Rundpinne to Provide Free Book Excerpt

Known in the blogosphere for her honest review of books by a variety of writer's Jennifer has agreed to host today's virtual book tour stop. Visit her site Rundpinne to for another free excerpt from "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII."

With the holidays right around the corner, many are on the search for that perfect gift. Consider "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" for the history enthusiast in your family!

Just in Time for the Holidays!

If you haven't done so already, be sure to check out the latest virtual book tour stop at Crystal's Reading Room! You'll not only be getting a glimpse at the letter-writer on the cover of "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" but also links to help you purchase your own copy. Now is a great time to purchase a copy of "Dear Coach" to the World War II aficionado in your life --- just in time for the holidays!

Dear Coach Heads to Crystal's Reading Room

Crystal's Reading Room will be hosting a "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" virtual book tour stop tomorrow, November 30th.

Stop by to read a profile of one of the athletes who wrote to Elizabethtown Coach Ira Herr during WWII. The athlete featured tomorrow, Wib Raffensberger, is also featured on the cover of the book and has had one of his letters featured during a past tour stop at wwarii.com.

To learn more about the trials this athlete and his friends went through during their time at war buy your own copy now!

Letter Writers Alliance to Letter from WWII Soldier

Tomorrow, November 24th, Lois Herr will be stopping by Letter Writers Alliance to share a particularly appropriate letter from her book "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" to the blog's readers.

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, we're all counting our blessings before settling down for a big meal shared with friends and family. It makes one especially thankful to those giving up their own safety, comfort and holiday traditions so that we make keep ours. So as you carve into the turkey be sure to send out a prayer or good thought to those in war this holiday season. Also remember to keep veterans like the letter writer's from "Dear Coach" in your heart as it's because of these brave men and women that we're able to celebrate as freely as we do.

From Lois and Opening Windows, have a very happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Genealogy Blog to Host "Dear Coach" Q and A

On Friday, November 20th Lois Herr, author of "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" will be stopping by Genealogy Blog. The readers of the blog were asked to submit their questions and, in essence, interview the author.

Here's a quick teaser of one of the questions, but remember, there's more to come!

Why do you think the athletes had such a strong relationship with your father?

Dad cared about building character, and that meant he tried to build a personal relationship with each of his players. Many of the athletes were first generation college students and many had not played organized sports in high school, so the experiences they had in many cases tied them more to my father than to their own. I was told by several that Dad was the reason they were in college - he recruited them and/or helped them get the financial support they needed. They told me he was always there for them and that they could talk with him about anything.

Sharing Dear Coach's Own Piece of World War II History

Tomorrow, November 17th, Lois Herr and her book "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" will be making another stop on their virtual book tour dropping by World War II History: Preserving the Past for the Future to share a letter written by one of the book's letter writer's. In fact, the once athlete turned pilot that will be featured played not only an important role in the book as one of the most detailed and interested letter writer's but his image graces the cover taken from a photograph of the man as he sat below his plan "rough neck's" wing and wrote home at the time... perhaps even to his beloved college coach. Be sure to check it out!

Postcard from Seagoing Cowboys visit Ephemera Blog

Tomorrow, November 13, Lois Herr will be stopping by Ephemera a blog which "explore the world of old paper" to share a postcard from "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" written by four "seagoing cowboys" and former athletes in 1946.

Not only will you see an aerial view of the Mariner's Museum in Newport News, Virginia from the time, but you'll experience the beginning of an adventure that four former Elizabethtown College students were about to embark on.

For those lucky enough to have been present at the Elizabethtown Homecoming presentation of "Dear Coach" were able to meet two of the "cowboys" and here even more about their amazing tale.

In Honor of Veteran's Day

In honor of Veteran's Day the "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" stopped by Recollections of WWII to share a free excerpt from Chapter 5. Stop on by to get your sneak peek of the book. If you like what you see, books can be purchased on-line and in store from Elizabethtown College.

And remember, our vets gave up a lot or us, so don't forget to thank a veteran today!

Dear Coach Visits A Book and A Dish

Stop by A Book and A Dish today for "Team Talk" with Lois Herr, author of "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII." Lois will be sharing a special sand tart recipe passed down to her by her mother as well as discussing the importance that the team relationship played to the athletes featured in "Dear Coach."

On Wednesday you'll be able to find Lois at Recollections of WWII sharing a free excerpt from "Dear Coach" in honor of Veteran's day. Don't forget to stop by often to find out where Lois will be stopping by next!

Recollections of WWII Hosting Tour Stop Nov. 11

On November 11, Lois Herr will be stopping by Recollections of WWII to share an extract from her book "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII".

Here's a little bit about what you can expect from Recollections of WWII:

"The Recollections of WWII blog has been created to bring attention to the hundreds of memoirs about WWII that have been printed in the last 60 years, which never make it to the shelves of the big bookshops."

For your own copy of "Dear Coach" stop by Lois Herr's site and click on the order here link.

Stop back to our official blog often and discover where Lois and her book will be headed next!

Tour Kick-Off at A Book and A Dish

On November 9th, Lois Herr, author of “Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII” will be stopping by A Book and A Dish to share a tasty recipe as well as the importance that a “team relationship” played for the athletes coached by Ira Herr at Elizabethtown College.

This will be the kick-off of her virtual book tour and we're all very excited! Stop by to learn more about "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII." Be prepared by ordering your own copy here. Keep in mind that each stop will be different so get ready for an exciting adventure as the tour continues on.

Stop back frequently for more tour stop dates and topic announcements.

Six More Hosts Joining Virtual Book Tour

Opening Windows is proud to announce that a few more blogs recently joined the upcoming "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" virtual book tour schedule!

Recollections of WWII
World War II History
Letter Writers Alliance
Ephemera: Exploring the World of Old Paper
Rundpinne
A Book and a Dish

It's not to late to submit your blog as a tour stop candidate. Just e-mail me at DenaSchaffer@OpeningWindowsvbt.com

Remember to stop back often for more virtual book tour announcements!

Elizabethtown and Lancaster Visits

On November 4th Lois Herr will be presenting "Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII" at the Keystone Room in the Buchanan Clubhouse at Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania's beautiful Masonic Village.

Don't miss her visit to Lancaster's Treats Creamery and Cafe at 5pm on Friday, November 6th. You will find the ice cream shop located inside the Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum at 37 North Market Street, Lancaster, Pa. 17603. Go ahead and bring along your own copy to have signed by the author!


Stop back soon for more upcoming book tour dates in the Lancaster area.

Geneaology Blog Joins the VBT

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!

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. "

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.

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

"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.

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!

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.