Warwick's public libraries join together

Warwick's three public libraries are joining together to offer their third annual One Town, One Book program this fall. Warwick's Albert Wisner Public Library, Greenwood Lake Public Library and Florida Public Library are co-sponsoring the popular town-wide reading program and have planned six events based on A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson. A Walk in the Woods, first published in 1998, is a personal and often funny memoir of the author's "thru-hike" of the Appalachian Trail and a delightful chronicle of the experiences and people he meets along the way. The kick-off for One Town, One Book will be on Tuesday, October 5, 7 p.m. at the Hickory Hill Golf Club on Route 17a in Warwick. Mr. Paul DeCoste, a member of the Appalachian Trail Conference's Board of Managers and past chairperson of Appalachian Trail's New Jersey Management Committee, will introduce the One Town, One Book program and A Walk in the Woods over coffee and dessert. Mr. DeCoste, a retired English teacher, is presently writing a book on the hiking trails of New Jersey and has graciously agreed to speak at our kick-off, proudly representing all the volunteers who have worked to maintain the magnificent Appalachian Trail. Participants need not have read the book by the kick-off, though copies of the book are available now for reserve at all three libraries. Warwick's The Bookstore has generously donated a copy of the book for a drawing that evening. Please call Albert Wisner Public Library at 986-1047 for reservations to this FREE program. The three libraries are offering a variety of other programs of interest related to the selection. Stop by your library to pick up a detailed listing by date of all the events. On Wednesday, October 13 at 7 p.m., the Albert Wisner Public Library welcomes Tony Russo, a NY State Licensed Guide and Member of the Adirondack Mountain Club, who will offer valuable tips on the correct hiking and camping gear needed to undertake a hike on the trail. He will also discuss "Leave No Trace" techniques that hikers can use to reduce evidence of their presence on the trail in order to retain the trail's natural beauty. Call the library at 986-1047 to register. On Wednesday, October 20 at 7 p.m., Greenwood Lake Public Library will show the PBS film Five Million Steps: The Appalachian Thru-Hiker's Story. This documentary covers the experiences of sixteen ordinary people as they attempt the extraordinary n to walk the entire trail from Georgia to Maine! Participants should call 477-8377 for registration. On Thursday, October 28 at 7 p.m. Florida Public Library welcomes Pam Golben, a local wildlife rehabilitator and educator. Ms. Golben will introduce you to some of the wildlife you might encounter along the trail and their unique behaviors and habits during different seasons of the year. Also at the Florida Public Library on Thursday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m., the Black Dirt Storytelling Guild presents "Into the Woods." At their regular monthly meeting, the Guild enchants with stories about hiking, camping and animal encounters in the great outdoors. Call 651-7659 to sign up for both programs. One Town, One Book will conclude on Sunday, November 14, 2 p.m. in the community room of the Greenwood Lake Public Library with a slide presentation of the Appalachian Trail with discussion to follow. Dessert and coffee will be served. Please register by calling 477-8377. All sessions of One Town, One Book are free, but registration is required to insure seating. The programs are for adults, but attentive young adults over the age of 16 are welcome. Library staff members from all the libraries hope that in addition to promoting the reading of a fun and informative book, One Town, One Book will also encourage a sense of community and get readers and neighbors to exchange ideas with each other. For more information on the programs, call or visit any one of the three Town of Warwick libraries.