America Revisited – return to a town and story 20 years later

Otway Burns, Revolutionary War hero, still stands guard on the village square, of the town named for him. Other than preparing for a new walkway – Old Otway is exactly the same after 20 years.

Want to be revitalized? This is not an ad for Centrum Silver, Geritol, Alive!, or Nugenix. It’s a suggestion: If you want to refresh your attitude and want your faith restored in America, visit a small town in “fly over” country. I recently had the opportunity to do this. What a tonic and antidote for the toxic times we live in.

The occasion for my visit to the wonderful North Carolina town of Burnsville was my dear and best friends eightieth birthday. It’s a relationship that I’ve treasured for 50 years. His birthday celebration and the wonderful people who made it successful is an inspirational story and I’ll save that for a future post.

It is my relationship with CTC that exposed me to Burnsville and the North Carolina mountain country. Only 35 miles from Asheville, the town is the Yancey County seat. Its cool air and crystal waters are a summer oasis for flat-landers like myself and that’s what attracted my Floridian friend to its environs. Burnsville was/is the setting for one of my novels, September on Echo Creek.

Main Street in the mountains – Sunday morning & peace are still one.

Some of Burnsville’s stores have changed since I wrote September on Echo Creek. New businesses have replaced old ones in some cases. I miss the general store that was an institution for years. The library has moved a few hundred yards to new digs. But, the town’s flavor and charm haven’t changed. I recognized many of the business names that were around when my novel was published. Most importantly, the friendly nature of the establishments is a reassuring constant. A great example of this is the inn where we stayed. The Nuwray is living history. Built in the 1830’s, it is a can’t miss stop for people who are antique lovers, history buffs, and observers of Americana … a place so warm and wonderful its effect is far more invigorating than a shot of B-12. Great small town restaurants surround the Nuwray. Find a place to park your car and forget it.

The Nuwray Inn – America at its best, yesterday and today.

However, the most encouraging and soothing thing I discovered was that the Burnsville people were as I remembered. Stable, friendly, and helpful, they remain the same as when I wrote about them in my novel September on Echo Creek … published 20 years ago. The heroine, Gaylynn, escaped poisonous relationships by fleeing an environment that threatened to destroy her. Her life was controlled by guilt strings. The Burnsville people  rescue her and help her cut her bonds. The fabric of these wonderful people hasn’t changed. The Brendas, Ferrells, Bos, Annettes, Kens, Micheals, Micheles, Randys and Christinas are the same as the ever-lasting earth. The earth grows the bread to nurture our bodies. These small town people grow relationships that satisfy our souls.

You can sit and relax on Main Street here

People still rock and talk in small town USA. Shouting is reserved for mountain to mountain communication.

Try this if you want some solace for your psyche. Find a map of a rural location 100 miles from a big city. It can be in your area … or not. Extend your index finger and point to a small town. Look for a spot with a past like the Nuwray. Visit and stay there. Don’t try to rush around and see the sights. Toss your car keys on the dresser and forget them. Believe me, if you you are uncertain about a place, the Nuwray and Burnsville are a marvelous choice. Go. Then just enjoy breathing. Enjoy people. Life in America is still great if we’ll take the time to live it.

 

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Congratulations on being a 2018 FAPA President’s Book Awards Medalist

                  

Lake Buena Vista, FL—On August 4, the Florida Authors & Publishers Association (FAPA) awarded its prestigious annual President’s Book Award to DL Havlin for novel “The Bait Man”. The event, which took place at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, recognized outstanding books by awarding gold, silver, or bronze medals.

Fortyfive book categories ranging from children’s books to adult fiction, from memoirs to self-help, and from business books to e-books were evaluated. FAPA recognizes both
independent and traditionally published books. All medals are awarded based on a points system in the judging of books. The judges for the program are librarians,  educators, and publishing professionals.

“The 2018 President’s Book Award winners exemplify excellence in the publishing world. This year we had the largest number of books ever submitted! FAPA is proud to recognize and celebrate these dedicated and talented authors,” said Angelina Assanti,  FAPA President.

A list of all the medalists can be found on the FAPA website.

The Florida Authors & Publishers Association, Inc. (FAPA) is an organization for authors, 
publishers, illustrators, editors, printers and other professionals involved in the publishing 
industry. It focuses on providing information, resources, and professional development to  its members. FAPA is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization and is affiliated with the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), the Association of Publishers of Special  Sales (APSS) and the Florida Library Association.

