A Prince of a Man

Throughout my travels, I have heard the name of my predecessor, Charlie Snider.  I think I can safely say that I have never known anyone as universally loved as Charlie.  During my travels this week, I learned why.

I picked up Charlie at his home near Lexington, NC.  It is a beautiful place located on the shores of High Rock Lake.  I met the true love of his life, Tamera.  She wished us "godspeed" and off we went.  From there we traveled through the country toward Sanford. I had my faithful guide with me but she was not needed as Charlie knew every turn and shortcut.  As we traveled, he talked of the people we would see on our travels.  His knowledge of them was more than just utilitarian information.  It was the kind of things you learn about a good friend.  Charlie's affection for the people he had visited for more than ten years was obvious and I could tell he wanted to get to see them as soon as possible.

Our first stop was in Sanford, at one of two branches of Central Carolina Community College.  Tara
Lucas is the Librarian for all of the Campuses.  She is a newly-wed and greeted Charlie with a hug and was obviously delighted to see him.  And here I learned one of Charlie's secrets.  Under my arm was a very official -looking satchel containing information about my employer.  Under Charlie's arm was a plastic grocery bag filled with little bags of treats.  Charlie counted one bag for each employee at the library, introduced me and then left us to talk about books.  It was this tiny personal touch that typifies Charlie's approach to people. He likes them personally and shows it in as many ways as he can.

While at CCCC, I also met the young lady in charge of ordering books, Jessica Walshaw.  Jessica, like me, is an aspiring writer.  I encouraged her to write, even as I am doing now, to learn the craft of writing.

From the Lee County Campus in Sanford, we traveled a few miles to the Harnette County Campus in Lillington.  Jennifer Seagraves is the Director and she was busy taking photo-ID's for all the incoming students so I only had a brief introduction.  The woman in charge of acquiring the books is Babara Bera.  She is new to the job, taking over from another Barbara--Wood.

Charlie and I then traveled to Buies Creek, the home of Campbell University.  I had visited CU one other time when my nephew graduated from there.  He has become extremely successful in banking and much of his success can be traced to his business professors at Campbell.  Another friend is a lawyer and judge.  She was a graduate of the Charter Class of the Campbell Law School.  Finally, one of the finest young women I know graduated from there with a degree in Spanish.  She has demonstrated the grace of self-sacrifice I have rarely ever seen.  So when I traveled to Campbell, I was pretty positively inclined toward the school.  Those inclinations were reinforced when I met the woman in charge of acquiring the books for the libraries of the University, Michelle Gregory.  Once again, Charlie was able to recall information about her sons and their plans for education that indicated his genuine concern for her and her family.  Michelle took us upstairs to meet the director of the Library, Borree Kwok.

After lunch, we traveled back toward home to Pinehurst and Sandhills Community College.  Pinehurst is known as "the cradle of American Golf."  In the 1890's, a Boston Philanthropist built a New England-style village and imported golf from Scotland to America.  Donald Ross designed the first course and it opened in 1901.  Since then, the Pinehurst courses have been host to many of golf's greatest stars and tournaments.  Another transplanted Yankee is the director of Sandhills Community College library, Dr. John Stacey.  He is ably assisted by Micky Konold and Patty Buelt, the head librarian.
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As we headed back toward Lexington, Charlie headed down memory lane.  He took my book of libraries and began to tell story after story of people with whom he had worked over the years.  He gave me insights about both current friends and libraries where I might be able to help them find the books they need.  My day with Charlie began where it had begun; by the lake.  But I had something I didn't have when I had arrived that morning; a new friend, Charlie Snider.

I still had a ways to go to reach my home and as those miles rolled by, I had the opportunity to reflect on Charlie and me.  Obviously, I can't be Charlie.  He is "one-of-a-kind".  But I can be inspired to love people more personally the way Charlie does.  You can take away the little bags of candy and even the winning personality and Charlie is still going to care about these people even though they are no longer his responsibility.