At home last night, I was thinking about how lucky we are here in Vinton County to have our library. In our community, the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library is not just a place to find books. They have a great selection of magazines, movies, local history materials plus internet access and a vast assortment of events.
One of those events will be held this weekend when the library and the Friends of the Library host the annual Spring Literary Arts Festival.
This event has gone on for several years now and has brought to town brilliant writers including New York Times Bestsellers Jeffrey Deaver, Brad Meltzer and Lisa Scottoline as well as Pultizer Prize winners Timothy Egan and David Oshinsky.
When was the last time you got to shake the hand of a bestselling author or a Pulitzer winner?
All of these folks listed above and many others have been extraordinary speakers but have also been down-to-earth and easy to talk with making the experience just perfect.
This year the keynote speakers are expected to be equally enjoyable and impressive. On Saturday, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic tragedy, we will hear from Stephanie Barczewski, Ph.D., Professor of History at Clemson University and author of Titanic: A Night Remembered. Who isn’t drawn to this this century old story of heroics, cowardice and human tragedy?
That day we will also meet Steve Hamilton, the 2011 Edgar Award winner for The Lock Artist and author of the Alex McKnight series. His books are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat and I am eagerly awaiting his talk. 
The weekend will include a clue themed casino night, a Mystery Musicale and more. Many of the events are free but there is a fee wherever meals are sold. Are you interested in knowing more? Click here to see the schedule we published a few weeks ago.
In a community so rural and so small we are truly blessed to have access to such a fine event I hope to see you there!