To all our library's friends and neighbors,

After 32 years, as an active participant in the life and times of Richards Memorial Library, the Friends of the library continue on their path of fun, exploration, and enrichment through a mix of new experiences and old ones. We invite you, the Paxton community and beyond, to journey along with us. Through you and your continuing support, both personal and financial, we have been able to accomplish many of our goals to enrich Paxton through a dynamic and thriving library. Hopefully, the best is yet to come.

    Each year many wonderful people who have assisted us in varying ways have said farewell to begin new endeavors. Our hardworking Children's Activities Directors, Kathy Saart and Karen Murphy showed much dedication in making our children's activities fun and great learning experiences and we thank them for their efforts. Our new Children's Activities Directors, Sarah Howe and Sarah Root-Simone have shown an equally exciting repertoire. Already they've planned a new annual Egg Hunt/Spring Festival enjoyed by dozens of children and their families from Paxton and neighboring cities. At Paxton's June Festival they initiated the weaving of a town flag by Paxton residents and encouraged children to decorate their own family flag. The Friends also employed a talented caricature artist to help families remember the Festival as a great family affair.

   In July many great events will be coming Paxton's way, when on July 15th there will be an Origami and Mask Making workshop for children seven years old and up. Also, on July 17th a talented storyteller, John Porcino, will be presenting a fun "Inside - Outside" Storytelling event that has been funded by the Paxton Cultural Council. Families are invited to bring a cushion and flashlight for "roughing it" on the rug. Then on July 19th is our most important annual safety event - the Paxton Bike Rodeo. It will be held at the Paxton Center School with the all important efforts of the Paxton Police Department, who will assist in a bike safety course, bike information, coloring activities and posters. Through a successful grant application to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security by the Police Department, there will also be helmets available for all participants. The Bike Rodeo is not only a great fun time, but also a great learning experience for all bike riders.

We have also been fortunate to have excellent volunteers who have offered to fill the new position of Youth Representative by Carmen Blandino who will help us keep informed of youthful concerns and the ever busy position of Treasurer by resident Betsy Cruz. We know these welcome additions to our board will help maintain an efficient working environment for the entire group.

In the fall the Friends have already scheduled a return of that amazing antique appraiser, Stuart Whitehurst, for September 16th at 7:00PM. As in the past, tickets will be avail for $5 per item, with a limit of one per person. This has always proved to be not only very educational, but also very entertaining ... with the chance of discovering you own a "national treasure"! Who knows! Check your closets and attics to see.

Our annual Book Fair Fundraiser will be held on Friday October 3rd and Saturday October 4th from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. We anticipate raising money to support all facets of the library including books, events, facility improvements, continuing education courses for the staff, and museum passes, In the interest of trying something new that might prove to be fun and exciting, this year the Friends will also be sponsoring an Artists' Show/Sale during the Book Fair. Local artists will be able to display up to two works of art with the hopes of being selected as the "Best of Show" by the viewing public and winning a certificate and cash prize. Persons wanting to participate should contact the library with information about themselves and their artwork.

   We all hope to see you and your family at the library in the weeks and months ahead. If you would like to contribute comments or suggestions, please feel free to leave them at the library or come to a Board meeting on the last Tuesday of the month. Together we can help keep Richards Memorial Library the outstanding place it is.

                                                                                                                                                Best Wishes
                                                                                                                                   Anita Fenton, President