FALL 2019
HISTORICAL LECTURE SERIES: Date/Time: SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 @ 6:30 PM Lecture Topic: “NANCY DREW: IOWA’S HEROINE TO THE WHOLE WORLD” Presenter: BARBARA LOUNSBERRY Nancy Drew is the most popular female detective in fiction. Today she even outsells Miss Marple, Agatha Christie’s venerable heroine. More than 200 million copies of Nancy Drew mysteries have been sold, and she has been translated into 17 different languages. Few know, however, that Nancy is an Iowa heroine and that her creator was Mildred Augustine of Ladora, Iowa. Augustine wrote The Secret of the Old Clock, The Hidden Staircase—in fact 23 of the first 30 Nancy Drew mysteries. “Like a true daughter of the Middle West, “Augustine wrote in the first Nancy Drew volume, The Secret of the Old Clock, published in 1930, “Nancy Drew took pride in the fertility of her state and saw beauty in a crop of waving green corn as well as in the rolling hills and the expanse of prairie land.” Augustine was 25 when she wrote those words at her parents’ home in Ladora. Her authorship of the first Nancy Drew mysteries—and single-handed creation of Nancy’s admirable character—were kept secret for more than 50 years. Equally distressing is the fact that as Nancy grew in popularity, her Iowa roots were disguised. This presentation is designed to fortify Iowans young and old! Date/Time: SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 @ 6:30 PM Lecture Topic: “IOWA VETERANS: IN THEIR OWN WORDS” Presenter: SARA ROBINSON Surviving a Prisoner of War (POW) Camp, describing the sight, sounds and smells of Vietnam, feeling the bitter cold of a Korean winter. Sara has heard them all and wants to share these amazing first-hand accounts with you. No one speaks better about the experiences of war than the veterans themselves. Sara preserves these stories through video to help educate the public about life in the military. You will hear accounts of the day Pearl Harbor was bombed and the morning the Twin Towers were attacked, what it was like to be a woman in the military in WWII and what it feels like to be in and IED explosion driving across Iraq. COMING SOON are more free public HISTORICAL LECTURES are scheduled for OCTOBER & NOVEMBER! READ OUR NEXT ISSUE FOR DETAILS! ---- CHILDREN’S PLAY THERAPY HOUR With CAROLINE OBERMILLER, LMCH, RPT REGISTERED PLAY THERAPIST Starting this September, join us on every 3rd Wednesday of the month at Malvern Public Library for our brand-new and FREE program, the Children’s Play Therapy Hour! This hour-long program is intended for young children ages 1-5 and their parents. Registered play therapist Caroline Obermiller will incorporate reading a story, playing a game & engaging in a fun activity into each session. Each month will have its own designated “topic of the month”. Details for September are as follows: Topic of the Month: Self Books: “Mixed Up Chameleon”, “I Like Myself”, “It’s Okay to be Different” Activity: Painting a Self Portrait with Parents COMING SOON… IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION (IPTV) STORY HOUR in OCTOBER OCTOBER & NOVEMBER HISTORICAL LECTURE SERIES DATES/TIMES …READ OUR NEXT ISSUE FOR DETAILS! REMEMBERING A FRIEND OF THE LIBRARY J.W. ABERCROMBIE, JR. We all lovingly referred to him as “Jay”, our Malvern Senior Center’s commander-in-chief and one of Malvern’s very best good Samaritans. The news of his passing came as a shock to me, as I know it did to the rest of us. I can still remember the first time I met him. He was so very dutiful and chivalrous about his charge as facilitator of the Malvern Senior Center -- and he was funny! You could always count on Jay to have a good story up his sleeve to get you laughing or shaking your head in disbelief. His disarming sense of humor and gentle disposition left a mark on all who knew him. I will always be grateful for Jay’s devotion to serving the hungry seniors of our community and for his vested interest in all things Malvern Public Library. Oftentimes, Jay was front and center at my programming events here in the library, cheering me on and going out of his way to get to know the people in attendance around him. Jay was always looking after the people around him, too. Authentic and kind. That was just the kind of person that he was. You could always count on Jay to speak his mind, and you may not have always agreed with everything he had to say, but you could always count on him to be your friend. We miss you, J.W., but we know we’ll “catch you later”! COMING SOON…
FALL 2019 HISTORICAL LECTURE SERIES IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION (IPTV) DANIEL TIGER STORY HOUR in SEPTEMBER …READ OUR NEXT ISSUE FOR DETAILS! INTERNET SAFETY CLASS WITH MIKE FORMHALS Join us at the Malvern Public Library for our first installment of our Internet Safety Class series with presenter Mike Formhals! Learn everything there is to know about staying safe on the World Wide Web. Topics of discussion range from Social Media, Email, Viruses, Hackers, to Password Protection & more. This class will be taking place on Saturday, August 24th from 1:00 - 2:00 PM in the Carnegie Conference Center at Malvern Publilc Library. Registration is free and available at the front desk of the library. Add your name to our sign up sheet today! COMICS & COSPLAY CLUB: A RETROSPECT The following is a retrospect I wrote after being asked by the State Library of Iowa to share about our young adult programming to feature in their Iowa Blog Series for Summer 2019: June of 2016 proved to be one of the