The brownies I was baking Saturday for a church dinner ended up in the trash. It’s all Sheldon Russell’s fault!

I’ve been making brownies (from a mix) since I was in my teens. My husband used to say he decided to propose after eating my brownies. But these were very over-baked. The only person I can recall who might have appreciated them was my father. He enjoyed crumbling up hard, stale cake or cornbread, dropping it in a glass of milk and eating it with a spoon.

The reason I assign blame to Sheldon Russell is because I was engrossed in his newest book, “A Forgotten Evil.” His publishers sent me an advance copy to review. When the timer went off for my brownies, I hit the button to stop the sound but couldn’t tear myself away from the book. I was near the end and just had to finish. By the time I remembered the brownies, it was too late.

“A Forgotten Evil” is scheduled for release in October. It’s a departure from Russell’s Hook Runyon stories. He said on Facebook his next Hook Runyon book is in the works and planned for release next March.

For this book, Russell draws on the extensive historical records from post-Civil War days preserved at Kansas military fort sites. The book follows a young man who works with his father to cut wood for steamboats. When his father dies, he befriends another young man and the two set out from Ohio to join the military in Kansas, encountering many adventures along the way.

While his friend finds a place in Custer’s Calvary, the young woodcutter struggles to survive alone on the plains. For a time he’s a captive of the Cheyenne. This fictional account depicts the daily struggle to survive each day in that time and place. I’ll be writing a more complete review nearer the release date of “A Forgotten Evil.”

While I was at the Graceful Arts Gallery during the Alva First Friday Art Walk, I noticed that Roxie Kirk’s book signing table was generally surrounded. Several of her family members from Alva were there as well as a number of her friends. I hear the book signing on Saturday at the Alva Public Library was also a success. Word is she’s working on her second book.

I talked with some ladies at the gallery who listed several authors coming out of Alva and Waynoka schools. They were proud of how well our local educators teach our young people.

Election Next Tuesday

The City of Alva GO bond proposal will be on the ballot next Tuesday, Aug. 13. Only voters who live inside the Alva city limits can vote on this issue. It’s been interesting to hear so many people discussing this proposal. I’ve overheard conversations in the produce aisle of the local grocery store, in the kitchen at church and before some of the public meetings I’ve attended.

I was pleased to learn that several people have gone to the Alva library to read the two articles I wrote in the Alva Review-Courier detailing some of the discussion during the public hearing held at the swimming pool July 22. It’s clear a lot of people are interested in learning more about the issues before the election.

This week I saw a story in a newspaper about the new $2.1 million swimming pool being built in Hennessey. That city chose to add a 0.75 percent sales tax, approved by voters, to pay for their pool. I wonder how that ballot was worded.

I remember back when we voted on the Alva one percent sales tax that is used half for NWOSU scholarships and half for the recreation complex. Local attorney Don Benson insisted that the ballot designate the sales tax for economic development. That way, if the rec park became self-supporting, the tax could be used in some other way for economic development.

So I wonder if that Hennessey sales tax will be used to support the swimming pool, and only the swimming pool, or can it be diverted elsewhere once the pool is up and running.

Councilman Daniel Winters, who is speaking Thursday evening at the Woods County Democrats’ meeting at Cancun in Alva, has said he favored the GO bond route for financing the pool because that tax will go away in ten years. Generally once a sales tax is voted in, it stays. That Thursday meeting is another chance to learn more about the issue. Lenny Reed said anyone interested is welcome to attend, even Republicans.

It will be interesting to see how this election turns out.

Waynoka voters will also be going to the polls. Their issue seems fairly non-controversial. The city is asking voter permission to give some park land, including football and baseball fields, to the Waynoka school district at no charge.

I hope we have a really big turnout for the election. That’s the best way to determine what the majority of citizens want.