‘Books are a magic carpet. They can take you anywhere you want to go.?
It was this quote from Oxford Public Library Friends member Jane Harlow which inspired the theme of ‘Travel!? for the 8th Annual Storybook Gala held Friday at Devil’s Ridge Golf Club.
More than 80 tourists booked first-class passage aboard this year’s Gala honoring ‘Friends of the Year? Jan and John Fizel, who jetted in for the event from exotic Oxford, Michigan.
Surrounded by images of Paris, Africa, Scotland and the Orient, the Fizels were honored for their years of hard work and dedication to the Friends as well as their tireless volunteer efforts on behalf of Meals-on-Wheels and the Rotary Club of Oxford.
‘If wasn’t for their efforts, there would be no Friends,? said Gala Coordinator and Past Friends President Connie Miller.
Miller described the Fizels as the type of people who continuously and selflessly give to their community. ‘They do it over and over again with a smile,? she said.
Miller told the story of how the Fizels spent one Christmas Eve shopping and wrapping presents at the last minute so a local family in need wouldn’t have to go without that holiday season.
Befitting the spirit of the Fizels? boundless generosity and kindness to others, the Friends made a $100 donation in the community-minded couple’s name to Meals-on-Wheels.
John told the crowd he and his wife have some ‘big footsteps to follow in,? referring to past Friends of the Year, but said they will continue to ‘do our best.?
On a personal note, John informed the crowd that he and Jan celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary May 6. He then declared to his blushing bride, ‘I love you even more today then I did 15 years ago.?
Harlow was also honored by the Friends with a $50 donation in her name to the Oxford Public Library, an institution near and dear to her heart.
Miller described Harlow as a ‘very, very special lady,? who ‘in our hearts is always a friend.?
It’s Harlow’s quiet, behind-the-scenes efforts that keep the Friends? book cart neat, organized and generating a constant stream of quarters for the Friends, according to Miller.
‘No one can ever be bored when there’s a book around,? said Harlow as she invited the crowd to shop the book cart.