Off the Shelf: Pawpaw’s Memories : The Tannery

Books

This is Yadkin Valley’s Heritage issue and this article is a perfect fit. Our history is so very important—especially to share with our younger family members—we have survived and we need to keep our history alive and in their minds so they never forget the precious price it has cost us.

As told to Barbara Norman by Carmen Craft Long

Edwin Craft has been an involved member of the Lewisville community for the majority of his life. As a member of the Craft Brother Quartet, Air Force veteran, father, grandfather, as well as a great-grandfather, he has many stories to tell regarding his experiences throughout his life.

He wrote a book, Pawpaw’s Memoirs with granddaughter, Lyla Myers compiling and editing. The project was initiated by a passing remark from his grandson, Bailey, mentioning he should write down all of his experiences so the family could be proud and always remember them. What started out as compilation of memoirs to pass down to his family has grown to be embraced by not only his entire family but the community in kind. Edwin dedicated his book to La, his wife.” She kept me straight on spelling and how to word sentences as I wrote."

Mark your calendars, book lovers and fans of historical fiction, for the free community events at the Alleghany Public Library featuring Michael A. Almond and his debut novel, “The Tannery,” this year’s Blue Ridge Read. In this legal thriller set in 1900 in Wilkes County, Virgil Wade, a mixed race boy, is accused of killing the beautiful young daughter of tannery owner Jakob Schumann. Wilkes prosecutor Vincent Taliaferro is convinced of Virgil’s guilt and considers this an open and shut case. Local lawyer Ben Waterman uncovers evidence that points the case in an entirely different direction. Will Ben be able to convince the all-white, all-male jury of Virgil’s innocence?

In “The Tannery” Almond uses prose as a canvas to vividly portray the days of the Jim Crow South, where black voter suppression, intimidation, and the violence of vigilante “justice” not only exist, but persist. Prepare yourselves for the dramatic and shocking conclusion.

On Friday, August 19th, at 7 p.m., meet Michael Almond personally and attend his book talk, discussing this year’s selection. This will be followed by Tales from the Tannery on August 20th at 1:00. Both of these events will take place at the Alleghany Public Library. All events are free.

Books are available for purchase at Pages in Mt. Airy and other independent booksellers, as well as online. In addition, copies of “The Tannery” can be checked out at your local library.

Born and raised in Pilot Mountain, Michael A. Almond is a retired international business attorney. Almond is an avid reader and student of Southern history and literature. “The Tannery” is his first book. He and his wife Helen Ruth live on their farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains. For more information, visit the author’s website www.michaelalmondbooks.com.

THE TANNERY

Author: Michael A. Almond

The 2022 BLUE RIDGE READ!

Review By: Cindy Martin