2025 MAGAZINE
Middletown Fr Library
Andrew Behringer
Parag Dalal
Jason Fialkovich
Laura Kuchmay
Kate Langston
Derek Lloyd
Elizabeth McCampbell
Jenny O’Neill
Olivia Whitney
On the Cover
I Spy MFL
Stephanie McDermott
MiddletownFreeLibrary.org 610-566-7828
464 S Old Middletown Rd. Suite 3
Media, PA 19063
middletown@delcolibraries.org
“ ”
Middletown Free Library is a truly special place, and it has quickly become Stephanie’s favorite. The library offers the perfect blend of spaces and programs. It has been life-changing for Stephanie’s independence and social life, providing opportunities for volunteering, peaceful nooks for reading and skill-building, and welcoming spaces to gather with friends for art projects and games. Her experience has been further enriched by the care, intelligence, and warm spirit of the wonderful staff. We love Middletown Free Library and know you will too!
- Jennifer Jankauskas
JANKAUSKAS
Stephanie
2026 Board of Trustees
Parag Dalal, President
Mark Borda, Treasurer
Donald Melnick, Vice President
Margie Stern, Secretary
Robin Juliano, New trustee
Paul Lopreiato, New trustee
Dave Irving, Trustee Emeritus
Staff
Derek Lloyd, Director
Laura Kuchmay, Adult Services /Reference Librarian
Jason Fialkovich, Youth Services Librarian / Maker Space Manager / PA Public Notary
Carol Rickert, Head of Circulation
Sarrah Deets, Technical Services
Libby McCampbell, Youth Services Assistant
Stephanie McDermott, Mary Packwood Media Services Librarian
Jenny O’Neill, Adult Services Assistant
Matthew Lomas, User Services
Ana Paula Fonseca, User Services
Revathi Jangiti, User Services
Abbigail Jones, User Services
Alyssa Lintow, User Services
Friends of MFL
Cathy Bautista, President
Sharon Napoli, Treasurer
Leslie Grissom, Secretary
Pat Voelker, Book Bin
Leslie Grissom, Liaison to Board
Jeanne Maloney, Membership
Sustaining what matters
Every storytime, craft program, and community gathering at MFL is made possible by your generosity. Your support keeps our library a place for information, imagination, and ideas.
This year, we introduced a new way to support the library: our Sustaining Members program. Fifty-seven supporters stepped forward with monthly or annual commitments, providing dependable year-round support that helps MFL community programs with confidence. These inaugural Sustaining Members are listed on pages 26-29.
As a thank you, Sustaining Members receive early access to our most popular programs and invitations to exclusive events throughout the year. We’re deeply grateful to this group for believing in what MFL can be.
After 10 years on this board, I’m inspired by the momentum our community has built together. We’d love for you to consider joining as a Sustaining Member. Learn more at middletownfreelibrary.org/sustaining-members.
Here’s to another year of learning, creativity, and connection at MFL.
Parag Dalal President, Board of Trustees Middletown Free Library
Enjoy • Volunteer • Donate
Flinchbaugh
FAMILY “ ”
We love Middletown Free Library! Middletown Free Library has become the cornerstone of our homeschooling journey. As a leader in county resources, they offer much more than just books; they provide a creative hub where Oliver can dive into Lego Stop-Motion Movie Making, Bloxels Video Game Design, Homeschool Mix-It-Ups, STEM Sparks, and much more. They also have fun and interesting adult classes and events as well. It truly is our “one-stop shop” education and entertainment venue. Between the innovative programming and a staff that is second to none, it’s an indispensable part of our community.
- Brian, April, Oliver Flinchbaugh
And rew Behring er
Andrew Behringer has been entertaining audiences of all ages since 2013 with fun and interactive live music performances at libraries, schools, and daycares all throughout the Declo area. Andrew discovered his passion for playing music at an early age, first learning piano, and then guitar. Before long he was writing songs and forming bands, even recording a solo album before finishing high school.
After graduating from Drexel University’s Music Industry program and finding work as a live sound engineer, Andrew started teaching private music lessons. Through teaching, Andrew found he was able to share the joy and enthusiasm he has for music with others. This eventually led to Andrew starting to host his own group music sessions for toddlers and school age children under the banner of Andrew Behringer’s Play On Music. Of course, most of the families that come to his music sessions know him simply as Mr. Andrew!
In addition to his children’s music sessions and private lessons, Andrew performs for various country clubs, restaurants, and private events in the area. He lives in Drexel Hill with his wife Katie, their two children James and Audrey, and their dog and cat, Odie and Bella. Introducing young people to the fun and unique energy of a live music performance is one of Mr. Andrew’s great joys in life, and he is incredibly thankful to all the families that have come to see him perform at Middletown Free Library over the years!
with MFL Director, Derek Llyod
When I was first hired at the library, I was the assistant children’s librarian. One of my first tasks was to start the board game collection and to create a club to go along with the collection. The library had a few games for use in the library and a few that could be checked out by patrons, so my first task was to add more games. Because of the generosity of the game community, it wasn’t hard. I sent out a call and let it be known that on Fridays we would have a board game club. Within a year, we had over 100 games in the collection. Seven years later, the collection is 300 games with 500 more waiting to get to the shelves. More than half of those have been donated by the community. The board game club did very well, survived online during the pandemic era, and continues today with after hours board gaming in the library. It has expanded to other board game events as well. We have held three board game swap meets, three board game auctions and are preparing for our second unpublished board game event where designers bring their games to be tested by library patrons.
