Check this out: Of books, beaches and bears (10-24-25)

This is a story about books, the beach, and my Bear.

As a preface to this column, what’s better than settling in on the beach with a good book? It was one of our favorite things for my wife and I to do over our 38 years of marriage.

With Halloween approaching, this column also will bite into that as I’ll mention one book in particular, Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.”

And it’s about a beautiful resource for our beach town – the Thomas B. Norton Public Library in Gulf Shores – and one of the library’s programs, Helping Hands for Children. In fact, we’ll start with a stop at our local library and a visit with adult services librarian Kristen Rea.

For some background, libraries hold a special place in my heart. When my children were growing up, there would be weekly trips to our library in Florence. They would pick out books for my wife, Dorinda, and I to read to them at bedtime. And, of course, as they grew older, Alex and Baylee would choose books to read on their own.

It continued a love affair with books shared by me and their mom, my Bear. The library visits must have made an impression. Our children have stacks of books they read to their own little ones these days. And when Pop Pop visits, a book or two is usually among the first things we dive into. For my daughter, the library became her career. She is the access services librarian at the University of North Alabama’s Collier Library.

We’ll wrap up this story about my Bear and a book a little later. But first, let’s go to the library.

Serving the community

When I moved to Gulf Shores in July, Baylee suggested reaching out to the local library to perhaps volunteer as a way to spend some time and get to know people. I did and Kristen was one of the first folks I met here.

Like me, she’s a North Alabama native and a relative newcomer to the area, having started at the library here in June. What led her to Gulf Shores?

“After spending time in the fast-paced environment of a big city, I was drawn to the opportunity to embrace a more relaxed and community-oriented lifestyle,” she said. “Having grown up in Alabama, returning to a place that feels familiar and welcoming has been a meaningful homecoming. I also live a very active lifestyle and need to be outside daily. The weather and environment allow me to explore nature frequently. I’m not a fan of long winters. What I enjoy most since moving here is the beach. The ocean is a truly magical part of the world God has created, and I feel very blessed to be able to experience it so frequently. Beyond the natural beauty, swimming laps in the ocean is a fantastic workout.”

I asked Kristen what was the driving force in her interest to become a librarian.

“I have a lifelong appreciation for libraries as essential centers of learning and culture,” she said. “As an avid reader, the profession naturally appealed to me. I enjoy being of service to others, and the public library provides me with the opportunity to be of service to a variety of community members.”

One of those ways of service Kristen is involved with is visiting assisted living facilities to deliver library materials or lead storytime. Another service is the Helping Hands project.

With Halloween a week away, appropriately enough “Dracula” is the selection this month for the library’s Book of the Month Club for adults. The monthly event gives community members an opportunity to register for a free book and participate in a group discussion. Contact the library for more information.

And while “Dracula” fits in this month with the frights of Halloween, the Helping Hands program is designed to make stressful situations less scary for children.

Kristen said Helping Hands is a testament to the library's commitment to active community service. The program, which currently focuses on crocheting small stuffed animals, was developed with a two-pronged approach: to directly help children in crisis and to actively encourage adult library patrons to engage in service to others.

The initial goal is to equip every fire and police vehicle in Gulf Shores with a supply of these stuffies, so they are readily available whenever a crisis involving a child arises.

“We plan to donate these handmade items to first responders, who will give them to children during stressful situations, such as fires or car accidents,” Kristen said. “These events can be overwhelming, especially for young children who may not understand what’s happening. A small, soft stuffed animal can offer comfort and a sense of safety. It also gives children something to hold onto, which can help calm their nerves and provide reassurance during a difficult time.

“A vital component of this initiative is that community members are the ones creating the items. Instead of simply participating in a project where we make something and set it aside, this initiative gives our handmade items a real purpose.”

That’s a laudable service the library fosters for children who are hurting. It’s one of many ways the library strives to enrich the lives of Gulf Shores residents and visitors alike.

“We work toward transforming the library into a dynamic community hub that goes beyond books,” Kristen said.

A Book for Bear

Now, as promised, a story about my Bear and a book. Actually, the book is titled, “A Book for Bear.”

During my Bear’s stay in hospice, that book arrived in the mail from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, another great service that is free. (That program is not associated with the library. Learn more at imaginationlibrary.com.)

The book’s arrival happened on one of the last days my wife had to spend with our grandchildren.

So, with the two oldest grandchildren snuggled up against her, she read “A Book for Bear,” adding her own unique animation to the story. Rhys and Ann Evelyn hung on every word.

It’s a special memory for me and my children, and one those two grandchildren will hear about many times as they grow older.

If only they could hear the story one day from my Bear – their Dee Dee. And with another book or two in hand. On the beach.

Wayne Smith has worked as a writer and editor at newspapers across Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Contact him at wwsmith6410@gmail.com.

The cover of Ellen Ramsey’s children’s book, ‘A Book for Bear.”

Dorinda reads "A Book for Bear" to two of her grandchildren in April.

Kristen Rea, adult services librarian at the Thomas B. Norton Public Library in Gulf Shores, leads storytime at Seagrass Village of Gulf Shores.