Inspired by Mountains, History, and Library’s Future, by Sarah Walsh, Development Director
This month, we celebrate an essential group of people: the local library lovers who are our donors and our caring supporters. Library Friends & Foundation memberships provide a margin of excellence that enables the library to be a community-builder, literacy center, and champion of youth. And we celebrate a great author, adventurer and historian who also happens to be a resident of our community.
On September 21 at 5:30 pm, the Estes Valley Library Friends & Foundation is hosting its annual reception for all its members to gather together for a festive evening with wine and cheese—and a very brief nominating meeting—followed by a presentation from someone who has had a tremendous and varied career in the publishing world.
Our guest author and speaker is none other than Walter Borneman, who will be reflecting upon his many books and sharing the stories along the way in a presentation titled “Tales from the Road: Forty Years of Publishing.”
That forty-year career has taken Walt to some extraordinary mountain destinations—and into equally fascinating destinations of American history.
Around our state, Walt’s books have become invaluable guides to hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyone with an appreciation for Colorado’s natural wonders. He is the author of A Climbing Guide to the Colorado Fourteeners. In 2006, he earned the Colorado Book Award for the beautiful coffee table book, 14,000 Feet: a Celebration of Colorado’s Highest Mountains. That book is filled with rare historic photos from the Colorado Mountain Club archives and breathtaking contemporary photos—including many of Longs Peak.
As a scholar and a historian, Walt’s writing pursuits have taken him far beyond the Fourteeners—across America and around the globe.
Walt is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Admirals about America’s war at sea during World War II, which was followed by the acclaimed MacArthur at War. His book Rival Rails tells the story of the construction of the transcontinental railroad.
Viewers of CSPAN’s Book TV saw Walt nationwide a few years back talking about his fascinating biography of President James K. Polk, with Walt making the case that Polk forever transformed the U.S. presidency.
This Thursday’s event is a special reception open to the membership of the Library Friends & Foundation. If you’re a current member, simply RSVP to me at swalsh@estesvalleylibrary, or call 970-586-8116, ext. 835.
If you’re not a current member—or if you’re unsure whether you’ve renewed your membership for 2017—contact me as well, and we’ll check our roster and provide you with your opportunity to join.
It’s important to note that the library will be closing at 5:00 pm this Thursday to allow the annual membership meeting and reception to take place at the library. We thank the library’s Board of Trustees for making it possible for us to use the facility for this special event. It is only fitting that we can celebrate the library—and make plans to fund its future—in the very setting that inspires us.
We hope to see you this Thursday as we raise a toast to literacy, civic spirit, and to both history and the future.