I was ready and eager for the sidewalk book signing in front of Keystone Books & Gifts on Saturday July 21, 2018. And then the rains came! Still had fun.
Category Archives: News
Circleville Farmer’s Market
Yesterday at the Circleville Farmer’s Market OHANA Farms purchased a copy of Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here? OHANA sells homemade soap and personal care products, cut flowers, and produce. I bought a stick of homemade deodorant from OHANA and was happy to sell two books at the market!
Another book sale!
The streak is unbroken! Today, Mike, a Pella Windows representative came by to resolve an issue. He was not only competent and friendly, but he purchased a book. Gary Wright, a local builder was here and vouched for the book. I only deal with the best and most literate contractors!
Author talk: Bloom Carroll High School
I had the opportunity to speak to 320 students at Bloom Carroll High School on April 30 and May 2. The students were respectful and attentive. I spoke eight periods each day – a speaking marathon!
Since I spoke twice to each class, after I told my story we had time to discuss different forms of government. My family and I have lived under communism, Nazism, Socialism, a democratic republic. For a short time during WWII we even lived under a monarchy.
Those experiences tend shape ones views based on reality. By the way, King Michael was a good King.
Meeting the Whistle Man of Westerville
An unexpected reward for writing my memoir is meeting interesting people. I recently met Paul Schuller, who is 93. A friend who visits him and reads to him, recently finished reading my memoir Why Can’t Somebody Just Die Around Here?
Mr. Schuller loved the book wanted to meet the author. I had the pleasure of meeting him on Friday. He is a delightful man with a great sense of humor and an interesting background.
Here is a short bio: He was born in West Virginia, dropped out of school in the 9th grade and enlisted in the Navy in 1942, where he served in WWII and Korea. His work history includes coal mining, singing professionally in NYC, locally with Kenley Players, teaching math, selling real-estate, repairing microscopes and making toys. He graduated from Otterbein with a BA in Arts and Sciences.
Because of the numerous homemade whistles he gave to children he was known as the “Whistle man of Westerville.”
Author Talk: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Stoutsville, Ohio
Gerhard spoke at the Women’s Spring Dinner at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Stoutsville, Ohio: “I’m always happy to tell my story and love it when people are interested enough to buy my book!”
Author Talk: Ohio Christian University
Gerhard gave a talk at Ohio Christian University in late March, 2018. About 140 people attended. Students of creative writing and English literature classes were required to attend but the event was also open to the public. It is great to have a captive audience!
After sharing my family’s story I spoke about the process of writing a memoir. The students later wrote a paper about my presentation. What a treat it was when Professor Krista Stonerock sent me some of their writings. The first chart of the memoir writing part was titled, “An unlikely Author”. I told the students that I almost did not graduate from high school because of nearly flunking my senior English class. The talk ended with me saying, “I did not remain a English-challenged high school student forever. Each of us can learn and grow our entire life.”
Author talk: Ohio Christian University
I’m looking forward to speaking at Ohio Christian University, in Circleville, Ohio, on on Monday, March 26, 6:30-7:30 pm and Thursday, March 29, 2:30-3:30 pm. The talks will be in the Maxwell Library.
Here is the announcement on OCU’s website.
Author talk: Wyngate Senior Living Center
On February 20th I had the opportunity to speak to independent living residents at the Wyngate Senior Living Community, in Circleville, Ohio. The residents are of an age where they experienced the time of WWII in their youth. They found it interesting to hear about how WWII impacted those who lived through the actual war.
Author Talk: Pickaway County Historical & Genealogical Library
I gave a talk this past Monday, February 19, at the Pickaway County Historical & Genealogical Library (in the old Herald building). The talk was well-received – great audience! –
– and I sold nine books!