The last two weeks of April, I had my first two book events to introduce Searching for Barton Carter to the public. The first event was a thirty-minute presentation and book signing at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord, NH, my hometown. Many of my friends and family were in attendance along with a sprinkling of other community members. I had an audience of well over sixty and my book sales were notable! Since a few had read the book, while the…..
I had my first presentation and book signing last Friday. My nine-year-old granddaughter was seated in the front row during my presentation. I noticed that she was very attentive. Her eyes followed me as I walked slowly back and forth in front of the podium. When I finished, she ran toward me, threw her arms around me, and exclaimed, “Nana, I loved your story. I am so proud of you!” It took me eight years to write this book and…..
My uncle, Barton Carter, saved thousands of children’s lives during the Spanish Civil War and created a blueprint for Plan International, a vibrant organization that currently extends into more than fifty countries. Astoundingly, he did all this by the time he was twenty-three-years-old. I am in awe of his accomplishments. I have lived almost seven decades and my achievements are notably minimized compared to those of my uncle. As I continue to follow in my uncle’s footsteps, I am…..
I have always been mesmerized by stories. I have chosen my vocation and avocations by my thirst to know and understand peoples’ stories. All human beings have a life story that takes place within the backdrop of their social, cultural, vocational, and emotional world. Some life tales are fraught with obstacles, unimaginable tragedies; yet there are still hints of joy that remain. In fact, from time to time, someone who has been relentlessly tortured can miraculously rise from the ashes……
Many people view life through black and white lenses. Their scientific predispositions compel them to discern theories as right or wrong, good or bad, tangible or intangible, or real or bogus. These folks often believe that our current lifetime is the only one we have, as there is no actual proof that life exists after death. They rarely think about the possibility of other dimensions awaiting the evolution of our souls. At the age of twenty-eight, I had a remarkable…..
After spending months reading and organizing my uncle Barton’s memorabilia, interviewing family members and friends, visiting his former homes and schools, and reading a copious number of articles, books, and archival material on the Spanish Civil War, I believed that I was prepared to write a book. Although I thought I was truly immersed in the aforementioned material, I now realize that had I not decided to go to Spain, my book would have lacked the necessary passion and depth…..
Barton Carter had numerous gifts, with which most of us would be thrilled. He was handsome, intelligent, charismatic, socially astute, creative, and humorous. From the time he was born, everyone somehow knew he was special. Regardless of their gender, age, social standing, race, or nationality, people flocked around him like bees to their queen. Barton treated each individual with respect and dignity. His father, Winthrop, a wealthy industrialist who spearheaded the successful family company, realized immediately that his son,…..
Mysterious events compelled me to tell my uncle’s story. Although the tale of Barton’s life has always fascinated me and, on rare occasion, I could somehow feel his presence throughout my life, I did nothing about it. During my adolescence, I spent a summer in Spain where I traveled in proximity to where my uncle lived and surprisingly never thought of him. Then one night following my retirement from my full time employment, I had a vivid dream. I was…..
As I parked my car in front of the expansive and beautifully maintained assisted living facility in East Thetford, Vermont, I was filled with anticipation. I was about to meet Farnsworth (Farnie) Fowle for the very first time. I had first contacted Farnie by phone in the fall of 2007 while he was living in New York City. Although I attempted to add almost seventy years time to his actual appearance, I continued to visualize him as the young handsome…..
