5 READS YOU
SHOULDN’T MISS “Sons of the Soil” By Michael Schoepf
In 1852, Johann Schoepf arrived in Clayton County in northeastern Iowa from Weissenstadt in southern Germany. In that same year, the Healy family arrived in Allamakee County, just 45 miles north, from Ireland. Both clans were seeking a better life in America than what their respective homelands offered. Those families followed parallel paths to eventually set roots in South Dakota. Not until the 1960s did their journeys merge. “Sons of the Soil” is a novel of historical fiction highlighting significant events in the stories of both families in their respective voyages from the past toward the present. Author Michael Schoepf has close connections to both families and makes numerous references to the history of every locale in the story. “For several years, I studied my family genealogy,” Schoepf said. “Or so I thought. Then one day, I was listening to two of my neighbors, George McCarthy and Harold Hanson, also amateur genealogy sleuths, discussing their findings. Their conversation added a human element to the names, dates, places and documented facts about their ancestors. That was something I hadn’t considered before. From that day on, I saw my ancestors as people with dreams, hopes, thoughts and feelings. They had a story to tell, just as each of us does.” Michael Schoepf is a retired educator, newspaper executive and marketing consultant who lives in Albert Lea with his wife, Bev, and adult children Maria and Tony. “Sons of the Soil” is available on Amazon and for Kindle.
“A Dog’s Tale: Sparky Rescues the Pestons” By Dan Grunwald
Following in the lineage of hero dogs like Lassie and Old Yeller, Sparky — a loving and loyal rescue dog — defies time and distance to bring the gift of healing to a family in trouble. A delightful debut novel! Grunwald lives in Ventura, Iowa. He is a lifelong artist and jeweler, as well as a storyteller, dog lover and family man. His grandparents were lifelong residents of Albert Lea, and Dan honed his craft at Stadheim Jewelers in Albert Lea, where he worked for seven years as lead goldsmith. The book may be purchased on Amazon.
“Fathers, Sons and Holy Ghosts of Baseball” By Tommy Murray
Time often slows and frequently even stops in the small town of Cottage Park, Iowa. In fact, time is best measured not by the hands of a clock but by the innings of a baseball game. Praying and playing baseball are two of the town’s primary activities. Actually, they are one in the same in a town where baseball is a religion. Still, time does eventually flow on. Much like the Des Moines River just outside Cottage Park, time leads to the site of the 1974 Iowa high school baseball tournament. Cottage Park’s Holy Trinity High School has never won the finals, as they are known. The team’s three elderly coaches vow to at last anoint themselves finals champions before they retire in their final season. For the players, the road to the finals is a confirmation by fire — a rite of passage before they must face adulthood looming before them. Fathers, sons and the holy ghosts of baseball join together in the quest for the finals. Along this journey, young and old alike ultimately learn you must sacrifice before you can gain and sometimes you must lose before you can win. This books of baseball, legacies, coaches and coming of age features the 1974 Albert Lea Lakers baseball team. Tommy Murray grew up in Storm Lake, Iowa. His dad was from and will always be from Bancroft, Iowa. Tommy tells people his heart will always be in Storm Lake, but his soul rests forever in Bancroft. You can purchase a copy of the book at any bookstore (they might have to order it), or go online on Amazon.
“Love, Hilma”
By Karen A. Lindesmith “This seems to be the day we have been waiting for, and yet it seems sad. All last nite and all day there has been a constant roaring overhead, and of course we all know where they are going. Here, it’s not only a plane or two at a time, either. It gives me a sinking feeling because we know many will never come back and many will come back to us on stretchers. ...” Teacher, writer and editor Karen A. Lindesmith was at one time a nursing student of Hilma Granum. Granum wrote 70 letters home to her parents during World War II. These letters are the primary focus of Lindesmith’s book. Lindesmith is a former nurse and nursing instructor who holds an Master of Fine Arts in creative writing. She lives with husband, Robert, in Robbinsdale and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1958 (as Karen Jorgenson). To purchase a copy, call the author at 763-535-5153.
“Small Secrets” By Joan Jacobson
Life is not as orderly as it seems amidst the soybean fields of 1970s Minnesota. Farm girl Raki Pederson finds that out the hard way. Homeless, cast out by her family, carrying a baby and a heavy secret, she redeems her life through the kindness of strangers. There’s the hapless pastor, Sam, followed by a succession of women, each with her own dark secret; Margaret, guiltridden from her sister’s death; Carol, a feminist Robin Hood; and Mrs. Anderson, who did the right thing only to regret it the rest of her life. Now a successful middle-aged businesswoman, Raki returns to her
hometown upon the death of her mentor, Dolores Richter. Concerned that Miss Richter hid the deepest secret of all, Raki seeks the truth and in so doing gains the courage to reveal her own. Set in a time of social, sexual and political upheaval, “Small Secrets” is an age-old tale of shame and sacrifice, abandonment and rescue, betrayal and forgiveness. Joan Jacobson began writing at age 8. Her professional career began as reporter/features writer for the Albert Lea Tribune from 1981 to 1985. She lives and works in Colorado.The book is available in paperback and Kindle eBook on Amazon and is stocked at Sweet Reads in Austin. It is also available through the Minneapolis-based Magers & Quinn online store. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 | 31