March 3, 2020 • Page 8 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com The Bookworm ‘Lost Diary’ Veers Into Fateful, Fictitious History “The Lost Diary of M: A Novel” by Paul Wolfe; © 2020, Harper; 304 pages ——— BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER You know what you did two summers ago. That’s because you took notes: where you were, your thoughts and hopes, observations and desires. Someday, those words could set someone on a new path in life because journals have meaning. In “The Lost Diary of M” by Paul Wolfe, in fact, one woman’s diary could have world-wide impacts. Mary Pinchot Meyer met Jack at a college dance in 1936, and she never forgot him. But, of course, she was just Mary Pinchot then. She wasn’t yet married, wasn’t divorced, wasn’t the mother of three sons, or a painter, or a Washington socialite. And he wasn’t the president of the United States. She wasn’t in his bed then, either, but that changed in 1961 when they reconnected at a White House function. There he was, that big grin, trying to seduce her, his wife just across the room. Mary always wondered if Jackie knew when she joined Jackie’s husband in the Lincoln Bedroom. She wondered if anyone knew but mostly, she didn’t care. She painted in her studio, went to lunch with her small circle of friends, and took up the Pinchot mantle by working toward a peaceful world. When she had a chance to meet Timothy Leary and try some LSD, she did that, too, and it meshed nicely with her quiet activism. She began to think that perhaps LSD was the way to peace. She’d need to talk to Jack about that, maybe some time when he wasn’t dealing with pain, illness, the Bay of Pigs, nuclear war, Khrushchev, public speaking events and a hundred other things he discussed with her after their trysts. One day, she’d make him see how important a Read and Recycle peaceful world was, because too many people had already lost loved ones. Mary herself lost her sister, and a son already in her short life. And though she didn’t know it, she was about to lose much more... Don’t be surprised if several different emotions go through your mind as you’re reading “The Lost Diary of M.” Surely, there’s a certain voyeuristic feeling to this novel and it starts in the first sentence, in which we’re warned that a death has occurred. That’s compelling enough, until we’re plunged into a romance that we see is somewhat onesided, but author Paul Wolfe’s Mary can’t. She can’t confide in anyone, either, and her emotions run from schoolgirl-ish to introspective as she dreams of a life with JFK beyond politics and ponders the current events that consumed Washington in 1963. Even the mundane is noted, which may or may not affect the story itself, but which belong to balance out this novel about a life. Indeed, Mary Pinchot Meyer existed and was murdered some months after the Kennedy assassination. “The Lost Diary of M” is loosely based on her secret life and other historical events, and its blithely uppercrust mien, its elegance, its gossipy flair, and its shocking end perfectly match those truths. If you might remember Camelot and its aftermath (or wish you did), take note ... ‘Lunch & Learn’ At Vermillion Library VERMILLION — The Vermillion Public Library will host a Lunch & Learn at noon on Friday, March 6. This program will explore the free electronic resources patrons can access with their Vermillion Public Library card, including e-books, e-audiobooks, music, movies and self-paced classes. Refreshments will be served, but guests are also welcome to bring their own lunches. This event, presented in partnership with OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), is free and open to the public. The Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library is located at 18 Church Street, Vermillion. More information can be found at vermillionpubliclibrary.org. For details on OLLI and the courses and memberships available, visit usd.edu/OLLI. WSC Planetarium Offers March Shows WAYNE, Neb. — The Fred G. Dale Planetarium at Wayne State College continues its 2020 Spring Season of public shows. This spring season includes a huge selection of shows and new astronomy lessons. This spring also includes a brand new show, “From Earth to Saturn.” • March 6 — Non-Astronomy Weekend, Flight Adventures, 7 p.m. • March 7 — Non-Astronomy Weekend, Understanding Evolution, 2 p.m. Visit www.wsc.edu/planetarium for a detailed planetarium show schedule, more information about these public shows, and how to book a private group showing. Laser shows will also be shown later in the semester. March Seed Library Classes Scheduled The next meeting of the Yankton Seed Library will be on Tuesday, March 10, at 1 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. in the Yankton Community Library meeting room, located at 515 Walnut Street in Yankton. Members of the Missouri Valley Master Gardeners will show you how to make milk jug starters and seed starting pots, as well as answer the question on everyone’s mind: “Should I start this seed early or direct sow?” All participants are asked to bring one gallon jugs that will allow light through, a pair of scissors strong enough to cut through the jug, and clean cardboard tubes. Something