Newsletter I JANUARY 2025 | |
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President's Message
Happy New Year! Turning the page on a new year is always exciting! It promises good things to come and a healthy reflection of what is in the past. Check your calendars and make sure you have the three luncheons/meetings in February, April, and May reserved, and don't forget about the Spring fundraiser in March. Your support is instrumental in all the wonderful happenings at the Rockwall County Library. We look forward to seeing you as we turn the page on this most interesting story and the positive impact we will make together.
Kathleen
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"I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copybooks; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end."
-from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
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A member directory will be published based on membership as of December 31st for the 2025 calendar year and distributed at the February meeting.
Members who join between January and August of this year will be accounted for in the 2025 membership year.
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Memberships may be paid online by clicking below or at any of the Friends meetings.
If you have questions, please email friendsrockwallcountylibrary@gmail.com
or contact Jen Lewis at 214-326-8124.
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ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
We had a festive and fabulous time at the Annual Christmas Luncheon! Thanks to Kathleen Broze, and her committee for making it all possible. Special thanks to the table hostesses for outdoing themselves with beautiful, seasonal and whimsical touches that make this annualevent so unique.
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February 11 FOL Meeting with Lunch & Speaker/Author Paul Box
and 2025 Business Member Recognition
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Author and Marathon runner Paul Box will tell us about his book:
Running 7 Marathons on 7 Continents in 7 Days and how the life-shaping physical and spiritual adventure has forever changed him. From running in the blistering cold winds of Antarctica to the sun bathed beaches of Dubai, these seven days taught Paul the importance of endurance and how it impacts every facet of his life. He struggled, bled, and fought alongside 55 others as we ran the globe on icy runways, along beautiful cobblestone streets and moonlit beaches. Throughout the journey he was strengthened and encouraged by his faith, in himself, and love for others.
Paul lives in Waxahachie, Texas where he works as a Financial Advisor and and trains with a wonderful group of friends since 2010. Paul has completed over 60 marathons or ultra-marathons with plenty more to come. He also serves as the race director for the Hachie 50 Ultra Marathon. His family co-founded a local non-profit, Walk In Love, where they aim to meet the practical needs of those living within their community. So please join us on February 11th to hear about his remarkable journey!
*Lunch by Ana's Catering will include:
Lasagna & Chicken Pasta Primavera, Green Salad, Garlic Bread
Crunchies – granola balls
Luqaimat – donut holes with date syrup
Rice Pudding Cups
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Derby attire encouraged. Details to come! | |
April 8 FOL Meeting with Lunch & Speaker/Author Samantha Horwitz | |
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Sam is a 9/11 First Responder, former United States Secret Service Agent, firearms instructor, and author.
With her B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, her J.D. from the Howard University School of Law, and experience as a Law Enforcement Officer, she has become an expert in handling stress and managing post-traumatic stress (PTS). She has spoken nationally to Law Enforcement, Veteran, business, and faith-based communities on how to recognize and combat the effects of PTS, how to minimize the damage stress can cause in the workplace, and how to support those who have PTS.
Sam’s been featured in People Magazine, on FOX, ABC, CBS, Blaze TV, and in other local and national media. She is the author of The Silent Fall: A Secret Service Agent’s Story of Tragedy and Triumph After 9/11. Sam is the Co-Founder of A Badge of Honor. A non-profit, which provides wellness and resiliency training, post-traumatic stress awareness and suicide prevention to first responders. Sam is also the co-host of A Badge of Honor Podcast which highlights guests dedicated to serving our nations military, veterans, and first responders.
*Lunch by Ana's Catering will include:
Grilled Chicken Ceasar, Orzo Pasta Salad, Strawberry Field Salad
Dessert: Dessert Trio Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Cake Balls, Mini Cream Puffs
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Save the Date! Tickets available February 1st. | |
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May 13 FOL Annual Meeting with Lunch
& presentation by
Rebecca Blackwood, Dallas Book Reviewers
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Rebecca Blackwood of Dallas Book Reviewers will review Josh Levine's book "Why Don't You Want My Stuff?!" A Boomer's guide to downsizing, their Millennial kid's psyche, and a guide through the secondary market of online retailing, auctions, and estate sales.
