Register today for this upcoming virtual program- Black History Month: A Celebration of American Music with Ed Alstrom on Tuesday, February 20th at 6:00 pm. https://southorangetownlibraries.librarycalendar.com/…

Imagine never having Gospel music, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop, Reggae… what would American Music possibly be??

All of these genres were literally invented by African-American artists, and the influence of all of them on our culture over the past 150 years is incalculable. In this presentation, we will dive into the overall impact of this influence, see who the major players were, and listen to a lot of intriguing and amazing music that you might be unfamiliar with. Yes, it’s a lot to get through, but we’ll do our best!

Ed Alstrom is a professional musician and presenter from New Jersey. He has made a career out of playing all types of music all over the world, his most notable gig now being that of Organist at Yankee Stadium (which he will discuss in a March presentation here!). Ed used to talk about and spin a lot of this music we will discuss on his radio show, ‘Got Soul?’, for radio station WFDU in NJ from 2012-2016. He has been playing and studying all of these styles for many years, and has an unbridled passion for all of it.

Ages 3 – 5, join Ms. Nancy on Thursday, February 8th from 4:30 – 5:30 pm to listen to some books and make an easy craft for Valentine’s Day!

Have you been wanting to make some time for art? Then you will love our next Create and Sip for Adults with Alexis Starke!  We will create an abstract watercolor painting inspired by nature and the work of American artist Ruth Asawa (1926 – 2013).  After exploring Asawa’s sculptures and works on paper, we will create our own abstract watercolor painting and go over some watercolor techniques along the way. You will need watercolor paints and brushes for this project- but you do not need to spend a lot of money- Crayola watercolors and a brush or two with a nice point will work fine!

Each participant will receive a goody bag with chocolates, a mini bottle of wine, watercolor paper, and inspiration images. This is a live virtual class and participants are welcome to ask questions, exchange ideas, and share their work. Our projects are always designed to be relaxed and beginner friendly but fun for all levels. Goody bags should be picked up from the library no later than 1pm the day of the program.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this program opens up to Piermont Residents on Tuesday, January 30th, at 9:00 am. Registration opens to all on Monday, February 6th at 9:00 am. Address verification will be used.   Any non-resident registrants who register prior to the February 6th date will be automatically removed by the system and will need to re-register themselves on the correct date to be included in the class. You may get a confirmation but you WILL NOT be registered.

Visit the library anytime to our Art Show of the Month- Photo X3. 

The Photo X3 exhibit will feature the work of three area photographers- Joseph DiCara, Lorraine Nelson, and John Kingston. These three different photographers will present a wide range of subjects and techniques. Each of them brings a unique perspective to life through their art. There is much to enjoy.

Joseph DiCara

I received my Masters Degree in Architecture from Virginia Tech in 1977, got married to my wife Eileen and moved to Northern New Jersey. Since then my business partner and I built a successful Architectural firm, creating award winning buildings and memorable environments.

I share my passion for Architecture equally with photography. Always fascinated how a single captured second in time can convey such strong feelings. The use of texture, light, scale, proportion and surprise are necessary in creating both memorable photography and enduring architecture.

I hope that some of my “captured moments” in time, selected for this 
exhibit, evoke some deep feelings for you as well.

Lorraine Nelson

After leaving the work world behind, photography has become a passion. My earlier years were preoccupied with other artistic pursuits. 

At Montclair State University, I continued training as a figure skater and dancer while pursuing degrees in Speech Arts and Speech Sciences. Upon graduation I taught figure skating and ran skating schools in the NY Metropolitan area, alongside my husband. Following several decades in the skating world, I transitioned to the corporate world as an Instructional Designer and Computer Software Trainer, working on special projects for major corporations. 

I’m an eclectic photographer drawn to nature, water, and action. Most of my photos in this exhibit were shot in the tri-state area.

John Kingston

I ’ve been involved in artistic activities all my life. From the earliest memories as a child, right up to today at age 75- the need to explore and express myself is stronger than ever.

After attending art and photography school in Boston in the early 70s, I moved to New York in 1979. My career began at Russ Berrie & Co. designing toys and gifts, a short time in advertising, then retiring in 2012 from Pearson Education where I designed high school textbooks.

