What's Happening in Northvale, NJ…

The Northvale Public Library is one of seven Bergen County libraries connecting people through the time-tested method of letter writing, with in-person meet-ups to follow.

The program was launched last month to help people make new friends while following social distancing and offering an alternative to staring at a screen. Northvale joins Closter, Demarest, Emerson, Harrington Park, Haworth and Old Tappan as towns that are served by the program. Those that sign up receive just the first name, initial and town of their pen pal, with the option to add more personal information in their letters if they are comfortable with it. The libraries also get writers started with four notecards and Envelopes, a pen, and instructions, and mail the letters themselves once they are completed.

So far, the program has attracted more than 60 participants from across the seven towns. Those that signed up in the first weeks have been matched with a partner and started sending letters. Participants are sorted into child, teen, and adult groups.

Even in an age of instant electronic communication, letter writing retains a personal and sophisticated touch, with the messages customized through everything from Letterheads to hand-drawn images. The organizers of the pen pal program say that they plan to have an in-person party with all participants once safety allows.

The New Jersey pen pal program opened for sign-ups on February 15, with Northvale residents able to register online through the library.

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