The Lit Chicks Of Sand Mountain
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In the Fall Season of 2005, a Small Writing Group of Southern Ladies from the Sand Mountain area in Northern Alabama rekindled friendships, getting together to form a Literary Support Group. These 5 Southern Authors - Alice Duckett, Gay Martin, Shirley Mitchell, Barbara Eubanks and Lori Boatfield, bring a plethora of ideas and interesting pieces of writing to each meeting.
The Lit Chicks !
Alice Duckett, Shirley W. Mitchell, Gay Martin, Barbara Eubanks, Lori Boatfield
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We call ourselves THE LIT CHICKS....
No-o-o, it’s not what you think. We are all sober, dignified (well, for the most part) ladies. LIT refers to our common bond - a Literary Interest. More specifically, we are all Authors, Wordsmiths. Last fall (2005), several of us met and agreed we needed a literary support group – a critique group. That idea became a reality when five of us local Authors began meeting once a month. Gay N. Martin, a well-known, well-established Food and Travel Author; Shirley W. Mitchell, an author who not only writes about making the most of life at any age, but one who lives out her words; Alice G. Duckett, formerly from Albertville, now living in Anniston, has written for several newspapers, including the Gadsden Times; Lori Boatfield, a talented Essayist and a great novelist-in-the-making; and Barbara Eubanks, an Author who blends devotions with humor and a Christian humorist who tells audiences that God wants them to be happy, bring a plethora of ideas and interesting pieces of writing to each meeting. We have found great strength and encouragement for our individual literary endeavors and development for our talents by listening to and sharing with each other.
No group of Southern ladies can have a meeting without involving food. The Lit Chicks are no different. As we rotate the site of our meeting among the homes of the members, we not only look forward to being sounding-boards for each others work-in-progress, but we delight in and look forward to the great refreshments (which now have evolved into full gourmet meals) the hostess provides.How nice it is to have this comfortable haven to freely share successes without appearing braggadocios, to unburden stresses and personal crises without being labeled whiners, to criticize without being mean-spirited, and to accept criticisms with great appreciation, for these are the stones on which we sharpen our writing skills!
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Lit Chick Alice G. Duckett
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Anniston, Alabama Author and Presenter Alice Duckett, who's Motto is, "Follow the Footsteps to Find Your Family History!", published her first book, "Digging From Attics To Basements" with Shadowpur-r-r Press in Dec. 2006. She stays busy promoting her book with speaking engagements for genealogy societies, ladies clubs, school groups, libraries, churches, and seniors citizens gatherings. "Digging From Attics To Basements" is a “how-to” book on finding family history through fun activities for the whole family. Currently Alice is working on Book 2 in the Family History Series called "More Digging From Attics To Basements". The Author, Educator, Speaker, and Journalist, has published more than 375 articles, columns, and feature pieces across the Southeast. She is the winner of 12 writing awards in state, regional and southeastern contests. She completed 31 years of teaching in public schools with experience from 2nd-12th grades, plus teaching single-parenting classes for adults. Ms. Duckett’s book reflects her interest in helping families work together to discover the past and make connections for the future. The Author emphasizes, “Children in today’s fast-paced world need identity. What better way to know yourself than to discover who you came from and where, when, why, and how. Finding family history gives children a strong connection to family members and strengthens identity and self-esteem". What better gift could a parent or grandparent hand down to children or grandchildren than their own history recorded in this easy to understand book. Just follow the footsteps in the workbook style format. Follow the footsteps. Gather clues. Be a detective. Put the pieces of the puzzle together. By the end of the book, "Digging From Attics To Basements", you will have a great story of your family history. This month, January 2010, Alice published her children's book, "One Step At A Time". Currently the Author writes a monthly column "Kids Korner" for the Anniston-Gadsden Christian Family Magazine. She has recently contributed several special assignment articles to the Anniston Star. Duckett was featured in Sand Mountain Living Magazine Oct. 2008 in an Author Profile and in the Jan.'09 issue of Anniston-Gadsden Christian Family Magazine along with her writer's group, "The Lit Chicks", as the cover photo and guest feature. Ms. Duckett’s educational background moves from one end of Alabama to the other with degrees from: Auburn University (BS) and Jacksonville State University (MS) both in English Education, University of Alabama (Master’s level Certification in Gifted Education), University of South Alabama (Post Graduate work in Professional Writing). She has attended numerous writer’s conferences/seminars to stay abreast of today’s writing trends and is a member of the Alabama Writer’s Conclave, Southeastern Writer’s Association, and SCBWI (Children's Writing Society). She is married to Joe Duckett, and enjoys being grandmother to four grandchildren who affectionately call her ”Allie.” She has a loyal fan, a cat named Shadow who is her best critic listening to her read all manuscripts.
