A library. A community center. A place where fun and learning come alive and neighbors come together. The Tackle Box is all of this and more.
The Tackle Box, the vision of Jeff and Kathy Shaffer, honors the life of their son, Tyler. “The Tackle Box” name and much of the imagery inside the walls are inspired by many of the things their son, Tyler, loved…learning, fishing, family, books, friends, and the outdoors. The Tackle Box also offers individuals, families, and groups the opportunity to tackle issues by coming together to inspire, encourage or support each other.
Kathy, a teacher for 33 years, set a goal for a Hooversville library early in her educational career. As Kathy has said, “As a child and student, my school libraries were places of exploration and imagination. I accompanied Nancy Drew on each of her cases, traveled with the Bobbsey Twins and grew to love the people I met in biographies. Books were my escape to beautiful places and experiences.”
Also part of The Tackle Box story is Tyler’s brother and sister, Elliott and Lucy Shaffer, and their personal handprints on the space. The setting would not be complete without the Lego wall. Elliott spent much of his childhood building and creating with Legos. Those childhood experiences would carry him through to adulthood. He is still building and creating today (just with bigger materials). Lucy’s love for Alice in Wonderland can be seen in the wall-size mural in Karla Korner. Even as an adult she still loves Alice and her cast of crazy characters.
Although we have grown to love and include Sally, we spent much of our lives as a family of five. It is our hope that The Tackle Box stirs in your heart special memories and moments of your childhood and family, just as it does ours.