On The 12th Day Of Christmas – Local Writers Signing

By LIBBY CUDMORE • allotsego.com

Edition of Thursday-Friday, Dec. 4-5, 2014

There’s only one way to beat the winter blues, and it’s to curl up inside a good – and local – book. Or better, how about a dozen.

“When you’re buried in a Cooperstown snow drift, a book is a very handy thing!” said Marly Youmans, whose latest novel, “Glimmerglass,” was one of the a dozen featured books by a dozen local authors at The Fenimore Art Museum’s Holiday Book Signing on Friday, Nov. 28.

The event was packed, with The Beekman Boys, Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, selling out their latest, “Beekman 1802: Heirloom Vegetables” in the first 15 minutes.

“Our take on the sweet potato casserole is going to be the most used this holiday season,” said Kilmer-Purcell. “We use coconut milk, lime, a little chili powder for kick and toasted coconut on top.”

Also signing were photographer Richard Duncan, village trustee and CGP professor Cindy Falk, Jim Atwell, “Big Chuck” D’Imperio, Anna Membrino and Santa Claus.

“We were trying to come up with a “shop local” event for Black Friday,” said Sue deBruijn, visitor services and retail manager for museum. “I started thinking about having an author here, but then I couldn’t decide which one to invite – so why not invite them all?”

Thirteen authors were invited in total, but Bob and Trish Kane, authors of “New York State’s Covered Bridges,” were unable to make it from Syracuse due to the lake-effect storm there.

“I made it just in time,” said Youmans. “I was in White River Junction, and the roads were bad!”
But those who did make it were treated to a chance to meet and get books signed from their favorite authors – for themselves and to give.

“I’ve got two young granddaughters and lots of friends with young children, and this book is a good inspiration,” said Betty Vogelaar, who was up from New Jersey visiting friends for the holidays and purchasing two copies of Membrino’s “I Want to Be a Ballerina.”

“And these are for me!” said Christine LaBurre, Cooperstown, who purchased Falk’s “Barns of Cooperstown” and Atwell’s “From Fly Creek.” “I love that these authors are my hometown people, people I see and talk too.”

Over 80 books total were sold during the four-hour event. “We want to promote what talented local people we have in this region,” said deBruin.