Peggy Dover

“Dear Sir: I have read all your ‘Happy Hollister’ books and I enjoyed them very much. I especially liked ‘The Happy Hollisters at Snowflake Camp.’ Yours truly, Lyn Laird.” 1954

I pulled in a few minutes early and sat checking my phone in the Ruch Outdoor Community School parking lot. The pure irony hit me as I read a message from Brian Perry of Sams Creek Cellars telling me he had just read my novel, “Stone Revival,” and thought it was great. Thank you, Brian. My reason for being at the school was to join Lyn (Laird) Hennion, who had a sweet story to tell about a favorite childhood author and how a new connection had been formed decades later.

I first met Lyn a few years ago when she invited me to be the grand marshal of the highly celebrated Buncom Day Parade when no one else was available. Of course, I accepted. I recall waving to an amused crowd, which included dogs, goats and a horse or two as we made two passes through Central Buncom on Martha Straube’s tractor. It was a high point of my life.

When Lyn Hennion was Lyn Laird and 11 years old, she wrote fan letters to her favorite author, Jerry West, a pseudonym for Andrew Svenson, author of the “Happy Hollisters” series of children’s books. When I saw her story on KOBI-TV news about the author’s descendants finding the letters and tracking her and others down all these years later, I knew I wanted to be there when she shared her story with the children.

Lyn received a letter from the author’s grandson, Andrew Svenson III. He’d found a box of letters unseen since the 1970s. They were written to his grandfather from grateful young readers like Lyn. Mr. Svenson decided to see if they could track these folks down and managed to find her among them — 70 years later. They sent her original letter and Mr. Svenson’s replies.

Lyn, as with many fans, could relate with the children characters, as she and her siblings were the ages of the kids in the book.

She was so impressed that Svenson had taken the time and trouble to find her that she decided to purchase the entire 33-book set, which has been reissued. She planned to share her story with the children at the school in Ruch and donate the collection to the Ruch Outdoor Community School library. The event took place on a gorgeous fall afternoon with me; Lyn’s husband, Alex Bellen; Susie Hyde, librarian; Ryan King, school principal; teachers; and about 40 students present and fully engaged.

Lyn has been supportive of this charming country school, and her main motive for paying a visit that afternoon was to help foster a love of reading in young people.

“If even a few kids end up loving books, loving to read and become lifelong readers, that will make me exceptionally proud and exceptionally excited,” Lyn said.

Several hands went up when she asked the students if they liked to read and had written to a favorite author. A couple of them even knew the meaning of the vintage phrase “Gee, that’s swell.” When she announced that she planned to donate all 33 books to their library, the crowd clapped and cheered their hardy approval, a gratifying response neither Lyn nor I expected.

Encouraging young people to read and surprising your favorite authors with a kind message and a review may circle around long after we’re gone. Mr. Svenson (West) passed away 50 years ago, yet his stories remain alive to a fresh and receptive audience in a Ruch schoolhouse.

“Dear Lyn: More ‘Happy Hollister’ books are being written all the time and your book shop will be able to tell you when the next books will be available. Thank you very much for your nice letter. An author likes to hear that his books are enjoyed. Kindest regards to you and your family, Jerry West.” Oct. 29, 1954

Happy Thanksgiving!