A collection of Poetry embracing nature, family, faith, humanity, friends, Rayond and Christ eloquently written by Raymond Bergeron

A Simple Stone

Bergeron, Raymond F.

Alabaster

Set in the foothills of North Carolina, this story follows the intertwined destinies of two families from the depression era until the end of World War II. Life was not easy in those days, especially for those in the rural south. But love doesn't take a hiatus, even in the worst of times. This novel tells the story of Kenny Ford and his unbridled love for his neighbor, Savannah Collice. This tale of economic hardship, alcoholism, single parenting, murder, and the horrors of war offers valuable insight into the history of the time.

The Way It Was

Terry Jessup

Original drawings of Western cartoons with humorus captions.

Way OUt West and Beyond

J.T. Stockard

This  story begins in Mount Olivia, North Carolina, on young  Grace Lane Miller's birthday. Her second cousin, Thomas Riley, a tobacco tycoon, 30 years her senior, gives her a gold necklace and pledges that one day she will be his wife. Thus begins a romantic life of this couple. After Grace's graduation from college, she moves to Weston Ridge to become Thomas' secretary at the T. R. Riley Tobacco Company. Grace's marriage to Mr. Riley, their European honeymoon, and her subsequent settling "at home" on Elm Street in Weston Ridge, portray their love and devotion to one another. As one of the South's earliest feminists, Grace influences many of the early T. R. Riley Tobacco Company policies at the turn of the century, convincing her husband to shorten the work week, start a nursery for employees' children, and provide a company cafeteria, medical clinic, and water fountains for both white and black workers. Giving birth to four children does not deter her from spearheading various social reforms. With her husband's blessings and moral support, she personally supervises the building of the family's Rilea Village. One of the first progressive farmers of the state, Grace sets policies that ensure crop rotation and revolutionary sanitary dairy conditions. When Thomas becomes ill with cancer, she travels with him for medical treatments. After Thomas' death, her charitable contributions are even more accelerated.

Gifts of Grace

Alice E. Sink

Literature & Fiction

Conducting Matters is the true story of a tiny, sparkling, tree-climbing, Southern girl with a deep love of music who rose to a highly respected, professional position that allowed her to dynamically touch the lives of others along her way, without losing that funny, little-girl, prank-playing charm.

Conducting Matters, A Sonata of Life

Virginia Tillotson

What would you do if your happy childhood memories were shattered by murder...' Forensic anthropology professor Mark Goodman and his bride, Carrie, are off on another adventure that they neither planned nor wanted. Mark's sister, Anne, has informed them of an old farmhouse for sale in the North Carolina mountains, overlooking the valley where Mark and Anne spent their childhood summers with their grandparents. But when the newlyweds check out this property, thinking they might renovate it for their summer home, matters suddenly turn deadly. Just as Mark ducks to look down the well, a gunshot rings out and a bullet whizzes over his head. The only thing scarier for Mark is what he thinks he saw in the well. The farmhouse belonged to two elderly sisters Mark knew as adopted aunts. But several years ago, the sisters mysteriously disappeared. Now, Mark wants to know what became of them. Is someone trying to scare him and Carrie off this property? Could clues to the sisters' disappearance still be on the farm? Soon law enforcement is called in, and Mark lends his forensic skills to the investigation. Suddenly, the clues lead not only to a murder case but a terrorist plot to wreak havoc on American soil. By the time all the clues are pieced together, Mark and Carrie will not only be battling terrorists, but find themselves caught up in a power struggle between the FBI and the CIA, with implications leading all the way to the White House. This page-turning sequel to Secrets from the Attic will keep readers biting their nails, while falling in love with Rachel Poe's characters all over again.

Vanished Sisters

Rachel Poe

There's something about the eighth decade that prompts a person to reach into her mental back pocket and pull out lessons and observations that had built up over the years and try to give them some shape, some voice. This book is a collection of just such heaped-up musings, much as the billowy cumulus clouds are a gathering of the shifting vapors in the air around us. It is partly with this in mind that I have fashioned the title Cumulae for this collection. Each day cloud shapes give beauty to our lives. Though they may float above unnoticed, they often set the tone for our pass¬ing hours. As sources of rain, they nourish us, even as they may hover ominously over us. Fre¬quently, though, they serve as sources of hope and joy and, indeed, coax the mind to a higher plane. While these verses are eclectic in style and general in topic, a great portion of the inspiration springs from days spent at our family's mountaintop retreat, "Laurel House," which most assuredly lies at such a higher plane.

