Starch in Their Petticoats: Stories of Strong Women Who Settled the West with storyteller Dolores Hydock and the music of Bobby Horton

Make your plans NOW to attend!

Friday and Saturday, May 14 and 15, 6:30 - 9 p.m.
Homewood Public Library Auditorium
1721 Oxmoor Road
Homewood, AL
Phone 332-6624 for more info

$20 ticket includes hors d'oeuvres buffet and program
See reservation details below!

They were tough, resourceful, and ready for anything! Storyteller Dolores Hydock brings to life stories of women of guts and gusto who settled the American West. They were pioneers, homesteaders, pistol-packin' card sharks, entertainers, and "upstairs girls," but they all played a part in putting the shine in the Golden West of the 1800s. Award-winning musician Bobby Horton adds a musical heartbeat with songs and tunes of the times.

The program is at the Homewood Public Library Auditorium, 1721 Oxmoor Road in Homewood, AL. Tickets are $20, and include an hors d'oeuvres buffet starting at 6:30 p.m. and the program from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Advance ticket reservations are required, and can be made from April 5th through May 10th by calling the library at 332-6625.

Dolores Hydock is an actress and storyteller, whose work has been featured at concerts, festivals, and special events throughout the United States. For information about her work, visit www.storypower.org.

Bobby Horton is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and music historian. He has performed with Three On A String throughout the United States and Canada for more than 35 years. He has also produced and performed music scores for ten PBS films by Ken Burns including “The Civil War," and “Baseball.” His series of recordings of authentic period music has been acclaimed by historical organizations and publications throughout the United States and Europe. For information about his work, visit www.bobbyhorton.com.

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Tallulah Hart was left with her grandmother by her mother when she was four years old. The next time her mother came by was six years later. Then she took Tallulah and left her in a crowd of strangers. When the grandmother died Tully had to live with her mother which wasn't a loving or supportive family situation. She didn't know who her father was or where and her mother, Dorothy, was a pothead who preferred being called Cloud.
On this street called Firefly Lane lived Kate Mularkey with her parents and eight year old brother. Kate's family was loving but she was in eighth grade and feeling alone. Then she met the new girl on the block who wanted to be called Tully. They needed each other and this was the beginning of a friendship that would last more than thirty years. Two girls from very different family beginnings promised each other to be there for the other through everything. Early on they rode bicycles together and watched the stars and listened to crickets and the popular music of the day.
Tully introduced Kate to makeup, parties and sneaking out of the house and getting arrested by the police. Kate introduced Tully to parents who cared and gave guidance and love.
Tully realized her dream was to be a news anchor and she wanted Kate to do the same. The 'Firefly Lane Girls' began their journeys. Tully was tireless working long hours and sometimes working as a volunteer when she began her broadcasting career. Being in the spotlight and on camera really made her happy.
Kate worked in broadcasting, too, writing and producing. But it just did not give her the same fulfilling feeling that Tully experienced. She wanted to fall in love and have a family of her own. So even though the 'Firefly Lane Girls' took different paths to happiness they remained 'friends forever,' in happy and sad times.

Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber

Anne Marie had invited several women to meet at her bookstore after hours on Valentine's day for a special celebration. These women were all widows and felt left out of the usual activities of the day. Their celebration was for life and friendship. During their sharing several suggestions were made including volunteer work, helping someone else and making a list of wishes. A discussion of the list better developed the idea. Twenty seemed like a good number and the items should be wishes or dreams, not goals or things to accomplish as on a 'honey do list.' The idea caught on and as time went by each woman who made a list seemed to be renewed or energized. Anne Marie decided to try volunteering at a grade school relating to one little girl. Just this act was life changing for both Anne Marie and her new friend. Lillie and Barbie both lost their husbands in the same plane crash and they were now interested in new love. People who were not in the 'widow group' were intrigued with the list and began their own. Such a simple act as making a list can have amazing results with ripple effects. The group members met frequently to share what was happening in their lives and how the lists helped them. I enjoyed reading this story with unexpected twists and turns and think a list may be a good thing.