The James V. Brown Library Presents:

 

2024 Author Spotlight

 

The James V. Brown Library will host its annual fundraiser with a virtual visit by best-selling author Kristin Harmel on Oct. 10 at the Williamsport Country Club.

Harmel is the author of The Paris Daughter, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker’s Wife and a dozen other novels that have been translated into more than 30 languages and are sold all over the world.

The Author Spotlight is the library’s major annual fundraiser. This year is the first year that an author will appear virtually.

Since Harmel will not be available in person to sign book copies, each person attending will receive a bookplate signed by the author which they can then put in a personal copy of the book.

Tickets will go on sale in July and are $125 per person and include a full meal, virtual appearance and an in-person ticket and silent auction.

For more information, or to sponsor the event, contact Dana Brigandi at 570-327-2957 or dbrigandi@jvbrown.edu.

 

Author Events are the library’s main fundraiser each year. Typically held in the fall, the Author Events are an evening full of fun and laughter for a good cause – your public library! The funds support the library’s mission of being the place to go to learn, connect and grow, and help the library offer programming for all ages.

upcoming author gala tbd

Have an idea for an upcoming Author?

Featured Authors

2023 – Marie Benedict
2022 – Elin Hilderbrand
2021 – David Baldacci
2020 – (No gala due to Covid)
2019 – Lisa See
2018 – Dennis Lehane
2017 – Louise Penny
2016 – Chris Bohjalian
2015 – Ruth Reichl
2014 – Jennifer Weiner
2013 – Lisa Scottoline
2012 – Adriana Trigiani
2011 – Snigda Prakash
2010 – Michael Buckley
2009 – Toni Murden McClure
2008 – Marisa de Los Santos
2007 – Jon and Jona Van Zyle
2006 – (No gala, capital campaign year)
2005 – Adriana Trigiani
2004 – Kathy Reichs
2003 – F. Paul Wilson
2002 – Robert Smith

Tickets are required for this event and may be purchased by calling the library at 570-326-0536.

2024 Author Fundraiser Event Committee

Stephanie Calder, chair

Brette Confair
Brenda Cromley
Jeri Demel
Gloria Greevy
Lyneah Hudock
Andria Larson

Diane Pelesh

Annmarie Phillips
Melissa Rackish
Stephanie Radulski
Ruth Rees
Tricia Shipman
Melissa Starkey
 

2023 Author Gala Sponsors

Speaker sponsor

Friends of the James V. Brown Library

 

Author Welcome Reception sponsor
Marshall D. Welch III and Family

 

Centerpiece sponsors
135 Flats – Trisha Gibbons Marty
Stephanie T. Calder
Comfort Keepers

Jane Darrow
Martha Gandy

Jersey Shore State Bank
Ruth U. Rees

UPMC
Wegmans Food Market, Inc.

 

Dessert sponsors

Nicoya Catino

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Annmarie Phillips

 

Patron sponsors
Donna Biehl
C&N Bank

John and Cynthia Brindger

Brette Confair
John M. and Linda D. Confer
Marlin R. and Brenda L. Cromley
Fulton Bank

Gephart Moyer Financial Advisors
Gloria and Charles Greevy III
Rick and Sara Mirabito
Dean and Ann Muller
Margaret and John F. Piper Jr.
Margie Shaw

 

Book sponsors
Karen Blaschak
Maria Casale

Christine Johnson

Denise Reis

Susquehanna Law Group, Inc.

Lois E. Williams

2023 Author Gala Gifts in Kind

Alabaster Coffee Roaster and Tea Co.

Avu Goldsmiths

Backhouse Cafe

Ronald E. Beach

The Beauti Loft by Rikki

Beth Moser Designs

Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble

Bonner Sports, Inc.

Dana Brigandi

Buzzsaw Coffee

Stephanie T. Calder

Kristin Caringi

Nick Caringi

Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland

David A. Coates

Community Arts Center

Corning Museum of Glass

Brenda L. Cromley

Don Waltman Market House

Equinox

William Geyer

Gold Leaf Frame Shoppe, LLC

Healthy Touch Day Spa and Salon

The Hideaway Facial Studio

In-Balance

John Ryan Brewery

The Junior League of Williamsport

Kitchen Repose

Lewisburg Children’s Museum

Carol A. Lady

Andria Larson

Longwood Gardens

Lost River Caverns

Paul E. Mach

Jamie Mahoney

Rick Mahonski Goldsmith

Magnolias Salon

Johnny Meyer

Suzette Meyer

Museum of the American Revolution

New Trail Brewing Co.