busiest months of the year for the Malvern Public Library. I, Rebecca Bassich, had just begun my job as Library Director at the library in late September of 2015. I decided to kick off my first summer at the library with the launch of my brainchild, the Comics & Cosplay Club, in the first week of June, which quickly became our most popular program with just under 12 attendees for each of the first few meetings. While the club was and is certainly open to all ages, it has been especially popular among young adults who are passionate about sharing their love of all things comic book and manga related. The following is an outline of my itinerary that I formulated for the Comics & Cosplay Club nights. Each meeting started with a brief Japanese lesson during which participants were able to work together as an informal classroom in an effort to learn to speak and write in Japanese. The activity following these lessons does vary from meeting to meeting, however it typically consists of a Show & Tell session that gives members an opportunity to showcase a favorite manga or comic book related item they own, fanfiction, fan art or a cosplay costume. The occasional contest encourages friendly competition amongst members in selecting a favorite Show & Tell entry for a prize. Each 2-hour meeting then concludes with viewing a favorite manga/anime or comic book related movie and/or series. Members are encouraged to attend the meetings dressed as their favorite fictional character and to bring a snack to share during the movie that they feel their chosen personality would enjoy. Today, our Comics & Cosplayers remain as busy as ever with their involvement at our library and in the realm of social media. If you are a fan of the library on Facebook or frequent our website at all, you will notice a new logo and promotional ad have been published for our library’s Comics & Cosplay Club. This is but one shining example of the talent our youth have to share with the community. Between the awesome 3-dimensional cherry blossom sculptures, perler bead creations and even their very own Comics & Cosplay Club Manifesto, we continue to see a great deal of talent come from our youth. We have so much fun learning about Japanese culture and exploring new worlds at our Comics & Cosplay Club through various workshops in writing, art, music and even YouTube language lessons. This summer, we have been kicking back and watching plenty of movies! 107.7 FM RADIO BROADCAST
INTERVIEW WITH LIBRARY DIRECTOR REBECCA BASSICH When Becky Hansen from KLOVE and Air1 Radio came all the way from Alaska to visit our library and sit down for an interview with yours truly for a story on the Malvern Public Library, I was feeling pretty tickled that she thought to ask me, of all people and, quite honestly, a bit nervous! I had never heard the sound of my own voice come streaming out of any radioset before, and the prospect of that happening over locally broadcast airwaves was indeed a weighty one. Still, my curiosity got the best of me, and I agreed to the interview with just a trace of hesitation. Yes, there really is a first time for everything! As it turned out, I really enjoyed the process of interviewing for 107.7 FM. Becky is not just a casual passersby in the area, either, by any means. We had a wonderful conversation leading up to our interview during which she hit upon her love of Malvern and the Midwest as a whole. This was not her first time in Malvern, but it was to be her last for the foreseeable future. I learned that our library was her final stop along the way on her trip back home to Alaska. Wow - Alaska?! Could we trade places?, I thought. At least for just a couple of days! All in all, we ended up really enjoying our time spent getting to know one another. I was so happy to be able to share about all of the latest events in the library and to expound upon the many services we provide for the general public over the air. I especially appreciated Becky’s interest in our library, its patrons (she even stopped in to make friendly conversation with one of our genealogy researchers) and the enthusiasm she had for the wide range of services being offered here to our community. I am so grateful for the people who make this library the wonderful place that it is. SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2019: UNFOLDING “A UNIVERSE OF STORIES” The whole process of preparing for LIFTOFF on that first night of the summer reading program, for me, went off with a bit of a BANG -- I thought about taking an astronomy class to prepare myself for it all, but I knew I would just be taking up SPACE! So, how does one organize a space party that is both educational and fun for all ages? You PLANET! And, well, how can I say this? This year, everyone had a BLAST! I know, I know, knock it off with the bad puns already. Seriously, though? Between the awesome families who came out to be part of it all, the true-to-life recreation of the moon surface and everyone’s love of space and storytelling, there was simply no shortage of fun and excitement to be had. The week kicked off with time spent around a campfire on the moon, telling stories and sharing some of our favorite space memories, learning facts about our universe and even exploring those “what if” questions about life on other planets. Could humanity colonize the moon and other worlds? What could space exploration mean for future generations on earth? These are just a few of the questions our youth tackled along with several of the older space cadets. As we got to know each