May 2010 issue
Page Turners
By Linda Feagler
The Writer's Touch
Books that made a difference to Ohioana's Linda Hengst.
 As executive director of the Ohioana Library Association, Linda Hengst likes nothing more than to share books by authors who call our state home.
Here, she discusses five that have touched her life. They are part of the Ohioana collections.
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Angel Unaware by Dale Evans Rogers (with an introduction by Norman Vincent Peale: “Dale Rogers was married to [cowboy star] Roy Rogers, who was an Ohioan. And [evangelist] Norman Vincent Peale, best known for his ‘power of positive thinking’ approach to life, was also an Ohioan, who received Ohioana’s 1950 career award. The book is about Dale and Roy’s daughter, Robin, who was born with Down syndrome and died while a child. The story is told from her perspective.
“This is the first book I remember my mom, dad and I reading together as a family. My mom had lost a child, and we were each filled with sadness.
“When I came to Ohioana in 1988, I donated the book to the collection. Whenever I touch it, I remember the times my father, my mother and I –– would hold this book and read from it.
“It continues to touch my soul.”
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The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene: “Since I’m dyslexic, it was very hard for me to learn to read. When I was in the fourth grade, my mom asked the school librarian what could be done to help. The librarian recommended the Nancy Drew series [many of which were written by Toledo’s Mildred Wirt Benson].
“This book, the second in the series, opened a whole new world to me: I thought, ‘Wow, this girl can do everything, and she’s got friends who can, too.’ As a child struggling to belong, I saw Nancy as an inspiration.
“As I look at the original edition that’s part of our library, I can’t help but wonder how many millions of little girls read and were helped by that book as I was.”
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My House by Nikki Giovanni: “This collection of poems by [Cincinnati’s] Nikki Giovanni revolves around the power of family. My favorite is ‘Legacy,’ which is about a grandmother who calls her granddaughter in from the playground to teach her how to make rolls. The little girl doesn’t want to learn because, although she couldn’t say it, she feared she would be less dependent on her grandmother’s spirit if she mastered that task.
“It reminded me of the relationship many of us have with our grandmothers: When they want to pass something on to us, we don’t want to take it for fear losing them in the process.”
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A Street Called Home by Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson: “This is not just a legacy of words and the stories it tells. It’s truly a celebration of the art of the book. Created by Columbus artist Aminah Robinson, it’s the story of the people who live on the city’s Mount Vernon Avenue. It’s truly a fantastic, beautiful book by a phenomenal talent.”
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Random Recollections by Harriet Taylor Upton, edited by Lana Dunn Eisenbraun: “Harriett, who’s from my hometown of Warren, Ohio, is one of my heroes. She served as president of the Ohio Woman Suffrage Association for 18 years, and was treasurer of the National American Woman Suffrage Association for 16. The fact that we finally got the right to vote is thanks, in large part, to her tireless efforts.”
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Rock On
How was Cleveland chosen to be the site of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum? How did “WKRP in Cincinnati” come to be? Who the heck is Alan Freed? Akron music historian Nick Talevski answers those queries in Hang on Sloopy: The History of Rock and Roll in Ohio. (Guardian Express Media)
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Home Sweet Home
No matter what your political persuasion, there’ll be no heated debate about the governor’s residence. Quite simply, it’s magnificent. Our Family’s First Home by Ian Adams, Dianne McElwain and Mary Alice Mairose, chronicles the history of the 84-year-old Jacobethan Revival dwelling that nine statesmen have lived in since 1957, and the lavish heritage garden focusing on green energy. (Ohio University Press)
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Connections
They’re beloved remnants of things past. In Covered Bridges: Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, photographer Bill Miller and writers Miriam Wood and David Simmons explore the history, legends and significance of 171 impressive structures. (The Wooster Book Company)
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An Ohio Original
Sherri Robinson, wife of the late Don Robertson, shares five of her favorite Don Robertson novels. Read Article >>
By Linda Feagler
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The Best Medicine
Dayton novelist and physician Martha Moody shares five of her favorite books. Read Article >> By Linda Feagler
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Love Stories
Ohio moms share the emotions that come with sending their sons and daughters to war. Read Article >> By Linda Feagler |
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Mother’s Day
Columbus author D.G. Fulford shares her journey into caregiving. Read Article >> By Linda Feagler |
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Hot Commodity
Cincinnati author Brock Clarke turns accidental arson into a wryly funny book. Read Article >> By Jennifer Haliburton |
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Echoes of the Past
Delaware author Robert Olmstead explores war and family ties in his novel, Coal Black Horse. Read Article >> By Linda Feagler |
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