Mystery of the Returned Books

Christmas came early when a mystery box arrived at the Camelback High School library last month, sent through the U.S. Postal Service. School librarian Georgette Bordine was astonished to receive two very overdue library books, a money order to cover any library fines and a thoughtful note to explain things.

But what makes this such an amazing story is that the two books were more than a half century overdue, and the former Camelback High student who returned them sent the library $1,000 to cover any fines! “I was absolutely shocked,” Bordine shares. “The letter was shocking enough, but when we saw the money order that went with it, it was just OVERWHELMING!”

As a mysterious twist, the former Camelback high schooler wants to remain anonymous. “Fifty-one years ago about this time of year, my family had to move to another state,” the letter reads. “This happened rather hurriedly, and these books were packed up and moved as well.”

The person was supposed to graduate from Camelback High in 1959, but had to move away. Several years later, the person found the books, which were wildlife books published by the famous Audubon Society in 1956. “I’ve enclosed a money order to cover my delinquency dues. At 2 cents per day, it works out (to) $745 for 51 years. I’ve sent along a few more dollars in case the rates changed. Sorry these two books are so late!” the letter concludes.

But who is this mysterious book borrower? Looking at the handwriting, Bordine thinks the person is a man. The return info on the box has Colorado written on it, but the money order and the stamp come from Superior, Arizona. Bordine has even flipped through old Camelback High yearbooks from the late 1950s to see who it might be!

“If he would’ve graduated in 1959, we’re looking at somebody who is 68 or 69 years old,” she figures. Bordine, who has been at Camelback High for nine years, points out that school libraries don’t usually charge for overdue books—they only charge students if they lose the books they borrow.

“It’s just incredible that somebody would do something so thoughtful,” Bordine says. “It’s something that just makes you smile.”

The money will be put to good use at the library—$1,000 will buy at least 100 new books, which really helps as library budgets are slashed during these tough economic times.

The high school students love the story and come in to see the old books. The story went national around mid-November and has reached far away places like India and Ireland. Bordine plans to put up a permanent display of the books, the letter and a copy of the money order in the library!

Couple Crashes Fancy White House Party

WASHINGTON, D.C.—To honor the visit of India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Barack Obama threw his very first State Dinner on Nov. 24.

The formal affair included tuxedos, fancy gowns, dazzling tables, a military honor guard and some 320 excited guests. It also included two party crashers!

The Secret Service, which is in charge of protecting the president at all times, failed to keep uninvited guests Tareq Salahi and his wife, Michaele, out of the very exclusive, by-invitation-only White House party. And now security officials are trying to figure out how the two got in.

The couple seems to love being in the spotlight and rubbing elbows with the rich and powerful. In fact, they put up photos on their shared Facebook page of the famous folks they meet.

Somehow, the Salahis made it past the Secret Service check-ins without an invitation and also were formally introduced when they arrived. They chatted with the president, vice president and the prime minister.

Now the couple might face criminal charges for lying to get into a federally secure area. Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan says the agency is “deeply concerned and embarrassed” by the mistake.