Wilbur the Pig, Rutherford County's famous pig and John L. and Melissa Batey, Wilbur's owners, presented a check to Rutherford County's Linebaugh Public Library for more than $5,000 representing proceeds from various fundraisers in the county.

Wilbur, born on the Batey's farm in early June of last year, never imagined the fame and attention he would receive nor what his fame would accomplish for the new Children's Book Section of the Linebaugh Public Library.

John L. and Melissa Batey responded to a request in June from Phyllis Ferguson, Executive Director of the Tennessee Pork Produces Association in Nashville, to allow a photographer to shoot pictures of a new born pig on their farm. If the pictures turned out, the pig would be used on the cover of the new Charlotte's Web Book to be published in the fall of 2006.

From that day in June 2006 until his retirement party on December 21, 2006, Wilbur brought untold joy to thousands of children in the Murfreesboro and Rutherford County School System; adults in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the county,; helped raise money for the Rutherford County United Way and various other charities, and brought untold attention to the new Charlotte's Web book.

In the midst of all the excitement between June and the end of the year, the Bateys married off a daughter and a son. Melissa and John L. continued to try and run a farm operation and meet the many request for Wilbur to appear at various events.

They graciously appeared at the Wilson County Fair, school book nights in the city and county, a special premier showing of the new movie in Franklin in November hosted by Reba McEntire; three book signings in the county hosted by Hastings Books and Wilson Bank & Trust and a special premiere showing of the new Charlotte's Web movie hosted by Premier 6 Theatre in Jackson Heights Plaza on Dec. 21 followed by Wilbur's retirement party and book signing at Wilson Bank & Trust.

Throughout the six month whirlwind, the Bateys said they had two desires in their heart. One was to bring fun and laughter into the hearts of children and adults alike. Second, the Bateys wanted to raise awareness for children's reading programs in the area.

In the end, thousands of children and adults received the joy of watching a piglet grow up right before our eyes and capture the imagination of the young and old. Melissa Batey's heartfelt desire to raise the awareness of children's reading programs was accomplished with the help of five local businesses who joined together in raising over $5,000 for the Linebaugh Public Library's Children's Book Section.

Cooperating in the fundraiser were Laurel Best, director, Linebaugh Public Library and Rita Shacklett, assistant library director; Bill and Alice Brooks, co-owners of Premier Six Theatre in Jackson Heights Plaza; Kathi Stone, store manager and Courtney Carver, assistant store manager, Hastings Books; Wilson Bank & Trust; Beth Harrell, manager of Sign Pro, and Summer Turner, owner, House of Carpets.