Meet local author and historian Annette Wexler

Come to the Main Library at 7pm on June 23 to hear local author and historian Annette Wexler discuss the “rags-to-riches” tale of the late Remco Toy Company founder and industrial park developer, Isaac “Ike” Heller. As a public relations consultant for Heller Industrial Parks, Inc. Wexler interviewed many Heller family members and wrote three lengthy biographies of the visionary philanthropist and his family. These titles are available at the Woodbridge Public Library, as well as other libraries, universities and historical societies located throughout New York and New Jersey.

Wexler, is also an award-winning journalist and editor. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Star-Ledger, The News Tribune, The Home News Tribune, New Jersey Living, New Jersey Homes, and The Elizabeth Daily Journal. She was also a public relations consultant for Siemens Capital Company, Lever Brothers Company, and Middlesex County College.

In addition to the Heller family histories she has written her own biography, titled A Nice Jewish Girl from the Bronx & New Jersey. This is her life story, discussing how it was for her, from growing up in Bronx during the ‘30s and ‘40s to moving to Iselin in the early ‘60s and going to college later in life and discovering her writing talents. It also contains her poetry and many family photos.

Wexler still lives in New Jersey. She is the mother of four sons, Steven, Ronald, Bruce and Alan, and a grandmother and great-grandmother. Although her biography will not be for sale at this event, a portion of the proceeds from it will go to The American Heart Association and The American Cancer Society in memory of her sons Steven and Ronald who have passed away.