead into the Gardens. Whirl Construction also supports our veterans and has assisted Middletown Social Services with projects that help those in need who have served our nation.

Historic Preservation Award – Christine Giordano Hanlon, Esq.

The Historic Preservation Award recognizes an individual or an organization who has been an outstanding advocate for historic preservation in our community through projects or programs. This award will be presented to Christine Giordano Hanlon, Esq., Monmouth County Clerk. While serving as the County Clerk, which is often referred to as “Keeper of the Records,” she has worked diligently to preserve, protect and educate the public about our history which dates as far back as the 17th century. As a member of the Monmouth County, 9/11, and Its Aftermath Exhibit Advisory Committee, Clerk Hanlon commissioned a short film to accompany the exhibit that commemorates the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The film incorporates archival records, original interviews with Monmouth County residents impacted by 9/11, widows, survivors, first responders, historians and government officials and will preserve the history of Monmouth County’s connection to this tragic event.

For more information about the MTPL 100 Year Celebration Gala or to purchase tickets, visit
mtpl.org/gala-donations.

Here is who sat on the library committee to choose the honorees: Heather Andolsen, Library Director, Tara Berson, Middletown Director of Communications, William R. Bucco, Library Board President, Patricia Curtain, Treasurer Friends of MTPL, Thomas Davis, Vice President of Middletown Lions Club, Courtney Fiore, Resident, Lindsay Fox, Library Trustee, Susan Gioia, Library Assistant, Walter Johnson, Library Public Information, Susan Kyrillos, Library Trustee, Wendy LaTona, Library Administration, Alannah Perry, Resident, Tony Perry, Middletown Township Mayor

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