June 4, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 13 Midland Park Friends of Library, Chamber to host summer concerts This summer, the Midland Park Chamber of Commerce and Friends of the Midland Park Memorial Library are teaming up to bring a series of free concerts to Midland Park geared to appeal to residents of all ages and musi- cal tastes. Plans call for the concerts to be held during the month of July on Wednesday nights on the lawn, or inside the library in the event of inclement weather. The series will celebrate New Jersey’s 350th Anniver- sary and will feature favorites from Jersey’s rich musical history, including a celebration of Brigadier General Abra- ham Godwin’s birthday on July 16. Godwin, for whom this area was previously named, was a fifer during the Ameri- can Revolution. Library Director Sue Lazzari, a Midland Park resident, proposed the idea of a concert to the Friends, and members Rebecca Abma, and Rosemary Kooreman, who have expe- rience with organizing concerts and have contacts in the area music world, seized the idea and ran with it. Abma, who is also the secretary of the Midland Park Chamber of Commerce, suggested the Friends work with the Chamber. Chamber member Lisa Plasse, who owns From the Top Studio on Prospect Street, was also enthusiastic and added her expertise. Friends’ member Patricia Fantulin helped focus music choices when she suggested celebrating New Jersey’s 350 th anniversary, with Brigadier General God- win’s birthday a happy coincidence. “We’re so excited to have this starting up in Midland Park!” said Friends President Jennifer Triolo. Several Friends members attended a recent mayor and council meeting to ask for permission to hold the event on the green between the library and town hall and were met with instant support from the governing body. Triolo said her committee is planning for 150 spectators and has lined up vendors and supporters. Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan suggested the events could be held at the new pavilion in Wortendyke Park, which now has lighting. Councilman Jack Considine pointed out that CERT now has a hitch to take its emergency trailer to a site in need and could arrange that service. But Triolo said after the meeting that the group had decided to stay with the library plans. “As it is a Friends - and Chamber - event, we’d like to keep it in the ‘center’ of town, next to the library that the Friends support. Handicapped access is also a concern - with the borough and the library right there, there is easier access to toilets, etc.,” Triolo said. The schedule now includes: July 9: Modern Jersey with a local cover band. July 16: General Godwin Day July 23: Jersey Jazz (celebrating Newark’s Jazz his- tory) July 30: Jersey Golden Oldies (Sinatra or DooWop era group) Triolo said the committee is firming up all the details and should have everything finalized by this week or next. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets, chairs and picnics to enjoy the music. The Friends and the Chamber are seeking sponsors to support this opportunity to bring together residents of Midland Park for this free concert series. Anyone who is interested in getting involved in the planning, or would like sponsorship information, is invited to e-mail Rebecca@mpkchamber.com. Since the Friends held its revitalization meeting in August, 2013, the organization has raised enough funds to sponsor the train display in the library during the bor- ough’s tree-lighting ceremony, to provide Wi-Fi coverage throughout the entire library building, and to purchase a disc refurbisher to allow over $1,000 worth of scratched CDs, DVDs and books on disc back into circulation. The Friends also hosted an introduction to meditation series for children grades 2-8.