What a wonderful day: the grand opening of the library was attended by more than 65 people.
World Book representative Sharon Chrissy gave a presentation of the “World Book TRUE or FALSE Books of Facts.” Everyone enjoyed her presentation, and we expect to have those books in our library soon. Chrissy also donated World Books “Hello Beautiful. Colorful Animals” and “Science Behind the Colors-Poison Frogs.”
• March 17 was a great day for the library but a sad day for your librarian. Charlie Stewart, who was 98 years old, was our oldest active patron. Stewart would come to the library usually on a Friday about every two weeks before he had to go to the Groveton Nursing Home. He would sit and have a cup of coffee and we would talk and then he would check out two books to read. These books were usually about world history or war history.
I wanted to go to his memorial service but felt that he would have wanted to be at the library grand opening if he had a chance. So I chose to be at the library. I know he would have been so proud for the library to finally be open.
• Tuesday started with Janet Batchelor, our local author, reading her two newest books, “Bee Kind to Bees” and “Grasshopper Ranch.” The children always love to hear her read and she brings exciting color pages and they are now displayed in the library.
Wednesday brought the cameras and Becky Fleck. The children learned how to use and care for a camera. We took many pictures, and I can’t wait to see how they turned out. They had so much fun learning at the library. Becky also donated the books “Photo Ark Insects,” “Photo Ark Wonders” and “The Photo Ark Vanishing-The World’s Most Vulnerable Animals” by Joel Sartore.
• Fridays at the Library starts on March 28. We will have Becky Fleck here on that day to teach the children a card class. The card class will be from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Summer Reading Program starts June 2 and will continue through July 31. We will send flyers out to the families in May. We are still asking for penny donations to help with supplies and the activities for our summer program.
• A few items were donated for a raffle by Carol Dennis, a local author. She was instrumental in helping our library with book shelves and science fiction books. Carol and her husband were both science fiction authors and we have many of their books in our library. They both passed away last year.
The items that were donated are a Flambro Musical Kaleidoscope Scene at a value of $150; Volumes 1-7 of the “Harry Potter” series in paperback with the approximate value of $80; large “Holy Bible Thomas Kinkade Painter of Light” valued at $40; A commemorative Set of 12 Best Loved Books of The Golden Books 75 Years 1942-2017 at a value of $30; and a “Time Life Goes to the Movies” book in a suede cover valued at $10.
We have a copy of the “Journey to Jubilee, Groveton, Texas” that has been donated by Randall W. Connell from Dickinson at a value of $50. These raffle items will be on display in the library and the tickets will be sold for $3 each or two for $5. The drawing will be held at the Library Christmas Open House on Dec. 12. Please support your library and purchase some raffle tickets.
• Your librarian wishes to say thank you to everyone who donated to the library grand opening. Thank you to the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office for helping install the banners. Thank you to Sonya Dial for letting us borrow her temporary handicap ramps. Thank you to the Citizens State Bank and Groveton Floral for the beautiful pot plants. Thank you to Marlena Stubblefield for the rose. Thank you to Mary Abshier, Victoria Thompson and Debbie Greeley for the cookies. Thank you to Terrie McAdams for the most delicious cake. Thank you to Dorothy Dean for the candy. Thank you to Joseph Wood for the bottled water. Thank you to everyone who made money donations, book donations, puzzle donations or purchased raffle tickets.
If I have forgotten anyone please forgive me. Thank you to all who attended and showed your support, I will remember every one of you. My cup runs over.
Our new location is 125 W. First Street.
Our mailing address is P.O. Box 399.
Our phone number is 936-642-2483.
Cathy M. Czajkowski is director of Groveton’s Ethel R. Reese Public Library.
