RESEARCH THE MIRACLE

Richard Eller and students at Catawba Valley Community College are Researching the Miracle which includes producing a video about Hickory's 1944 polio epidemic and the emergency hospital.

This week, I met with Richard to reflect on the writing of Blue and what I found compelling in this momentous event in our town's history.

Richard Eller

I was a smidgen nervous about whether I'd be articulate on camera. But Richard was so affable and quietly encouraging that it mostly felt like an enjoyable conversation. 

Richard, who believes that "history is best when you walk in its footsteps" has led students in multiple HANDS ON HISTORY projects, such as The Selma Experience below. 



Best class ever! Yay!

As it turns out, Richard is also editing a book which will examine our polio epidemic and the community's response to it from a variety of perspectives. I can't wait to read it!

This Day in History: LIFE MAGAZINE FIRST PUBLISHED

November 23, 1936 the first issue of LIFE magazine was published. (Note that the price was 10 cents)  The founder, Henry Luce wanted to provide Americans with a venue that would show them the world - so that they would see and be amazed.

And we were amazed! LIFE captured very personal images (and public ones) and shared them with people who were thousands of miles away.

In 1944, LIFE sent photographer, Alfred Eisenstaedt to Hickory, NC to take pictures of our polio epidemic.

In a local antique store, I found the issue of LIFE that featured the Miracle of Hickory polio hospital and then I ordered another from ebay so I could make this display.

Obviously you can't see the images well on this pic so view those photos here. Be sure to click on each image to get a larger view. There really are some amazing photos which reveal the nature of the emergency hospital.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT A LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Jennifer Marquardt-Leach (AKA, Tokyo Rose)

Jennifer Marguardt-Leach is one of the fun people I bump into at my local history museum. (Catawba County Historical Association - CCHA) I thought it would be fascinating to find out just what a museum staffer does so I tossed a few questions her way.

1. Jennifer, what is your position at the museum and what does it entail?

My official position is Registrar and Murray's Mill Site Manager, so it's actually 2 jobs.

As registrar, it's my job to catalog all the items that come into our collection. I try to get personal history and information from the item's donor to give a background on the item. A chair is just a chair unless you know that Kathryn Matthews sat on it at the Polio Hospital.

It's also my job to know past collections so if someone comes looking for their great-grandfather's Bible, I know if we have it and where it might be. It's much easier to put together exhibits if you know what items relate to each other. I work on conservation of items by getting things into proper storage containers and scanning papers and pictures. These things weren't made to last forever, but it's my job to preserve it as long as possible. We have 60 years of collections, of which I've only been around for the last two, so every day is like a treasure hunt for me.

Jennifer (left) hanging out at Hart Square - a recreated 19th century American village.

As the Murray's Mill site manager, I give tours of the Mill itself, run the general store, and do lots of research. Running the store includes getting appropriate merchandise, keeping my shelves full, having small exhibits, plus money management. I have to research the Murray family, milling and grinding, rural agriculture, general stores, and other topics to give my visitors an accurate picture of life at the mill in its heyday. I also take care of the buildings themselves, check for damage and maintenance. I plan events for the mill (like the upcoming poker run and ice cream social) to raise awareness and money. I try to come up with ways to make history fun for my visitors. Twice a year I help our miller grind corn and wheat on the grindstones. Someday I'd like to be able to run the mill on my own.

2. Can you tell us briefly how you got to this place?

My parents always took me to historic places, plus I grew up around Washington DC. I loved going to those places and thought it would be a lot of fun to work there, especially if it meant I got to dress up and play with animals! I was a history major in college, but worked retail when I got out. Through a friend I got a summer job at the Schiele Museum in Gastonia as an 18th Century Backcountry Housewife. I interacted with visitors on the farm and learned 18th century skills. I did that for 4 years and then came to the CCHA. Jennifer sharing museum artifacts with students at a local elementary school

3. What are some of the more unexpected and fun things you have done in your position?

I get to handle objects. You're not allowed to touch things in a museum for a very good reason, but I can with the proper precautions/tools. Our museum has a British Redcoat. When we took it off display to rest I helped carry it to the vault. That's probably the scariest thing I've done. Priceless doesn't even begin to describe it and I was worried something might happen.