other throughout our discussions, we learned that several of us plan to be astrophysicists and astronauts when we grow up. How awesome is that? Participants also learned of the significance of the Apollo 11’s mission and its place in world history while also undergoing some intensive astronaut training to get a feel for what it must have been like to be the first man on the moon. Trainees spent time leaping across moon rings, decoding the eerie sounds of our galaxy, performing scientific analyses of the moon’s surface and even worked together to write their own messages to leave on the moon for visiting lifeforms. (Thankfully, they did come in peace!). After completing astronaut camp, graduates each received a unique badge commemorating their hard work and dedication to all things space related, posing for their group photo pictured here while holding up their new badges and gleefully exclaiming, “To infinity and beyond!”. Tina Bakehouse, our bank’s Chief Creative Officer, knocked it out of the park as she kicked off the second half of this week’s programming with her contagious enthusiasm and passion for the art of storytelling on our Space Stories night. There was so much laughter and imagination! What a true gift it was to be able to witness and share in the unbridled optimism and joy that these witty kids have to share with us. Barb Vorthmann, local chef and beloved school librarian, also lent her passion for learning throughout the week. She helped to make our last night at Space Camp a memorable one when she assembled astronaut food packs for everyone to enjoy (along with some of that wonderful liquid stuff known as “Tang”!). We all got a taste for life in space while snacking on these astronaut food packs and finished the week off with a screening of the newly released documentary, “Apollo 11”, a film made in commemoration of the moon landing’s 50th anniversary: July 15, 2019. Several of us even chose to dress up for that final night by donning our 1960’s best - all for fun, of course! History is alive and well in these kids, folks. After spending a week with our future astronomers, I couldn’t help but to be touched not just by their love of learning but also by their genuine desire to make the world a better place for all of humanity in their “one day” careers. As we approach the anniversary of this crucial event in our history, I have no doubt that these kids will steer us all in the right direction over the course of these next 50 years. In fact, if I were to summarize my experience of working with these kids at this year’s Summer Reading program in just one sentence for you, this would be the one: “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." ANNOUNCEMENTS:
LIL TYKES READING HOUR With BARB VORTHMANN Crafting - Singing - Snacks - Puppets - Ages 1-5 Join us for the books “Mouse Paints” and “Dots” on JUNE 21, 2019 from 4:00 - 5:00 PM! Free to the Public! SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2019: “A UNIVERSE OF STORIES” JUNE 10-11, 12-13 FREE ADMISSION - CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SPACE EXPLORATION - ALL AGES WELCOME June 10, 4:00 PM “3.2.1, ZERO” ORIENTATION June 11, 4:00 PM “ALL ENGINES RUNNING” MEMORIES WORKSHOP June 13, 4:00 PM “LIFTOFF!” SPACE STORIES with TINA BAKEHOUSE June 14, 4:00 PM “ONE SMALL STEP” APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING with BARB VORTHMAN REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JUNE 3, 2019 The sign-up sheet is located on the circulation desk of the library - "one small step" away! ANNOUNCEMENTS: HISTORICAL LECTURE SERIES MAY 2, 2019 - 6:30 PM “Tabor & Northern Railway” Keynote Speaker: Trevor Henderson. Historical facts and photographs about the T & N Railway that connected Tabor and Malvern from 1890 to 1929. “World’s Shortest Standard-Gauge Railroad” - 8.79 mi. Admission: Adults - $3.00 per lecture. Students & Children Under 12 Years - Free. SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2019: “A UNIVERSE OF STORIES” JUNE 10-11, 12-13 FREE ADMISSION - CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SPACE EXPLORATION - ALL AGES WELCOME June 10, 4:00 PM “3.2.1, ZERO” ORIENTATION June 11, 4:00 PM “ALL ENGINES RUNNING” MEMORIES WORKSHOP June 13, 4:00 PM “LIFTOFF!” SPACE STORIES with TINA BAKEHOUSE June 14, 4:00 PM “ONE SMALL STEP” APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING with BARB VORTHMAN REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JUNE 3, 2019 The sign-up sheet is located on the circulation desk of the library - "one small step" away! On the evening of Saturday, December 1st, the third annual Christmas Carol Celebration at Malvern Public Library drew a large crowd of both listeners and storytellers - nearly 60 people altogether - and those three hours were easily the highlight of my year for all of the warmth and cheer they delivered. There was something so magical about the feeling of anticipation that came from gathering together in close quarters to usher in the spirit of the season in the midst of that unexpected snowstorm. The caroling, the music, laughter and occasional happy tears found in the sharing of memories from Christmases long ago - all of these gave the library such a warm and comforting glow. As always, Michael Formhals did an excellent job filling his role as Malvern’s expert on all things “Charles Dickens”. Drawing connections between some of today’s most beloved classic Christmas stories like How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and A Christmas Carol on their shared themes of redemption made for some thoughtful pause, and by the time everyone lined up to sample the Formhals’ delicious homemade figgy pudding at evening’s end, it was clear to me that the contagious Christmas spirit had leapt straight out of the pages of Dickens’ world and found its way into the heart of every man, woman and child present within this old library’s walls. Merry Christmas!
