Haloranch

It’s almost 21 years to the day when I first set foot in the library as a shiny, newly minted staff member. When Paula l’Hirondelle called to offer me the job, I was so excited I danced around the room, somewhat awkwardly since I was still connected to the phone. That was in the days long before cell phones and even before portable phones. Now my last day has come and while I’m happy to retire and pursue new interests (like sleeping in and vegging out on the deck with fruity and mildly alcoholic beverages) this ending is bittersweet. I’m leaving behind a large part of my life permanently imbedded in the pages of the library, but I take with me a bountiful supply of happy memories. I have been so lucky. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to work for than Dean. He has been the best! When I do something right he makes sure I and everyone else knows it. When I make a mistake, he always takes the blame. How wonderful is that? It has been a real joy to work with Dean. The ot...

Bryan Wilson greeted us with kisses. Hershey kisses, that is. So began our year-end celebration at Audenart’s a few days ago. During the planning stage this was just going to be one of our regular summer bonding barbecues but it quickly evolved into a combination of “let’s welcome the Audenarts’ Rotary guests from Denmark, Wiesners’ Rotary guests from New Zealand, throw in some fellowship and cap it all off with the club’s annual awards” night. At right you see Elvine Skoretz, Margo Swensrude and Judy Baird from New Zealand.

So our houseguest from Australia gave me this lovely compliment, "You are a gem of the highest carat." I told my daughter who replied, "Are you sure that's what he said? Maybe they meant stem of the highest carrot? They have accents, you know."

I thought of Sally Field's Oscar acceptance speech yesterday when I was given a standing ovation at the conclusion of my last Rotary meeting as president. Wow. They must really like me. Kind words were sent my way by the incoming president Neil and then they all stood up. But on the way back to work as I was tearing up remembering it, I wondered if they were just happy to see me go?

Here you can see the triple stacked, see through fireplaced located on each floor in the welcoming sitting areas.

The photo with the dog is taken in the children's library . Children who have trouble reading are encouraged to read outloud to the dog . this program is in place at the main branch and also in some of the satellite branches. The public library in SLC is stunning. It's no wonder it won Best Public Library in the US in 2006. To the left is a view of Psyche, created by hundreds of tiny little books suspended from the ceiling. Below is a view of the triple stacked see-through fireplaces which are located on each floor in the seating area.