One of the challenges to the board game collection is how to catalog it in the system. Books, DVDs, and magazines have long track records and established formats for our cataloging system. Luckily, I had this in mind as I was taking my last classes to get my library science degree. In one class I completed a project on how best to organize and catalog board games in a library. You can see the results of that in our collection. Games are organized by categories that patrons might be looking for: Educational game, Cooperative games, game for Everyone, Party games, and two levels of Strategy game. Because counting pieces is time consuming, we have the games listed by weight and count pieces only when the weight is off upon return. As the collection grows larger, you may see the game divided by number of players or game length as well.
Zentangle
WITH CZT LAURA KUCHMAY
Zentangle has changed my life. It has truly made me feel like an artist, helped with my anxiety, sparked my creativity, inspired me to start my own business, and connected me with people from around the world. Most importantly, it has built lasting friendships with our library patrons.
Zentangle can be described as meditative drawing. The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. We call these patterns, tangles. You create tangles with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves and orbs. These simple shapes are the “Elemental Strokes” in all Zentangle art.
I was first introduced to Zentangle in April 2015, when Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) Sheryl Bruck came into the
Middletown Free Library offering to teach a Zentangle class. I had never heard of Zentangle before, but have always loved trying new things. It was an instant hit with our patrons and especially me. Sheryl went on teaching workshops at the Library up to just before we shut down for Covid. A monthly Zentangle club was formed as well to keep our patrons practicing in between the workshops. Sheryl and I became great friends and even Zentangled a table for the library with a dry-erase top so patrons could color it. Zentangle had become my favorite
Sheryl encouraged me over the years to also become a CZT. I finally got that chance in October of 2024. The Library sent me to Newport, RI to the Zentangle Certification Training and it was one of the best weeks of my life. It was a fully immersive training on the philosophy behind Zentangle, the Zentangle Method, how to teach Zentangle and of course how to draw zentangles. There were almost 250 people in person and virtually around the world at this training. I met people from all over and now stay in touch with my fellow CZTs; comparing teaching stories and skills and supporting one another.
This past Fall, I traveled to Boone, North Carolina for a Zentangle Conference at The Art of Living Retreat Center. There were about 30 other CZTs from around the United States there to learn more advanced Zentangle skills. It was an incredible experience in not only improving my Zentangle skills, but the experience of staying on the top of a mountain amongst the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina. The new patterns and techniques I learned there have been highlighted in my “Zentangle Tuesdays” classes throughout this year. The hunger my students show to learn more zentangles each week is such an inspiration and I look forward to continuing my education of this zen art.
Kate Langsto n
Kate Langston serves as program director for Devereux Pennsylvania Adult Services’ Community Adult Autism Partnership Program (CAAPP). This program provides individualized and innovative community-based support services for adults with autism and other behavioral and cognitive differences. Serving Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, CAAPP’s primary goal is to provide program participants with instruction and support across community, home and work environments to help empower individuals to become productive, socially connected and personally fulfilled members of their local communities.
How does CAAPP support adults with autism and other behavioral and cognitive differences?
CAAPP provides meaningful individualized and person-centered programming for adults. Our services, which include home and community support, behavior supports and employment services, are provided on a 1:1 ratio and take place in locations that make the most sense for each of our participants, including home, community, volunteer placements and places of employment.
How do adults benefit from CAAPP?
Adults with autism and other behavioral and cognitive differences experience significant benefits from community-based programs like CAAPP. Using evidence-based interventions, we help adults manage behavioral challenges, access employment opportunities, build social connections, participate in their communities, achieve greater independence – and thrive.
How did the partnership between CAAPP and the Middletown Free Library begin?
We wanted to partner with local organizations to host events for the adults we serve. Through open dialogue with Middletown Free Library, we discovered shared goals and created a collaborative relationship that benefits both our individuals and the broader community.
How does CAAPP collaborate with the library throughout the year?
We partner with the library by offering a weekly art class that welcomes both CAAPP participants and local residents. The library also provides a safe and welcoming space for our individuals to visit, engage in volunteer opportunities and build connections with their supportive staff.
What skills do adults served by CAAPP acquire by participating in the library’s art classes?
These art classes are fantastic – and are helping our adults truly flourish. By participating, our individuals learn how to:
• Express themselves creatively through art
• Form friendships
• Develop fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, painting or assembling
• Follow instructions and complete tasks
• Share supplies
• Problem-solve when things don’t go as planned
• Build communication and social skills by requesting items, asking for assistance or engaging with fellow class participants or members of the community
What skills do CAAPP adults develop by volunteering at the library?
We are incredibly grateful the library also provides volunteer opportunities for our adults. Through these opportunities, those we serve learn how to:
• Adhere to a schedule, follow instructions, manage time and complete tasks
• Take accountability for their work
• Develop social skills to prepare for future employment opportunities by asking for help, requesting a new task or engaging with supervisors or patrons
• Collaborate effectively as a team
• Experience personal satisfaction by following through on tasks or helping others.
How does this partnership with the library support the personal growth of the adults who receive services through CAAPP?
This partnership helps our individuals become more engaged in their communities, strengthen existing friendships with other CAAPP participants or form new ones, participate in activities they enjoy, and feel welcomed in a safe, supportive environment
What would you like our patrons to know about the adults served by CAAPP?
The adults we serve are amazing individuals with unique interests, strengths and abilities. By engaging in shared activities, they see firsthand how everyone communicates, learns and contributes in different ways, and that fostering belonging and acceptance enriches the entire community.
