Newsletter I MARCH 2025

President's Message

Hello, Dear Friends!

Spring has finally sprung, and we are so excited about the season ahead here at Friends of the Library. We have some wonderful events lined up, and we’d love for you to join us!

Mark Your Calendars for Our Last Two Meetings of the Year!

April Meeting: We are thrilled to welcome Tara Storch, who will share her inspiring journey of hope and purpose after the tragic loss of her daughter, Taylor. Tara’s message of resilience, "Outlive Yourself," encourages audiences to overcome obstacles—big or small—and transform their struggles into something meaningful.

Tara has been featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Ellen Show, People Magazine, and many other national and international media outlets. Her powerful story has touched countless lives, and we’re so lucky to have her speak with us.

"It's not what happens to you that matters, it's how you react to it that does." - Tara Storch

We’ll also be celebrating National Library Week from April 6th–13th! If you’re interested in helping with the Rockwall ISD/Royse City Librarian Reception, or simply want to show support for these hard-working librarians, please join us for the reception on Wednesday, April 9th at 4 p.m. in the Community Room. The more Friends, the better!

May Meeting: In May, we will wrap up our year with the fabulous Rebecca Blackwood, celebrate our Hartman Award winner, and present our end-of-year contribution to the library. This will be a special meeting you won’t want to miss!

As we embrace the season, take some time to enjoy the beautiful weather, the company of good friends, and, of course, a great book on the patio!

Kathleen

P.S. If you're looking for a laugh on your patio, I highly recommend Hey, Jesus, It’s Me: I Have Questions, Comments, and Concerns… by Ellen Skrmetti. It’s been a delightful read!

“What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again.”

-from Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

A member directory has been published for FRIENDS based on membership as of December 31st for the 2025 calendar year. Inserts will be available at the April and May meeting. We have a limited number of small binders available on a first come first serve basis.

Any members who join between January and August of this year will be accounted for in the 2025 membership year. September will begin the 2026 Membership Drive.

Scroll to the end of the newsletter for corrections to printed copy.

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.

Click here to join NOW for the 2025 year!

Thank you to our renewed and new Business Members for 2025! Your support directly benefits the Rockwall County Library!

Spring 2025 Meetings & Programs

SPRING Fundraiser SELLOUT! Thank you to all who attended!

April 8 FOL Meeting with Lunch

Taylor's Gift presented by Tara Storch

Lunch provided by Ana's Catering

Grilled Chicken Ceasar, Orzo Pasta Salad, Strawberry Field Salad

Or Grilled Chicken, Mixed Green Salad, Fresh Fruit Tray, Salad Toppings, Crackers

(bacon, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, corn, pecans, croutons, assorted dressings)

Dessert: Dessert Trio Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Cake Balls, Mini Cream Puffs

$20 Reservation required, link below. Tickets available until one week prior to event or when sold out.

Click here to buy April luncheon ticket

May 13 FOL Annual Meeting with Lunch

& presentation by

Rebecca Blackwood, Dallas Book Reviewers

Lunch provided by Ana's Catering

Boxed lunches – Sandwiches (chicken salad, pimiento cheese)

Pasta Salad, Cucumber Salad

Assorted - Mini Muffins Blueberry, Gingerbread, Cranberry Orange, or Banana

$20 Reservation required, link below. Tickets available until one week prior to event or when sold out.

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.

Click here to buy May Luncheon Ticket

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.

Click Here and scroll to end of events page to order a Name Tag

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

MARCH Library Children's Program Calendar

MARCH Library Adult Program Calendar

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

Literacy Center

The Adult Literacy Program Library office is in the foyer of the Rockwall County Library. The Program provides classes for GED preparation, English as a Second Language, Citizenship, and basic literacy. Classes take place six days a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with the strong support of our community partner, First United Methodist Church of Rockwall.

If you are interested in being a tutor or other volunteer support staff member, contact Nancy Goodsell at 972-204-7705 or email ngoodsell@rockwallcountytexas.com. It is not necessary to be fluent in a foreign language.

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!

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.