Local Realtor Named 2024 Irish Woman of the Year Upcoming Library Events to Feature Artist-In-Residence
WESTFIELD — Jennifer Love, branch vice president of Weichert, Realtors’ Westfield office, was recently named as the 2024 Irish Woman of the Year by the Union County Daughters of Ireland. Ms. Love was honored at the organization’s Seventh Anniversary Heritage Dinner for her inspirational service to the community. The event was held at Shackamaxon Country Club in Scotch Plains.
“Jennifer was surrounded by friends and Weichert associates at the Heritage Dinner,” said Jim Madl, regional president of Weichert, Realtors. “Her success in business and passion for community outreach are an inspiration to us all. We are proud to have Jennifer as an integral part of the Weichert team.”
Weichert recently named Ms. Love as Regional Manager of the Year for demonstrating exceptional management skills and leading her office to outstanding performance in 2023.
Ms. Love’s volunteer efforts in Union County are diverse and impactful. For nine years, she chaired theAutismSpeaksUnionCountyWalk. Under her guidance, the event has raised more than $500,000, contributing significantly to autism awareness and research.
Ms. Love has also been instrumental in advocating for Emma’s Law, an initiative aimed at ensuring the safety of children. The law focuses on implementing GPS tracking devices and mandating effective communication between parents and transportation providers.
Additionally, Ms. Love has been actively involved with Cranford Family Care, Cause for Paws Animal Rescue, and the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. She has played a vital role in maintaining the Weichert Westfield food pantry and serves as a compassionate caretaker for her 94year-old neighbor, Florence.
Ms. Love’s support extends to the local art scene. She has served as president of the Cranford Dramatic Club for four years, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that presents adaptations of popular Broadway shows and hosts summer camp programs for kids.
Founded in 2017, Union County Daughters of Ireland offers an opportunity for women who live or work in Union County to network, socialize and foster friendships with other women. The organization gives back to the community through various events and initiatives, including a college scholarship program.
WESTFIELD — The public is invited to the Artist Spotlight on Jennifer Wilner, the library’s inaugural artist- in-residence, on Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. Ms. Wilner will discuss her journey to becoming an artist during an informal talk moderated by Darrin Owens, president of the Westfield Art Association.
Ms. Wilner’s residency runs through Tuesday, July 30. ABachelor of Fine Arts graduate in Communications Design at the Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts, she had a career of more than 30 years as a graphic/web designer.
Since leaving the corporate world, Ms. Wilner has been involved with multiple artistic activities in Westfield. She created a five-year Art Appreciation program for Tamaques Elementary School, with each presentation featuring a well-known artist or art movement with audio/visual aids and step-by-step project instructions and supplies.
Her artwork is displayed in many public spaces, among them the Tamaques Park Pavilion, and a painting of hers currently is part of the Westfield Central Avenue Public Art exhibition.
This Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ms. Wilner will work on her latest piece of artwork on the back lawn of the library. Coloring sheets will be available so children can create art alongside Ms. Wilner. No registration is necessary.
On Saturday, June 15, from 10 to 11 a.m., Ms. Wilner will present a workshop for children that involves making special butterflies. This program is for grades K to 5 and is special-needs friendly. Adult supervision and registration are required.
To register for these programs (except May 18), sign up for a library card or learn more about the library’s resources, visit the library’s website at https://wmlnj.org/. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.
Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The library will be closed Saturday through Monday, May 25 to 27, for Memorial Day weekend.
