“If you have known the music of coonhounds on a trail and heard the excitement in their voices when they strike, and seen their eagerness and determination when they tree, if you have seen their courage and bravery…and witnessed their resolve to never quit, you know there has to be a God to make an animal like that.” William W. Ramsey, “Coonhound Eulogy” In a shady meadow in northwest Alabama, you can walk among the gravestones and read the names: Smokey, Ranger, Preacher, Ruff, Bear Creek Sue. Some have carved granite headstones, some have homemade signs. Some stretch back decades, others are recent. All mark the resting places of dogs so beloved that their owners took the trouble to bring them to their final resting place in the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard (coondogcemetery.com) a cemetery dedicated solely to coonhounds. No other breed may be buried there, because in the heart of the coonhound lover, no other breed is worthy. Such is the passion engendered by
I’m always thrilled to review Jean Stone’s books in her Vineyard series. They are like chowing down on a tasty meal, and “A Vineyard Season” doesn’t disappoint. As always, Stone spins a great yarn in which everyone in our protagonist Annie’s tight-knit “family of choice” has something going on. Stone once again welcomes us into […]
By Mathew Tombers’ count, there are over 200 books written by Vineyard-connected authors currently on the shelves of Edgartown Books. Tombers is the manager of the bookstore, and has been hosting frequent author signings on the bookstore’s front porch. (Mary Beth Keane, Thomas Dresser, Garri Saganenjo, Peter Kramer, and Jorie Graham all have upcoming signings.) […]