Atlantic City Book Talk Series
Published 4/29/26
The library will kick off a monthly Atlantic City Book Talk Series in May. The programs will be held at the William K. Cheatham Building (Main Library). The programs are free.
JOSH CUTLER
The Seventy Shuls: Synagogue Life & Yiddishkeit from the Pine Barrens to the Boardwalk
Wednedsay, May 27, at 2 p.m.
About the book: Hidden among South Jersey’s farmlands and deep within the Pine Barrens, faint echoes of a once-thriving Jewish world still whisper in the wind. Follow the old train tracks that cut through the fields and forests, past forgotten stations and beyond the Atlantic City Boardwalk, and you’ll find traces of that world waiting to be rediscovered. The Seventy Shuls: Synagogue Life & Yiddishkeit from the Pine Barrens to the Boardwalk is a journey through time, memory, and faith, an exploration of how Jewish life flourished in the Garden State and what remains today.
About the author: Josh Cutler is a Ph.D. student in Holocaust Studies at Gratz College and holds an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Stockton University and a B.S. from Virginia Tech. Josh has served as Program Director at the Marjorie & Lewis Katz Jewish Community Center, Camp Director of JCC Camp By the Sea, and Executive Director of the Board of Jewish Education of Atlantic & Cape May Counties.
JANET ROBINSON BODOFF AND LEESA TOSCANO
Speaking of Atlantic City: Recollections & Memories
Wednesday, June 24, at 2 p.m.
About the book: Memories of Atlantic City’s past remained etched in the hearts of millions of visitors and locals alike who sought out the bright lights and sandy beaches of the Jersey Shore. Floats festooned with blooming flowers paraded down the boardwalk carrying Miss America contestants during the annual pageant, drawing huge crowds for decades. Streetcars ran the length of Atlantic Avenue until 1955, and the call of the motorman announcing each stop can still be heard in the dreams of past vacationers and residents. The burgers and birch beer slung from the lunch counter of Hi-Hat Joe’s attracted thousands of teenagers from near and far in the 1950s and ’60s. Mobsters, politicians and entertainers such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin frequented the bustling midcentury 500 Club. Writers and editors Janet Bodoff and Leesa Toscano curate a collection of nostalgic stories and poems about Atlantic City’s past.
About the authors: Janet Robinson Bodoff is a retired newspaper reporter and graphic designer from Ventnor City. Her work has appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Bulletin, and Philadelphia Journal. Rolling Stone, Concert Magazine, and more. Her poetry has appeared in several poetry anthologies. Janet has directed many arts organizations and served on the board of directors for others. Janet is an author, artist, and arts teacher. In 2022, Bodoff co-authored "Speaking of Atlantic City: Recollections and Memories". (published by Arcadia Publishing/The History Press) with her friend Leesa Toscano. Today, Janet continues to be an essential part of the DownBeach creative scene, often taking part in local literary events and arts programs across Absecon Island.
Leesa Toscano is an author, actress, and comedian whose work blends sharp wit with heartfelt storytelling and a deep appreciation for the people and places that shape our community. A native of Atlantic City, Leesa has extensive experience working in casinos and hotels. She currently works for Atlantic County Government. She has been published in poetry anthologies, written a children's book called Eat Your Vegetables, and co-written Speaking of Atlantic City: Recollections & Memories. A natural performer, Toscano has appeared in local films and plays. She is a member of Players and Playwrights, South Jersey Players, and Jersey Devil Comedy’s Comedy Improv Troupe. Her stand-up comedy canbe seen in NJ and NYC.
CALVIN STOVALL, JR.
Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era
Wednesday, July 29, at 2 p.m.
About the book: Throughout America's history of slavery and segregation, Black travelers faced not just unwelcoming environments but the challenge of finding safe places to rest and recharge. In response to this basic human need, courageous Black entrepreneurs carved out spaces within the dominant culture, creating a network of Black-owned hotels, motels, and resorts that offered comfort and safety for Black travelers.Calvin Stovall, a seasoned hospitality professional with nearly thirty years of experience, brings this overlooked history to light. In Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotels, Motels, and Resorts from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era, Stovall shares the inspiring stories of these pioneers. He highlights the immense challenges they faced and the enduring impact of their establishments, showing how these spaces became vibrant hubs of Black culture, where people could gather, find joy, and be their true selves.
