HANOVER — For a single weekend every March, the Howe Library is transformed into an 18-hole miniature golf course to the delight of children and adults alike.
The Howel Classic is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, a testament to the support the community has for the library and their enduring love for a quirky fundraiser that has become an institution in Hanover. The event takes place over the course of two days. From 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, adults age 21 and older are welcome to play while listening to live music and sampling beer or wine and hors d’oeuvres. It costs $75 per ticket and can be purchased at thehowe.org/howeltickets. The mini-golf course opens to people of all ages from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 19. Tickets cost $5 per person and include pizza along with other refreshments.
“It’s really continued to grow and it’s an extremely popular event. We see people coming back year after year,” said Michelle Schembri, development coordinator for The Howe Library Corporation, the fundraising arm of the Howe Library. “They put it on their calendars a year out so they know when it is.”
The idea for the Howel Classic came from a board member who had read an article about a mini-golf company that set up golf courses at libraries throughout the country. The library had traditionally held wine tasting as fundraisers and was looking for something different.
“We thought it was a was a unique type of fundraiser and also brings people to different parts of the library perhaps they’ve never been in,” Schembri said. “You’ll find children in different sections in the adult area that they normally wouldn’t be in and vice versa.”
More than 70 volunteers assist with the event and the 18 holes are spread out over all three floors of the library.
“There’re two holes that run down the stairs,” Schembri said. “The kids always love that.”
The Howel Classic raised about $41,000 last year and about 400 people attended the family-friendly event. Over the course of nine years, the fundraiser has brought in about $318,000.
“It really has allowed us to bring in money that we use to cover programs and new initiatives at the library,” Schembri said, adding that last year’s funds went toward establishing a makerspace at nearby Hanover High School, which library staff help run and provide training.
A digital media lab was also added to the library in the last year.
“These are all using new technologies and just helping with our digital literacy initiatives at the library,” Schembri said.
While libraries and golf clubs might not sound like an obvious combination, the mix has worked well for the Howe Library.
“The kids are very enthusiastic when swinging the clubs sometimes, but we have not had any broken things or injuries,” Schembri said. “It’s all gone very well.”
Editor’s note: For more information, visit thehowe.org or call 603-640-3260. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
