Celebrate Pearl River Library Anniversary, Halloween

Pearl River Public Library will celebrate 50 years in its Franklin Avenue location with an open house entitled "Your Library: Then and Now" Sunday, Nov. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Pearl River's library can trace its history back to 1934, but it it was Nov. 3, 1963 when the original building on Franklin Ave. was dedicated. The building was expanded in 1991.

Sunday's event will begin with a ceremony at the Heinz Ahlmeiher, Jr. garden in front of the building. The Pearl River High School graduate was killed in action May 10, 1967 during his first day in Vietnam. There has been a plaque in his honor at the library since 1967.

"On this special day of celebration when we will both be focusing on our community's relationship with its library and reminsicing about what life was like here in the 1960s, it is fitting to take a few moments to reflect on the impact that the loss of Heinz Ahlmeyer had on the community, as his memorial stone has been connected with the library for almost its entire existence here on Franklin Ave," said Pearl River Library Director Kathy Rose.

Pearl River Library local history librarian Jim Cassetta will join in a discussion of Pearl River's history with Our Town founder and publisher Arthur Aldrich and Rockland County Times columnist Bob Knight at 1:30 p.m.

The Solid Rock Band, which features Pearl River Librarian Adriane Fabio as a vocalist, will perform music from the 1960s in 3 p.m. in the community room.

Pearl River Public Library will also unveil its READ Campaign Photo Exhibit, which features over 300 photos of local residents converted to posters that will be spread through the library.

There will also be children's activities throughout the afternoon, refreshments and a newly-expanded "Tribute Tree"courtesy the Friends of the Library and trustees and staff ready with information about the library and its new community survey.

Read on for more local events in Pearl River this weekend:

Trick or Treat in Pearl River

• Where: Downtown Pearl River businesses
• When: Thursday, Oct. 31 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Description: Take the kids trick or treating in Pearl River on Halloween. Sponsored by the Pearl River Chamber of Commerce and local businesses. Read more here. 

• Where: Orangeburg firehouse at the corner of Dutch Hill Road and Orangeburg Road in Orangeburg
• When: Thursday, Oct. 31 at 6:30 p.m.
• Description: The annual Halloween celebration is open to all. The parade route will impact Dutch Hill Road, Dutch Hollow Drive, Devon Drive and Parkway Drive South. Dutch Hill Road will be closed to traffic from Orangeburg Road to Carlton Road during the event.

• Where: Beth Am Temple at 60 East Madison Ave. in Pearl River
  
• When: Sunday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
• Description: The Holiday Boutique will feature vendors selling jewelry, clothing, Tupperware, crafts and baseball and football cards among other items. There will also be a Kidz Boutique with items children can purchase as holiday gifts for family, teachers and friends. Read more here.