How does this partnership benefit the broader community?
We are creating shared spaces where individuals of all abilities can connect, and we are offering enriching programs that bring people together. Our partnership with the library promotes understanding, builds relationships and strengthens the sense of community for everyone involved. Together, we are building something truly impactful. We look forward to this continued collaboration and all the possibilities that lie ahead.
THRIVING IN THE COMMUNITY
WITH SUPPORT FROM CAAPP
We also interviewed Alexis, who is enrolled in CAAPP. In this Q&A, she shares how CAAPP is helping her learn new skills and lead a fulfilling life.
How does the Devereux PA Adult Services’ CAAPP program support you?
The CAAPP program supports me by teaching me skills and allowing me to participate in events in the community. I have made friends through CAAPP.
What skills have you learned through CAAPP?
I have learned skills such as cooking, cleaning and shopping. I have also learned how to get places in the community and socialize.
Why do you like participating in art classes at the Middletown Free Library?
I like participating in art classes because they are fun and relaxing for me. I enjoy interacting with friends during the classes.
What have you learned from participating in the art classes?
I have learned how to be creative and keep my workspace clean. I have learned how to socialize and advocate for myself.
What are some of your other hobbies?
I like to read books, take walks, listen to music and hang out with friends.
What are your goals for the future?
My goal is to keep learning new things and having different experiences.
Every year, the library looks to meet the needs of the community by adding new offerings to the collection. For many years in the history of the library, that meant only print materials. Over time, other items were added; CDs and DVDs the most prominent of the new items. As more patrons read digitally or listen to books, as CDs have all but gone away, and as DVDs are used less and less; the library has moved into different areas. While you can read about the expansion board game collection elsewhere in our magazine, there are several other areas where the library has expanded into as well. All of the items we add to the collection are in the hopes of serving the community better.
Electronics
Camping Equipment
Although we try to make these items as consistent as possible with our traditional circulating items, there are some rules that are different. Books and those other traditional items can be returned to any library in the county system and they will get back to us. The items in our Library of Things need to be returned to us. Some won’t fit in the bins that go from library to library and others are likely to get damaged in transit.
Musical Instruments
Teen Volunteer Program
AT MIDDLETOWN FREE LIBRARY
Libby McCampbell, Youth Services Assistant
When Mr. Jason directed me to develop the Teen Volunteer Program, he wanted to encourage teens to take ownership, initiative, and use their strengths to be invested in their community. To address these goals, and to meet the growing demand of teens wanting to complete their school service hour requirements, we started several programs.
In the Teen Clean Up Program, students aged 13-17 can sign up and help us with cleaning and sorting tasks in the library. I always tell the students that, “This can be tedious, but it really is vital to our community.” I’m continually impressed by how most teens respond with optimistic energy. “It’s ok, I like helping,” is a very frequent reply, and it warms my heart every time.
The Teen Volunteer Time at Children’s Chess and Logic Puzzle Club is a chance for teens who are great at Chess, logic, and working with kids, to get service hours by playing critical-thinking games with elementary kids. This club meets on select days when the Rose Tree Media District is not in session. The goal is threefold: to give analytical teens a chance to share their love of problemsolving games; to give kids a chance to play challenging games with a “babysitter-aged” new friend, and to give parents a chance to enjoy playing with their child in a supportive, yet intellectually-challenging environment. We’ve had so many caregivers comment that they wished they had an activity like this when they were young.
The Pre-Literacy Scavenger Hunt is another program that has utilized the strengths of teens in our community. However, to change this hunt weekly was a fairly laborintensive process, and as volunteer attendance improved, we recognized another opportunity. After teens completed about 20 hours of volunteering, some asked if they could be involved in creating and hanging the scavenger hunts.
This was an excellent chance to make scavenger hunts that reflected their values, cultures, and interests. Since its inception, students have created scavenger hunts that incorporated cultural holidays, flags, favorite musicians, growth mindsets, pi-day, and more.
We have also created a safe space for teens who are highly motivated to create, plan, design, and implement their own programs. Over the course of three years, a group of students in the National Science Honor Society created STEM Sparks, which is a science arts-and-crafts program. This group planned out their program, fundraised to afford the materials, and then implemented all the aspects of the program, with some adult supervision. A different student started an SAT study club, another created beautiful paper mosaic murals, and a duo made over 50 handmade coasters from donated clothes after seeing how difficult it was to remove coffee stains from our tables. All these teens had something in common, they saw a need in our community, and none of them waited around for someone to tell them what to do. They took action, overcame setbacks, and returned weekly for years in pursuit of their goal.
I am so grateful to get to work with all the wonderful teen volunteers. What started with a few teens volunteering a few hours a year, has grown to over 1250 total hours last year. I truly believe that these teens are going to change the world…starting one library at a time!
Christine KAGARISE “
There are so many things I love about this library! In addition to having a varied collection of new and classic books, it is a gathering place for the community with free activities and lectures for all ages and interests. From book clubs and story time to yoga and craft classes, there is something for everyone. Coming to the library -whether to volunteer or attend a program- is always a highlight of my week.
1
How many books can you check out of the library?
This is my favorite question to answer, because no one expects the correct answer and most assume I am joking. Each patron can check 100 items out of the library. While some items have individual limits, such as only 1 museum pass at a time, the total number of items is 100. This is not true of every library in the Delaware County system. Each library can set a limit, although it cannot be higher than 100.
