This past Saturday, Elizabeth Barton—better known to the readers of the Emerson Valley Gazette as the author of our “Dear Libby” column—was honored at a special banquet held by the Raven Club. The banquet took place at Raven Hall, where many of the town’s luminaries gathered to celebrate the achievements and success of Mrs. Barton’s professional career.

“I’m so delighted to be here,” Mrs. Barton said at the start of her speech. “Being honored like this is a truly humbling experience. I can’t begin to tell you what joy this brings me.”

Miriam Rook, president of the Raven Club, sang her praises all night. “The fact that Libby has been able to touch as many people as she has despite the limited reach of the Gazette is nothing short of miraculous. When we find ourselves having interpersonal issues or stuck on a problem, Libby always comes through with immaculate advice.”

Mayor Anthony Faulk was on hand to laud our star columnist as well. “I got to know Libby pretty well in the last few years,” he said during his speech. “You might not know this, but when I need some sage advice, I give her a call. That’s one of the perks of being mayor—I don’t have to write in and hope she picks my letter.”

Not everyone was thrilled about Mrs. Barton being lavished with accolades, though. Cassandra Tate, owner of the local bookstore Cassie’s Corner, spent most the night with a frown on her face.

“When I first got the invitation, I threw it away,” Mrs. Tate said following the banquet. “My husband convinced me we should go and enjoy the free food. I just can’t stand how fake she is. We were scheduled to hold a Meet & Greet with her at the store, but she cancelled at the last minute. Then she started telling everyone we cancelled on her. I can’t tell you how many angry emails and calls we got yelling at us for ‘hurting Dear Libby’s feelings.’ It really affected our business, and we’ve got no recourse since she’s the one with a public forum.”

However, nothing could dim Mrs. Barton’s shine on her special night. She was in her element among the throngs of adoring fans. It seems her popularity will never wane. Even the dismal sales of her book, Dear Libby: A Collection of Everyday Advice for Everyday People, didn’t do much to slow her down.

“I’m the kind of person who refuses to rest on her laurels,” she told the Gazette. “I don’t have the time to look back and bask in my achievements because I’m too busy looking towards the future. I guess that’s why this banquet meant so much to me. I got a chance to celebrate myself for a change.”

When asked about her plans for the future, Mrs. Barton was characteristically vague. “I’ve got a few pretty big things in the pipeline, but I’ll be announcing them in good time. You’ll just have to wait and keep reading ‘Dear Libby’ to find out!”

You can read her “Dear Libby” column every Sunday on the Emerson Valley Gazette’s website. Dear Libby: A Collection of Everyday Advice for Everyday People is available in discount bins at bookstores everywhere (except Cassie’s Corner).

-Sarah Donovan, Editor & Local News, Emerson Valley Gazette