Library support group hits two decades

WARDSBORO-On Monday, September 23, the Friends of the Wardsboro Library celebrated its 20th anniversary.  For the past two decades, the organization has relied on a core group of dedicated volunteers, and more recent volunteers from  Stratton and Jamaica, too, to oversee and manage the library site as board members and committee chairs; to fund raise to pay for all the day-to-day expenses and improvements; and to fulfill its mission of supporting the town’s free public library.
The 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation lists as its founding board members Wardsboro residents Cristel Holden, Marianne Furgalack, Janet Leblond, Peggy Matheson, and Jennifer Densmore.
The Friends formally organized to raise funds to purchase the old farmhouse and barn at 170 Main Street from the town in 1999, when the town received it as a bequest from the estate of Ruth McMichael. The building is known as the Gloria Danforth Memorial Building because the greater part of the purchase price was donated by the Danforth family. It is to this day one of the most generous and remarkable legacy gifts that the organization has ever received; however, each year, hundreds of people—locals and second-home owners alike—contribute thousands of dollars toward the property costs
  The remainder of the funds needed annually come from events that the Friends run, including the famous Gilfeather Turnip Festival, held annually in October.   
The Friends have a new email: friendsofwardsborolibrary@gmail.com.