We are delighted to spotlight our second featured member, Suzie Lehman. Suzie joined the Friends in September 2023 and immediately began making a difference. She started by helping process donated books, then brightened our space by redecorating the Friends library lobby area and creating the new Friends sign that defines our book sales space.
   When invited to serve as Hospitality Chair, Suzie embraced the role with enthusiasm.
   She now helps plan events—shaping menus, arranging refreshments, and designing decorations that add a special touch to every gathering.
   Suzie also supports the Friends fundraising efforts by volunteering for Belk Charity Days and showed her creativity and leadership by organizing and hosting our successful Chocolate Tasting fundraising event.
   Highly organized, dedicated, and full of energy, Suzie brings warmth and creativity to everything she does. When asked what she enjoys most about the Friends, she shared: “It’s meeting new Friends and volunteering with old Friends.”

We are delighted to spotlight Pete and Jan as our 2025 November/December Spotlight Members.
   Pete and Jan joined the Friends in 2022 and have shared their talents in many meaningful ways. Jan assists with book donations and sales, bakes cookies for events, and helps sell tickets for Belk’s Sales Days, Love Your Library, and other campaigns. Pete uses his career experiences in sales and marketing to help with our fundraising efforts, and is a tireless advocate for both the Library and the Friends, enthusiastically declaring their importance with everyone he meets.
   In their spare time, Jan cultivates orchids and sews clothing and quilts, while Pete pursues his interest in pre-1900 single-action firearms as a member of the Single Action Shooting Society.
   Pete and Jan’s deep commitment to community service and their spirit of friendship shine through in all they do for the Friends. When asked what they enjoy most, they said, attending Friends meetings and taking walks together.

Chris joined the Friends in 2014 after moving to On Top of the World (OTOW) from North Carolina. She began volunteering by sorting donations and helping with book sales. In 2019, Chris took over managing the bundle table. During COVID, she noticed an increase in puzzle donations and began offering them for sale—a big success. She soon became the manager of the puzzle area as well.
    Chris also serves as an important link between the OTOW library and the Friends. Each week, she collects books and puzzles from the OTOW library, sorts them, and brings them to the Friends for resale.
    In addition, Chris volunteers with Reading Pals twice a week and helps with special events at the Riley Center and the World Equestrian Center.
    Chris is married and has sons and grandchildren in several states. Thank you, Chris, for all you do to support the Friends, the Library, and our community!

    Now that our library’s expansion is complete and our Friends Corner Bookstore is up and running, I’d like to take a moment to recognize what it took to get us here.
    As you know, our Board is made up entirely of volunteers—dedicated members who work quietly behind the scenes to provide leadership and direction for the Friends.
    They take on responsibilities like long-term planning, financial oversight, and supporting our fundraising efforts, all while making sure our mission continues to move forward in a thoughtful and sustainable way.
    Over the past year, they’ve played a steady and essential role in the planning, coordination, and preparation that helped bring the bookstore from an idea to the success we’re seeing today. And even now, they continue to give their time—helping train volunteers, offering guidance, and making sure everything runs smoothly.
    But what truly makes all of this meaningful is the way it’s shared.
    The Board may help guide the way, but it’s all of you—our volunteers, members, and supporters—who bring it to life. Your time, your energy, and your willingness to step in and help are what make everything we do possible.
    So, this really is a shared accomplishment.
    With that in mind, I’d like to thank everyone—those in leadership and those who volunteer—for helping make this wonderful milestone for our library and the Friends Corner Bookstore a reality.

     Donna and Shirley have been part of the Friends family since 2017 and 2022, respectively. Both live in Marion Landing, and it didn’t take long after Shirley moved in for these two to become the best of friends. If you’ve attended a Friends meeting, you probably recognize them, they’re often the first to enthusiastically move to adjourn!
     Their involvement with the Friends grew from a shared love of reading and a deep appreciation for our Library. Over the years, they have generously given their time helping with book sales, sorting donations, and supporting countless Friends activities. Donna even met with County officials to advocate for the Freedom Library and help secure important funding; a true example of her dedication.
     We were especially grateful to Donna and Shirley for hosting the Friends’ Annual Meeting at Marion Landing in January while the Freedom Library is under construction. Their hospitality made that gathering both possible and memorable.
     Donna manages the Marion Landing Library and thoughtfully donates their excess books to the Freedom Library for the Friends to sell. Shirley lends her time there as well, and also leads their travel group. Beyond their library work, they stay active in the community through bowling, the craft fair, organizing day trips, and much more.
     Donna and Shirley, thank you for your friendship, your energy, and the many ways you support the Friends and the Freedom Library. We are so fortunate to have you both!!

    Libby and Tracy agree that being a member of the Friends will lead to enduring lifelong friendships, and their friendship is just one example of that.
    The two met after joining the Friends in early 2023. They first worked together using their creative talents to decorate the lobby bookshelves but soon began sorting donations and managing the transport of books from the storage locker.
    During the planning phase of the bookstore, Libby and Tracy took on the challenge of designing a processing/storage room where donations can be sorted, stored, and restocked quickly and efficiently. We benefit from their organization every day!
    Tracy has an exceptional eye for identifying books and items of notable value, helping to ensure special donations receive the attention they deserve. Together, Libby and Tracy play a key role in managing donated materials.
    In addition to everything she does at the Bookstore, Libby is active in the Library’s Book Club, the Women’s Ministry at her church, and she loves to read!
    When not at the Library, Tracy loves reading, tending her organic vegetable garden, paddleboarding on the Rainbow River, or e-biking with her husband.

If you’ve ever wandered into the back room of the Friends Corner Bookstore, chances are you’ve spotted Anita Lane hard at work—sorting, shelving, and prepping donated books so they can find new homes!

Anita joined the Friends back in 2024 after spotting an advertisement. Driven by a generous spirit and a desire to give back, she dropped in for a meeting and was soon happily sorting lobby donations. When the Friends Corner Bookstore officially opened, Anita jumped right in to keep the donations rolling and she often trains new volunteers for the team.

Her help doesn't stop at the bookstore, though! Anita is a familiar, friendly face at our Membership Meetings, where she greets everyone coming through the door and passes out agendas. She also recently stepped up to join the Friends Financial Review Board, serving as the voice of our FOFL members on the Financial Committee.

When she isn't busy supporting the library, Anita stays active with her creative passions. She belongs to both the SW 200 Quilters Guild and the Needlecrafters Guild in Oak Run, works on cross-stitch projects with Common Thread, and crafts comforting quilts for US Armed Services veterans through the Quilts of Valor program.

Anita says she loves the warm camaraderie of the Friends and feels like she's gained a second family here. We couldn't agree more—and we’re so grateful for her cheerful energy and everything she does to keep our donation room running smoothly!