There are all sorts of fun and exciting events taking place at the Library and the History Center throughout the month of July! We have author visits from Jamie Brenner, Meg Donohue, and New York Times bestseller Amor Towles, along with concerts by the Bay Atlantic Symphony (always a local favorite), Shadows of the 60s, and more! Read on to learn about these and some more highlights, you can find out about all of our programming on our full calendar here: https://www.avalonfreelibrary.org/calendar
Tuesday, July 2 & 30 / 6pm-7pm
“EARLY AVALON” WALKING TOUR
Take a trip to the past while strolling the blocks of Avalon’s North End. Enjoy viewing Victorian architecture and learning the history of landmark early buildings such as the 1892 Wells Memorial Presbyterian Church (still standing!) and the Avalon Hotel. Call the History Center for meeting spot and in case of inclement weather. Guided by Bruce Tell.
Wednesday, July 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 / 9:30am-10:30am
AVALON DUNE & BEACH WALK
Everyone likes to visit the beach, but what do you know about the plants and animals that live there? Meet at 48th Street and Dune Drive in Avalon for an interpretive walk with a naturalist along the maritime forest and dune trails to learn about the flora and fauna that call this area their home. Presented by the Wetlands Institute and proudly sponsored by the Avalon Free Public Library.
Monday, July 8 / 6pm-7pm
NEW JERSEY WATER QUALITY LECTURE
Kristen Andrada, the AmeriCorps NJWAP Watershed Ambassador for Cape May County will be speaking about the quality of NJ streams and how community members can get involved in protecting them. She will also discuss her various environmental projects and collaborations in the area and how she became an ambassador.
Tuesday, July 9 / 10am-11:30am
COLOR ME HAPPY: BENEFITS OF ADULT COLORING
Professor Kate Daniels, Holistic Health and psychiatric nursing teacher, will give a brief introduction to the benefits of adult coloring, such as mindfulness, meditation, hand-eye coordination, etc. Listen to relaxing music while Kate also works with patrons to enjoy and share the benefits. All supplies are provided, including: Crayons, colored pencils, felt tipped, metallic markers, crayon and pencil sharpeners and coloring pages. Ages 18+ . Registration is required by calling 609-967-7155 or stopping by the circulation desk. Avalon property owners may register beginning June 9. All others may register beginning June 25.
Tuesday, July 9 / 7pm
NEW AVALON CHAUTAUQUA AT THE JERSEY SHORE: KYLE SHEPPARD ENSEMBLE
At the First United Methodist Church of Avalon. Chautauqua assemblies provided education and enrichment for adults in communities across the United States beginning in the late 19th century. This week, enjoy the sounds of organ, piano & strings with the Kyle Sheppard Ensemble.
Wednesday, July 10 / 7pm-9pm
AN EVENING WITH NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR AMOR TOWLES
New York Times bestselling author Amor Towles’ first book, Rules of Civility, published in 2011, was ranked by the Wall Street Journal as one of the best books of 2011. The book was optioned by Lionsgate to be made into a feature film and its French translation received the 2012 Prix Fitzgerald. His second title, A Gentleman in Moscow, published in 2016, was also a New York Times bestseller and was ranked as one of the best books of 2016 by the Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer, St. Louis Dispatch, and NPR. Both novels have been translated into over fifteen languages. A book signing will follow the lecture. Copies of both titles will be available for purchase before and after the talk.
No tickets are required for this or any other event this summer.
Thursday, July 11 / 10am-11:30am
THEORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY LECTURE
With Clay Rossner. Learn the basic principles of photography, popular styles of photography, and get answers for any questions you may have about your camera- digital or film! Participants should bring their own camera. Registration is required by calling 609-967-7155 or stopping by the circulation desk. Avalon property owners may register beginning June 11. All others may register beginning June 25.
Thursday, July 11 / 6pm-9pm
AVALON HISTORICAL SOCIETY MINI GOLF TOURNAMENT AT GO FISH MINI GOLF
Enjoy a round of golf with friends or family, while benefiting the Avalon Historical Society. Event address: Go Fish Mini Golf, 2438 Dune Dr.
