I attended a book signing with other authors at the Floral City Heritage Event in Floral City, Florida. The book signing occurred during the Candles, Caroling, and Carriages on December 1, and the Antique Vintage Quilt Exhibit and Duval House Restoration Fundraiser.
I joined several Citrus County authors who featured their books on Florida History. John Miller wrote three sequel time travel novels: Citrus White Gold, The Gatherers, and Deep Florida. I met Sally Settle, who wrote In the Shadow of the Lone Cypress about the flood of Lake Okeechobee in the 20s.
Linda Welker featured her book Untethered Women in Florida History, Mary Lu Scholl's book Invernessie: A Gaelic Folklore Mystery, and Gerry Mulligan’s book Out the Window.
There were also historical books specific to Floral City, Floral City-Images of America, written by Tom Ritchie, Frank Peters, and Paulette Ritchie. I met Bob Metz, who wrote Memories of Growing Up in the Duval House and Memories of Growing Up in Floral City and Citrus County. The first thing he said to me when we met was, "My wife was a classmate of your mother's."
My mother accompanied me both days and enjoyed seeing people she had not seen in years. Her roots are deep in Citrus County, where she was born and raised. I cherish our time together and love listening to her stories growing up there.
Over the two days, men, women, and children wore period costumes to guide and explain items in the museum, which were hands-on for kids, including a steamship steering wheel and a grape seeder, before there were such things as "seedless grapes."
On Friday night, people walked the historical main street under the aged oak trees planted in the 1890s lined with luminaries, which young women from E-Nini-Hassee Camp volunteered to set up and helped with other activities. On Saturday, Mt Carmel Methodist Church of Floral City hosted a barbeque with ribs, chicken, and sweet potato pie, which smelled and tasted delicious. Live music was featured on both days throughout the grounds as visitors explored the museum exhibits, toured the Duval House with costumed guides, and viewed antique quilts in two historic homes.
My mother and I had the opportunity to see the Duval House before the restoration several years ago. Being able to see the completion of the home was a special treat!
While researching and writing Song of Jaybird, I corresponded with many people, one of whom flew from Denver to attend the event and introduced himself to me. Robert Roscow was instrumental in Etna being on the National Registry of Historic Places. He established the Friends of Etna group to help preserve the memory of this important African-American Site and continues to work tirelessly to do so.
I saw childhood friends, friends I have met through writing Song of Jaybird, family, and relatives who came to support me. I also met new readers who were interested in my book. I sincerely thank everyone who visited me and the Floral City Heritage Council for organizing this event.
