Tree-planting honors retired library director

A crowd gathered Thursday evening around a recently planted tree in front of the Havre-Hill County Library and gave a round of applause to former library Director Bonnie Williamson.

The tree was planted in her honor and as a tribute to her more than three decades as head of the library.

"I thought you had to be dead to get a tree," she said, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

But, she said, she liked praising people while they are alive.

"I always send flowers to people still alive," she said.

Mayor Tim Solomon was the master of ceremonies as different speakers recalled the work Williamson had done through the years.

Library Board chair Ed Spinler recalled her work when she combined the old Havre City and Hill County libraries into the new library.

She has been a mainstay of the community for many years, he said.

The current library director, Rachel Rawn, said her first job was working summers at the library when she was in high school.

Later she worked at the library in college and eventually was chosen to succeed Williamson.

She praised her as a good boss and a valuable asset to the library.

Even in retirement, Williamson has helped out the library, serving with the Friends of the Library.

Williamson said the Havre community has helped her throughout the years in building up the library.

She admitted that after retirement she had considered moving on.

"But every time I think about it, I decide to stay here," she said. "It looks like you are stuck with me for a while."