2 Are you worried your federal funding will be cut?
This question came up a lot at the beginning of 2025. Although there may be some indirect effects on Middletown Free Library, or possibly some effects down the road, for the most part federal cuts to library funding do not impact Middletown Free Library. We get no direct money from the federal government. In order of largest to smallest contributors, the library gets money from: Middletown Township, Private Donors, the state of Pennsylvania, Delaware County, Grants, Edgemont Township, and new this year Brookhaven Borough.
3
Will you pay me to run a program?
The library has a programming budget and we use it as efficiently as possible to run as many useful programs as possible. What that means in practice is that we tend to run programs that staff can run. Whether it’s me running a board game club, Stephanie teaching sewing, or Libby teaching dance; running programs in that way allows us to be engaged in the programs and efficient with our budget. Other times, it means volunteers running programs; such as tech help for seniors, coding class for teens, or infant massage class. Often, we are approached by performers or teachers that want to run a class and they ask for $200+ per hour. That is not within the library’s budget if we want to continue to run a large variety of varied programs.
4 Do you have a fax machine?
We have not had a fax machine in more than seven years, since before I began as the assistant children’s librarian. When I took over as director, we were still paying a monthly fee to have a fax line, but I chose to get rid of the line instead of finding a way to get the line and a fax machine operational in the new building. While we get asked this question once or twice a month, we don’t get enough requests to warrant the cost. The library staff never have a need to use a fax machine as part of our daily work.
5
Why are you closed on Mother’s/Father’s Day?
Because we are not a municipal library, but rather a separate independent non-profit library, we get to pick our own holidays. This is the case for the majority of libraries in Delaware County. My predecessor, Mary, had a theory that I have continued. She wanted to make the library available when children were most likely to use it. That includes holidays when the schools are closed. For that reason, we are open on Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Juneteenth, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and several other holidays. However, the library still needs 12 holidays for the year, so other days were picked that would still benefit the staff and were days that were traditionally slower at the library. That means we are generally closed on Mother’s and Father’s Day, on New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve, and on Black Friday.
6
Are you getting rid of all those books?
Every month the library gets hundreds of new items for the collection. Although we have lots of space in our newer building, it is not infinite. When books don’t get checked out for two years, we ‘weed’ or ‘deselect’ the books. This means that they get removed from the collection. Sometimes, we offer these books for sale to benefit the library. Sometimes we are able to donate the books, usually if they are kids books. Other times, we have no other options but to recycle the books. They also get recycled if they are in poor condition. I have had people get angry with me for throwing out books, but there is nothing else to do. Taking up all of our storage space with books that will never get used or cluttering the shelves with books that won’t get checked out are not good options.
7 There’s no one in the teen space, why
can’t I use it?
We have a teen space in the library which includes collections of Manga, Graphic Novels, Young Adult fiction and non-fiction, role-playing game books, a white board, smart TV, game system, tables, chairs, and the summer reading collection. While we want to make the best use of our space, and allow the space to be used by anyone during school hours, we restrict the area to teen use only when school is not in session. I often get asked why it can’t be used by others if teens aren’t in the space. Based on evidence from other libraries and past experience, both working at the library and having been a teenager; teens will not use the space if they arrive and find adults in it. Since we are trying to make the library an attractive place for teens to use, we try to clear the space dedicated to them for their use.
8 Can I rent one of the library’s rooms?
The library does not have any rooms for rent. We do have four rooms that can be reserved for use by individuals as long as they follow our room use policies. Rooms can be reserved for up to four hours per day by using our room reservation application found on our website. There is often some confusion with this because we are attached to the community center which does have classrooms and an auditorium that can be rented.
9 Can I volunteer at the library?
One of the reasons the library is so successful is because of our volunteers. We appreciate them all and are thankful that so many are willing to donate their time. So yes, you can volunteer at the library; but there are some criteria. Adult volunteers need to have three state clearances completed and given to me before they can come in to volunteer. While we need books covered, we don’t have an endless supply of them that need covering. So, we may not need the tasks you are looking to do, if you come in with a specific task in mind. Consistency is key. If you can come in to help, but don’t know what day or what time until the week of, it makes it difficult for us to have tasks ready. For teens, we have three days a week with set times where they can register to come in to help us. While I coordinate the adult volunteers, Miss Libby coordinates the teens. She has an organized list and schedule of tasks to be completed each day.
10 Do you take donations?
The community is very generous and we get lots of donations offered to us. As much as possible, we accept these donations and put them to good use. Books, board games, and crafting supplies are the items we can most often use. Whether we put them into the collection, give them out as prizes, use them for programming, or sell them to support the library; those items are typically helpful. Over the years, we have gotten many other items offered. More often than not, we can’t use those items, but we try. A rowing machine, a puppet theater, a collection of teaching tools for the blind are among some of the most unique things that have been donated. There are also items that we often get offered, that we can’t use and that we turn away; such as CDs, magazines, old toys and textbooks.
Canasta LADIES
“
The Middletown Free Library and the staff are very special. The Library has made it possible for me to meet my friends on a weekly basis. -Gail
”
Pictured: Janice Nepo, Sherry Hal, Beverly Cella, Gail Dolbow
Not Pictured: Lida Shetzline,Ellen McHugh, Janet Massey
WHY THE LIBRARY HAS A
Space
Makerspaces first emerged in the late 90s and early 2000s, inspired by European “hackerspaces” and the growing DIY (Do It Yourself) movement. Libraries worldwide recognized the opportunity to adapt, creating makerspaces within their walls—either as permanent fixtures or mobile setups.
