By Stephen Smoot
Every year around Saint Valentine’s Day, patrons of the Pendleton County Library get to show love and appreciation for their favorite source of edification.
Sometime around that holiday, sometimes on that holiday, Pendleton County Library supporters and patrons gather to enjoy food, fun, fellowship, and a focus on how to continue to make the facility better in every way. To bring all of that together, the Friends of the Pendleton County Library gather every year to hold their famous potluck dinner.
A year full of exciting news will surely be recalled by those whose work supports the myriad projects and programs enjoyed by all ages.
That news will include the quasi-retirement of Walt Johnson, who had served as library director through last July. Johnson often articulated his vision of the role and purpose of a library being much grander than the tangible walls, furniture, and collections. He saw a library as a potential gateway for those chasing their dreams, whether they be of a future career, or simply daydreams.
Quoted in the Friends’ newsletter, Johnson shared that he saw it as “a safe harbor, a refuge for the community wherein someone . . . might learn and grow.” He often expressed in different ways the value of a library as measured by the impact it has on people individually and collectively.
During his tenure, he told the Friends, “We’ve worked really hard to fully realize our role in that vision . . . we’ve greatly expanded the resources available to you, upstairs and down!”
Linda Hedrick, who was hired as a part-time assistant in February 2025, stepped into the interim director role for the library. She will administer the facility as the library goes through the process to hire a new director.
Destiny Keplinger came aboard at the same time as Hedrick. Wendy Putz continues her valued tenure of service as library assistant, as well.
At the dinner, the Friends will discuss in detail some milestones and accomplishments, not only for the library, but for their organization as well. In 2025, the organization earned its first grant award, initiated a Library Poetry Group through recognizing World Poetry Day, and more.
They will also share about the success of their book sale fundraisers during some of Pendleton County’s favorite community events. Much more than mere fundraising, the Friends sees them as “joyful outings for family and friends; chances to find new homes for thousands of books.”
Additionally, “We welcomed many new and renewal individual and family memberships, including three new life members,” stated Rhonda Nash, Friends of the Pendleton County Library president. She added that “our 2025 financial contributions of more than $3,900 helped to support many library programs and projects.”
The dinner will take place at 5 p.m. on Feb. 13 in the library community room. Attendees will enjoy the usually voluminous amount of delicious home cooked options, bot dinner and dessert. Next will come a brief business meeting, then a performance from the always-entertaining Pendleton County Hot Mess, featuring Jennifer Taylor-Ide, Susan Ide, Bob Davis, Bruce Holderman, and Kim Bissell, firing off folksy favorites for their Friends.
At the foundation of the fun comes the value of the vital support that the organization provides. The group helps to perpetuate the ideal shared by Johnson, “If you can dream it, come to the library.”
