LIBRARY STUDY CLUB
Rusk club hears member's life story
BY BETTY TOWNSEND

The Rusk Library Study Club was formed in October 1902 and resulted in the establishment of the first public loaning library in Cherokee County. The club is believed to be the oldest continuously running such organization in Texas.

The present-day club has 22 members who meet on the second Tuesday of each month in the fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church.

The first meeting of the 2007-08 season was held on Sept. 11 with the "course of study" being "This is My Life- Until Now."

The presenter, Melva Hermes, gave an oral autobiographical sketch. She was born in the 1940s in San Antonio to an Air Corps dad and a mom who was a secretary. At the age of nine, she and her family, which included a sister and two brothers, moved to a farm in a rural area of Louisiana.

The parents were strict and the children were encouraged to stand up straight and have pride in their tall stature. Education was very important and the presenter developed an avid love for reading. She stated she made straight A's. Zane Grey was a favorite author of both sisters during their teens.

She graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in math education and accepted her first teaching job in Las Cruces, N.M. From there she traveled many miles to Venezuela, where her students were of many nationalities. She enjoyed a very active social life along with her teaching and also traveled at every opportunity.

Her next job took her to Peru and she has a lasting impression of the extremely poverty stricken people. While in Lima, she met a man from England and married him. When her little son, Chris, was nine-months-old her husband became ill and was diagnosed with leukemia. They packed their possessions and flew to England for medical treatment, but to no avail. The grieving young widow and son went home to Louisiana.

She soon took a teaching job in a small school and took more college courses.

Suffering from some health problems, her doctor advised her to leave the teaching profession and go to the city. A job offer from Galveston resulted in another move and work in nursing administration. Also, there were classes and training at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

During a trip to Italy to visit her sister and to travel in several European countries, she met Bill, whom she later married. In 1999 they retired and moved into their present home near Rusk. Her son, Chris, is married and lives in Richardson.

Mrs. Hermes told of a strong family background, her extensive education, varied job experiences and her travels in many countries.

The meeting adjourned after the reading of an inspirational poem on 9-11 by Ollie Parrott, president.