“I’ve lived in Fennimore for years and never seen anything like this,” stated one attendee describing the “extraordinary” turnout for the Dwight T. Parker Public Library “thank you gala” for the success of the library’s 100 Extraordinary Women fundraiser toward the library’s upcoming remodeling/expansion project.
The gala held in the Niehaus Hall of the Fenway House Hotel, Fennimore, on April 9 ,was at standing room only after the many, many women (and a few men) packed Niehaus Hall for drinks, food provided by the Lemon Door, music by area musician Roddy Dull, and socializing before the ceremony began.
The total number of gala attendees was estimated at well over 160 people.
For the 100 Extraordinary Women fundraisier initiative, pledges of $1,000 were given in the name of the donor or in the name of someone to honor or remember.
A plaque with the names of donors will be listed in the lobby of the remodeled and expanded library.
The goal was for at least 100 pledges coming out to $100,000 raised toward the project. More on that later on.
After everyone was finally seated, or found a place to stand, the ceremony began with Dwight T. Parker Public Library President Dan Bredeson serving as master of ceremonies.
Bredeson started out with the first of many, many thank yous given to those in attendance for their donations toward the library project, which as he stated, was “many years in the works.”
Bredeson then turned the ceremony over to Cathy Smith, Library Director, as she gave a description of what a “21st century library” will be.
Besides expanding to 12,000 sq. ft., more than doubling its size, Smith stated to the crowd, “There’s so much a library has to offer to its community. Besides books it’s a place for socialization.”
She went on say, “It will have meeting places for organizations, and more study spaces. The number of computers will increase from four to 12 and there will be a wider broadband for faster internet. It will serve so many people.”
Smith also stated that an elevator will be part of the building’s update which will make the library ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.
But with all the additions and expansion, the project will “preserve our wonderful, historic building,” Smith stated, meaning that the library on the outside will look mostly similar to its current look, but inside will be that 21st century library serving the community.
Smith also informed the attendees that the library will have to relocate for six to nine months during the construction and they are still looking for a temporary location.
Next to speak was Christy Monk from FEH Design, the project’s design firm, who again stated the remodeled library will still look similar to the current building, but will have all of the updated features.
She also stated that bids to potential contractors will be sent out April 25, with May 21 the deadline for bids to be received.
Monk also said construction would start July 1, with a hopeful, anticipated end to construction in July 2026.
She, like Bredeson and Smith, thanked everyone for their support.
JoAnn Wiederholt, representing the fundraising campaign leadership team, gave a fundraising report, which she started off by saying, “We wouldn’t be here if not for the $4.25 million grant we received.”
Wiederholt was referring to the The State of Wisconsin Department of Administration’s “leftover funds grant” from the $107 million given to them for the Flexible Facilities Program, which was established through the American Rescue Plan of 2021 as part of the support during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
She stated that 97 applications were sent in for the possible grants. Only 35 of those 97 were awarded funds, with 13, the library being one, awarded the full $4.25 million.
Although a large chunk of the money needed toward the library’s update, more funds were needed, hence the 100 Extraordinary Women initiative was one a few fundraisers established by the committee.
And in what was the theme of the night, Wiederholt said “when women come together, extraordinary things happen,” as she revealed that the initiative’s’ goal of 100 pledges had been well exceeded as 162 donations were made in all, which was again followed by a thank you to all.
Margaret Sprague, member of the Friends of the Library, gave an informative presentation about what the group does for the library.
The Friends of the Library, founded in 2012, was started to support the Dwight T. Parker Public Library financially by raising needed money that is outside of the library’s budget.
And as an “ongoing partner for the library,” Sprague informed the attendees that their memberships “need to grow along with the library,” and to reach out if interested in joining.
Lastly, what library gala would be complete without a book reading. Staying with the evening’s theme of “when women come together, extraordinary things happen,” Kristy Wiest and Cindy Albrecht, members of the Friends of the Library group, as well as fundraising team members, gave a reading of the children’s book, “Girls On The Rise” by Amanda Gorman.
The book, as the pair stated, “speaks volumes to the power of women.”
Among the inspirational quote from “Girls On The Rise,” were “When one girl stands up, they’re never alone,” and “We are girl! Growing and glowing!”
