by Frank Schroth

The room was full, the food was fair, the auctioneer was amazing, the audience was generous, and the authors were both entertaining and informative. In short, the Milton Library Foundation’s 8th annual literary gala, at the Renaissance Waterfront Hotel was a great success.

The evening’s festivities were introduced by the co-chairs of the event, Kathy Fagan and Tom Peterson. Sr. Olivia Moorehead-Slughter gave some opening remarks on her love of reading and libraries. She expressed her hope that soon she would be able to read . . . during the day! It was followed by a live auction and an incredible demonstration of generosity. People opened their pockets and simply donated. The initial amount was $5,000 which three individuals committed to. John Terrio (who could probably get blood from a rock) then lowered the amount to $2500 and on down to $100. Tom Peterson would later report that the result brought the Foundation very close to their target of $50K.

Linda Fleming, Erica Archabal and Erica

The theme of the event this year was lifelong learning and three generations of women appeared to testify to the benefits; Linda Fleming, her daughter Erica Archabal and granddaughter Austin Archibal. Ms. Fleming expressed her desire that her granddaughter develop a love of reading and that is why she in turn loves the library. Her daughter, Erica, said that the celebrations around reading are what they love. Erica, who appeared to be about 5, declined to comment; but we did learn her favorite book at the moment is It’s a Big World Little Pig.

After the meal Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy, co-authors of The President’s Club: Inside the World’s Most Exlusive Fraternity, shared insights from the book and conversations they’d had with some of the Presidents that are still with us. It was a fascinating talk and something of a balm during this harsh political season to hear how these past Presidents had (have) a respect for the office and each other that transcends their political parties.

As the authors swapped anecdotes of interactions between Presidents and their relationships to each other; a slide show displayed behind them with photographs of one or more of them talking to each other. The authors focus on Truman to the current time.

Here is a sample:

The nakedness of the battlefield when the soldier is all alone in the smoke and the clamor and the terror of war is comparable to the loneliness–at times–of the Presidency. These are the times when one man must conscientiously, deliberately, prayerfully, scrutinize every argument, every proposal, every prediction, every alternative, every probable outcome of his action and then–all alone–make his decision.
— President Dwight Eisenhower

It is the unique sense of loneliness that only they can know that binds them. As Mr. Duffy noted their relationships were forged by sharing the central searing experience of being President.

It was a good night.