Dear editor:
I would like to congratulate Mr. John Wells for his leadership at the Garland County Library for the past 30 years. When I retired to Hot Springs from Maywood, Ill., the library was located on Woodbine Street.
The library under Mr. Wells' leadership has become more than just a library, it is a learning center to all citizens of all ages. It is a real joy to go to the library, whether one is checking out books, reading the many newspapers, buying books in the thrift store or getting the free informational materials, it is a real joy to go to the library!
As a former employee of Hines Veterans Hospital, Hines, Ill., the library was always a special place for me. All employees had access to the library, along with the veterans. We would have our veterans submit their works of art yearly for the contest. Some great works of art were usually on display. I have two great pieces of art that were done by a very talented artist by the name of Willie Luckett, of Dr. Martin Luther King and President John Kennedy. I recently had them reframed.
So to me, the library is a multi-learning center of the first order! In high school, time in the library was required for each class. It was through the library that I became an avid reader. My family was unable to provide an extensive library at home, so the library became a must for me.
My two beloved daughters, Linda and Deborah Wright, spent many hours in the library. My daughter Linda, the artist in the family, took art lessons at the library and made an occasional potato pie for the staff!
My daughter Deborah, the trained journalist and Harriet Tubman enactor, was able to do book reviews, re-enact the life of Harriet Tubman at the library. A book was purchased in her memory for the library on the life of Harriet Tubman.
I am grateful for the many services offered to my late beloved daughters who were given their golden books before they were old enough for enrolling in school.
Last, but not least to me, I worked part time for the local library in Broadview, Ill. What a joy that was to me. Briefly, after retiring, it was a privilege to have served as a volunteer with veterans who were poets and writers. Though paralyzed, they were able to go to the library and participate in discussions conducted by a volunteer retired professor. It was a privilege to have served with him, as well as communicating with the veterans.
I have now come full circle, retiring to Hot Springs (what a joy to live in a city of the arts), using the library for many activities, due to the innovative leadership of Mr. Wells and his staff.
Long live the library!
Yours for reading,
Hazel Wright
Hot Springs
P.S. I cannot make the delicious potato pies that my beloved daughter Linda made, but I can bake a few tea cakes like your grandma used to make!
Editorial on 03/24/2017