Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
Way Out
The Rotary Club of Alpine will host the WAY OUT WEST TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL to benefit the Alpine Public Library and its Marathon branch.
The multifaceted event is scheduled for August 8-9 at the Sul Ross Espino Conference Center. Participants will gather at
Programs throughout the day Saturday, August 9, will feature authors who have written books on Western Fiction, Texas Rangers in Fact and Legend, Natural History of the
On Saturday, August 9, authors and publishers may rent booth space in the reception area of the conference center to sell their books to the visiting public.
A Grand Silent Auction will take place during the day in a designated area of the Espino center. In order to bid, attendees must have purchased tickets for either the Chuckwagon Supper or the Saturday Night Banquet Finale, a dressy affair with a gourmet menu with the evening entertainment provided by Kinky Friedman and guests. The auction will end just as the banquet begins at
To date, authors Elmer Kelton, Jim Glendinning, Mike Blakely, Sharon Spinks, Joaquin Jackson, Bobby Byrd, Lee Merrill Byrd, Tim McKenzie, Denise Chavez, David Carlton, Joe Nick Patoski, Roy Morey, Benjamin Saenz, Sarah Bird, Cyndi Hughes, Larry Thomas, Mike Cox, James H. Evans, Bob Kinford, The University of Texas Press, Texas Tech University Press, Cinco Puntos Press, Iron Mountain Press, have made plans to attend.
“We expect a great deal of enthusiasm for this event,” said Festival Committee Chair Wanda B. Morgan. “We have just begun to fill in the dots in what we hope will become a premier literary festival for the entire state.”
Committee members Jean Hardy and Arlene and Steve Griffis round out the planning group, which is actively seeking volunteers and participants. Authors, publishers, journalists, and other publishing professionals, as well as those individuals with interest in supporting the Alpine Public Library, are encouraged to contact Arlene Griffis at info@wowtxbookfestival.com(or 432-386-4695) or any member of the committee.
For more information visit: http://wowtxbookfestival.com/1.html
Many fund raisers have taken place to benefit the library. People of all ages have participated. However, one of the most unique participants has been Lydia Nell Jones, age 10. By May of 2008, she had already donated $300 to the Capital Campaign! But, that was not enough for Miss Jones. On Saturday, May 31, with the help of her parents and others, she hosted a large yard sale. Events included the sale of snow cones and even a silent auction. Though Lydia has a mature outlook on helping the library, it was nice to see her youthful vigor while she held the donated funds in her Fischer Price cash register. 