Living in a Little Town

Joan has lived in her little town all her life, except for the first seven years of their marriage when John and Joan bought and renovated a house in the next town over.  What often surprises people is that she has lived in the same house, albeit with additions to accommodate a growing family when John and she moved back.

However, for those in her little town, it is not at all unusual for a family to live in the same house one generation after another.  In Joan and John’s neighborhood, which was a classic post-WWII development, a dozen houses currently are owned by the children or grandchildren of the original owners.  

Joan’s father Hal grew up in a little South Jersey town.  When he married his beloved “Skip,” his dream was to raise his family in a small town.  He knew what that entailed.  Small towns run on volunteers. Hal and Skip embraced that premise and raised their children to honor service.  Hal was a proud member of the Lions Club.  He served on the Borough Council.  Skip, known as Mary to most, was a revered teacher in the local school. They were active members in their church.   

Therefore, when John and Joan moved back to town, it was understood that they would follow the call to volunteer. For Joan, it was always about the Library.  She had loved the local library since she was old enough to walk.  Old friends invited her to join the Library Association Board that owns and maintains a former church that houses a free public library.  Joan enthusiastically joined in the Board’s work to renovate the old church into a library.  Decades later, the building is an award-winning exemplar of adapted reuse of an historic building.  

“The joy of volunteering is that you become part of a community of people who share a passion and vision,” Joan notes.  “As Board members retire and move away, younger members join, bringing energy and new ideas. It is a vibrant group of dedicated individuals — and their families.”

One of the hallmarks of Joan’s little town is the Lions Club Memorial Day Parade with marching bands, firetrucks, little league teams, Scouts, horses, classic cars and lots of tractors!  And, the Grand Marshall, an honor Joan accepted — conditionally — this spring.  “The Lions wanted to honor the Library.  I could say yes to that.  I was the representative of all the Library’s volunteers — past, present and future.”