What a
rare treat it was on a sunny, not November-like Saturday morning when I parked
my truck in front of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose. Steve heard the geese first and when we
looked up a huge flock, more than a one-hundred I would estimate, winged over
the library, and then proceeded to land on the millpond. Then there was the sycamore tree, dropping
its enormous yellowish brown leaves on the walkway to the library. And finally the rose bushes, still in bloom on
this weekend morning in early November.
Steve
and I were at the library to discuss our new book, Roshara Journal, a book about our Wild Rose farm, which we have now
owned for 50 years. A book that included
journal entries that I made when we first acquired the place and continue to
write as the years passed. A book that
is filled with Steve’s four-color photos, taken in all seasons of the year,
telling the story of the farm, in photographs.
Some 40
people turned out, many of them old friends, my brother, Darrel and his wife
Marilyn, some cousins, and even one or two who attended Wild Rose High School when
I was there many years ago. I have
spoken many times at the Patterson, my hometown library with Kent Barnard its
able director.
This
past week, my major publisher, Wisconsin Historical Society Press, surprised me
with a special celebration of my 125th library appearance. The
celebration took place at the Rock Springs Library where I spoke last Thursday
evening. It is a small library in a
small town with wonderful people who support their library and know its
importance to their community.
I turn
down many speaking requests, but over the years, I have always tried to include
as many libraries as possible. Public libraries
are special places. May they continue to
be so.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Support your community library.
Upcoming Events:
November 10, 7:00 p.m. Menomonie Falls Public Library. One-Room
Schools
November 12: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Second Saturdays Plymouth Art
Center, 520 East Mill Street, Plymouth. Farm
Memories From Yesterday. Sponsored by Sheboygan County Historical Research
Center.
November 29.7:00 p.m. Sequoia Public Library, Madison. Roshara Journal with Jerry and Steve Apps
Purchase Jerry’s DVDS and
his Books from the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose, Wisconsin (a
fundraiser for them):
The library now has available signed
copies of Jerry’s DVDs:
Emmy Winner, A Farm
Winter with Jerry Apps (based on The Quiet Season
book.)
Jerry Apps a Farm
Story (based on Rural Wit and
Wisdom and Old Farm books.)
The Land with Jerry Apps, (based on the book Whispers and Shadows.)
Also available are several of Jerry’s signed books including:
Jerry’s newest novel, The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County.
and Wisconsin
Agriculture: A History.
Jerry’s newest books, Roshara Journal (with
photos by Steve Apps) and Telling Your Story—a guide book for those who
want to write their stories—are also available.
Contact
the library for prices and special package deals.
Patterson
Memorial Library
500 Division Street
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