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Event again a success

By Staff | Apr 27, 2012

Once again the Friends of Shepherdstown Library have staged a wonderfully successful “Left of the Bank” and once again it’s time to thank the many people who helped make it so. This year we presented stories of Shepherdstown instead of poetry and our storytellers did an outstanding job. Many thanks to Clifford Branson, Laura First, Jay Hurley, Joe Matthews, Carlos Niederhauser, Hali Taylor and Randall Tremba for sharing their experiences with us. Master of Ceremonies Ed Zahniser added his own recollections and Don Oehser sang ballads what else but stories in song?

The upstairs room of the War Memorial Building was transformed by the whimsical front porch stage setting, proposed by Dave Singer and brought to reality by Jay Hurley and friends. The stage and tables were adorned with flowers courtesy of Mary Stanley and Meg Spurlin. The refreshment table is always a decided draw at Left of the Bank programs. FOSL board member Judith Briod solicited and received food donations from twenty-four volunteers, most of them members of FOSL. She was assisted at the refreshment table by Pam Miller, Joni Lyon and Anne Eden.

Not only Judith, but all the FOSL board members were instrumental in making the evening a success. President Winnie McGarty, Vice President Nancy Kirschbaum, Secretary Maylene Reisbig, Rachel Hally, and Dee Hines were busy afternoon and night arranging flowers or working in the kitchen. Vicki Smith did an excellent job of getting publicity out to area newspapers, and Agnes Freund created the attractive posters and other graphic materials. Program Chair Larry Blash was the coordinator with me in putting the program together. He, Dave Singer, and Colin Voigt also set up chairs and tables all afternoon, somehow managing to seat 120 people comfortably.

The storytellers had some help preparing their stories from three “coaches” who offered their services: Master storyteller Adam Booth, Phil Bufithis and Liz Wheeler.

We also extend thanks to Jefferson Distributing for donating beer, and Judith and Mark Briod for donating wine; once again, Mina Goodrich and Larry Dean served as our “bartenders.” As always, the beautiful lace tablecloths came from Sylvia Ellsworth Catering. We appreciate, too, the help and cooperation we always get from the Shepherdstown Community Club and its president Tom Huddleston.

Last, in spite of our efforts, the evening would have been a flop without the many people who bought tickets. I am only sorry that we had to turn so many people away. Thanks to all of you who attended and/or made monetary donations to FOSL. Between the ticket sales and donations, this Year’s “Left of the Bank” added over $5000.00 to the FOSL treasury, all of which will go towards new library acquisitions and special programs. Again, thanks to everyone who made this possible.

Edwinna Bernat

FOSL Program Coordinator