Volunteers made library program a success

What happens when the lights go out at Fairfield Public Library? Storybook characters meet in Chautauqua Park! Fairfield Public Library staff would like to express appreciation for all the community members who helped make this year's When the Lights Go Out a success.

Over 300 children and adults were able to attend our event this year because of the contributions of 50 exceptional volunteers.

First off, thank you to Beth Alonso and the Fairfield Interact Club for their support as tour guides, greeters, and performers. Thank you to all the other community members who volunteered as tour guides. Wonderful library volunteers Cris Soth, Doris Slocombe, and Pat Ribble helped prepare treat bags and bag popcorn.

Pat Doyle provided two golf carts for transporting guests, and Gay Chapman and Joanne Poole were our drivers. Thank you to Bountiful Bakery for baking delicious short bread cookies for the treat bags. Thank you, Maya Busscher!

Werner Elmker captured the magic of the evening with his cameras and sublime artistry. Thank you, Werner! Thank you Calvin Todd and Fairfield Park and Rec for partnering with us and preparing the park for the event. Brittney Tiller at Jefferson County Park contributed battery powered lanterns to illuminate the performers.

Thank you to our storybook performers Lou Bolster, Eric Caplan, Rayna Royer, Corey Hickenbottom, Arwydd Hayes, Frank & Henry Broz, Fred Hucke, Miles Siemsen, Sara Quevedo Valls, Sandy Stimson, Marilyn Sutherland, and FHS fall play cast members. Everyone who can should see the play this weekend at FHS!

Thank you to David Thebodo and Charissa Hickenbottom for helping us prepare the hand warming fire barrel for the event. Thank you to our magician Jesus Rio and musicians Tim Britton & Joe Overmyer. Noel Wotherspoon of FHS and Lynn Shirai of Maharishi School helped with costumes and contributed performers.

We want to appreciate Liza McClure, who worked as our nurse for the evening and tended to one performer with a sprained ankle. Thank you Eva Schmidt for your great ideas, patience, and faithful encouragement. Thank you to Kevin Ihrke and Gavin Stever for helping guests register and sign in to the event.

Much appreciation is due to Dennis Johnson for helping light the way with 300 tea light bags. Finally, thank you to all the other wonderful folks who contributed behind the scenes this year. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Alecs Mickunas, Youth Services Librarian of the Fairfield Public Library

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