By Stephen Smoot
After yet another productive year of successful programming and serving the community, the Friends of the Library held its December meeting. Members first discussed issues and topics facing the group and library, then retired to enjoy a pot luck “Holiday Cheer” party.
The group first reviewed minutes from the November meeting. Tom Craig, Friends of the Library secretary, read that the Pendleton County Library currently relies on director Walt Johnson, two part time employees, and volunteers generously donating their time. Johnson said at the time that “anyone who would like to help would be welcome.”
He also described the History Alive event held earlier in the fall, where portrayer Doug Wood brought the historical figure of Thomas Ingles to life for 40 attendees. Ingles was the son of Mary Ingles, both of whom were captured by Shawnee Indians after a brutal and cruel raid of a peaceful frontier settlement.
Mary Ingles escaped along with a half mad Dutch woman and walked from modern Cincinnati up the Kanawha and New River valleys to the original settlement. Her story is told in the book “Follow the River.” Her son could not escape with her, but was ransomed at the age of 17 and fought for Colonels Charles and Andrew Lewis against Chief Cornstalk’s army at the Battle of Point Pleasant in Lord Dunmore’s War.
Next came the discussion of the entertainment for the annual meeting and dinner. The Friends of the Library holds a yearly gathering for supporters and the community at large. Guests generally eat a delicious buffet-style meal while local musicians provide entertainment. This year, the group selected Penco Hot Mess, an assemblage of local musicians.
Rhonda Nash, president of the Friends, said, “I’ve heard them and they are a good group. And they are one of our own!”
Shortly after, Craig suggested that the Friends add another talent to the lineup. He referred first to Boyd Lucas, who serves as the vice president by saying he’s “being really humble” about his poetry reading performance in the recent Create the Mon event in Petersburg.
“Boyd had a couple of poems,” Craig remarked, going on to add that “Boyd read two of them. It was nice. He was very charismatic with it.”
Nash quipped that Lucas would “fit right in with the Hot Mess.”
He said in response that “I could open with two poems and close with two poems. I would seriously like to close with a poem about the library.”
Lucas also provided an update about progress on the annual newsletter, giving out a skeleton draft with brief descriptions of each section. The group discussed the different features. Craig suggested a feature on the library’s popular genealogy room. Nash replied that “I bet a lot of folks may not know what all is in that genealogy room.”
She also noted that Future Generations University annually donates the printing of the newsletter, saying, “They’ve been very sweet to do this” and that they only request a small mention of credit for their work in the newsletter.
One of the final discussions centered around the Friends’ annual donation from their own funds raised to support the library. Traditionally, they give $1,000. Last year, fundraising exceeded expectations and allowed for a gift of twice that amount.
This year, the Friends also raised more than usual. After discussion of finances and obligations, they settled on a gift of $1,500.
The annual meeting dinner will be held on Feb 7, 2025.
