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Membership Letter October 2008

What a year this has been for The Friends of the Alma Public Library, Inc.! Yes, that’s the first change; we are now incorporated and will receive our 501(c)(3) determination letter before Thanksgiving. Our ability to raise the incorporation fee was made possible by a very successful “Pie & Puzzles” fundraiser in April, not to mention the generous donations of many area residents. We have the pictures to prove Alma residents like pie and Alma residents are also great pie makers! Many attendees bought an entire pie and others bought slices to make up a blended pie. That seems the best of both worlds to me. We had over 40 pies and 56 puzzles for friends and families to share and Boggle about. Maybe we can do this one again sometime in the future.

Next came the Summer Reading Program for children with a theme that just thrills most people: “Catch the Reading Bug”. The children who attended the Friends’ program not only caught the reading bug but caught the collecting bug too. They learned about stamp collecting, some started it as a hobby. They also learned about bugs, beetles, spiders, butterflies, bees and all sorts of creepy things. Many used watercolors to paint replica stamps and then displayed them at a successful event at The Art & Soul Gallery in Alma the last week of August through Labor Day. Sixteen artists received awards for their paintings but the total count for child attendance was 114…next year who knows!

As this letter goes to mailing, the Friends are preparing for a new project: Spanish for area businesses. October 13 is the starting date for a beginner Spanish class for business owners, employees, employers and interested residents from Alma, Cochrane and Fountain City. So far, sixteen people have decided to attend the first class. We are excited to meet at Wings Over Alma for a chance to expand our cultural boundaries and stretch our intellects. They are 7 sessions, 5 of which will be at Wings and 2 at another location. Just one more way we can make Alma a better place to live. It’s just another reason to join The Friends for the first time or to continue your membership with a yearly donation at this time. Membership dues are only $5 but many of you have decided to give more and we appreciate your generosity. You know that 100% of your donation goes to programming costs. There are no salaries at the Friends, we are all volunteers. We believe in what we have to offer our community.

As with everyone, we have had some rising expenses: gasoline, paper, ink, art supplies, etc. But when you see the looks on the faces of not only the children but the recipients of the other programs we offer, it is all worth it.

The Book Buddy program is in its second year and the Computer Training classes we offered last fall will start a second session shortly. Our Read-Read program is on the schedule for the Buffalo County Jail and the cookbook we are working on as a fundraiser is also on track. The Friends continue to attend Early Childhood Development Programs to meet young area children and their parents. We are happy to be helping hands with all others who know it takes a “village” to raise a child. Lastly, The Friends donated books to the Alma Public Library.

To help us continue with these programs and develop new ones as the needs arise, please complete the enclosed half-sheet and mail to:

The Friends of the Alma Public Library, Inc.

315 Vista Drive

Alma, WI 54610

Your new membership card will either be mailed or hand-delivered within one week of receiving your membership contribution. Please know you have the sincere thanks of all the people who benefit from the various “Friends” programs.