Since Dick Carpenter asked where I was - thought I would let all
(who care) know. My local society of 400 members of which I am a recent
past president is having trouble with the main Spokane, WA library where
our large collection is held. We have the third floor. Because of budget
woes (doesn't everyplace?), they have closed the library on Sat. and as
a result our society had to find another place to meet.
I am the Library Liaison and as such, have been meeting with the
Directors, the city council, legal council, etc. etc. to try and
alleviate this problem. We would like to keep our holdings in the
Library BUT if necessary take it and go - They don't want to let it go
and so I and my committee of another past president, a retired Judge and
an attorney (another p.p.) are consulting legal counsel to try to
rectify this horrible situation. This is happening all over the country,
by the way.
I cannot tell you how much time this has taken out of my life. I am
also in the process of updating and writing a new family history on the
Kiddoo/Caldoe family that I published in 1981. This has taken much
longer than I expected or hoped.
SOOOOOO - my own research, along with the publication of my various
(3 now) surname series have suffered. I am not at work on Vol. #35 of
the Carpenter Chronicles series. I still collect material that is
offered to me from researchers who wish to share.
Hopefully, my life will return to normal soon. Because of
me/committee, the library and foundation is getting a new Director and
we once again will try to settle this matter.
In between these responsibilities, I have been teaching and
lecturing and am now planning the annal Fall Workshop along with getting
ready to go to the National Genealogy Society "Conference in the State"
being held in Portland, OR soon, where I have been asked to introduce
several national speakers.
So you now know much more probably, than you really wanted but -
time flies when you are having fun, so they say.
Bette
--
Bette Butcher Topp -
Please use my new email toppline(a)home.com and be sure to
visit me at -
http://www.members.home.com/toppline/homepage.htm
My ahnentafel chart may be found at
http://www.members.home.com/toppline/antafl.htm