January 2009

P O P U L A R F ORENSIC S CIENTIST D R . B I L L B A S S D O E S A N E N C O R E Mystery writers and readers who joined with attended the 2008 Murder Goes South writer Jon INSIDE THIS ISSUE: book festival at Smyrna Community Center Jefferson to 2 wanted to hear more from Dr. Bill Bass, write a series Jim: Friend to Friends who founded the University of Tennessee of books Michael’s Message 3 Anthropological Research Facility that is under the commonly called the Body Farm. pseudonym 4-5 Murder Goes South The facility consists of a 2.5-acre Jefferson Art on Display 6 wooded plot where bodies are placed to Bass. Those decompose under different environmental include Flesh Evening with the 7 conditions. Bodies may be placed, for and Bone , Friends, example, in shallow graves, in open fields, Carved in Wreath Auction Success in car trunks or under water. Detailed Bone , and The Devil’s 8 records are kept to aid law enforcement Best Friend Spotlight, investigators and forensic researchers. Bones . Remembering Doris Mor- Dr. Bass was head of UT’s In his talks, “I try not to get too ris anthropology department and gruesome,” said Dr. Bass. Still, it is Book Group Discussions 9 Tennessee’s official state forensic realistic enough to inform both readers anthropologist when he founded the body and writers about how mysteries farm in 1981. About 30 to 50 bodies per surrounding deaths were solved. Last year are donated by individuals who year, for example, he revealed how an support the facility’s research. Others examination of the exhumed remains of a come from those being held by medical well-known entertainer helped the family examiners that are not claimed. to find peace with doubts they’d had about whether he’d walked away from a After his retirement, Dr. Bass plane crash, only to suffer and die later. X-rays established conclusively that none of their fears were warranted. The Big Bopper could not have survived the 1959 plane crash that killed him along with Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, Dr. Bass concluded. Friends of Smyrna encourage everyone to take a trip to the ‘Body Farm’ at Murder Goes South on January 24. For more information about Murder Goes South and this year’s guests, please turn to page 5. Dr. Bill Bass signing books with fans at Murder Goes South 2008.

Page 2 Friends of Smyrna Library THE LINK January 2009

T H I S I S W H O W E A R E The Friends of Smyrna Library is a non-profit organization that has served the Smyrna Library since 1991. FOSL is a member of the Friends of USA organization and is one of the most active Friends chapters in The organization develops and executes various adult programs and helps fund children’s programs to promote appreciation for the library and to grow its membership. To learn more about the Friends of Smyrna Library, visit www.friendsofsmyrnalibrary.org .

D I D Y O U K N O W … ? …T H E F RIENDS F U N D A P O R T I O N O F T H E C H I LDR EN ’ S R E A D I N G P R O G R A M .

J I M W O O T E N : F RIENDS T O F RIENDS I’m enormously excited about an upcoming event that, I think, has the potential to be the finest in the Southeastern United States. It’s Murder Goes South, a book festi- val for mystery writers and readers that brings together some of the most prominent emerging authors in the entire county. It always amazes me how dedicated and organized the volunteers are who put the weekend event together. One little detail that I continue to find fascinating comes to mind. Ticket-buyers are asked whether they prefer a lunch sandwich of chicken salad, turkey and cheese or ham and cheese. I watch, half-way expecting a fight to break out when somebody forgets which they ordered and takes the wrong one, leaving too few for those who declare a definite prefer- ence. And yet, when the crowd is done, it all seems to have worked out. That’s because Volunteers Page Smith and Joan Stuart are meticulous in matching people and orders – and, just for good measure, they add a couple of the popular sandwiches to the mix. “It always amazes me Two other volunteers should be mentioned, too, in addition of course to Debbie how dedicated and Battiste and Linda Evans who are primarily responsible for pulling the program together. The husband-wife team of Jerry and Eleanor Champey make the most difficult of organized the volunteers logistical and timing problems disappear, for the most part at least. After every Murder Goes South weekend, he is busily engaged in making after-action notes on where glitches are who put the [Murder developed and how to do it differently next year. An example would be whether the tea or Goes South] weekend dessert are served at the Friday night dinner or already on the tables. This year we won’t be doing the Friday night dinner, but it’s likely to return in future years. event together. ” In any event, it is a marvelously informative and entertaining weekend that comes to fruition as the result of a lot of hard work by volunteers. We hope to see you there on January 24.

