SML Book Signing (General Store-Hardy)

Smith Mountain Lake is rich in so many ways. The 500 miles of shoreline so abundant with God's simple gifts. Ospreys and striped bass, lush rolling hills that look like watercolor paintings . It's wealth can also be measured by the growing number of people it inspires. The craftspeople, musicians, artists and writers. On Saturday March 12 six local authors converged at the General Store (an old-fashioned country store) to meet with neighbors and discuss their latest books. Most are working or retired educators who call the lake home. Many belong to the Lake Writers group that meets every second and fourth Friday of the month at the Moneta Public Library. All were either inspired or include the Smith Mountain area in their works.
Two newcomers joined the group: Shirlee McCoy drove in from Maryland with her first book , a inspirational suspense novel titled "Still Waters" and Franklin County schoolteacher Sharon Bailey made the short jump across the lake with another suspense book called "If I Should Die."
James Morrison, past president of the Virginia Writer's Club, was on hand with local best -selling history book "Bedford Goes To War" and Jeffrey A. Bradshaw brought along his second book, a young adult mystery titled "Lake Letters. Also joining the group was Sally Roseveare, an up and coming novelist with a lot of promise who chatted with new fans about her labor of love, a first novel "Secrets At Spawning Run .
The group was rounded out by Becky Mushko (aka Ida B. Peevish) a popular local writer and part-time college instructor who had several books to plug. A collection of short stories "The Girl Who Race Miles and other stories" and "Peevish Advise," based on her bi-weekly advise column for the Smith Mountain Eagle newspaper .
If in the area the mentioned books and others can be found at assorted gift shops are go online and check Amazon or the author's website or publisher for availability. E-mail me if any problems.

(check out story in Smith Mountain Eagle March 16 edition or go online to www.smithmountaineagle.com.)

Sharon Bailey (end of table)

Shirlee McCoy

James Morrison and Jeffrey Bradshaw

Book Signing 03/12/05

Ida B. Peevish

General Store signing

Witcher Creek (Huddleston) Smith Mountain

Poem

Tarheel Fan

One-eyed Jack

Shoveling Snow (Hendricks Store Rd.)

Snowman (Virginia Woods Dr. Moneta)

Lady and Cat (Diamond Hill Rd. Moneta)

Hippie Girl

Franklin County Jail

Snow People

We finally received the " big one." Well maybe that's an exaggeration. It was a nice snow. Being it 's March it will probably be the largest of the year 2005. A mild winter snow wise. Perfect for making snow people though. I found my first one leaving the Franklin County Courthouse. He resembled a school crossing guard or VDOT worker. He was crafted by some trustees from the Franklin County jail. Not much to look at but made with love. Yes criminals have feelings too. I scoured the countrysides from Burnt Chimney to Glade Hill, Goodview to Huddleston and finally back to my home turf in Moneta. Looking for the one's who brought me joy. There's something magical about the snow people. Like a butterfly they are sent by God for our enjoyment... even if it's only for a few days.
(Smith Mountain Eagle March 9, 2005)
www.smithmountaineagle.com