FALL 2013 Issue 18

COMING SOON Save the Date for Fannie Flagg WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Patricia Neal is the birth name of the writer known as Fannie Flagg. When Neal set out to become an actress, she could not use her given name because there was already a well-known, Oscar-winning actress named . Fannie Flagg Fannie Flagg was born in Birmingham, competed in Alabama, in 1944, the only child of the Miss Alabama William and Marion Neal. contest six times. Fannie Flagg attended the University ofAlabama but did not complete her degree.

Flagg began her career on television in such shows Fannie Flagg has been in numerous as Harper Valley PTA, Candid Camera, Match movies including Five Easy Pieces, Game, and The New Dick Van Dyke Show. Grease, and Crazy in Alabama.

Flagg was nominated for an Academy Award for her adaptation of the screenplay for , a movie starring , , and . Fannie Flagg splits her time between homes in Fairhope, Alabama, and Santa Barbara, California.

Fannie Flagg’s first novel,Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man, was originally a short story about an 11-year-old girl. Flagg chose to tell this story in the voice of her 11-year-old protagonist in order to cover up her own struggle with dyslexia.

In April of 2012, Flagg was awarded the Award for Alabama’s Distinguished Writer of the Year, an annual award recognizing a writer who has made a significant and lifelong contribution to Alabama Letters.

Fannie Flagg is a New York Times Best Selling Author and has published seven novels: Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man; Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café; Welcome to the World, Baby Girl; Standing in the Rainbow; A Redbird Christmas; Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven; and I Still Dream about You.

Fannie Flagg is coming to Chatom, Alabama, November 6th to speak about her newest novel—The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion. This latest novel is being released the day before her visit to the Chatom Community Center. Washington County Public Library will be selling tickets and more details will become available as the event nears. Check the library website for updates: www.wcpls.org.

STAFF PICK STAFF washington county public library SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 St. Stephens 4-Wheeler Ride BOOK CLUB 8am-4pm

am 12 Noon LIBRARY CLOSED

8 9 10 CWEMC 10:00 11 12 13 14 Annual PartriotDay Meeting @ Phyllis Whitney’s WCHS Stadium Mildred Taylor’s Birthday 5:00 pm Birthday 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Library “Get Fit for Fall” Board LUNCH Meeting -N- H.A. Rey’s 5:00 pm LEARN Rachel Field’s H.G. Well’s Birthday 11:30am Birthday Birthday 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 JUST

Preschool Story Time Tues. Preschool Story MOVE @ Community Center WCHS & MHS Washington County 9am-4pm Hospital 8:00am Homecoming!PARADE 29 30