Jim Wooten is the president of the Friends of Smyrna Library

www.friendsofsmyrnalibrary.org

Friends of Smyrna Library THE LINK Page 3

M I CH AEL ’ S M E S S A G E Happy New Year! Everyone is counting on 2009 being better than 2008 and I hope it’s starting out well for you. The Library is expecting this to be its busiest year ever. “Many Smyrna 2008 was a difficult year for many people. Businesses downsized, employees residents ‘found’ the were laid off, and the average family income declined. As a result families had less discretionary income and were looking for ways to economize. Many Smyrna residents Library and discovered “found” the Library and discovered the many ways they could save money by using us. the many ways they Families filled our Summer Reading Club program and our Family Story Programs. Additional story programs were added to meet the demand and some were could save money by moved to the Community Center to accommodate larger groups. Demand for children’s materials increased dramatically and over 65,000 children’s books were checked out. using us.” This trend isn’t slowing down either. December 2008’s circulation of children’s materials was 13.5% higher than December 2007. We’ve noted similar increases in every other category. The number of library cardholders has increased from 30,663 to 34, 032. Our DVD collection has grown to over 3,000 titles and they were checked out over 26,000 times. (A quick calculation for you – If an average movie rental is $4.00, our users saved over $100,000 last year.) Circulation of adult books reached a new high and patrons used our internet computers over 28,000 times. In addition the Library added services that can help everyone in times of a tough economy. We now have online language software, business research tools and test prepara- tion software to prepare students for standardized tests like the SAT and the public for employment tests like the Civil Ser- vice Exam. These can give you a competitive edge in a tight job market. Check us out today and find new treasures in YOUR Smyrna Library.

Michael Seigler is the director of the Smyrna Library.

D I D Y O U K N O W … ? …T H E F RIENDS H A V E O V E R 4 7 5 M EMBERS .

L O N G T I M E F R I E N D P AS S ES A W A Y

Mrs. Mercedes Fleming McKinney, Apostle Catholic Church. Mercedes was age 78 of Smyrna, passed away Friday, also a member of the Friends of Smyrna December 26, 2008. Library since the mid 1990's. For many Mrs. McKinney has been a long- years she was responsible for the art time resident of Smyrna. She had been a gallery and display cases. Her friendship Registered Nurse and a Police Officer in and support will be greatly missed. Decatur, GA before retiring from the Department of Defense as an Employee Development Specialist for over 30 years. She was a member of the St. Thomas the

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M EMORIES O F M U R D E R G O E S S O U T H

“Murder Goes South” returns to Smyrna, Georgia again for another intimate opportunity for you to listen to the authors you love to read and meet others you will forever enjoy. Check out just a few of the memories from past years Murder Goes South and please join us this year to make new memories! Friends of the Smyrna Library have compiled another great line-up of writers and we hope to make this year’s event just as successful and enjoyable as the last.

777ththth Annual Murder Goes South Saturday, January 24, 2009 Mary Kay Andrews autographs books for fans. 9:00a.m.9:00a.m.---- 4:30 p.m. Smyrna Community Center 20O Village Green Circle Smyrna, Georgia

Walter Sorrells explaining a technique to April Case.

The rooms are always full of happy fans as the authors talk.

Margaret Maron with a fan.

D I D Y O U K N O W … ? … T H E S M Y R N A L I B R A R Y H A S M O R E T H A N 100,000 I T E M S I N I T S COLLECTION .