The gala held in the Niehaus Hall of the Fenway House Hotel, Fennimore, on April 9 ,was at standing room only after the many, many women (and a few men) packed Niehaus Hall for drinks, food provided by the Lemon Door, music by area musician Roddy Dull, and socializing before the ceremony began.
The total number of gala attendees was estimated at well over 160 people.
For the 100 Extraordinary Women fundraisier initiative, pledges of $1,000 were given in the name of the donor or in the name of someone to honor or remember.
A plaque with the names of donors will be listed in the lobby of the remodeled and expanded library.
The goal was for at least 100 pledges coming out to $100,000 raised toward the project. More on that later on.
After everyone was finally seated, or found a place to stand, the ceremony began with Dwight T. Parker Public Library President Dan Bredeson serving as master of ceremonies.
Bredeson started out with the first of many, many thank yous given to those in attendance for their donations toward the library project, which as he stated, was “many years in the works.”
Bredeson then turned the ceremony over to Cathy Smith, Library Director, as she gave a description of what a “21st century library” will be.
Besides expanding to 12,000 sq. ft., more than doubling its size, Smith stated to the crowd, “There’s so much a library has to offer to its community. Besides books it’s a place for socialization.”
She went on say, “It will have meeting places for organizations, and more study spaces. The number of computers will increase from four to 12 and there will be a wider broadband for faster internet. It will serve so many people.”
Smith also stated that an elevator will be part of the building’s update which will make the library ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.
But with all the additions and expansion, the project will “preserve our wonderful, historic building,” Smith stated, meaning that the library on the outside will look mostly similar to its current look, but inside will be that 21st century library serving the community.
Smith also informed the attendees that the library will have to relocate for six to nine months during the construction and they are still looking for a temporary location.
Next to speak was Christy Monk from FEH Design, the project’s design firm, who again stated the remodeled library will still look similar to the current building, but will have all of the updated features.
She also stated that bids to potential contractors will be sent out April 25, with May 21 the deadline for bids to be received.
Monk also said construction would start July 1, with a hopeful, anticipated end to construction in July 2026.
She, like Bredeson and Smith, thanked everyone for their support.
JoAnn Wiederholt, representing the fundraising campaign leadership team, gave a fundraising report, which she started off by saying, “We wouldn’t be here if not for the $4.25 million grant we received.”
Wiederholt was referring to the The State of Wisconsin Department of Administration’s “leftover funds grant” from the $107 million given to them for the Flexible Facilities Program, which was established through the American Rescue Plan of 2021 as part of the support during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
She stated that 97 applications were sent in for the possible grants. Only 35 of those 97 were awarded funds, with 13, the library being one, awarded the full $4.25 million.
Although a large chunk of the money needed toward the library’s update, more funds were needed, hence the 100 Extraordinary Women initiative was one a few fundraisers established by the committee.
And in what was the theme of the night, Wiederholt said “when women come together, extraordinary things happen,” as she revealed that the initiative’s’ goal of 100 pledges had been well exceeded as 162 donations were made in all, which was again followed by a thank you to all.
Margaret Sprague, member of the Friends of the Library, gave an informative presentation about what the group does for the library.
The Friends of the Library, founded in 2012, was started to support the Dwight T. Parker Public Library financially by raising needed money that is outside of the library’s budget.
And as an “ongoing partner for the library,” Sprague informed the attendees that their memberships “need to grow along with the library,” and to reach out if interested in joining.
Lastly, what library gala would be complete without a book reading. Staying with the evening’s theme of “when women come together, extraordinary things happen,” Kristy Wiest and Cindy Albrecht, members of the Friends of the Library group, as well as fundraising team members, gave a reading of the children’s book, “Girls On The Rise” by Amanda Gorman.
The book, as the pair stated, “speaks volumes to the power of women.”
Among the inspirational quote from “Girls On The Rise,” were “When one girl stands up, they’re never alone,” and “We are girl! Growing and glowing!”
After the reading Wiest and Albrecht lead a cheer to honor the past, present, and future of the library, and once again, another big thank you to all the “168 extraordinary women.”
