Scarsdale Public Library to host North Pole presentation

The Scarsdale Public Library, as part of its ongoing mission to enhance the cultural and intellectual life of community residents, will host local journalist Joseph P. Griffith as he shares an exciting slide and video presentation about his trip to the North Pole last summer. “Voyage to the Top of the World” will take place at June 7th at 7:30 pm at the Library.

In July of 2011, 125 passengers from all over the world converged on Helsinki, Finland. They flew from there to Murmansk, Russia, to meet a Russian nuclear icebreaker, the most powerful ship in the world, for the 12-day voyage to the North Pole. Along the way, they saw whales, polar bears, Arctic birds and other wildlife, flew on the ship’s helicopter to various islands, reached the top of the world, 90 degrees north, and even went for a swim in the frigid Arctic waters, all under the midnight sun.

Photos and video will illustrate the surprising diversity of scenery, climate, flora and fauna in the region, including a close encounter with a polar bear. The Arctic and its wildlife are endangered, yet they retain a harsh, incredible beauty.

Presenter Joseph P. Griffith is a freelance journalist in Yonkers, NY and has written about Westchester County and real estate for The New York Times for five years, as well as for Gannett. The author of books on endangered species, film and China, he has visited about three dozen countries, including five in the last year, during which he traveled about 40,000 miles. He has won numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Pacific Asia Travel Association and other organizations.

“Not all of us will get the chance to visit a place as remote as the North Pole,” explains Scarsdale Public Library Executive Director Elizabeth Bermel. “But, through Mr. Griffith’s photo and video presentation, we can all experience this beautiful place.”

There is no charge to attend the “Voyage to the Top of the World” presentation and all are welcome.

The Scarsdale Public Library is located at 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale, NY, 10583. Phone: (914) 722-1300. Website: www.scarsdalelibrary.org