M U R D E R G O E S S O U T H 2 0 0 9 January 24, 2009 Name______Phone______9:00 am-4:30 pm Smyrna Community Center Address______Number of Tickets______Fee for the event: $25 (per person)

Please indicate lunch preference (all lunches include chips, cookies, and a beverage): Return this with your check, payable to: ____ ham and cheese sandwich Friends of Smyrna Library ____ turkey and cheese sandwich Attn: Page Smith ____ chicken salad sandwich 100 Village Green Circle

Tickets will be at the registration desk day of event. They will not be mailed out. For more informa- Smyrna, GA 30080

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D I D Y O U K N O W … ? … T H E F RIENDS F U N D A D U L T P ROGRAMS A T T H E L I BR AR Y .

A N I NTRODUCTION T O M U R D E R G O E S S O U T H A UTHORS Is there a secret formula for writing Goodbye , and Don't Say a Word . Her intrigue the perfect southern mystery? To most novels include such titles as Vow of outsiders and even to the native southerner, Vengence, Mysterious Circumstances , the South is like a newly discovered country Look-alike , and Epiphany . where every corner opens up a treasure Jaclyn Weldon White was born and trove of indescribable delights and intrigue. raised all her life in the South. For six years Because the South is so unique and filled she served a s patrolman investing street with suspense, southern writers can unleash crimes and traffic offenses and worked as a their imaginations or gently rely on the detective in the murder-sex crimes-burglary historical events of the past. Either way, division. With plenty of background in crimi- readers of this genre are always in for a nal investigation and court work, it isn't any pleasant surprise. wonder that Jaclyn became a mystery writer. This year Murder Goes South has a She is the author of six books and numerous wonderful line up of writers who will take us articles which have appeared in local and into the realm of Southern mystery at it regional magazines. Her mystery novels in- finest. If the dead could talk, what would clude Distant Hearts, The Empty Nursery, “Because the South is so they tell us? Ask renowned forensic and Whisper to the Black Candle . Her latest unique and filled with anthropologist Dr. Bill Bass, whose work for title is Mockingbird in the Moonlight. many years has been unraveling the Robert Lamb was born in Aiken, S.C. suspense, southern intricate puzzle of life and death. What is and grew up in Augusta, Georgia, where he true PI work really like? Jeanine Weiner of graduated from the University of Georgia. He writers can unleash their Busted Confidential Private Investigations began his journalism career on the Augusta imaginations or gently can tell you. Other guest writers for the event Herald and later worked for the Augusta are Rita Herron, Jaclyn Weldon White, Robert Chronicle as an editor and columnist. His rely on the historical Lamb, John Thompson, and William first novel, Striking Out is coming-of-age story Rawlings, Jr. set in Augusta. His latest novel, events of the past.” Dr. Bass is the world-renowned Blues , is a police mystery that delves into the forensic anthropologist who founded the dark depths of human nature. University of Tennessee Anthropology For twenty-five years John Thompson research facility--The Body Farm. Besides was an investment banker in New York until being a dedicated teacher with multiple he retired to write full time. At present he honors, Dr. Bass has penned his critically serves as Chairman of the Charleston Educa- acclaimed memoir, Death's Acre, which tion Network. The Armageddon Conspiracy , chronicles his career. As part of the writing his first novel, is a fast paced thriller. He di- team of Jefferson Bass, his novels include vides his time between Charleston, South The Body Farm , Flesh and Bone , The Devil's Carolina and his mountain home in Hawley, Bone , Carved in Bone , and Beyond the Body Pennsylvania. Farm . His latest novel, Bones of Betrayal will William Rawlings practices medicine, be released in February 2009. runs a travel agency, grows pine trees, Once Rita Herron read her first restores old buildings and keeps busy writing romance novel, she was hooked. So she books. Mr. Rawlings' titles include The Lazard informed her family she was leaving her jobs Legacy, The Tate Revenge, and The Ruther- as a kindergarten teacher behind, trading in ford Cipher . He has also written articles for her finger paints and puppets for a the Atlanta Journal Constitution. computer. Today Rita has written over thirty Special guests include Steve Moore, titles, including her Maggie Award winning Forensic Technician and Photographer with book for Harlequin Intrigue entitled, Her the Fulton County Medical Examiners Center Eyewitness. Some of Rita's other publishing and School of Hypnotherapy. credits include, A Breath Away, Silent Night Sanctuary, In a Heartbeat, Last Kiss www.friendsofsmyrnalibrary.org

