Local Author National Award Nominee
Charles Town author Bob O’Connor’s new audio book, “The Virginian Who Might Have Saved Lincoln,” has been named one of three audio book finalists in the National Indie Excellence Awards fiction category. The book, about Jefferson County native Ward Hill Lamon, (born in 1828 in Summit Point when it was Virginia) is an unabridged version of O’Connor’s printed book by the same name, published in 2007.
Lamon was Abraham Lincoln’s personal bodyguard in Washington while Lincoln was President, but was not present at Ford’s Theater the night Lincoln was shot. The Lamon display at the Belle Boyd House in Martinsburg has Lamon’s cane and Bible and a copy of the book Lamon authored in 1872 called “The Life of Abraham Lincoln: From his Birth to his Inauguration.” Lamon was married to Angeline Turner of the Whiting’s Neck area of Shepherdstown.
O’Connor’s first book, “The Perfect Steel Trap: Harpers Ferry 1859” also received national recognition in 2006, when it was named finalist in the National Book Awards for historical fiction by USA Book News. “The Virginian Who Might Have Saved Lincoln” is available at the Jefferson County Museum, Four Season’s Books in Shepherdstown, at the Harpers Ferry National Park Bookstore, and at the visitors centers operated by the Jefferson County Convention and Visitors Bureau in Harpers Ferry and Charles Town. The audio book is available at www.boboconnorbooks.com.
Gallery Opening
The Bridge, Fine Art and Framing Gallery - 8566 Shepherdstown Pike (former AIIA location), is hosting a Grand Opening reception on 7/12 (5-7) & 7/13 (2-4). The openings will feature new works by Michael Davis and others.
CASA Rocks
The Ride On for CASA Kids (ROCK) charity cycling event last month, was a huge success, despite torrential downpours off and on all day.
Nearly 175 riders came out to brave the weather and spend a rainy morning on four different length courses, from 10 miles to 100 miles, in support of the abused and neglected children served by the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. Despite soggy conditions, the event raised more then $30,000 for CASA.
“The riders showed tremendous spirit today,” said Randy Tremba, chair of the ROCK organizing committee. “We’re deeply grateful to all our participants, volunteers and sponsors for making today a banner day for helping vulnerable children in need.”
At the event, Tremba announced Rich Asaro the winner of a 2008 Specialized Hybrid cycle donated by Eddie Sampson, owner of Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle at 115 West German Street.
Local Non-Profit Named Point of Light
On June 5, 2008, Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle was selected as the Daily Point of Light Award honor by President George W. Bush and the Corporation for National Service. Given each weekday, the Daily Points of Light Award honors individuals and organizations that are making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle (FIAEP) is a nonprofit organization, established in 2004 to assist low-income families reach economic, social, educational, work and health-related goals that will move them to self-sufficiency. FIAEP does this by recruiting, training and supporting teams of mentor volunteers who work with families for 12 months, using the power of friendship to change lives.
South Jefferson Library Features Austin
The South Jefferson Public Library is featuring the works of Shepherdstown artist Mike Austin through July 31. The exhibit is the thirteenth in the Art in the Library series hosted by the library to highlight local artists.
Mike, who says he is very much a novice painter, recently retired after almost 45 years of government service which included a career in the U.S. Navy and a second career as a FEMA executive handling international affairs and federal planning. His broad exposure to foreign cultures and other parts of the world have provided a deep reservoir of subject matter to draw upon in pursuing his long-deferred interest in art. He has worked extensively in different media (often learning from works that he has seen overseas) including wood and linoleum block printing, pen and ink, water color and oil painting.
Mike finds “plein air” landscape painting particularly gratifying because of his life-long interests in cultural anthropology, the outdoors and farming methods around the world.
The library is open daily until 5pm; closed Fridays. 49 Church St, Summit Point WV.
SU English Dept. Off to England
The Shepherd University English Department is sponsoring a trip to England March 12–22, 2009, with a focus on the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Participants will spend two days in the medieval city of York, visiting York Minster—the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe—the medieval castle, and Viking and Roman ruins. The remainder of the trip will be spent in London, touring the Tower of London, Westminster Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the British Museum, and much more. Day trips to Stratford-upon-Avon and Henry VIII’s palace at Hampton Court will also be included. The trip is open to community members as well as students. For information, contact Betty Ellzey (876-5208, bellzey@shepherd.edu).
Saturday, June 28, 10:45am at the War Memorial Building (Men’s Club) with Tom Lilly, whose magic show is part of the Shepherdstown Street Fest. For ages 3 and older. Enjoy Beowulf T. Wonderbunny’s “Traveling Show of Mystery.” Tickets are not needed for this event.
Tuesday, July 1, 10:30am at the Train Station. The Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum. Learn all about air, and how to make a pressure rocket or kites. For ages 4 and older.
Tuesday, July 8, 10:30am at the Train Station. Meet “Animal Ambassadors” from the rain forest: a giant toad, a macaw, and a giant centipede. For all ages.
Tuesday, July 15, 10:30am at the War Memorial Building (Men’s Club). “BodyWorks: Experiments in Dance, a Performance for Kids,” for ages 3 and older. Kids join four dance educators (including Heather Ahern of Morgantown, W.Va.) in a dance laboratory.
Tuesday, July 22, 10:30am at the Train Station. Billy B.: Environmental Song and Dance Man. For ages 4 and older. An energetic show on “the beauty, abundance, and complexity of the biodiversity all around us.”
Pick up free tickets in the Library’s Children’s Department the week before each event. Children are invited to borrow library books and complete a reading log, to earn a free ticket to a Hagerstown Suns baseball game, a $5.00 coupon to use at Four Seasons Books, plus a coupon for a free ice cream cone from Mimi’s. Call Anne Eden 304-876-2783.
