Port Williams news

Fifty years to the day of its official opening, the 50th anniversary of the Murdoch C. Smith Memorial Library was celebrated Mon., Jan. 21 in the auditorium of the Community Centre.

Library Association President Elinor Miller welcomed everyone and introduced the invited guests, current members of the Library’s Board of Trustees and past and present librarians.

Board member Ned Chase presented a history of the library, sharing how Dr. Smith, who was born and grew up in Port Williams before going to the U.S. to find work, left a bequest in his will to build a library in his home village.

Some in the village wanted a community hall and a fire department instead of a library, but in the end a community centre was built that provided a library, an auditorium and a fire hall.

The surplus was invested, grew, and today the interest from this money continues to provide extras to the library, including additional shelving, CD-ROMs, audiobooks, and the creation of a YA corner with the books, anime and manga that so many teens enjoy.

The highlight of the evening was a PowerPoint presentation by Ken Bezanson, with technical assistance by Sarah Sabean, of a multimedia history of the library: what the land looked like before the library, the controversy of its beginning, and its official opening.

He talked about the work of the four librarians who have served the library: Mrs. Sue Mullen, the current librarian; Mrs. Connie Millett; Mrs. Jean Beveridge; and Mrs. Edith Woodworth, the first librarian.

Stories were told of Beverly (McDow) McGillivary and Paulette (Chase) Whitman (who, with her husband was in the audience) upon whom Mrs. Woodworth and the library had had a lasting influence. And speaking for myself, it was when I was in my teens volunteering at the library on Friday nights with Mrs. Woodworth and in the school library that I came to realize I wanted to be a librarian.

I have continued my association with our Branch, am now on the Board of Trustees and it was my pleasure to share with the audience the beginning of our time capsule and scrapbook, which will include mementoes from this and subsequent events and will be sealed at our final event in December.

Elinor concluded the evening with an invitation for everyone to view the displays, visit the library and enjoy some refreshments. Jean and library substitute Dot Farnsworth made the first cuts in the anniversary cake.

The library will continue its celebrations throughout the year with a new event every month aimed at various ages. Planned events include: a storyteller, an event for seniors, gardening, a used book sale during Port Williams Days, an anime nights, author visit for teens, a magician and Dr. Carolyn McGrath, who will speak about her work on some diaries of Dr. Smith’s.

The anniversary year’s next event will be a Babies and Books Jamboree Wed., Feb. 27 from 10:30-11:30.

The Port Williams Seniors Group invites interested people to a presentation by

guest speaker, local lawyer Ned Chase, on 'Elder Abuse'. This will be held at the Port Williams Community Centre Tues., Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room. There is to be a lunch afterwards.

The Port Williams Recreation Committee invites families to come skating at the rink on Saturday nights during February (2, 9, 16, 23) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Music will add to the enjoyment and free hot chocolate will be served.

For more information, or to volunteer, call Ted Fraser at 542-0229. All dates are weather permitting. No hockey sticks please.

The next meeting of the Port Williams Health Auxiliary will be held Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. downstairs in the Port Williams Baptist Church. After the business meeting, an auction will be held with monies received going toward the Pain Pump Fund.

Members are encouraged to bring in any items that they wish to donate; it could be something received at Christmas that they don't need or any other item they have at home they think might be of interest to other members. Baking is always a good seller too! Everyone is invited to come and join in our fun.

PWES: There will be an Usborne book fair in the library during Parent-Teacher Wednesday night Jan. 30 and Thursday afternoon Jan. 31.

EMS: Yearbooks are on sale until the end of January. The cost is $15.

The next meeting of the PTSA will be Feb. 6 in the library from 7-8:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, call Karen Davidson at 679-1992.

Baptist Church: The WMA will meet Tues., Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ladies’ Parlour and James and Tracy Churchill will be their guests. The couple will talk about the Posho Mill Project in Kenya in which they were involved.