This year will mark the 30th anniversary of Edwina Williams’ embodiment of the beloved character Mother Goose with the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. The occasion calls for a celebration — a yearlong celebration, a community group says. A volunteer committee, along with library staff, Friends of the Library members and others, has begun planning “The Year of the Goose.”
“Mother Goose makes every day special and memorable, but Aug. 26 is a marvelous day,” said Anne Freeze, who co-chairs the committee with Elise Wilson. “It marks exactly 30 years since Edwina Williams began to create her legacy at the library.” Events throughout the year are intended to recognize Williams’ contributions to not only the library, but to the entire community.
“We plan to celebrate 30 years of Mother Goose’s dedication to promoting and enhancing our public library while instilling a love of reading in children of all ages,” Freeze continued. “We are also working to promote the Mother Goose Endowment Fund for Children’s Literacy and Advancement.”
Major events
Three significant events are currently in planning.
“The picnic will be a festive event with live music, games, activities, fellowship and fun,” said Amber Brislin, Year of the Goose committee member. The picnic is free for all Mother Goose fans and community members to attend.
The mission of the Mother Goose Endowment is to enhance children’s programs at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library by enlarging the collection of national and state children’s book award winners; making available more information in the Early Childhood Resource Center; expanding information and programming in the Autism Resource Center; and increasing resources and workshops which help parents understand the value of reading with their children.
“The yearlong celebration is not only a way to honor Mother Goose and her work, but also to recognize the importance of our library to children in Lowndes County,” said Christian Heinkel, president of the Friends of the Library.
A Facebook group is being developed for “The Year of The Goose” and will be up soon.
Freeze requests that anyone interested in attending any of the events or in learning more about “The Year of the Goose” email [email protected].
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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