Meet the author of "Waves of Hope" at Brick Library on November 14th

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 10/26/2026

(BRICK, NJ) -- During World War II, a tech-savvy New Jersey woman took it upon herself to be a priceless information provider for families of captured U.S. service members. Agnes Joan Negra's exploits are chronicled in the book Waves of Hope. Meet her son Ronald Edward Negra, the author, at the Brick Branch of the Ocean County Library on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The event begins at 11:00am.

Ronald and his wife Valerie will discuss his mother’s inspirational tale, lovingly written from her own vivid recollections in Waves of Hope, available at the Ocean County Library.

Then as now, parents, spouses, children, and relatives sought any information they could find about their men and women in uniform – whether they were safe, or even alive. This newly married wife and mother was no different. Her husband August suffered wounds in the Battle of the Bulge and was Missing in Action.

Sitting by her shortwave radio in her Nutley home, Agnes monitored Radio Berlin’s nightly recitation of captured US military members. She sought news of her husband – but listened for more than that. She began notating all the names. Then she personally contacted the families of each one by mail. Often, her letters were the first word that families received.

In Ronald’s book, she recounts the turmoil of families on the home front, the spirit of hope they gained from her messages, and the exhilaration of reuniting with her husband. This v book is much more than a written history. It contains copies of the letters that Agnes received from families she had written to. The result is an astonishing and deeply moving story of kindness and hope. Autographed copies of Waves of Hope will be available for purchase following the program.

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Ronald, a retired medical executive born and raised in Nutley, traced his family’s past in the 2004 book, The History of the Verdi Family: Celebrating 100 Years in America. He also authored a biography of his father, August E. Negra. CBS News and News12 New Jersey aired interviews with Ronald and the late Agnes Negra.

Agnes has received citations, proclamations, and had many newspaper articles written about her. One such honor was being named a “Hometown Hero” at the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. In addition, on November 4, 2021, Agnes was awarded the Women in American History medal and citation by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Waves of Hope has been accepted into the DAR Library in Washington, D.C. and is proudly displayed on the top shelf in the New Jersey section.

Registration is required for this free program. To register, or for more information, visit tinyurl.com/BrickHopeOCL, call 732-477-4513, or stop by the branch at 301 Chambers Bridge Road.

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Free Play Reading – To Kill a Mockingbird (Select Scenes)

Monday, October 26, 2026
@ 5:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ

Senior citizens (55+) are invited to join area teachers and their students for a free play reading of select scenes from “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Christopher Sergel’s adaption of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel.