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“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
As we prepare for new beginnings in our personal lives, we here at Peninsula Community Library (PCL) are excited about the changes that will happen for our community in the new year. Thanks to all of you, 2019 will bring a new public gathering center for our rural library, one in which we will be able to offer so many exciting programs and services in a space that is designed for all. We are so grateful to the 1000+ people who have brought us within $250,000 of our $2.5 million goal through gifts of funding, time and talent.
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There are many stories behind these gifts. Without our lead donors, Nancy and Bill Davy, there would be no new building. The story which we have told so many times is that Nancy loves the library and Bill loves Nancy, but it goes way beyond that. Their story also involves a dedication to people and neighborhood, as well as the knowledge that there is a need for common ground for everyone on our beautiful peninsula.
There are other stories too. One beloved patron sent Christmas letters to all his friends near and far, asking that gifts be made now to the library project in lieu of flowers in the far future when he passes from this world to the next. As far as we know, he plans on being around for a long time, since the Local History Room that will bear his family name will feature a weekly Tuesday Tea and Talk with Tim.
John and Sue Kinne donated toward a coffee center in the new space, knowing that PCL will be the place people want to hang out. Fran and Jim Krupka love back porches, and thanks to them, the new library will have one. The people of Neahtawanta, many of whom spend a good part of the year in other places, pledged toward a meeting room and ended up gifting more than their pledge.
Our new reception area will be named after our very first reading dog Bear, who once upon a time before he became a certified therapy dog, took a big bite from a library card, making me think I would never have a reading dog in the library. Thankfully, I kept my thoughts to myself and Bear – then Ralph, Zeb, Coco and upcoming Lani – proved me wrong. Now I cannot imagine our library without a reading dog!
Mack and Lorraine Beers gave toward the naming of our children’s garden, because Lorraine’s mother loved to garden. Tom’s Food Markets generously donated toward the naming of both our teen and children’s areas, as well as supplying goodies for celebrations on our land and at our Pumpkin Walk.
The Fifarek family gave a large gift in honor of a family member who passed away at a young age. At his mother’s request, he will be remembered with his name on a bench in the prettiest part of the gardens.
Gifts have ranged from $10 to $750,000, have come from places all across the United States and have been given by supporters of all ages, including a group of children from the Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church who voted to give their collected funds to the library project not once, but twice.
There were large anonymous donations too, a few where I have been able to thank the donor quietly and a few that absolutely seemed to drop out of nowhere. There are grants from foundations both in our community and from outside, all of which came with well wishes for the new library.
The danger in naming names is always that one might erroneously leave someone out who really deserves to be recognized. This could not be more true than with this project where so many amazing individuals, foundations, businesses and volunteers have come together.
Please know that every one of you are making a difference in the future of this 18-mile narrow strip of land we all call home. I am more grateful than I could ever say in words. Sometime in July of 2019, we will be welcoming you home to the heart of the community – the new Peninsula Community Library!
Upcoming PCL Programs and Hours
PCL will be open normal hours the rest of this week and next, with the exception of New Year’s Eve and Day when we will be closed.
Story Stew is offered every Thursday at 10 a.m., and you may also call to reserve a space with our reading dog Coco on Wednesdays.
The Board and Staff wish you the best in the new year. If you need some guidance in keeping those New Year’s resolutions, come on in. I am sure we have a book or DVD to guide you along! And, just in case you need a glimpse into the new library before the doors actually open, take a peek below at the beautiful stained glass. The full size version will grace our lobby, a gift from Guido Goldkuhle, fourth generation craftsman, owner of “kuhl doors” and PCL patron for many years, along with his wife Becky and children George, Henry and Annie.
“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.” – Melody Beattie
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