Libraries are just a place to check out books and hop onto the Internet. Right?
This is the one question I have received more than any other in my past three years as Library Director here at our library. It is a question that leaves me wanting to say so much that it is hard for me to even know where to begin. My intent is not to set out to dismiss the great merit in having the right to go to the library and check out a book or use the Internet. Both of these things are vitally important to what the library is and all that it stands for. Having grown up with my dim understanding of the library’s purpose in my life made it quite simply just that: a place for me to check out books and use the Internet. I can remember those four walls and all they encompassed when it was just the old Carnegie building with its many books, audio tapes, small computer station and that old portrait of Andrew Carnegie looking down over everything with that solemn expression that seemed to say, "Yes, I see you”. I recall those all too familiar faces of the kindly librarians who felt as much a part of the library as the books were a part of those old wooden shelves. Today, I am able to look back at my youth with a deepened sense of appreciation for what it was the library actually provided to me. As a child, the library was a place of refuge from the stark contrast of reality. Here was a world I could dream in, a place that teemed with some of my favorite characters, imagined or not. The vast and far-reaching world with all its inherent possibilities suddenly became accessible to me with the mere turn of a page or the click of a mouse. I could complete my after-school homework on the computer or just as easily find a cozy spot with a good book in hand to keep myself entertained for hours. In many ways, the library was a cornerstone of my youth. It became a tool not only for my learning and literary prowess but fostered that innate need for a sense of security in what often felt like an overwhelming and sometimes frightening world. Without the presence of our library and all it had to offer to me in my childhood years, I truly feel that a great void would have been left unfilled. Each time a young person enters this library that has been entrusted to me as its caretaker, I am reminded of that feeling. Over the years I learned feeling that sense of security, the need for belonging, never quite goes away. If anything, it deepens over time. What I have come to recognize in my role as Library Director is that the library offers all of us a sense of togetherness, no matter what our educational background, gender, age, income level or any other demographic I failed to mention here. Fundamentally, we all crave and need one thing as human beings: community. From my perspective, community means that everyone is included and made to feel welcome, no strings attached. In a public institution like the library, this is reflected in its legalistic emphasis on provision of services, programming and resources to every person who comes through the door. These elements are crucial to the preservation of the integrity of what the library represents and fundamentally is. On a more interpersonal level, I continually witness how the atmosphere of this library comes to life and takes on the very shape and form of the many people who populate its corridors. Everyone has something to contribute and does so by the very act of showing up. These library services are provided by and for the taxpayer. The need to learn, to be informed, to be educated, to share and to have the means to connect to those all too necessary external resources in the search for employment, education or whatever else it may be is met in an environment unimpeded by the expectation of having to pay for the services rendered or the increasingly rampant threat of censorship. Whether it is a social worker with one of their clients using the library as a quiet space for their meetings, a teacher tutoring a struggling student after hours, a group of kids and seniors learning a foreign language together with their crazy librarian, someone applying for a job online or a solitary soul who seeks escapism in the form of a book, this library not only embodies the very spirit of our community but provides a necessary space for it in which to share, to inspire, to learn, to connect -- to be. No bars held -- no strings attached! So you see, coming to the library to check out a book is far more than just an archaic practice belonging to a supposedly dying institution. Quite the contrary! To utilize any service provided in the library becomes an act of individuation, a show of sovereignty in a free society that has made the library an institutional icon for all people in their pursuit of higher learning and connection, for and by the community. For me, the library represents all that we are as well as the rich possibility of all we can become. While libraries stand as one of the oldest democratic bodies in the history of the civilized world, new life is continually being breathed into them by the people who shape and mold them with their ideas, their creativity and that inherent desire to connect with others. I truly feel that the 21st century will continue to bring about many exciting changes for libraries as a whole, and I am all the more thrilled to be entrusted with this role as curator of the Malvern Public Library. Thank you for allowing me the great privilege of working to provide the services and programs needed by our community, and most of all, thank you for showing up. