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Chair-ish the Library '25 - Norwalk Easter Public Library Fundraiser

Writer: Calli Tuggle
Calli Tuggle
Apr 18, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Apr 20, 2025

I am an avid reader and a huge supporter of public libraries and everything they offer to their communities from books, games, audiobooks, summer reading programs, and a safe haven for adults and children. When I was approached and asked to photograph the Chair-ish the Library event, I knew this was my gig.

Iowa Event Photography - female library director dressed in black poses against the youth new release books in the library.

My summers were spent riding my bike to my local library--shout out to my childhood library, Humboldt Public Library, and would participate in their summer reading program, where I won prizes ranging from free books, a camping tent, and even Adventureland Passes! I later served on the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) for the library and helped curated a space for teens and helped choose which new books to purchase.


Enough of my reminiscing though! Before we dive into the Chair-ish the Library event, I think it's important to understand the Norwalk Easter Public Library Foundation (NEPLF). The Foundation was founded in 1999 to help fill some of the gaps with funding. The foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with board members all living in Iowa and supporting their communities. The foundation helps expand library services such as summer reading programs, renovations, and expand the library's offering.


Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - the crowd at the Norwalk Easter Public Library's annual fundraising event.

The catch line for Chair-ish is 'Pull up a seat and help shape the library' which I absolutely adore! The evening was a 21+ event and your admission ticket granted you access to the delicious grazing table Chair-ceturie board by Whip it Good Catering . The Indianola based company offers everything from catering, freezer meals, and cooking classes!


  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - people in line for a grazing table.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - owners of Whip it Good Catering in front of grazing table.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - employee of Whip it Good Catering holds of a platter of chocolate chip cookies
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - individual raspberry cheesecakes with Hershey chocolate syrup and caramel syrup.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - spicy game surrounded by a soft cheese platter with fruits and veggies on a grazing table
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - tiered display of breads with fruit in the middle on a grazing table
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - a platter of soft cheese with honey in the middle
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - entire grazing table of desserts, fruit, vegetables, dips, crackers, and meats.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - individual plates of apple crip, platters of chocolate chip cookies and brownies on a large grazing table on a black table cloth
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - a platter of brownies and colored icing and sprinkles among individual desserts on a black tablecloth.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - a table of hardback books and a miniture chair on display on a grazing table
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography

Frank and Collette with Top it Off Liquid Catering were serving up drinks all night long. I can attest that their signature peach sangria was delicious! Each ticketed admission to the event received one drink ticket. The duo was slinging drinks the entire evening--everything from sangria, mixed drinks, to bottled drinks like High Noon.


  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - a couple poses with their High Noon drink at the Norwalk Easter Public Library's fundraiser.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - Collette with Top it Off Liquid Catering pours two alcoholic bottles at once
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - Collette with Top it Off Liquid Catering pours two alcoholic bottles at once
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - couple orders drinks
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - image of a cup of ice and a can of coca cola.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - Frank with Top it Off Liquid Catering pours a drink
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - patrons order drinks from Top It Off Liquid Catering
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - various wines and beers available to purchase at the Norwalk Easter Public Library's annual fundraiser.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Norwalk's own, singer and songwriter Sara Routh. Sara has a jazz-folk style of music that is unmatched. It was the perfect audio backdrop for guests to walk around to observe the chairs that would be auctioned later on in the evening. Sara even made a surprise appearance as the library's most loved mascot, Scribbles!


  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - musician Sara Routh plays her guitar and sings
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle - musician Sara Routh's hardback guitar case covered in stickers
    Image by Calli Tuggle

Bellflower Florist and Gifts donated five floral arrangements to the event to add the perfect pop of color and elegance.


  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - beautiful multi-colored floral arrangement by Bellflower Florists and Gifts.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - beautiful multi-colored floral arrangement by Bellflower Florists and Gifts.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - beautiful multi-colored floral arrangement by Bellflower Florists and Gifts.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photograpy
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - beautiful multi-colored floral arrangement by Bellflower Florists and Gifts.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography

Putney Auction out of Indianola provided their fast-talking auctioneer skills for the evening events. Mark (with a K) not only provided his service, but was also giving out free jokes and the occasional jabs all evening that had the crowd rolling with laughter.