Rebecca is an Arkansas girl who loved to read and be read to as a child. Her enjoyment of books led to her participation in high school theater productions and the fine arts. Eventually, she majored in secondary English and earned a Master of Science in Education.
She has taught high school for many years in several states. She says, "I feel like I've been performing all my life...acting out Shakespeare plays, explaining plot twists and character flaws, quoting meaningful poetry, and explaining timely sonnets...always trying to ignite that spark of the love of reading." She even keeps good novels in the trunk of her car that she gives away to interested students anywhere she sees them.
She and her husband live in Fort Worth, Texas. They have two children and eight grandchildren. Rebecca enjoys substituting at her FWISD high school. "I call substituting my ministry since I love going, and the pay is terrible! My friends think I'm crazy!!" In addition to reviewing books, Rebecca is involved with her church and volunteers in several organizations when time permits.
*Lunch by Ana's Catering will include:
Boxed lunches – Sandwiches (chicken salad, pimiento cheese)
Pasta Salad, Cucumber Salad
Assorted - Mini Muffins Blueberry, Gingerbread, Cranberry Orange, or Banana
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Save the date! Tickets available March 1st. | |
Name Tags for Members!
Magnetic Name Tags are available for members for $7.00. Click button below to order.
Paper stick on nametags will always be available at Friends meetings.
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Friends Book Club meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 9:30 at the library. Contact Joan Wells or Gloria Daniels for more information at FriendsRockwallCountyLibrary@gmail.com.
2025
January – The Women by Kristen Hannah
February – The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts
March – 13 Days to Glory: The Siege of the Alamo by Lon Tinkle
April – Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
May – What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline
June – First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
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Hartman Award Nominations
The Hartman Award is given annually to a Friends member who has performed over and above the requirements of their position and has promoted the Library and Friends beyond required activities. The recipients of this award have been people who willingly gave of their time for the good of the Library and Friends.
- Any member in good standing may submit a nomination.
- Previous Hartman recipients and the current President are not eligible for nomination.
An email will be sent to current FOL members with more details for the Hartman Award nomination.
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Library Hours:
Monday 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Tuesday 10:00AM - 8:00PM
Wednesday 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Thursday 10:00AM - 8:00PM
Friday 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Sunday - Closed
Rockwall County Library website
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Literacy Center
The Adult Literacy Program has convenient class schedules, including weekend mornings and select evening classes. Tutors are local volunteers and there are no fees for the program classes. There is a small fee for books.
If you have any interest in volunteering as a tutor, please contact the Literacy Center at (972) 204-7705 or email ngoodsell@rockwallcountytexas.com.
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Book Alcove
The Book Alcove is accepting book donations every day the Library is open.
Suggested donations are collected and used for library programs. The selection is ever changing, come take a look and bring some books to donate too.
FICTION TITLES ARE NEEDED!
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Friends of the Library is proud to partner with Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County to offer homebound clients books through the Book Alcove. Lynn Fate manages this program and carefully selects books per genre or title requests and they are delivered each month with meal delivery. Donations matter. Keep this in mind as you clean out your collections.
*Fiction titles and large print books are in demand for this program. If you have any to donate, please take to the Library and mark them as "Meals on Wheels." They can be left with the Circulation Desk.
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If you are interested in serving on the Friends of the Library Board for the 2025-2026 year, please email FriendsRockwallCountyLibrary@gmail.com or contact Lesli Johnson, President Elect and chair of the nominating committee.
You must be a member of FOL to serve on a committee or board.
The one year term begins June 1st, 2025.
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2024-2025 Friends of the Library Board
President - Kathleen Evans
President Elect - Lesli Johnson
1st VP Programs - Joy Hosey
2nd VP's Fundraising and Special Events - Leigh Wilcoxson and Shannon Wilson
3rd VP's Membership - Jen Lewis and Susan Sisto
4th VP Business Membership - Darlene Reed
5th VP Communication - Carrie Pickell
Secretary - Lea Carlson
Treasurer - Karen Frederick
Parliamentarian - Kathleen Broze
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left - right: Kathleen E., Lesli, Joy, Leigh, Lea, Darlene, Karen, Carrie, Jen, Shannon, Kathleen B., Susan | |
See what's happening on our social sites: | |
@friendsrockwall @rockwallcotxlibrary | | | | |
