Local Authors Gather for
Meet-and-Greet at the Stratton Municipal Building
November 9, 2024 - Stratton, Ohio
This Saturday, the Jefferson County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society hosted an inspiring Meet-and-Greet event at the John M. Abdalla Municipal Building, where local authors from the Ohio Valley displayed their work and connected with the community. The event, dedicated to celebrating regional voices, brought together readers and authors alike to explore stories deeply rooted in local history.
The event’s organizer, Flora VerStraten-Merrin, President of the Jefferson County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, explained the motivation behind the gathering. “We have a lot of local authors here that are very talented,” VerStraten-Merrin shared. “They're non-fiction authors, so that means they're talking about real-life stories and experiences in their life, in the history of the area that we live in. So we decided to gather them all together in one location and ask them to share their stories and share their books.”
The lineup of 11 authors showcased a range of works, each capturing the heritage and heart of the Ohio Valley. VerStraten-Merrin emphasized how valuable these stories are to local residents, helping the community reconnect with its roots. “It helps us appreciate the area that we've grown up in, the area that we're growing up in—some of the changes, some of the differences. It teaches us history. So history is important to us as the Genealogical Society,” she explained.
Local author Joan McGlone echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of sharing local stories with a new audience. “You're telling stories about the past and that's important because people need to know about those stories. You know, people say history repeats itself, so it's important to tell the history of what happened,” McGlone said. Her words captured the shared passion among the authors, each of whom brought their unique perspective on the Ohio Valley’s storied past.
Attendees strolled through tables lined with books, each one a window into a different facet of the Ohio Valley experience. From personal memoirs to explorations of regional historical events, the books on display spoke to the richness of local history.
This meet-and-greet marks the first of its kind, but VerStraten-Merrin and her team are already looking forward to future events. Organizers hope to expand the gathering, offering even more Ohio Valley authors a platform to share their work and deepen the community’s connection to its past.
By Jaime Ely, WTOV9 - Connecting with our roots: Jefferson County highlights local authors and stories