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Lit Chick Shirley W. Mitchell
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My mission is to encourage women 50 years and older in "Aging Outside the Box®" with Power, Style and Vitality through the Power of Jesus Christ -Soar to New Heights of Excellence and Capture the Essence of Your Life. I am a National Author/Writer/Syndicated Columnist/Speaker and Celebrity Radio Talk Show Host, having published 5 books - The Christian Writer's Diary, The Beauty of Being God's Woman, Spiritual Sparks for Busy Women, and my two current ones we are promoting, "Fabulous after 50®-Finding Fulfillment for Tomorrow" and "Sensational after 60®-Loving Life All Over Again"; and a Co-Author of 3 books, "Love Notes for Mom", "Love Notes for Dad" and "101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life". I have had a weekly Newspaper Column in the Sand Mountain Reporter for the past 19 years called, "Fabulous after Fifty™"; a Syndicated On-Line Column, "Spiritual Sparks for Baby Boomers™", and I am a regular Contributing Columnist for Senior Lifestyle Magazine, Senior Evangelism Partnership and Passionate for Life Magazine. I am the Celebrity Radio Talk Show Host of the Syndicated Radio Show, "Aging Outside the Box®" on the LA Talk Radio Network and "Aging Outside the Box® Christian Spiritual Sparks™" on WBXR-am1140 in Huntsville-AL and KXKS-am1190 in Albuquerque-NM with Wilkins Communications Network, Inc. Published soon will be a Children's Book, a Novel and a Living First Ladies Gift Book. There will also be two more books in the Fabulous and Sensational Inspirational & Motivational Series. We are also bringing my Second Book back into Publication - "Spiritual Sparks for Busy Women". Shirley is a member of WritersNet, AuthorsDen, WorldCat, ShoutLife!, Linked In, BookTour, Arte Comunicarte, Library Thing, GoodReads, and Growing Bolder. Shirley is also a Self Growth Aging-Baby Boomer-Longevity Expert. She also has an On-Line Newsletter at Passionate Sparks ! She is a member of the American Business Womens Association, Red Hat Society and the Diva Web of Fame. She is Represented and Managed by Lighthouse Coastal Productions 256-281-9399 or Agent@fabulousafter50.com.
***Copyright © and Trademark ™ Notice: 1967-2010 All Works, Venues and Content by Shirley W. Mitchell™ including "The Golden Egg of Aging™", "Fabulous after 50®", "Fabulous after Fifty™", "Sensational after 60®", "Sensational after Sixty™", "Aging Outside the Box®", "Passionate Sparks™", "Spiritual Sparks for Baby Boomers™", "Lace Over Steel™", "Ageless Living™", "Endless Energy™" & "Better Half of Life™" are © copyright and ® trademark protected***
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Lit Chick Gay N. Martin
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"As a student teacher at Albertville High School, I was lucky to have Barbara Eubanks as my supervising teacher," said Gay N. Martin. "She inspired me (and our students) in the classroom, and she continues to inspire me with her writing. In fact, largely because of her encouraging words, I am now embarking on a fiction project--quite a departure from my usual travel writing." Gay N. Martin and her husband, Carlton, are looking forward to a trip to Chile and a cruise around the southern tip of South America in a few weeks. Her guidebooks, "Alabama Off the Beaten Path" and "Louisiana Off the Beaten Path" (The Globe Pequot Press) are due out in their 8th editions.
