It’ll be a very cool event for a very worthy cause. Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 25, from 6-8 p.m. and please get your tickets early by contacting the library at 508-949-3880.  Webster’s Gladys E. Kelly Library located at 2 Lake Street is prepping for its annual fundraiser that seems to grow bigger and better every year. There will be some tasty appetizers from Bistro Eighty Ates of Webster and music by the Carlos Odria Trio a high-energy fusion band performing original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards. But, best of all, there will be unique floral displays based on what the floral arrangers have been reading. Some of the poems, short stories, and novels will truly stand out alongside their blooming arrangements that will be a testament and representation of those books as understood by the reader. Arranged floral displays are sure to be stunningly beautiful. It’s amazing how creative one can get when crafting with deep imagination. 

You will be amazed at the displays, have a great time at your public library, and enjoy tasty food and good entertainment. Your $45 ticket contribution to the fundraiser helps the Friends to sponsor free programs at the library for all—children, teens, and adults. Just look at the variety of programs presented—from lectures, yoga, and concerts to STEAM for children, storytelling and movement classes. The fundraiser helps to refill their funds so they can continue to provide stimulating and creative events to the community for free. It also is a “Friend”-raiser—it helps to build community, providing a great place to gather, admire the creativity of neighbors, enjoy tasty tidbits, and listen to soothing music. Floral arrangements are kept for an extra day, until Friday, September 26, so those not able to attend the fundraiser can see the books in bloom and be inspired.

“We’re looking forward to seeing a great group of area people attending this important fundraiser,” said Elaine Davies, Friends of the Library member and organizer, “many of our bloom composers bring great ideas to their arrangements. It’s great fun along with the Carlos Odria Trio and Bistro Eighty Ates’ delicious apps. After expenses, all proceeds go directly to The Friends of the Library benefitting the library by offering free programs to all age groups.”

According to Ms. Davies some of the past floral designs based on the arranger’s book/poem/short story interpretations have involved Sherlock Holmes’ short stories, Robert Frost poems, and The Master and Margarita (based on a devil returning to Moscow and wreaking havoc). This particular interpretation involved chrysanthemums made up to look like the Kremlin, moss for the hills, a hooded figure representing the devil, and a witch made from twigs, acorns, and pampas grass. The Road Not Taken, a Robert Frost poem, was designed as a scene of brightly-colored Fall leaves along a roadside. A Harry Potter book design entailed the creation of Hedwig the owl and the famous Sorting Hat complete with a beautiful arrangement of Forget-Me-Nots, mums and pumpkins. Past participants include Lorri Ducharme of Prestige Salon, the Samuel Slater Restaurant, Deb Horan’s Booklover’s Gourmet, as well as the St. Joseph Church/School that designed a Polish-speaking cats arrangement that was magnificent according to Ms. Davies.

“This year we’ll talk about creativity,” stated Ms. Davies, “every attendee will receive a booklet with a map of the floral creations and we’ll ask them to write down descriptions and what they felt was important about the display such as texture, flowers, etc.”

“When I was in Florida one winter, I had attended an event like this one. When I came back to the area I thought Why can’t we do this type of event here in Webster?  So, we’ve done it for a few years now and it’s turned out well as our fundraiser. We’ll also raffle off our floral arrangements and will have raffle baskets filled with many items such as wines and cheeses, kitchen wares, and gardening themes.”

Ms. Davies is the Chair of the fundraiser’s Steering Committee and serves along with Rena Klebart, Tom Klebart, Pat Nectow, Liz Gray, Robin Rivers, and Evan Hale.

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