Book Ball: Stay at Home and Read!

You are invited to the 2nd annual Stay at Home and Read a Book Ball on Saturday, February 10th at 7PM.  Start your evening of reading with lively conversation about books and libraries with six fabulous hosts!

Rosalie Cass, age 9, is an avid reader who picks up a book every chance she gets!  For her “Favorite Place” essay for her third grade class at Morris, Rosalie wrote about the Lenox Library. “I love how the librarians are really kind and I like that the books are really easy to find.  Every book I read from the Lenox Library is wonderful.  I’m finishing up the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, and when I’m done, I might restart the Land of Stories series or the School for Good and Evil series.  In addition to the series I already mentioned, I also recommend Wings of Fire by Tui T Sutherland, Best Wishes by Sarah Mylnowski, and Rose by Holly Webb.” 

Bob Vaughan is a lifelong educator, now in his 53^rd year with some subbing at Morris. He was Principal in three states and went to Algeria to teach with his wife and their seven-month old daughter. They came to Lenox in 1983 as Principal of the Cameron and Morris Schools and have made this their home. The last decade of work was mostly involved assisting schools in Western Massachusetts in writing sustainable improvement plans while also serving on the Lenox School Committee. When Bob is not reading, he tries to run, hike, ski, or play tennis.

Gillian and George Hurst moved back to her hometown of Lenox from NYC with their family during the COVID pandemic. Gillian is so excited to be sharing all the Berkshires has to offer with her two children and husband. Gillian is an actor, gardener, voracious reader and is currently a playgroup leader with South Berkshire Kids. George (4) is a Morris Elementary student with a fondness for superheroes and Super Mario. Gillian and George love to read, listen to audiobooks, find a Story Walk or visit the Lenox Library.  “The Lenox Library has been a home away from home since before I can remember. I treasure my childhood memories at the Lenox Library and I am so happy to make it a part of my children’s lives.” George says his favorite thing about the library is that he gets to color there.

Katie O’Neil is Director of Lenox Library.  Prior to joining the Lenox Library team in 2019, she served as Director at the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives, and worked at the Westfield Athenaeum and Los Angeles Public Library.  She earned her Master of Library and Information Science at the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts in English & American Literature & Language at Harvard University.  Recognized by Berkshire Magazine and Berkshire Community College’s 40 Under Forty for her contributions to life in the Berkshires. Katie is also a member of Elizabeth Freeman Center’s Community Engagement Committee.  Most importantly, she is a mom to two awesome kids. About her job, Katie says, “I love working at the Lenox Library and being a part of a community that values the Library’s role as a friendly and welcoming place for all, and one where much joy may be found!”

Dan Stern loved picture books as a kid. Then he grew up and made two little kids of his own who also loved picture books. Dan has spent many nights tucking in his children, reading them classics, and telling them wild tales. Many of those tales were simply versions of famous movies that he pawned off as his own (while his wife poured so much effort into making up imaginative stories from scratch). But some of Dan’s tales were original creations, too. Barker’s Wish is one such late-night story—it resonated so deeply with his kids that they convinced him to turn it into a book.

Pair your evening of reading with special offers from these great Lenox establishments:

110 GRILL – LENOX: All Book Ball donations are eligible for a 110 Grill gift card drawing.

DARE BOTTLESHOP & PROVISIONS: Book Ball sale online only.  Use code BOOKBALL at www.darebottleshop.com

NEJAINE’S WINE CELLARS: Special wines on sale to benefit the Book Ball.  Visit the Lenox location to learn more and support the library!

OLDE HERITAGE TAVERN: Grab a bite before the Book Ball or take out on February 10th.  10% of the proceeds from that day will benefit the Lenox Library.

Then 2024 Stay at Home and Read a Book Ball is sponsored  by Greylock Federal Credit Union and the Lenox Library Association.