V. Hugh Lewis II
Jefferson Jimplecute
It was a visit to the Jefferson Carnegie Library back in 2016, and being recognized and encouraged during a return trip, that inspired author Ray DePew to give back to Jefferson through the donation of a statute now located on the front lawn of the library.
“The library has done so much for authors, and they did a lot for me many years ago. And I didn’t want that to get lost,” said DePew.
DePew, who writes under the pen name R.D. Vincent, visited Jefferson in 2016 and his books caused JISD School Board President Leah Cooper to purchase a classroom set of the books. Cooper recognized DePew during one of his return trips and has kept in touch with him.
“I always try to pay back when I can to help. You know, when people have helped me, like Leah, the library, and the school here was helpful to me and I love it. This was just our way of saying ‘Thank you’,” DePew said.
DePew’s books are centered on small town life in fictional Goshen, N.Y., and the stories his grandmother told.
Just like the community in Goshen, members of the Jefferson Powerlifting Team came by the library and installed the statue the front lawn of the library on Monday afternoon.
DePew lives in Houston and makes frequent visits to Jefferson with his family.