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Donors thanked at Lewes Public Library reception

Ribbon cutting for new facility planned for June 25
Jack Lesher of the Lewes Board of Public Works; Greater Lewes Foundation Chairman Joe Stewart; Lewes Public Library Board of Commissioners President Beckie Healey; and Lewes Mayor Ted Becker shared in the evening’s festivities. JUNE ROSE FUTCHER PHOTOS
June 28, 2016
Members of the Thompson family, who owned the library and trailhead parcel prior to its sale to the City of Lewes and Lewes Public Library are shown left to right. They include Greer Thompson; Tom Hughes and Eve Thompson Hughes; Blair Thompson, Bettye Thompson, Blake Thompson, Wade and Danielle Thompson. The Thompson family discounted the price of the property to make the sale possible.
Former Lewes Mayor Jim Ford, honorary co-chairman for the library campaign, and his wife, Teresa, join Dr. Anis, Sue and Aly Saliba and Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf for a photo outside the new library. The Salibas are long-time supporters for the library and participants in its Great Discussions series. Schwartzkopf, who represents a wide swath of the Lewes Public Library coverage area, joined fellow legislators Ernie Lopez, Gary Simpson and Steve Smyk in supporting a variety of state funds for the new library and trailhead,.
Sue and John Schroeder are looking forward to checking out books, eBooks, movies and audible books from the new Lewes Public Library.
Chanta Wilkinson, a board member for Lewes Public Library, shows one of the library’s new showcases to her family members: Brandon, Corrine and Dr. Mark Wilkinson.
Paulise and Rick Bell, left; Sen. Ernie Lopez and his daughters, Ann and Claire, center; and Drew McCay were on hand to celebrate the new library and its children and teen areas.
Art and Sheila Inden; Carolyn Marshall; and Dave and Nancy Marvin - all friends on Lewes Beach - were happy to be on hand as supporters of the project.
Taking a few moments for the camera at the library reception are (l-r) Cliff Diver, Dr. Vincent Killeen, Kathryn Byrne, Debbie Killeen, Peggy Chandler, Lisa McDonald and Bruce Chandler.
Ron Lee; Hugh Leahy, treasurer for Lewes Public Librar’s Board of Commissioners; and Doris and John Rudibaugh all played significant roles in construction of the new library.

More than 500 donors to the Lewes Public Library building campaign gathered in the new building  June 3, for a sneak preview of the new facility.  An $11.2 million project including land and building, the new library and community center will open to the public on Monday, June 20. 

A ribbon cutting with Gov. Jack Markell doing the honors will be held Saturday, June 25, starting at 11 a.m. The public is invited to attend. At the donors reception, Lewes Public Library Board of Commissioners President Beckie Healey thanked the many individuals, organizations, businesses, foundations and state agencies that made this public-private partnership become a reality.

The process to document the need, find and secure the location and funding, and build the new library has taken nearly 10 years. 

 

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