Date: Fri 14-Feb-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Booth-Library-funds-bricks

Full Text:

Many Will Donate Their Good names To Library Fundraiser

(with photo)

BY ANDREA ZIMMERMANN

One way to leave your mark in Newtown is to inscribe a Memory Brick which will

edge a walkway to the Booth Library addition. For $40, anyone may

"immortalize" a child, dog, parent or friend, or impart wise words, while

supporting the library through the fundraiser.

The message sandblasted on each paving brick can run three lines with 12

characters (including spaces) on each line. Anyone ordering a brick will

receive a certificate, which can be used to announce the gift of a brick. In

late spring or early summer, the smooth paving bricks will be placed at the

edge of the path leading from the parking lot around to the side porch

entrance. The "unveiling" of the walkway will be incorporated into the gala

weekend planned for the opening of the new addition.

Some people are interested in buying bricks to commemorate a special event,

such as a birthday, anniversary or graduation, said Pat Denlinger, of the

Library Board of Trustees. Clubs and organizations might also want to

participate by having a brick inscribed, she added.

Alice Carroll was one of the founding members of the library board of

trustees. She died three years ago, but her daughters want to make sure "her

name is spread around a bit" near the library. So each purchased bricks to

honor her.

"I just couldn't face her up above without putting her names on these bricks,"

said Mary Pat Brigham, who now lives in Vermont. "I really grew up in Newtown

and, with the exception of one year, I've always lived within walking distance

of the library."

Mrs Brigham clearly remembers when the library was new - the layout of the

rooms, the leather furniture and cork floors. Both she and her sister worked

at the library as youth and during summer vacation when they were in college.

"I can remember Saturdays from 5 to 8 pm I was the only staff member in -

something you would never do today. I had to shut the place up at night," she

said. "The library was a special part of my childhood. I didn't know how lucky

I was till I was grown and away from Newtown."

Still a subscriber to The Newtown Bee , Mrs Brigham has kept abreast of the

changes to the library. She bought two bricks in memory of her mother and is

having them inscribed with her own name, the names of her three children, her

daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.

"I wanted to be a part of it, myself, and I wanted mother's family to be part

of it," she said. "It's a permanent memorial. Where for so little can you get

something that for so many years will last?"

Her sister, Judy Carroll Geckle, also bought a brick for their mother. "She

had library card Number 10 - I always got such a kick out of that," said Mrs

Geckle, who is continuing the family tradition of library involvement as

manager of Northeast Regional Branch Library, part of the Richland County

Public Library system in South Carolina.

But you do not have to have a long history with the Cyrenius H. Booth Library

to help celebrate its expansion. Mrs Denlinger will provide a certificate to

anyone who is purchasing the brick as a gift.

A sample engraved brick is on display, and forms are available at the library

in Shelton House at Fairfield Hills campus. Payment may be made by check or

credit card.

For more information contact the library staff at 426-4533 or Pat Denlinger

at 426-5982.