 

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Why readers and history are SO important!

I’ll be at Sandman Books today, where this picture was taken on a previous visit.

One of the most enjoyable tasks involved with my writing (it isn’t really a task) is to share some of the information I uncover when doing research for my books. Today, the Sandman Book Company in the Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, and Cape Coral area opens its doors to people who want to learn more about Florida’s turbulent beginnings. These people are readers. They are the thinkers and reasoners in our society. They understand that truth is harder to color in the written word than in the spoken (or televised) word.

So often the content, or lack of it, is disguised by skillful presentation. It appeals to our emotions, to our greed, to our self-righteous over simplifications, and to the deliverer’s desire to stifle decent. A reader can study the matter before him because it does not disappear when the TV remote off button is pushed or the speaker leaves the podium. Is it possible to make lies believable in print? Oh, yes! Is it more probable that they will be unmasked? Absolutely, YES!

That is why history and its integrity is so important. It’s the past preserved in writing. It gives us a stake in the ground to measure the present. It is also the reason why many wish to rewrite it to their advantage. Or, eliminate it completely if it furthers their single-minded agenda.

I would leave you with this thought:

History is important

If we must face our past looking through separate windows, we will never see the same thing or see it together.

You may quote me.

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I’ll be speaking at the Sandman Book Company at 2:00 PM this afternoon (Saturday, 7/21) located at Turtle Crossing on Burnt Store Road south of Punta Gorda. There is already a large group signed to attend, but I’m sure our gracious host Heidi can accommodate all who wish a visit me. It is a great store!

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The reaction to the writer’s conference is been fantastic! Check out ABC-ArtisansOfBooks.com for more info.

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DL Havlin to present: Flaming Florida, A land born in violence. (1520 to 1784)

Out and about: Saturday, 7/21/18, 2 PM
Sandman Book Company
16480 Burnt Store Road
Punta Gorda, FL

DL Havlin to present: Flaming Florida, I – A land born in violence. (1520 to 1784) –

 From before the days the Spanish stepped ashore on Florida’s sands, violence and war were a way of life. This presentation provides information about Florida’s inhabitants and the culture they derived from and what happened to them. From an estimated population of 350,000 people at the time Columbus arrived, these native “Indians” were decimated to less than 3,000 by the time the Florida’s (East & West) became an English colony. Spain, France, and England all brought disease, slaughter and slavery and the natives responded with equal violence.

Out and about

Come visit with me at the
Cultural Center of Charlotte County, Port Charlotte, FL
7/13th, 14th & 15th.

Have you read my new mystery/suspense book,
Turtle Point? amzn.to/2selUnr   Pls share.

Good Old 4th

A grandfather took his seven year old grandson to a parade on the 4^th of July. Little Jimmy asks lots of questions. Watching the parade pass prompted many of them.

Jimmie asked, “Grandpa, are fire engines painted red because that’s the color of fire?

Grandpa answered. “No, but I’ve heard two reasons why fire-engines are painted red. One is that early firemen were proud of their trucks and so they painted them the most expensive color available in the late 1800’s. But … The one I think makes more sense was that most all of the early automobiles were painted black. Firemen in the late 1800’s wanted it to be easy for people to see them coming when they raced to a fire so they painted them red a color not used on cars back then.

Jimmie asked, “Grandpa, why do we have fire-engines in a parade, and set off fireworks, and wave all those flags, on the 4^th of July?”

Grandpa answered, “The 4^th of July is our country’s birthday so we Americans celebrate it just like we celebrate your birthday.”

Jimmie asked, “Wow, there are a lot of flags. Why do we have flags?”

Grandpa answered, “All people have flags as symbols of their country. We have the stars and stripes, Japan has a rising sun, Canada has a Maple leaf. Those symbols say something about their country.”

Jimmie asked, “Why do we have the stars and stripes for America?”

Grandpa thought for a few seconds and then answered, “Jimmie, most people will tell you the stars stand for each state we have in our nation and that thirteen stripes stand for the original thirteen colonies that declared their independence. That is true. But …… I’m going to give another reason, one that I believe is most important. It is one I want you to remember. I see those stripes as stairs our country offers to all its citizens, who are willing to do the work to climb them, to reach the stars above.

Fish Story

From the mouth of a seven year old, reacting to a “fish story”: “I don’t know you, but I trust you. Would you take me fishing?”

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