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| Ann Hobgood with Found Objects Sculpture Based on Blue |
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I met NC author, Carlene Morton during the Alamance Reads programs back in February. We corresponded. I visited her website. We discussed her books. I asked her to bring me a copy of Alpha Betti to the Alamance Reads finale. Then, when the time came, I forgot to ask her for it. Ooops! 
This weekend when the grands wanted stories, I tried it out on them. And when the story ended, what did the four year-old say?
"Will you read it again?"
And when I asked for a second opinion, what did the seven year-old say?
"Yes, read it again!"
So I did.
Alpha Betti is published by Upstart Books and Highsmith which provide school and library products. But Alpha Betti is terrific for reading at home too!
Above: Susan Holland (l.) initiated the Alamance Reads Program three years ago and chaired the committee the first two years. Margaret Blanchard (ctr) and Lennie Stout (r.) co-chaired this year's committee.
Since Blue was this year's selection and blackberries figure into the story, we celebrated with a Blackberry Cobbler and Ice-Cream party. Yum!
The artwork on the walls is BLUE related. Local students (especially homeschoolers) entered art and writing contests.
I didn't get a chance to photograph nearly all the art but here's a slide show of the few I came home with. |
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Judy Cobb, (Alamance County Public Library Director) wore overalls for the occasion!
Cooper Morton won one of the coloring contests at the local libraries. His prize was Polio Pete as seen above. But this particular Pete is not Cooper's. No indeed. This one is mine and I couldn't be more thrilled! Many thanks to the committee. How did you know I needed one of these?I finally got to see the sculpture created by young people under the direction of Ann Hobgood. 
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The entire evening was pure delight for me - from meeting the folks who planned so many events, to chatting with students, to listening to FDR's voice speaking to the nation. The decor was stunning in shades of blue. And when I stepped onto the porch of the Captain White House I heard strains of "In The Garden". While we chatted and ate blackberry cobbler we listened to all the songs mentioned in Blue.
Oh, and did I mention that contest winners received US Savings Bonds? I love that the themes of the book were so prominent in all aspects of Alamance Reads!
Alamance County has a special place in my heart and I will be back!
Ann Hobgood's amazing bottle tree!
I had more than a few amazing moments last week while traveling about Alamance County. But I'll just share two of them here.
1. On Thursday evening, I enjoyed a lovely dinner with several of the Friends of the Library and Alamance Reads committee. The host, Stig Egede-Nissen invited the group around the table to join hands and he offered a beautiful prayer of thankfulness. I felt very much like I was with family.
Stig is Norwegian so he didn't stop with the grace. He went on to pronounce a Norwegian blessing on me. I have no idea what he said. Looking back on it, I think I should have been curious enough to ask. But at the time, I simply soaked in the moment. Hearing it in Norwegian was so beautiful - it was all I needed.
2. On Friday morning, at Turrentine Middle School a 6th grade teacher came to the media center with a student who'd written a research paper on polio. I'm not sure if the 6th graders read my book as a group but they were not in the assembly that came to hear me speak. The teacher wanted me to know that Dylan chose this topic because Blue had piqued his interest. I couldn't take the time to read and really appreciate it then so Dylan made a copy for me and now I have my very own.
Dylan - I read it! Your research is great! The paper is really good. I hope you keep on researching and writing! And if I can help, let me know.
Getting the grands tonight too! Sticky kisses, poopy diapers, and bubble baths on the schedule. Chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast in the am.
2. Tuesday - Meals on Wheels delivery at noon and later, "date night" with hubby.
3. Thursday I finally get to meet the students at H.H. Poole Middle School in Stafford, VA
4. Friday, I spend the day at J. Frank Hillyard Middle in Broadway, VA.
5. Time with niece, nephew and sister on Friday and Saturday. Yay!
6. Research in an archive on Saturday - big thrill for me. I'll let you know if I find a treasure.
Oh, and over in Alamance County, NC the week is chocked full of BLUE related events. Here are a few of them.
Tonight - 7:00 - Dan Moury, a Miracle of Hickory polio patient speaks at May Memorial Library in Burlington. He's showing home movies with rare footage of the hospital and he's an engaging speaker. Go folks, go!
And on Tuesday - at Burlington's Paramount Theater there will be a panel discussion "Outbreak in Alamance County: Past and Future Responses to Epidemics Here at Home".
And wow! What a cool environment to work in!
Chuck is pointing out some animal shapes hidden in the clouds.
I love all the murals but this might be my favorite. I'm partial to carousels.
The people are terrific also! Here's Carolyn's happy associate, Jessica, with Polio Pete.
My photos of the Blue displays don't do them justice. The committee did a terrific job but I didn't take great pics.
The nurse is at the entrance to the Miracle of Hickory polio hospital. The top sign says Anterior Poliomyelitis and the lower one identifies the hospital with a Do Not Enter warning.
My hubby checking out one of the Blue displays. 
Burlington is a cool little town. And it has the distinction of being home to a Dentzel Carousel. That, my friends, is totally made of awesome!
It's a menagerie carousel which means it has many kinds of animals - not just horses. Someone has gifted the library with all these cross stitched creatures.
