By Betty A. Little, Killington Arts Guild
posted
Jan 31, 2013
This is the tenth year that the Gables Activities Committee has
presented its two-day Winter Reading Program, Home Front:
WWII. This year while cold winds blew outside residents of
this independent senior living facility in Rutland looked at World
War II in an innovative way- from the contribution of those who
stayed at home. The theme originated with Martha "Nancy" McMullen's
memoirs, "Driving Woodie: A Tale from the Home Front in World War
II."
Early chapters of "Nancy" memoirs were written while she
attended Yvonne Daley's Green Mountain Writers Conference in
Tinmouth in the early 2000s. In Florida she joined the Kravis
Center writing program and in 2012 The Kravis selected her book
about the memoirs of a child in World War II for publication. Her
sister, Betty Little, recommended the book to the Gables Library
Committee for this year's Winter Reading Event sponsored by the
Gables Activities Committee.
The Reading Program began last Sunday with a poem, "Come After
The War," by WWII veteran Erling Omland of the Tenth Mountain.
Conversations were held after lunch in which each resident had the
opportunity to answer the question, "Where were you during World
War II?"
That evening there was a Pizza Party sponsored by Gables staff
and a World War II musical, "Anchors Aweigh," staring Genie Kelly
was shown.
On Monday, a book review of resources including "Nancy's" Woodie
and historian Paul Andriscin presented a Power Point
lecture and discussion. Andriscin is a popular lecturer and
historian who teach at St. Joseph's College and Castleton
College.
Last year's Winter Reading Program was about two different
versions of Cleopatra's life. Committee members who
provided leadership this year included: Carol Freeman, Pat
Job, Yvonne Feaster, Joe Whalen, and Betty Little and Anna Caleb
who are also Killington Arts Guild Members. Sheila Getney, director
of activities, provided staff support.
Nancy's book includes her experiences as a four year old during
air raid drills, gas rationing and possible espionage. For more
information contact mrthnncy@aol.com or www.kravis.org
Tagged:
Killington Art's Guild