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Calling all volunteers! Gardeners needed for every season - Weeding, Watering, Beautifying! Three plots are available for adoption! Weed barrier and mulch to be provided in the spring. Benefits included: Receive a free book of your choosing for every work day; Recognition in the Press & on Social Media; Free Hot Cup of Coffee every Monday through Friday. Sign up in the library today! A CHRISTMAS CAROL CELEBRATION: DECEMBER 1st @ 4:30 – 6:30 PM Caroling - Holiday Memories - Victorian Costume Party Join us for Caroling and Come Dressed in your Victorian Best (optional)! Explore Charles Dickens’ most iconic work with local historian, Michael Formhals! All ages admitted - Free Egg Nog & Christmas Pudding for all! By Rebecca Bassich
Library Director Appointed as International Ambassador for Malvern, Iowa As Library Director, I had the great pleasure and privilege of welcoming international travelers Cora Weaver and Bruce Osborne from Malvern, England, to our little town on Thursday, October 18, 2018. An exciting exchange of greetings and gifts took place, including several books about the unique history of Malvern, England, that have been written by our two visitors. These books are soon to become part of a new section in the library devoted to the history of both Malverns - ours and theirs - for readers to enjoy in their love of knowledge and pursuit of learning. One of the many highlights in our conversation was my learning that the library’s wall display of fictional character Aslan alongside the famous gas lamp from the Chronicles of Narnia series has a very concrete connection to the real world of Malvern, England. Author C.S. Lewis actually frequented the town of Malvern quite often for meetings with his close friend and fellow writer, J.R.R. Tolkien, at The Unicorn Inn. Standing right outside of this famous inn was the gas lamp that would inspire the first book of his beloved Narnia series, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. It is an image evoking one of the most iconic moments in children’s literature, and it is one that lives on within the very walls of our own Malvern Public Library. Imagine my excitement upon having this revelation! Our two Malverns are more connected than I ever thought possible, and I think it is quite evident in these times that our world is much smaller than we often think it to be... Together, Bruce and Cora work actively as representatives for the Friends of Malvern Springs and Wells, an organization based out of Malvern, England, devoted solely to the effort of fostering international friendship amongst all Malverns around the world. They are visiting us for the very special occasion of the internationally observed Malvern Appreciation Day held every October 19, which was first established by Mayor Patricia Norris-McDonald of Malverne, New York, in 2017. Their travels continue to take them to every corner of the globe in their pursuit of friendship, including Australia, New Zealand and the numerous Malverns found here in the United States, with ours being the latest stop in their travels. I feel so fortunate to have met Cora and Bruce and to have been honored with the appointment as their organization’s international ambassador for Malvern, Iowa. In turn, Bruce and Cora have been made honorary members of the Friends of the Malvern Public Library. Our community is all the more fortunate to have had them visit us this fall, and I look forward to our many years of friendship going forward. TRIVIA: Did you know that Malvern, England, was the first and original Malvern to be founded in the world? During the reign of Edward the Confessor, Saint Werstan established his religious cell in what became known as Malvern. It was this religious order that eventually resulted in the founding of the medieval Great Malvern Priory in England. Saint Werstan was killed by the Celts within three years, who objected to his intrusion, and thus became Malvern’s Founding Martyr Saint and Patron Saint of their springs and wells. Malvern Spring Waters flow out from the Malvern Hills in England and trigger abundant life in the surrounding lands, a metaphor for the friendship percolating throughout Malverns worldwide. If you would like to learn more about the mission and works of Friends of Malvern Springs and Wells, please visit Cora and Bruce online at: www. MalvernsWorldwide.info ! ANNOUNCEMENTS: Calling all volunteers! Gardeners needed for every season - Weeding, Watering, Beautifying! Three plots are available for adoption! Weed barrier and mulch to be provided in the spring. Benefits included: Receive a free book of your choosing for every work day; Recognition in the Press & on Social Media; Free Hot Cup of Coffee every Monday through Friday. Sign up in the library today! A CHRISTMAS CAROL CELEBRATION: DECEMBER 1st @ 4:30 – 6:30 PM Caroling - Holiday Memories - Victorian Costume Party Join us for Caroling and Come Dressed in your Victorian Best (optional)! Explore Charles Dickens’ most iconic work with local historian, Michael Formhals! All ages admitted - Free Egg Nog & Christmas Pudding for all! HALLOWEEN SBOOKTACULAR!
