Appalachian author shares Cole family tale

Havanna Hagans

BEREA — Hazel Cole Kendle, co-author of the children’s story “Cole Family Christmas,” was warmly welcomed last week at the Artisan Center gallery with an Appalachian meal of salad, squash bisque, brownies and an audience ready to hear her story.

Passed down from generation to generation and to Hazel through her sister Ruble, this selection captures the essence of a large south eastern Kentucky family where even the children look out for one another and, at times, something as simple as silence can be taken for granted.

“I thought it was fascinating when my sister told me the story,” Hazel said. “I thought it was so beautiful. It’s about how we made do with money — and we were happy. You learn something even from that.”

Set in Benham in Harlan County, “Cole Family Christmas” zeros in on an unforgettable Christmas in 1920.

It embodies the life of a coal family, while creatively serving as an educational tool for lessons learned through honesty, forgiveness and the simple things in life, such as spending supper as a family where everyone gathers around the table to share the same meal, something today that is difficult to come by.

“I think the most important part left out today is dinner with the whole family. I think it needs to come back to that,” Hazel said. “But now, there are so many activities, it’s hard, but I think you should make an effort. If you can’t do it every night, at least one.”

Tending to gardens, sewing, folding laundry, doing chores and warming up as the cold temperatures and fond memories during the holidays bring families closer together also are all part of the book.

So are the truths about dangerous coal mines that injure workers, but also serve as a key element for providing the “chicken and corn bread, home-canned vegetables from the family’s garden, and potatoes” that warmed the children’s “rumbling tummies” and kept the Cole Family afloat.

More than 20 members of the Cole family had their share in helping this book about the “family’s most beloved and memorable holidays” come to life.

Although that particular Christmas sparked worries in the Cole family and was turned upside down, it was family traditions and lessons about material things, morals and values and love that made the day magical.

Creating games and reading has always been important in her family, Hazel said. However, today with so many toys and other distractions children miss out on some of the finer things.

“I think now, everything is entirely too much,” Hazel said. “It’s limited the creative parts of kids. Everybody is so busy they don’t have time to read, but you should make time.”

Creativity also is important for adults.

The illustrator of “Cole Family Christmas,” Jenniffer Julich, dove into her creative side, developing all the stories characters compiled from pictures and descriptions of their personalities. Down to the children’s shadows on the bedspreads and the rosy cheeks in family portraits, she encompassed the livelihood of the people and the town.

“She went to Benham and she’s from Canada,” Hazel said. “And I think that made her a much better illustrator by being able to go down there.”

After reading two chapters of her book, Hazel stepped aside to let the audience meet Hilda the goat on a computer-generated screen, who performed tricks for the audience and talked about his relationship to the family.

The book is perfect for children who love to read and encouraging for those who don’t.

Through ReadAloud.org, Hilda, the goat from the book, helps promote the story and communicates live with audiences, even answering questions on the spot. Hilda is a definite hit with the children and a tummy tickler for the adults that accompany them.

“It reminds them of how important it is to read aloud,” said Bob Robbins, creative director of Next Chapter Press.

“My mother read to us every night,” Hazel said. “She was determined we could all learn to read.”

Hazel’s granddaughter-in-law, Jennifer Liu Bryan, who helped author “Cole Family Christmas” said it “has been such a rewarding experience.

“I hope other families can share their cherished tales in this way, too,” Bryan said.

Just like the Cole family, every family has a story to tell and, Hazel said, starting to take notes or keep a journal could be a good way to start.

“We only planned to do a little pamphlet to hand out at our family reunion,” Hazel said. “But, it sort of grew. It just got bigger.”

Hazel’s sister Maude went to Berea College and a portion of the book proceeds will go toward the Berea College Appalachian Fund, which supports organizations working to improve the health, education and general welfare of people living in the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding areas.

Fans stuck around to purchase their own copy of “Cole Family Christmas” and spend a little time chattering with Hazel and hanging out with Hilda the goat on the laptop computer screen.

To meet Hilda or learn more about “Cole Family Christmas,” go online to ReadAloud.org.

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