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Library's Expansion | Newspaper Articles
Gala auction to aid library: Brady-signed football among
items
Anna L. Griffin, Telegram & Gazette, March 5, 2007
LEOMINSTER— Members of the 150th Anniversary Gala
Auction Committee said plans are firming up for the event
that will be held March 24.
“We’re very pleased with the items we have received,” said
Sue Chalifoux Zephir, chairwoman of the event. “The
community has been very generous.”
Among the items that have been received are a football
autographed by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady; a
baseball autographed by Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt
Schilling and an autographed photograph of Schilling
pitching; a wildlife photograph featuring a penguin, shot by
Dr. Michael E. Gotthelf, that also comes with two tickets to
the New England Aquarium; and a complete Italian dinner for
eight, from antipasto to dessert, that comes with a basket
filled with a bottle of wine, olive oil, a CD of “Il Divo”
and other items.
“We really have something for everyone,” said Mrs. Zephir.
Other items include vacation packages; books signed by local
authors, such as Richard Letarte’s “That One Glorious
Season: Baseball Players with One Spectacular Year” and
Ernest Caponi’s “Arthur and Rose: The Caponi/Mosca Union, In
Search of My Italian Roots”; and artwork by local artists
Jeanne Zephir and Luanne Hume.
“We are very happy with how the event is shaping up,” said
Susan Shelton, executive director of Leominster Public
Library. “We also have numerous gift certificates from local
businesses as well as gift certificates for professional
services from many in the region, such as lawyers and
accountants.”
The auction, which will feature both live and silent
components, will be held to benefit the Leominster Public
Library Building Fund. All proceeds will be used for
furniture, fixtures and equipment. Dave Rogers is the
auctioneer.
The event will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. March 24 in Tata
Auditorium, City Hall, 25 West St. Tickets to the event are
$25 each. In addition to the auction, there will be
refreshments and a cash bar.
Donations of items or services for the auction are being
accepted. Those who are interested in making a donation can
call the Leominster Public Library at (978) 534-7522, send
e-mail to auction@leominsterlibrary.com or contact any
member of the committee.
In addition to Mrs. Zephir, committee members are: Donna
Balletta, Kim DiGeronimo, Sheila Eydenberg, Martha Faulkner,
Suzanne Koehler, Denise Labenski, Ruth McCarty, Carol
Millette, Nona Ojala, Mrs. Shelton, and Suzanne St. Cyr.
Auction committee members are looking for volunteers who
will be able to assist with the various aspects of the
auction. Those who would like to volunteer can use the
contact information listed above.
Tickets for the auction can be obtained from committee
members, at the Mayor’s Office at City Hall or at the event
that evening.
In May 2005, Leominster Public Library moved from West
Street to its temporary location at Crossroads Office Park,
690 Mechanic St. A July groundbreaking was held at the West
Street location that marked the official start of a project
to enlarge the library to 44,513 square feet, with 55
adjacent parking spaces.
This was achieved by renovating the original building, built
in 1910, and building a new 34,434-square-foot addition.
Entrances to the building will be on both West and Pearl
streets. In addition to money from both the state and local
government to cover the costs of construction, the library
has undertaken a private fundraising effort to pay for such
things as furnishings. The auction is part of this private
fundraising effort.
A fundraising goal of $1.2 million for this private effort
has been set. “We’ve received many pledges and a great deal
of support from the people of the city,” said Mrs. Shelton.
“We hope to keep the momentum going as we look forward to
the library opening in late spring.”
Information on any aspect of the project can be obtained by
visiting the Web site www.leominsterlibrary.org.
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