Tom Nelson

In January of 2010, the Lehigh Acres Citizen predicated in a lead article that if Faith Lutheran Church’s first Book Fair was a success it could become an annual affair. From all accounts that first fair, then a follow up fair in early 2011, did prove to be so successful and popular that a third event is now planned, said Tom Nelson, who is helping to put together the upcoming book fair

Faith Lutheran at 705 E Leeland Heights Blvd will sponsor this popular event on the weekend of November 4, 5 and 6 in connection with the year-long celebration of the church’s 50th anniversary founding in Lehigh Acres. This year’s event is also in remembrance of Book Fair founder Henry Handel who passed away this past spring. Hank’s inspiration helped create the first fair.

The dates of this book fair together with a craft and treasure sale are Friday, Nov. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 6 after church services from 11 a.m. to 1:30 pm.

In addition to book selections, crafts will be offered along with special “collectibles” in a mini flea market in the church’s Sweatlock Hall.

The Book Fair will offer a huge selection of previously read, slightly used, and loved books ranging from fiction, non fiction, religious, cook books, children’s books, poetry, historical, craft and more. Hard cover books will sell for $1, paperbacks for 50 cents. Small children’s books are three for a dollar.

Proceeds from this sale will be used in Faith Lutheran’s many community outreach programs such as the Friday Bread Ministry, food drives, Alcohol Anonymous meeting groups, Boy and Girl Scout programs and the like. Contact Lisa Peters at Faith 239 369 6177 for further information regarding the event.

Once again, a talented group of local authors from the Gulf Coast Writers Association will be in attendance to share their passions for reading and writing; as well as talk about their published books, offering them for sale with the author’s personal autographs. There are currently more than 150 members from southwest Florida in this organization enjoying GCWA membership. Tom Nelson, president of the association, encourages all interested in reading, as well as writing, to come out and “rub elbows” with the local authors.

“We have an ecstatic membership here in southwest Florida, an organization for writers of poetry, scripting, fiction, non-fiction, children’s books…venues of all kind,” Nelson said. He reminds customers that these authors’ books make excellent gifts for the coming holidays.

Note that the authors will only be at Faith Church during the November 5 Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Outstanding Local authors scheduled for Saturday the 5 include:

Jan Nieman. Author of Going to the Dogs; Confessions of a Mobile Pet Groomer, she writes the tell-all tale of a mobile pet groomer’s wild ride as she shares her hilarious and poignant adventures with frisky cats and feisty dogs that nothing to do with her. Think James Herriot meets Irma Bombeck.

Laura Allen Nonemaker. Her publication of Benny’s Angel is the realization of a dream. This first book in the God’s Secret Garden Adventure Series is a colorful story book using delightful animal characters to convey to little hearts the importance of prayer and the value of trusting God. She is also known for her artwork and original pencil and charcoal drawings, winning various awards. Laura is now involved in Artful Missions and frequently involved herself on many Christian missions to far off places.

Pat Janda. A 25-year resident of Fort Myers, Janda has written numerous articles for the Fort Myers and SW Florida magazine and has authored two books: Memories … Photographs Taken by the Heart in 2007; and Reflections in 2011. Her books depict incidents that have made a profound impression on her life; and they will surely touch your heart.

Patty Duncan. She grew up in the foothills of the Tennessee Smokey Mountains and since her retirement has turned to her secret passion of writing. Ellen’s Eye, her second novel deals with the issue of bullying and its effects on families.

Ken Feeley. He has published three books under the pen name of Peter Alden Yule. His trilogy series, Sparrow in the Dark, Sparrow in Flight, and Sparrow are stories of personal achievement of glory, love and life told against the backdrop of the American Civil War.

Barbara Burnett. After an active life of family rearing, she turned to finishing the book she had worked on for years. B lle and the Pastor deals with a pastor in a small Connecticut town accused of abuse of a troubled teenager…the pastor’s life as he knows it is over.

Tom Nelson. He writes a weekly column for a Wisconsin newspaper about the character and characters of small town life in the 1940s and 1950s. He has published three books of these stories titled: That’s My Story, And I’m Sticking to It. Change the names and places and these stories could be yours.

Pamela M. Torres and Brenda Keyes Granfield. These sisters have co-authored Packing Your Spiritual Suitcase. Previously Granfield published five books including The Adventures of Tommy Bear; a children’s series. Pamela also published two books and has written many articles. The sister’s goal is to serve the Lord though their writing.