Read All About It
Butler residents continue to write books on an amazing variety of topics. Consider the publications below.
'An Improbable Life'
Author Michael Peuler describes his father-in-law Howard Dillaman as a “great, Godly man,” so when Dillaman died a few years ago, Peuler “couldn't let his life go away.”
Dillaman of Butler lost his mother at a young age, suffered through the Depression, and returned from service in Europe in World War II to factory work.
“The noise of the factory literally drove him crazy,” Peuler said, “and he walked out.”
Dillaman was treated at the Butler VA, which for mental illness meant confinement.
“Out of boredom, he started reading the Gideon Bible one day,” Peuler said.
“Papa,” as he affectionately came to be called, came across John 3:3, wherein Jesus says unless you are born again, you'll never enter heaven, Peuler said.
Dillaman asked God to relieve him of his confinement and said he would commit his life to him.
From there on out, whether mall walking or eating at a restaurant, Dillaman would ask fellow walkers or wait staff if they had read his book, a self-published, 2-inch by 2-inch “Life's Greatest Concern,” and if they hadn't, he'd pass over a copy to them.
Peuler now goes out and talks to youth groups, church groups, veterans groups, and many more. “We all have hard challenges in our lives, and we think we have it so bad, but we really don't know,” Peuler said.
Peuler, a Cranberry Township resident, had never written a book before, and probably never will again, he said, but he wrote “An Improbable Life: The Inspiring Story of Howard C. Dillaman” for his wife, Victoria, Dillaman's second of three children.
The 175-page softcover book is available for $14 from digital sources, from Urban Press in Pittsburgh, and from the author at his e-mail address: uofm@zoominternet.net.
'Childhood Rhymes'Stacey Hogue, a Grove City artist, is the author of two new children's books: “Childhood Rhymes” and “Feather: A Story of Hope,” released by Pine Tree Publishing.In “Childhood Rhymes,” Hogue uses her whimsical illustrations to bring to life little known but long-loved nursery rhymes from Europe and North America. The book includes not only the English translation, but also the story in the original language or dialect.In “Feather: A Story of Hope,” Hogue uses her paintings to allow readers to draw on their own stories to make meaning. The book is intended for children who have experienced illness, grief, loss or abuse.For more information, visit StaceyHogueStudio.com.'Alone in the Atlantic'Teenager Maggie Hroncich of Cranberry Township has written “Alone in the Atlantic,” part of the Bad Luck Book series.The story deals with Rebecca, James, Michael and Clare who have been shipwrecked on an island somewhere in the Atlantic. The characters try to build a hut, a raft, and a fireplace for cooking, so they can survive and find their parents.The 92-page first outing was released through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. The book is available from digital and online sources.
'Religion in the Oval Office'Grove City College professor Gary Scott Smith, chairman of the Department of history, has written “Religion in the Oval Office: The Religious Lives of American Presidents.”Smith's follow-up to his well-received “Faith and the Presidency from George Washington to George W. Bush” explores how religion has shaped history by affecting the lives, politics and policies of 11 presidents from John Adams to Barack Obama.The book, published by Oxford University Press, is available online or through the publisher.'When Dreams Touch'The novel “When Dreams Touch” was recently published by Rosemary Edwards, writing as Rosemary Hanrahan, who is a physician on staff at Butler Memorial Hospital.The story is based on some of her experiences living and volunteering in Haiti and spans four decades including the time of a major earthquake.More information is available at rosemaryhanrahanedwards.com.'Works of Lee Hoiby'Slippery Rock University associate professor of music Colleen Gray has sung the works of American composer Lee Hoiby at venues around the world. Now she's written a resource book that includes a complete catalog of all of his known songs.“The Life and Vocal Works of Lee Hoiby, American Composer and Classical Pianist (1926-2011): Including a Complete Catalog of his Songs” was published earlier this year by Edwin Mellen Press in Lewiston, N.Y.The tome is available from digital sources or by visiting sru.edu.'Christmas Dramas for Today's Kids'Butler resident Tim Ayers recently released his newest book, his 21st, called “Five Little Christmas Dramas for Today's Kids” through CSS Publishing, available online.His 22nd book, “Cruel Messenger,” a crime thriller set in Pittsburgh will be released by Castle Gate Press this summer.The author has two new children's series being looked at by publishers. And he his first novel, “Messiah Clone,” is finished but without a publisher, though a free copy is available at Smashwords.com.'Timmy the Lonely Ghost'Lyndora author C.R. Wheeler Sr. has announced the nationwide release of his new book, “Timmy the Lonely Ghost,” in which he shares a tale of friendship, family and love.Timmy is a child ghost met by one night by two curious children, Jacky and Becky, who are exploring an old mansion. With the help of their parents, Jacky and Becky begin the search for Timmy's parents and the reason why he is unable to leave the house.Published by Tate Publishing, the book is available through bookstores, from the publisher at tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or from online sources.
