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Health & Fitness

Eatontown Library Mural Dedicated To Former Director Amy Garibay

A murar dedicated to former Eatontown Library Director Amy Gairbay, was dedicated on Sunday at the Eatontown Library.

Friends of the Eatontown Public Library gathered on Sunday to dedicate a newly painted mural in honor of the late Amy Garibay who was the Library Director for 23 years prior to her death in 2011.

The mural is painted on parts of the interior wall in the childrens section of the library and is immediately noticed upon entering. According to the program, the historic mural was commissioned as a way of honoring Mrs. Garibay and to thank her and her family for her many years of service to the Borough of Eatontown.   The program noted, “Amy’s passion for family, children, children’s literature, history, community and The Beatles inspired the mural." 

Current Library Manager Patti Forsman said, "the mural was something that was just an idea at first, a way to honor and remember Amy, and a way to separate and liven the children's section of the library."

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"And to be honest, it came out so much more beautiful and meaningful than I could have ever imagined," Forsman continued. "Pat did such a great job."

Eatontown resident Pat Ellson is the artist who painted the mural. The mural itself is divided into three sections in which Ellson depicted historical scenes that would have impacted a child's life in Eatontown 100 years ago.

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The first section includes the First Presbyterian Church and a home nextdoor to it which is now the Eatontown Historical Museum. The second section shows Steelman School and the last section shows children at play near the old Grist Mill on Wampum Lake.  

The mural has some small interesting details relating to that time of yesteryear in Eatontown. 

Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo spoke of how Garibay would help him pick out just the right books for the days when the mayor reads to youngsters in the borough's schools.

Others in attendance included Monmouth County Freeholder Serena DiMaso, Eatontown Councilmen Kevin Gonzalez, Anthony Talerico Jr. and Meir Araman.

Councilman Gonzalez, who is the Borough Council Liaison to the Library Board of Trustees, said, “Amy Garibay dedicated her life to the Eatontown Library and the children."

"This mural is the least that we can do to honor her dedication to our community." Councilman Gonzalez said.

"Also present were representatives of the Eatontown Public Library Board of Trustees including President Douglas Horan, Monmouth County Library Children’s Librarian Barbara Chung and Grace Abramov from the Monmouth County Library Commission. 

The Eatontown Public Library located at 33 Broad Street is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  It is also open on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7-9.  Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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