FREE admission and refreshments for ALL AGES! October 11th & 18th @ 4:00 – 6:00 PM: Tails of Terror! Join us for this Japanese creature feature double installment on the big screen with the Japanese horror classic, Gojira (1954) on October 11th and Godzilla vs Mothra, one of the most enduring classics in the kaiju world, on October 18th. October 25th @ 4:00 – 6:00 PM: Little Shop of Horrors Puppet Workshop Have you ever wanted to sing a song and dance number while taking over the world? You, too, can become a man-eating plant from outer space! Join us for this spooktacular puppet-building workshop to unleash your very own carnivorous plant monster on the world! We will be enjoying a special big screen presentation of – you guessed it… The Little Shop of Horrors! October 26th @ 2:00 – 7:00 PM: Haunted Matinee Spooky coloring, refreshments & MOVIES! On the itinerary are: Hocus Pocus · Bud Abbott & Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein · The Nightmare Before Christmas October 27th @ 3:00 – 6:00 PM: Halloween Sbooktacular! Dance Party · Costume Contest · Spooky Stories · Jack Skellington Photoshoot · Casper Movie · Tricks ‘n Treats! BOOK CLUB READER’S REVIEWS: The Trail to Crazy Man (Part III) by Louis L’Amour Review by Ruby Simms “Dan Shute had taken over the London Ranch after Mr. London had an “accident” that injured his back. Barkow and Shutes were buying up land and forcing ranchers to sell. Rafe wondered why Barkow wanted the Rodney Ranch so badly since a section of it was not good for anything along with the fact that there was better land available elsewhere for miles around. One day, Rafe returned to find that his hired help had repaired a wagon using some gunk he found from three oil leaks he spotted on the Rodney property. That was the reason Barkow and Shute were eager to get the ranches. Ann began to doubt her fiancée. When she heard that Dan Shutes’ men were going to the Rodney Ranch to kill Rafe and his hired hands, she got on a horse and rode as fast as she could to warn Rafe since she knew where to locate him by the cattle. Unfortunately, Bo Marsh was unarmed and Dan Shutes shot him at close range outside of the ranch house. The young 20-year-old was left to die. Shutes has his men set fire to the house. With snowflakes starting to fall, Rafe and has men had little shelter. Ann returned to town. Barkow talked Ann into leaving for the fort and getting on a riverboat that would be heading for St. Louis so they could leave that night. They could take the buckboard and act as if they were going for a ride. Ann did not know about Dan Shutes wanting her for himself. Dan discovered their absence and followed after them. They arrived at the fort. Penn and Rock were in the fort and asked about Ann Rodney. Surprisingly, they learned that she was the lady at the fort. They told her the story of her father being at sea with them. Bruce overheard, pulled out a gun and shot Penn. He jumped on a horse and hurried out the gate of the fort. Dan catches up with Bruce and kills him before returning to the town of Painted Rock. Ann tried to catch up with Rafe to tell him of his friends at the fort. Dan Shutes kidnapped Ann and took her to Painted Rock. Rafe arrived in town and went to her uncle. Ann tells him that she found out the truth from his friends at the fort. Rafe goes to the National Saloon to find Dan Shute. They know that this is the time…they take out their guns to duke it out to the finish. The brawl was brutal. It ended when Dan fell on a table, broke his neck and died.” |
Rebecca BassichAs Library Director here at our Malvern Public Library, you can count on me for all the latest on books, events, programs & more! Archives
May 2023
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