Publisher announces winners of book contest
This fall, Hometown Memories Publishing will publish "Penny Candy and Grandma's Porch Swing, a Living History of North Central Pennsylvania," a book featuring stories by several local writers.
The hardcover coffee table book will contain tales of bygone years from Pennsylvanians who actually lived them.
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The book is 418 pages and includes hundreds of old photographs that also were submitted by local residents.
"We are delighted that over 330 folks shared their memories and pictures for the book. The memories in this book are an extremely valuable part of the region's history and heritage and we are grateful for the opportunity to save and share them," said Todd Blair, publisher of Hometown Memories. "Like our previous books, its purpose is to preserve the spirit and character of a time that will never be seen again. It will tell future generations what life was really like back in the good old days in Pennsylvania."
Hometown Memories included a contest for the best stories and the prize winners are featured in the book.
According to the book's dust jacket, in January, folks in northcentral Pennsylvania were asked to share their memories of the "good old days."
From their responses, 332 were selected to be included in the book.
The book details a time when people had two-holer outhouses, used castor oil as a cure for everything, used party line phones and attended schools with just one room.
"With so many submissions, it was very hard to choose the prize winners," Blair said. "All of the stories are wonderful in their own way, but the winners we chose are Sally Guiswite of Jersey Shore; Mathilda Smith of Lewis Run; Mary Arnold of Renovo; Elizabeth A. Stine of Williamsport; and Jane Kropinak of Punxsutawney. We would also like to give honorable mention to the contributions from Kathy Rickard of Johnsonburg; Ken Ostrum of Emporium; M. Jane Pool of Beech Creek; and George Shearer of Curwensville."
The photos on the dust jacket were contributed by Linda J. Brungard, Patricia Butler, Doreen Jo Cherry, Carol Confer, Frank H. Freezer, Joy Strauser Spare Himes, June Elaine Woodling Houseknecht, Marian B. Hutchinson, Martha M. Coval Kashtock, June Rovenolt Kline, Linda L. Earle Marriner, Joan M. Miller, Shirley Paulhamus, Eileen Scramuzzo, Mary Heisey Singley and Mary Jane Baker.
There are more than 65,000 copies of other Hometown Memories living history books in circulation.
For more information, visit www.hometownmemoriesonline.com.
