Friends of the Library Present: History for All Ages, an Author Talk

The Friends of the Moneta/SML Library continue their series of author talks with "History for All Ages." Authors David Metzger and Penny Edwards Blue will be speaking.

David, who writes a historical fiction series for children, will speak from 2:00-3:00 PM, and Penny, who writes about local history featuring Franklin County, VA, will speak from 3:00-4:00 PM.

David retired from law practice on January 1, 2016. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin—Madison Law School and is a former Administrative Assistant to a U.S. Representative. He served on the Small Business Committee Subcommittee and as the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Director of Procurement and
Innovation Policy. David is an experienced teacher and lecturer as well as an author. He has written seven books: two nonfiction books specific to law and small business and five young readers’ historical fiction books. He will be speaking about his historical fiction books at this event, including the books Betsy: The Adventures of an Early American Girl and Patrick: Adventures in Early Little League.

Penny will present her recently published book A Time to Protest: Leadership Lessons from My Father Who Survived the Segregated South for 99 Years. She says of the book, “This book is a book of history—the history of America that helped shape my ancestors’ and father’s environments, along with my father’s stories of protest that helped shape mine and my siblings’ lives.” She describes this powerful book as one about her father who, as he navigated the treacherous politics and powers of the segregated south in southwestern Virginia, left a legacy of protest through the way he lived his life and the stories he shared with his ten children. The main theme of the book is standing up and speaking out for what is just and right.

Penny was born in Rocky Mount, VA, and raised on a tobacco farm in Union Hall. She obtained a Mathematics Degree from Hampton University, an MBA from Duke University, and a certification in project management. She retired from IBM as a Delivery Project Executive. When her father, the protagonist of the book, was 95 years old, she returned to her home, in part, to help care for him.

Registration is recommended so you receive an email reminder before the event.