By: Merle Citron
The times, they are a changing at our libraries, and we are lucky to have two very active and important small town libraries located on both sides of the river the New Hope-Solebury Library and the Lambertville Public Library.
Unlike newly constructed libraries, ours are located in former homes and are staffed with local, dedicated people, all of which provide the visitor with a feeling of welcome.
New programs and a new director make our Lambertville Public Library a valuable community asset. Shawn Armington, who lives in Princeton, has been the new director since April.
"Our town doesn’t know we’re here, and I want to welcome them in," he said. "We’re a cozy little library that I want to update without losing that small town feel. We’re also one of the last libraries in the state to still have cardboard cards in our books."
Shawn is enthusiastic about what’s happening at the library.
"Sunday hours will begin next month," he told me. "We have an art gallery, newly named the Peggy Lewis Gallery, with art openings every six weeks. We just got online, and our card catalogue is finally computerized."
He added, "Libraries are about people and books and bringing them together."
Shawn is proud of the people who work with him.
"The staff at our fair library includes Franta Broulik; Fran Bardusco, who leads the ESL classes and coordinates the Spanish programs; Betty Knechel; Tekla Hallanan; Aram ‘Chip’ Dadian; Jennifer Sirak, the children’s librarian who just had a baby named Paige. Lynda Hope is our senior library assistant. Jean Milman-Ludak will be leading the new Saturday reading program for K-3rd grade. Christine Bonnell is another new staff member."
When I asked Shawn what he did before coming to Lambertville, he replied with a gleam in his eyes, "I have a complicated and colorful background. I was a pastor of an Episcopal congregation for 15 years, and I taught Old Testament on the college level. I received my degree in library science almost two years ago, and I do enjoy working here. It’s all about the people and the community."
By the way, Shawn is a graduate of the Princeton Theological Seminary.
There’s excitement in the air across the river at the New Hope-Solebury Library, too.
According to Marcia Anderson, a volunteer at the library, "We have some very popular programs happening here. I don’t know if people realize that we’re open more than 48 hours a week. We have story hour every week, and last month we began a program that features presentations by local artists. We have always been a strong supporter of the arts."
I chatted with Lisa Pruess, the assistant to the librarian, Frances Greene. She told me about additional library programs.
"We have a summer reading program and two book clubs," she said. "One is a mystery novel book club and the other is called "Let’s Talk Books."
Marcia then asked me, "Do you know that we operate almost entirely on volunteer power? We have volunteers ranging in age from 15 to 75. There are teams who have worked together for years like Sylvia Walsh and Florence Rosen, who work together every Friday morning or Marilyn Lanctot and Eleanor Pellerano, who work on Tuesday mornings. Terri Smallacombe is our volunteer coordinator."
Shawn and Marcia made me aware both libraries need additional volunteers.
As Marcia put it, "Volunteers are the heart and soul of the operation of the library. Without them, the number of hours the library is available would not happen."
So, if you’re interested in becoming a library volunteer, just walk into one of our two terrific libraries and let them know.
Got a toenail fungus problem?
True, people don’t instantly admit they have a fungus among us, but once I began to talk about the Vicks VapoRub cure, they came right out of the closet.
I realize not all Chit-Chat readers may be interested in this bit of news but it’s what everybody is currently talking about. Let me tell you, during a 72-hour period, four different people told me about using Vicks VapoRub to cure toenail fungus.
It all began with a phone call from Elaine Restifo, Elm Street resident, poet, artist and a podiatric assistant in Princeton. Elaine knows and loves everything about feet. She even wrote a poem in praise of them.
"Merle, I have interesting news for you," she said.
She’s aware of my toenail "problem" on my left foot.
"Use Vicks VapoRub on your toenail," she knowingly advised me.
Then Jean Toddie of New Hope confirmed she had read about it.
"There’s a doctor who has a column in the Intel, and that’s where I read about Vicks VapoRub helping to get rid of toenail fungus," she said.
Then Mort Barnett at Bear Pharmacy concurred.
"I recently heard something about it," he told me.
Janet Barnett said Sharon Burd, who is a nurse, told her about the Vicks VapoRub treatment. What is one to think? Okay, I’m giving it a smear. I know I smell a bit aromatic, but what if it really works?
Jim Szwedo, who owns Stanley Cleaners, and his wife, Linda, live in New Hope.
Jim talked about some of the history of Stanley Cleaners and what’s been happening in the Szwedo household.
"Although I have worked at Stanley Cleaners for 26 years, I did not become an owner until 1985 when I took over from my father-in-law, Mort Haas," Jim said. "His son, Robert, and I then became partners and continue to run the business, which is now in its 51st year. My wife, Linda, is a learning consultant for the Readington School District in New Jersey."
Jim and Linda have been married for 26 years and have the joy of currently paying for two children in college.
"Our daughter, Erika, is graduating from Bucknell University this December with a bachelor’s degree in psychology," he said. "She plans to continue her education and will pursue a master’s degree in the field of social work.
"Our son, Michael, is now a freshman at Virginia Tech and is majoring in computers. Although this fall has been the first time we’ve been ‘childless’ at home in the past 21 years, our pets, Randi, our dog, and Ashley, our cat, have taken up the few hours left in the day when we get home from work."
Jim minced no words.
"When you’re putting two kids through school at the same time, there is not a lot of time for hobbies."
Linda and Jim do make time to walk on the towpath and to bike on both sides of the river.
Jim concluded, "We are planning a vacation this spring to St. Martin’s to celebrate one college tuition down and one to go."
Have a great vacation. You deserve it!
‘Til then, if you’ve got any Chit-Chat news, just let me know about it.
Call me at 397-8494, e-mail me at [email protected], snail-mail me or drop off your info at 72 York St. Thanks.
And there you have it folks, a little chit and a little chat.