My photography began using 4X5 and 35mm film, today I use mirror-less digital cameras. After retirement, I rediscovered my love of photography. Now I spend my time traveling around looking for interesting and inspirational subjects to shoot.

Image by John Kingston

A bright yellow beacon in the heart of our village, Bunbury’s Coffee Shop attracts locals, pedestrians, and cyclists alike with its delicious coffee and famous muffins. Bunbury’s exudes a warmth and coziness, welcoming people of all kinds and all ages. Some come to set up with their laptop to work, others come to linger with friends over a cup of coffee, and of course, cyclists flock from the city with Piermont as their destination.

While Bunbury’s first opened in 2003, the current owner, Debbie Pirsos, bought the shop from the original owners in 2018. In fact, Debbie had been one of those very same patrons who would often visit Bunbury’s. “My friends and I used to come to Piermont on the weekends. We’d get coffee and a Bunbury muffin, then go for a walk.” At one point in her marketing and public relations career, Debbie had been the director of communications at the Academy of the Holy Angels. When her late husband got sick, she worked as a consultant from home, while managing to also take care of her three growing kids and support her husband through his treatment. Although Debbie had never worked in the food industry before, she said, “I always wanted to do something like my grandfather did.” In the 1950s he owned a neighborhood ice cream parlor in Ridgefield, New Jersey named The Ho-Maid, where the local community would often gather.

In 2017, Debbie’s daughter Sofia started working at Bunbury’s. Later that year, Sofia came home from work one day and told her mother the owners were looking to sell. Debbie saw it as an opportunity and jumped at the chance. She thought this would be a great place where her whole family could be together and work. Her sons Christopher and Alex worked the coffee bar, and Alex’s wife, Sydney, joined in the kitchen, preparing the baked goods. Debbie also brought in another baker, Joan, and with her nephew Rob as a guest barista, she was able to fulfill her dream of establishing a family-run business.

When Covid hit, she closed for 4-6 weeks. However, as Debbie reflected, “I rise to challenges and work well under pressure,” so she was able to figure out how to reopen and do it safely, by moving the counter up to the front of the shop and serving patrons right at the door. “We became a place where people wanted to come again,” and there was tremendous support from the community to keep the shop open.

Bunbury’s loyal followers keep coming back to the shop, because, in addition to coffee, the place offers genuine warmth, openness and optimism — no wonder, as these qualities are a true reflection of who Debbie is. “We try to remember people’s names, and we know their drinks. And when someone leaves and says, ‘Bye Debbie,’ I feel like I could walk them to the door. It’s like this place is my home.”

Bunbury’s is also an artistic place where every month, there’s a different artist whose work is featured on the wall. In 2020, Debbie expanded the creative arm of the shop by launching Bunbury’s Books to help authors publish their own books. She herself has written four books, three of them for children, and will be featured as a local guest author at the Piermont Library’s Story and Craft event on Thursday, January 25.

As I was writing this piece, I found that I kept coming back to the shop, because not only are their chocolate chip cookies and brownies the best I’ve ever tasted, but they also serve them with a friendly smile and know your name. The warmth that you feel comes from the delicious food and coffee, as well as knowing that the people who prepare them are genuine and caring. If you haven’t already, step inside Bunbury’s — you’ll get hooked too.

~By Shauna Wennerod

Support the Piermont Library by bidding on this unique opportunity offered by Bunbury’s Coffee Shop:

• Go behind the scenes and learn how to be a “European-style” barista for a day. You will be trained on how to use the coffee bar machinery to make espresso drinks, steam the milk till its frothy, and learn the secret to making the artistic design on top.
• Enjoy a custom cake, prepared to the winner’s specifications (flavor, frosting, color, theme, etc.).
• Relish half a dozen each of the most addictively delicious cookies and brownies ever.
• Receive a 5-lb bag of Coffee Labs Roasters coffee beans, a Bunbury’s mug to savor your coffee in, and a burlap tote to carry all your goodies home.

Valued at $175

Bidding starts at $100

To bid on the item up for auction, click HERE