The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan

Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 26, 2019. Read by Catherine Brand.

Terry Ryan’s mother Evelyn was amazing. She raised 10 children, and supported her alcoholic husband, by entering — and winning one out of four — popular contests in the 1950’s. She wrote jingles, and poems, and a hundred variations on why one company or another was the best ever. Terry’s memoir is witty, warm-hearted, and touching. It’s also a clear-eyed view of the hardships her mother faced and overcame.

(Simon & Schuster; ISBN-10: 0743211227)

Theme: A selection of themes from television shows of the 50’s and 60’s: Donna Reed, Ozzie & Harriet, Danny Thomas, Father Knows Best, Ed Sullivan, The Honeymooners.