Jason Fialkovich
At Middletown Free Library, our Maker Space is a place for creativity, experimentation, and hands-on learning. It’s a space where you can try, fail, and try again. We offer access to equipment and materials that might not be available to everyone due to financial or space limitations. Libraries have evolved beyond just sharing books—they provide valuable resources for their communities.
A common misconception about makerspaces is that they’re only about high-tech equipment like 3D printers, CNC routers, and laser cutters. In reality, a makerspace can be a place for activities like scrapbooking, sewing, woodworking, cardmaking—anything that involves making things. While we don’t have a dedicated program space (yet), 90% of our adult crafting programs take place in the 16-person Maker Space. We also host volunteer-led coding classes, where kids use Chromebooks to learn computer programming.
In my Bloxels Video Game Design classes, participants create single-player video games, designing characters, levels, and art on library iPads and Chromebooks. They then test each other’s games and give feedback. In our 3D Printing classes, kids (10+) and adults design 3D models using the free Tinkercad website on our Chromebooks. As long as the designs are original, realistic, and under 200mm³, I print them for free—ready for pickup in a few days. We also offer paid 3D printing for others to submit designs online at $0.20 per gram.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that our society’s focus on perfection has discouraged people—especially kids— from trying new things in a safe, supportive space. Many hesitate to challenge themselves or take risks, even as adults. This “fear of failure” can hold us back from acquiring new skills, which is critical in a world that’s constantly evolving. The job market is changing, and those willing to learn and adapt will have the best opportunities. People need to learn how to learn—and part of that process is accepting failure as part of growth.
That’s where the Maker Space at the library comes in! If you’re hesitant about committing to a new hobby or skill, come give it a try here without the financial commitment. You’ll be part of a community, bonding over both successes and failures. The world needs creators—people who are willing to make, share, and contribute.
We’re always looking to expand our classes and offer programs beyond our current expertise. If you’d like to share your skills with the community, we’d love to have you teach in the Maker Space! Contact me or Laura, depending on whether your audience is kids, teens, or adults.
By Olivia Whitney
For more than a century, Wayside Market has stood at the southern end of Middletown, evolving alongside the community it serves. Established in 1922 as a three-sided fruit stand, Wayside gradually became a full market by the mid1960s. Over time, ownership changed hands, and by the late 1990s the business had lost much of its following.
That began to change in 2003, when Donna and Louis Marcozzi purchased the market and started restoring it as a neighborhood staple.
“At that time, the Roosevelt School and the DMV across the street brought steady foot traffic,” Donna Marcozzi explains. “They gave the business a daily rhythm.”
That rhythm was disrupted in 2007, when the housing market crash affected small businesses nationwide. The closure of the Roosevelt School—followed by the DMV— removed two major anchors from the area, leaving a noticeable void. For years, the large stone building across the street sat empty.
The opening of the new Middletown Free Library and Community Center marked a turning point.
With the arrival of the library and community center, daily activity returned to the area. Families, seniors, students, and staff now move regularly between the library, the community center, Mark’s Park, and Wayside Market.
According to Marcozzi, proximity plays a vital role in this renewed energy.
“Small businesses and community institutions thrive when they support one another,” she says. “The relationship is mutually beneficial, as Wayside loves the excitement, life, and love of community that we share with the truly terrific and dedicated library staff and clients.”
Foot traffic increased, visibility improved, and the surrounding area once again became a place where people gather rather than pass through.
A New Neighbor, A Shared Revival
Collaboration Through Food
The relationship between Wayside Market and the library extends beyond convenience into active collaboration. Over the years, Wayside has provided food for a wide range of library and community events, helping transform programs into shared experiences.
The partnership began even before the library’s move to Middletown. While the library was still located in Lima, Lisa Dombroski reached out to Donna Marcozzi about hosting holiday cupcake-decorating classes.
“They were popular and fun,” Marcozzi recalls. “We catered a few other events there as well.”
As the library transitioned to its new location, Wayside supported staff and construction workers during the move. One especially meaningful collaboration was catering the ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration for library board members and donors.
“It was very exciting to be part of that night,” Marcozzi says.
Since then, Wayside has continued to work closely with the library’s creative team, catering increasingly popular events such as the annual Fall Beef and Beer fundraiser— recently styled as an Oktoberfest—as well as the Spring Tea Party fundraiser.
“We have particularly enjoyed working with Derek and Laura,” Marcozzi notes, “whose creativity and love of the library and local community is infectious.”
Everyday Exchanges, Lasting Impact
While large-scale events require careful planning, staffing, and coordination, Marcozzi emphasizes that everyday interactions are just as important to the partnership.
“It’s just as important and pleasurable for us to feed the library staff throughout the week,” she says, noting that employees often stop in during long shifts.
That sense of shared care often extends beyond formal events. When local organizations such as the Rotary Club order catered lunches from Wayside for nearby meetings, any remaining food is often left for library staff and patrons to enjoy in the community space. These small, informal gestures
reflect the ease and generosity that come from close proximity, reinforcing how food and shared spaces naturally bring people together.
A Living Community Hub
From the booths at Wayside Market, customers can look out the large bay windows and see children playing at Mark’s Park, families walking to and from the library, and neighbors crossing the street with books in hand. The view reflects a connected ecosystem—one where institutions and businesses complement rather than compete with one another.
The presence of the library has helped restore consistent activity to the area, while Wayside provides a welcoming place for conversation, meals, and informal connection beyond library walls.
Together, they demonstrate how long-standing local businesses and modern community spaces can strengthen one another through collaboration, proximity, and shared purpose.
