Jan Henderson shows her next book to read.

Jan Henderson reads books at a rate few can equal. 

By Rich Wicks | Panora Times

Panora Library’s winter adult reading challenge runs through March 14.

Henderson recalled her mother and grandmother each reading quite a bit, but she didn’t catch the bug in her younger days. Although Henderson hasn’t always been a voracious reader, her life history helps to explain why she only became a bookworm in recent years.

Henderson was born in Myrtle Point, Oregon, and moved to the Panora area in 1959. She and her late husband, Edwin, farmed outside of Panora for many years, raising cattle, hogs and horses, which left little time for hobbies of any sort.

“I was busy farming and raising kids,” she said.

Edwin passed away in 2017, and Jan has lived at Panora Specialty Care for the past three years. She spends time playing solitaire, doing word search puzzles, and occasionally singing karaoke with others at the center. But reading is the hobby she spends the most time on, especially in the mornings.

Henderson does not have a particular genre or type of book she prefers but tends to avoid two genres.

“As long as it’s not a romance or a murder mystery, I’ll read it,” she said.

Henderson is in the habit of calling the Panora Library when she knows of books that she would like to borrow. One of the staff members at Panora Specialty Care then goes to the library to return some books and check out others for her. Henderson explains that she didn’t set a goal of reading 100 books, but it just turned out that way.

“I’d read three books in a couple weeks and send them back and get more books,” she said. 

Because Henderson reads a wide variety of books, she says she never gets “burned out.” When she hears about a topic or book that catches her attention, she will make a note to ask the library staff if it is available.

“I read one book about my great-grandfather. He was one of the original Texas Rangers,” she said. “ ‘Yellow Flower Moon’ is another book I really enjoyed. It’s about the Osage Indians.”

Henderson said sometimes she isn’t able to get a certain book as quickly as she would hope, especially if it is a brand-new book or current bestseller, but she is willing to wait her turn. Because of that, she usually requests a few books at a time so she’ll always have something to read.

Nancy Armstrong at the Panora Library said anyone is welcome to follow Henderson’s lead by calling or emailing the library to request books or other materials. Even if the Panora Library doesn’t have something on hand, most materials can be borrowed through an interlibrary loan. Armstrong also pointed out that the library often runs programs with small prizes to encourage children and adults to read more. Currently, such programs for kids and adults have just begun, as of Jan. 15.

The library website also offers an online reading app called “Libby.” Armstrong noted that a total of 515 items were borrowed through Libby in December. In addition, a book club, Page Turners, meets on the fourth Friday of each month. For more information on any of these options, contact the library online or call 641-755-2529. 

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Kent Gries reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on Jan. 23 at 6:40 p.m. on White Pole Road. Michael Gordon Freestone, 72, of Redfield was driving a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan S eastbound in the 3400block of White Pole Road and was traversing a curve to the northeast when his vehicle was struck by an unknown vehicle that was southwest bound and traversing the same curve to the west. Estimated damage to the Grand Caravan is $1,500.