Friday, July 12 / 7pm-8pm
MOTOWN CONCERT: SHADOWS OF THE 60S
Shadows of the 60s pays tribute to the tremendous legacy of Motown’s legendary stars such as The Supremes, The Four Tops and Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and The Marvelettes. In this highly interactive and visually stunning production, Shadows of the 60s perform the hits that span several decades. Featuring top industry musicians and singers dressed in exquisitely designed costumes and performing dazzling choreography, Shadows Of the 60s present the music of Motown with the intensity of the original recorded performances. Each singer and musician were chosen because they embody the spirit, style and excitement of the original artists in concert. Close your eyes and you will hear the magic of Motown, open them and you will see and feel the raw “front row” experience of attending a live Motown concert, circa 1964.
Monday, July 15 / 6pm-7pm
COASTAL GARDENING LECTURE
Coastal gardening presents many unique challenges, from extreme weather to salt spray. Local wildlife biologist, Joshua Nemeth, will discuss how to deal with these and other potential problems facing the coastal gardener.
Tuesday, July 16 / 6pm-7pm
SHIPWRECKS OF THE JERSEY SHORE
Join us at the Avalon History Center for an informative program on the unearthed shipwreck at Stone Harbor beach back on December of 2018. The presentation will be given by Steven Nagiewicz, a Marine Archaeologist, who teaches underwater science and exploration at Stockton University. Mr. Nagiewicz will also discuss the interesting Mullica River Revolutionary War wrecks.
Tuesday, July 16 / 6:30pm-8pm
PHOTOGRAPHY: BEACH SHOOT
With Clay Rossner. This class will meet at 30th Street beach behind Community Hall. Put your photography skills to the test at our sunset photo shoot! We will have a professional photographer on hand to help you capture the perfect shot. Participants should bring their own camera. Registration is required by calling 609-967-7155 or stopping by the circulation desk. Avalon property owners may register beginning June 16. All others may register beginning June 30.
Wednesday, July 17 / 6pm-7pm
AUTHOR LECTURE WITH JAMIE BRENNER
Join us for an author talk with USA Today Bestselling author Jamie Brenner. Brenner’s novels include The Husband Hour, The Forever Summer, and The Wedding Sister. Her 2019 release, Drawing Home, is about an unexpected inheritance, a promise broken, and four lives changed forever. A book signing with follow the lecture.
Our summer events will not be ticketed.
Saturday, July 20 / 8:30am
AVALON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL CLAM SHELL PITCH
At 30th St. beach. Try your hand at this fun, horseshoes-like sport, historically played on Avalon’s beaches! No experience necessary. Tournaments for singles and doubles. Register and practice beginning at 8:30am at 30th St beach. Tournament starts at 9am.
Saturday, July 20 / 7pm-9pm
BAY ATLANTIC SYMPHONY CONCERT: FRIENDSHIP & LOVE
Led by the Bay Atlantic Symphony’s Music Director Jed Gaylin, “Friendship & Love” features pieces including Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Borodin’s Nocturne, and a salute to Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. Led by Music Director Jed Gaylin, the Bay Atlantic Symphony is celebrating its 13th Symphony by the Sea season in Avalon. Our summer events will not be ticketed.
Tuesday, July 23 / 7pm
NEW AVALON CHAUTAUQUA AT THE JERSEY SHORE: DULCET ET DUO CLASSIC GUITAR
At the First United Methodist Church of Avalon. Chautauqua assemblies provided education and enrichment for adults in communities across the United States beginning in the late 19th century. This week, enjoy a classical guitar concert.
Monday, July 29 / 6pm-7pm
MYSTERY & MAGIC: NEW JERSEY PINELANDS
Albert Horner will be here to speak about his book, Pinelands: New Jersey’s Suburban Wilderness. It is an adventure into the New Jersey Pinelands for a view that most people never get to see and is based upon his 14 years of photography in the Pinelands. The talk will also include facts and information about this UNESCO World Biosphere that will help everyone understand how important it is to our ecology.
Wednesday, July 31 / 6pm-7pm
AUTHOR LECTURE WITH MEG DONOHUE
Meg Donohue is the USA Today bestselling author of Every Wild Heart, All the Summer Girls, Dog Crazy, and How to East a Cupcake. Donohue’s 2019 title You, Me, and the Sea, is a spellbinding and suspenseful tale inspired by Wuthering Heights that illuminates the ways in which hope—and even magic—can blossom in the darkest of places. A book signing will follow the lecture.
Our summer events will not be ticketed.
And don’t worry, we didn’t forget about the kids! Click here to read all about the fun programs we have planned for children and teens: https://afpljournal.com/2019/06/26/fun-kids-teens-july-events/