new this year is our Adopt-a-Seed program. During the March meeting, participants will have the opportunity to adopt a package of seeds that they will commit to grow and then harvest the seeds to return to the Seed Library. This will help the library grow the seed cabinet offerings for the future. More information on the program will be presented during the March 10 meetings. Watch for the seed cabinet to open in April. Seed Library classes are free and open to the public. For more information contact the library at 605-668-5275 or library@ cityofyankton.org. MV Shopper CLASSIFIEDS M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y IN PRINT & ONLINE To place your ad call... 605.665.5884 Steve was out in the Mule Barn truck stop parking lot the other day, tightening something with his wrenches under the hood of his pickup truck. The rest of us stood around looking wise. “You sure it ain’t the solenoid?” said Bert. “I don’t think they make them anymore,” said Doc. “It’s usually the solenoid,” Bert said, with finality. Out of self defense, Steve emerged from his cavern of wires and metal long enough to say, “Didn’t I see you have a goat now, Bert?” Bert nodded. “That’s why I hate allergies.” We waited. We stared. “Well you see, Maizie’s allergic to cow’s milk, so we bought Ernestine for her.” “And Ernestine is ….?” “The goat … right. So what happens is somehow I have to milk Ernestine. Twice a day. We wanted to go overnight to the city last week. Ever try to find someone who will babysit and milk a goat?” “I won’t do it,” said Dud. “Neither will anyone else,” said Bert, sadly. “So either we stay home, or take the goat with us. Ever try to find a motel that takes goats?” “Not recently,” Doc said. “So we stayed home. Oh, it wouldn’t be so bad if she liked me…” “Maizie?” “Ernestine. See, she waits until I have her almost milked out, then she’ll stick her foot in the bucket and kick it all over me. The other day, I was standing in her pen and talking with Mrs. Gonzales next door, and Ernestine came running up behind me and ran right between my legs.” “Did you fall?” “Of course. And Mrs. Gonzales tried not to laugh, but it didn’t work.” “Bert,” said Doc, “why don’t you just buy goat’s milk at the store?” “Maizie says she needs it fresh, because it’s better. You guys ever notice how a goat has horns and cloven hooves?” We nodded. Then Bert said, “I don’t think I need to add anything to that.” www.missourivalleyshopper.com Ricketts Proclaims 2020 One Book One Nebraska: ‘All the Gallant Men’ LINCOLN, Neb. — On Jan. 13, 2020 Governor Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation honoring 2020 One Book One Nebraska: “All the Gallant Men: An American Sailor’s Firsthand Account of Pearl Harbor” (William Morrow, 2016) by Donald Stratton with Ken Gire. Rebecca Faber, Nebraska Center for the Book (NCB) Board member presented the governor with a copy of the book. “All the Gallant Men” is the first memoir by a USS Arizona survivor. Born in Inavale, Nebraska, and raised in Red Cloud, Donald Stratton joined the Navy in 1940 at the age of 18. On Dec. 7, 1941, he was a Seaman First Class on the USS Arizona. Stratton’s account of the Pearl Harbor attack is 75 years in the making, as he finally shares his personal tale at the age of ninety-four. His story is one of survival and determination as he recovered from the severe injuries he sustained in the attack, and ultimately re-enlisted to fight again. The One Book One Nebraska reading program, sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Nebraska Library Commission, and Humanities Nebraska is entering its sixteenth year. It encourages Nebraskans across the state to read and discuss one book, chosen from books written by Nebraska authors or that have a Nebraska theme or setting. Libraries across Nebraska will join other literary and cultural organizations in planning book discussions, activities and events to encourage Nebraskans to read and discuss this book. Support materials to assist with local reading/ discussion activities are available at http://onebook.nebraska.gov. Updates and activity listings will be posted there and on http://www. facebook.com/onebookonenebraska. The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the Nebraska Library Commission. As Nebraska’s state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development and coordination of library and information services — “bringing together people and information.” SELLING 50 ANGUS BULLS Friday • 4:00PM At the Ranch, Freeman, SD BULL SALES NO BULL ANGUS RANCH MARCH 27, 2020 RothAngusRanch.com Stop by & view the bulls anytime! Free 250 Mile Delivery/Hauling Discount • Volume Discount 42879 277th St., Freeman, SD 57029 • 605-925-4650 Cell 605-359-9220 • crangus@gwtc.net • Cody 605-999-8670 HANDEL FARMS Gelbvieh & Red Angus Bull Sale Sales are coming up & NOW is the time to get noticed! Be Sure To Get Your Advertising In! Friday, March 6, 2020 Platte Livestock Auction, Platte, SD • 1pm CST Contact a marketing representative at the MV Shopper MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y 319 Walnut Street • Yankton, SD 57078 605-665-5884 • 800-743-2968 MISSOU Fax: 605-665-0288R I VA L L E Y www.missourivalleyshopper.com