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This week I had the pleasure of meeting another children's author. Kathy Gladden spent three days in North Augusta researching her next book about Mandy the Manatee who has somehow become trapped in the Savannah River with her calf and a hurricane is looming. Ms. Gladden was trying to work out the logistics of just how Mandy got in the Savannah River in the first place and what trials and tribulations she and baby were going to face in the eye of the storm. Ms. Gladden plans to return to our area this summer for more research but while she was here she also visited with a local author to read his manuscript for possible publishing. She and her partner, Pam Bohne, write, while she and Johnnie Peevey specialize in publishing children's books.
Ms. Gladden was born and raised in Norman, Oklahoma however, she has resided in Gatesville, Texas for the past 18 years. Gatesville, population approximately 30,000, is just outside Killeen, the home of the very large Army Base, Ft. Hood. Besides writing and publishing, Ms. Gladden is also a teacher. For years she taught English, now she teaches cognitive restructuring. Young girls who are involved in criminal activities are sent to her by a judge for a two year course on restructuring their mindset. If they are successful, their records are expunged; if not, they serve the full sentence. This is akin to our First Offender Act.
Ms. Gladden's partner, Pam, also resides in Texas and has the distinction, whether good or bad, of owning the ranch that abuts President Bush's ranch. She told a humorous story about one of Pam's cows that was in the process of giving birth but was in great distress. Pam tried to help her but soon realized she needed help herself and could find no one to assist. Meanwhile the Secret Service detail on their rounds to protect the perimeter of the Bush ranch, happened by. Now picture this; two Secret Service agents in suits on their hands and knees with arms up to the elbows, helping Pam deliver the calf. Who knew they could be so versatile? After that experience the Secret Service agents help Pam get her cows in at night and have established a real friendship with her.
Kathy also told me that she would be very interested in visiting one of our schools, with books, on one of her next visits. If this takes place let me assure you everyone will love her!
Another interesting character this week was Paul Dale from Concord, North Carolina. At 19 he joined the Navy, this was in 1965. He was "itching" to go to Viet Nam, in fact he said boys at that age are chomping at the bit to get in the mix that is how so many are recruited during times of war. Paul was a photo journalist at that early age and somehow managed to swing orders from the Commander of the Pacific Fleet to travel to Saigon and territories in civilian clothes. His first trip over was on a plane carrying nothing but officers and civilians; he sort of made himself blend in. He spent the first six months in Saigon living in a hotel. Paul wanted to fly a mission in the single engine planes that led the bombers to targets even though the mortality rate was very high; his superiors denied that request. He then asked to fly jet runs but was also denied that opportunity. Angel on his shoulders no doubt. Today he is retired. He and his wife June visited our area because they are very interested in Civil War history and his family is originally from Georgia.