Hundreds of people showed their support to the Winona-Montgomery County Library, a branch of the Mid-Mississippi Regional Library System, in honor of National Library Week. The annual Tasters’ Luncheon was held Thursday, April 24, 2014, and Mississippi First Lady Deborah Bryant was the event’s keynote speaker.
Bryant, who started her “Read Across Mississippi Initiative,” read to students at Winona Elementary School prior to the Tasters’ Luncheon.
“Being First Lady is a life changing experience,” Bryant said. “I’ve met the most incredible people.”
Bryant also spoke of her H.O.M.E. initiative, her plan named for the four issues she is focusing on during her time as First Lady: Healthcare, Outdoors, Mansion, and Education.
“In healthcare, I have a passion for disabilities,” Bryant said. “We have many children with mental illnesses, and there is a problem with teen pregnancy.”
Bryant added that since her husband, Phil Bryant, took over as governor, there has been a 10 percent drop in the teen pregnancy rate.
The “O” and “M” is for her love of the outdoors and what she calls “great state parks” and the preservation of the Governor’s Mansion.
With “E” Bryant is a firm believer of a strong education system in Mississippi and lends her time and effort to supporting schools throughout the state.
To accommodate the large number attending, the luncheon was held at the Moore Memorial Methodist Church Family Life Center with dozens of southern dishes featured on the buffet. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the luncheon featured dishes prepared by Friends’ members, and the collection of recipes served at the event was given to each person in attendance.
Deborah Bryant (pictured with Senator Lydia Chassaniol, R-Winona) was the keynote speaker at the Winona-Montgomery County Public Library Tasters’ Luncheon on Thursday, April 24, 2014.
Article and photograph by Reggie Ross, The Winona Times. Reprinted with permission.
Submitted by
Lisa M. Ramage
Branch Services Coordinator
Mid-Mississippi Regional Library System
