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Bellingham Library Marks 120 Years of Service

Oct 31, 2014 06:00AM ● By Amy Bartelloni

Pauline Krajcik and Ann Odabashian sell raffle tickets.

written by Amy Bartelloni, Contributing Writer
On September 27, the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library hosted a wine-and-cheese fundraiser to celebrate 120 years of library service in Bellingham and the 25th anniversary of the Blackstone Street building.  Thanks to some dedicated volunteers and donations, the library opened its doors after hours for over one hundred and thirty ticketholders.  An assortment of red and white wines was available for tasting thanks to generous donations from Douglas Wine & Spirits, Fields Wine Co, and Vets Package Store.  It was a fun and successful night for the Friends, whose mission is to support and promote the Bellingham Library, and the event raised over two thousand dollars.

For several months Friends president Jane Vichi, under the leadership of library director Bernadette Rivard, worked with a group of volunteers to plan the night.  Jane was thrilled that everyone had a fun night, and she said the support of the community for the library was wonderful to see.  The Friends’ next planned fundraiser is the book sale on November 14 and 15, and they are hoping to host an event similar to the wine-and-cheese fundraiser every other year.  The Friends are looking long term at the town’s 300th anniversary in five years, to coincide with the library’s 30th anniversary in the Blackstone St. building and 125 years of service to the Bellingham community.

Several area businesses contributed to the event’s success.  Whole Foods of Bellingham provided the cheese trays, and Brian’s Country Greenery and Bellingham Nursery & Garden donated the floral decorations.  Local students Andrew and Boston Strong provided piano music for the evening, and the event received additional support by donations from Don Eldridge and Antron Engineering.

Door prizes were provided by Denny’s Liquors, Douglas Wine & Spirits, Pandolfi’s Fine Chocolates, and The Father’s Table; and raffles were donated by Blue Heron Acupuncture, Bellingham Nursery and Garden Center, Brian’s Country Greenery, Coachmen’s Lodge, Charlie’s Tire & Service Center, Dairy Queen, Designer Cuts, Dinner & Company Gourmet Catering, Dragonfly’s Quilt Shop, Eclips Hair & Nail Salon, The Father’s Table, Friendly Neighborhood Comics, Hunan Kitchen, Jolicoeur Overhead Doors, New England Country Club, Ostrander Insurance, Rock ’n Coal Pizza, and Thrifty Witch Consignment Shoppe.

In addition to the Museum Pass Program, the Friends also provide funding for programming, books, equipment and other needs of the library.  Recently they replaced all the aging furniture in the lobby of the library.

The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library generally meet on the first Monday of the month at 7 pm at the library.  To check the meeting date, go to the library’s calendar at www.bellinghamlibrary.org.  New members are always welcome, and you can pick up a form to join at the library, or join online at the Friends’ website: www.bellfol.org.

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