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Club gives audio book as lasting memorial; volume adds to resources for vision impaired
Wednesday the Ellis Domestic Science Club donated an audio tape copy of Ellen Gray Massey's book "The Burnt District" to the Nevada Public Library in honor of recently deceased club member Frances Klampe.
Carolyn Gray Thornton explained that the club has always donated a book to the library to honor members who have died.
"Giving the books to the library in memory of deceased members has been the only way we have memorialized members who have died. I don't know just when it started, but I remember helping my mother choose a book to honor Mrs. O'Toole in the 1950s. I don't think it was a new practice even then," Thornton said.
The Ellis Domestic Science Club has been in existence more than 90 years.
Club president Maxine Halcomb added, "We have always donated a book in their honor for club members who have passed on. This audio book is being donated in Frances Klampe's name." Books to be donated for deceased members are chosen to reflect the member's interest.
This particular audio book was chosen because Klampe, whose sight had failed within the last 10 years of her life, had received the audio version from Massey when it was first released. She enjoyed it and passed it on to a friend who also had vision problems. Klampe greatly enjoyed audio books when she could no longer read printed material.
Thornton explained, "Frances told me she enjoyed listening to the audio books so much because she was a retired school teacher and loved to read. When she couldn't see to read anymore it was such a pleasure to her to be able to use the audio books. When she finished listening to "The Burnt District" she wanted to pass it on so that others could enjoy listening to it also. At that time she had moved to a nursing home in the Kansas City area. I think she would be happy to know that her friends in Vernon County could also listen to it now."
The library has had the book version of "The Burnt District" for some time. This is their first copy of it on audiotape. The historical novel is set in northern Vernon County and depicts residents coping with not only General Order No. 11, but also all the other problems brought about by the Civil War along the Missouri/Kansas border.
Thornton said of the book, "I think the book is especially interesting because it is about a historical event that actually happened in the northern part of Vernon County; although the characters in the book were fictitious. I also liked it that a woman outwitted the "bad guys" without violence or bloodshed."
"The Burnt District" is one of 12 novels written by Vernon County native, Ellen Gray Massey. She is a widely known and honored speaker, writer and teacher. In 1995 she was inducted into the first Writers Hall of Fame of America.
Her latest historical novel is "Borderland Homecoming."
Massey said, "I've been interested in the Civil War in Vernon County since my brother, Ralph Gray, talked so much about it. Though it is not studied in school, I think that Order No. 11, which moved out all residents in four counties south of Kansas City on the Kansas border (including part of Vernon County), is something people should know happened. I set my novel, 'The Burnt District' in northern Vernon County with a woman and her three daughters. She hadn't heard from her husband in the Federal Army for two years. What would she do when captured and imprisoned because she didn't leave her home?"
"I think it is great that the Ellis Club, which my mother helped establish in 1915, honors its members with books that all can read. I'm very proud that they selected my book." For more information about this local author check out her Web site, www.ellengraymassey.com
Susan McBeth, library director said, "Audio books on cassette or CD are extremely popular with our patrons. People check them out for car trips or to listen to while they exercise. Some have jobs that allow them to work and listen. Others have a sight impairment that prevents them from reading. Listening to the story is a different and rewarding way to experience the book.
"An audio book is a great selection to make from a library rather than purchasing your own copy. We're excited to have this addition for our library."