January 14, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.
TF librarian honored for stewardship
TF librarian honored for stewardship
The honor is given annually to a local person who has done much for Taylors Falls and the greater area.
Dedon is an area native. She graduated from the former Taylors Falls K-12 School in 1964, and last year she organized an all-class reunion in addition to her 50-year reunion.
After high school, Dedon graduated from Hamline University and then taught elementary school in the suburb of Mounds View.
She is in her 10th year as librarian at the Taylors Falls Library, located at 473 Bench St. Regular library hours are 2 to 5 p.m. and also 6:30 to 8 p.m. each Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Dedon estimates there are 9,000 book titles on the shelves.
She said that the building first opened as a private home in 1857, where the resident, a town tailor, ran his shop in the basement and he made military uniforms for area men who were called to fight in the Civil War.
The building was remodeled and reopened as a library in 1888.
Dedon received a great endorsement for the Stewardship Award from Library Board President Barb Anderson, who received last year’s honor. As inscribed on a framed certificate given to Dedon this week, “Diane has done a wonderful job as the city librarian, carefully choosing books that appeal to library patrons, maintaining detailed records, and welcoming visitors from all over the world who come to our historic river town. … Diane is always willing to share her knowledge about the town’s history and provide directions and information about other places of interest.”
Among other activities, Dedon has been a pianist, organist and Sunday school teacher at Taylors Falls United Methodist Church where she was the church secretary for more than 20 years.
Her Stewardship Award includes being the city’s grand marshal in next summer’s Wannigan Days parade.
In other council business
A resident on Basil Street approached the council during open forum to share parking concerns that have come up during the Lighting Festival, on Thanksgiving weekend, and at other times with heavy traffic. The resident said parked vehicles on both sides of her street during the Lighting Festival made the driving lanes particularly narrow and would have prohibited any emergency vehicles.
Mayor Mike Buchite directed council members and Public Works liaisons Ross Rivard and Larry Julik-Heine to confer with Public Works Superintendent Mike Kriz on steps that may be taken to address the issue.
– The mayor noted efforts from parents in the Taylors Falls Elementary School community for raising funds to replace the rusty and weathered playground equipment.
As of Jan. 1, the active parents had raised $16,000 out of $20,000 toward a goal of replacing the equipment before the community’s National Night Out festivities next August.
Groups such as the Taylors Falls and Shafer-Franconia fire departments and the Taylors Falls Lions Club have contributed money, and the City Council agreed Jan. 12 to spend $800 from the city’s charitable gaming fund in support of the playground effort. That fund is supported by a portion of revenues from all licensed pull-tab sales at Romayne’s and the Border Bar.
Julik-Heine said, with agreement from other council members, that the city should contact school officials to work out a solution for expanding public access to the fenced-in playground, including after school and on weekends.
– Council agreed to spend about $600 from an administrative training fund for Clerk-Treasurer Jo Everson to attend an annual Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers convention in mid-March at the Treasure Island hotel. The expense will cover attendance at four days of seminars, room stays and mileage.
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