Speaking at Cottage Grove Library

With the holidays behind us, a new year of book events begins. First stop in 2017 takes me to the public library at my previous hometown, Cottage Grove, Oregon, a small historic town about twenty miles south of Eugene. I’ll be giving a presentation about my books The Shifting Winds and A Place of Her Own in the library’s Shepherd Room on Monday evening, January 23, from 6 to 7:30.

1280-historic-cgThe above photo shows the entrance into Cottage Grove’s historic Main Street, where the community has three bookstores–The Bookmine, Kalapuya Books, and Books on Main–impressive for a town of about 9,800 people. Just two blocks away at 700 E. Gibbs Avenue, on the corner of Gibbs and N. 8th Street, you’ll find the thriving Cottage Grove Public Library, shown below. A very literary community.

1277-cg-libraryFor my presentation I will talk about both of my published books set in the days of Oregon’s early pioneers, while showing a collection of slides related to the stories. I’ll give some background on the history behind the stories, how those books came to be, and about other projects in the works. After a short reading from the latest, Shifting Winds, I’ll open up to Q&A, then sell and sign copies of both books.

This event brings me to a familiar setting. I lived about a block up from the library, on 8th, so it became an easy place to visit and a particularly vital destination during the year my daughter and granddaughter lived with me in Cottage Grove. The librarians all knew my granddaughter Calliope, an active preschooler and lover of books.

So it’s a pleasure to be offering a presentation there. I look forward to it. Thanks to Pete Barrell, City of Cottage Grove Community Services Director, for arranging the event.

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At the Literary Salon

710.cg literary salonThis afternoon I went back to the book events after a little time off.

I was pleased to be invited to the first Literary Salon at the Opal Center for Arts & Education in Cottage Grove, Oregon’s historic downtown.

Four local authors–Hal Holbrook, Anastastia Machachek, Theo Czuk, and I–presented our work, each of us taking a turn on stage.

Theo, a composer of music, gave his presentation in song, with a short reading from his first novel, and the rest of us read and discussed our books. Afterward we had a little time for selling and signing.

The event was cosponsored by The Bookmine of Cottage Grove. An enjoyable afternoon with a welcoming crowd! Thanks to Allan and Gail for putting this on, and to Steve for taking the picture.

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Festival Time in Cottage Grove

635.kalapuya bksI’ll be visiting another bookstore on another Main Street in America Saturday–this one in Cottage Grove, Oregon. The small town of Cottage Grove boasts three bookstores on its historic Main Street. My next book signing and reading will be held at Kalapuya Books this time, located at 637 E Main, September 20 from 2 to 4 in the afternoon.

It’s Oregon Covered Bridge Festival time, so when the Kalapuya event is done, I’ll trek on over to Bohemia Park on the other side of the railroad tracks for a Meet & Greet the Author from 5 to 6 at the Cottage Grove Souvenir Booth. They’ll have copies of my book A Place of Her Own for sale as well, which I’ll be happy to sign.

It should be a fun day with lots to do. And familiar territory for me, since I lived in Cottage Grove for several years before moving to the family farm featured in my book. If you live nearby I hope you’ll stop by and join us.

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