Friends of the late local author Lilian Jackson Braun and fans of her “The Cat Who…” mystery series braved an unexpected summer downpour to attend a dedication of a statue in Braun’s honor at the Polk

County Public Library on Wednesday, June 20. The event was planned to take place in front of the library beside the statue, but it was moved inside because of the weather.
Braun’s husband, Earl Bettinger, who attended the event, commissioned sculptor Mayo Mac Boggs to make the statue. An artistic interpretation of Koko and Yum Yum, the cats in “The Cat Who…” mysteries, the statue is a duplicate of one Bettinger and Braun have had for years at their home.
Bettinger donated the sculpture to the library in honor of Braun’s love of libraries in general and Polk County’s library in particular. It was installed in late winter, but the dedication was planned for June 20 because that date would have been Braun’s 99th birthday, and because organizers hoped for good weather.
Attendees enjoyed refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library and music performed by the Red Hot Sugar Babes with Hank Bones of the Firecracker Jazz Band.
Polk County Public Library Director Cindy Nanney welcomed guests and spoke of her love of Braun’s books.