Volunteers and special visitors included members of the New Briceville Library Building Project and members of their families, the Briceville Elementary School Librarian, Susan Simmons, Clinch Powell Regional Library Director, local library directors, and members of Crystal Lodge #616. Briceville Library Director Lynette Seeber and her staff, Daphne Windham and Carolyn White (Meritan employee at the Briceville Library) welcomed the community to the celebration.

The first tent was devoted to information about the new library, a concept drawing and other posters supporting the project. Also on that table was a bucket of Calla lilies which sold for $5 a bunch. There were cookbooks compiled and printed by the Friends of the Briceville Library that sold for $10. All proceeds went to the building fund. There are more cookbooks on order. Everyone was encouraged to sign up for a new library card. From those cards were drawings for ‘door prizes’ each hour. There was a book sale, free magazines, lots of Children’s games as an introduction to the Summer Reading Program, Face Painting, as well as a tent that sold refreshments. The refreshment tent was sponsored by the Crystal Lodge at Briceville and it was a lively section of the celebration. At any given time there was a sizable group including 4, or 6 or more men from the lodge. These men came early and help set up everything and stayed late to see that everything was taken down, put away, and cleaned up. The lodge members are quickly becoming a pivotal group in the area to keep the building project on everyone’s mind.

Tony Thomas, a local musician entertained during the celebration. He is well known in this area; writing songs, has several CD’s to his credit, performs at the Museum of Appalachia and many other venues. He has participated in many of Briceville Library’s programs teaching local history and singing songs written about the area.

In addition to funds raised, the information exchanged, conversations held, and the general friendliness of everyone who attended made the day a noteworthy one. This event certainly reinforces the co-operation of the community, local organizations, and the Anderson County Library Board in the library building project.

The concept drawing and other visuals are on display at the Briceville Library. Anyone wishing to contribute to the Building Fund may send a check to: Briceville Library Building Fund, P O Box 157, Clinton TN 37717.

This is the total contributions to the building fund at the Briceville Library Celebration on July 18, 2009 at the Simpson Field in Briceville. The music was great! 350 to 400 adults and children enjoyed children's games, Ponderosa Zoo animals, Cake walks, baked goods auctions, as well as delicious hamburgers, chili, hot dogs and desserts. Some of us just simply enjoyed 'visiting' with each other. We'll do in again in the fall!

Many thanks to the following contributors: Lake City Bluegrass Gospel (Music), First Baptist Church - Briceville, (Music and cakes), Laurel Branch - Ladies w/ cakes, Church of God - Ladies w/ cakes, West Side Baptist - Ladies w/ cakes, Shop Rite - Lake City (Food), Hardee's - Oliver Springs, Hollingsworth Company - Two Centre Plaza, Clinton, TN (Soft Drinks), Harvey's Furniture - Oliver Springs, Wal-Mart - Oak Ridge. Sharp Funeral Home - Oliver Springs, Holley-Gamble Funeral Home- (Ben Gamble) Lake City (Tents), Ace Hardware - Oliver Springs. Chris Jackson - Food Lion Warehouse (Water), Ponderosa Zoo owner James Cox (Pony Rides), Marshall Hackworth, Angie Colston, Frank Phillips, Savannah Eagleton, Teresa Prosise, Lynn Byrd, Winfrey Hayes, Tony Thomas (music and CD's for the auction), Eugene Chaney (his role as a clown kept the children laughing),Terry Allen and Laura Wolfenbarger (the team from the Anderson County Rescue Squad) Doug Duncan, and all of the Crystal Lodge members who organized, cooked, and performed various other tasks to make the celebration a huge success.

IN THE FALL
Another fundraising event is planned for October 17 at the Simpson Ballfield in Briceville beginning at noon. Watch for further announcements.