Acclaimed author Kirkpatrick to speak at Shore Acres
COOS BAY — Twenty years ago,
Coos Bay residents Ken and Nancy
Tedder brought their relatives Jane and
Jerry Kirkpatrick to Shore Acres State
Park.
What followed was the acclaimed
book “A Gathering of Finches” (1997)
by author Jane Kirkpatrick. That visit to
the park led to her journey to discover
the story of Cassie Hendricks Stearns
Simpson, for whom Louis Simpson
designed this now jewel of a state park.
The author will sign her books at the
park Sunday, June 26, from 1 to 3 p.m.
She will make a presentation at 1:30
p.m., and remain to chat with visitors.
Friends of Shore Acres will serve
refreshments.
“I kept trying to find out what kind of
a woman would inspire this beautiful
place,” said Kirkpatrick. “My husband
loves me very much but he gives me ear-
rings. Who was this woman and why did-
COURTESY PHOTO
Jane Kirkpatrick
n’t we know more about her?”
With some trepidation she called on
descendant of Cassie Simpson, Peg Day,
who enthusiastically joined her quest
helping her uncover lost documents.
“The book has touched people from
around the world,” Kirkpatrick says. “I
hear from descendants of Louie’s brother
and sister, and from people who read the
book and said they’d changed their lives
because of it.”
The book was adapted into a stage
production performed by North Bend’s
Waterfront Players, led by Judy
McDonald, in the early 2000s.
Kirkpatrick dedicated the book to her
sister, Judy Hurtley, who died later that
year.
Thousands of visitors each year enjoy
the gardens and Kirkpatrick notes that
people make the trek with family mem-
bers to see for themselves this lavish
estate that marked a great though tragic
love affair.
Publisher’s Weekly says “Kirkpatrick
is a master at using fiction to illuminate
Discover Amazing Furniture at
history’s truth.”
Kirkpatrick’s titles have won several
national awards and been short-listed for
awards, such as the Oregon Book Award
and the Christy national awards. Her
novel “A Sweetness to the Soul” was
named to Oregon’s 100: 1800-2000, as
one of the best books about Oregon pub-
lished in the past 200 years and earned
the prestigious Wrangler Award.
“Where Lilacs Still Bloom” won the
CAROL Award and A Light in the
Wilderness earned the 2015 WILLA
Literary Award.
Her latest release, “The Memory
Weaver,” is a finalist for Western Writers
of America Spur Award for Historical
Fiction.
Kirkpatrick has spoken around the
world about stories, history and women.
For more information, visit
www.jkbooks.com or contact Shore
Acres State Park.
North Bend
2079 Sherman Ave. - North Bend
(541) 756-7641
www.EnglesFurniture.com
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