Occupation:

I’m currently a retired elementary school librarian and classroom teacher returning to Fayetteville after 21 years of teaching overseas in six different countries from Bolivia to Kazakhstan. I lived in Fayetteville and taught in the school district for 15 years before my world enlarged.

Family:

My husband, Tom Jenkins, has been an administrator / principal in the schools. Usually, the schools have been small, operated for the ex-pat families of overseas corporations. In two schools, we started the schools from scratch ordering desks, textbooks, paper, and I set up the libraries. Some buildings were purpose-built schools, and one was even a row of two story Chinese shop houses in Malaysia. We have a grown son, Steve Jenkins, former owner and chef at Sassafras Bistro and Wine Bar in Fayetteville, now Director of Food and Beverages at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on Petite Jean Mountain. We have a 3 year-old granddaughter who was one of the reasons for coming back to the States, and I wanted to be a babushka; "Baba" to her.

Favorite novel:

I was a member of a book club in Kazakhstan and one of the best novels I read was The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. It was an excellent book for discussion and as I remember, everyone liked it and that was an oddity. I enjoy being in book discussions and hearing different viewpoints of the participants. Now, I’m preparing for one of the Library’s book clubs and I will be talking about Locked Rooms, by Laurie King. What a page turner!

What are your favorite things about the Fayetteville Public Library?

I’m just becoming familiar with the FPL, but I think the children’s area is so very special with all the different media available. It is a light, cheerful area where every child can find something to interest them.

Why do you support your local library?

Since I’ve had a career of in education, I realize how important it is for children of all ages to be exposed to literature. I’m so glad to see the opportunities that parents have to bring even their youngest children to listen and enjoy a lively story.

If you were stranded on a desert island with only one book, what would it be?

On a desert island, I would have the luxury of time to read and savor the latest Harry Potter book. In everyday life, I tend to get busy and can’t just sit and read all the way to the end of a good book as I would like.

What was your favorite childhood book?

I guess I was no different than other girls my age to enjoy the Nancy Drew series of mystery books. I still enjoy the layers of plot in a mystery novel.

For your fantasy dinner, which four fictional characters would you invite?

I would love to have a large boisterous dinner served by the most unusual housekeeper, Amelia Bedelia, and Omri from The Indian and the Cupboard could invite all his friends from the medicine cupboard. Ramona from Ramona Quimby, Age 8 would add lots of fun to the group, even if she is a pest at times. Of course, I would invite the Baudelaires; Violet, Klaus and Sunny because they need cheering up after their Series of Unfortunate Events.

What book are you recommending to friends right now?

I read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and The New Great Game: Blood and Oil in Central Asia by Lutz Kleveman and would recommend them to anyone interested in the Central Asian culture and how oil is playing the major role in the game for power among those countries.

What are your hobbies?

In my travels, I’ve always loved and collected the ethnic jewelry and beads. Now I’ve started doing beading and am able to create more modern pieces using the original beads collected here and there: Italian glass beads used in trading with Africa, beads made from the volcano rock from Greece, bone and bamboo from Indonesia, lapis and coral from Afghanistan, Russian amber, and silver from Thailand are some of my favorites. Many of the countries of Asia have wonderful wood carvers and I’ve collected many styles of Santas from all over. Some are very ornately carved and painted from Russia and then others are rougher, but each represents how the culture of that country perceives Santa Claus. I’ve hauled this collection of about 40 heavy, wooden Santas with me everywhere I’ve lived because I keep adding to it and love to see it every Christmas. It always brings back many good memories of places we’ve been.

What are some of your favorite things about Fayetteville?

Fayetteville is stable home to me and has been since 1969 when I came from the Texas panhandle. I have family and history here and have returned every summer during the vacations. I’ve kept a house and haven’t found anywhere else in our travels that feels like "home." There is so much to do and always community activities, so I find I have to make choices. I’m looking forward to experiencing fall, winter, and spring once again to see if they match up to my memories.

Favorite place in the library to meet friends?

Many of my friends love the special coffees and I think that Arsaga’s can be a real meeting place with the comfortable atmosphere. Their chai tea latte is my very favorite.

Favorite place in the library to read?

I can’t wait until there is a winter chill and the fireplace is lit. That will be my ideal place to curl up with a great book.