Opening Windows is proud to announce that Genealogy Blog will be joining us on the "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" virtual book tour.
On November 20th author Lois Herr will be stopping by the Geneaology Blog to answer readers questions. For a chance to have your own question answered be sure to stop by the blog before November 13th. We look forward to hearing from you!
Continue stopping by this blog to follow Lois and "Dear Coach" on their exciting tour all across the world wide web. You never know where she'll be traveling next!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
In the News at Home
Fun Fact: Every chapter of "Dear Coach" ends with an In the News at Home blurb. Here's an example just for our loyal blog readers!
In the News At Home: Chapter 5
"Plans are made for War Gardens. By February clocks are turned forward one hour for 'War Time' and a serious scrap drive begins. Auto rationing begins in March. By April, arm bands are distributed to air raid spotters, Lancaster's gasoline supplies are reduced by one-third, and the paper publishes the first photos from Bataan. In May, tire, sugar, and gas rationing begin, and in June there is an all-night blackout. "
In the News At Home: Chapter 5
"Plans are made for War Gardens. By February clocks are turned forward one hour for 'War Time' and a serious scrap drive begins. Auto rationing begins in March. By April, arm bands are distributed to air raid spotters, Lancaster's gasoline supplies are reduced by one-third, and the paper publishes the first photos from Bataan. In May, tire, sugar, and gas rationing begin, and in June there is an all-night blackout. "
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Etownian Features Dear Coach
Elizabethtown College student and Etownian staff writer Nicole M. St. Pierre wrote a very nice article reviewing "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" which I'd love to share with you.
Elizabethtown College is not only a place where Lois Herr was once a student, it was the place called home by many of the letter writers and certainly her father, Coach Ira Herr. Etown is considered a very special place that lingers on in our memories keeping a special place in our hearts by most graduates so it's excellent to have it's current students appreciate the importance that the college and it's famous Coach once had to it's alumni whom served during WWII.
Elizabethtown College is not only a place where Lois Herr was once a student, it was the place called home by many of the letter writers and certainly her father, Coach Ira Herr. Etown is considered a very special place that lingers on in our memories keeping a special place in our hearts by most graduates so it's excellent to have it's current students appreciate the importance that the college and it's famous Coach once had to it's alumni whom served during WWII.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Etown Historical Society Event
Gathering with letter writers and a whole room full of various family members of letter writers was a spectacular experience for all during Lois Herr's "Dear Coach" homecoming presentation at Elizabethtown College this weekend. To hear Edwin Boll read aloud his letter to Coach Ira Herr from his time during WWII was a touching experience I and many others were honored to have had. However, I must say that you don't need a living person to really give these letters personality. The "boys" voices speak clearly enough for themselves as you make your way through the historically entertaining and fascinating book.
To see Lois at her next "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" reading come on out to the Elizabethtown, Pa. Historical Society tomorrow night at 8pm. You'll get behind the scenes information on the journey the book has made from a box of letters in the attic to a physical book ready for purchase at Aaron's Books in Lititz, Pa. or at the Elizabethtown College bookstore. (Both can be found on-line as well at the above Elizabethtown College link).
This is a great chance to get your copy signed. Hope to see you there!
10/20 Elizabethtown Historical Society - 8 pm 57 S. Poplar St., Elizabethtown PA 17022
To see Lois at her next "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" reading come on out to the Elizabethtown, Pa. Historical Society tomorrow night at 8pm. You'll get behind the scenes information on the journey the book has made from a box of letters in the attic to a physical book ready for purchase at Aaron's Books in Lititz, Pa. or at the Elizabethtown College bookstore. (Both can be found on-line as well at the above Elizabethtown College link).
This is a great chance to get your copy signed. Hope to see you there!
10/20 Elizabethtown Historical Society - 8 pm 57 S. Poplar St., Elizabethtown PA 17022
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
"Dear Coach" Homecoming Premier - Press Release
“Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII” to Debut at Elizabethtown College Homecoming
Lancaster, Pa. September 30, 2009 –
Officially making its debut at the Elizabethtown College Homecoming on October 17 at 2 p.m., “Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII” will give history new life.
