Once upon a time in the early 2000’s, or late 1990’s (who keeps track of time?) Val asked Betsy if she could help out at TKE at Christmas. She learned how to wrap books and tie bows, then moved behind the counter and spent some time on the floor. She loved the place, the people, and especially the books, too many of which she wrapped and gave to herself long after Christmas was over. Skip ahead 20 years or more and Val tells Betsy in a Zoom Book Review for a women’s group that she often thinks fondly of those days at TKE and would love to work there again, some day. Next day, Anne Holman calls to ask if she’d like to come back, and Val says without hesitating: “Yes! It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for: sharing books and community with like-minded people.” Some things never change.
