The Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library in Brundidge hosted a Writers Showcase Saturday with 14 writers from the local area participating.

“Theresa Trawick, library director, said the idea for the Writers Showcase came from Garneshia Lampley, children and young adult coordinator, and it proved to be a “novel” idea.

“This was Tupper’s first Writers Showcase and it is something that we will certainly want to consider again,” Trawick said. “I was a little concerned because since we are small that not many would attend. But all of the authors seemed pleased with the showcase and appreciated the opportunity to get their books before the public. We had a large crowd throughout the morning and those who attended were surprised that we have so much talent in our area.”

Trawick said some of the writers pen only poetry, others prose and several a bit of both.

“The authors enjoyed visiting with those in attendance and they enjoyed meeting them and learning about their writings,” she said.

Brundidge is Nicole Copeland’s hometown and she was thrilled to be a part of the Writers Showcase that was held in the place where her journey as a reader and writer began.

“Brundidge is my hometown and my heart. It was an honor for me to just be there,” Copeland said. “And what a wonderful opportunity to be allowed to bring my books and speak with readers and other writers at ‘my’ library. There is so much talent in this area and I appreciate the library staff and volunteers who worked so hard to put this together.”
Bob Perdue from neighboring Luverne said people are amazing when it comes to making up a group.

“Especially those who move to build others up,” Perdue said. “This book showcase was a great way to gather and greet others who have a story to tell. It was a blessing.”

The participating writers all echoed the sentiments of Copeland and Perdue.

Kimberly Byrd classified the Writers Showcase as “an unforgettable event.”

“It really was unforgettable and I was so happy to be a part of it,” Byrd said. “When writers meet readers, is always fantabulous.”

Trawick agreed that the Writers Showcase was all that the writers said — a unique opportunity, an unforgettable event, fantabulous, an honor and a blessing.

Nina Garrett, MD of Montgomery said she, too, was honored to have been invited to such a special event.

“I felt like I was a home with family here in Brundidge,” Garrett said.

The Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library was the home of Brundidge philanthropist Tupper Lightfoot, before it became a public library. Lightfoot housed hundreds of books in his home and loaned or gave them away to anyone who desired a book.

Trawick said the hope of “Tupper” is that all those who come to the city’s library will be at home among the many book characters who reside inside the bindings.