Authored by Lois Herr, “Dear Coach” is the story of Elizabethtown College’s, legendary coach Ira Herr, and the men and women athletes of 1937-1946. More than just a collection of letters "Dear Coach" is the scrapbook of an extended family dealing with a war that forced a generation to grow up overnight.
This yearbook-style book of 160 fully illustrated pages will be presented on the Elizabethtown College Campus in the Thompson Gymnasium to alumni, students, family and friends. Open to the public, those that attend the event are in for a presentation by not only author Lois Herr, but also featured writers Edwin Boll, the family members of Paul F. “Porky” Leicht, W. Wilbur “Wib” Raffensperger, Emory Stouffer and Brenda Beadenkopf, daughter of Charles Walker. Many of whom will read selections from and sign copies of “Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII.”For some it will bring back memories of college days and wartime. For others it will be a special view into what the world was like as our country turned from depression to war. The letters and relationships are personal between coach and player and between college friends, but I’m sure you’ll find the stories are universal.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Preserving Your Own Letters
Obviously, being involved with a book which compiles many of the letters sent to Coach Ira Herr during World War II by several of his athletes and their loved ones, letter preservation is incredibly important to those involved with "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII."
Researching potential hosts for the "Dear Coach" virtual book tour and chatting quite frequently with others of shared interest on twitter and other social media sites, it's not hard to come to the realization that many of us are after the same goal - preserving history.
If you are also a correspondence preservationist, you may just find the Legacy Project very interesting. The link I've included will specifically teach you tips on preserving your families own letters so that they may last for decades to come. If you're like Lois Herr, and have the inclination to include them in a book, that's fantastic! For those not so inclined, however, these tips will at least help you preserve the letters privately for family and friends to enjoy well into the future.
Hope you find them quite useful!
Researching potential hosts for the "Dear Coach" virtual book tour and chatting quite frequently with others of shared interest on twitter and other social media sites, it's not hard to come to the realization that many of us are after the same goal - preserving history.
If you are also a correspondence preservationist, you may just find the Legacy Project very interesting. The link I've included will specifically teach you tips on preserving your families own letters so that they may last for decades to come. If you're like Lois Herr, and have the inclination to include them in a book, that's fantastic! For those not so inclined, however, these tips will at least help you preserve the letters privately for family and friends to enjoy well into the future.
Hope you find them quite useful!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Dear Coach Featured in Sunday News
"Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" is featured in Lancaster's Sunday News October 11 edition. Read the article for yourself on-line at LancasterOnline.com. Written by staff writer Paula Wolf the articles gives an inside look at what makes the book special to both those affected by World War II and relatable to those far removed from those long ago days.
Featuring quotes from both letter writers and author Lois Herr, you'll learn what made this project especially meaningful to those that were lucky enough to have had Elizabethtown College Coach, Ira Herr, in their lives.
Featuring quotes from both letter writers and author Lois Herr, you'll learn what made this project especially meaningful to those that were lucky enough to have had Elizabethtown College Coach, Ira Herr, in their lives.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Interview with Lois on BlueRidge Cable 11
Watch for Lois Herr, author of Dear Coach: Letters Home from World War II, interviewed by Diane Dayton on Blue Ridge Cable 11. Cable 11 is primarily aired in Norther Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but if you're not from the area never fear, just keep an eye out for the station's interview on youtube, as they frequently post there stories there as well!
The show will air the week of 10/12- it airs 5 times during the week and will reach approximately 36,000 households.
For the best times to tune in, check the below schedule:
Monday - 7 AM
Tuesday - 10:30 AM
Wednesday - 6 PM
Thursday - 5 PM
Friday - 10 AM
The show will air the week of 10/12- it airs 5 times during the week and will reach approximately 36,000 households.
