Too Good a Girl
REMEMBERING OLENE EMBERTON AND THE MYSTERY OF HER DEATH
“My daughter was too good a girl
to have to face death this way.”
— Roxie Emberton
to have to face death this way.”
— Roxie Emberton
On Saturday, October 16, 1965, 17-year-old Tipton (Indiana) High School senior Olene Emberton dropped off a friend after a movie and headed for home, a journey of just six blocks. Inexplicably, she never arrived. Two days later, a farmer in northern Tipton County found her body discarded alongside a remote gravel road. How she died and who abandoned her was never known. Throughout the intervening years, many people thought they had the answers, but only one person truly knew, and that person wouldn't tell. Part true crime, part oral history, and part memoir, “TOO GOOD A GIRL” tells the story of Olene’s mysterious death and how it affected all who knew her. > CLICK FOR PREVIEW. |
Life Sentences: Stories of 40 Ordinary People
Writing Extraordinary Lives, Sentence by Sentence
During my years as a newspaper feature writer, I became acquainted with a great many of my readers, who granted me the privilege of hearing and writing about some of their most personal experiences — their joys, disappointments, triumphs, losses, and achievements. Even though my many news-writing assignments provided me with adventures of all sorts, absolutely nothing stoked my sense of satisfaction more than hearing and then writing a fascinating, first-hand story told to me by the person who lived it.
The stories that appear in “Life Sentences…” represent a microcosm of the entire community I served: altruistic citizens, folks with unusual jobs, hobbyists, achievers of dreams, milestoneans, and military veterans. The people in these stories range in age from 12 to 101 and hail from a variety of backgrounds. They are real people with fascinating life stories to tell. They may think of themselves as regular and ordinary, but as their personal stories prove, they are anything but ordinary. This is the book that spawned a new dream, which resulted in Life Sentences Publishing. |
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The two following books are part of Arcadia Publishing's 'Images of America' series. Each book sells for $25, which includes shipping and handling. If you wish your copy signed, please email your request via the CONTACT page. Thanks!
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Images of America: Frankfort
“Images of America: Frankfort,” about Frankfort, Indiana’s long history, was published in late 2013. A foreword by Frankfort’s Mayor Chris McBarnes opens the exploration of the city’s history told through more than 200 photographs I assembled in association with Nancy Hart, director of the Clinton County Historical Society.
Four months after the Indiana General Assembly established Clinton County, long-time resident John Pence donated 60 acres of his centrally located farmland upon which the county seat would be built. Thanks to Pence, the city of Frankfort, named in honor of his ancestral German home, was born May 9, 1830. Dense forests, cold winters and wild animals challenged those who populated Frankfort in its earliest days. Yet, as a close-knit community, tightly bound by mutual dependence and pride, they grew a beautiful city, abundant in businesses, churches, schools and culture. Railroads opened new opportunities for growth, and for the next 100 years, Frankfort was a major train town, served by four railroad companies. The spirit of the early settlers still prevails, revealed abundantly in their sons and daughters, who have included war heroes, well-known entertainers, athletes, entrepreneurs, doctors, and more.
Four months after the Indiana General Assembly established Clinton County, long-time resident John Pence donated 60 acres of his centrally located farmland upon which the county seat would be built. Thanks to Pence, the city of Frankfort, named in honor of his ancestral German home, was born May 9, 1830. Dense forests, cold winters and wild animals challenged those who populated Frankfort in its earliest days. Yet, as a close-knit community, tightly bound by mutual dependence and pride, they grew a beautiful city, abundant in businesses, churches, schools and culture. Railroads opened new opportunities for growth, and for the next 100 years, Frankfort was a major train town, served by four railroad companies. The spirit of the early settlers still prevails, revealed abundantly in their sons and daughters, who have included war heroes, well-known entertainers, athletes, entrepreneurs, doctors, and more.
Images of America: Tipton County
“Images of America: Tipton County,” published in late 2012, features more than 200 vintage photographs depicting Tipton County life from the late 1800s through the present, most contributed by members of the Tipton County community and never before published. The book’s narrative begins with the county’s founding in 1844 and progresses to more recent years, highlighting several of the influential people and pivotal events that shaped the county.
On every page, readers with ties to Tipton County will find nostalgic reminders of their shared heritage — the frequent rumblings of steam locomotives passing through, public gatherings on the courthouse square, balloon ascensions, war bond rallies, the awe-inspiring staircase to the Carnegie library’s main floor, live performances at the Martz Theatre, 10 cent-a-week newspapers, baked beans and brain sandwiches, Blue Devil sundaes, pin boys, county basketball tourneys, double features, and packed churches.
On every page, readers with ties to Tipton County will find nostalgic reminders of their shared heritage — the frequent rumblings of steam locomotives passing through, public gatherings on the courthouse square, balloon ascensions, war bond rallies, the awe-inspiring staircase to the Carnegie library’s main floor, live performances at the Martz Theatre, 10 cent-a-week newspapers, baked beans and brain sandwiches, Blue Devil sundaes, pin boys, county basketball tourneys, double features, and packed churches.
Dust Bunnies & Dead Bodies (An Elmwood Confidential mystery)
Small-town newspaper editor Crystal Cropper can't resist a good mystery, while cleaning lady Gertie has a knack for sweeping skeletons out of closets—making her one of Crystal’s best informants. So when Gertie lands in the hospital, courtesy of an unknown assailant, Crystal starts snooping. The trail of dirt and gossip leads right to the doorsteps of some of Elmwood's most prominent families—as well as a decades-old murder and the disappearance of the accused killer.
Dust Bunnies & Dead Bodies is available in electronic and soft cover formats at Amazon.com. Or ... for a signed copy, you can make your purchase (via PayPal) directly from me by clicking the "Buy Now" button below. I'll sign it and get it to you ASAP. |
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Thanks! Janis |