Liars’ contest winner to speak at Lodi fundraiser

LODI — A championship “liar” will be speaking at the Lodi Public Library Saturday night.

The Lodi Public Library Foundation will host its 19th annual Evening at the Library, an event aimed at raising funds for various programs and projects there.

This year’s featured guest is Bill Lepp, a storyteller, author and recording artist who has won the West Virginia State Liars’ Contest five times — or so he claims.

Lepp performs at storytelling festivals around the nation and has been featured at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn., 15 times, according to his webpage.

“The person who recruited him has seen him a number of times at storytelling events,” foundation president Kelly Nimtz said. “He has a national reputation as a champion ‘liar,’ but he comes highly recommended.”

Lepp has also written several children’s books, including ‘The Divine Bovine,’ ‘The King of Little Things’ and ‘The Princess and the Pickup Truck,’ among others.

Saturday’s event begins at 5 p.m. with local wines, champagne, hors d’oeuvres and a raffle and silent auction. Dinner, catered by Sogaard Catering of Plymouth begins at 6 p.m., along with Lepp’s storytelling.

Admission is $85 per person, and all proceeds benefit current and future programs and projects at the library.

“We want more people to know about the library,” Nimtz said. “It’s more than just old books. In a community like ours, the library is a resource that other parts of the county don’t have. And for the most part, it’s a free resource.”

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 209-333-5536, or email

office@lodilibraryfoundation.org. You can also visit www.lodilibraryfoundation.org for more information.

To learn more about Lepp, visit www.leppstorytelling.com.