Et cetera : We just had to ask.....Virginia Holsten

This week’s guest on Vinton Today’s “We Just Had to Ask” is Vinton Librarian Virginia Holsten, who has been working at the local library for a quarter-century. We thank Virginia for giving us a chance to ignore the serious issues facing our city and country for just a moment and letting us think about a few fun facts about her life.

Q. Did your mother or father have a saying they used over and over when you were a kid? A. Let me think for a moment. My parents have been dead for a long time and it’s been a long time since I’ve been a kid… no, not really. Q. Is there something your daughter will remember you saying over and over as her parent? A. I hope not! Q. Iowa or Iowa State? A. Iowa State, but only because I went to Wartburg. Q. Red tractor or green? A. Red, made by McCormick. My daughter used to work there. Q. What is your favorite big word? A. Plethora. Q. Do you have a pet peeve? A. Yes. People without a sense of humor or people who don’t understand my sarcasm. Q. Favorite newspaper cartoon? A. Pearls Before Swine. Q. Favorite cereal? A. Cheerios (plain). Q. Most unusual food or combination of foods you eat? A. I think everything I eat is quite normal. Q. Best TV show? Big Bang Theory -- the humor is wonderful Q. Worst TV show? Any of the reality shows -- any of them. Not that I have actually watched them. Q: Funniest joke you remember and can tell? A. I don’t really do a lot of jokes; I am more of an off-the-cuff, put-your-foot-in-your-mouth kind of person. Q. What do you think happens to the missing socks in the laundry? A. I assume they end up in the Vinton sewer system but thank you for thinking I wash my socks. Q. Favorite household or yard chore? A. I like mowing lawn and shoveling snow. Q. Most unusual habit you are willing to admit? A. Nothing I would admit to. If it’s not in writing, they don’t know it! Q. Best fiction book? A. It depends on the day - at the time I am reading it, almost any book is the best. Q. Best non-fiction book? A. Right now I just finished “The Immortal Henrietta Lacks.” It’s very good. Q. Favorite song? A. House of the Rising Sun. Q. Favorite candy bar? A. Anything chocolate. Q. Favorite planet? A. Earth. Earth Day is coming soon. Q. Best U.S. President? A. I really have no opinion on that one. Q Name a person or people, living or dead, you wish you could meet? A. Marcia Willett, the English author. She is still living now. Q. Best thing about being single? A. Oh my gosh, I don’t have to answer to anybody except for course people I work for. But seriously… We asked Virginia about her career as the leader of Vinton’s public library. Q. When, where and how did you choose to become a librarian? A. I never really chose it. I fell into it. I was asked by the previous librarian to be a substitute and worked my way up. And 25 years later, I still think I have the best job in the world. And finally… Q. Is there anything you wish I would have asked you? A. No, I don’t think there’s anything else people need to know.