As Middletown continues to grow and change, the relationship between Wayside Market and the Middletown Free Library serves as a reminder that community thrives when its spaces—and the people who steward them—work together.
Donors
$5,000 +
Justin & Kaori Nepo
Diane & Philip Zinn
$2,500+
Khaw Family Foundation
(Dan Washburn & Bliss Khaw)
Elizabeth Podrebarac
Bob & Shirley Fyfe
$1,000+
Marian Baldini Filtz
William Zimmer
Lawrence Hartley
Paul Lopreiato
Dianne Caggiano
Donald & Pamela Melnick
Suzanne & Brian Clauser
Jane Coleman
Parag Dalal
Anna Devlin
Benjamin & Margery Preddy
Anne Reece
Nathan Rothkopf
Mariann Rybarczyk
Richard Scheff
M Craig Tabun
Pete & Karen Toto
$500+
Elaine Battle
Mark Borda
Annette Bushman
Robert Buxton
Eileen Everly
Karen & Mike Feeley
Diane Ferrante
Denise Hader
Martha Harriz
Patrice Hegarty
Charles Hill
Jan Kagarise
Christine Kagarise
Elfrida Keiter
Perry Kotsiopoulos
Eleanor Miller
Heidi Powell
Ernest & Angela Repice
Dan Santobianco
Judith Schlett
Middletown Township
Sewer Authority
Kenneth Soltis
William & Jean Stollsteimer
MaryAnne Troy
Helene Weathers
Steve Whitmore
$250+
David & Doris Archibald
Eric Bender
Linda Bristow
Katherine Buchanan
Sally Burkam
Susan Caligiuri
Joseph Cambareri
Katie Clifford
Hennie Cline
Jennifer Collins
Philomena D’Orazio
Astrid Devaney
Abby Feinstein
Amber Flynn
Susan Graham
Sharon & Al Guarente
Richard Heller
Joan Hendrickson
Augusta & John Hixson
Maryann Hooker
Dave & Barbara Irving
James & Helen Kain
John Kelley
Lucy Klodarska
Stephen Korzeniowski
Christopher Lamoureux
Janice Lion
Jeanne Maloney
Mary McAvoy
Barbara McNamara
Anne Murphy
Janice & Robert Nepo
Barbara Norton
Susan Powell
Jody Ryan
Mary Rzucidlo
Susan Satur
Judith Sharbaugh
Agnes Silverman
Timothy Snyder
John Soety
Margie Stern
Gwen Thompson
Lawrence Willinger
Lisa Wolgast
Patricia Woznicki
Joanna Yantosh
$100+
Judith Allen
Benjamin Alouf
Joseph Arsenault
Ellynn Arsenault
Maureen Bacheler
Nani Batta
Veronica Batter
Edna Bogert
Margret Boris
Theresa Brady-Anstotz
Alexandra Brock
Judith Buchanan
James Bushey
Leslie Campo
Robert Carney
Kevin Carson
Julia Catini
John & Ellen Chacosky
Charlene Chapman
Ting Chou
Robert Clancy
Krista Cocco
Clifford & Donna Cohen
Diane Colby
Alfred Conan
Paula Cook
Edward Cooney
Michael Cosentino
Tammy Cramer
Margaret Demarteleire
Lawrence & Patricia DeMooy
Claire Dente
Kenneth Dinitz
Lauren Domzalski
Ashley Drinkwine
Carol Duffy
Raymond & Rosemary Duffy
Lynne Easton
John Ebenreiter
Theresa Ebersole
Alicia Eggers
Shannon Eimer
Lori & Fernando Enriquez
Evan Epstein
Jonathon Evans
Mary Anne Eves
Brayden Fagan
Jessica Fails
Eileen Farrell
Betty Jean Fialkovich
Jessica Figliolini
Brian & April Flinchbaugh
Linda Flocco
Marcia Ford
Lisa Fuller
Edward & Margaret Furmaniak
Mary Rose Gentile
Gary Geoghegan
Patricia Gildea
Donna Glace
Gloria Goodrich
William & Elizabeth Gorman
John Greenstine
Zach Griffey
Leslie Grissom
Peggy Guthrie
Christine Hagendorf
Cindy Hamilton
Geraldine Hansen
Judith Harper
Grace Hedmeck
Dean & Carol Helm
Stephanie & Gary Herman
Marcia Hiehle
Leslie & Richard Higham
Karen Jackson
Charles & Connie Joanedis
Judith Johnson
Joan Johnston
Carol Jones
Robin Juliano
George Kaiserr
Deborah Keinath
Scott & Jacqlyn
Kennedy Sisson
Walter Koenig
Helenmarie Kolicius
Susan Kolva
Heywood & Maria Kotch
June Kowalski
Margaret Long Kuo
Stanley Kwaszkiewicz
Claire L. Dente
Guillaume Laurent
William Lear
Bill Linke
Lauren Lomas
Terry Lytle
Youlim Ma
Hugh & Marguerite MacDonald
Adrienne Maggio
Christopher Maher
Alycia Mallon-Buhle
Patricia Maloney
Robert & Charlene Mangano
Korah Mani
Daniel Marmer
Robin Marshall
Joan & Edward Martin
Cynthia Martin-Furia
Janet Massey
Catherine Maugeri
Susan Mayer
Amanda McCartney
Alina McDonnell
John & Judy McDonnell
Mary Mckillip
Maureen McLarnon
Michelle McLaughlin
Joseph Mercadante
Susan Mescanti
Robert & Alice Messinger
Karen Miles
Andrew Miller
Janice Miller-Lion
Karen Mills
Home Mone
Patricia Mongan
Tracy Moran
William Moran
Patricia Morgan
Barbara Morris
Michele Morris
James & Geri Morrison
Michelle Morrow
Joel Neigh
Fran Nilan
Mary Grace O’Connor
Bonnie Oestreich
Justin Ohm
John & Gail Olshefski
Barbara Palmore
Suraj Patel
John & Debra Paulson
Keith Petyo
Helen Pitts
Patricia Pluta
Frances Poole
Sandra Powell
Cathy Pregmon
Terry Rauenzahn
Sharon Reed
Sarah Rehberg
Michael & Elizabeth Ripple
Candy Roeder
Kim Rosati
Constance & Thomas Rosenberger
Louise Rowland
Maryanne Rush
Barbara Ryan
Dan Rybarczyk
Ricardo & Theresa Salcedo
Maria Salvatore
Jay Sanders
Deborah Schaible
Lynne Schulman
Kelli Schweitzer
Ann Sevec
Tina Shaffer
Susan Sharp
Barbara Shellington
Evan Silo
Katharine Silvasi
Jeanne Skinner
Emily Skyrm
Kristina Smith
Ernie & Mary Snodgrass
Dimitri & Melinda Sokolik
Sarah Stein
Rebecca Stevenson
Christopher Stump
Timothy F. & Marcia E.
