2016 Sud-Z-Pet Grooming

It is so nice to see the old building tucked between Kim's Barber Shop and the old Mack Tractor sales location fixed up and occupied.  In my compiled history book, "The Fowlerville Chronicles," there is a picture of this block shown around 1901.  The buildings are old yet worthy of preserving.

Yay!

2016 Little Free Library

The Little Free Library I've been a steward for these past three years is on the move.  Today, it will be relocated inside the village limits, just off of Benjamin Street on Devonshire.  I've thoroughly enjoyed making sure the library was clean and accessible, filled with books, and a friendly stop for anyone discovering it.

But, it was time for a change in location.  

And, unfortunately, I did finally get a bit tired of some of the shenanigans from those only interested in ruining something for others.  I won't make this a complaint forum but I did want to mention a few:

~~One time, someone removed all of the CDs from their cases, left the CDs and took the cases for their own use.  A bit selfish?

~~One summer, the box was routinely filled with religious pamphlets.  Not that the pamphlets were wrong, this just isn't necessarily the place.

~~This summer, someone decided to throw hardbound books on the wet grass as well as possibly adding water to the kids books.  All expanded with the moisture, some got moldy, and ultimately a dozen books went into the trash.

~~And, someone grumping they didn't like cars stopping in front of the library.

As I climb up onto my soapbox, I'd just like to remind everyone grassroots movements, like these nearly 20,000 little free libraries across the country, are a gift to communities.  To making communities a bit more like home.  Let's treasure and celebrate little free libraries wherever they pop up, including the four that can be found within the village limits.  (Oof, climbing down from the soapbox now...)

So, once the library was removed, a deep hole either needed to be filled in or used.  Next spring there will be flowers growing in this chunk of 1927 cast iron water main salvaged from North Grand Avenue when work was done to upgrade the system in 2013.  Check out this link to see what I wrote back then.

Tilly Loves Johnny

My second historical fiction novel is now available -- paperback copies unexpectedly arrived yesterday!

"Tilly Loves Johnny" is a murder mystery set in a small town called Cedartown, that looks a lot like Fowlerville.  It is set during the Prohibition Era, same as "Juniper and Anise."  If you read my first novel, you will recognize a few names in the second one but the main characters are all new to this story.

The back blurb reads:

"Newlywed Tilly Miner turns a deaf ear to rumors and gossip her husband, Johnny, is running parties where 'complimentary' hooch loosens lips as well as pocketbooks for those looking to gamble.  Some nights he crawls into their bed, smelling of sour rye mash; others, not even making it home until early morning.  But her loyalty remains unwavering.  And then, the unspeakable happens.

"A few days before Christmas, Tilly discovers a bloody atrocity dumped on their kitchen table.  A warning from the Ku Klux Klan?  Johnny laughs it off as a joke.  But, when he goes missing one cold night in February, 1929, Tilly is convinced someone or something prevents his return.

"Her undying faith in Johnny is tested by righteous attitudes from her best friend's mother and a too cruel mother-in-law, while a recalcitrant sheriff is convinced the man merely ran off."

The ebook will be available on Amazon on its September 23rd release but paperbacks are available through my author website at www.marioncornett.com.  Would love to have you check out the website.

1960 Christmas Poem

I know we're hardly upon the Christmas holiday, not even having gotten to Halloween, but I came across this poem.  I remember reading this a few years back when I was doing research for the two history books but could never find it again.  Well, I did.  It happened to be in my Rotary notebook from when I was the President during the 2003-04 year.  

Not sure when this poem was originally published in the Fowlerville News and Views but I'm guessing in the 1960s from the people and stores mentioned.  Anyone care to comment?