It was standing room only in Lisbon Library and Lisbon’s Heritage Hall Thursday, Feb. 29, for the retirement party for Amy White, Lisbon’s library director for more than 34 years.
Many members of Amy’s family were in attendance, and many members of the community came to spend the evening or provide well wishes for Amy in her retirement.
The evening was capped off with a program from many performers that Amy has worked alongside at Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theater and other venues.
Melissa Leo with Eulenspiegel Puppet Company sent a video message but was unable to attend.
Nina Scott, Amy’s friend, put on a puppet show of the building of Lisbon’s Library.
Joe Jennison, frequent writer and collaborator with Amy, had a sketch about the murder mysteries he and Amy had written when he first came to Mount Vernon and Lisbon community.
“Those were some of the most fun shows I’ve ever done, and I look forward to writing more with Amy now and in the future,” Jennison said.
Lisbon Library board president Rich Eskelsen said that every child in Lisbon has had a friend, ally and safe space under Amy’s leadership, and that will continue with the new library director Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez as director.
The evening concluded with Braden Rood and Kim Benesh as Balderdash Ditty singing “Thank You For Being a Friend.”
Amy gave a brief speech, thanking those in attendance of her retirement party.
“It was a great space to work and to the community, I’m beyond words on how much it meant to be the library director,” Amy said. “I plan to continue to support Lisbon Library in the future and see many of you in my retirement.”
New Lisbon Library director Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez asks Amy White for some help with the Lisbon Library’s Facebook page while Amy’s son, Jefferson, provides technical help in navigating the technological issue.