BOOK ON NEW LONDON, TEXAS EXPLOSION TO BE FEATURED BY ‘READ’
The Washington County READ programs will mark a long-forgotten but significant even in Texas History, occurring 78 years ago on March 18th, at 3:17pm, when a natural gas explosion completely destroyed the high school in New London, Texas.
Approximately 300 children and teachers were killed on that day.
The book written on the event, My Boys and Girls are in There, by Ron Rozelle, recounts that moment in history, and is the Washington County READ book selection for 2015, will be available at the Nancy Carol Roberts Library, HEB, Blinn College Library, and the Book Nook, and in the coming months, there will be presentations centered around the book.
The story illustrates the strong character of Texans, and was covered by Walter Cronkite, who later said that no war story he ever covered was as heart-wrenching.
Some of the Washing County First Responders are Honorary Chairs of this year’s READ, including Ricky Boeker, City of Brenham Fire Chief, and City Emergency Management Coordinator, Kevin Deramus, Washington County EMS Director, Otto H Hanak, Washington County Sheriff, and Rex Phelps, Police Chief for the City of Brenham
The Unity Theatre will hold a reception at the Unity Theatre on October 29 at the culmination of READ, which will feature refreshments, a dramatic reading, and a presentation by author Ron Rozelle.
This is the 7th year of the Washington County READ, sponsored by Lifetime Learning. The READ encourages reading and discussion of one particular book, and its goal is to bring generations and diverse groups together to enjoy the benefits of reading.
The sponsors of the READ event include the Unity Theatre, KTEX-KWHI, the Unity Theatre, Banner Press, and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, and Brenham ISD.
For more information, contact Lifetime Learning at 979-337 4928.