About the author: Calvin Stovall is the Chief Experience Officer of ICONIC Presentations, LLC. He specializes in delivering dynamic customer experience and leadership keynote presentations and workshops for organizations nationwide. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality and non-profit service industries. Today, he leverages his life experiences as a business leader and his passion for music to engage and connect with his audiences nationwide. Calvin is a native Chicagoan and began his hospitality career as a front desk clerk at the Holiday Inn City Centre. During his hospitality career as vice president of brand marketing with Hilton Worldwide, he was responsible for the marketing and public relations efforts for more than 150 Homewood Suites hotels. While under his leadership, the Homewood Suites brand was recognized four times by J.D. Power and Associates. Calvin formerly served as CEO of The Soulsville Foundation, a non-profit based in Memphis, TN. He also worked as a brand marketing strategist with ALSAC, the brand awareness and fundraising arm for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
In addition to running his own business venture, Calvin serves as Director of Executive Programs at The Advanced Leadership Institute, based in Pittsburgh, PA. TALI’s mission is to strengthen companies, institutions, and communities by cultivating leadership through world-class executive education programs tailored to support, develop, and retain Black leaders and their allies.For two consecutive years, Calvin was voted one of the 50 Most Inspirational People in Travel/Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute. Calvin is also the author of the recently released NAACP Image Award-nominated book, Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era.
PATRICIA CHAPPINE
New Jersey Women During World War II: On the Home Front and Abroad
Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 2 p.m.
About the book: During World War II, the need for the women to step into roles long closed off to them set off an unprecedented wave of participation. Women joined the defense industry. They volunteered for the Red Cross and the USO. They joined the military in women's branches of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines and flew as civilian pilots working with the Army Air Forces (AAF). This program will focus on the unique challenges New Jersey women faced as they navigated both the home front and abroad during WWII.
About the author: Patty Chappine is an adjunct professor at Stockton University where she has been teaching since 2014. Her classes include undergraduate courses in the Holocaust and Genocide studies minor, historical studies, general studies, and the American Studies graduate program. She is also working as the Rudnick Fellow for the Alliance Heritage Center at Stockton University. She earned a B.A. in Sociology and an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Stockton University and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in History and Culture from Drew University in Madison, NJ. Her recent book New Jersey Women during World War II: On the Home Front and Abroad was published by Lexington Books in 2024.
The library will kick off a monthly Atlantic City Book Talk Series in May. The programs will be held at the William K. Cheatham Building (Main Library). The programs are free.
JOSH CUTLERThe Seventy Shuls: Synagogue Life & Yiddishkeit from the Pine Barrens to the Boardwalk
Wednedsay, May 27, at 2 p.m.
About the book: Hidden among South Jersey’s farmlands and deep within the Pine Barrens, faint echoes of a once-thriving Jewish world still whisper in the wind. Follow the old train tracks that cut through the fields and forests, past forgotten stations and beyond the Atlantic City Boardwalk, and you’ll find traces of that world waiting to be rediscovered. The Seventy Shuls: Synagogue Life & Yiddishkeit from the Pine Barrens to the Boardwalk is a journey through time, memory, and faith, an exploration of how Jewish life flourished in the Garden State and what remains today.
About the author: Josh Cutler is a Ph.D. student in Holocaust Studies at Gratz College and holds an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Stockton University and a B.S. from Virginia Tech. Josh has served as Program Director at the Marjorie & Lewis Katz Jewish Community Center, Camp Director of JCC Camp By the Sea, and Executive Director of the Board of Jewish Education of Atlantic & Cape May Counties.
JANET ROBINSON BODOFF AND LEESA TOSCANOSpeaking of Atlantic City: Recollections & Memories
Wednesday, June 24, at 2 p.m.
About the book: Memories of Atlantic City’s past remained etched in the hearts of millions of visitors and locals alike who sought out the bright lights and sandy beaches of the Jersey Shore. Floats festooned with blooming flowers paraded down the boardwalk carrying Miss America contestants during the annual pageant, drawing huge crowds for decades. Streetcars ran the length of Atlantic Avenue until 1955, and the call of the motorman announcing each stop can still be heard in the dreams of past vacationers and residents. The burgers and birch beer slung from the lunch counter of Hi-Hat Joe’s attracted thousands of teenagers from near and far in the 1950s and ’60s. Mobsters, politicians and entertainers such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin frequented the bustling midcentury 500 Club. Writers and editors Janet Bodoff and Leesa Toscano curate a collection of nostalgic stories and poems about Atlantic City’s past.
