Warwick libraries offer fifth annual ‘One Town, One Book' program

Warwick - Warwick’s three public libraries - Albert Wisner Public Library, Florida Public Library and Greenwood Lake Public Library - are cosponsoring the fifth annual “One Town, One Book” program with eight events focussing on “The Red Badge of Courage,” an American classic by one-time Orange County resident, Stephen Crane. All One Town, One Book events are free and open to residents of the Town of Warwick. Advance registration is required and unless otherwise specified, programs are designed for adult audiences, although high school students are encouraged to participate. Copies of the book may be reserved at all three libraries. Warwick’s librarians hope that as well as promoting the reading of a well-written novel, their joint program will encourage a sense of community and start lively discussions on issues relevant to life in Warwick. The plot of “The Red Badge of Courage” closely follows the real historical events and troop movements of the local “Orange Blossoms” volunteer soldiers at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. As a teenager living in Port Jervis, Crane is known to have listened to the stories and memories of local veterans and was inspired to use their reminiscences in his novel. Although he was not even born at the time of the Civil War, veterans insisted that only a fellow soldier could have recreated battle scenes so realistically. “We invite all Warwick residents to join us in reading and discussing The Red Badge of Courage,” said Florida Library Director Madelyn Folino. “‘One Town, One Book’ has been a successful project for us and we are again expecting participation from all areas of the town. This year’s selection is one that many of us read in high school and perhaps, did not appreciate. We want to take another look at this story of a young man facing his first battle. Certainly, it speaks to a universal experience as well as current news stories.” The kick-off for the program will be on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Hickory Hill Golf Course Clubhouse on Route 17A, Warwick. Charles LaRocca, president and historian of the 124th NYS Volunteers, a Civil War reenactment unit, will introduce “One Town, One Book” and “The Red Badge of Courage” over coffee and dessert. LaRocca, the retired chairman of the social studies department at Pine Bush, is the author of an annotated and illustrated edition of the novel. His presentation is entitled “Seeing the Elephant: The Orange Blossoms at Chancellorsville.” It is not necessary to have read the book before attending the kick-off. Call Wisner Library at 986-1047 to sign up. Related programs Each library also will host various events related to the book: • Florida’s Black Dirt Storytelling Guild will present “Uncivil War” on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Story lovers, age 16 and up, are invited to listen to Civil War era stories and tales of conflict and brotherly strife. • Florida Historical Society member John Kimiecik will speak on “William Henry Seward’s Red Badge of Courage” on Saturday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m. He will recount the overlooked story of the conspiracy plot which targeted Secretary of State Seward for assassination on the same evening that President Lincoln was murdered. Call 651-7659 to sign up for these events. • Albert Wisner Public Library will host a program on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m. Volunteer Wendy Dembeck, a retired English teacher, will lead a book discussion on the novel’s symbolism. Adult readers plus teenagers or college students studying the novel or Civil War period are encouraged to attend. Call 986-1047 to register. • Greenwood Lake Public Library will sponsor a film screening of the 1951 movie version of the book on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. John Huston directed real life war hero Audie Murphy in Crane’s story of a young soldier whose courage is tested under fire. The movie is noted for the authenticity of the Confederate battle charges. • Greenwood Lake also will host a local history program on Thursday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m. Peter Osborne, Port Jervis City historian and Minisink Valley Historical Society executive director, will present “A Biographical Sketch of Stephen Crane” and discuss the novel’s connections to Orange County. Call 477-8377 to register for these programs. • “One Town, One Book” will conclude on Saturday, Oct. 28, with two events at Lewis Park on Main Street in Warwick. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Orange Blossoms will set up a Civil War camp. They will present firing demonstrations and drills at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. History lovers of all ages are invited to wander through the camp and talk to the interpreters who will be dressed and armed with authentic uniforms, gear and weapons of the historic New York regiment. In case of inclement weather, the Orange Blossoms will be found inside the Old School Baptist Church. Registration is not required for this event and children are welcome to attend. • At 2 p.m., Christine Godwin, professor emeritus at SUNY Orange, will wrap up this year’s “One Town, One Book” series with a talk on “The Red Badge of Courage: Community Connections.” Audience involvement is expected and appreciated as readers share their insights about the novel. Godwin will help readers connect Crane’s observations about youth, war and courage to events in their own lives and history. She will lead a discussion on what the novel reveals about humanity and meeting our challenges, whatever they may be. To register, call Wisner Public Library at 986-1047. “One Town, One Book” is modeled after Seattle’s “If All Seattle Read the Same Book” program, begun in 1998 by librarian Nancy Perl. Warwick’s first series was awarded the 2003 Member Library Program of the Year by the Ramapo Catskill Library System.