Author!Author!

By Karen Burd, Library Associate

Everyone has heard of Danielle Steel and John Grisham, very popular authors both, but did you know that we have many talented authors living right here in South Dakota?  Come meet some of them at the library at our Author! Author! program series.  This is our third year offering the popular series and we are again very pleased to bring you more local talent.  The ongoing monthly events are scheduled on the third Sunday of the month at 3pm, October through April. 

Our October featured author will be the Murdo poet M.J. McMillan.  McMillan owns and operates a cattle ranch in Murdo where he tends to find himself composing his poetry while he works.  He first began writing his poetry down on paper just four years ago, but he says he has always had a gift for thinking in rhyme.

With a Midwestern sensibility, his poetry has soft rhyming cadences and clever turns of phrase like that of Robert Service or even Robert Frost.  McMillan’s love of nature and his gentle sense of humor are unmistakable throughout his work.  He is the author of two books, Poems for the Common Man, volume one and volume two.  Join us on Sunday, October 15th at 3pm to hear M.J. McMillan read and talk about his work.

Mary Ellen Goulet and her husband Bob moved from Ely, Minnesota to Hot Springs, South Dakota in 1998 and began their adventure of living “off the grid,” without the modern conveniences most of us take for granted, like running water and electricity at the flip of a switch.  Their water supply is rainwater, gathered by drain spouts along the metal roof of their house.  Their power and heat comes from the sun, caught by five solar panels on the roof and windows. 

There is plenty of work to do to keep them busy and though they have no television, they do get a good bit of amusement from their small herd of llamas.  Their one convenience is the telephone.  Mary Ellen has recorded their story in her book A “Not So” Simple Life:  Our Return to Rustic Roots.”  She will be appearing to talk about her book and the inspirations behind her and her husband’s choice to live outside the margins on November 19^th at 3pm.

There will not be an author appearing in December due to the holidays, but you can put January 21^st on your calendar to come to the library for an appearance by Ronald and Lavonne Masters, authors of “Some Through the Flood.”  Theirs is a tragic but ultimately uplifting story.

On the evening of June 9^th, 1972, like thousands of other Rapid Citians, they were settling down for the evening when the torrential rain that had begun falling just after 5pm and the subsequent failing of the Canyon Lake Dam produced one of the worst flood disasters the United States has ever seen.

As the water began to rise outside their Jackson Boulevard home, they quickly made the decision to flee and head for higher ground.  As they started drove away their Jeep Scout was picked up by the flood waters and tossed into the swift current.  The Masters lost three of their five children that night, but Ronald is a Pentecostal minister and the family’s strong faith kept them from losing hope and bolstered them through the ensuing devastation.     

Come hear these talented, inspiring authors read from and talk about their work.  While you’re at it, treat yourself to a latte or cappuccino at the new coffee shop located right in the library, Crossroads Coffee, etc.  Located on the first floor of the library near the popular materials section, they also have other goodies available for purchase, like flavored scones, delicious breakfast burritos, and more.  Stay tuned to the library website, www.rapidcitylibrary.com for further information on upcoming Author! Author! appearances.

2006 - 2007 Author! Author! Schedule

October 15^th @3pm:  M.J. McMillan, “Poems for the Common Man”

November 19^th@3pm:  Mary Ellen Goulet, “The Not So Simple Life: Our Return to Rustic Roots”

January 21^st @3pm:  Ronald and LaVonne Masters, “Some Through the Flood”

February 18^th @3pm:  Libby Balvin, “The Legend of Rushmore Lake”

March 18^th @3pm:  Paul Horsted, “Exploring With Custer”

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