Clinton Public Library celebrates fall fun

Features

Front desk dedicated in memory of David Shaff

By Katie Dahlstrom
Herald Staff Writer
CLINTON — When Karen Shaff and her siblings Martha, J.O. and Grace, were growing up in Clinton, their father, David, instilled in them a love of reading.
      “He was an avid reader and we are all, too. That's because of him,” Karen said.
David, who died last year at the age of 87, spent most of his life in Clinton. The roles he played in the community are difficult to quantify, but for 12 years, one of them was as a member of the Clinton Public Library Board. There he worked to improve the services available to Clinton residents, a mission he was able to accomplish even after his death.
      David graduated from Clinton High School in 1942. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army-Air Corp during World War II in North Africa and Calcutta, India.
      When David returned to the U.S. in 1945, he enrolled at the University of Iowa where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees. In 1950, he began his law firm in Clinton. Two years later, he successfully ran for the Iowa House of Representatives. He married wife, Lissi, in 1953, shortly after he began his political career.
      “I knew he was a very dedicated person to his community and to his family. That was important to me,” Lissi said.
      After serving in the Iowa House of Representatives and subsequently the Iowa Senate until 1966, David returned to Clinton where he worked as an attorney, stayed involved and raised four children with Lissi.
      "Our father was a generous person. The community meant a lot to him. Clinton was his town," Martha said.
      Among his many roles in the community, David served on the board of the Clinton YMCA, Clinton Rotary Club of which he was a Paul Harris Fellow, Jane Lamb Hospital where he was President, Clinton Public Library and the Armstrong-Curtis Foundation. He was also a member of the former Clinton Elks and Lions clubs.
      One of David's many friends in Clinton was Y. Joe Williams. The two often played tennis together and worked towards securing Clinton’s numerous tennis facilities.
      “He was very community oriented and he loved to play tennis,” Williams said.
      In addition to the tennis facilities, David was an integral part of projects such as the bike path, the outdoor swimming facility and the Ericksen Community Center. Later in life, David served two terms on the library board. Five of those 12 years, he served with Dick Kissack, who fondly remembered their time serving together.
      "He loved the library. He was so community minded," Kissack said. "He really had the interest of the community at heart."
      David advocated for a new public library. He was a proponent of relocating to the old Harding Elementary School, which now houses the Clinton School District Administration center. That dedication to serving the people of Clinton through the library carried on beyond his death.
      After he died last year, Lissi and her children directed memorials to be made to either the Iowa Bar Association or the Clinton Public Library for the purchase of a new circulation desk.

Related Photos

Jason Zambrano, Devonte McGee and Bayden Miller hop their way across the grassy area next to the Clinton Public Library during a sack race on Saturday at the September Showcase. Katie Dahlstrom/Clinton Herald

Discussion

October 1, 2012

Clinton Public Library celebrates fall fun

By Katie Dahlstrom Herald Staff Writer The Clinton Herald Mon Oct 01, 2012, 10:08 AM CDT

CLINTON — Gateway-area residents spent last Saturday afternoon enjoying food, films and fun at the Clinton Public Library during the facility's September showcase.

The event was the first of its kind hosted by the library under Director Amy Birtell, who celebrated her one-year anniversary in Clinton the day prior.

As promised, famous former Clinton resident Lillian Russell made an appearance at the event thanks to Birtell's whimsy.

Outside, children played a number of fall-themed games.

Apple stacking, pumpkin ring toss and scarecrow making were among the entertaining ways children earned prize tickets.

Meanwhile, the Clinton County Cattlemen served chips, pop and hot-from-the-grill burgers. The Clinton County Dairy Producers also served ice cream during the event.

As event-goers enjoyed the Showcase in the crisp fall air, some ventured inside to enjoy Charlie Chaplin and Lillian Russell films. Beyond games, food and movies, the event was held to dedicate the new circulation desk to David O. Shaff.

The more than $18,000 addition to the main library was paid for by memorials made on Shaff's behalf, donations from his family and the Friends of the Library.

Nearly a dozen of Shaff's family members including his wife, Lissi, and daughters Martha, Grace and Karen, attended the dedication, which also featured the Clintones.

Martha spoke to approximately 50 people who gathered for the dedication.

“We spent a lot of time here. It was definitely a part of our childhood,” she said. “I'm overwhelmed by how beautiful it is,” she said of the desk.

The desk, which was completed by Tom McNeil, is a replica of the original from the more than century-old facility. The library, Birtell explained, was built using $45,000 from Andrew Carnegie in 1902. The desk was chosen for the Shaff family memorials because if its prominence in the facility.

“Coming in the doors, they saw the desk. When you came in the door today, you saw the desk,” Birtell said.

After the desk dedication was completed, the movies continued inside.

Gary Herrity and Mike Kearney also resumed tours of the historic library.

As dedication ceremony attendees made their way outside, they were greeted with the sounds of the Ron Tegeler Jazz Experience.

The event is part of Birtell's overall vision to increase the community's use of the library.

“This building is a central part of this community and I want it to continue to be a source of pride,” she said.

Text Only

Features

Nancy Holt CAMANCHE -- Nancy Holt, 65, of Camanche, had a port placed in her chest this week to facilitate weekly plasma infusions. She said this is the best way to treat Alpha-1. For the past few years, Nancy's health has been declining. At the same time, her
May 18, 2013 1 Photo
Students honored at ceremony CLINTON -- Seventy-four students from Clinton High School's class of 2013 were honored Thursday during the 27th annual senior honors convocation. The class of 2013 has taken more Advanced Placement tests and has earned some of the highest scores on
May 17, 2013 1 Photo
Group eyes bandshell improvement CLINTON -- A group of Clinton volunteers wants to transform the Riverview bandshell from an unkempt structure to an attractive venue for community events. Members of Vision 8, a Clinton-based nonprofit organization working together to improve the ima
May 16, 2013 1 Photo
Cool Streak Snapped CLINTON -- It didn't take long for the Gateway-area to bust out of a recent cool streak that extended through the weekend. In fact, the swing temperature was record-breaking. Tuesday's high of 93 degrees broke a record high from 1932. The temperature
May 15, 2013 2 Photos
Bidding farewell CLINTON -- For the first time in 55 years, Mark Kapusinski will not have a first day of school to anticipate. The Clinton vocal music teacher is retiring after 29 years with the Clinton School District. His wife Nancy also is retiring. With 22 years
May 14, 2013 1 Photo
Growing Together CLINTON -- Apartment dwellers and those with small yards can still rent plots in Clinton's community garden. The community garden, located at the corner of 13th Avenue North and North 14th Street, was tilled Wednesday for the planting season. Kelli
May 13, 2013 1 Photo
A road block to businesses?
Camanche Avenue is expected to open Clinton to a bevy of new business and economic activity, but some business owners along the torn-up highway say the construction that started last April has nearly led them to close.

May 10, 2013
In the water's wake: Library works to be fully operational after recent flood damage
CLINTON — In the three weeks since the Clinton Public Library basement was flooded, city and library staff have been working to repair the damage, but the fixes are far from being complete and the Root Cellar remains closed.

May 10, 2013 1 Photo
Two men plan to start Clinton taxi services
CLINTON — Ride-seekers in the Gateway area soon will have two taxicab operations to get them to their destination.

May 10, 2013 1 Photo
Clearing the air CLINTON -- Smoking in city parks could become a thing of the past as city officials work on a phased-in plan to make some parks and city-run activities smoke free. During the Rules and Regulations Committee meeting Tuesday, members of the Let's Liv
May 9, 2013 1 Photo
More Features Headlines