The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to present a panel of local authors who will give a presentation on their books.

Susan Brunell author of  The Dragonfly Spirit: A Mother's Journey of Learning About Death, Life, and the Road Back to Peace.

 
After her twenty-year-old daughter dies in an automobile accident the author finds herself on a journey of grief that, until then, she could not even imagine. As she travels down this path, that has been determined for her, she learns about death and its effect on her life and the lives of others she loves. This is a story about learning to grow and cope despite great loss. It's also about opening the heart and mind to possibilities for healing and growth. Tools to understand the process and deal with the tragedy of loss are offered for the grieving and their loved ones. This is not a story about death. It's about trying to understand death, and how it affects our lives. It's about a journey that no parent chooses to take. It's about learning to live life to its fullest while searching for Peace.

Susan Brunell was born in Burbank, California. After moving to New England when she was a very young child she spent the remainder of her childhood in a small town in Massachusetts with her parents, her brother, and her sister. Susan currently lives in Connecticut with her husband, Stephen. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her daughter and grandson, along with her stepsons and granddaughter. Susan has worked in the health care field in various capacities. She has spent most of her career working to help senior citizens and their families. She has a Bachelors degree in Social Services from Eastern Connecticut State University. She has co-facilitated a support group for Alzheimers caregivers, and she currently facilitates a parents grief support group.

Tracey Ryan  
My writing roots: I have been a devoted reader of mysteries almost my entire adult life and an avid writer.  The Wicked Game of the Hunter romantic mystery series includes many of the aspects I've learned from many years of reading. The third volume of the series titled:  Wicked Storm of the Hunter is now available.
My style: I try to look at events, people and places in everyday life to see how they can be weaved into a story. Adding details brings these things to life on a page for readers and helps them be drawn into the mystery.

Tracey was born in central Massachusetts and currently resides there with her husband. She holds an undergraduate marketing degree from Westfield State University and an MBA from Anna Maria College. 

https://traceylryan.com/

Charles Smith

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to present a program about Hoyt Running Chairs - a locally owned and operated business that designs and manufactures state-of-the-art racing chairs for individuals with disabilities.

The name Hoyt is well known in running circles. Dick Hoyt has pushed his son Rick in over 1,000 races including marathons, triathalons and 6 Ironman races. The business idea came together when Dick Hoyt asked Mike DiDonato of Southbridge Tool and Manufacturing if a brand new chair could be built for Rick because he was very uncomfortable in his original chair. They teamed up to create this innovative running chair called The Signature. Hoyt Running Chairs is a sub-division of Southbridge Tool and Manufacturing.

The Signature was built in time for the Hoyts to compete in the 2010 Boston Marathon. The chair was beautifully built for comfort, speed, and maneuverability. Soon, other teams and families began asking for a chair. In 2014, Mike was approached by Nick Sotar, a retired bicycle shop owner, who admired The Signature but had some ideas to improve the design. Nick presented Mike with a design for a revolutionary new racing chair called The Blade, which is easily disassembled and can be shipped in a bike box.

"From our family to yours, we take pride in designing and manufacturing state of the art adaptive chairs to promote inclusion for recreational and athletic activities."