Endicott German dinner will benefit library project

Endicott Librarian Caroline Morasch stopped scanning into her computer the new selection of children’s books just long enough to take down a bug-caked piece of flypaper from the doorway.

"It’s just a constant battle with these flies," she said. "I keep the door open to help out, but they keep coming in."

Officials in Endicott and with the Whitman County Library District are now teaming up to take on a remodeling of the library building.

They will receive a special helping of aid from the Endicott Community Club, which has pledged to donate proceeds from its Nov. 7 German Dinner and silent auction to a fund to pay for the project.

The library, once the town’s city hall and jail, is the busiest per hour library in the district, said Director Kristie Kirkpatrick.

Age of the building leaves a dank, funky atmosphere around the room.

Earliest recorded history of the building is in a directory of Whitman County town halls in 1939 that was published in the Bunchgrass Historian.

"That basement is just dirt down there, so it just smells so musty, and you can’t keep out the flies" said Town Clerk Sue Bafus.

Bafus worked in the building for more than 20 years, from the early 1970s until town hall was moved to Dr. Hardy’s former office in 1993.

Endicott owns the building and allows the library to use it.

Kirkpatrick had an architect do a preliminary remodeling plan for the building. That plan came up with a $118,000 estimate to abate problems with mold and lead paint and meet standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bafus said the town cannot afford to take out another loan to finance the remodel. Endicott has recently replaced its water and sewer systems under loans from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program.

"The town cannot afford any more loans. Between the water and the sewer, we just cannot afford to get any more loans." Bafus said.

So, the town and the library are seeking a USDA grant to fund the remodel.

To get a grant, however, the town will have to put up a sizeable amount of money to match the USDA’s.

Enter the Community Club.

Each November the German Dinner offers 230 pounds of wurst and potato sausage to attendees in the school cafeteria.

Proceeds typically go to a fund the club has devleoped to help build a community center and fire station.

This year, though, they decided to pitch in for the library project.

"So many people use the library. It really is an important part of our town," said Community Club President Ann Lowe. "So we figured we could help with their remodel project."

To accommodate a potentially larger crowd, the library, town and community club need volunteers to help set up and take down the dinner scene.

They are also looking for donations of small items to be included in the silent auction.

In return, they promise a dinner large enough to stretch the limits of any belt.

"Or you could always wear sweats," suggested Lowe.