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filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Editor’s Note: Those of us who work alongside other volunteers in the basement of the library, sorting thousands of books for resale, know firsthand just how much their commitment, passion, sense of humor and concern for others make it a wonderful and meaningful way to invest time and talents in the community.
There is nothing “gray” about Ellen Gray’s passion for the library and her boundless willingness to take on 50 tasks at once if it will benefit the Friends. So, if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her in person, we would like to introduce you to her now in a question-and-answer format:
Q. How did you meet your eventual husband, Speed?
A. In 1962, starting my 10th grade year a bit late, having moved from Philadelphia to Cleveland with my dad’s transfer, I walked into Miss Henderson’s 10th grade English class and was seated between the two class cutups to separate them. One was Speed!
Q. How long have you been married?
A. After “going together” for six years, we were married on June 28, 1969, in Los Angeles.
Q. Tell us a little about your children and grandchildren?
A. We have three girls. Nancy, our oldest, lives in Shelby Township north of Detroit, and has three daughters: Molly, who just graduated from college; Betsy, a college senior; and Abby, a high school senior. Jenny, our second daughter who lives in San Francisco, has one son, Duke, age 9. Our youngest daughter is Betsy, who lives in Columbus, Ohio. Her daughter, Gray, is a sophomore in high school; and her other son, Penn, is an 8thgrader.
Q. What is your educational background?
A. After attending elementary school in St. Louis (where I was born), I attended middle school at Plymouth-Whitemarsh School outside of Philadelphia, and then graduated from Shaker Heights High School, outside of Cleveland, in 1965. I graduated from Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts with a degree in Fine Arts. That’s when my dad was transferred to Los Angeles, and I went along!
Q. What was your work and volunteer experience outside the home before the Friends?
A. I taught in a pre-school in Huntington Beach, CA for several years before I was married. Later, in 1976 when we lived in Elkhart, Indiana, I was hired by a local bank as the coordinator of a major project they were funding to paint all the fire plugs in town--more than 300--each in the costume of a famous revolutionary soldier in celebration of the bicentennial. Using volunteers, I was responsible for training and scheduling for each plug to be painted. In the 70s and 80s, I was very active in the Grand Rapids Junior League. I helped with numerous projects, including multiple years with their fundraiser Rummage Sale at DeVos Place in the spring. When my daughters were going through Forest Hills Central High School, I was in charge of the annual fall sports program, arranging photos of all the teams, designing and doing the layout for each program, and working with the printer during program production. I really enjoyed this project for the six or seven years I did it.
Q. How did you begin volunteering with the Friends?
A. Over the years I was a regular attendee at the July 4th Book Sales, where I learned about the Friends group and got to know several volunteers. I had always enjoyed the time I spent at the library; and with my daughters all grown, the timing was perfect to become more involved. It was Kathy Wosinski, Laurel Ingram and Marge Ohlman, who took me under their wings and helped me become involved.
Q. What type of things have you been involved with as a Friends volunteer?
A. Because I became close to Kathy, I naturally spent most of my time and energy helping with the July 4thand other book sales. Before her passing, I became her co-chair of the book sales events. She was such a special person to work with. I will always remember the many sales we did together over the years. I also work in the basement sorting donated books. I also chair a small group of volunteers who put up and take down the Christmas tree as part of the holiday celebration. Most recently I have become active with the group that goes out to people’s homes to pick up book donations.
Q. What do you most enjoy doing as a Friends volunteer?
A. I enjoy everything I do! Mostly, the camaraderie with all the Friends volunteers; meeting new people at the library, and helping folks out at the various book sales. There is always something exciting going on with the Friends group, and it’s motivating and enjoyable to see that the Friends really make a difference at the Cascade branch.
Q. How do you personally benefit as a Friends Volunteer?
A. Working with other people who truly love books as much as I do, and the friendships that have evolved.
Q. Is there any special memory that stands out from your time as a volunteer?
A. I will never forget the July 4th sale six or seven years ago, where the temperatures in the parking lot, where the tables were set-up, got to 107 degrees. The books got so hot we could hardly touch or move them, and we had to be on guard for anyone suffering from heat stress!
Q. Do you have any hobbies?
A. For most of my adult life I have been very involved in arts and crafts: sewing, knitting, painting. And one of my first loves and activities is Book Arts and Book Binding. These two very specialized interest areas involve the artistic modification and alteration of the book form. I have displayed some of my altered books in the display case in the library lobby. And, I also collect very small books and turn them into tree ornaments for the library Christmas tree. The kids love them.
Ellen Gray
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