By Deb Price
Once upon a time, there were two little girls, one named Sharry Moore and one named Connie Luznak. They were both, born, raised and taught in our Elsie and Bannister communities. Sharry graduated from Elsie High School in 1966 and Connie from our blended Ovid-Elsie High School in 1968. They both married local guys, Doug Huyck and Ed Thornton, charted out their journeys in life and thru that process became a positive influence to our most precious commodity, our children. The Ovid Carriage Days Committee is pleased to announce the selection of the 2024 Carriage Day Co-Parade Marshals, Ovid Public Library Librarians, Sharry Huyck and Connie Thornton.
I sat down with the two a couple weeks ago at the library and witnessed first hand the passion each of them had and have for their profession as Directors at the Ovid Public Library. As I was taking a photo of them outside, resident, Bob Sterba, a regular visitor at the library, hollered “Hey Sharry, it’s about time you got back to work.”
Sharry Huyck became Director of the Library in March of 1985, replacing Rosemary Goebel who had lost her battle with cancer. Connie Thornton joined the staff in 1988 as assistant director. The two good friends worked together to serve the residents of Ovid for decades. in early 1990, the library acquired the used car lot on the south side of the original building. Dreams of expansion began to take shape. In November of 1996, the Ovid Public Library opened its new larger building. In 1997, the Thomas addition was constructed, this was made possible with the bequeath of the estate of Berniece Thomas Lohman, a woman who enjoyed a positive experience at the library just down the street from her home. These two librarians ensured the future growth possibilities by encouraging the board to purchase the neighboring estate of Bob and Barb Taft.
The library has experienced many changes through the years in the small square building started by the Acme Society in 1949. From the card cataloging of books, to the computer bar code to check out books, to computers, emails and faxes, the library has become a hub for all ages to enjoy. Today, the library features young children’s story time, an Adult Book Club, Classic Movie Days and Crafting Days, along with many other events.
Sharry retired as Director of the Library in October of 2021. “Access to words in every form at my library across the street in Elsie, shaped my life more than I ever imagined. I had my nose in a book nearly every day visiting Librarian, Orpha Clement,” explained Sharry. She went on to say, “Thank You Ovid, for providing a means for me to give back to the community. Connie continues to serve the residents of Ovid with her personal knowledge of every book in the library, her desire to enhance everyone’s library experience and her lovely warm smile,” explained Huyck.
Connie Thornton became an employee of the library in 1988. She became director in 2021 after the retirement of Sharry. In 2023, Connie suffered a stroke and stepped aside as director. After three months off, she returned to the job part-time. “All the care, concern, cards and kindness I received from family, friends, library patrons and community certainly played a part in my recovery from the stroke. I am especially proud of my three children and seven grandchildren who are always there for me for whatever I may need,” she added. “We have many wonderful patrons, young and young at heart who visit the library regularly. It warms my heart to see those who grew up visiting the library as children still hold it as a place they remember and loved.”
She went on to describe the library this way: A Book is a Dream and Adventure You Hold in Your Hand and that a library is more than brick and mortar, It’s people who care.
Sharry and Connie will be in the Carriage Days Parade on Saturday, September 7th at 11am. They will be riding in a horse-drawn carriage by PJ’s Percheons.
