Inola Public Library

"Sign-In"

Inola Public Library's Annual Authors' Sign-In was held as scheduled on October 7, 2010.  Ten local authors were here to sign books, sell books, and meet and greet the Inola community.  Quilts were on display made by two local quilt book authors.  Refreshments by Betty Mell were served and enjoyed by all.  (Photos courtesy Joy Hampton/Claremore Progress)

~~~~

“All My Children Gotta Eat”
Gloria Cody, Inola, Okla.

My earliest childhood memories are of me in the kitchen helping my aunt cook for our very large family.  We never knew how many people we were going to have to cook for.  After my father’s accident, my aunt and uncle took in me, my two brothers, and my dad, who was a paraplegic.  They only had one biological child, my brother Don.  If ever anyone (family members) needed a place to live, they came to our home.  We had several cousins, uncles and aunts that lived with us one time or another.  My aunt and uncle never complained.  I remember that they would say, “We will just put another bean in the pot.”  They are both gone now, but I know that they have a very special place in heaven, as they gave so much of themselves here on earth.  Another person who had a large influence on me as a child is my aunt Dorothy.  She made the best biscuits on earth!  I loved to go to her house for summer vacation.  They were the best times of my childhood.  I moved to Chelsea, Oklahoma in 1965.  Aunt Dorothy says that she remembers coming to our house and I was standing on a footstool cooking.” –note:  Gloria Cody is a regular contributor to the Inola Independent Newspaper.

~~~~

“Debbie the Duck”
Ronda Gaynor, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Ronda Gaynor loves children and feels reading is absolutely necessary for their development.  As a child and teenager, she was an avid reader.  It was common to see her reading as she was walking to and from school.  Reading during class (biology and math) was a common complaint of some of her teachers.  Her mother felt she ruined her eyes reading with a flashlight under her bed covers at night. She lived in many places after the age of ten Ohio, Georgia, Washington D.C., New Hampshire, Nebraska, and several towns in Texas, Big Spring, El Paso, Grand Prairie and Laredo. But always returned to her hometown of Sperry, Oklahoma and continues to dwell in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area.   Her family businesses included farming, running a dairy, raising and breeding Appaloosa horses, raising pigs, rabbits, chickens, cattle and building and racing dune buggies.  Ronda began her business career at the famous Mayo Hotel in Tulsa.  Accounting is her favorite and current occupation but has also worked in aluminum products such as building screens, installing storm windows and doors and she worked as a plumber and has her mechanical and plumbing journeyman licenses.  In her younger years, Ronda enjoyed scuba diving, water skiing, snow skiing, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and camping.  She continues to enjoy traveling having been in most U. S. States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Germany, France and Italy.

~~~~

“Rain Song”
Janice Grove, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Janice was born and raised in Tulsa where she continues to live with her husband, children and grandchildren.  She finds her inspirations in everyday activities and events, often looking at them through a “what if” perspective, letting the story take hold and write itself whenever possible.  Although she enjoyed writing in middle and high school, she never finished her projects until “The Rain Song” which wouldn’t leave her alone, giving way to a series of books that she hopes will draw you in as much as it has her family and friends.  “The Rain Song” is the first book in the series, each one named for a Led Zeppelin song.  Nick and Angela Remington were living their American dream while helping disadvantaged kids.  The last thing they were expecting was a small boy with big eyes to steal their hearts so completely while at the same time shaking the very foundation of their lives.

~~~~

“True Beauty”
Joy Hampton, Inola, Oklahoma

~~~~

“The Legend of Michelle Sands”
Joe W. Harwell, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Like most writers I've had a variety of work and life experiences. My work experience started with weighing nails at my Dad's lumber yard in Poteau, OK when I was barely tall enough to reach the nail bins. By age twelve I was stacking boards in the summer at my Grandfather's saw mill in Mansfield, AR. At 16 I started cooking burgers and making shakes at the Mr. Swiss in Poteau, and later worked at Wally World. After graduating from Poteau High School in 1972 I spent a couple of years at Southeastern State in Durant majoring in going to parties. Luckily I got married, which saved my life. I've also worked in coal mining, telecom, computers, TV, newspaper, recycling, auto parts, and debt collection. My family has been active in church, car clubs and civic groups, but not as much since our children left home. We moved with my jobs to Ft. Smith, AR, Dallas, TX, Phoenix, AZ and back to Poteau. Most of our time has been spent in the Tulsa metro area where I live today. The best thing I've ever done was marrying my beautiful, smart, wonderful high school sweetheart Becky (Craig). I had the good sense to stay married to her (and she put up with me) until her death from complications of diabetes in 2008.  We have four terrific kids who've blessed us with five granddaughters and one grandson (so far). The Indian Rock Vampire novels are based on one of Oklahoma's oldest man made landmarks, The Heavener Runestone.  The main theme of this very different twist on the classic Vampire story is power, and how it's used in every level of society.  The novels are also about sports, law enforcement, religion, politics, business, revenge, greed, fast cars, and The Little Dixie Mafia.

~~~~

“Mile Markers:  A Path for Nurturing Adolescent Faith”
Denise McKinney, Tulsa, Oklahoma

'The journey of adolescence can be a long, winding road, filled with detours, wrong turns, great scenery, and amazing destinations. But for many teens, the journey can be overwhelming, intimidating, confusing, and can leave them feeling like they're on the road alone. For youth workers and parents who want to help students along this journey, Mile Markers provides practical, easy-to-execute ideas that help create places to stop and reflect along the way. The included CD-ROM has 30+ practical activities perfect for sharing with parents and volunteers. Students will discover things about themselves and God that may be hard to recognize if they don't slow down and savor some of the moments of their teenage years. After more than a decade in youth ministry, Denise McKinney discovered the key to her role and purpose in the lives of her students: creating mile markers---or guideposts---to help teens see where they've come from and where they're going. 'Mile Markers is the practice of leading students towards personal, tangible, and memorable moments that help shape the person they are becoming.' As a parent or youth worker, you have the privilege of walking alongside teens as they are on the road to discovering who they are and where they're headed. You can encourage and affirm them as they begin to understand the answers to their questions of identity, purpose, and community, and you'll guide them on their way to maturity.'

~~~~

“Slash Your Stash Quilts”
Claudia Plett, Inola, Oklahoma

Get that collection of fabrics off the shelf, out of the boxes, and into the mix! Claudia’s 8 easy quilt patterns are the perfect recipes for turning your scraps, fat quarters, and “what-was-I-thinking” yardage into quilts that are warm and inviting -- just like a meal at Granny's house. Fast piecing techniques will have you serving up satisfying quilts in a hurry. But be forewarned: Getting quick results like these may be habit-forming!

~~~~

“Loose Change Quilts”
Claudia Plett, Inola, Oklahoma &
LeAnn Weaver, Claremore, Oklahoma

~~~~

“Hey Look! I Found the Loose Nut!”
Scott “Gonzo” Weaver

~~~~

“First Rose”
Mary Barton Wilcox, Locust Grove, Oklahoma