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H ISTORICAL M INITURES A N D C H I N E S E A R T T O B E O N D IS P L AY T H R O U G H F E BRUARY In 1975 local figure modeling enthusiasts joined together to create the Atlanta Soldier Society. The group met at a local hobby shop to discuss figure painting and the hobby of military miniatures. Their enthusiasm led to the club's first miniature figure show in 1977. Its success attracted new members to the young organization and prompted the show to become an annual event. In 1995, the club was renamed the Atlanta Military Figure Society (AMFS) and will host its 32nd Annual Show on Friday-Sunday, February 20-22, 2009, at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta-Powers Ferry Hotel. The figures created by the members represent all historical time periods from ancient Greece and Rome through the Middle Ages to modern times. The figures are created in accurate settings, from simple to elaborate. The members work goes beyond military figures to science fiction, cartoon, and movie characters. The exhibit will also provide an explanation of how the figures are made from casting to finishing details. "Daily Lives: Peasant Art of China" focuses on rural China where some 65% of the country's 1.4 billion people live. The exhibit includes the work of peasant artists in Hu xian (Hu county) about fifty miles

south southwest of Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province. Ding Jitang, president of the Shaanxi Peasant Painters Association has written: "The artists use the language of a simple and unadorned painting style to represent what they see and hear, to express their rich imagination and feeling. These painters use a bold, sometimes exaggerated style to extol the life around them." Taken together, the work of the Hu xian artists presents a view of rural life which is far removed from the explosive growth and change occurring in China's cities. And it reflects active way of life still enjoyed in China's countryside.

Future exhibits in the display cases will include: March 1, 2009 - April 30, 2009 • Lovett School Pottery

Future exhibits in the gallery include: March 1, 2009 - April 30, 2009 • Painting from the American Quilt Series by Pat Drew For more information about these upcoming exhibits, please visit the Friends of Smyrna Library gallery page at http://www.friendsofsmyrnalibrary.org/_galleries.htm

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M U S I C F I L L E D E V E N I N G W I T H T H E F RIENDS

For those who use the Smyrna rush out. I never take Library often you know how beautiful it time to see the whole becomes during the holiday season. The past library, to really know several years the Friends of Smyrna Library it." have taken advantage of the decorations and This past Christmas tree as the back drop for their Evening with the annual Evening with the Friends. It's an Friends had a special opportunity to view the Library in a different imagine the library as light. a concert hall and you The tables are set with desserts, have the perfect set- coffee and punch and great entertainment is ting for an elegant eve- offered. Like a hostess awaiting the arrival of ning for friends. That’s her guests, the Board anxiously wait to see precisely what it was in how many of the Friends attend. It becomes early December when Lisa Tarr, Children's Librarian, and Friend enjoy a an evening of conversation, laughter, great a group of young conversation with Jane Lamkin. desserts and entertainment. As one member middle school-age said, "I rush in the library, get what I need and violinists from Whitefield Academy, a Mableton college prep school, performed to the delight of Friends of Smyrna Library and other guests (see left). The group included Sarah Marriott, Alice Fuguat, Cara Grace Hilderbrand, Katie Mitcham, Caz Torres and Maria Flake and led by teacher Carol Stokes. The Friends organization made a token donation to the group, and for some of the new musicians, it constituted their first “pay gig,” prompting the suggestion that the evening with the Friends had turned the young musicians into professionals who play for pay.