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Lit Chick Barbara Eubanks
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After teaching English/Journalism for 35 years, Barbara Eubanks didn't retire; I simply refired. My first after-teaching goal was to get my first book published. With the Lord's help, that was accomplished Dec. 2004 when "Humorous Happenings in Holy Places" (Tate Publishing) hit the market. Not only did that serve to respark my desire to write, it also opened up a speaking career for me. I've averaged one event a week since then. My second book, which we are curerently promoting is "And the Angels Laughed",also published by Tate. Not only will the print copies be available, but both will come out soon as audio books. What an exciting time! What supercedes the joy of seeing my own words published is the joy this has brought to my family, especially to my eight grandchildren, who have supplied some of the funny happenings for both books. I've tried my hand, since finishing the two devotional book, writing fiction. I've completed my first novel, "A Web Too Tight". At each meeting of The Lit Chicks, I share with them a chapter or two. If the rest of the world meets it with their enthusiasm, it will be a best seller. She is also a Self Growth Humor Expert.
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Lit Chick Lori Boatfield
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Lori Boatfield is a writer and stay-at-home mom. A graduate of West End High School and Snead State Community College, she completed her education at Auburn University with a bachelor of arts. She is presently involved in several freelance projects, including writing a column entitled "Momedy: The Lighter Side of Parenting" for Valley Babies Magazine, published in Huntsville, Alabama and writing monthly posts on the BLOG, "My Baby Photos". Lori recently accepted a staff writing position for the On-Line Magazine, "Revive Your Life", which will go live in the spring of 2009. She has a novel, "The Creekhouse", a long time in the works, and is working on a book about surviving postpartum depression. Lori lives in Boaz with her husband, Jason and 2 year old son, Rafe. As a child, Lori loved reading and writing and credits her mother with instilling this passion. She has had articles published in the Gadsden Times as guest commentary and is presently working on a novel.
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Honorable Mention for The Lit Chicks
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Alice G. Duckett and her four writer friends of "The Lit Chicks" Writers Critique Group - Gay N. Martin, Shirley W. Mitchell, Lori Boatfield and Barbara Eubanks - were recently featured as the Cover Photo and Feature Article of the January 2009 Issue of Anniston-Gadsden Christian Family Magazine.
"I thank Barbara for writing the interesting feature article. Editor Shon Hill included several photos of "The Lit Chicks", and I loved the great layout in the magazine. It was an honor to be on the cover and made each of us feel special," said Alice.
The Anniston-Gadsden Christian Family Magazine is published monthly to 10,000 subscribers - families, businesses and churches.
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The Lit Schedule
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Sept. 19, 2006... 1:30PM-CST ... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Shirley W. Mitchell Guntersville, AL Reading
Oct. 2, 2006... 1:30PM-CST ... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home 4840 McVille Rd. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256 878 5934 Reading
Nov. 6, 2006... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chick Meeting Lori Boatfield Home Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Reading
Dec. 1, 2006... 6-8PM-CST ... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Gala Book Reception, Boaz Public Library, 407 Thomas Av, Boaz, AL Participants: Barbara Eubanks, Shirley Mitchell, Gay Martin, Alice Duckett, Lori Boatfield, Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Author Signing
Jan. 30, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home Wildhaven Dr Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Special Guests: News Reporters Charlotte Christopher Sand Mt. Reporter and Sherry Kughn The Anniston Star Reading
Feb. 15, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home McVille Rd. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Reading
Mar. 20, 2007... 12Noon-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Alice Duckett Home Amberwood Lane Anniston, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Special Guest: Sherry Kughn, Reporter from the Anniston Star Reading
Mar. 27, 2007... 11am-PST & 1PM-CST... "The Lit Chicks" Hosts Dr. Peter Brill and David Debin of Third Age International - Third Age Radio Show Interview Barbara Eubanks, Alice Duckett and Lori Boatfield, 3 members of "The Lit Chick" Group out of Northern Alabama. Third Age International provides the tools and support you need for improving the quality of your life and health in the Third Age. We bring people of the Baby Boom Generation together to help each other find ever-increasing levels of passion, purpose and joy in the aging process. Contact Person: Lighthouse Coastal 678-471-6092 Samantha Friedman, Associate Producer.
