At one time the gallery building housed our local library for a good number of years. The photo to the right inspired a rememberance of that time and the ever so lovely librarian that ran the library, Mary Helen Murphy.
As shared by Peg Presba, 10-2017
In reference to the current picture taken by CJ Nelson,
Art On the Divide Gallery
Funny you posted this. Just this morning I was thinking of those windows and the late Mary Helen Murphy, who was librarian throughout all of my childhood and beyond. She lived in the studio above the library.
Every morning she carried a steaming soapy bucket of water down stairs and fastidiously scrubbed the sidewalk in front of the library, then she washed the windows until they gleamed. EVERY MORNING!
Miss Murphy often displayed beautiful vases of her roses, or in the fall brilliant sprays of autumn leaves, changing the window scenes almost weekly. Sometimes new books were displayed, along with beautiful glass figurines and items of interest, all placed with the loving hand of an artist.
Sandwiched between two bars, the library was a brilliant diamond. The welcome, sweet melodies from famous composers played endlessly on her record player, and each record was dusted off after each use before lovingly replaced into pristine album covers.
When you entered the tall glass door the first to great you was the smell of Old English she used to make all the wooden chairs, tables and book shelves shine with it. The floors also sparkled in the light.
I adored that sweet woman with a silver bun and sparkling blue eyes. She was the library's greatest treasure. She and her sister Theresa (but that is another story).
I know Miss Mary Helen Murphy would love this welcoming photo of her beloved home.
As I was thinking of her this morning, realized what an important person she was in influencing my early writing and fostering not only a love for reading, but conversing about what I learned. She loved to give suggestions on interesting reading material and looked forward to hearing your take on a book. She had the sweetest, loving smile and was delighted to listen, I mean listen. And when you checked out a book, she was meticulous in placing the date stamp perfectly on the line.
When I use words like fastidious and meticulous she sounds starched and stiff, but she was far from it. She spoke soft with a sweetness and angelic voice, but behind her perfection and goodness you felt a twinkle of innocent mischief. Kind of like an angel with a great sense of humor. I adored her.
When Bud and I owned the short lived newspaper, El Dorado Gold, we were members of the Divide Friends of the Arts. We helped organize two Putting On the Ritz ballroom dances, along with Betz Anderson and others. Our paper sponsored a special award and ribbon each year at the Friend's Art Show for the best new depiction of the Old Veercamp Barn that once stood in Garden Valley, I know your organization well. I even get your newsletter and come by the gallery every time we get back to Georgetown.
Feel free to quote me, I loved the library and the ladies who made it so special.