T H A N KS T O W R E A T H A U C T I O N P ARTICIPANTS

Once again the Holiday Wreath auction raised money for the audio collection of the Smyrna . The Friends appreciate the number of wreathes that were donated by the library staff, members of the community and local businesses for the silent auction. Friends member Marge Igyarto participated in the wreath auction and urges others to do so as well: “We moved to Smyrna a little over a year ago. One of the first ‘treasures’ we discovered was the library. When I saw all the lovely wreaths that were being auctioned off last year, I decided that if they did it again, I would participate. I do “Storytime by the River” at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Our library has been an invaluable resource for this. The children’s section, in particular, is a favorite of mine. I am not an overly artistic or creative person, but I have a fondness for birds. I decided to do a cardinal theme for the wreath I donated. I had fun making it. It was a simple way to give back something to our community. I hope this event continues in the future and I would encourage others to participate.” Thanks again to everyone who made the silent wreath auction a success!

D I D Y O U K N O W … ? … T H E F RIENDS A R E RESPONSIBLE F O R T H E A R T G A L L E R Y . www.friendsofsmyrnalibrary.org

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D I D Y O U K N O W … ? …T H E F RIENDS H A V E P URCHASED 2 W IRELESS L APTOPS F O R T H E L I B R A R Y . D ONATIONS M A D E I N T H E N A M E O F L A T E L I B R A RY D IRECTOR When retired librarian Doris Morris In addition, gifts made to the Friends died in August at the age of 86, the AJC organization from Henry C. Patterson of reminded the community of her interest in Dalton, Eleanor and William Johnson of children, reading and story-telling. “Smyrna Smyrna, Guelda and Alvin Granade of Public Library Director Doris Morris was a Conyers, Elizabeth Dickinson of Smyrna, the soft-hearted soul who had children reading Fellowship Class of First Baptist Church and out of the palm of her hand,” wrote the AJC’s Lena Lou and Russell Thomas of Marietta Holly Crenshaw. are being used to sponsor family-story telling “Never mind that by Georgia native Joanna Maddox, a she typically wore professional actress, singer and storyteller. dresses, stockings The event scheduled for 7 p.m. on and high heels. January 8 is coincidentally in the Morris She’d plop on the Meeting Room at Smyrna Library, a room floor, surrounded dedicated to the veteran librarian last year. by squirming youngsters, and Judge Cindy Morris of Dalton, watch their eyes daughter of Doris Morris, remembered her mother’s love of the library. “That library was “.” bug out as she narrated some her fourth child,” she said. As the AJC’s Holly spellbinding tale. Crenshaw reported, “She lived a few miles Mrs. Morris from the library in a house packed with established reading programs for kids books. She devoured historical works, because she wanted to get them hooked on biographies, political memoirs and other books for life. That way, they’d grow to heavy fare… Mrs. Morris wrote perfectly com- posed handwritten notes for every occasion. cherish the library as much as she did.” She studied flower arranging, dabbled in oil Mourners who remembered her love painting and served as the first female of the library have been generous, both to the superintendent at her church’s Sunday Friends of Smyrna Library and to the library school.” itself. The gifts made directly to the library have made possible the purchase of more She joined the library staff in the than 100 books which have been added to late 1960s and served as its director for five the collection in her memory. years before retiring in 1982.

T H E S M Y R N A A N I M A L H OSPITAL I S A B E S T F R I E N D T O M A N ’ S B E S T F R I E N D The Best of Friends column features Businesses, Organizations and Individuals who support the Friends of Smyrna Library and the community. Some on them are highly visible in the community and some are BEST FRIENDS. In this issue of the Link we are recognizing The Smyrna Animal Hospital as a best friend of the Smyrna Library and the Friends of Smyrna Library. They have supported us for the past ten years with their membership. The Smyrna Animal Hospital is located at 2445 South Cobb Drive, SE, Smyrna, GA 30080. Smyrna Animal Hospital has been serving Cobb County for 35 years. Though their facilities have been modernized and their doctors have changed over the years, their commitment to excellence and personal touch for medical and surgical patients has been constant. The philosophy at Smyrna Animal Hospital is different from most others: “Our motto, ‘concern for your pet… and time for you’ is more then just words to us. Integrity is of highest importance in all that we do, and we pursue a long lasting trust relationship with all our clients, whom we prefer to call friends.”

