CHATHAM — The Kiwanis Club of the Chathams and Madison opened its free Community Talks series on Wednesday, September 30, with “The History of the Revolutionary War in Chatham and Madison,” presented by Madison town historian Scott Spelker at the Library of the Chathams.
The 6:30 p.m. program at the library, 214 Main Street, explored the role the two communities played during the American Revolution, including local encampments, military movements, notable residents and the strategic importance of the area at a time when Madison was known as Bottle Hill. The evening included audience questions, discussion and refreshments.
The village of Bottle Hill was established in what is now Madison in 1715. The name lives on today through Bottle Hill Day, Madison’s signature annual street festival, founded in 1974 by Mayor Elizabeth Baumgartner to promote the borough’s business district. The talk comes just days before this year’s festival, which returns Saturday, October 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for its fifty-first year with the theme “Celebrating America’s 250th.” The rain-or-shine event draws between ten thousand and twenty thousand visitors to downtown Madison and features more than two hundred twenty-five vendors, four stages of live music, three amusement areas and the annual Madison Car Show. Click here for full Bottle Hill Day details.
Spelker, who also serves as a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, launched the three-part series, which brings free presentations on local history, health and public policy to the community this fall and winter. All three programs are held at the library beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The series continues Wednesday, October 28, with “How to Prevent Back Pain in Your Daily Work, Leisure and Life,” presented by Dr. Joseph Murphy of Suburban Chiropractic Center in Chatham. Murphy will offer practical tips to help prevent back injury and pain during sports, leisure activities, daily work and household chores. Registration is requested by Monday, October 26.
The final talk, “Affordable Housing in New Jersey,” will be held Wednesday, December 9, presented by Justin Strickland, an Army combat veteran, former Pentagon federal official and Chatham Borough Councilman. The presentation will address questions about affordable housing in New Jersey.
All programs are free and open to the public, and residents may attend one, two or all three. Late registrations will be accepted as space permits. To register, click here, or email [email protected] with questions.