Cumulae Collected Poems

Kathleen Coe

Bruce Boyer is a sweet spirited man of God and this truth soaks through all of his devotional writings. His approach of taking the everyday event and seeing the way, the love, or the mission of God in the world today, will build up sensitivity in you to see God in your own life everyday as well! If you are an everyday man or woman of God looking for Him in your life you will love this devotional journey." Pastor Keith Speaks, Senior Pastor Hales Corners Lutheran Church Hales Corner, Wisconsin. "Bruce Boyer's writings remind us that God is always working in our lives, through every situation and circumstance. These short, easy to read devotionals help you reflect on our God and Savior Jesus Christ through a powerful message and include questions to reflect on, scripture, and a prayer. This time of reflection on God's greatness will prepare you to enjoy the blessings God has already planned for you that day." Oscar Manuel Aguirre, Executive Director Pan de Vida Foundation Quito, Ecuador. "Bruce impacted many lives in his strong career living out the true Christian Mission of the YMCA every day. Touchpoints of Faith is a wonderful capstone for his work and meaningfully extends his calling to serve others. For each of us, our daily walk and work as leaders and citizens of the world will be encouraged and guided by the rich inspiration found in these chapters of thoughtful devotions created by Godly women and men." Andy C. Calhoun YMCA Director, 1972-present. "Within the YMCA organization there are always opportunities to share tried and true, faith-based lessons. We are constantly seeking tools and resources that reflect the good news of God's grace. Bruce Boyer's devotional book allows staff and participants the chance to share the Christian Mission through stories and experiences found throughout its pages." Rosemary Suess, Executive Director Jerry Long Family YMCA Winston-Salem, NC.

Touchpoints of Faith: God's word in Everyday Life

Bruce Boyer

This book is the story of my husband Don Eisaman. It covers both the best and worst times in his life--achievements, warts and all. That's exactly the way he would have wanted it.  For many of today's musicians, Don was a walking history book, who had been to the top of the mountain in the music business. For eight years he was an integral part of the Big Band Era. For fifteen years he played lead trumpet for the major stars in the showrooms of Vegas during its prime. From Harry James and Ray Anthony to Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, Don worked them all. In 1971, Don moved to Memphis (my home). I avoided meeting him for six months. As a fairly provincial Southern girl, I couldn't imagine having much in common with a jive-talking musician from Vegas, fifteen years older than me, who was divorced and a recovered alcoholic. I'm still not sure what happened in the intervening weeks before he moved to Greenville, South Carolina. All I know is, after getting to know him, all the reasons I had dreaded meeting him became obsolete. The Don I knew, had conquered a lot, and still had a zest for life. The environment that allowed Don to enter the national spotlight at age twenty-four was rough and full of connivers and super egos. To stay there, he had to develop a gruff veneer that remained with him to some extent all his life. It was like a protective coat that covered up the shyness and uncertainty he sometimes felt around everyday people. But as soon as he walked out on the stage - any stage -, he became a totally different person. That was his home; that's where he was most at ease. Stubborn? Yes. Opinionated? Definitely. Outspoken when he should have kept his mouth shut? You bet. But he was also sentimental to a fault, wise beyond his years, dedicated, tender-hearted and "real." At the surprise party we gave Don on his eighty-seventh birthday, everyone was asked to either toast or roast him. When it came my turn, I simply said what I had said many times before: "He's nothing I was looking for, and everything I needed."  He was my boy. I loved him very much.

The Stage Was His Home

Biographies & Memoirs

DAVID SHAFFER

Jane Eisaman

Arts & Literature

In this third book in the New York Chief of Detectives Series, Gary Hastings takes us inside a major NYPD homicide investigation. Chief of Detectives Pat O'Connor sends an investigative team of crack New York City Detectives to rural Stokes County, North Carolina, where a body of a teenage girl, reported missing from New York City, is found buried in Hanging Rock State Park.
 This investigation, being conducted by the Stokes County Sheriff and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, becomes complicated as jurisdictional issues and egos clash. Pat O'Connor is forced to navigate the challenges of a multi-jurisdictional investigation without compromising the integrity of their on-going efforts. The team searches for the identity of a suspect, who may be a serial killer, posing a serious threat to the streets of New York.
 You are given a front row seat in this exciting investigation, as detectives seek to determine THE CAROLINA CONNECTION!

The Carolina Connection

Gary Hastings

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