All I Can Say is WOW!

Nearly 400 people streamed into our library last Saturday night for the lighting of our very tall Christmas Tree. We expected a large turnout but when the people just kept coming and coming and coming, it went beyond our expectations.

This is a view toward the tree while the Indy Singers performed Christmas favorites. Larry Anabell brought the Singers to the Library for their second performance and as always they were terrific.

Here Julie Hildebrand (Adult Services Manager and Event Coordinator) discusses our ornament fund raiser with artist/book illustrator/library board member Tim Raglin. Tim agreed to write the family names on purchased ornaments for the evening.

A daughter discusses her "Library Bucks" with her father. Kids earned a Library Buck for each book they read between Thanksgiving and the night of the party. The bucks were used to purchase gifts for their parents or caregivers in the Friends Gift Shop.

Above, Scott Petersen (Friends' Treasurer) helps a young lady select a gift for her mother. By our count over a thousand Library Bucks were used to purchase gifts on the night of the Festival.

Bradley Blake (Library Staffer) led Christmas carols all evening. Bradley played keyboard and guitar and led popular favorites like Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer probably a dozen times.

On the third floor of the library in the Children's Department, Santa and Mrs. Claus visited with over 100 children to hear the wishes and dreams for Christmas morning.

Miss Lily, the Crown and the Dance written and being read by Trudy Bryant. Illustrator Jacqueline Haltom is showing her Beautiful Artwork to the kids and parents gathered in our Story Area.

Julie Hildebrand and Diane Hight, Friends' President are due our thanks for pulling off this wonderful event. Lots of volunteers made the evening a success. Dozens of people made themselves available to bake cookies, pick-up last minute items at the store, wrap presents, serve treats, hand out programs, and a myriad of other things that have to happen for an event of this scale to be a success.

To all of you who went the extra mile to bring joy to our children - thanks.