  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - Mark with Putney Auction and Library director
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - Shelby with Purney Auction holding a microphone
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - Mark with Putney auction speaking into the microphone
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - Mark with Putney auction speaking into the microphone
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - Mark with Putney auction speaking into the microphone
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - Mark with Putney auction speaking into the microphone
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - Mark with Putney auction speaking into the microphone with his hand in the air.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - Mark with Putney auction speaking into the microphone walking towards the crowd.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Des Moines, Iowa area event photographer - Travis with Putney Auction leaning against a brick wall.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Des Moines, IA event photography - Travis and Mark with Putney Auction posed in the library
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Des Moines, IA event photography - Travis and Mark with Putney Auction posed in the library
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography

The chairs, tables, and even a quilt that were donated and auctioned for the event were from local businesses, residents, students, and anonymous donors. Each chair was uniquely refurbished and many had ties to the community with the notorious Norwalk 'N' or book themed. The chair that went home with me was the majestic lion chair donated by Whiskers TNR Of Warren County.


  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - End table representing the four seasons made with alcohol ink.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - purple Norwalk 'N' table with four coordinating coasters.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - lap quilt depicting four different chairs in various colors
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - round back wooden chair with sides with an image of a yellow cat on a red polka dot blanket painted on the seat.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - chair donated by the Norwalk Arts department - black chair with a blue seat with four hand-painted zinnias on it.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - lime green furry chair with white teeth and a blue tongue as the seat.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - blue chair with florals on the spindles of the back with two koi fish painted on the seat.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - silver and black metal chair
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - wooden child-size chair painted to resemble Mickey Mouse with his iconic ears and red shorts.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - small child-size school chair with books painted on the back rest and the words 'just one more chapter' written in cursive handwriting on the blue painted seat.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - large wooden bench
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - beautiful wooden chair with wood burning detail in the back and upolstered in imported fabric donated by Sara Routh Music.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - toddler size wood and metal chair with the Iowa Hawkeyes logo and colors
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - 3 wooden bar stools handpainted in various colors and patterns
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - toddler-sized rocking chair painted red with hearts along the back in white and pink
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - stately chair painted black with an upobstered seat and a lion with a crown on the back.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - toddler-sized chair painted white with Eric Carle's very hungry caterpillar painted on the backrest and a beautiful butterfly on the seat.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - large rocking chair with an upholstered blue seat and ear of corns at the top spindles.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography - school desk donated by Annie's Foundation depicts various children's banned books from Harry Potter to Captain Underpants.
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
  • Image by Calli Tuggle Photography
    Image by Calli Tuggle Photography

HIRTA was a valuable resource to the event as well. They provided a free shuttle from the library to additional parking at the Norwalk High School parking lot. I think we owe a huge 'Thank You' to the planning committee and their commitment to their library, their community, and the children that live here. We are in a time where our government is decreasing funding to libraries and placing restrictions on the books that libraries are able to have available for patrons. Our libraries are doing MORE with less resources.


Des Moines, Iowa event photographer - Calli Tuggle Photography - four women wearing black stand outside of the Norwalk Easter Public Library gazebo and smile

Chair-ish the Library received 90% of their fundraising goal! This is great news, but I would love to see that number grow even larger. I know that times are hard for everyone right now, but I'd encourage you to find ways to support your local library through your time, talents, or your financial contributions. You can check out ways to support the library here. Take note of the upcoming events as well, because May 9th and 10th there's a Junk in Your Trunk event. You can buy a spot and sell your 'junk' or garage sale items out of your car's trunk. Buyers receive 100% of their earnings, meanwhile, 100% of the ticket goes to the library. It's a win-win! You get items out of your home, you earn a few dollars, and the library will receive a donation. The library will also be hosting a used book sale on May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Donations can be dropped off at the library ahead of time. The books will be re-sold and all money will be put towards the 2025 Summer Reading Program. The summer reading program encourages reading and prevents the 'Summer Slip' when students slip behind in their academics in the summer when they're not being mentally stimulated. Events and experiences that the library offers prevents that slipping and allows children to maintain their academic level year-round. Chair-ish 2025 was hugely success and I'm so exited to be back next year!

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