The Third Age Radio Show with Dr. Peter Brill, a Physician and Psychiatrist, David Debin, a Writer and Producer, along with screen and TV star Anne Francis, treat Third Agers to a fun-filled, informative hour discussing issues at the heart and mind of the Third Age of life. Each week Third Age International on Third Age Radio Show features Authors and Guest Experts on topics diverse as Dating, Spirituality, Changing Habits, Grandparenting, Plastic Surgery, Sex, Finding Purpose, Health and Fitness, Fulfilling Dreams, Having Fun, Adult Children, Elderly Parents and many more. Listen in LIVE on Santa Barbara News Press Radio KZSB-1290am Tuesdays from 11am-PST and Rebroadcast Tuesdays at 9PM-PST & Saturdays at 1PM-PST, Plus Streaming on the World Wide Web...
Apr. 17, 2007... IPM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Lori Boatfield Home Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565 Reading
May 21, 2007... IPM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Shirley W. Mitchell Home Contact Person: Lighthouse Coastal Productions 256-281-9399 Reading
Jun. 26, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home Contact Person: Gay Martin 256-878-6271 Reading and Special Guest Poet Suzanne Hobbs of Jacksonville, AL
Jul. 17, 2007... 12PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home McVille Rd. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Reading
Aug. 13, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Sherry Kughn Home 711 Keith Avenue Anniston, AL Contact Person: Sherry Kughn 256-237-2358 Reading
Sept. 8, 2007... 4PM-EST... Paula Deen Live Show Atlanta Civic Center Atlanta, GA Contact Person: Barbara Walters F&M Bank Anniston,AL 256-236-8200 Attending Alice Duckett, Barbara Eubanks and Lori Boatfield plus their guests
Sept. 11, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Lori Boatfield Home 601 N. Main Street Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565 Reading
Oct. 23, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home 4840 McVille Road Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Reading
Nov. 20, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Shirley W. Mitchell Home Contact Person: Lighthouse Coastal Productions 256-281-9399 Reading
Dec. 1, 2007... 2-6PM-CST... "Spirit of Anniston" Downtown Holiday Shopping Day: Theme "Go Green for the Holidays" Meet The Lit Chicks and area Anniston Authors - their books will be available for Holiday gift buying. Special events downtown include several bands performing, horse and buggy rides, singers and more. Contact Person: Melanie Hill "Spirit of Anniston" Events Director 256-236-0996 Speak and Sign
Dec. 18, 2007... 1:00 PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Alice Duckett Home 4720 Amberwood Lane Anniston, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Reading
Jan. 22, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home 135 Wildwood Drive Albertville, AL Contact Person: Gay Martin 256-878-6271 Reading
Feb. 26, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mt. Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home 135 Wildhaven Dr. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Gay Martin 256-878-6271
Mar. 18, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mt. Lit Chicks Meeting Lori Boatfield Home 601 N. Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565
Apr. 22, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mt. Lit Chicks Meeting Cultural Arts Center Broad Street Gadsden, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Luncheon and Reading
May 17, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mt. Lit Chicks Meeting Guntersville State Park Lodge 7966 AL Hwy. 227 Guntersville, AL 256-571-5440 Lit Chicks--guests of Barbara Eubanks at Spring Luncheon/Program of Thursday Book Club Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Book Club Program and Reading
Jun. 17, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mt. Lit Chicks Meeting Alice Duckett Home 4720 Amberwood Lane Anniston, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Reading
Jul. 22, 2008... 12noon-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Lighthouse Coastal Productions 466 Sardis Cutoff Road Sardis City, AL Contact Person: Lighthouse Coastal 678-471-6092 Reading & Internet Updates
Aug. 19, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Alice Duckett Home 4720 Amberwood Lane Anniston, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Reading
Sept. 16, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Lori Boatfield Home 601 N.Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565 Reading
