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Homegrown art in Stafford Co.
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Courtesy photo

STAFFORD — Have you ever thought about the great tradition of art that we have in Stafford? Take a moment and think of the talented people here in the Stafford community that have touched your life through various artistic forms. Just in my “short” lifetime off the top of my head I think of:

  • The inspirational church choirs in our many churches through the centuries
  • The Drama Guild and school plays that enriched our lives
  • Wayne Newell and Diana Carothers singing at our wedding
  • We didn’t have to hire out-of-town people to create beauty on our Main Street. We Have Sonny Victory, Deana Eisenhour, and Nancy Hildebrand.
  • Arlene Lickuss has painted wonderful pictures of Stafford
  • Glennys Freund Sallabedra and Brenda Fuller spent a lifetime teaching many art forms that enriched our lives
  • Many beautiful gardens for all to enjoy
  • Hulda Brensing and her ceramic classes
  • Ruth Rewerts trying to teach me piano and classmate LInda Hiebert and so many others known for their musical talents.
  • We have so many talented singers and musicians I can not begin to list them all here. Stop and think of those that touched your hearts with their music abilities.
  • Local Authors

We are truly blessed with artists. I hope this personal observation of Stafford art brings back memories of the artists that have touched your life. Thank you all for sharing your talents!

How does this relate to the library? Did you know, through the 118 years of our service to Stafford, people have donated to us local art? We have paintings, ceramics, needlework, books written by local people, not just our beautiful stained glass window. Sandy is creating art for our Summer Reading program, “Unearth a Story.” Stop in and enjoy “Our Space.”

The Stafford Museum has an even greater collection throughout its buildings of local art, including one of my favorites, a painting of Hollyhocks created by Nora’s mother, Angeline.

Stafford has truly been blessed through the centuries with art. Think about the art in your own community and celebrate it!

Library Calender

  • Monday mornings, 10-11 a.m., Preschool Story Hour
  • Dungeons & Dragons every Wednesday, 4-6 p.m.
  • ESOL with Rachel Sandoval every Wednesday except 2nd Wednesday, 6 p.m.
  • Winter Reads to Contentment Leads - Book Challenge ends May 1.
  • Books, Balls and Blocks Developmental Screening Event, April 9
  • April 16, 5:30 p.m., Daycare Sub meeting with Ryan Russell
  • April 28, 5:30 p.m., Recently Read - come enhance our conversation
  • May 12 - 5:30 p.m. Trish Green and 4-H Project informational meeting
  • June 8 - 10 a.m. PBS here for Preschool Summer Reading
  • June 30 - 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Cheyenne Bottoms 3-5 grade Summer Reading
  • Read Everyday-Live a Better Life
  • Next Board Meeting: May 13

Gerry Hildebrand is the head librarian for the Nora Larabee Memorial Library, 108 N. Union St. in Stafford. Phone 620-234-5762, email larabeelibrary@gmail.com or visit Facebook at Nora Larabee Memorial Library. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday; 2-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.