Stan Berenstain’s Birthday

BOOK CLUB Fannie Flagg Book Review by Katie Helton Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café By Fannie Flagg Fannie Flagg’s most well-known novel, published in 1987, is Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café. The novel takes place in and around Birmingham, Alabama, in the 1930s and 1980s. One of the things that makes Flagg’s story stand out is that it is built not on plot, but on character. Evelyn Couch is an unhappy housewife unsuccessfully trying to eat her way out of monotony—“the quiet hysteria and awful despair had started when she finally began to realize that nothing was ever going to change, that nobody would be coming to take her away.” Evelyn’s husband drags SEPTEMBER 4th Fourmile • Watt Key her along to the nursing home every week to visit his spiteful mother. During these nursing home visits, a lonely elderly woman named Ninny Threadgoode befriends Evelyn. Mrs. Threadgoode tells Evelyn “that’s what I’m living on now, honey, dreams, dreams of what I used to do.” They build a heartfelt friendship, as Ninny tells Evelyn all about growing up in Whistle Stop, Alabama, opening Evelyn up to the world of Sipsey and Idgie and Ruth and the Café they run in their small town. Sipsey is the black cook who works for Idgie and Ruth. Sipsey has more strength under her quiet demeanor than she lets on. She protects Ruth and Idgie from the cruelness around them as much as Ruth and Idgie protect her. The bee-charming Idgie’s spirit is wild yet her heart is tender. After her brother’s death, she runs off into the woods for weeks at a time, not letting anyone close to her. It is Ruth, the pretty, quiet, church-going girl from Valdosta, Georgia, that brings some semblance of structure back to Idgie’s life. Ruth leaves her abusive husband and moves to Whistle Stop to live with the Threadgoodes. She is shy and reserved, but Ruth has a great capacity for love and brings everyone in the story together. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café has interesting plot twists: snake handling, meteorites, a OCTOBER 2nd murder trial, a baby bought at the train station, and an elephant named Miss Fancy. However, it is Flagg’s Body Double • Tess Gerritsen characters that work their way into the reader’s life, remaining companions long after the book is closed. 2013 WCPL Potter’sHey, it’s me again, Potter the library kitty. Tails Spelling Bee C hampions I thought I would give an account of what has been happening recently at the library. The Summer Reading Program was a great The STINGERS!! success, according to Heather & everyone. The participation was awesome, and children are reading more she said. She is already thinking about next summer. (I enjoyed it too, as I got a lot of attention from visitors!) Paige worked really hard on the 2nd Annual Spelling Bee. She was so pleased with the interest shown—competitors and audience alike. She wants to make it bigger and better each year. (I bet I could have won the contest paws down if they would have let me!) Jamie really enjoyed teaching art classes here at the library, this summer. She said that the students showed so much talent for art. (She should have let me show her a true “artiste”) Meow! Brenda 2nd Place 3rd Place Spirit Award is finally (Meow) getting the Juvenile AR section edited and in ship The Spell-Casters The Loquacious Litigators The Word Commanders shape condition. That is a wonderful area—I love going in that On August 9, 2013 WCPL held their 2nd Spelling Bee. Many people attended, making it a very section and spending time gazing at all the new books purchased memorable event. The teams were asked to choose a creative theme that included a team name through a young adult LSTA grant now available for all the readers. and fun costumes. An award was given to the spellers who were the most creative and had the (Purr, Purr) Robin, being the “techie” pro and budget numbers most team spirit. The seven teams were Word Commanders, Spell-Casters, The Loquacious wizard, says her work is constant and never ending! I’ll help you Litigators, Killer Bees, Stingers, Social Mediacs, and the “Beach” Girls. The judges were Mr. Robin, just say the word! (Meow!) Miriam, with her great smile and David Wofford, Ms. Brenda Howard and Hon. Bobby Montgomery. Mrs. Tina Jones served as happy laugh as she greets patrons, has been a mainstay during all pronouncer for the event. the busy times at the library. If I had to work the circulation desk, The WCPL gave away door prizes between rounds of spelling and the top three groups were I would probably find a chair and take a nap next to her. It takes presented with trophies. The Loquacious Litigators took home third place and The Spell-Casters finished in second place. The big win went to The Stingers after successfully spelling “hypocrisy!” a special human to stay on track while juggling numerous tasks The coveted spirit award went to The Word Commanders who were dressed as the infamous and maintaining a positive attitude and that someone is Jessica. Robertson Family from the A&E hit show Duck Dynasty. She is busily working on something wonderful and spectacular. Thanks to the following sponsors: Larry Hubbard, Fannie Flagg, the author and actress, will do a book signing here Dreamers, Reflections, B&F Drugs, Bill’s Dollar Store, Thanks so much to our judges & pronouncer! in Chatom in November—Meow, Meow. I can’t wait for that to Bertiles, Pennzoil Service Station, Chatom Style Shop, happen. Apparently, I have rubbed off on her. Burro Borracho, Andrew’s Hardware, Jean and Sonya’s, And of course, I have been here overseeing everyone and keeping Friends of the WCPL, Carla Tate, Cray Valley, Grasshoppers, them on their toes. Come visit me anytime, and remember to bring Chatom Floral & Gifts, Jake’s, Carousel Designs, Dr. Keith your little ones in for “Pet Potter Time,” I mean...preschool story Beech, Gay Lynn, Casanova’s, Hearn Ford, Sheffield’s time on Tuesdays at 10:00 am! Furniture, Pennzoil Service Center, WC Sherrif’s Dept., WC Chamber of Commerce, Town of Chatom, WC Ghostwriter: Brenda Howard Hospital & Nursing Home, and Jordan Mini Mart. SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 BOOK CLUB 3 4 5 12 Noon Tibbie 8am-2pm Mahatma Gandhi’s Gore Vidal’s Birthday Birthday Tibbie Fire Dept. am

6 7 8 9 10 11 FHS, 12 10:00 LHS & MHS James W. Riley’s Birthday Homecoming!PARADES “Geneaology” 13 14 15 16 LUNCH 17 18 19 Library -N- ’ Board LEARN St. Stephen s Park Meeting 11:30am Haunted Hay 5:00 pm Oscar Wilde’s dark until Birthday 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Parenting Day St. Stephen’s Park Wash. County Haunted Hay Ursula Le Guin’s dark until Birthday Schools

27 28 29 Time Tuesdays Preschool Story 30 31 OCTOBER IS Breast Cancer Awarness MONTH WashingtonP U B L I C L I BCountyR A R Y

Serving Washington County and surrounding areas for over 50 years!

14102 St. Stephens Ave. ● P.O. Box 1057 ● Chatom, AL 36518 | Phone: 251-847-2097 ● Fax: 251-847-2098 Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 9:00 am— 5:00 pm | Tuesday 9:00 am— 7:00 pm | Closed Saturday and Sunday

MCINTOSH BRANCH |83 Olin Road ● McIntosh, AL 36553 | Phone: 251-944-2047 Monday and Wednesday 1:00—5:00 pm | Thursday 11:00 am —5:00 pm | Closed Tues., Fri., Sat. & Sun. Board of Trustees Our Mission Staff It is the mission of the Washington Jessica M. Ross The WCPL Board of Trustees has regular Library Director board meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of County Public Library To strengthen [email protected] each month beginning at 5 p.m. and enrich our community by Robin Goldman Mrs. Ashli Page – Chair connecting people to the world of Bookkeeping, Tech. Services Mr. Michael Onderdonk information, ideas and imagination in [email protected]

Mrs. Carol Bumpers order to support their work, education, Brenda Howard Mrs. Betty Dumas personal growth and enjoyment. Acquisitions and Cataloging Mr. Bobby Montgomery [email protected]

Paige Dempsey Acquisitions and Cataloging What can your library do for you?... [email protected]

 Computer Lab with Free Wi-Fi  BASF Science Center Jamie Crouch  iMac/Skype/Distance Education  Audio Books on CD & Tape Graphics Coordinator  Small & large meeting rooms  [email protected] Movies on DVD & VHS  Online Job Search  Display cases & exhibit spaces Heather Dantzler  Online research databases  Educational workshops Children’s Coordinator and free test prep  Bookmobile [email protected]  AERN Entrepreneurial Research Center  BOOKS! Miriam Pes for Business Resources Circulation Desk

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