What Keeps Me Going Outside of Work!

Work as the state librarian is so rewarding and keeps me very busy, but, fortunately, I'm still able to carve out time to spend with my family! Family from Indiana, Georgia, and Ohio joined us in Michigan for the June 29th graduation of our younger son, Nick, from the graduate program of the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. Congratulations, Nick, on your accomplishment, and congratulations to all of the 2007 graduates of the state of Michigan's educational programs!

My various travels around Michigan to make connections with library staff and supporters are are an important part of the outreach component of my work and that of other Library of Michigan staff. Fortunately, my childhood hometown Dayton, Ohio, still the hometown of my parents, John and Penny Haddick, is close enough for me to get there on June 12th for a special event there. At Aullwoood Audubon Center and Farm, the Center and Five Rivers MetroParks awarded the first Marie S. Aull Environmental Leadership Award. Five awards comprised this first event recognizing individuals who worked closely with the late Mrs. Aull to make positive education and environmental changes, particularly in the greater Dayton and Miami Valley area. I was so proud to see my parents (shown above) honored with one of the five awards. They and their friends and colleagues who received the other four awards are truly deserving of such recognition and leadership. Congratulations to all of them!

Finally, in an on-going way -- Jim and I keep occupied by our Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (toller, for short). Sydney is eight months old at the end of June, and while he is looking rather mature and well-trained above, the three of us are still a work in progress as far as settling into a calm and normal home life. But, we are getting there, and I think that Syd loves and enjoys the two as us as much as we do him. We'll all be off to a two week vacation in the lower north woods soon, for a much-needed getaway.