firstlink

FirstLink held its Glitter Gala event at the Delta by Marriot on Friday, September 1. The event was a huge success as over 200 people attended and donated over $7,000. This money will help FirstLink continue answering phones 24 hours a day, giving help and hope to those who need it. There were many wonderful action items, three themed raffle packages, and a heads-and-tails game.

FirstLink shared their suicide survivor videos with the group. Five brave women shared their very painful stories about losing their loved ones to suicide. They reminded us all that we need to stop the stigma and speak up about suicide.

Another video was played about a young woman who struggled with suicidal thoughts and depression, and called FirstLink. Together a safety plan was made. She is so thankful she called and was given resources and hope.

Then there was the men’s “Glitter Beard Contest.” Amanda Lea from BIG 98.7 was the emcee for the evening and she did a great job of interviewing the men who “shined.” There were glitter beards, glitter eyebrows, glitter chests (yes, you read that right) and even flowers in beards.

It was a fun and educational night to help support a very worthwhile cause. The next Glitter Gala will take place in August 2018.

FirstLink is a 24/7 nonprofit organization that specializes in suicide support services, volunteerism, and linking people to thousands of community resources. Programs include the helpline 2-1-1 or 235-SEEK, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK, Suicide Education Outreach, the Follow-up Call Program, Community Training, and Giving Tree of Hope.

TO DONATE and MAKE A DIFFERENCE, give them a call at 701-235-7335 or visit myfirstlink.org for more information. [ aw ]

Area Woman’s resident Bookista, Megan Elgin, serves you up with books worthy of spending your entire afternoon with. Search for Megan on Goodreads or @meganann on Litsy and find out what she’s reading now.

Like many people in the area, I love when the fall weather turns crisp and the leaves change to vibrant hues. I also enjoy changing the books I read with the season. Some stories connect better with us when they fit with what is going on in our lives, including the time of year. Autumn is a time of change and looking inward as the plants and trees prepare themselves for the long winter ahead. So I follow suit and turn toward books that let me experience different views and cultures. Those that speak of the past, difficult times in history, or places I know very little about will usually end up in my fall reading list.

To those of you who might be too frightened to read horror — myself included — or have no interest in perusing the fantasy aisle for witches, werewolves and vampires (sparkling, bloody or otherwise), here are some options to get you in the Halloween spirit. In fact, if you either refuse to read or can't get enough of the aforementioned genres, I urge you to read these because they may surprise you.

the NOCTURNE FALLS series

by Kristen Painter

"Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town where Halloween is celebrated 365 days a year. The tourists think it's all a show ... but the supernaturals populating the town know better. Living in Nocturne Falls means being yourself. Fangs, fur and all."

I stumbled across this series when I was looking for a light, fun read in between heavier subjects. I picked up book one and was hooked from the first page! These are sweet, funny romances but with a unique Halloween twist that makes them perfect reads for October. Especially for those who may not normally enjoy reading fantasy and paranormal type stories. By the end, I had laughed, cried and closed the cover feeling cheerful and content.

A DISCOVERY of WITCHES

by Deborah Harkness

Diana Bishop is a young scholar researching alchemy at Oxford's Bodleian Library. She is also a descendant from a long line of powerful witches, but has chosen to eradicate magic from her life. When she stumbles across a bewitched alchemical manuscript thought to have been lost for centuries, other creatures take notice. What follows is a richly told story ripe with detail, history, romance and mystery.

Book one of the All Souls Trilogy, this series has been out for a few years and may even already be on your bookshelf. It is well worth reading again, but for those of you who haven't read it yet, this is one of my favorite series of all time and perfect for the season. Fans of "Outlander" and readers of historical fiction will love "A Discovery of Witches." When you finish this book, make sure you have books two and three on hand because you won't want to stop reading.

Once Upon A River

by Bonnie Jo Campbell

After the death of her father, sixteen-year-old Margo Crane begins a journey on the Stark River in the boat inherited from her grandfather. She finds that the river is a dangerous place for a young women to travel along and she must be strong to survive. Armed with a rifle and her knowledge of nature gained while growing up on the river, Margo's story is both a heartbreaking and beautiful journey I could not put down. It will be especially poignant during this time of the year as the river flows around us and hunting season is in full swing.

The LOST HISTORY of STARS

by Dave Boling

This book is an eye-opening look into how people are treated in times of war across history, and one I think everyone should read. Set during the Boer War in South Africa at the turn of the century, Lettie and her family are Dutch Afrikaner settlers who have been taken from their farm by British soldiers. The concentration camp they are placed in during the Boer War is a place full of disease, filth and starvation. Lettie survives these harsh circumstances through her own strength of character, intelligence and determination. I loved her voice, cried along with her, and felt every heartbreak and triumph.

HOTEL on the CORNER of BITTER and SWEET

by Jamie Ford

After being boarded up for decades, the new owner of the Panama Hotel discovers the belongings numerous Japanese families left behind when they were rounded up during World War II and sent to internment camps. This discovery takes Henry Lee back to the 1940s. We follow Henry back forth across decades from the events of his youth, his frustration with his Chinese nationalist father, a budding friendship with Keiko, and his search for her family's belongings in the dusty old hotel.

A story of commitment, forgiveness and hope, “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” is about so much more than it appears to be. Author Jamie Ford will be in the FM area on October 24 as part of this year's One Book, One Community reading project. Visit 1book1community.org for more details on the event.

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK, ALSO READ: "The Japanese Lover" by Isabel Allende "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee