Congratulations to Pine City on the dedication of the newly expanded and refurbished library. Over 335 people packed the library for the event on Saturday, May 7, which began with the posting of the colors by Boy Scout Troup 188 and the Pledge of Allegiance.

The library expansion was made possible through a gift given in memory of Henrietta Boo Hudson by her husband H. Peter Hudson and their six children. Henrietta grew up in Pine City. Community members matched the donation with fundraising activities like silent auctions, hot dish buffets and root beer floats in the park.　Monetary donations were given by civic groups, clubs, businesses, banks, and library patrons and friends.  The $200,000 match was raised in 13 months.  The renovation is fully paid for and used no tax dollars. 

The building formerly housed both the Pine City offices and library. After the city offices moved out, volunteers boxed up and removed over 20,000 books, CDs, and DVDs as well as computers and furniture. Then a total makover took place from demolition to reconstruction - a process that was accomplished in a mere 63 days. Seeing the beautiful d�cor, including the fireplace and huge bay window, it's hard to remember what the space looked like before the transformation. Where the library formerly occupied only 2,047 square feet, it is now more than tripled in size, at 7,600 square feet.

Master of Ceremonies at Saturday's event was Henrietta - or Henny's - brother, Peter Boo. Family members came from all over the United States to attend the event and witness the unveiling of the commemorative plaque in Henny Penny's Corner, the children's section of the library, which she loved dearly. Other speakers at the event were Mayor Jane Robbins, Foundation member Margery Swanson, project manager Max Blaufuss, Pine City Branch Librarian Christy Koch, Congressman James Oberstar, and H. Peter Hudson. Christy Koch and Mayor Robbins performed the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

A poem written by Henrietta Boo Hudson was in the dedication program. It declared her love of books, libraries, and the appropriateness of her family's generous gift.

I still find each day too short 

For all the thoughts I want to think,

For all the walks I want to take

All the books I want to read

And all the friends I want to see.

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