Sullivan
Lindsay Sutton
Dorothy Talley
Joanne Tenaglio
Olga Thornton
Mary jane Tobin
Allen & Margaret Turberville
Joseph & Rita Tyson
Patricia Vogler
Bobbi Wagner
Rebecca Warda
Marie Wardynski
Robin Watson
Iles Wauhop
Susan Welfley
Lawrence Wellinger
Michael Wernert
Jacquelyn White-reimer
Paul & Cheryl Wilkinson
Carolyn Wilson
Amy Winnemore
Madeline Winters
Kyle Winters
Peter Wolf
Stephen Wood
Michael Yeager
$50+
Janice & Thomas Alessi
Margaret Amoroso
Nancy Anne Martin
Marcia Baehr
Patricia Barnes
Margaret Berken
Beth Mansfield-Griswold
Barbara Bevilacqua
Susan Bianco
Joseph & Patricia Blasi
Patricia Boccella
Jean Boell
Judith Boudwin
Becca Brendler
Jeanne & Martin Brna
Anne Brown
Susanne Bryan
Domnick & Deborah Bucci
Tamara Budnovitich
William & Leslie Bullitt
Sherry Burns
Polly Bush
Deborah Cai
Michael & Tammy Calvanese
Maureen Cameron
Carol Campanelli
Ines Casado Strine
Bruce Clark
Shirley Clayton
Sandra Clitter
Allison Collings
Joe Consiglio
Eileen Corl
Thomas Crane
Jeanne Cunningham
William & Denise Davidson
Jeremy Dawson
Elizabeth Deegan
Kathleen A. DeJohn
Robert & Margaret Delprato
Warren & Mary Densmore
Carol Devine
Ken Dinitz
Nichole Dobo
Gerald & Patricia Doemling
Michael & Kathleen Dolan
Florence Dougherty
Marisa Drake
Elaine Dunn
Matthew & Mary Egan
Horace & Faith Elcock
Rose Engber
Charles & Carol Farnan
Kim Finlay
Cara Fireman
Bill & Jen Flounders
Kate Fox
Don & Leslie Fredericks
Jane Freemas
William & Rosemary Fulgham
Patricia Gardner
Christopher Garriga
Michael Girardi
Kenneth Green
Carol Happersett
Michael Hast
Patrick Hencinski
Kristin Hensley
Amanda Higgins
Karen Holcombe
Susan Howe
Kathy Hrischuk
Joanna Hughes
John Hughes
Daniela & Hiroshi Iizuka
Maureen Irving
William Jermacans
Deborah Lee Kacala
Danielle Kandrak
A Robert Kannapel
Virginia & Stephen Kapski
Kate Kauranen
Raymond & Geraldine Kelleher
Renee Kelly
Michael Kelty
Mark Killion
William & Antoinette Kinney
Kristina Kirkpatrick
Yvonne Kuc
Christiana Kuntz
Bonnie Kushnerick
Doris Landers
Sandra Liacouras
Charles & Karen Lillie
Annmarie Lord
Abbe Lunger
Elizabeth Mansfield Griswold
Kimberly Mariahi
Terri Martin
Mary Ann McLaughlin
James Mccarry
Alicia & Mathew McCarthy
Carol McGee
Charlotte Miller
Sara Mills
Carrie Miluski
Patricia Missiras
Leigh Mitchell
Richard Moberly
Arthur & Kathleen Moffa
Christi Moffatt
Amy Morrison
Mary Mulholland
Mandy Muller
James Nolan
Dan & Tricia OLoughlin
Shawna Ong
Cynthia Painter
Jacob Pandian
Nancy Pedrick
Laura Peppel
Gail Perzchowski
Jane Phillips
Joanne Phillips
Janet E. Powell
Beatrice Price
Leonard Rappold
Walter & Karla Read
Katherine Riggs
Sarah Robbins
Donna Roberts
Mark Rosenberg
Andrew Rosenthal
Genevieve Rothkopf
Jane Rutledge
Anthony & Gay Sabatelli
Elizabeth Sabo
Jay Sadowski
Carolyn Samples
Budi Saputra
Janice Sawicki
Lynn Schlecht
Virginia Schroeder
Sarah Selph
Ellen Semple
Lori Sheehan
Fran Shore
M. Shultz
Tyler Spindel
Mary Stanley
Renae Starker
Mary Starrs
Paula Talamo
Michael Tegan
Craig & Donna Thompson
Catherine & Howard Tustin
Tony Vaughn
Mark & Joyce Volpe
Peter Voudouris
Ingeborg Watson
Michele West
Mary Williams
Barbara & Earle Williams
Carolyn Wilson
Regan Yeldell
Mina Yi-Merizalde
Daniel & Sung-Yin Zakorchemny
Jara Zwolak
<$50
Annette Abel
Ward & Brenda Abrams
Karen Alyanakian
Diane Amadio
Henny Anderson
Kari Andreasen
Chris & Allison Anthony
Alexandria Belair
Carol Bigas
Suzanne Bolger
Dale Bolger
Daril Browning
Maria Busto
Carol Butler
Linda Carpenter
Emily Catanese
Beverly Cella
Karen Chorney
Sue Clark
Barbara Clarke
Kathleen Coleman