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R E A D I N G G R O U P D ISCUSSES B O O K S A N D W ELCOMES A U T H O R J. L . M I L E S January 6, 2009 Night by Elie Wiesel is the harrowing true account of the Nazi death camps as experienced by a young Jewish boy. Born in the town of Sighet in Transylvania, Elie Wiesel was only a teenager when he and his family were forced out of their home and into a concentration camp called Auschwitz. Then later Elie was transferred to Buchenwald where he witnessed and experienced such horrors that Wiesel was unable to speak of his experience and kept silence for almost 10 years.

February 3, 2009 On February 3, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. the Smyrna Book Discussion Group will welcome critically acclaimed author J. L. Miles to the Smyrna Public Library. Ms Miles will discuss her novel Cold Rock River. The book parallels the lives, loves, and losses of two young women born a century apart, yet somehow deeply connected. J. L. Miles’ first book Rose Flower Creek gained raved reviews not only for its lyrical prose, but for its unforgettable characters. Her other writing credits include Divorcing Dwayne, the first in a trilogy featuring a true southern belle named Francine Harper. J. L. Miles, a Georgia resident for 30 years, has roots in Wisconsin and South Dakota, but considers herself "a northern girl with a southern heart."

March 3, 2008 In the novelette Anthem , Ayn Rand presents a dark, frightening future where there is no love, no science, where individuals have no names, no independence, or values. It is the story of Equality 7-2521, whose defiant effort to break away from a society where individual thought has been labeled sinful and become his own person, marks him for death. For in Equality 7-2521’s world to even utter the word “I” is consid- ered an extremely serious offense.

D I D Y O U K N O W … ? …T H E F RIENDS S P ON S OR T H E B OOKSELF S A L E S .

J O I N T H E F RIENDS O F S M Y R N A L I B R A RY R E A D I N G G R O U P • Individual: $5 Return this with your check, payable to: S ELECTIONS • Family: $10 Friends of Smyrna Library • Sponsor: $25-$99 100 Village Green Circle January 6, 2009 • Patron: $100-$249 Smyrna, GA 30080 • Night by Elie Wiesel • Best Friend: $250+ February 3, 2009 Name______• Cold Rock River by JL Miles Address______March 3, 2009 Phone______• Anthem by Ayn Rand Email address______The book group meets on the first Tuesday I want to volunteer______of every month at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is

I want to receive the Link as a PDF ______welcome. www.friendsofsmyrnalibrary.org

January 2009

E DITORIAL M U R D E R G O E S S TATEMENT S O U T H I S The Link is a quarterly publication A L M O S T H E R E from the Friends of Smyrna Library. The newsletter highlights activities The 7th Annual Murder and news about the Smyrna Library Goes South is coming soon and and support from the Friends to pro- the Friends of Smyrna Library mote appreciation of the library have lined up a great list of guest within the community. Feedback is authors and events. welcome. Remember to mark

your calendars for January 24, Editorial & Layout 2009 so you won’t miss all the Betsy Gooch fun! Photographer Jennifer Freemen F RIENDS O F S M Y R N A L I B R A R Y Contact: [email protected] O FFICERS B O A R D O F D IRECTORS President Past President Art Gallery / Display Cases Jim Wooten Linda Evans Jane Lamkin Vice President Parliamentarian Dorothy Sibert Open Harold Smith Web Site Treasurer Membership Jeff Jones Open Jo Perkinson Member at Large Secretary Book Discussion Anne Borders-Patterson Jennifer Bartee Debbie Battiste Eleanor Champey

The Link Friends of Smyrna Library 100 Village Green Circle Smyrna, GA 30080