The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been at least as much about history as about geopolitics. This conflict doesn’t just have historical causes; it is a conflict about the historical narrative itself—one that goes back many centuries.

A Zoom talk on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 6:30 p.m. sponsored by the Warren County Library features Michael Andrec, archivist at the Ukrainian History and Education Center in Somerset since 2010, will introduce the history Ukraine.

Andrec, who was born in the United States but learned Ukrainian as his first language, will present an overview of Ukraine’s diverse cultural and linguistic landscape. He is well-positioned to preserve, describe, and provide researcher access to the primarily non-English collections at the UHEC archives. He also coordinates much of the UHEC’s humanities-related content and programming, mainly in the areas of history and genealogy

The Library, Library Commission, Library staff, or County of Warren does not endorse any of the presenter’s or organization’s beliefs, viewpoints, objectives, opinions, or the accuracy of any information presented. Please visit the library or utilize our online databases and newspapers for more information or research on this topic.

This program is designed for adults. Register with Laura at (908) 362-8335 or laurag@warrenlib.org.

Reading Challenge

The Warren County Library is offering a spooky Halloween reading challenge for the whole month of October.

Each book read and logged in during the month and every activity completed is an entry into the grand prize drawing. Everyone who completes the challenge will receive a treat.

All ages may participate through 31. All events are listed on the library calendar.

Candy Comes To Mind

October is a month when candy comes to mind. While Warren County residents may think of the Mars family when they think of candy, the name Hershey is also synonymous with quality milk chocolate. But that wasn’t always the case.

Learn about the Hershey family in a virtual lection on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 6:30 p.m. In this illustrated biographical lecture, find out more about this American success story and the philanthropy engendered by the Hershey family.

The lecture is geared for adults. Laura Keyes presents. Register with Kim Urban at (908) 818-1280 or kurban@warrenlib.org.

Dancing The Salsa

Another virtual program will be held Thursday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.

Jose Obando will lead an immersive experience on the development and evolution of Salsa. Taking us back 350 years, Obando will discuss the formation of Spanish-Caribbean culture and musical identity and how the mixing of European and African elements lead to the creation of Salsa.

He will featuring live music of popular and folkloric Afro-Latin genres and other genres important to understanding Salsa’s development as well as a dance demonstration of the merengue.

Obando is one of the incorporators of the Salsa Museum in Spanish Harlem and its former executive director. He resigned as executive director to establish Lubona Corporation, an education consultancy. Lubona Corporation presents several museum lectures about the development of Salsa. His consultancy includes the Department of Musical Instruments of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Julliard School, The Cathedral of St. Patrick, The Apollo Theater, U.S. Naval Academy, and numerous schools.

Appropriate for all ages, register with Kim Urban at (908) 818-1280 or kurban@warrenlib.org.