Local Writers Sharing Family Memories
By Noel Smith
Past events that to most of our readers are just dry history, for some of us that are older contain our memories. Preserving the past for these two writers, both in their 80s, is a personal journey that we all can learn from and experience the trials, tribulations and triumphs for those that have gone before. What better way than to preserve family memories than to write them down, even if it’s just notes on the back of old photos. The generations that follow us may someday take the time to appreciate our stories. Preserving these memories is our opportunity to share them even after we’ve gone. Take the time to remember and chronicle the past in some form as theses ladies have done.
“Please Don’t Call Me Charlotte” by Dolores Smithen Cicholas is a wonderfully detailed journey about her mother through a time when personal and family troubles and tragedies were dealt with on a very individual level. There was no government funded “safety net” to help cushion people through the hard times. This made the triumphs much more to be savored and appreciated. At the age of 17 Charlotte lost her mother and found herself the sole guardian of two boys and a girl. The responsibilities she assumed and the decisions she had to make provide a fascinating tale of survival and perseverance.
This 20th century journey is written in a very intimate style using conversations between the characters to tell much of the story. This gives the book a dimension of emotion and personal values as it is told in their own words by Charlotte and her family. The story takes one through the times of the Great Depression, World War II and then into the “Great Resurgence” on the west coast after the war.
Severino’s is hosting a Book Signing by the author, Dolores Smithen Cicholas, on Thursday, May 26 from 5-8 p.m. Severino’s is providing a house complimentary drink with every purchase of “Please Don’t Call Me Charlotte” which will be on sale for $25 at the event. The book is also available from Tate Publishing in print and ebook formats and on Amazon.
“Growing up in Santa Cruz” by Lois Ackerman Lawson is a personal and visual journey through Santa Cruz during the 30’s and 40’s and early 50’s from a young person’s perspective. Along with the hard times that families go through there is also a sense of joy, discovery and wonder in this book, which makes it an interesting and memorable read.
Santa Cruz has always been a special place and this book documents in word and picture the author’s love for her hometown. Take the time to relive with Lois what Santa Cruz was like for her, her family, friends and schoolmates during a much less complicated time in our history.
“Growing up in Santa Cruz” by Lois Ackerman Lawson is available at Bookshop Santa Cruz and on Amazon.