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.
Local News
Appalachian author shares Cole family tale
- Local News
-
-
Friday at library : Lecturer to portray founder of Berea
John G. Fee, abolitionist and founder of both Berea and Berea College, will be portrayed Friday night by performer Obadiah Ewing-Roush as part of Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua performance series at the Madison County Public Library. There is no charge to attend the 7 p.m. event.
As the son of a slave-holding father, Fee witnessed firsthand the benefits of having slaves and the profits that could be made from their labor. When he graduated from college and enrolled in Lane Theological Seminary, he began to understand the inherent wrong and destructiveness of slavery. -
Berea woman dies Tuesday in Laurel County crash
A Berea woman, Tommie Johnson, 60, died Tuesday evening in a Laurel County crash, according to the the Laurel Sheriff’s Office.
The accident took place about 7 p.m. at the junction of Maple Grove Road and KY 363 south of London, as Johnson was attempting to turn onto the state highway.
Laurel County Chief Deputy Eddy Sizemore said Johnson’s Chevrolet Cavalier pulled out in front of a Dodge Durango driven by Charles Joseph, 19, that was traveling south on KY 363.
After being extricated from her vehicle, Johnson was transported to St. Joseph-London hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Joseph also was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries, according to the accident report. -
Finally February
Ian Rosser, an Eastern Kentucky University student from Lexington, clears snow from his car parked on campus Wednesday
morning after about an inch of snow fell in Richmond. Temperatures are forcast to be in the upper 40s today. Kentucky has seen a lot of rain in the past few months, as was predicted by the Farmer's Almanac, but very little snow has fallen. -
Volunteers needed for equine therapy
The Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center will be hosting two, one-day volunteer training workshops for those interested in helping others with special needs.
The volunteer orientation days will be Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but only one day of training is required, according to Mark Martin who co-owns Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center (AFTEC) with his wife Cheryl.
The all-volunteer organization, which is based in Jackson County, uses horses to help humans deal with physical and emotional challenges. -
Man accused of holding samurai sword to girlfriend’s throat
A Madison grand jury will hear the case of a man accused of threatening to cut his girlfriend’s head off, and attacking her father with a samurai sword.
Russell M. Masters, 42, of Richmond, is charged with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, which is a Class D felony, and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence with minor injury) and resisting arrest, which both are Class A misdemeanors. Masters could receive one to five years in prison on each wanton endangerment charge, and the misdemeanors both carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail. -
Arrest made in connection with stolen jewelry, computer
Richmond police have made an arrest in connection with property stolen from two homes last fall.
A woman reported to police Monday that she had discovered several items that were missing from her home on South Killarney Drive and her grandmother’s home on Raintree Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock. The items were a set of gold hoop earrings, a white Sony Vaio laptop, a yellow gold heart pendant, a gold tennis bracelet and a ladies’ wedding band with a diamond setting.
The complainant said the belongings had gone missing sometime between August and October. -
US 25 business owners scared of five-lane plan
Voices of Berea business owners upset about upcoming construction on US 25 will be taken to the state level, according to city administrator Randy Stone.
Several people operating businesses along a section of US 25 gave comments Tuesday to the Berea City Council, asking them reconsider plans to widen the road to five lanes.
The design is a five-lane highway with a center turn lane and a 10-foot shared use path on one side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the other side. -
Grand jury to hear copper theft case
The attorney for a man accused of stealing copper from a handful of electric poles questioned his identification as the same person who took copper from 32 poles two days earlier.
Public defender Meena Mohanty questioned Richmond police officer Nicholas Duvall during a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Madison District Court. Her client, Jeffrey W. Nester, 46, of Fourth Street, was arrested in connection with a Jan. 23 copper theft. He is charged with second-degree criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking, possession of burglary tools and failure to notify address change to the Department of Transportation. These charges are all misdemeanors that, at most, carry a sentence of one year in prison. -
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
-
Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