One of the more challenging things I've done was give a tour of the mill to a blind visitor.

The best part about working at the mill is that I get to turn the waterwheel on and off every day.

That does sound like fun - right up there with dressing up, huh? Thanks Jennifer. I can tell you love your job. And you actually get paid to do research? Cool!

HOW I MET ONE OF MY CHARACTERS: (Thanks to one of my Readers!)

Last January, one of my readers, a teacher who read BLUE with her students, wrote to tell me how much she enjoyed it. She wanted to track down a particular video about Hickory's polio epidemic.

It's wonderful, of course, to know that a reader enjoys my books and that my story sparks an interest in history. But it's some kind of special when she offers to help research my work-in-progress because she lives near where it takes place.

When Candy Scherberger made this offer I thanked her and promptly returned to whatever else was overwhelming me at the moment. Then in August, I realized I was ready for her help. In particular, I wanted details related to the library at the College of William and Mary.

Clearly, August isn't the best time to ask a teacher for a favor. So I gave Candy an out but she promised to do what she could. Then, this week, she put an archivist in touch with me.

As a result, I know the name of the head librarian in 1942 - Earl Gregg Swem - who is now a character in my book. I know that the library, itself didn't have a name and that it was open and active during the summer (Whew! I needed that!),and I know that indeed, Mr. Swem hired student assistants. (I'm going to assume that one of them could be a love interest for my fictional character!)

In addition, I have links to hundreds of issues of The Flat Hat, the college's newspaper. And if there's anything I love more than an old newspaper rich with details of time and place, it would be - hmmmm what would it be?

Maybe the reader who helped me find it. Thanks Candy!

BOOKING GOOD AT HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

This is one small section of the Library at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC.
There is also this.

And this reference section.

And much more. I simply didn't snap pictures of it all. This church not only has an extensive and restful library space; they also have a library blog.

Down the hall is a separate library just for the children.

Before you go in the door you know this is going to be a fun place!

Indeed it is!
These libraries are the vision and ministry of Shirley and Ralph Cunningham. Mrs. Cunningham just happens to be the 8th grade language arts teacher who told me I'd be a writer someday.

When Shirley Cunningham speaks, I listen!

She invited me to attend be on hand for their Sunday School program's first summer Book of the Month club gathering today. So I went!

Here we are hanging out by one of the lovely displays created by Jean Setzer in advance of my visit.

Jean went all out with the displays, including passages from my books and objects to illustrate them.

I've been to Holy Trinity before -always on Christmas Eve for their awe inspiring midnight candle-lighting services.

Today was the first time I have been there on a Sunday morning. And what a treat! It felt as if everyone I met was an old friend. I spoke to adults and children during the Sunday School hour about my books - especially Blue. It felt so relevant because a number of the older participants had direct contact with the "Miracle of Hickory" polio hospital.

And also because of the woman who first told me I'd be a writer. I am only one of the many lives that she and hubby, Ralph continue to touch and change!

RIDING BACK INTO 1944 WITH ANTIQUE CAR EXPERTS

This, is an expert. (At so many things!)I won't get into Larry Mosteller's various skills and hobbies. Suffice it to say if the man wants a job done, he doesn't hire it out!

And that includes restoring old cars. Which he has done more than once. For himself and for others who do hire an expert.

I call on Larry when I want to mention some car related detail in one of my books. For example this line from BLUE.

He turned the key and pressed the starter button and said, "Who's going to help me shift this thing?"

Without Larry, I wouldn't know there was a starter button to press. And in the case of COMFORT, I wouldn't know that, although cars were not produced for civilians during the WWII years, Chevrolet began producing them again in October 1945. (Important info for an author who came dangerously close to flubbing up!)

