· Susan Painter · The older you get—hopefully—the more memories you'll have to write about. Recently, I’ve run into a number of former students from my days as a School Resource Officer when I was a sergeant with the Reno County Sheriff’s Office. Since I visited the schools for so many years, like full-time teachers, I continue to refer to these young people, now adults, as “my” students. One student reminded me that he had a really tough time in school due to being bullied. He … [Read more...] about Memories Make Memoirs
Behind the Books Blog
Meeting Authors
· H.B. Berlow · A few weeks ago sixteen artists gathered at the Wichita Library to recite their poetry accompanied by music. In short time I learned that one of those poets, H.B. Berlow, also writes crime novels. By the time I arrived home to Greater Medora, I had a Facebook friend request from Berlow. I accepted. A day later I could barely believe my eyes! H.B. had posted a mugshot that looked like it belonged in my “Wanted” postcard collection. He commented: “This is career … [Read more...] about Meeting Authors
Talking Tombstones
· Henry Hartford in Two Worlds · If you’ve heard of Talking Tombstones then you probably know that real people, now deceased, have their stories brought to life in an abbreviated forum. In Hutchinson, Reno County, Kansas, contemporary actors, often affiliated with Stage 9 (run by the Hutchinson Theater Guild), transform into dearly departed residents from a distant era. Thanks to Talking Tombstones, the attendees who visit Hutchinson’s Eastside Cemetery each October, learn a great deal in a … [Read more...] about Talking Tombstones
Historical Research and Writing
· "King of Hypnotists and Mind Readers" · Do you enjoy historical research? I love it! As I've mentioned before, I collect "Reward" postcards because they are an enjoyable slice of history. The cards describe people who are wanted for various crimes. My high-visibility favorites are jail escapees and murderers. A majority of these postcards are from the the time period 1880 to 1920. When I examine "Reward" cards, the descriptions make it easy for me to imagine the person wanted by the … [Read more...] about Historical Research and Writing