James & Carol Colombo
Ty Coughlin
Marcia Dechan
Rita Defelippes
Michael & Mary Jo Di Mario
Lawrence Divito
Sandra Donnelly
Anne Donovan
Mark Dresden
Dan & Kathleen Falkenstein
Morris & Carolyn Fansler
James Fawcett
Mary Ann Fiebert
David Fiebert
Joanne & John Fitzgerald
Leslie Friedman
Sarah Gantz
Jeanne Gelbach
Lisa Gelman
Janet Gemsheim
Eileen Gilligan
John & Dorothy Glanfield
Mary Graham
Diana Grant
Rose Grelis
Todd & Susan Hagenbuch
Glenn Heinbaugh
Deborah Hemphill
Elizabeth Higgins
Megan Holcombe
Carol Hopkins
John Hudak
Caitlyn Huebner
Cora & Thomas Hunter
Beth Huxta
Patricia Huxta
Susan Kelchner
Robert Keller
Rosemary Kesling
Thoydung Khong
David & Darla Koenig
Carolyn Kunkel
Janice Mancuso
Thomas & Anne Mandell
Frank Margeson
Sandra Masse
Susan Masters
Melanie McCloskey
Kevin McGlinchey
Ellen McHugh
Suzanne McIntyre
Lynn Mcmonagle
Bruce McWaters
MaryKate Mela-Wells
Karen Micka
Cindy Miller
Nancy Murrin
Annette Olesen
Lisa Oster
Alexandra Ott
Theodore & Elizabeth Ottey III
Cathy Parent
Joseph Patterson
Chris Peifer
Cheryl & Bill Pfeiffer
Jonathon Pitts
William & Marianne Poole
Jennifer Reetz
Karen Reeves
David Rittenhouse
Alfred Schwacke
Brooke Shapiro
Kathleen Sheridan
Linda Sivilich
Joan Skurski
April Smith
Catherine Smith
Carol Swayngim
Lisa Sydney
Martha Tavankis
Marilyn Verbits
Emogene Vough
Elenor Walling
Catherine Watson
Karen Wells
John & Sandra Whitnell
Donald & Susan Wilkins
David & Priscilla Williams
Beverly Williams
Donna Willis
Ronald & Sharon Woolfrey
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Wroblewski
Charlene Yeager
Lillian Young
Catherine Yungmann
New Sustaining Members in 2026
Rosemary & Raymond Duffy
Margaret Ewing
Elisa Moxley
Olga Thornton
Connie Rosenberger
SUSTAINING MEMBERS
Our year-end fundraiser offered a new opportunity – Sustaining Membership. By recurring monthly or substantial annual donations, patrons can provide continuing support for the Library while receiving special benefits, like reserving spaces in our most popular programs early and participating in Sustaining Member only events throughout the year. If you would like to join the inaugural Sustaining Members (shown below in bold italic type), please visit our website link to Sustaining Members under the Support Your Library menu. Our special thanks to our inaugural Sustaining Members!
HOPPMANN “
I have always been most appreciative of the Middletown Free Library five star staff of knowledgeable librarians. They are helpful, always, serving the needs of all in the community. Thank you again for all your great work!
”
Beer Fest Sponsors
Agora Square Financial
Be Love Banners
Betsy Podrebarac
Devereux Behavioral Services
Flick of the Wrist
Fulton Bank
Hiking Hounds
Hollywood Landscaping
Inspire Home and Health
Iron Workers Bank
Live, Love, Media
Mariner Wealth
Media City Lifestyle Magazine
Merill By Truwood
Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home
Pappone’s
Pat Gildea Real Estate
Kelso Plumbing & Heating
Sza Skin
Taff Treats
The Mark Dombroski Foundation
Weathers Motors
Wolff’s Apple House
Beer Fest Partners
Revolution Bees
Pennsylvania Distillery 2SP
Sterling Pig
Conshohocken Brewing Company
Community Partners
Linvilla Orchards
Wayside Market
Devereux Behavioral Services
Inspire Home and Health
Lima Christian Nursery School
Bus Stop
Dombroski Foundation
Say CHZ Photos
E Cooke Winery
Chic Fil A
Top Contributing Sponsors
Trimm Glass
Rotary Club of Glen Riddle
Mariner Wealth Advisors
Tea Party Sponsors
Greenhalgh Tea
Law Office of Noel and Bonebrake