1934 Chrysler restored by Larry Mosteller.

Larry is a member of Carolina Crossroads Antique Car Club which last Saturday took a tour of the Miracle of Hickory emergency polio hospital exhibit provided by our local history museum. Hubby and I got an invitation to ride along!
We're off on a trip into the past.
Starting with a little bit of March of Dimes history.
A 1940s poster advertising a public showing of a film taken at our 1944 polio hospital. The man who took the film had a nine year-old son in the hospital. That son now shows the film and speaks from time to time just as his father did.
A local middle school math class made this scale model of the hospital.
I'm glad the curator provided a notebook for visitors to share their polio experiences.
There's more to the polio exhibit, of course but back to old cars. My hubby liked this one!
I was fascinated with this 1929 Dodge
After the museum tour we enjoyed a real deal BBQ lunch at the home of David Puett. On this photo, David has just presented club member Jack Williams with a copy of Life magazine (July 31, 1944) which had an article about the Miracle of Hickory. Jack, you see, was a patient at the Miracle of Hickory. You can click here to see the Hickory emergency hospital photos from this issue.

FRIDAY 5: Five Blue to Comfort Things

1. I love the e-mails I'm getting in which people say they like COMFORT as much as BLUE. I can't say how much this matters to me. Of course my daughter thinks she's partial to Blue. But that's okay. As long as Comfort is not a huge let down, I can deal.

2. The Blue play opens tonight. There are two casts since this is being performed for the public in the evenings and for school groups during the day. One of the Ann Fays presented the director with a copy of Comfort last night. How sweet was that?

3. My grandson, who is 4 years-old, will be at the play. His mother read BLUE to him and he sat through the whole thing. The other day he walked past me and said, Ahni, I loved Blue". (Ahni is my grandparent name.) Then he turned and flashed his dimples at me! It just might have been my most heartstopping Blue moment ever! (And I've had plenty.)

4. My grandaughter who is 7 gave up on Blue after Chapter One. (She's old enough to feel the pain in the story and she's not as fond of tragedy as I am.) In her decided opinion, Daddy going off to war was a bad way to start a book! At first she wanted to see the play but wisely changed her mind. I'm relieved because that child was never going to forgive me when she found out Ann Fay burned Bobby's toys. (This way she can still be my fan.)

5. My parents will be there. And my good hubby and our children. A few siblings too. And my 8th grade language arts teacher who predicted I'd be a writer someday. Front and center. I'm getting nervous.

SCHOOL VISIT: Marion Elementary

Last week I visited Haw Creek Elementary School in Asheville. It was great fun but I failed to get pictures. So yesterday while at Marion Elementary I made sure I had my camera out!

So now for a photo essay! See the beautiful woman in pink? That is Renee Hensley, AIG teacher.

Did someone say AIG?

Forget insurance. Think Academically/Intellectually Gifted! Renee emailed me awhile back for info about a school visit and, in no time at all, she'd secured funding and was ready to make a date. We settled on Monday, March 30.

I had 4 sessions - one with each grade level - 3rd - 6th. I did not get photos of those so use your imaginations - 3 classes of readers in each session who came armed with questions and were perfectly respectful! Special thanks to all who sat on the floor! After two sessions it was time for lunch! I loved walking down to the cafeteria and feeling the pulse of the school. We brought lunch back to the library where I ate with AIG students and Battle of the Book participants. (McDowell County included Blue in their Battle of the Books list - How wonderful for me!).
They asked if they could hold my books up for the picture. It was a tough decision but finally I agreed! Dear thoughtful Hannah, (I think she is a tutor) went out of her way to make molasses cookies (a tribute to BLUE) for us. I ate mine after school while signing books - it was the perfect picker upper - moist and fragrant and oh, so spicy good!

