It’s really quite a bit of fun to follow one author via his/her many books, and David Baldacci, along with several others, is an author I’ve enjoyed. It’s been quite interesting to contrast an early book against one written later. And even more so is to see the author completely change in his/her story line.

Baldacci’s latest book, One Summer is one that relates a different story from those in the past. Beginning during a snowy December in Ohio, one meets the central character, Jack Armstrong who is suffering from a disease that is always fatal. He convinces himself that he must hang on until Christmas to celebrate that day with his wife and three children. He makes it, but suddenly, his wife is killed in an automobile accident. His life becomes thoroughly devastated when his in-laws send him to a hospice to die and the three children are then divided among relatives across the country. But Jack does not die, to the amazement and disbelief of his doctors.

Recovering fully, Jack decides he wants his family together and then takes the family to a small beach town in the Low Country of South Carolina. During this summer Jack, along with his children, are finally able to achieve the closeness that had been missing in their lives.

Baldacci has that unique talent of drawing characters whom you are certain you know or think you’ve made their acquaintance sometime or somewhere in the past. This is a truly delightful book to read this summer. I’ve always hated to reach the ending of a book I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, as that meant I must close the cover on the characters. Now I just pick it up again and start reading as I’ve probably missed something earlier.

New on the shelves of the Library is a thriller entitled Keys To The Kingdom as written by Bob Graham, the former Governor of Florida and a U.S. Senator, where he spent over ten years on the Senate Committee on Intelligence. The book has been highly publicized as the story of intelligence gathering, primarily involving the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, the author also lays partial blame for the attack of September 11, 2001 at the door of the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia.

I found the plot to be somewhat disjointed, but marveled at the coincidences of a main character and the author. Both were Senators, both Governors of the State of Florida, both had daughters: the author, 4 and his character, 5; and the names of the daughters were the same. And both had served on the Senate Committee on Intelligence.

Unfortunately, I could not finish the book though I tried.

We have a number of books, both hard cover and soft cover, available for sale; at the prices of $1.00 for hardcover and $0.25 for the soft. They make excellent companions when you go on a trip and don’t want to worry about a due date from our Library. Do come and check them out! You won’t be disappointed.

“When an old person dies, a Library burns down”
Karin Gillespie

98 Host Families Still Needed by August 31

Ninety-eight host families, with or without children at home, are still needed to host international exchange students for the 2011/2012 academic year. The students must be chosen by a host family by August 31st or they will not be able to participate in the program. They will stay with their host family for one semester or until the end of the school year. Students speak English, are covered by medical insurance, and have spending money for their personal expenses.

For more information, please call Yvette at SHARE!:

800-941-3738.

The Dow Chemical Company, a long-time Habitat for Humanity (HFH) partner, is proud to announce a $45,000 sponsorship with the HFH Calhoun County Affiliate to construct the first HFH home in the community of Seadrift.

Although a first for the community of Seadrift, this house adds to a growing list of more than 25,000 Habitat for Humanity builds that Dow has sponsored since 1983. The Dow-sponsored house in Seadrift represents the seventh HFH Calhoun County Affiliate construction. Dow sponsored the fifth HFH house on Davis Street in Port Lavaca in 2009 and many HFH Victoria builds.

Additionally, employees at Dow’s Seadrift Operations have a long history supporting local HFH affiliates with their volunteerism and sweat equity. In 2010, Seadrift Operations employees logged more than 500 hours in support of the Dow-sponsored build in Victoria. As Dow is a global company with strong local roots, Seadrift Operations employees place great value on working alongside their neighbors to make Dow hometowns a better place to live and work.

“Union Carbide and Dow have been a part of this community for 55 year and it’s a privilege to partner with the HFH Calhoun Chapter to bring a HFH house to Seadrift,” said Seadrift Operations Site Leader Brad Fedorchak. “It is rewarding to know that our company and employees will soon help make a new homeowner’s dream come true.”

The Homeowner of this HFH build will soon be announced. Additionally, the groundbreaking date and a construction timeline will also be available.

Local organizations, businesses and individuals who would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities, lunch donations, etc. may contact HFH Calhoun County Affiliate Executive Director Barbara Watson at Barbara.Watson.Coordinator@gmail.com. Volunteers are needed for everything from specialized trades to basic construction and landscaping. No experience is required and volunteering with HFH is a great way to learn new skills, meet others and help a local family create a home of their own.

Candy

Candy looks up at us with those soulful, trusting eyes and we want to hug her until she squeaks. Just a year old, Candy is a Chihuahua/terrier mix with a light tan coat accented with white. She’s little, lively, loving and looking for someone like YOU to give her a happy home.

Bogo

You couldn’t hire a team of artists to create a more distinctively, crisply marked dog than Bogo. The “half halter” face, small saddle, stripe on the tail, spot on the rump and side make everyone say, “Wow, what a neat dog!” A small terrier mix about a year old, Bogo is as much fun as he is gorgeous.

Pancho

Our good buddy Pancho is about 1 1/2 years old, a Chihuahua/terrier mix, He’s a small dog but he doesn’t know that. Pancho is house trained, loves other dogs, is very people oriented, energetic, happy with a great disposition, what more could anyone ask for?

Come see Candy, Bogo, Pancho and all the other animals at the Port Lavaca Animal Shelter, 201 Stringham Drive (across from the rodeo arena), Monday through Saturday, 10 to 2, or call the Calhoun County Humane Society, 553-8916. You can also view him and other animals ready for adoption on line at www.calhouncountyhumanesociety.org Thanks and we’ll be waiting for you!

Price Ruffin, grandson of Linda and Jim Butler of Port O’Connor, center, proudly presents his state winning plaques after being awarded first place in Texas FFA Star Greenhand Production. This award is presented to the top Greenhand in Texas after a series of advancements from the District and Area levels. Price’s record book was judged each time and intensive interviews were conducted to determine his knowledge in his field of agriculture. The announcement was made during the State FFA Convention held on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock during the second week of July. Price’s parents, Troy and Cara Ruffin of Mason, were on hand for the Stars Banquet and the Third General Session of the Convention. Congratulations, Price, on all your hard work and efforts toward your accomplishment.