For the best times to tune in, check the below schedule:
Monday - 7 AM
Tuesday - 10:30 AM
Wednesday - 6 PM
Thursday - 5 PM
Friday - 10 AM
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Introducing "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII"
Welcome to the "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" blog. Throughout the next few months you will be able to follow author Lois Herr and her book "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" as they go on a virtual book tour all around the World Wide Web. One day we may be in our hometown state of Pennsylvania, the next California. When it comes to virtual travel, the options are endless.
Now, I have the great pleasure of introducing you to Lois Herr. Lois is an aspiring politician, published author of two books (Women, Power and AT&T: Winning Rights in the Workplace and now of course Dear Coach), and all around super woman. It's been a privilege to work with such a role model.
For those wondering who I am and what role I play, my name is Dena Schaffer and my company Opening Windows is managing Lois' virtual book tour. Having helped Lois with the production of the book during my days at Elizabethtown College it's been an excellent opportunity coming back to team up with her as she sees it through to completion and now introduces it to the world.
Enough about the people involved though - let's get to the good stuff! Here's what you have to know about this incredibly touching and humanistic book. “Dear Coach” is the story of Elizabethtown College’s, legendary coach Ira Herr (Lois' father), and the men and women athletes of 1937-1946.
More than just a collection of letters "Dear Coach" is the scrapbook of an extended family dealing with a war that forced a generation to grow up overnight. For some it will bring back memories of college days and wartime. For others it will be a special view into what the world was like as our country turned from depression to war. The letters and relationships are personal between coach and player and between college friends, but I’m sure you’ll find the stories are universal.
Far removed from both athletics and the history surrounding WWII, I found myself drawn to this book as a senior in college. The truth is, I could relate to these men and women. To me, they were a lot like my friends and I, still kids finding their way into an adult world. I'd be willing to bet that most of us can relate to that sentiment at one point or another in our lives. That's what makes "Dear Coach" such a phenomenal book in my eyes. It has an ability to reach through the decades and still touch our hearts and minds today on such a personal level.
To learn more... stay tuned.
Also, keep in touch with Lois @DearCoach on Twitter! She'd be happy to hear from you!
For more information on what a virtual book tour or to host a stop I can be reached @VBTOpningWndws on Twitter as well!
Now, I have the great pleasure of introducing you to Lois Herr. Lois is an aspiring politician, published author of two books (Women, Power and AT&T: Winning Rights in the Workplace and now of course Dear Coach), and all around super woman. It's been a privilege to work with such a role model.
For those wondering who I am and what role I play, my name is Dena Schaffer and my company Opening Windows is managing Lois' virtual book tour. Having helped Lois with the production of the book during my days at Elizabethtown College it's been an excellent opportunity coming back to team up with her as she sees it through to completion and now introduces it to the world.
Enough about the people involved though - let's get to the good stuff! Here's what you have to know about this incredibly touching and humanistic book. “Dear Coach” is the story of Elizabethtown College’s, legendary coach Ira Herr (Lois' father), and the men and women athletes of 1937-1946.
More than just a collection of letters "Dear Coach" is the scrapbook of an extended family dealing with a war that forced a generation to grow up overnight. For some it will bring back memories of college days and wartime. For others it will be a special view into what the world was like as our country turned from depression to war. The letters and relationships are personal between coach and player and between college friends, but I’m sure you’ll find the stories are universal.
Far removed from both athletics and the history surrounding WWII, I found myself drawn to this book as a senior in college. The truth is, I could relate to these men and women. To me, they were a lot like my friends and I, still kids finding their way into an adult world. I'd be willing to bet that most of us can relate to that sentiment at one point or another in our lives. That's what makes "Dear Coach" such a phenomenal book in my eyes. It has an ability to reach through the decades and still touch our hearts and minds today on such a personal level.
To learn more... stay tuned.
Also, keep in touch with Lois @DearCoach on Twitter! She'd be happy to hear from you!
For more information on what a virtual book tour or to host a stop I can be reached @VBTOpningWndws on Twitter as well!
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