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Local author pens book of delightful musings
By SUSAN WORLEY, Star-Tribune Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 8:55 PM EST
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April Miller's new book "Reflections In An Old Mirror" captures images of country churches, old Cadillacs, roaming backroads, blue tick hounds, Christmas memories, faded pictures, haunted houses, moonshine and old mysteries. She is pictured at Brightwood, her home near Chatham.
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Country churches, old Cadillacs, roaming backroads, blue tick hounds, Christmas memories, faded pictures, haunted houses, moonshine and old mysteries all lurk in the pages of April Miller's new book Reflections In An Old Mirror.
Miller, who lives in Chatham, stepped away from her genealogical style in previously published Shelton County and the meticulous research and detail of her cookbook My Table at Brightwood to pen what she calls, "something lighter."
"Giving my books titles has always plagued me," she said. "Harry (her husband) suggested Fond Memories, but it wasn't right. All my memories certainly aren't fond.
"Although some of my memories are bittersweet, I have books on the shelves, dogs on the floor, light biscuits and heavy silver," she added.
"I have Virginia and I have Louisiana. These are the two places where I feel happiest. I know how blessed I am."
Reflections is a compilation of tales stored in her memory for years. Sharing them creates a humorous and sometimes sad string of events that every reader can relate to.
"It didn't start out to be a book," said Miller. "I just wrote things down from time to time.
"It has observations of things from the past and some things that are going on now. It was a pleasure to write."
April is a native of Norfolk. She first came to the Chatham area in 1990 for two or three days of genealogical research.
But the research kept her coming back and in 1992 she and Harry purchased Brightwood, a stately home just outside town which was built in 1892.
They made it their permanent residence in 1996 when Harry retired.
She is a member of 18 lineage societies including The Order of the Crown of Charlemagne, Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry, Dames of Colonial Cavaliers and The Jamestowne Society. She serves on the board of directors of several of these organizations.
April has most recently been elected to the council of the Jamestowne Society and is helping with the state's 2007 Commemorative Celebration.
She will be signing her new book Saturday, Nov. 25, from 1-3 p.m. at News and Novels in Danville and Thursday, Nov. 30, at Chatham Books from 4:30-6 p.m. and at Shadetree Rare Books from 7-8 p.m.
Reflections is available at The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History and News and Novels in Danville, Shadetree Rare Books and Chatham Books in Chatham and Tyler Flower Shop in Gretna.
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