Cape May Honors the Story Lady for 35 Years of Service

CAPE MAY — If you grew up in Cape May, chances are the Story Lady, Anita DeSatnick, read you a story at the city’s library.
DeSatnick was honored by City Council for 35 years of service to the city’s children at a Tue., April 5 meeting.
Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr. said DeSatnick initiated the storybook hour program. He read a proclamation that called her “one of the city’s most caring, dedicated and dependable employees.”
He said DeSatnick affected the lives of thousands of children in a very positive way, serving as a positive role model and instilling a love of reading in young people. She received a lengthy round of applause from the audience while accepting the proclamation.
Terry Brown, director of the city’s Department of Civic Affairs, said in the early 1990s, the state license of the city’s Pelican Place Preschool was in jeopardy. The preschool required a staff member with a Master’s Degree in education.
Brown said DeSatnick served as a consultant and teacher while Pelican Place’s head teacher was getting her accreditation. Without DeSatnick, the preschool would not have a license today, he said.
Brown said she volunteered her time to help with Pelican Place even though the city offered to pay her for her hours.
DeSatnick thanked the staff of the Cape May Library. She said she watched children grow up from the storybook hour to graduating from high school and college.
“It’s a pleasure to know that maybe I’ve had a tiny part in their success in the area of reading,” said DeSatnick.