Thunder rumbled across the evening sky before the event began, lightening flashed over the hills after it was over, but this year it didn’t rain at all during the annual Summer Book Signing of Sharon’s Hotchkiss Library on Friday, Aug. 3.
“We dodged the bullet,� said the library’s director, Louise Monteuffel, of the evening’s lack of rain. “But some people did choose not to come because of the extreme heat.�
Overall, she said, more money was raised this year than in the previous 10 signings, in part because the ticket price was increased to $25. The library also received a percentage of sales, which were brisk; several authors sold out of the copies they had with them.
The following morning, instead of the traditional library book sale, bibliophiles were invited into the building’s basement to help clear out tomes that hadn’t been circulating much in recent years.
“We still have some things down there that need to be evacuated,� Manteuffel said. For the remaining volumes, “If there are any takers, we would love to hear from them.�
Justine and Victor Valla in their studio with a painting of Victor’s,”Jonah and the Whale.” Robin Roraback 
A ceramic vase by Kathleen Heidemann.Provided 
Joy Brown’s delightful ceramic sculptures.Provided 
Hundreds of items at Stateline Auctions, including a candy-apple-red Crosley pickup truck.D.H. Callahan