Oct. 21, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home 135 Wildhaven Dr. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Gay Martin 256-878-6271 Reading
Nov. 18, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting The Club 1 Robert Smith Dr. Birmingham, AL Hostess: Shirley W. Mitchell Contact Person: Lighthouse Coastal Productions 256-281-9399 Reading
Dec. 17, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home 4840 McVille Rd. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Christmas Luncheon and Reading
Dec. 30, 2008... 10am-CST... Photo Shoot for Lit Chicks Gadsden Senior Center Downtown Gadsden, AL For Cover Photo/Guest Feature Article for Anniston-Gadsden Christian Family Magazine (January 2009 Issue) Lunch at Courtyard Cafe Gadsden Cultural Arts Center Contact Person: Editor Shon Hill 256-328-1082 Author Readings
Feb. 17, 2009... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Lori Boatfield Home 601 N. Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565 Author Readings
Mar. 16, 2009... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Alice Duckett Home 4720 Amberwood Lane Anniston, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Author Readings
Apr. 9, 2009... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home 4840 McVille Rd. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Author Readings
May 19, 2009... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Shirley Mitchell Home Contact Person: Lighthouse Coastal Productions 256-281-9399 Author Readings
Jun. 16, 2009... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home 135 Wildhaven Drive Albertville, AL Contact Person: Gay Martin-256-878-6271 Author Readings
Jul. 21, 2009... 1PM-CST... Cancelled Meeting
Aug. 18, 2009... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chick's Meeting Alice Duckett Home 4720 Amberwood Lane Anniston, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Author Readings
Sept. 22, 2009... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chick's Meeting Lori Boatfield Home 601 N. Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565 Author Readings
Oct. 27, 2009... 12Noon-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home 135 Wildhaven Dr. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Gay Martin 256-878-6271 Author Readings
Nov. 17, 2009... 12Noon-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Shirley Mitchell Home Contact Person: Lighthouse Coastal Productions 256-281-9399 Author Readings
Dec. 15, 2009... 12Noon-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home 4840 McVille Rd. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Author Readings
Jan. 19, 2010... 12Noon-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Shirley Mitchell Home Contact Person: Lighthouse Coastal Productions 256-281-9399 Author Readings
Feb. 23, 2010... 12Noon-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Lori Boatfield Home 601 N. Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565 Author Readings
Mar. 16, 2010... 12Noon-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Alice Duckett Home 4720 Amberwood Lane Anniston, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 12-Noon... Author T.J. Thorne to speak at Anniston Public Library 108 E. 10th St. Anniston, AL and the Lit Chick Lunch is at 1PM at Classic on Noble Downtown Anniston Author Readings
Apr. 20, 2010... 12Noon-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home 135 Wildhaven Dr. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Gay Martin 256-878-6271 Author Readings
May 18, 2010... 12Noon-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home 4840 McVille Rd. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Author Readings
Jun. 15, 2010... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Lori Boatfield Home 601 N. Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565 Author Readings
Jul. 20, 2010... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Shirley Mitchell Home Contact Person: Lighthouse Coastal Productions 256-281-9399 Author Readings
Aug. 17, 2010... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Alice Duckett Home 4720 Amberwood Lane Anniston, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Readings
Sept. 21, 2010... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home 135 Wildhaven Dr. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Gay Martin 256-878-6271 Author Readings
Oct. 19, 2010... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home 4840 McVille Rd. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Author Readings
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