President's letter

Libraries and the men and women who worked in them have always been an important part of my life. I remember the first time I went to a library. My mother took me to the public library in Lafayette, California, when I was in kindergarten or first grade. The nice ladies said I could borrow the books and take them home. 

Later, we spent a few years in Alameda, and the main library was close enough I could ride my bike. It was glorious cycling home with a basket full of unread books. 

I was the oldest of six. Around this time, Mom read us The Hobbit and then she discovered the Lord of the Ring series, its sequels.

We found the first volume in the trilogy, Fellowship of the Ring at the Alameda library, but it was the only one they had in their collection. The staff searched (remember, no computers in those days) and found The Two Towers and Return of the King in some branch library deep in Oakland. My dad drove the whole family out there, and Mom ran in and checked them out.

In high school, the school library became my refuge at lunch. We had moved again, and I went to a new school and didn’t have anyone with whom to eat. Mr. Gag, the librarian my senior year, let me work as a library aide. (Also, I found someone with whom to have lunch.)

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 is National Library Workers Day. If you happen to be in a library remember to congratulate and thank the people working there.

Central Coast Writers has three events in April: 

• Our monthly meeting will be on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025, at the Center for Spiritual Awakening, 522 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA.  It is across the street from the Pacific Grove Public Library— a lovely place and the staff is friendly. 

                          - If you want to help set up, doors open around 5.

                          - Scotty Cornfield, our vice president, will lead a fifteen-minute networking discussion beginning a little before 6 p.m. Our meeting will start soon after.

                          - This month's speakers are married writers Wendelin Van Draanen and Mark Parsons who will discuss and take questions on the writing process; how to stay creative while dealing with real life (jobs, children, dogs, drums…) and many writerly subjects including how to share an office without (too much) bloodshed! Come with questions! Expect arguments! 

• Our Literary Salon is always held the Sunday after the monthly meeting. In April, that means April 20th, at the PGMeeting house (formerly known as Juice N’ Java), 599 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA.  Bring a piece of writing to share or just come to listen.

• SatChat -  The exact date for the next SatChat will be announced later. Keep watching our website for the latest info. 

And meanwhile —

Keep writing,

Sarah E. Pruitt

CCW president