Principal,Elaine Seals dropped by to introduce herself early in the day, attended a session, and sat in on the lunch chat. Again, I did not get a picture but what a great lady! She recently returned from a mission trip to Togo and would like Marion Elementary to partner with a school there. (See, she really is great!)

During my 3rd presentation, several visitors arrived and I suddenly felt like Laura Ingalls Wilder teaching when the School Board walked in.

Except these fellows were not wearing dark suits or long faces! These men, dear reader, are Marshall Dark and Chris Revis, members of Marion Rotary Club. As it turns out, Chris is married to 3rd grade teacher, Michelle Revis. The two of them used to live in Hickory and even had a neighbor who worked at the Miracle of Hickory hospital!

Here they are with Media Specialist, Angela Woehl - checking out some good books.
Turns out, the local Rotary Club helped to sponsor my visit. For an inspiring video on Rotary's Polio Eradication Initiative click here. (While there, note the Rotary-sponsored iron lung on the Miracle of Hickory photo.)
As buses were leaving and I was going out the door, the Battle of the Books students were practicing with Angela.

Thanks Angela for giving up your space and schedule for a day.

To everyone at Marion Elementary, I had a marvelous time! Go Bulldogs!

TUESDAY 2: TWO COOL LINKS

# 1. Margaret Blanchard, Co-chair of the Alamance Reads committee passed on a link to these Life Magazine photos of The Miracle of Hickory hospital.

Wow! I have these, but I paid good money for back issues of the magazine. You can enjoy them for free!

# 2. And here is an article about the Miracle of Hickory.

RECENT SCHOOL VISITS: JENKINS ELEMENTARY & GRANITE FALLS MIDDLE

Yesterday, I enjoyed a day with 7th graders at Granite Falls Middle.

Team Tsunami Teachers, (l. to r.) Randy, Kim, Amanda, and Brian have worked hard with students to read BLUE and to conduct related activities in their classroom. Thanks, guys! You made my day, brightened my week, and helped launch a great new year! (They look like nice folks but don't let that fool you!)

Kim shows Randy the scale model of The Miracle of Hickory Hospital that her math students are making.
Randy Seldomridge applied for a grant to sponsor my visit and he got it! Working with him was pure pleasure because he pays attention to details.

Note the bulletin board based on a passage from BLUE - the students each designed a tear bottle. And also puh-lease note that Randy's bottle just over his shoulder is orange! (the one in the corner)

And, oh, I love that everyone wore shades of blue in honor of the day and was also honored by a visit from School Superintendent, Dr. Steve Stone. If you visit his page, you will see he has a passion for reading and even provides a site where members of the community submit book reviews.

After school, Amanda and her parents shared with me the story of 2 cousins who were in the Miracle of Hickory polio hospital.

My heartfelt thanks to parents, Teanna Cantrell, Jenny Weaver, and Regina Lunsford for cookies, muffins, and fruit. The nutrition kept me going!

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Last week I enjoyed a morning of sessions with students at Jenkins Elementary and then an evening PTA gathering with students, parents, and popcorn!

It's so fun when students show up in overalls in honor of Ann Fay Honeycutt! Thanks, Darian!

PTA brought in a crowd of enthusiastic readers. I went feeling tired and came home energized! Many thanks to Principal Stephanie Feller and Terry Bannerman for co-ordinating the day. I don't have a pic of Harriet Jeffords who also helped or of Robin Rash. Robin welcomed me in so many ways, not the least of which was to give up her media center for a day and take care of all my technology needs. Thanks Robin! Jenkins Elementary has the distinction of selling more books than any event I've ever held! Clearly this is a community that reads! And many thanks to Donna Flowers' 3rd grade class for the fan letters!

AWESOME LIBRARY (AND STAFF)

On Friday, Chuck and I dropped by May Memorial Library in Burlington to connect with the staff and see the BLUE display there. Carolyn, in the children's library, showed us around. 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.

Pete is the subject of a coloring contest for young children during Alamance Reads. I love how the committee has included activities for all ages.
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.