By Lindsey Warren
Long time Wayland residents and two of Wayland Free Public Library’s home delivery services volunteers, John and Natalie Grabill, sat down at the library to share their story.
John and Natalie first heard that the new library home delivery program, Library On the Go, was looking for volunteers through the weekly electronic newsletter and it seemed like the perfect fit. Their children, Emily and J.J., have grown up participating in the Wayland Public Library’s programs and Natalie even reminisced about one library event that taught her how to create and use a pinhole camera. John also has his own library photography story from when his changing film-only photo exhibitions were displayed several times in the Library’s Raytheon room. The Grabill’s described Library On the Go as an important asset to the Wayland community and explained their belief that every town should have a program like this for people that can’t get to the library. John described the Library’s home delivery services as “free, efficient and reliable. It’s a win, win, win!”
Volunteering has been something the couple has shared with their children. As a family, after attending local church services they would all deliver food to Wayland residents as well as bring groceries each week to My Brother’s Table. The family also has helped prep kits of toiletries and non-perishable meals that are delivered to homeless community members in the area around the Boston Common. John, fondly referred to as the “talker” of the two by Natalie, describes volunteering as something that the couple wanted their kids to be a part of. “We want them to see that there are people in need everywhere, including right here in Wayland.” For the couple, it’s all about setting a good example for their children while finding ways to get involved in giving back to the Wayland community.
Similar to the two famous John’s from the band They Might Be Giants, John Grabill grew up playing music in nearby Lincoln, Massachusetts. He now shares this musical talent with his wife Natalie, calling the duo “The White stripes, before the White Stripes” with Natalie on drums and John on guitar and bass.
The couple has been both long-time music appreciators and creators with John sharing how inspired he and his Lincoln friends were the first time they saw the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan show. “Immediately we all went out and bought instruments and started bands, bands, bands” that interchanged members and played school dances, teen centers, local clubs and even led up to John playing music professionally. Over the years, John has had many exciting music related adventures including when he used to both play and practice with one New York City based band, whose manager was also the tarot card reader for Yoko Ono. This Yoko connection led right to the band borrowing John Lennon’s “beat up old station wagon” when they played gigs in New York, and JG borrowing JL’s keyboards and effect pedals for shows.
We are lucky this exciting couple is part of both the Wayland community and the volunteer program at the Wayland Public Library. Thank you to John and Natalie and to all our wonderful library volunteers! To sign up for our Library On the Go program you can visit the Library’s website and fill out an online form or call the Library to speak with Lindsey Warren, the Outreach Services Coordinator, at 508-358-2311.
