“Go out and do something good this week.” Those were words from the late Cyndi Trobeck, an Otsego graduate, local realtor and Otsego’s Mayor. After her sudden illness and passing last year, OPS tutor Jessica Santman wanted to do something to keep her memory alive within our school community. ““I immediately thought of her love for books and children reading books,” Santman says. 

Working with Otsego’s elementary literacy coach, Gina Watson, and Trobeck’s husband, Gary, they came up with the idea of a mini Cindy library at each elementary school, on the Bookin’ Bus, at the Otsego District LIbrary and a set for the Trobeck Family. “We selected books that speak to strong women and roles they play, such as Mayor, as well as books about kindness,” Santman explains.

Otsego’s teaching staff and Rotary provided the donations needed to make this idea a reality and each principal was presented with their mini library this year. Each book has Cyndi’s favorite quote in them of “Go out and do something good this week”. 

Santman says that Cyndi’s passing left a big hole in many different facets of our community. She was a larger than life presence. “For me, the biggest part was her ability to see the good in everyone and the ability to make you see that you really can do what you put your mind to if you put in the work.

“My hope is that even just one student will pick up one of these books and they will feel Cyndi’s presence and that will give them the desire and drive to push through to make their dreams become a reality.”

The books in the mini libraries are: 

• Good People Everywhere

• All are Welcome

• Amelia Bedelia 4 Mayor

• She Persisted

• She Persisted Around the World

• Because

• The Big Umbrella

• Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World

• Katie Woo's Neighborhood Helping Mayor Patty

• Plant a Kiss

• Sophia Valdez Future Prez