Editor’s Note: The following article is a synopsis written by staff members and volunteers of the Cary Memorial Library in Houlton highlighting one of the suggested reading books, as determined by the staff.
It is quite amazing to discover new people in new situations doing new things throughout the offerings of your public library.
Another true inspirational story, “Miss Mary Reporting,” is a great positive tale by Sue Macy. Soft, and detailed illustrations by C.F. Payne add a dimension not prevalent often in children’s books. Little Mary Garber loved football especially the BVDs (Buena Vista Devils) and was quarterback for the team. If she wasn’t playing, she was reading about sports. Before she was 10 years old, Mary was creating a neighborhood newspaper about just that: the neighborhood with details, of course.
After college, when WWII started, she took the sports writing job of an enlisted man. Mary had to work against many barriers keeping women from the press box, locker rooms(!), and even the players’ biases. Once she was asked to sew a rip in a player’s pants – now that is always woman’s job, right?
Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers were great examples to which Mary could relate. The skillful Jackie ignored the racial taunts and did his job with dignity. She was also careful to note any players good points in her reports and this was greatly appreciated by the black population, and local sporting wannabees.
Mary Garber wrote sports stories for over 50 years even about marble games… receiving honors and rewards for her work including the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame. She died in 2008, age 92, still a wee little woman in round granny glasses.
This book and others are available for donating in honor of “ a budding writer” or in memory of someone passed on.
Watch for registration times for the Cary Summer Reading Program.
The Cary Memorial Library is open Mondays-Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 532-1302.
