Thoughts on Reading – by Bettina Mead

PHOTOS BY RICK COOPER

One book I hold in my hands and read every day is a hand-size New Testament that I have owned since I was 7. It was a part of our family Bible collection.

It always accompanies me when I travel. I have lots of Bibles but this is my ‘go to’ Bible. I feel like I am holding the Lord’s hand when I clutch it… and I clutch it in deep prayer frequently. I come from a long line of Bible readers and have been taught from the Bible all my life. The Bible transcends all time, all ages, and the universe. What publisher or author could say they had the most widely distributed book in history? Or their book had been translated more times than any other book? I find it a most exciting book, filled with every possible genre.

NOTABLE READERS

When I was asked about notable readers in Bay County who could contribute to the book reviews in this magazine, choosing only a few was a difficult task. There are so many fascinating people in Panama City that if I had asked everyone I admire and respect, it would have consumed every page of Panama City Living Magazine.

Matt Harbison, Candis Harbison, Joe Tannehill, Heather Ogilvie, Bob Majka, and Sheriff McKeithen, my selections are based on the mutual passions we share; our vocations, the organizations that so enrich our lives, our professional alliances, our friends, and families. For each of us, they are passions, pride, and respect. I like to thank them for sharing their love of reading and for inspiring others to do the same.

ABOUT BETTINA MEAD

In February 2014 Bettina Mead retired from the Bay County Public Library as the Marketing and Communications Director. She remains on the Library Foundation and is a member of the Bay County Extension Overall Advisory Committee.

Bettina Mead has devoted much of her life to nurturing friendships and motivating others to make Panama City a better place. In her early career, she was the Licensing Director for artist Paul Brent. She and Paul created his licensing program. She moved to California to be the Vice President of the Retail Division of the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California and, most recently, she was the Marketing and Communications Director for the Northwest Florida Library System, the first to hold this title. Notably, she was the second woman ever asked to join the Panama City (Downtown) Rotary Club.