By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
Author and former Messenger columnist Lloyd Wagnon is hosting a book signing for his new book Vapor Trails on Saturday, November 14 at 3 p.m. at the Historic Pitman Theatre in downtown Gadsden.
Everyone is welcome to come to the signing with free admission and light refreshments being served. Screens at the event will feature Wagnon reading three of his short stories.
Vapor Trails features 101 short stories chosen from the many stories written for columns at the Messenger newspaper.
“I wrote the column in long-hand and delivered it in person for years, but finally, the modern printing technology required scan-able typed copy so I bowed out,” said Wagnon. “During those years I received much encouragement from the readers of my stories, along with their suggestions that I compile and publish the stories in a book.”
The stories feature his time as a southern farm boy during the Great Depression, aviator and soldier during World War II, surveyor, civil servant, husband and father.
“He’s met a lot of characters and learned something from all of them,” said daughter Deborah Wagnon.
The stories try to teach ideals about “days and ways now gone forever.”
“He is really trying to leave some wisdom behind,” said Deborah.
Lt. Col. Wagnon has always written and had an artistic side, but has had to put a book on hold because of his busy life. He released his book at age 91, but “he’s always been extraordinarily young.”
“He is definitely an inspiration to my sister and I,” said Deborah.
In fact, Deborah has also published a book, Great and Wide Sea.
For more information about the event, call 256-504-4918.
Books will be sold at the event, but are also available on Amazon.com at www.amazon.com/Vapor-Trails-A-Lloyd-Wagnon/dp/1680260227.