Cheers for volunteers

Joan Smith, though born in North Dakota, spent her childhood in Great Falls, where she graduated from high school. While attending Northwestern University in Illinois, she met her future husband, Larry, who was destined to become a CPA in Chicago.

After graduation and marriage, Joan entered the teaching profession. Other than a break to raise their two sons, Philip and Stephen, she remained a teacher until she retired to a life of volunteering. Larry and Joan migrated from Chicago to Whitefish by degrees — first as vacationers, then as part-time residents, and finally as full-time residents.

Joan, always an avid reader, recalls happy times as a child spent sitting in a tree in the back yard reading books. For the past 12 years, she has volunteered her talents to the Whitefish Library, where she regularly writes reviews on new books.

Staff members say, "We are fortunate to have someone so knowledgeable. Patrons appreciate the fact that they can read someone else's review before reading the book themselves. Most of the books she reviews are checked out as soon as they are put on display."

Joan recently published "Books Worth a Look," which contains her reviews for the past 16 years. Highly popular — Dan Rather ordered two books for his family — all proceeds are donated to the Whitefish Library. Her reviews and more information can be seen online at www.flatheadcountylibrary.org.

In the words of a library staff member, "We should be very proud — so far as I know, we are the only library in the state that has a book reviewer and has the reviews on line."

Joan, we too are proud of what you do. Your obvious desire to spread the "magic of reading" and to "open up a new world to readers' is contagious, and your community thanks you.

— Jake Heckathorn

This column is dedicated to those who give freely of their time and energy to worthwhile community projects, but whose efforts often go unnoticed. If you know such a person, please e-mail jheckathorn@centurytel.net.