Retiring librarian honored at reception

Bonnie Williamson, bottom right, is moved by a poem written and recited for her at her Thursday afternoon retirement party at the Havre Hill County Library. Nearly 100 people filled the library for the event.

Thirty years worth of Hi-Line fans of literacy gathered in the Havre-Hill County Library to commemorate the departure of their queen, Bonnie Williamson.

Nearly 100 people filled the library's rows of chairs and tables, with more than a dozen standing, for Williamson's afternoon retirement party on Thursday.

Through the afternoon, recent associates and the oldest friends spoke of memories from throughout Bonnie's career, from being the head of the Hill County rural free library to the Havre-Hill County consolidation to digital innovations of the past few years.

A recent friend, Margy Bernstein, was one of a few people to read poems specially written for the occasion. The other two were friends of Williamson's from the Poets and Pickers events she has helped coordinate for nearly 20 years.

Public officials, like Hill County Commission Chair Mike Wendland and Justice of the Peace Audrey Barger, also came to show their appreciation for Williamson.

A letter from former Havre Public Schools' Superintendent and current statewide Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Dennis Parman offered regret at not being able to attend, but spoke highly of the traits that Parman admired in his work with Williamson when he was still in Havre.

Parman said he admired the amount of difficult work he saw Williamson do and how, whenever met with resistance, she was "never deterred. "

"It was truly an honor and a pleasure to work with Bonnie, " Parman wrote.

Before the event began, there were hugs and handshakes, joy and sorrow at knowing her and seeing her go.

A few tears were shed during the event, and afterward there were more than enough mounds of cakes and other sweet treats that people had brought to clear those tears.

Betty Thompson is now in command.