Grafton Library celebrates benefactor’s 181st birthday

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Community Advocate
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By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer

(l to r) Jim Zebrowski, president of Aldrich Astronomical Society, Inc., and John Root, coordinator of the Library Telescope Program, watch Library Director Beth Gallaway unveil a telescope given as a birthday gift.
(l to r) Jim Zebrowski, president of Aldrich Astronomical Society, Inc., and John Root, coordinator of the Library Telescope Program, watch Library Director Beth Gallaway unveil a telescope given as a birthday gift.

Grafton – Patrons of all ages gathered June 20 on the lawn of the Grafton Public Library to celebrate what would have been the 181st birthday of its benefactor Jerome Wheelock, a local inventor. He donated $100,000, which matured in 1927 to allow construction of the current library. Wheelock’s statue stands across the street in the Grafton Common.

After party guests sang “Happy Birthday,” cake and punch were served. Children played with bubble wands and sidewalk chalk. Grafton native Tom Casey provided musical entertainment.

The party concluded with a birthday gift to the library: a telescope from Aldrich Astronomical Society, Inc., which was funded by Homefield Credit Union and Wyman-Gordon. The telescope will be made available for adults to borrow for a week for backyard stargazing.

For information about upcoming library activities, visit graftonlibrary.org.

Photos/Ed Karvoski Jr.

Wayne Louis Guerad, 7, creates bubbles.
Wayne Louis Guerad, 7, creates bubbles.
Aansh Patel, 7, waves a bubble wand.
Aansh Patel, 7, waves a bubble wand.
Grafton native Tom Casey entertains guests with a musical performance.
Grafton native Tom Casey entertains guests with a musical performance.

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