-- —
In today’s editions, readers will find a story on Betty Holcombe’s generous donation to the South Georgia Regional Library and First United Methodist Church. Because of a move, she donated 1,700 volumes to the library and an estimated 400-500 books to the church.
She, her family and friends tell stories of how Holcombe’s love for reading enriched her life, made her a better student, a better parent, a better teacher, a better friend and a better person. Her contribution will improve the life of each person who opens one of her donated books.
This donation alone is worth the story and even a tribute on the Opinions page to her and all people who donate books to the library.
But go back and look at the story again, or if you haven’t read it yet, pay attention to the closing sentences.
Though Betty Holcombe has donated her lifelong book collection to the library and a church, it doesn’t mean she is finished with books. She still reads books of history. She’s still learning.
This may be the lesson of Betty Holcombe and her books. She is a student of life, for life. She has never stopped learning. She has never stopped reaching for something new. She has never stopped trying to better understand something old.
She has given away a life’s worth of books, but she has already begun a new collection of books without a pause in her reading.
Betty Holcombe’s example may hold a more important lesson than all of the books in her donation, but we should all read at least a few more books before reaching any such definitive conclusion.
What We Think
Book donation: A student of life
- What We Think
-
-
Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
-
Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
-
On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
-
Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
-
Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
-
Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
-
Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
-
Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
-
Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
-
Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
- More What We Think Headlines
-
Thoughts on graduation