About the authors: Janet Robinson Bodoff is a retired newspaper reporter and graphic designer from Ventnor City. Her work has appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Bulletin, and Philadelphia Journal. Rolling Stone, Concert Magazine, and more. Her poetry has appeared in several poetry anthologies. Janet has directed many arts organizations and served on the board of directors for others. Janet is an author, artist, and arts teacher. In 2022, Bodoff co-authored "Speaking of Atlantic City: Recollections and Memories". (published by Arcadia Publishing/The History Press) with her friend Leesa Toscano. Today, Janet continues to be an essential part of the DownBeach creative scene, often taking part in local literary events and arts programs across Absecon Island.
Leesa Toscano is an author, actress, and comedian whose work blends sharp wit with heartfelt storytelling and a deep appreciation for the people and places that shape our community. A native of Atlantic City, Leesa has extensive experience working in casinos and hotels. She currently works for Atlantic County Government. She has been published in poetry anthologies, written a children's book called Eat Your Vegetables, and co-written Speaking of Atlantic City: Recollections & Memories. A natural performer, Toscano has appeared in local films and plays. She is a member of Players and Playwrights, South Jersey Players, and Jersey Devil Comedy’s Comedy Improv Troupe. Her stand-up comedy canbe seen in NJ and NYC.
CALVIN STOVALL, JR.Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era
Wednesday, July 29, at 2 p.m.
About the book: Throughout America's history of slavery and segregation, Black travelers faced not just unwelcoming environments but the challenge of finding safe places to rest and recharge. In response to this basic human need, courageous Black entrepreneurs carved out spaces within the dominant culture, creating a network of Black-owned hotels, motels, and resorts that offered comfort and safety for Black travelers.Calvin Stovall, a seasoned hospitality professional with nearly thirty years of experience, brings this overlooked history to light. In Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotels, Motels, and Resorts from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era, Stovall shares the inspiring stories of these pioneers. He highlights the immense challenges they faced and the enduring impact of their establishments, showing how these spaces became vibrant hubs of Black culture, where people could gather, find joy, and be their true selves.
About the author: Calvin Stovall is the Chief Experience Officer of ICONIC Presentations, LLC. He specializes in delivering dynamic customer experience and leadership keynote presentations and workshops for organizations nationwide. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality and non-profit service industries. Today, he leverages his life experiences as a business leader and his passion for music to engage and connect with his audiences nationwide. Calvin is a native Chicagoan and began his hospitality career as a front desk clerk at the Holiday Inn City Centre. During his hospitality career as vice president of brand marketing with Hilton Worldwide, he was responsible for the marketing and public relations efforts for more than 150 Homewood Suites hotels. While under his leadership, the Homewood Suites brand was recognized four times by J.D. Power and Associates. Calvin formerly served as CEO of The Soulsville Foundation, a non-profit based in Memphis, TN. He also worked as a brand marketing strategist with ALSAC, the brand awareness and fundraising arm for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
In addition to running his own business venture, Calvin serves as Director of Executive Programs at The Advanced Leadership Institute, based in Pittsburgh, PA. TALI’s mission is to strengthen companies, institutions, and communities by cultivating leadership through world-class executive education programs tailored to support, develop, and retain Black leaders and their allies.For two consecutive years, Calvin was voted one of the 50 Most Inspirational People in Travel/Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute. Calvin is also the author of the recently released NAACP Image Award-nominated book, Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era.
PATRICIA CHAPPINENew Jersey Women During World War II: On the Home Front and Abroad
Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 2 p.m.
About the book: During World War II, the need for the women to step into roles long closed off to them set off an unprecedented wave of participation. Women joined the defense industry. They volunteered for the Red Cross and the USO. They joined the military in women's branches of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines and flew as civilian pilots working with the Army Air Forces (AAF). This program will focus on the unique challenges New Jersey women faced as they navigated both the home front and abroad during WWII.
About the author: Patty Chappine is an adjunct professor at Stockton University where she has been teaching since 2014. Her classes include undergraduate courses in the Holocaust and Genocide studies minor, historical studies, general studies, and the American Studies graduate program. She is also working as the Rudnick Fellow for the Alliance Heritage Center at Stockton University. She earned a B.A. in Sociology and an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Stockton University and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in History and Culture from Drew University in Madison, NJ. Her recent book New Jersey Women during World War II: On the Home Front and Abroad was published by Lexington Books in 2024.