Sharon O’Malley

Patinaz

Diane Pelesh

Penguin Random House

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Louise Penny

Annmarie Phillips

Preservation Williamsport

Purity Candy Company

Melissa Rackish

Stephanie Radulski

Phyllis W. Reynolds

Robert M. Sides Family Music Center

Rosko’s Brew House

Rust and Shine

Salon Simone

Sheetz

Janet Sherman

Tag’s Family-Style Take Out

Therapy Brewing

Tony’s Delicatessen & Fresh Meats

Adriana Trigiani

Tröegs Independent Brewing

Whitesel Stained Glass

Whitnie Rae Photography

Lois E. Williams

Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce

Wine and Design

Jeanne S. Yaggi

2023 Author Gala Committee

Stephanie Calder, chair
Brette Confair
Brenda Cromley
Jeri Demel
Gloria Greevy
Dennis Keith
Andria Larson

Diane Pelesh
Annmarie Phillips
Melissa Rackish
Stephanie Radulski
Ruth Rees
Tricia Shipman
Melissa Starkey

2023 Author Gala Auction Winners

Online Auction Winners
Rick Mahonski custom 14K gold Library pendant Jason Reed
Stay at Club Wyndham West Winds at Myrtle Beach Maria Casale
Birch Cottage Keuka Lakeside Weekend Vacation Melissa Starkey
Kayaking Starter Kit Sherrie Miller
iPad with Cover Diane Pelesh
Night on the Town package Lois Williams
Pamper Yourself Package Jennifer Wilson
Book Club Lunch MaryCaye Beltz
Baby books and learning activities bundle Christine Kavanagh
Early-Childhood Books and Experiences Package Allison Grove
Dine on us package Barbara Wascher
Framed Print: “Sentinel” by Ron Beach Janice Shoemaker
Autographed baseball from Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg Pat Kelley
Beach package Lois Williams
Journal making class by Stone Root Studio for 4 Andria Larson
Chef Paul Mach wine/beer tasting at home Nicoya Catino
Health and Wellness Package Sandy Person
Vera Bradley Batik Leaves Set Allison Grove
Itty Bitty Blazes Candle Basket Vicki Haussmann
Treat Yourself Package Sue Kelley
Victorian Christmas Home Tour Tickets Lois Williams
Travel/Experiences Package Rebecca Fought
Hit the Green package Stephanie Calder
Tennis Package Emilie Ertel
Whitesel Stained Glass Paula Robinson
Family Photography Package Lauren Schuman
Kate Spade Top Zip Tote Bag Barbara Wascher
Learn the Ukulele! Jeffery Doty
LEGO Fun Package Brian Brooking
Fall Basket Kathryn Marcello
Pickleball and Disc Golf Bundle Renee Carey
Gala Anniversary Bundle Melissa Starkey
Tarot Journey Package Dorothy Gerring
Into White Mixed Media on Canvas Jeri Demel
Pieced Quilt Wall Hanging Andrea Ryder
Troegs Tour and Brewery Swag Basket Brette Confair
Cook and Book Bundle Gail Kulp
Avu Goldsmith and custom handcrafted wooden box Dean Muller
Bookish Swag Bag Jamie Wieder
Brainy Book and STEM Bundle Terrie Campana
Humor Books and Coffee Jeffery Doty
Tween Art Activities and Books Bundle Elizabeth Sauers
Anne Meyer Serving Bowl #1 of 3 MaryCaye Beltz
Anne Meyer Serving Bowl #2 of 3 Dorothy Gerring
Anne Meyer Serving Bowl #3 of 3 Barbara Wascher
Ticket Auction Winners
Simply Sterling Patinaz set Sharon Colt
Heather Terrell YA book basket Betty Holcomb
Dooney and Burke purse Shelby Weber
Dog Lovers Basket Sue Dinsmore
Glenn Wininger painting Maria Casale
Backhouse Café Gift Basket Maria Casale
Kindle for Kids with case Debbie Hurwitz
Early childhood book basket Pat Kelley
Door prize Kerry Kaar